by Kirsty Ferry
‘And this is your project chart?’ He indicated the post-it notes.
‘I’ve gone low tech for this one. Oh – I didn’t get a chance to tell you, but Aidan managed to get into Rob Edwards’ old house and I went along. We saw some words scratched on the window pane. We think it was him.’
‘You went along?’ This time, Alex’s smile did reach his eyes. ‘That’s definitely above and beyond the call of duty for a civil engineer.’
‘It’s all very … professional.’ Cassie flushed and turned back to her post-its. She shuffled them around importantly. ‘We’re just trying to unravel the story, that’s all.’
‘Okay. Whatever you say. But I don’t believe you for a minute. Anyway, I’d best be off and let you get on. I’ve got some suppliers to email, and then I’ll go and see Elodie.’ He paused. ‘Again. I’m sorry.’
‘That’s fine. Give my love to Elodie.’
‘I will.’
Cassie was just feeling a rush of affection for her brother, when he leaned over and messed her post-its up, quite deliberately and quite roughly.
‘Alex!’ she cried.
‘What?’ And he ran off laughing before she could stop him.
Around mid-afternoon, Aidan knocked on the door, and was pleased to hear Cassie calling, ‘Come in!’
‘I thought I’d find you in here.’ He smiled and handed Cassie a Styrofoam cup. ‘I treated myself to a Hartsford coffee. I got you one too.’
‘Oh! Thank you!’ Cassie took the cup gratefully. ‘You seemed busy today. I didn’t want to disturb you.’
‘I have been busy. I also came to tell you that the pool should be watertight and we’re going to let things settle, then wondered if you would fill it up in a day or so to check.’
‘The pool?’ Cassie shrieked with excitement. ‘Thank you! That’s almost one thing ticked off my list.’
‘You’ll have to colour it in on your project chart,’ Aidan teased with a grin.
‘Yes.’ Cassie nodded, mock-seriously. ‘Blue, I think. That would work.’
‘Great. Cheers!’
Aidan raised the coffee cup and Cassie laughed, knocking her cup against his in a toast to the pool. ‘Cheers indeed. In fact, it has cheered me up.’
‘Oh? Were you sad?’ He just wanted to protect her and stop her from being sad.
‘A little bit.’ She sighed. ‘Alex dropped by earlier. And he wasn’t exactly happy to start with.’
‘What’s wrong? You know I’m happy to listen. Really, I am.’
‘Thanks.’ She smiled up at him, and he was concerned to see the smile was suddenly a little watery. ‘The address I destroyed? Our mother’s? I should have kept it.’ She laughed shortly, and a little bitterly. ‘Alex and I now think it would be quite a good thing to contact her.’
‘Oh?’ Aidan’s heart started thumping a little faster. ‘Why’s that?’
She shrugged. ‘Stuff he’s found out from the solicitors. And the babies have changed his mind. Bloody hell. How old are they?’
Aidan didn’t answer – it was very much a rhetorical question.
He gave her a moment or two to compose herself, but was horrified when a big, fat tear started to roll down her cheek. Followed by more big, fat tears. Oh, dear.
‘Hey, hey. Come on. You’ll drip onto your project chart.’
‘Sorry.’ She sniffed and wiped her eyes. ‘It’s just a big mess. It’s one thing after another, you know? Getting this sorted, and then the babies coming, and Alex looking so sad because he blames himself. Just … things.’
Aidan didn’t think it was quite the right moment to tell her that he had salvaged the address, because if he did, and she wrote to Anne, and if that lady who he saw at the gates was who he suspected she was … well. The letter might not even reach her. He debated whether to tell her about the lady, and that he had mentioned the Living History weekend to her, but then thought better of it. Why raise Cassie’s hopes?
Instead, he reached out and brushed her hair away from the damp cheeks. ‘If it’s meant to be, it’ll be,’ he said softly.
She looked up at him, and for a wild moment he imagined he saw a look of hope in her eyes that spoke of Fate happening in all sorts of other ways.
‘Do you think Rob and Stella thought that?’
‘I think they maybe did.’ He crooked his finger and brushed her cheek again. ‘It’s a good policy, don’t you agree?’
