by Jenny Lane
Anyway, a man with Keir’s charm and looks must surely be involved with someone already. She pulled herself together with an effort.
‘I like your pottery,’ she told him sincerely. ‘The colours are wonderful.’
‘Thank you — are you into ceramics?’ he asked with interest.
‘I don’t know much about making pottery, but I do appreciate it. I certainly know what I like when I see it,’ she said. ‘My father took me to exhibitions and galleries from quite an early age.’
Keir told her about a recent exhibition he’d been to in London. He was an interesting man to talk to and Sophie felt herself relaxing in his company. The time passed pleasantly until, suddenly catching sight of the clock above the counter, she shot to her feet.
‘Thanks so much for coffee, but I’ve got a couple more things to do now and Aunt Rose will wonder where I’ve got to.’
***
‘Well, you two look as if you’ve had a busy morning,’ Aunt Rose told them, as they entered the kitchen.
‘Sorry if we’re a bit late, Rose,’ Keir said setting down the shopping bag he was carrying. ‘It was easier to take the Range Rover and I have to confess we sneaked into the cafe for a coffee.’
Aunt Rose’s eyes twinkled. ‘Did you now? Then it’s just as well I wasn’t waiting for those groceries, wasn’t it? Actually, I’ve had a visitor whilst you’ve been out. Mavis Briggs popped by to see how I was getting along. She says it’s like a palace upstairs, thanks to you, Sophie. You obviously take after your mother for keeping things spick and span. Anyway, she made me a cuppa and we’ve had a good long natter setting the country to rights as usual.’
Keir stayed just long enough to fill Rose in with what was happening at the gift shop, refused lunch graciously and left.
‘I take it you two are getting along all right then?’ Aunt Rose said casually. ‘Oh, Keir’s very pleasant company.’
Sophie thought she detected a gleam in Aunt Rose’s eyes and hoped she was mistaken. Sophie wasn’t ready for a new relationship yet. She was still recovering from Brett and feeling emotionally bruised. But, she had to admit Keir was a very attractive man and it would be good to have him as a friend with no strings attached.
Sophie wondered if she ought to make any comment about the gift shop, but decided to be cautious. She handed Aunt Rose the envelope containing her earnings.
Aunt Rose looked inside and sighed. ‘Thank you, dear. I’m afraid there’s not much left over these days after I’ve covered the cost of the materials, but after all, I suppose it is only a hobby, and it’s better than me sitting twiddling my thumbs, isn’t it? Now, Mavis Briggs has put that meat pie in the oven for me, so if you could just pop the veg on we can still eat fairly early. What’s it like out?’
‘Cold, but crisp underfoot. There’s still a bit of ice and snow around.’
Sophie busied herself at the cooker and then put the shopping away under Aunt Rose’s directions.
‘I’ve had a bit of a body blow,’ the old lady said quietly. ‘I know I ought to have seen it coming, but I’ve been shutting my mind to it, hoping it wouldn’t happen any time soon.’
Sophie spun round from the cooker. ‘Whatever’s happened, Aunt Rose? Are you ill?’ she asked in alarm.
‘No, dear, it’s nothing like that. I probably haven’t told you about the plans for the disused chapel just off the high street?’
Sophie wrinkled her brow. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘No, well, I suppose I’ve been burying my head in the sand, hoping it might all come to nothing. Anyway, it seems they’re forging ahead with converting it into a craft centre. There have been ongoing discussions about what to do with the building since way before Hugh died. It’s been quite controversial and thrown up a number of issues, such as whether it’s right to use a chapel for that sort of project.’
‘Really. I’m surprised Keir didn’t mention it.’ Sophie said, taken aback.
‘Perhaps he didn’t like to. After all, he must realise how strongly some of us older folk feel about it. Of course, looking at it from Keir’s point of view, I can quite see that it might be a better outlet for his wares, and he’d have space to work there too. It’s understandable that the incomers can’t have the same feelings for Peggy Munn’s as those of us who’ve lived in Penbridge all our lives.’
