by Jenny Lane
‘Where are you taking me?’ Sophie asked. Keir had waited patiently whilst she’d collected the bread, paid for the newspapers and stowed them away in the car. And then he had marched her off down a side street. He didn’t answer and she had to hurry to keep pace with him. A few minutes later, he stopped in front of an elderly looking building.
Several cars were pulled up outside. Keir raised his hand in greeting to someone standing by the door.
‘This,’ he told Sophie proudly, ‘is the old chapel, soon to be the new craft centre. I thought if you took a look inside you might get a clearer idea of what we’re proposing.’
Sophie stood stock still. ‘You’re hoping to get me on your side, you mean! What I don’t understand is why you would take all this trouble to fight for this cause, when you’re not a local, and are only living here on a temporary basis.’
He looked at her in astonishment. ‘I can’t believe you just said that, Sophie Burnett! You’re not a local either and you’re also living here temporarily. What’s the difference? Am I missing something?’
‘Yes, I’ve known Aunt Rose and Peggy Munn all my life. When we were children, my brother and I used to come to Penbridge with our parents, to stay with Uncle Hugh and Aunt Mary, so this village and the people in it are special to me and I don’t like to see things spoilt.’
‘Nor do I,’ he said gently. ‘The problem is, time marches on whether we like it or not and sometimes change is for the best. I really do have other people’s interests at heart, you know, but there are one or two things I can’t talk about quite yet, not until I’m quite certain they’ll come to fruition.’ He slung an arm about her shoulder. ‘Trust me, Sophie, that’s all I’m asking you to do.’
She caught her breath, feeling as if his fingers were burning into her flesh. The magnetism between them was palpable. Was she being disloyal to Aunt Rose for allowing him to try to influence her like this?
‘OK, but you’re going to have your work cut out to convince me,’ she said shakily. ‘Come on then show me inside this building.’
She followed him inside where a group of people were assembled. They greeted Keir and some of them looked curiously at Sophie.
‘This is Sophie Burnett. She’s staying with my neighbour and I’ve invited her to take a look round, because Hugh Mercer was her father’s cousin and we all know how passionate he was about this place becoming a craft centre.’
There was a murmur of agreement.
Sophie was surprised. It was the first she’d heard of Uncle Hugh’s interest in the place.
‘As you can see, Sophie, they’ve made a good start on the alterations and we hope to have the whole thing up and running by Easter.’
‘So soon.’ Sophie was amazed. She supposed she must have been inside the old chapel before, but couldn’t remember. The leader of the group pointed out the various areas that had been marked out and they all pored over a plan pinned to the wall.
Reluctantly, Sophie had to admit to herself that she could certainly see the possibilities, plenty of room, lots of light, well situated.
‘So what do you think?’ Keir asked her, as they wandered round the space with its high roof.
‘It’s a bit difficult to envisage what it might look like when it’s finished, but yes, I’m sure it’s got a lot of potential,’ she conceded reluctantly. ‘And obviously, you’ve got enough people interested to make it a viable proposition. They’re all very keen, aren’t they?’
Keir nodded. ‘They certainly are. There are several artists and craftsmen living in this vicinity. But it’s so much more than that, Sophie ...’ He trailed off as a tall, thin man with greying hair approached them.
‘Hello, John — good to see you here. Sophie this is John Munn — Peggy Munn’s son. If anyone was opposed to this idea at the outset, he was.’
‘So what made you change your mind?’ Sophie asked curiously.
John stroked his chin. ‘Oh, I could see I was fighting a lost cause. I mean, there’s so much enthusiasm from this lot. Anyway, I thought, if you can’t beat ‘em join ‘em. Deep down, I realised my old mother would have to face facts sooner or later. That shop is getting beyond her nowadays, but she’s loved being there and it’s given her a purpose in life since my father died. We’ve been talking to her about moving into a bungalow in a sheltered accommodation complex near us for some while now, but it has to be her decision.’
‘It’s unfortunate things can’t stay as they are for ever,’ Keir put in, ‘but that little shop is in a bit of a timewarp, John.’
