by Georgia Rose
It felt good to be back to my normal routine and I worked through the day, finishing with a trip to the gym followed by a much-needed shower. Trent arrived soon after, and we ate dinner together before he had to leave to take up his duty with Cavendish.
The next few days saw an increased amount of activity on the estate. Cameras were installed, not only around the stables but also at the farmyard, and a couple were added to the Manor in addition to those already installed there. The main gate had a new entry system which meant our magic buttons no longer worked. There was now a camera that scanned each driver, and a password had to be given before entry was granted. The password was specific to each estate worker, and we all had to go to the Manor and set up our password entry with Sharpe. This involved giving her one password for everyday use. A second password was then set up which was to be used if you were under duress when giving it. Sharpe made it all seem very normal; to me, it felt anything but.
I had to go to the vet to pick up some supplies one day and decided to go via the farmyard rather than face the kerfuffle of getting out of the main gate, only to find that leaving that way was now equally demanding. The five-barred gates were closed and locked, and sheets of metal had been attached to them, making them some ten feet high and solid. Adam Porter, the farm manager, came out to unlock them and let me out. He said he’d be around to let me in on my return, but I didn’t want to put him out so told him I’d return by the main gate.
I also received a phone call from the police informing me that no charges were going to be made against me over Zoe’s death. It was what we’d expected, but was still a relief to have confirmed. However, this good news was overshadowed by the fact that I had to attend the inquest into her death which was to resume at the end of the week. To be fair, Trent said I didn’t have to, but I felt as though I should. I arranged for Carlton and Greene to come and run the yard while I was out.
When the day came, Trent, who had been on duty at the Manor all night, told me that Cavendish and Grace were going to come with us and would pick us up at around ten. A car containing Hayes and Turner followed Cavendish and Grace, and stayed behind us all the way to town. The atmosphere in the car was tense, though that might have just been me as the others were happy to chat, while I stayed silent and stared unseeing out of the window as scenes from Zoe’s death played through my mind.
The inquest had been opened by the coroner a few days after Zoe had died, and had to be held because the death was unnatural and caused by violence. Due to my injuries I hadn’t attended, but Trent had, although I didn’t know it then. Later, he’d told me that it was only to confirm Zoe’s identity and the place, time and manner of her death. Because of the circumstances the inquest was then adjourned until a full investigation had been carried out. The coroner had issued an Interim Certificate of the Fact of Death, which had allowed her funeral to take place.
We parked opposite the courthouse, which looked just as I’d imagined a courthouse in a county town would: old red brick, darkly framed windows set in stone surrounds and an arched entrance through which I could see a set of steps disappearing. Trent, Hayes and Turner got out first and surveyed the area before Trent returned to us, indicating it was safe for us all to get out.
As we crossed the cobbled square I saw it – moving in the line of traffic. A dark blue car, tinted windows obscuring its occupants. A flashback to the estate’s main gate. I’d thought nothing of it then. But now? I tried to get a look at the number plate, but it was side on. By the time we’d reached the kerb it was too far away, and then it was gone. Coincidence? I looked over at Trent. Should I say something? Say what exactly? That I thought I’d just seen a car that might, or might not, have been similar to one I’d seen before? Hardly a compelling reason for a call to action, was it?
We made our way into the building and were directed to the courtroom. My thoughts, full of the issue of the blue car and whether I should say something or not, were interrupted on entering the room as I was alarmed to see there were a few people in there already. I didn’t know why that would be. I’d assumed it would be just us, but Trent, seeing me glance anxiously around, whispered that inquests were held in public, and the people in attendance could be nothing to do with our case but there for some other reason that morning. Relieved, I sat down.
The coroner, a thinly drawn man, serious and grey, duly resumed the inquest, running over the basic information before going into further detail. I put my concerns about the blue car out of my mind as he went through the background of Zoe’s mental health issues, her marriage and subsequent divorce from Trent, and I wondered if a similar inquest had been held when Eva died. It must have done, only I had been too consumed by grief to deal with it. Something else Alex had done that I should have been thankful for, along with taking legal action against everyone he had felt was responsible. I shivered. Trent’s hand closed around mine more tightly as he felt me tremble.
The coroner had moved on, describing how Zoe had absconded from the care she was under and the lead up to the attack on me. They had gleaned a lot of the early information from her doctors. The latter had come from my statement, among others, the forensic and police reports, and finally the post mortem which completed the picture. Numbly I listened to it all, aware of Trent’s thumb as it ran soothingly back and forth across my knuckles. The coroner finished his report, then brought the inquest to a close by giving his verdict of lawful killing.
I knew this included lawful self defence so it was the expected verdict, but it seemed a terribly clinical way to deal with the ending of a life. I’d understood the purpose of the inquest was not to determine any liability, apportion guilt or attribute blame, but I still hadn’t expected it to be all so – final.