Sophie felt indignant on Aunt Rose’s behalf. She wondered if Keir had been sounding her out before telling her about the craft centre. Sophie had made her feelings plain when he’d mentioned the shortcomings of the gift shop and so that was probably why he hadn’t filled her in.
He’d probably been getting round to it and changed his mind, realising he wasn’t likely to get Sophie on his side over this.
‘There’s been a great deal of discussion and some opposition,’ Aunt Rose continued. ‘Some people wanted the old chapel to be used for a restaurant or a more permanent home for the farmers’ market. Someone even suggested turning it into a small heritage centre, but the craft centre was top of the list.
‘It had all gone quiet recently, so Mavis and I hoped it might have been shelved, but I suppose things have just been at a bit of a stand-still over Christmas and New Year. Anyway, now it seems there’s a grant available to say nothing of a substantial donation from an anonymous benefactor, so it’s all going to happen — more’s the pity!’
Seeing Aunt Rose was visibly upset, Sophie checked the vegetables and came to sit beside her for a moment and tried to comfort her.
‘Of course, it will probably finish Peggy Munn’s business if this craft centre takes off, and I couldn’t afford to put my stuff anywhere else. Besides, Peggy and I have built up a good relationship over the years.’
Sophie patted Rose’s hand. ‘Oh, but surely it won’t come to that, I mean folk know what they like and Mrs Munn’s shop has been going for donkey’s years.’
‘That’s the problem,’ Aunt Rose said gloomily. ‘It’s all change these days. Peggy owns the building that the shop’s in, and I can’t see her giving up without a struggle, but it’ll have a knock-on effect with the likes of myself — you mark my words.’
Sophie sympathised with the elderly lady, realising she was probably right.
Aunt Rose opened the cutlery drawer and began to set the table. ‘Although my dolls’ house furniture doesn’t pay much, as I’ve told you, it does help out with the bills. I’ve got to have some decorating done this year. I like to keep this place looking nice and then there’s a fence to replace. These things don’t come cheap. Actually Sophie, I had been promised a little something from Hugh’s estate when he died, but it didn’t come to fruition. You see there was this rather curious letter left for me with Hugh’s will.’
Sophie nodded. ‘My parents received one too and well, like you’ve said, nothing came of it.’
‘Yes, Hugh was very fond of your parents and I felt sure he would have remembered them in some way. Of course, once Erica came on the scene things radically changed, but, judging from the date, those letters were written long before then. Whoever would have thought he would have married again at his age and someone young enough to be his daughter!’
‘I suppose she’s quite a wealthy woman now,’ Sophie said carefully, picking up the vibes. It was evident that there was no love lost between Aunt Rose and Erica.
Aunt Rose sniffed. ‘If that’s a polite way of saying she’s the merry widow, well yes, she is. Hugh was heavily involved in charitable work and was always very generous, but Erica could twist him round her little finger, and I know he would have provided well for her. Let’s have our lunch now before it’s ruined and afterwards you can take a look at that letter I received from Hugh’s solicitor.’
***
Aunt Rose hunted in her workbox, brought out a letter and handed it to Sophie.
‘Are you sure you want me to read this?’
Aunt Rose nodded and Sophie removed the sheet of paper from the envelope. It was roughly the same letter as the one her parents had rec
eived and equally as puzzling.
Dear Rose,
You will find I’ve already remembered you and left you something of value, but you will need to think about this very carefully.
Much love,
Hugh
Rose frowned. ‘I’m wondering if Hugh wasn’t quite himself when he wrote that. Whatever can it mean?’
Sophie shook her head. ‘My parents are as mystified as you are, and think pretty much the same thing. They’ve had gifts from Hugh over the years, but nothing that was particularly valuable. It’s all a bit of a mystery, isn’t it?’
Rose turned her head away and there was a catch in her voice when she spoke.
‘Of course, none of us expected Hugh to die so suddenly. He’d been in good health or so we thought, and then he had that massive heart attack. I suppose there’s a possibility he hadn’t got round to giving us those gifts, whatever they were. Oh, well, I suppose we’ll never know now,’ she said wistfully.