He nodded. ‘I guess so. I’m afraid it just isn’t paying its way. I’m grateful for what you’ve done, by the way — the pair of you. That window’s looking fantastic and I don’t know how you’ve managed to get Mum to part with some of that clutter, Keir. She’s an unbelievable hoarder and you’ve achieved more than my wife and I have managed in months. My mother can be rather stubborn about change.’
‘We enjoyed ourselves, didn’t we, Sophie?’
‘We certainly did. We were only too pleased to help,’ she affirmed.
‘I think my mother saw herself as being in the shop until the end of her days, but we’ve gently pointed out this might be a golden opportunity for her to have a bit of time out. She’s always wanted to visit her cousins in Devonshire and used the shop as an excuse for not going. We’d be only too happy to take her there.’
‘So, you really believe that once this venture is up and running it would be the end for the gift shop?’ Sophie persisted.
John rubbed his ear. ‘Not immediately, but this place would be a much better outlet for people’s work — more spacious — you must surely see that. We feel it would be better for Mum to move now, rather than wait until business grinds to a halt altogether.’
‘And what about Aunt Rose’s dolls’ house furniture? Where would she sell that?’ demanded Sophie.
The two men exchanged meaningful looks and she wondered why.
‘Look, let’s not worry about any of that just now,’ Keir told her. ‘As John has said, the craft centre’s not going to be completed overnight. I’m sure we’ll come up with some solution by the time it’s up and running.’
Chapter Six
As they made to leave the centre, Keir took Sophie’s arm and gave her a keen look from his expressive brown eyes, sending her heart thumping against her ribcage.
‘Thanks for coming with me, Sophie. I know it’s a lot to take on board in one go, but I think it’s a very worthwhile project.’
‘Actually, I didn’t have much option, did I?’ she said unsteadily. ‘You virtually frog-marched me here and didn’t say where we were going.’ She saw his expression and added, ‘Oh, don’t worry, it’s been an enlightening experience. I always like to understand both sides of an argument, but don’t think you can win me round that easily!’
‘I wouldn’t dream of it,’ he told her evenly, meeting her grey eyes steadily with his, so that her pulse raced. ‘You’re much too intelligent a person to allow yourself to be brainwashed.’
‘And as I’ve told you before, you’re not going to win me over by flattery either,’ she told him firmly. ‘I form my own opinions in my own good time. Anyway, I’ve found it both interesting and thought-provoking.’
‘Well that’s something I suppose,’ he said, squeezing her arm, and she caught a glint in his eyes. ‘All this talking and the dusty atmosphere has made me thirsty. I really fancy sitting by a log fire with toast and jam.’
‘In your dreams — that sounds like nursery tea straight out of Enid Blyton.’
He laughed. ‘Mmn, and I know just the place — is Rose waiting for that bread?’
‘No, she’s going to be deeply entrenched in making her dolls’ house furniture this afternoon, and she loses all track of time when she gets involved — why?’
‘Do you fancy having tea with me back at Rowanbank?’
‘You haven’t got a log fire, have you?’
‘Only an artificial one, but it�
�s very realistic and I can offer toasted muffins and some of Mrs Briggs’ cherry jam. Seriously, Sophie, I think it’s about time I filled you in on one or two more things of which you’re obviously not aware.’
Sophie shot him a surprised look, realising that, in spite of her reservations, she really wanted to get to know more about this man and wondered what he was going to tell her.
She gave Aunt Rose a quick ring on her mobile, and then they set off for Rowanbank.
As they sat over tea in the cosy little study, Keir said, ‘As I’ve already told you there are one or two things you ought to know. Unfortunately, I can’t explain everything quite yet, because I’m not the only one involved but ...’
‘Involved in what?’ she demanded, wondering what on earth he was talking about.
He hesitated and Sophie thought he looked uncomfortable.
‘Sophie, I realise you’re aware there was no love lost between Erica and Rose. Have you any idea why that was?’
