Bessie chuckled. “Imagine how different your life might have been if he’d given you the job, instead.”
Mary laughed. “I often wonder about that,” she confessed. “He hired a really pretty and fairly stupid woman for the job and I used to tease him that I’d have done it better. He used to tease me that he’d mixed up the applications and meant to hire me and marry her.”
“Did he ever explain why he hired her?” Bessie asked.
Mary flushed. “She was, um, she had, well, she had a very generous figure,” she explained. “George used to have her wear short skirts and low-cut blouses. He always said she brought in a lot of business.”
Bessie frowned. “Really?” she muttered.
“Things were very different in those days, of course,” Mary reminded her. “That sort of thing wouldn’t be acceptable today.”
“And George and Grant stayed in touch all those years when George was across?” Bessie asked, changing the subject somewhat.
Mary blinked and then swallowed some tea. “I suppose they did,” she said after a moment. “I’m not entirely sure how often they spoke, but I gather George did all of his banking through the bank here, rather than one across. For the business, as well as his personal accounts.”
“And now they’re buying up local businesses together?”
“I guess so,” Mary shrugged. “George has never been one to talk about his work with me, but I gather he’s put a lot of money into different schemes that Grant has suggested.”
“Including Island Choice Properties,” Bessie said.
“Yes, although George tried to persuade me to invest in that one as well.”
“You?” Bessie asked.
“I have some money of my own,” Mary explained. “My parents were quite comfortable and I was an only child, you see. I helped fund a lot of George’s early businesses over the years, and, luckily, we’ve always ended up making money. George is actually very good at making money.”
“But you didn’t invest in Island Choice Properties?” Bessie asked.
“No, I don’t invest in Grant Robertson’s projects,” Mary told her. “No matter how many times George asks.” Mary flushed and then popped a cake in her mouth.
Bessie leaned over and patted her friend’s hand. “Nothing you say to me will ever be repeated,” she assured Mary.
“Thank you for that,” Mary replied. “I haven’t any real reason to dislike Grant, actually,” she told Bessie. “There’s just something about him that makes me uncomfortable.”
“Sometimes we just don’t take to people,” Bessie said. “You can’t force yourself to like someone if you don’t.”
“No, I know, but George thinks I’m just being stubborn,” Mary said with a sigh.
“Because you wouldn’t invest in the estate agency or because you don’t like Mr. Robertson?”
“Both, I think,” Mary said. She shrugged. “I’m pretty sure he’s over the whole estate agency thing, actually. He found a few other investors to go in with him and Grant, so that’s okay. He just really wants me to be friends with the man and I simply can’t be more than polite to him.”
“I don’t know him at all,” Bessie said. “What’s he like?”
“Superficially, he’s very polite and very professional,” Mary told her. “But there’s an undercurrent there that bothers me. I just don’t trust him, even though, as far as I know, he’s always been totally honest in every dealing we’ve had with him.”
“George suggested that I come to a party you’re having next week so that I can meet him for myself,” Bessie said.
“Oh, yes, the barbeque,” Mary replied. “I was going to invite you anyway, not to meet Grant, but because it might be fun.”
Bessie looked closely at her friend. “You’re saying fun, but your expression isn’t saying fun.”
Mary laughed. “I’m sure it will be fine,” she said. “George likes to throw these big parties every few months for everyone he knows or has ever met.” She shook her head. “I know opposites attract, but I hate big gatherings and George thrives on them. If he has to go more than few days without a social engagement he gets grumpy and starts talking about moving back across.”
“Oh, I hope you won’t do that,” Bessie exclaimed.
“We won’t,” Mary assured her. “Not if I have any say in the matter, at least.”
“So you’re having a barbeque?” Bessie asked.
“George saw something on telly about a party in Texas where everything was cooked on these huge barbeque grills and he’s been talking about it ever since. He’s found a local caterer that is willing to have a go at recreating everything that was at the party on the television. George is beyond excited because there’ll be fire and smoke and all sorts of food. He’s invited at least half the island, I think.”
