Honorable Intentions

by Pauline Saull

  “Good. Then shall we skip lunch and take a walk down to the beach?”

  They walked across the sloping lawn and Suzy zipped her jacket.

  “Cold?” Jake asked. He pulled a slim paisley scarf from his own jacket pocket and handed it to her. Suzy smiled, wound it around her neck.

  “There’s a breeze getting up,” she said. “But look…a tiny patch of blue fighting back the clouds, perhaps we’ll have some sun.”

  Jake smiled. “Perhaps.”

  “How are the troglodytes doing?” Suzy said.

  “Gone, all of them. The nest is empty. Though I expect they’ll be back next year, it was a pretty successful spot for them. This is fantastic isn’t it?”

  They’d reached the bottom of the lawn and beyond a low line of shrubs the golden arc of a pale stretch of beach was visible. Roughly hewn steps had been carved out of the rock leading down to the sand, and they made their way to the bottom. Suzy stopped to take off her sandals. The sand felt cool and silky on her bare feet. She dug her toes in. “Lovely,” she said. The breeze didn’t feel quite so strong in the shelter of the shallow cliffs and they walked along in silence. Although gulls wheeled overhead screeching as they circled, the only other break in the silence was the gentle sound of the waves swishing on the shingle closer to the water line.

  “Look.” Jake pointed to a large white ship on the horizon, already lit up with a myriad of lights. “A cruise ship. It’s heading west along the coast. I wonder where it’s going.”

  “America?” Suzy said.

  “Maybe. The Azores, Canaries, Madeira?” Jake smiled. “It’s a wide, wide world.” He dug his hands into his trouser pockets. “Have you travelled far, Suzy?”

  She smiled. “Sadly no. When I first started working for Dad, money was a bit tight, and I was at the age where I imagined I needed an extensive wardrobe to impress clients. Not true of course, I don’t think half the time they care what you’re wearing as long as you sort a good deal out for them, but anyway, no there was never enough money for holidays. Spain at the holiday weekend was only my second trip abroad. I managed a week on a tiny Greek island once with India. We loved it, but after ordering lamb at the island’s only tiny bistro one afternoon, then returning that evening to eat, we noticed the sheep we’d seen in the field earlier in the day had gone. We were horrified and turned back. I swore I’d never go anywhere like that again.”

  “Funny how strange we Brits are about things like that,” Jake said with a smile. “We’re much happier buying the same thing ready-wrapped, aren’t we?”

  Suzy nodded, bending to collect a pretty shell. “Heads in the sand,” she said.

  “Remember I said I’d tell you about the island? I never did get around to it, did I?”

  Suzy shook her head.

  “Well, it’s a beautiful island in the Caribbean. Only small but with a thriving fishing community of lovely people. I’ve bought a rundown-type house there, which I now think is my favorite place of all. There are no sheep to worry about, the only livestock you see are chickens, the people who live there are mostly vegetarians, but what they can do with the humble veg is astounding…and of course they eat a lot of their own fish. I would like to show it to you one day.”

  Suzy stopped, pulling her hair out of her face. “You’d like to show me?”

  He turned to face her. “Yes, don’t sound so surprised.” He frowned. “Suzy…this isn’t easy for me to say, because I know things have been a little strained between us, but if you let slip about the Shepherd place to your, um, friend, then I can accept it was an accident. I’m sorry it happened because I let it drive a wedge between us, but if you’re willing to forgive and forget my insensitivity in bringing the subject up in the first place, and be a little more cautious in the future, then fine. Also, I don’t want you doing any further business deals with that man. Understood? ”

  “Wait a minute.” Suzy felt dizzy with anger. “You still think I said something to him…Darren? You haven’t really given me chance to tell you that I did not, but condescend to say you’ll forgive me anyway and as a little expression of generosity offer to show me your precious island!” She whipped the scarf from around her neck and handed it to him. “Well keep your platitudes to yourself, Jake Mason. For the moment I work for you, nothing more, though I can’t see that lasting very much longer. I meant what I said about resigning because this is a complete waste of time.”