She stared at him in surprise. ‘No, and it’s none of my business. If Aunt Rose wants to tell me then, no doubt, she will. Anyway, it’s all water under the bridge now that Uncle Hugh has died. I suspect it was partly because Erica and Aunt Rose are very different people. Aunt Rose was very fond of Uncle Hugh. After all, she’d known him from childhood so they were great friends and she would have wanted to protect his interests. She spent a lot of time in his company before he remarried and, to be honest, I think she saw Erica as … as ...’
‘As a gold-digger?’ he suggested, and Sophie coloured, because he had come up with exactly the phrase she’d been trying to avoid.
‘Well, sort of, I suppose. I don’t remember much about Aunt Mary, but I know that she was more like Aunt Rose — which is understandable, as they were twins and had that special bond. Anyway, what are you driving at?’
‘I think Rose thought that Erica influenced Hugh’s thinking — tried to manipulate him into doing what she wanted.’
‘Well, didn’t she?’ Sophie demanded.
Keir shook his head. ‘Hugh was very much his own man. Oh, he let Erica have her head when it came to redecorating Rowanbank, but let’s be fair. She wouldn’t have wanted to be reminded of Hugh’s first wife, Mary, every time she stepped into a room, would she now?
‘I’m afraid the thing your Aunt Rose found hard to digest was that Hugh and Erica really cared about each other and had a lot in common on many issues. They actually had a good marriage, even though it was painfully short. But, leaving that aside, Hugh was passionate about the craft centre. It was his vision — I’m afraid Rose and he fell out over it, which is why the situation needs handling with kid gloves where she’s concerned.’
Sophie stared at Keir, as his words registered. ‘I’ve never heard any mention of Uncle Hugh and Aunt Rose falling out. It was Erica who dissuaded her from going across to Rowanbank by making her feel so unwelcome.’
His eyes narrowed. ‘Yes, well, let’s not go into all that. I suspect there were faults on both sides, but believe you me, I’m right in what I’m telling you over the craft centre. Hugh was heavily involved in making it viable — sitting on a committee, applying for a grant, that sort of thing. He was a very influential character.’
Sophie cupped her hands round the mug of tea. ‘Yes, I’m aware of that, but why would Aunt Rose object so strongly that they fell out over it?’
‘She was clinging onto the past, I suppose. She and her husband had built up the dolls’ house furniture business from scratch. Oh, there’s been opposition from several other people who’ve also used Peggy Munn’s shop as an outlet for their own wares. Like Rose, they suspect that Peggy Munn’s business will dwindle once the craft centre is up and running. They argue that they couldn’t afford to display their goods anywhere else, if that happens.’
Sophie sighed. ‘And they’re probably right, aren’t they? So can you blame them for being prejudiced? It’s such a pity both businesses can’t run in harmony with one another, but I’m aware, from what John Munn says, that Peggy might be considering retiring soon anyway. And what about Erica? I can’t believe she hasn’t had any input in all of this!’
Keir leant forward in his chair. ‘Naturally. She’s always supported Hugh’s projects and she’s very pro the craft centre because it was his dream, although she’ll openly admit that she isn’t overly interested in ceramics, which is why Hugh left me his collection and not her. Since Hugh died she’s taken a back seat and left it to others to carry out his vision.’
‘Namely you?’ she asked, as light suddenly dawned. ‘That’s why you’ve come here, isn’t it — to see that Uncle Hugh’s wishes are carried out.’
For a moment he didn’t reply and, watching him, Sophie thought a shadow crossed his face.
‘Partly,’ he told her at length, ‘but I needed a change of environment, the same as you, and so I thought that Penbridge was the ideal place for me to be for the time being.’
Sophie swallowed. ‘What makes you think I needed a change of environment?’ she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
His eyes met hers. ‘It doesn’t take much to fathom that one out. You’re a teacher — this is term time. I suspect you’re escaping from something — a relationship that didn’t work out perhaps? Am I right?’
Sophie found his probing gaze disconcerting. The colour flooded her cheeks and turning away she said quietly, ‘It’s none of your business. Aunt Rose needed a pair of hands. I was available to help and I happen to like Penbridge. How about you?’
‘Me? I like Penbridge too.’