Trent briefly smiled, thought not enough for it to reach his eyes, and I could sense his sadness. A twinge of guilt twisted inside me at the thought that I’d been the cause of it. With no time now for sentiment he indicated we should leave, and before I knew it we were all standing on the steps outside. It was as if I were in a daze. Hayes and Turner stood further away, their backs towards us, on guard. Trent was tense, keen on getting us all, Cavendish in particular, back to the vehicles, but Cavendish halted him for a moment, wanting to make a quick detour to the town council offices where he had some business to deal with.
These offices were next to the courthouse, so we quickly walked down the street before entering a more modern, though less attractive, building than the one we’d just left. As we walked I kept an eye on the traffic. I’d decided if I saw the car again I would say something. Three times could not be a coincidence.
I saw nothing.
Grace and I were left with Turner in the reception area. Cavendish spoke to a lady behind the desk, then he and the others were taken off down a corridor.
As Grace and I made ourselves comfortable, she explained that Cavendish was taking the opportunity of being in town to sort out a problem with the licence for the wedding the following week. He’d offered to license Melton Manor so the event could be hosted there, but at this late stage there’d been a glitch in the paperwork which was causing a delay.
We lapsed back into silence. Turner kept watch by the door, and I noticed how tired and drawn Grace looked.
“How are you dealing with all this, Grace?”
“Oh, you know...probably about as well as you.” That was typical of her, always showing empathy for others before thinking of herself.
“I appreciate the thought, but it’s not my man that’s been threatened.”
She turned towards me, thoughtful for a moment before answering.
“You know...you get used to what they do, what they enjoy doing. You worry while they’re away and patch them up when they get back. They can’t tell you what they’ve been through and you learn not to ask. But now this seems to have become horribly real, and I have to admit I’m struggling a bit. I’m also not sure if I shall feel better once the children come home, or worse.” She looked forlorn, and my h
eart squeezed in sympathy for her.
“How are they getting on with having bodyguards with them?”
This brought a smile to her lovely face, briefly lighting up her eyes as she replied, “As you can imagine, Reuben loves every minute of it. He thinks it’s the coolest thing ever to have a bodyguard at school. Unfortunately, Sophia is absolutely mortified by the whole ordeal, and can’t wait for the end of term to come. Fortunately she doesn’t have to wait too much longer as they’re coming home tomorrow. Which reminds me...we’ll have to sort out some riding for them next week? With everything that’s been going on, and the wedding coming up, I hadn’t thought that far ahead.” She swept a tendril of blonde hair off her face and pinned it deftly back in place.
“It would probably be helpful for me to take them off your hands for a while, then.”
“Yes it would, although, because of Carlton and Turner having to accompany them, I think their trips to you will have to be curtailed a little as I’m not sure if the boys can be spared for too many hours.” Her worried expression was back as she looked anxiously at me, and I felt in her an eagerness to confide her worries. “I know I said I didn’t want to leave, and Henry really wanted me to, you know. We had quite a row about it. But he would have sent bodyguards with me if I had gone and that would have weakened the cover here, which seemed illogical.” She lapsed into silent worry.
“But now?” I prompted.
“Now...I’m concerned we’re putting the children in danger by bringing them home, and I’m wondering if he wasn’t right after all.”
“Only you can make that decision, Grace. Perhaps you’ll know what to do once they get back here, but you know we’ll all look after them...and I think you’ll feel better once you’re all together again.” I placed my hand supportively on her upper arm and, although she nodded, I wasn’t convinced she believed me. I couldn’t imagine anything not being made better by having your child with you.
I looked up to see Trent walking back towards us, closely followed by Cavendish and Hayes.
“Mission accomplished,” Trent said. ‘We can go home.”
Despite the fact that Cavendish thought the most likely place for an attack would be on the estate, I was still considerably more comfortable once we were back through the gates, and even more so when Trent and I had been dropped off at the stables. Having Hayes and Turner watching over us didn’t make me feel safer: I felt more anxious and jumpy with them around, and was glad when it was only the two of us again.
Unbelievably, it was still only lunchtime, so I made us some sandwiches and we ate these at the garden table, enjoying another warm and settled summer’s day. We only touched briefly on the events of the morning as there didn’t seem to be anything else to say on that subject. Instead, we discussed the arrangements for the weekend. Generally, weekends weren’t much different for us than any other day of the week, but it was worth running through who was doing what so we could see where we could fit in some time to ourselves.
Unfortunately, although Scott Wade and Lizzie Young could have brought Reuben and Sophia home rather than anyone having to go and get them, Cavendish and Grace had insisted on attending their end-of-term events. This always caused some scheduling problems because they were at different schools, though fortunately these were not too far apart. On this occasion it meant getting to Sophia’s school first for an assembly and concert, followed by a sports afternoon at Reuben’s school. Trent was going to drive Cavendish and Grace, and take Carlton along for added protection. He made me laugh when he told me of the suggestion made by Reuben that it would be really cool if Cavendish and Grace could arrive in the Apache, and Grace had had to explain that, while that would indeed have been lovely, it was hardly practical as they wouldn’t have been able to bring him back with them. At least with the addition of Wade and Young’s vehicles there would be plenty of room for both children, plus all their belongings which multiplied over the year.