  And turning on her heels she ran unsteadily back along the beach to the steps, sprinted up them, stubbing her toe painfully on the way, and across the lawn. Jumping in her car she drove away without a backward glance.

  She had never felt so let down and disappointed. How dare he?

  She tapped the steering wheel angrily. For the foreseeable future she’d work for him, nothing more. She would do her job efficiently while looking for another position and put him out of her mind. Sliding ungracefully into the parking lot with a squeal of brakes she slammed her car door shut and stormed into the office.

  “Morning,” Lilian said brightly. Her eyes quickly scanned Suzy’s face. “You’ve had a visitor. Darren called in.”

  “Oh did he indeed?” Suzy said grimly. “What did he want?”

  Lilian glanced across at Ann, both clearly unused to Suzy’s tone of voice. “Um, just that he’d like to speak with you. I told him you’d be here this afternoon.”

  “Okay.” Suzy sighed. “Sorry if I sound like a dragon. I need a cuppa.”

  Ann jumped up. “Ah, here’s Brian in time for morning tea. I’ll put the kettle on.”

  »»•««

  Suzy worked through lunch on contracts and caught up with emails, and when she’d finished considered going home early to avoid seeing Darren and attack her small garden instead. She felt like doing something positive, physical. It was while she was mulling over this idea that Lilian popped her head around the door. “Darren to see you Suzy,” she said, eyebrows raised.

  Suzy nodded. “Send him in.” She leaned back in her chair and folded her arms.

  Darren walked in closing the door quietly behind him. He looked sheepish, holding both his hands up.

  “Hey,” he said. “Hold fire. You look as though you’re about to blast off at me.”

  “Well what do you expect?” Suzy retorted angrily.

  “Okay, okay. You’re mad because of the Shepherd listing, right? I knew you’d find out, but you know what, Suzy? This is a free country.”

  Suzy nodded. “That may be so, but you stopped us getting that listing by trying to blacken Jake’s good name. Not that it really concerns me. However, what does, is how you managed to find out about our interest in Northcote. And why should you want to thwart us?”

  “Can I sit?” Darren indicated the chair.

  Suzy shrugged.

  “Look. I can see how wound up you are, but there are things…well, things I don’t want to go into right now…stuff you may have been told I said which has been exaggerated.” He lifted his shoulders. “Anyway, why are you still so angry about it? The old girl gave it to Mason after all, didn’t she?”

  “That’s beside the point,” Suzy said stubbornly. “What I don’t get is the fact that you, not even in real estate would be in contact with Mr. Shepherd in the first place. Why was that, Darren?”

  Darren shrugged. “Why, doesn’t matter. The pubs around here are alive with gossip, people have nothing better to do. I spend time in different places, and I must admit I listen in, eavesdrop when I can, so I hear things. Rumors are always rife surrounding a successful business man. There’s always someone wanting to pull him down one way or another.”

  “That is too far-fetched to be believed.” Suzy’s eyes narrowed. “What I do believe though is that somehow you obtained information about, not only Northcote, but Hawks Nest too. Not from Jake, that would be impossible, so that only leaves me. That day out we had…”

  “You?” Darren’s eyes narrowed. “And what about the day out?”

  “I went off to
collect driftwood leaving my purse. It contained my diary…”

  “Hey! Hold on one minute, Suzy. You think I―” he prodded his chest, “went sneaking through your purse?” He shook his head, looking truly astounded causing Suzy a moment’s unease. Had she gone too far?

  But seeing the sudden nervous flicker as his eyes narrowed gave her the confidence to press on regardless.

  “How else can it have happened? You see,” she leaned forward onto her desk, “I really can’t buy that bull you’ve just given me…listening in, eavesdropping. Rubbish!”

  “Suzy, Suzy.” Darren shook his head. “You certainly never breathed a word of that deal to me, and I sure as hell didn’t go through your personal belongings, but,” he said, wagging a finger, “have you given any thought at all to Mason’s close relationship with that female from the property magazine?”

  “What do you know about that?” Suzy asked sharply.