Sophie noticed Keir was slightly uncomfortable when the questions were directed at him. She still wasn’t ready to talk about Brett. It was so much easier to stay on neutral ground, and she suspected he felt the same way about whatever it was that haunted him.
They lapsed into silence.
‘Thanks for the tea,’ she said a few minutes later. ‘Now I really had better get back to Rose Cottage before it gets too dark.’
Keir got to his feet and peered out of the window. ‘It already has — I’ll walk you back. I’ve got a flashlight.’
‘There’s no need. It’s not that far,’ she told him, not wanting to appear too eager.
‘Sophie, I insist. You never know what might be lurking out there — leopards, wolves, dragons.’
Sophie burst out laughing. ‘Don’t be ridiculous! OK, you win. Don’t forget your sword!’
‘No need, you can just whack them with the bread!’
He leant towards her and for one mad, heart-stopping moment she thought he was going to kiss her, but instead he caught her hands between his.
‘Sophie, I really hope what I’ve said hasn’t made any difference to us being friends.’
‘Why would it?’ she asked, her heart beating a wild tattoo.
‘That’s good, because I like your company. Actually, I was hoping you might come to the village dance with me on Saturday.’
‘Great,’ she said, trying to sound casual. ‘I’ll look forward to that.’
He walked her back to Rose Cottage, tucking his arm through hers, and her heart sang. It didn’t matter what had happened in the past between Erica and Rose or even Uncle Hugh. That had nothing to do with her. This promised to be a new beginning and she wasn’t going to let anyone or anything spoil it.
***
‘Keir’s asked you to the dance? Brilliant — I’m going with Alan. There’s usually quite a crowd. It’s a popular event because there’s not much else going on this time of the year.’
It was Crystal’s afternoon off and they were sitting over lunch in her mother’s kitchen.
‘So what do I wear? Is it dressy or will my long black skirt and top do?’ asked Sophie.
‘Oh, that’ll be fine. They cater for all age groups at these village hops and the band is pretty versatile too. It’s just something to cheer us up after the winter blues. There’s a fish ‘n’ chip supper too — did Keir mention that?’
Sophie shook her h
ead, relieved that she didn’t have to go dashing off to buy a more glamorous outfit. She had felt tempted to confide in Crystal about what Keir had said concerning Hugh and the craft centre, but something prevented her.
‘You’re seeing quite a bit of Keir, aren’t you?’ Crystal remarked.
‘Not so much as you’re seeing of Alan,’ Sophie rejoined with a little laugh.
The colour tinged Crystal’s cheeks. ‘Yes, we do seem to be hitting it off pretty well. Alan’s first wife died a few years ago. He’s so much more mature than the other guys I’ve dated and we’ve lots in common.’
‘That’s good. I think Keir’s just being nice to me because he’s Aunt Rose’s neighbour. I’m sure our paths wouldn’t have crossed otherwise,’ Sophie said lightly. ‘I expect he’s got someone tucked away somewhere.’
‘Mum says he’s a bit of a man of mystery. Nobody seems to know much about him, although he’s certainly making his presence felt in Penbridge.’
‘He’s obviously a friend of Erica’s,’ Sophie said carefully. ‘I mean she’s rented him the house lock, stock and barrel so she must trust him.’
‘Oh, yes, she does that all right. It seems they used to live near each other at one time — Gloucestershire, Worcestershire — that area. We all think he’s nursing a broken heart. Some woman’s thrown him over. Either that or he’s someone famous in hiding.’
‘Crystal, you’ve been reading far too many library books! Actually, he did tell me he fancied a change of environment. Periodically everyone needs to take time out to recharge their batteries. Although, it seems he’s got a pretty busy life for someone who’s doing that.’
‘Mmm, he’s a brilliant teacher. I really enjoyed the class last week. Now that you’re staying around for a bit you ought to see if you can join. They’re a friendly crowd, although Glenda can be a bit tiresome, always wanting Keir’s attention. Between you and me, I think she deliberately makes a mess of what she’s doing so that he’ll come and sort it out.’
‘Surely the intelligent thing to do would be to make such a good job of it that she won his admiration.’