Love in Spring BoxSet

by Jenny Lane

  ‘You’re welcome,’ she told him lightly, endeavouring to sound normal.

  ***

  ‘How did you get on, dear?’ Aunt Rose enquired when Sophie entered the cottage shortly afterwards.

  ‘Fine,’ Sophie assured her. ‘I can see what you mean about the way Erica’s altered things.’

  Aunt Rose sighed. ‘Yes, well she’s still young and obviously has very different tastes and ideas from Mary. Hugh kept things much the same over all those years, but things change. Probably Keir will put his stamp on things too.’

  ‘You think he’s planning to stay here then?’

  ‘We’ll have to wait and see, won’t we? Time will tell. Anyway, I’ve had a productive afternoon. Frances has got some excellent ideas for the Easter Fayre.’

  Sophie listened politely, but all the time, found her thoughts straying to Keir. He had been very much on the defensive where Erica was concerned, making it seem as if Aunt Rose was to blame for the rift in their relationship. Sophie didn’t understand, and she was determined to get to the bottom of it.

  As she got ready for bed that night, Sophie wondered if she’d been too hasty in turning down the job from the agency. After all, there might not be another suitable one for quite some time and, if things didn’t work out here, she would regret her decision. Then she remembered the way Keir had looked at her, that slight moment of intimacy and knew that there was an undeniable chemistry between them. She sighed — if only Erica Mercer wouldn’t keep coming between them. Sophie heartily wished Erica would remain in Spain for ever.

  On an impulse, Sophie texted her brother, Tim, who was a notoriously late one for going to bed. He rang her within a couple of minutes.

  ‘Hi, Soph, how are things?’

  She explained as briefly as possible.

  ‘OK, well, I know even less than you about this Erica. I thought she’d sold Rowanbank.’

  ‘So did I, but I suppose it would have been a bit quick. Anyway, apparently Keir Ellison’s a friend of Erica’s and seems to think our family have been a bit unfair towards her, but I can’t see where he’s coming from. Personally, I think there’s a bit more to all of this than we’re aware of.’

  Tim whistled. ‘Wasn’t there something mysterious about those letters informing Mum and Dad and Aunt Rose that they’d already had something of value from Uncle Hugh, as if he was trying to tell them something from beyond the grave?’

  ‘Don’t be so melodramatic, Tim! If there was anything of value, don’t you think Aunt Rose and our parents would have fathomed it out by now?’

  ‘Perhaps that’s what this guy, Keir Whatsit, is doing — trying to suss it out for Erica.’

  ‘Actually, I’m not really interested, Tim. Although it would have been nice if Aunt Rose could have had some recognition for all she’d done for Uncle Hugh over the years.’

  ‘Are you talking to yourself in there, dear, or have you got a visitor?’ came Aunt Rose’s voice from the foot of the stairs.

  ‘Sorry, Aunt Rose — just talking to Tim on my mobile — Tim, have a word with Aunt Rose.’ She sped down the stairs and passed her mobile over.

  Sophie lay awake for ages that night, going over the events of the day. Keir had seemed such a nice uncomplicated sort of person, but she should have realised from past experience that life was never that simple. Keir had insinuated that she was not in possession of all the facts about what had really caused the animosity between Erica and Aunt Rose. Sophie sighed — just as she was beginning to enjoy life here in Penbridge, this had cropped up. OK, she supposed she could do one of two things. Ignore the undercurrents and take each day as it came, or try to work out what they were all about.

  ***

  The village hall was packed that evening. Fortunately, Crystal and Mavis Briggs had saved them a couple of seats fairly near the front.

  ‘Good turnout, isn’t it?’ Crystal commented.

  ‘So who are all these people?’ asked Sophie, looking about her in surprise.

  ‘Students from the various classes Keir works with, villagers, and friends. He’s popular.’

  It was a fascinating talk and Sophie found herself watching Keir as he spoke and wondering again what had brought him to Penbridge. He looked incredibly handsome, his thick, fair hair contrasting with his dark jacket and blue striped, open-necked shirt. His voice was rich and clear, and she caught the enthusiasm for his subject in his tone.