  Darren shrugged. “I’ve seen them around together. Perhaps he told her something and she inadvertently let the cat out of the bag. The circles she moves in must have an ear cocked at all times for information of any sort regarding properties.”

  “Oh.” Suzy tried not to show how deflated she suddenly felt. His insinuations had dissipated her antagonism and her anger had gone. Perhaps she had she been barking up the wrong tree after all.

  She pursed her lips. “Whatever, Darren. However, as far as I am now concerned our business relationship is now over. Jake certainly does not want me dealing with you, and as he writes the checks…”

  It was a sobering thought that in the space of two hours she had managed to lose two acquaintances.

  She rose from her chair. “So if it’s all right with you, should there be any further need for us to communicate regarding payment for our final purchases, could you email or fax Lilian?” She held his gaze as he rose lazily.

  “Okay. Fine. So the big Jake Mason gets his own way again, does he? Well, I’ll wish you a good day then…and good luck. I think you’ll need it.”

  When the door closed Suzy slumped into her chair. Her legs were shaking terribly. The discussion had unnerved her more than she could have thought possible.

  Lilian popped her head around the door. “Okay?” She frowned. “He looked as mad as a wasp.”

  Suzy played with a pen. “I should never have trusted him, Lilian. I was a fool.”

  Lilian looked perplexed.

  “Oh, it’s nothing.” Suzy waved a hand. “The office is quiet at the moment so I’m going to go home early and tackle my tiny patch of paradise.”

  “Good.” Lilian smiled. “I did mine yesterday…planted some pansies and they look gorgeous.”

  On the drive home Suzy’s thoughts went over the day fishing with him in fine detail. When she went looking for driftwood stupidly leaving her bag under the blanket, it would have been easy for him to look inside it and find her diary where she’d written Northcote Manor’s address. She bit her lip. Pretty simple for him to put two and two together, find out all about the place, sneak in under their noses and contact Norris Shepherd.

  How despicable. I trusted him.

  And Hawk’s Nest? How on earth could he have found out about that?

  Maybe it was all as he’d said, nothing but pub gossip. But still she couldn’t help thinking there was more to it than that. She flicked her indicator on to turn down Sunnyside. Anyway, it would always be her word against his. She could prove nothing. There was no point in even putting her suspicions to Jake when he hadn’t believed her in the first place.

  Suzy dashed angrily at a tear running down her face. She was going to get all her work and contracts up to date and seriously start looking for another job. But doing what?

  As she was about to pull into her parking space outside her gate, Genevieve Roberts, her elderly neighbor, popped up from below her neatly-clipped hedge.

  “Good afternoon, Suzy. The days are getting cooler now, aren’t they? Time to get the pansies in.”

  Suzy smiled. “Yes. Your garden’s looking lovely, Genevieve.”

  “Thank you dear, one has to try. Did you get your delivery all right?”

  Suzy stopped. “Delivery? No, when was that?”

  Genevieve waved her trowel. “Oh, can’t remember now I seem to recall it was while you were away. Was it? My memory! I just saw the courier and assumed he’d called in at your place.” She laughed. “There was certainly nothing for me.”

  “You’ve seen him at my house before?”

  “Mm? No, only the once, and not exactly at your house, but coming up the lane as I was driving down. As you know, Charlie over the way is still in Austria so it couldn’t have been for him. Perhaps the poor chap came down the wrong road. Anyway, must get on dear before it gets too cold.”

  “Don’t stay out too long,” Suzy admonished lightly with a smile. Letting herself in she made a cup of coffee, collected her old jacket and gardening gloves, and went out into the garden, her conversation with Genevieve forgotten. The sweet old thing’s memory was certainly getting worse.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Jake’s plans were drawn up for the Northcote and he and Alan put a group of men in as soon as Mrs. Shepherd had moved out. All the spare furniture, a few pieces of which Jake intended keeping for the communal areas, was carried up to be stored in the attics while work progressed. He wanted desperately to have Suzy involved in this first planning stage, but as things stood, had not asked her along. And unusually for him, he found that because of this his heart really was not in it. He missed her.