This time the look of hope was definitely there. ‘A very good policy,’ she whispered.
Something shifted in the room, and Aidan found he couldn’t look away from her. Her lips looked very kissable, and her eyes, damp as they were with tears, were drawing him in. She moved closer, tilting her face towards his and suddenly her arms were around him. ‘Oh Aidan. I don’t know what would have happened here if you hadn’t seen my advert and come to visit. I can’t quite find the words to thank you.’
‘You don’t need to tell me in words.’ He smiled and leaned in towards her. Their lips connected and he was pulling her closer. It was by far the most urgent kiss they’d shared and if this was a promise of what else the chemistry between them might spark … dear God. How was he stopping himself from taking it further right there and then?
‘Cassie. Don’t think that once this event is over I’m letting you go,’ he whispered against her lips and she smiled against his and pressed up closer to him.
‘Don’t think I’m going to let you go.’
Then a sharp rap on the door had them springing apart, which, on balance, was probably just as well, because his fingers had found her waistband and hers were travelling down his arms and heading towards his trousers, and this wasn’t the time or place at all. What on earth had got into them? The wild spirits of Rob and Stella perhaps? Who knew. But the moment shifted and the intense feelings melted away, leaving a pleasurable sense of anticipation for the future instead.
‘Aidan!’ Petra’s cheerful face peered around the door. ‘Aidan, would you please come and look at this? We need your opinion on the access to the squash courts. I saw you pop in here. I hope I’m not interrupting your coffee break.’
‘Well, you are, but I suppose it’s important.’ Aidan smiled at Petra, then looked at Cassie. A faint tinge of pink had flooded her face. ‘Not as important as my coffee break though.’
‘No, it’s okay.’ Cassie managed a smile. ‘Go on. You’re clearly needed elsewhere.’
‘Okay.’ Aidan hesitated for a moment, but was aware of Petra waiting in the doorway. ‘Just remember where we were, yeah? Maybe we should come back to that at some point?’
Cassie nodded. ‘Yes. At some point.’
‘Good. Enjoy your coffee.’ He winked and Cassie flushed a deeper rose-pink.
‘I will. And – thanks again.’
‘You’re welcome.’ He took one last, lingering look at her, grinned, then walked outside, back into his professional life.
Chapter Twenty-Six
June 1942
Stella was back at Hartsford Hall, currently working for the Women’s Voluntary Service. This morning, she had been driving evacuated children around the countryside in a donkey cart, and had taken Catherine along for the ride and a picnic afterwards. The little evacuees loved Catherine and she was always welcome on these excursions.
Stella had realised she actually loved children and had hated being away from Catherine, so the least she could do for these poor evacuees was to care for them and spoil them a little, whilst her heart broke daily for the mothers who lived apart from them.
The Earl, her father, had passed away shortly after Leo and Helen brought Catherine home, working himself up into such a frenzy over world events he had no control over, that he had simply dropped dead of a heart attack one day in the middle of a boardroom meeting.
It was surreal. Helen was now Helen, Lady Hartsford, and Leo had inherited his father’s title. There had been nothing stopping Stella coming back after that.
Helen had originally told her that when they turned up with
the baby, the Earl’s accusations had flown and yes, one of them did involve his wayward daughter.
‘She’s no bloody nurse, is she? That child is the image of her – the image of her. What the hell have you done? It’s that bloody poet’s, isn’t it?’ he’d raged. Then he had gone off on a tangent and started accusing them of bringing flea-ridden paupers to the house instead. ‘Cuckoo in the nest! It’s probably diseased if you found it on the streets! It’s not inheriting anything of mine. Not a thing.’
So Stella had decided to play at being nurses a little longer.
She had, in reality, gone to stay with Veronica while Stephen was ‘away’, as they all so delicately said, and it had worked out quite well. And, awful though it sounded, they had all been quite relieved when the Earl died. Stephen had been released from the hospital, and it meant that Stella could come home. And even if she couldn’t realistically claim Catherine, she could at least be near her.
As she waltzed in to the Hall, after her trip in the carriage though, the sight she saw before her made her stop dead. Helen was looking pale, and Leo was rummaging around for something, flicking through paperwork as if he’d lost something important.