  When the talk had ended, the applause was deafening. After a question time, Keir announced that refreshments would be served, adding, ‘I’ve set up a small exhibition in the side room if you’d care to take a look. There’s a variety of work from some of my present classes, together with one or two other items that I thought you might be interested in.’

  Sophie managed to procure a couple of cups of coffee and was about to take them across to Aunt Rose when Keir skilfully added his own cup to the tray and removed it from her.

  ‘Let me — so what did you think?’

  ‘It all went very well,’ she told him honestly. ‘You’ve made me want to have a go myself.’

  ‘So, why don’t you?’ His brown eyes met hers. ‘Once the craft centre is up and running I intend to hold classes there but, until then, you’d be more than welcome to join my beginners’ class. Crystal’s going to come along.’

  ‘I’d like that, but I’m not sure how long I’m going to be around,’ she told him, acutely aware that she’d like to spend more time with him.

  ‘OK, have a think about it and let me know,’ he said as he distributed the coffee.

  After a few minutes, Keir excused himself and went across to speak to another group of people. Aunt Rose was deep in conversation with Mavis Briggs, and Crystal and Alan were chatting to some members of Keir’s evening class, so Sophie collected up the empty cups, returned them to the hatch and went to take a look at the ceramics exhibition which was being manned by several of Keir’s students.

  There was a wide selection of items, ranging from earrings and pendants to bowls and vases. Spotting some of Keir’s work, Sophie bent to take a closer look. The bowls were exquisitely decorated in rich, jewel-like colours.

  ‘Quite something, aren’t they?’ one of the students said. ‘Keir’s such a talented guy and we’re learning so much from him.’

  Sophie moved to the next display and was astonished to recognise some pieces from Rowanbank that had belonged to Hugh. She knew he’d enjoyed going to antique fairs and, in amongst some of the more modern items, realised there were likely to be some valuable antiques. She just hoped that no-one would damage them.

  The crowd was thinning out when Keir caught up with her again.

  ‘This exhibition is quite something,’ she told him. ‘Your students seem so enthusiastic. I really like your stuff, Keir — the colours are amazing.’

  He touched her arm. ‘Thanks, Sophie. I realise some people prefer pastel shades, but each to his own, eh?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ She hesitated. ‘Keir, I’m sure it doesn’t need me to tell you that some of these pieces that belonged to Uncle Hugh’s are, well, probably quite valuable.’

  He looked startled. ‘If that’s your way of asking me to take care of them, then don’t worry, I certainly will. But, what you probably don’t realise is that Hugh left his collection to me so I can actually do exactly what I like with it — even sell it, if I so choose.’

  Sophie felt herself colouring. She supposed this was Keir’s way of telling her that it was no concern of hers. He gave Sophie an apologetic little smile as the red-head she’d seen talking to him outside the library beckoned to him.

  Sophie’s mind was working overtime. So Keir had been a close enough friend of Hugh’s to be left his collection of ceramics. Unless of course, Erica had given it to Keir and he hadn’t liked to mention that.

  Sophie immediately dismissed that thought, realising it was highly improbable.

  Turning back to the display, she found Aunt Rose and Mavis Briggs standing behind her and wonde
red if they’d heard her exchange with Keir. Fortunately, Aunt Rose gave no sign of having done so, but she studied the exhibits with a thoughtful expression on her face.

  Just in case anyone was in any doubt, the label read that they were part of a collection that had belonged to the late Hugh Mercer.

  ‘I thought Erica would have disposed of those long since,’ Rose commented after a moment. ‘It’s good to know she hasn’t.’

  ‘You should try cleaning them,’ Mavis Briggs said tartly. ‘I’m always terrified of dropping the blessed things!’

  ‘I’m surprised Erica’s left them at Rowanbank. They must be worth a bob or two,’ Rose remarked, echoing Sophie’s thoughts. Sophie decided that now was not the right moment to divulge what Keir had just told her. She’d wait until she and Aunt Rose were back at Rose Cottage.

  ***

  To Sophie’s surprise, Tim rang up again the following evening.