  Toward the end of the first week he had a call from Amanda, and feeling as he did, could barely put any enthusiasm into his voice.

  “You do sound down,” she said. “I heard about Northcote Manor. How’s it coming along? Problems?”

  “No, no. We’re doing really well. Better than I expected. The roof’s been the biggest problem up to now, it leaks like a colander, but hopefully by the end of next week we should have it fixed. Thankfully it’s only damaged the attics which is a blessing.”

  “So nothing managed to make its way into the statelier rooms, which I’m sure there must be many of?”

  Jake felt himself perk up at what he perceived to be the genuine interest in her voice. “Actually, surprisingly, no.” And before he could stop himself added, “Why don’t you come out and have a look?”

  “I’d love to. Give me a time to suit you.”

  Jake clicked his phone shut and wandered out onto the patio at the side of the house. He loved the view from there of the wooded hills to one side, vibrantly colored as autumn set in with its magic mix of oranges, yellows, and reds. And the way the sun flooded the house with bright golden light, in contrast to the view before him of the slate gray water of the channel, broken here and there by creamy foamy white horses. He heard Amanda’s car and walked around to greet her. She had been keen to visit immediately.

  She climbed out of her car smiling. “How absolutely lovely. The spot, I mean. Can’t say I’m too mad about the house.” She looked at it critically. “Too many additions?”

  “Yeah. I think the Victorians had a thing about adding on bits here and there, but we think we can marry it all together eventually, so to speak. Come and have a look inside.”

  Amanda smiled up at him as they walked to the door. “I’ve missed your company,” she said. “You only give yourself out in small doses, don’t you?”

  Jake smiled too. “It’s been a busy time.”

  “Of course. Oh, this quite nice.” Amanda looked around the spacious hall and Jake couldn’t help his thoughts returning to Suzy and her unbridled enthusiasm when she’d first seen it. He sighed inwardly and commenced taking Amanda on a guided tour of the rest of the house, which although being knocked about by the builders who were opening up small rooms to enlarge the spaces, nonetheless looked impressive.

  “Good views,” Amanda murmured, looking across the rolling lawns. “I think I could quite like the idea of one of these myself, Jak
e! When will they be ready?”

  “Three, four months. The guys work quickly but don’t cut any corners.”

  “No,” Amanda said with a smile. “I’m sure you wouldn’t allow that.”

  »»•««

  Darren strode back and forth in his office. Who did Suzy Porter think she was? She’d had the bare-faced nerve to treat him like something nasty she’d found on the bottom of her shoe. Just like Karen after all, he thought. Were all women like that? So full of themselves they couldn’t see what was beyond the end of their nose?

  The meeting with her had been irking him for days and he was well aware Mel was beginning to lose patience with him. At the moment she was tapping determinedly at her laptop.

  “You have got to get your head around this, Daz,” she said, turning to watch him. “Otherwise I can’t go on.”

  “What are you talking about?” He stopped pacing to glare at her.

  Mel swiveled her chair around. “The business. If you’re going to be continually obsessed with this Jake bloke then I want out, a split. I’ve discussed it with Andrew and he agrees with me. It’s going to bring Arighi’s down and I can’t afford to let that happen. I’ve a family to think of, you’ve only yourself.”

  “Aw Mel. What does my brother-in-law know about anything? He’s a carpenter for God’s sake… Okay. Sorry. I shouldn’t have said that, but give me a break will you? I’ve told, you I’m done with them.”

  “Then why all this weird behavior?” Mel waved her hands. “You’re not pulling your weight, I can tell you’re not sleeping. Perhaps,” she added quietly, “you should make an appointment to see someone.”

  Darren stared at her, his eyes hard. “Ha! Are you saying I need to see a shrink now?”

  “I think, Daz, that you need someone to help you sort out whatever it is that’s making you so miserable. Will you do it? For me, please?”

  Darren looked at Mel’s pleading face. He loved her and her kids, even his ditzy brother-in-law. They were, after all, all he had, but there was just one last thing he had to do…

  “Okay, I promise I’ll give it some serious thought. Now can we forget it?”