‘Is everything all right?’ Stella’s stomach clenched, expecting the worst. Like a Pathé News reel, images of other friends or family who might be in danger flickered through her mind. Who on earth had been hurt or killed now, and why was everything suddenly so desperate? She clutched Catherine to her and the baby grumbled a protest. ‘Please? Someone answer me.’
‘Stella, darling.’ Helen smiled, although her voice was a little shaky. ‘How do you fancy a little ride in the car? I really think you’d like to go on a nice long trip, don’t you?’
‘A nice long trip?’ Stella glanced at Leo. ‘Where the hell are we going to get the resources for a nice long trip?’
‘Let me worry about that.’ Leo stood up and looked his sister up and down. Stella blushed, knowing her hair was awry and most likely had straw in it. Her clothes had definitely seen better days and were undoubtedly filthy. One little boy, new to the village, had grabbed her arm excitedly as he saw a cow in a field – his very first cow – but unfortunately, he’d been clutching a honey sandwich at the time. In the same hand. ‘How long will it take you to get clean?’
‘Leo!’ Stella was affronted. There was no need for him to infer she was a state, was there? A girl had to at least try to retain her pride where she could.
‘And Catherine? I think she could do with a little wash as well. Is that jam on your face, baby girl? Is it?’
Stella opened her mouth to protest as Helen swooped in and took the baby out of her arms. Catherine roared with laughter as Helen made aeroplane noises and flew her around the room.
Even now, even after so long, Stella’s heart twisted as she watched Helen play with Catherine, and thought about what Rob had missed and what he would continue to miss.
She blinked back a tear and folded her arms. ‘There’s absolutely no need to be rude. I shall go and sort myself out now.’
‘Splendid.’ Helen stopped and hugged the baby to her. ‘Go now, darling. Let me deal with this little lady.’
And Stella found she had no choice but to comply.
Stella stepped out of the car and looked around. She was miles away from home, miles away from Hartsford, and God only knew how Leo had managed to get the petrol to get them here. They were outside a big, sprawling building that looked awfully official. She’d fallen asleep in the back of the car and still felt a little groggy.
‘Where are we?’ she asked.
Helen got out and stood beside her. ‘Wiltshire.’ She leaned back in and took Catherine out. She adjusted the baby’s knitted pixie hood and stole a kiss before she handed her to Stella.
Stella took Catherine and snuggled her in. ‘What are we in Wiltshire for?’
‘You’ll see.’ That was Leo. ‘I just have to confirm something, then we’ll be able to continue.’ He went into a small outbuilding, and Stella looked around her. Ahead of them was a tarmac road, winding towards a sprawling building set in front of a circular lawn. A few cars were parked out front, along with some ambulances.
‘Oh!’ Stella stood up straighter and grinned. ‘Of course! Mary and Lois – they’re working at a hospital here. Is it this one? I’m so pleased. I’ve been wanting to ask them how they manage. I don’t know if I’d be cut out to be a proper nurse, but I suppose if I had to, I could hold the patients’ poor hands, or something.’
Helen smiled and seemed to relax. ‘You guessed our surprise! Oh, boo.’
Stella laughed. ‘Top notch. Tell me, are we surprising them, or are they surprising us?’
‘You’ll have to wait and see, darling. Look! There’s Leo coming back.’
Leo approached them and looked a little nervous. ‘It’s fine. We can go in. We can take the car right up to the front and they’ll meet us there.’
‘No sense in waiting then.’ Helen climbed back in.
‘What’s a few more yards? We’ve travelled miles already.’ Stella was still carefully holding Catherine and eased herself into the rear seat.
Leo took them to the front door, and two women burst out of the building, capes flying, identical smiles on their faces. One pulled Helen’s door open and one pulled Stella’s and then they were both hugging and kissing and cooing over the baby.
‘May I? Please?’
That was Lois, holding her arms out and Stella handed Catherine over with a smile. ‘Down here I can actually claim her – not like at Hartsford.’
‘That’s the problem with such a small village. Nothing’s sacred.’
‘Nothing at all.’ Then Stella half-turned to Mary and took her hands. ‘But it’s so lovely to see you both.’