  ‘Natalie’s got a team-building course on Saturday, so I’m at a bit of a loose end. Mum said something about you needing more clothes so, if you like, I could come down to Penbridge to see you and Aunt Rose. What’s going on, are you partying, and if so who with?’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ she told him. ‘I just need a few additional things in case of — of, well, who knows what might crop up. Anyway, it would be great to see you on Saturday.’

  ‘Oh, and tell Aunt Rose not to worry about cooking a meal. Mum and Dad have offered to stand us lunch. Apparently, there’s a rather good restaurant about a couple of miles out of Penbridge, but you might need to book.’

  Aunt Rose was delighted. ‘I haven’t seen Tim for ages. Oh, what a nice surprise, but I’d willingly have made you lunch here. Can he stay over?’

  ‘No, he’s got to get back because he and his girlfriend have been invited out with friends on Sunday.’

  ***

  On Thursday afternoon, Sophie went into the shop wondering what to expect. Peggy Munn spent the first twenty minutes showing her around the place and explaining her system, which seemed to be a kind of organised chaos.

  Sophie was fascinated by the motley collection of things and browsed happily, all the time listening to Peggy Munn’s chatter. The elderly lady seemed to be a font of information about village life.

  ‘People pop in for a bit of a gossip sometimes, you know, and when school’s over, parents bring their kiddies to spend their pocket money. I keep a selection of small items for them to choose from. Have you heard about that fancy place they’re talking of opening in Bridge Street?’

  ‘Well, yes, it’s actually going ahead, isn’t it?’

  Peggy Munn sniffed. ‘All these people with their new-fangled ideas. What we need is a place for the farmers’ market. Well, they needn’t think they’ll drive me out of business!’

  ‘Would you like me to do a bit of dusting or tidying?’ Sophie asked hurriedly, deciding it might be best to change the subject.

  ‘You can if you like, dear, but you will be careful, won’t you?’

  Sophie was in the middle of reorganising one of the displays of glassware when the door opened and Keir came into the shop.

  His eyebrows rose when he saw her.

  ‘Well, you don’t look like Mrs Munn.’

  ‘She’s out the back making some tea — did you want me to fetch her?’

  ‘No hurry — just wondering if I’d had any sales. Mind if I take a look?’

  He went across to the show case. ‘Goodness! There’s a surprise — four items sold in a week!’

  ‘I expect it was your talk that did it. Everyone will want to own a piece of Keir Ellison pottery now.’

  He chuckled. ‘I wish! Look about that, I think I owe you a bit of an explanation.’ He came to stand beside her. ‘Those pieces Hugh left me — well, they meant a lot to him, and he knew I’d treasure them. I want you to know that they’re in safe hands and I’ve got absolutely no intention of selling them.’

  ‘None of my business,’ she said quickly, very aware of his closeness, of his sheer maleness. She caught a waft of his cologne — fresh and woody.

  ‘Let me assure you that they mean a lot to me too, particularly the modern collection.’ A shadow crossed his face. ‘Hugh and I both knew the potter. She was a very talented and lovely young woman who died just as she was beginning to gain recognition.’

  He sighed.

  ‘Erica isn’t much into ceramics — her tastes are vastly different, as you can tell from the paintings and prints, which is another reason why Hugh left his collection to me. Anyway, I just wanted you to know.’

  He put out a hand and touched Sophie’s arm, the contact making her want to cry out. Was he aware of the effect he had on her? She pulled herself together with an effort, just as Peggy Munn came into the room bearing a tea tray.

  ‘Hello Mr — er, Keir — would you like a cup of tea?’

  He declined graciously, collected his payment and left a moment or two later.

  ‘Such a nice young man. Talented too,’ Peggy Munn remarked for the second time, as she passed the custard creams. ‘I suppose I couldn’t blame him if he wanted to take his business to this new place, although if everyone did that, then I know it’d be curtains for me.’

  Her rheumy eyes misted and Sophie wished she could think of something to console the elderly lady, but failed, realising that, in all probability, it would prove to be an inevitable outcome.

  Chapter Five

  Tim turned up at eleven-thirty on Saturday, just in time to unload the car and have a quick chat with Aunt Rose before whisking them off to the restaurant where Sophie had booked a table. It was situated in a beautiful spot just south of Penbridge. They could see for miles across a patchwork of ploughed fields. The landscape was still rather bleak, but in a month or so, it would spring into life.