I could see Trent was concerned about the security issues the day was going to bring, and that he’d feel considerably better once they were all safely back home. We did, though, have something to look forward to in the evening. Stanton and Lawson had decided, in the circumstances, against having stag or hen parties – thank goodness – and instead had opted to have an all-inclusive barbecue which was to be held in the gardens at the Manor – a much better option.
Trent was going to be staying with me for the next couple of nights and would not be on duty at the Manor again until Sunday night. The number of nights he would then have to cover would become fewer as Wade and Young would be back and could help out on the rota, which was just as well as the lack of sleep was taking its toll on him.
After lunch Trent disappeared again to the Manor, and I sorted a few things out then went to do evening stables, and followed this with a visit to the gym for my workout. I came back afterwards to shower and made a start on dinner, which was ready by the time Trent arrived.
I glanced over at him as he came in. “You look exhausted.”
“I am.” He nodded wearily. “God knows how we’re going to cope when harvest starts.” It was all he could do to eat, and as soon as he had finished he went to bed.
I went out later with Susie to do the watering and to check on the horses. When I eventually joined Trent I slipped under the duvet, trying not to wake him. He turned towards me, throwing an arm across my body, his leg across one of mine, before resting his head on my chest as he made a deeply contented sighing sound. It made me smile as I lay there, running my fingers through his hair until I dozed off.
We were up early, Trent feeling considerably better with a good night’s sleep behind him, and after kissing me goodbye he left to carry out his bodyguard duties for the day. I spent the day in my usual routine, finished off with a trip to the gym, and I was back at the cottage changing when Trent called to let me know they were back and he’d meet me at the barbecue.
Relieved that all had gone well, I went to the Manor in the pickup and headed to the kitchen to see if I could do anything. Finding it bustling with people getting everything ready, I helped carry food out to the garden. Carlton and Cavendish were manning the barbecues already, and I lined up the food for them to start cooking. Carlton handed me a beer, and I took a grateful swig before thanking him for standing in for Trent the other evening; thanks which he brushed off casually before getting back to the serious business of barbecuing, so I wandered off to chat to Greene and Young. I also thanked Greene as I knew she’d instigated Carlton taking on the extra shift. Then Young filled us in on the details of her week guarding Sophia. This had apparently been problematic due to Sophia’s reluctance to have Young anywhere near her at any time.
I looked over at the cooks to see they’d been joined by Reuben. Cavendish was trying to teach him the finer points of barbecue cooking, to which he didn’t seem to be paying much attention, being more distracted by the actual fire itself. I saw Sophia come out carrying a couple of salads, which she put on the table before running over to say hello.
As I watched her run off again to get a drink I saw Trent arrive at the garden gate, and ridiculously my heart leapt at the sight. I walked across the lawn to meet him, trying to appear grown up and not skip, and greeted him with a kiss and a hug while I breathed him in, content to have him back. He held on to me as he got a drink and we caught up on the day’s events.
I noticed Sophia watching us as we talked, and it suddenly occurred to me that she didn’t know Trent and I were together, which felt awkward. Both Sophia and Reuben were close to Trent. He was their godfather, and while I didn’t imagine Reuben would even notice, let alone be bothered by our relationship, Sophia was that much older and I hoped this wasn’t going to be a problem for her.
I turned to Trent. “Sophia…she doesn’t know about us. Do you think…”
“I know what you’re going to say,” he broke in. “I’ll have a word with her.” He headed towards the kitchen door, following Sophia.
The pair of them emerged a little while later, both carrying baskets of rolls and looking as if they were in the middle of a serious conversation. Sophia’s eyes darted over to me a couple of times as I watched them. Depositing their baskets on the table, Trent reached over to get Sophia a drink and she grinned at him then, looking over at me, she gave me a quick, shy-looking wave before turning and going back to the kitchen.
Trent came over and met my enquiring look with a smile. “She’s fine about you being my girlfriend. She was actually quite pleased, just surprised she hadn’t already heard about it.”
Soon everyone was there and the food was ready, so we tucked in, eating far more than necessary. Afterwards we sat on the grass, feeling full and as if we couldn’t move for a while, enjoying the company until Reuben came charging past us, clearly on a mission.
“What are you up to?” Trent shouted after the disappearing boy. Reuben called back breathlessly that he was off to get a bat, we were to have a game.
My heart sank a little as Trent dragged me to my feet. I hoped we weren’t talking cricket. We rounded up the others and went out into the parkland at the front of the Manor. Reuben appeared holding aloft his baseball bat, and we played girls against boys, fiercely competitive, until we lost the light and couldn’t see the ball any more. It was one of those fun impromptu evenings that you never want to end.
As we all wandered back to the garden, I was pretty relaxed. This was what we’d needed: a bit of fun to chase away the worries for a while. We went to fill up on more drink and summer pudding, thereby undoing all the good work done by playing baseball. And although Trent and I left around midnight, it looked like some were set to party on into the night.