Bessie laughed. “Surely you have room for half the island,” she said. George and Mary lived in a huge mansion on the outskirts of Douglas, with many acres of land around it.
“I just hope it doesn’t rain,” Mary said. “They’re meant to be setting up a bunch of marquees for people, in case it rains, but I’m sure everyone will end up in the house if the weather gets bad.” She sighed. “I don’t mind hundreds of people in the garden, but I’d rather not have them all in my home.”
Bessie patted her hand again. “I know exactly what you mean,” she told the other woman. With a public beach right outside her back door, Bessie had long ago grown accustomed to having people in what was effectively her garden. She was selective as to whom she welcomed into her home, though.
“You will come to the barbeque, won’t you?” Mary asked. “I won’t know more than a handful of the guests, well, aside from the children, of course. I’d love it if you could be there.”
“I can’t see why I couldn’t be there. Do you think I could bring a friend?” Bessie asked, wondering if Doona might like an American-style barbeque.
“Oh, by all means, bring everyone you know,” Mary said, a bit desperately. “I can’t imagine anyone would notice if you brought a dozen friends.”
“I won’t bring that many,” Bessie assured her. “But I might bring one.”
Mary nodded. “When George first started talking about the barbeque, it was going to be a party for Mack Dickson,” she told Bessie in a quiet voice.
“For Mack? Why?” Bessie asked. Mack was a brilliant archeologist and historian who’d recently been murdered. Bessie knew that George had been acquainted with the man; indeed, she’d been told that Mack had been blackmailing George, but Bessie wasn’t sure how trustworthy her source was. The idea that George had been planning a party for Mack was surprising to her.
“I don’t know all the details,” Mary said with a shrug. “But the first I heard about the idea was when Mack had lunch with George and Grant the day of his lecture.”
“Mack had lunch with George and Mr. Robertson the day of his lecture?” Bessie asked.
Mary laughed. “Yes, but I don’t know why or what was discussed. The three of them ate in the small dining room and I wasn’t invited to join them.”
Bessie frowned. “Is that normal?” she asked and then flushed. “Sorry, that was a rude question,” she said, sipping the last of her tea to hide her discomfort.
“It’s fine,” Mary answered. The waiter appeared at Bessie’s elbow, offering more tea, which both women were happy to accept. Once he’d gone, Mary smiled at Bessie.
“Everyone’s marriage is different,” she said after a moment. “George has never involved me in his work, so yes, it is quite normal for him to have a meal with guests and not invite me to join them. I assumed at the time that he and Grant were discussing working with Mack on some project. Once Mack made his big announcement about Roman finds, I sort of figured that he’d been talking to George and Grant about that, but I’ve really no idea.”
“That certainly makes sense,” Bessie said, her mind racing.
“Sadly, nothing ever came of it, of course,” Mary said.
“Indeed,” Bessie replied.
“But that’s enough about George and Grant,” Mary said, picking up her last tiny biscuit. “What’s this about you moving to Douglas?”
Bessie smiled at her friend. She’d been waiting for this opportunity. “I don’t know,” she said. “One of my friends lives in the building on Seaview Terrace that Alan Collins took me around. He’s the agent from Island Choice Properties. She keeps talking about all the advantages of living in Douglas. Her building has grocery delivery and it’s close to everything in Douglas, which makes it seem quite tempting, really.”
“And you’d be closer to me,” Mary said happily. “But you’d miss your little cottage by the sea.”
“I would,” Bessie agreed. “That’s why I’m so uncertain as to what to do.”
“It is a huge decision,” Mary agreed.
“I’m afraid I’ll sell my little cottage and buy a flat in Douglas and then hate it,” Bessie said in a confiding tone. “And by that time some developer will have torn down my cottage and replaced it with a block of rental cottages or something.”