  They were halfway through their main course when the door opened and a group of people came in, amongst them Alan and Crystal, who paused by their table.

  ‘Tim, how lovely to see you! It must be years!’ Crystal exclaimed and introduced Alan.

  ‘Keir’s evening class are having a belated Christmas meal. Alan’s asked me along because I’m joining the class as someone’s dropped out.’

  A few minutes later, the door opened again and Keir appeared accompanied by the red-haired Glenda who was wearing a white, fur-trimmed jacket, a short skirt and long fashion boots. Keir stopped to speak, but before he could do any more than briefly acknowledge them Glenda said rudely, ‘Come on, Keir; everyone’s waiting for you.’

  And with a brief, apologetic smile, he was gone.

  Tim pursed his lips in a silent whistle. ‘Who on earth was that?’

  ‘Aunt Rose’s next door neighbour, Keir Ellison, who’s renting Rowanbank whilst Erica’s away.’

  ‘Yes, I gathered that. I actually meant the red-head? Is she his girlfriend?’

  ‘Oh, she’s just one of his students,’ supplied Aunt Rose, ‘although in my day, students treated their tutors with a bit more respect.’

  ‘Well, she actually attends his beginners’ evening class and I think that’s quite informal,’ Sophie pointed out, wondering if there really was anything going on between them. Glenda was certainly very attractive and was doing her best to flirt with Keir. As Sophie heard the gales of laughter coming from the table occupied by Keir’s class, she felt a little prickle of jealousy.

  It was an excellent meal and afterwards, they went back to Rose Cottage. When Aunt Rose got up to feed Poppy, Tim said, ‘I’ll just take your case upstairs, Sophie, so that I can return it to Mum.’

  ‘What was all that about?’ Sophie demanded, a few minutes later as they sat in her room. ‘Mum said I could keep the case for the time being.’

  ‘I couldn’t think of any other excuse to get to talk to you on your own. What’s going on, Soph? You’re a townie, not someone to bury herself in a backwater like Penbridge for any length of time. It’s not like you to turn down the chance of some work either.’

  ‘Perhaps I
want a bit of time to chill out,’ Sophie told him rather sharply. ‘Anyway, I happen to like it here. There’s a lot going on and it makes a change from being in the rat race. Just don’t read too much into it.’

  ‘But you’ve asked me to bring your laptop and Mum to pack your business suit — are you going for an interview or something?’

  Sophie shrugged. ‘Who knows what I might do. It’s good to have the right clothes — and be prepared, just in case something crops up. I can’t go on living with Mum and Dad for ever and I need a bit of time out to think things through.’

  ‘If you say so. You can’t stay here for ever either. Once Aunt Rose is fully mobile again you won’t have any reason to stay.’

  ‘Aunt Rose says she’s enjoying my company,’ Sophie informed him. ‘You’d better take my smaller case back with you.’

  Tim was looking at her curiously, ‘Is there something you’re not telling me, Soph?’

  ‘Of course not,’ she assured him, ‘at least ...’ She filled him in about Keir and the ceramics. ‘I am a bit surprised that Uncle Hugh left his collection of ceramics to Keir and didn’t leave us a bean. It makes me sound mercenary and it isn’t intended, but ...’

  ‘Aunt Rose wasn’t left anything either, was she?’

  ‘No, she only received the same sort of letter as Mum and Dad. The solicitor couldn’t make any sense of it either. You should see the inside of Rowanbank, Tim, you wouldn’t recognise the place.’

  ‘Tea!’ Aunt Rose shouted up the stairs, a few moments later, and Sophie stuffed a couple of unwanted garments and some books she’d finished with into the case and they went downstairs again.

  ***

  As Tim was leaving he said in Sophie’s ear, ‘If it all gets too much for you, or you want me to suss anything out, give me a buzz.’

  Sophie smiled at him. It was good to have such a caring brother. She knew she could depend on him. She didn’t know what the future held for her, but somehow felt Penbridge was the right place to be just now, although seeing Keir Ellison with Glenda at lunchtime had made her feel strangely unsettled again.