Chapter Three
A couple of days later Sophie was able to take Aunt Rose to see the nurse. After the pace of working in a town, Penbridge appeared amazingly sleepy. It seemed that Rose knew several people in the surgery and assured Sophie she’d be fine if Sophie would like to go off and collect the library books that had been reserved for her.
Reaching the end of the road, Sophie decided she must have taken a wrong turning. She was hesitating when someone tapped her on the shoulder.
Startled, she spun round to find Keir smiling down at her. ‘Off on more errands?’
‘I’m supposed to be going to the library whilst Aunt Rose is at the surgery seeing the nurse, but I appear to be lost,’ she admitted, feeling ridiculously pleased to see him.
‘Well, you’re getting warm. If you backtrack and take the turning on your right, you’ll come straight to it. Tell you what, why don’t I come with you? It’s not too much out of my way.’
‘Oh, there’s no need,’ she assured him, but he ignored this and set off at such a pace that she had difficulty keeping up with him. ‘Could you slow down a bit?’ she asked, breathlessly. ‘We’re not in for a race.’
He grinned and took her arm casually. ‘Sorry I forgot you’re a city girl and I take walloping big strides. How long are you planning to stay with Rose?’
‘I’ve no idea,’ she assured him truthfully.
He gave her a searching look from those brown eyes, so that she wanted to turn away from his scrutiny, wondering what he was thinking. She was tempted to ask Keir what had brought him to Penbridge but suspected he wouldn’t be forthcoming.
‘Well, I must press on — can you find your own way back?’
She nodded, but found herself wishing he would stay. She had to admit she enjoyed his company.
It was warm inside the library and there was a friendly atmosphere. Everyone appeared to know everyone else. The librarian, chirpy and blonde, looked at her with a smile of recognition. ‘Sophie Burnett! Long time no see!’
Sophie beamed at Mavis Briggs’ daughter. ‘Crystal! I’d forgotten you worked here.’
‘My mum told me you were staying with Mrs Harding. Have you come to collect her books? I was so sorry to learn she’d had an accident. Such a pity she’s not nearer the village. It’s good to know her neighbour’s been keeping an eye on her, though. Mr Ellison’s such a nice man.’
Crystal paused to scan an elderly couple’s books and to pass the time of day with them.
‘We had some great times years back at Rowanbank, didn’t we?’ Sophie said. ‘How’s your sister?’
Crystal reached for Rose’s books and took the library card Sophie handed her.
‘Oh, Teresa’s fine. Her little girl’s almost eight now. Amy loves to visit Mrs Harding to see the dolls’ house furniture, just as we did when we were children.’
The rather plump lady, who was next in the queue, was looking impatient and Crystal said hastily, ‘Won’t be a minute, Mrs Thomas. Look, I’d love to catch up some time, Sophie.’ She scrawled her phone number on a card and popped it inside the top book.
Leaving the library, Sophie saw Keir was still standing outside. He was deep in conversation with a stylish, auburn-haired young woman. Her hand was on Keir’s sleeve and she was hanging on to his every word.
Sophie paused and, a few moments later, the red-head made off in the direction of an alleyway between two houses. Distracted, Sophie continued down the steps and missed her footing on the last one, scattering books in all directions.
The next moment, she found herself enfolded in a pair of strong arms, her head leaning against a broad, muscular chest.
‘Are you OK?’ enquired Keir, solicitously.
‘Thank you, yes,’ she mumbled into his coat. She straightened up, feeling unspeakably foolish but, at the same time, aware of just how comforting it felt to be held so close by such a deeply attractive man.
Keir did not immediately release her and she could feel her heart beating a wild tattoo.
‘Are you quite sure you’re OK?’ he asked again gently. ‘I mean, we don’t want two casualties in the cottage, do we now?’
‘I’m fine,’ she assured him, enjoying being in the shelter of his arms for a moment longer. ‘Why don’t you catch up with your friend.’
‘Oh, Glenda’s one of my students. I run a couple of ceramics classes in the evenings at the school where I work.’