Mary shook her head. “They couldn’t tear down your cottage, could they? It’s adorable.”
“And desperately in need of modernisation,” Bessie said with a shrug. “At least I’m sure that’s what Alan Collins would say, if he got a look inside. I’m pretty sure the land is worth a lot more than my old cottage. Apparently sea views are a big selling feature.”
“I suppose,” Mary said slowly. “It’s too bad you can’t keep the cottage and simply rent a flat in Douglas for a while.”
“That’s a thought,” Bessie said, as if the idea had never occurred to her. “I wonder if the people who own the flat at Seaview Terrace would be interested in renting it out for a while.”
“You should ask Alan Collins,” Mary suggested. “He should have some way to contact the owners.”
“I might just have to do that,” Bessie mused.
“I’ll talk to George,” Mary offered. “He knows more about the property market in Douglas than I do. Maybe he’ll know of some other flats that are available.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Bessie said. “Although, I was really taken with the one at Seaview Terrace. If I am going to buy something, I think that might be the place for me.”
“I’m sure George can help in some way,” Mary said. “He knows everyone.”
Bessie nodded. Although he’d only been back on the island for a year or so, it did seem as if George knew everyone, at least everyone who mattered, from the governor to the members of the House of Keys and anyone else who had any influence on the island. Sometimes Bessie wasn’t sure why he’d bothered to become friends with her.
The pair finished their second round of tea with a more general chat about their lives. Mary was very excited at the thought of Bessie moving into Douglas and Bessie did her best to encourage her enthusiasm. While she had no intention of actually moving, she was very interested in seeing what might would happen if she showed real interest in the Seaview Terrace flat.
After tea, Mary drove Bessie home so that she didn’t have to get a taxi back.
“I do love your little cottage,” Mary said as she walked Bessie to her door. “I suppose I can see why you’re tempted to stay put.”
Bessie nodded. “Come and have a walk on the beach with me. You’ll want to stay, too.”
The pair took a short walk on the beach, stopping before they went too deeply into the crowds from the rental cottages. They returned to the relative quiet behind Bessie’s cottage, and Bessie settled in on her rock.
“Have a seat,” she suggested.
Mary perched tentatively on the rock and stared out at the sea. “We’re on the sea as well, of course,” she remarked. “But on a cliff above it, so you can’t easily and safely get down to the water. George keeps talking about having steps put in, but he never gets around to doing it.”
“I love being close to the water,” Bessie told her. “But you do have the most amazing views.”
Mary laughed lightly. “I think I’m just impossible to please,” she said. “If we were right on the water, I’d probably complain about that, but since we aren’t, I wish we were. I know I’m very lucky that we have a large home, but I love your cosy little cottage.” She sighed. “I think I just need more sleep,” she said after a moment.
“Perhaps your holiday in Portugal will do you some good,” Bessie suggested.
Mary’s face brightened. “I’m sure it will,” she agreed. “I shall thoroughly enjoy spending time with the grandchildren. They’re wonderful when they’re small and still want to cuddle and play. All too soon they grow into teens and then adults and everything changes.”
“Would you like to come in for a cup of tea or coffee or something?” Bessie asked after a while.
“No, thank you,” Mary replied. “I’ve had quite enough to drink for now. It’s just so very peaceful here on this rock with the sea whispering in and out. I think I might just sit here for a bit, if you don’t mind.”
Bessie took that as a hint that her friend wanted to be alone. “I’ll leave you here, then,” she told Mary. “If you change your mind, just knock whenever. I’ll be home all night.”
Bessie went into her cottage. She caught up on paying a few bills and then returned a few phone calls that were of no consequence. When she next looked out her back window, Mary had gone.
Chapter Six
The next few days passed quietly. Bessie ignored the answering machine message from Alan Collins, who said he was just checking to make sure she didn’t have any questions. She talked to Doona a couple of times, but Doona was working extra hours to help cover for some of the staff who were taking summer holidays. Spencer rang to let Bessie know that he’d made the shortlist for one of the jobs he’d been interviewed for, and Bessie was very pleased for him. By Friday, she was happy to get into Ramsey for some shopping, as she felt as if she’d been at home alone rather too much lately.