‘Not as lovely as it is for us to see you.’ Mary tucked Stella’s arm in hers. ‘Come on. Let me take you around here. I’ll show you our beautiful gardens. The boys love it here, they do. Sometimes, we put their beds out on the terrace and let them enjoy the sunshine.’
‘The boys? You’ve found plenty of them, then.’
‘Yes, our gorgeous pilots. I fall in love practically every other day.’
Stella laughed, although her heart twisted, just a little. Rob. If only he’d ended up somewhere like here. She was willing to bet that people would have had no difficulty falling in love with him.
‘Here we are.’ Mary’s voice took on a strange, excited little note. ‘As if on cue. One of my favourite patients ever. Of course, it’s such a pity he’s given his heart away quite so spectacularly.’
A man was sitting with his back to them, reading a newspaper. Stella looked at him, ready to agree with her friend that of course he was the most delightful man she’d ever seen, when she stopped in her tracks.
There was something too familiar about the shade of his hair, the set of his shoulders. Her heart began to pound as she saw the blue and white scarf knotted casually around his neck.
‘Go on,’ whispered Mary. ‘Go to him. He doesn’t know you’re coming.’ Stella cast a stunned glance at her friend and saw tears glistening in her eyes. ‘It’s all right. We’ll keep Catherine with us.’ Mary gave her a gentle push towards him, and as if he had sensed her nearby, he suddenly raised his head and looked around him.
‘Go on!’ Mary pushed her again.
‘Rob—’ Stella’s voice broke on his name. Then it all happened at once. ‘Rob!’ She began to run, to cover the short distance between them as fast as she could. ‘Rob!’
He threw the paper to the ground, struggled stiffly out of the chair and turned towards her, his dear, dear face as shocked as hers must be.
‘Stella!’ He shouted her name, and held his arms out, ready to catch her. ‘My Stella.’
She ran straight into his arms and fitted into the gap as exactly and as perfectly as she always had done, as she had longed to do again, so very many times. He felt warm and real and solid, and she never wanted to be parted from him, ever again. ‘I thought
I’d never see you again.’
‘Oh, God, Stella.’ His voice cracked and he buried his face in her hair. ‘Marry me Stella. I said I’d ask you again, I promised I would. Marry me. Please.’
‘Yes. Yes. Of course, I will. I love you Rob. I love you so much.’
‘I love you too. I never stopped. And I never will.’
And she believed him, whole-heartedly, because she felt exactly the same.
Present Day
It was the Thursday before the Living History event was about to start. The squash courts, were now sparkling clean and no longer smelled of old trainers and sweat. Bunting was hung everywhere in preparation, and there was already a tent next to the building where they were going to offer strawberry teas.
Inside the courts, Cassie had prepared all the exhibitions she’d dreamed of in all the ways she’d imagined them, with a little help from Margaret. The staircase was safe and they had displays in the viewing gallery as well as downstairs, and there was a special section for Delilah’s granny’s hoard. Alex had managed to get some cookery books printed up with some of Granny Delilah’s recipes in, and the cover incorporated a lovely picture of her, up to her elbows in flour, that Cassie had, eventually, discovered in the archives.
There was also, of course, a very special section for Rob and Stella. Stella’s photograph and Rob’s Cambridge photograph, as well as his RAF one, were in a display case, with Rob’s notebook open at the drawing of the Spa and Stella’s list book open at the page where she lamented her very own Lost Generation. Cassie had laid the terrible love poem Rob had written alongside them and smiled as she fastened the lid shut.
‘Hey, it’s looking good.’ She turned and saw Aidan silhouetted in the doorway. ‘You see, it all worked out in the end.’
‘It did. Look – have you seen Rob and Stella’s display?’ She stepped aside, and Aidan walked across, standing very closely next to her and looking at the cabinet. ‘I’d like them to be happy we’ve got their things; we’ve pieced it all together as far as we could. Thank you for bringing Rob’s book to me.’ She smiled up at him, genuinely grateful. Then she laughed, embarrassed. ‘If you hadn’t, then I don’t think I would have had much for this weekend apart from a glut of ice-cream and some bunting.’