He gathered up the library books and handed them to her, looking rather amused.
‘Well, if you’re quite sure you’re in one piece, at least let me give you this.’
He produced a folded shopping bag from his capacious pocket and held it open for her, as she popped the books in. He was obviously one of those infuriatingly, organised people who was always ready for every emergency.
She thanked him again and walked off with as much dignity as she could muster, aware that at least two ladies from the library were watching her curiously from their stand by the window, and that Aunt Rose would be champing at the bit by now.
***
Crystal Briggs phoned Sophie that evening to invite her over to her home for coffee the following evening, as her parents were going out for a meal. Now that the snow had gone, Aunt Rose was feeling a lot happier and had arranged for one of her friends from the Women’s Institute to pop in and keep her company.
Crystal and Sophie had always got on well and the more they chatted, the more they recalled happy summers when the sun had always shone and they’d gone off for cycle rides.
‘Those halcyon days can’t be recaptured — more’s the pity,’ Crystal sighed. ‘Everything’s changing and not necessarily for the better. I keep wondering how long it’ll be before they talk about closing the library.’
‘Oh, surely not! It seemed pretty full when I went in the other day.’
Crystal sighed. ‘Yes, but that’s not significant. It’s a small concern and the building’s ancient. I can see us having to amalgamate with one of the larger ones and then we’ll all have to reapply for our jobs and everyone in the village will have to rely on a mobile library van.’
Sophie sympathised. It seemed an ideal moment to mention the rumours concerning the new craft centre. Crystal nodded.
‘That’s a classic example of what I’m talking about. I suppose I can see the benefit for certain people. You ought to have been at some of those meetings. I take it you’ve actually met Keir Ellison from Rowanbank?’
Sophie grinned. ‘On more than one occasion.’ She filled her in with their last meeting outside the library and Crystal burst out laughing.
‘Wished I’d seen that! Lucky you falling into his arms! He’s good-looking, isn’t he? You’re blushing!’
Sophie lowered her gaze, annoyed with herself for displaying her feelings.
‘Go on — what were you going to say about Keir?’
‘Well, for a incomer he was quite vocal at the meetings. Upset some of the older residents who’d lived here all their lives and wanted very different things for the vi
llage.’
‘I see — was Aunt Rose there?’ she asked.
‘No, but Fiona and Ian Knight, her neighbours from Laburnum Cottage, were and they were fully in support of Keir, as were many of the younger generation. And then there was a contingent representing the opposing view, including Peggy Munn’s son. Yes, there were some lively discussions during those meetings.’
‘So what would you like to see happening?’ asked Sophie.
‘To be honest, I quite like the idea of a craft centre, but perhaps it’s a bit ambitious. My parents were in favour of the old chapel being used as a new venue for the farmers’ market. At the moment it’s held in the village hall, but that’s not always available or so central. Anyway, it looks as if the craft centre’s going ahead so everyone will just have to get used to it whether they like it, or not — more coffee?’
‘Please. I’m concerned about the impact this will have on Aunt Rose and Peggy Munn’s business,’ Sophie said worriedly.
Crystal poured the coffee. ‘Let’s be brutally honest, Sophie, that gift shop is sadly in need of a makeover. I think it’s a great place, don’t get me wrong, but some of the stock must have been there for decades, like poor old Peggy.’
‘But, it would break her heart if she was drummed out of business by this new craft centre and I don’t suppose she can afford any improvements to the shop.’
As they sat over second cups of coffee and slabs of Mrs Briggs’ fruit cake Crystal asked, as Sophie had known she would, ‘So what’s been going on in your life recently? How come you’ve got the time to come here in January? Sorry, was it a relationship?’ she prompted, seeing the bleak expression in Sophie’s eyes.
Sophie nodded. ‘It didn’t work out end of story,’ she murmured, not wanting to enlarge on what had happened. ‘I suppose I must be one of the most gullible women in the universe. I didn’t see it coming.’
‘Men, eh? So do I take it that’s why you left your permanent job in Bucks?’