The feeling only lasted for a few minutes once she was out and about, of course. It was a rainy day and after Bessie had been “accidentally” elbowed into a puddle by a large woman with a huge umbrella, who was determined to walk as close to the shops as possible, regardless of who might be already in that space, Bessie was longing for her small, but blessedly empty, cottage.
ShopFast was quieter than normal, presumably due to the rain, and Bessie collected what she needed for the week without having to answer more than a few nosy questions from acquaintances. She’d almost made it out of the store before Maggie Shimmin spotted her.
“Ah, Bessie, there you are,” Maggie’s voice boomed across the front of the store.
Bessie turned from the frozen foods and gave Maggie a smile. “Hi, Maggie, how are you today?”
“I’m well, but how are you?” the woman replied.
“I’m fine,” Bessie replied.
Maggie came around her shopping trolley and took Bessie’s hands in hers. “No, really, Bessie, how are you?” she asked intently.
“I’m fine,” Bessie assured her, trying to pull her hands away.
“Bessie, we’re friends as well as neighbours, you can tell me what’s going on,” Maggie said, staring hard at Bessie.
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean,” Bessie replied, feeling confused.
Maggie sighed deeply. “I guess, if you don’t feel you can talk to me, I mustn’t be pushy,” she said, letting go of Bessie’s hands and turning away. “I thought we were friends, but you have to make that decision, I suppose.”
Bessie put her hand on the woman’s shoulder. “Maggie, we are friends,” she said firmly. “And I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Maggie stared at her for a moment. “I heard how you’ve put your house on the market so you can move into a flat in Douglas with medical staff on call,” she said after a moment. “I know you’re a very private person, so I guess I can see that you don’t want to talk about your health
problems.”
Bessie just looked at her for a long time and then she began to laugh. Maggie was starting to look offended before Bessie got her laughter under control.
“Sorry,” Bessie said, wiping her eyes. “It’s just so ridiculous that I had to laugh.”
“What’s ridiculous?” Maggie asked.
“All of it,” Bessie replied, shaking her head. “I have not put my house on the market. I am not moving into a flat in Douglas with medical staff on call. And, as far as I know, I’m in perfect health, as well.”
Maggie sighed. “My sources are impeccable,” she said stiffly.
“Well, in this instance, they’re also wrong,” Bessie told her. “Would you like me to tell you what’s really happening?”
Maggie nodded eagerly.
Bessie hid her grin. “I am giving some serious thought to moving into Douglas,” she told the woman. “While I love my little cottage, living in Douglas has many advantages and I’m curious what living there might be like. Upkeep on the cottage is costly and time-consuming as well, while a little flat would make my life much easier. For right now, I’m thinking about it and exploring different options, but that’s all I’m doing.”
Maggie didn’t look as if she believed Bessie, but she nodded. “Well, that’s good to hear,” she said.
“I just saw my doctor last month and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with my health, by the way,” Bessie added. “I have no interest in a flat with medical staff available. I’m actually looking at a flat on Seaview Terrace. My friend, Bahey Corlett, lives there.”
“I remember Bahey,” Maggie said. “She’s older than I am, of course. She worked for the Pierce family, right?”
“She did,” Bessie agreed. “Anyway, if I did decide to put my cottage on the market, you’d be the first to know.”
“Well, thank you for that. I’m glad your health isn’t a problem,” Maggie said. “Now I really must be off.”
Maggie was gone before Bessie managed a reply. Bessie shook her head and then checked her trolley. She’d completely forgotten what was on her mental shopping list or even what was already in her trolley. The chat with Maggie had amused and upset her in nearly equal measure. She really hated being gossiped about, but it was worse when the gossips got so much of it wrong.
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