Guernsey Retreat

by Allen, Anne

  Fiona turned out to be very similar to Charlotte, and Louisa was not at all surprised to learn they had been at school together. Like her friend, she was warm and friendly, if slightly bossy, and sympathetic to Louisa’s plight. It transpired that it was not the first time she had helped someone clear a house following a death. They went through each room methodically, making various lists: ‘To keep’, ‘To throw away’, ‘To sell’, ‘To store’, ‘Charity shop’. The worst part was going through her mother’s clothes and intimate possessions. Soon after Susan’s death, Margaret had chosen, with Louisa’s approval, a few pieces as mementoes of her beloved sister. At the time Louisa had not felt able to face a proper sort-out. Fiona was at her kindest, helping to fill black bin liners with clothes destined for charity shops; setting aside those to be sold at dress agencies. Fiona had all the requisite contacts and promised to arrange for collections. Going through the house took a whole day and by the end Louisa was as wrung out as a rag. After Fiona left, she crawled onto the sofa clutching her mother’s photo, and howled.

  The next morning, after enjoying the sleep of the exhausted, Louisa woke determined to crack on and complete the necessary arrangements for her move. Although painful, the sifting through the house and its memories had been cathartic. Feeling ready to face the world, albeit with puffy eyes and a still-bruised face, she leapt out of bed, her to-do list running through her brain. After breakfast she phoned the removal firm recommended by Fiona and was promised a visit after lunch. The man she spoke to confirmed they could arrange to have her moved by the agreed date and provided a full packing service. She would only need to finish filling bin liners with items to be thrown away, and pack her personal stuff. Until she knew she had a place of her own, everything would go into storage.

  The morning was spent focusing on the rubbish and the bin bags piled up alarmingly. She planned to ferry them to the local tip a car-full at a time. Fiona must have made the promised calls, as Louisa was phoned by the charity and the dress agency to organise collections. She arranged for that to happen the next morning, then phoned Glenn to ask him to book a flight to Guernsey for the following afternoon.

  After the meeting with the removal man, Louisa began the trips to the tip. It was late afternoon before she returned from the final one and felt absolutely filthy. She was having supper at Charlotte’s that evening and jumped in the shower to wash away the grime before changing into an outfit befitting the occasion.

  Sitting back in her seat as the plane took off, Louisa could not help comparing the difference between how she felt now and the first time she had flown to Guernsey. Then, she had been anxious about meeting her father. Always assuming she would meet him. And how he would react to learning he had a daughter. Now, she was not only on her way to stay with Malcolm, but was also looking forward to being re-united with the man she loved. Thinking about it, she had been lucky enough to gain not one, but two loving men in her life, and found herself grinning with pleasure.

  Malcolm was waiting at the airport and they were soon driving away into St Peter Port.

  ‘I’ve arranged for us to see a property this afternoon. If it doesn’t suit, we can look at others tomorrow. Oh, and I’ve booked a table at La Fregate for the three of us tonight. If that’s okay?’ he said, with a broad smile.

  ‘Fine by me. Have you got the property details with you?’ She hoped it would tick the right boxes.

  ‘No, the agent will bring them along. But I’m sure you’ll like it. Now, tell me how the plans for the removal are progressing.’

  Louisa did not know St Peter Port well and when Malcolm pulled off The Grange, one of the main roads leading into the town, she was lost. He drove along a one-way street until, after turning right into a close, he pulled into a drive which looked familiar.

  ‘But…isn’t this the house that’s been let? The one I really liked,’ she said, puzzled.

  ‘Yes it is, but don’t worry about that. It’s available if you like it.’ Getting out of the car, she followed him up the drive to the front door, where a young woman waited, a folder tucked under her arm.

  ‘Mr Roget, good to see you again. And you must be Miss Canning. How do you do? Please, come on in.’ She opened the door, signalling them to follow. ‘I’ll wait here until you’ve looked around and will be happy to answer any questions you may have then.’ Before Louisa could say anything, Malcolm marched through the kitchen and into the garden. She had no choice but to follow, getting a quick glimpse at the modern kitchen, before joining him. The garden was just as pretty as it looked in the details.

  ‘What do you think? Would you like to live here? I know you’ve not seen it all yet, but–’

  The penny dropped. ‘You’ve been here before, haven’t you? And you agreed to rent it?’ She didn’t know whether to be pleased or annoyed that he had made the decision without asking her.

  ‘Well, I didn’t want to risk you losing it. The agent already had more viewings lined up. So I asked Paul to come with me and we both thought it was perfect. But if you really don’t like it we can cancel the deal,’ he said, his face registering uncertainty.

  ‘Let me see the rest and I’ll tell you.’ Keeping her expression neutral, she went inside for a detailed tour, leaving Malcolm outside. When she returned to the garden she was grinning. ‘I love it, thanks. But why didn’t either of you let me know? I’ve been totally worried I wouldn’t find somewhere in time.’

  He looked relieved. ‘I wanted to surprise you. And, to be honest, hadn’t realised how disappointed you were when it was let.’ They shared a conciliatory hug before going in search of the agent. Louisa had a couple of questions to ask and, satisfied with the answers, asked when she had to sign the lease.

  The young woman, frowning, looked between her and Malcolm. ‘But–’

  ‘It’s all right, Jane, I’ll explain to my daughter. Thanks for showing us around. I’ll be in touch.’

  They said their goodbyes and got back into Malcolm's car.

  ‘Okay, what is it you have to explain? Seems you’ve kept something else from me,’ Louisa said, turning to face him. Holding her hand, he said, ‘Knowing you won’t be earning a lot at the centre, I wanted to help with the cost of your accommodation. So the lease is in my name because I’m paying the rent.’

  On the way to his apartment, Louisa tried to persuade Malcolm to change his mind, but he was adamant. It was his way of making up for the “lost years” as he called them. This brought a lump to her throat and she gave in. At least he hadn’t gone and bought her a house, she consoled herself. If she and Paul looked as if they would stay together, then she would sell her London house and buy here. But for now, this arrangement suited her perfectly.

  Before Paul was due to arrive, Malcolm said he wanted to say something important.

  ‘The reason I’ve poked my nose in between you and Paul is that I didn’t want you both making the same mistake that I did with your mother.’

  Louisa leaned forward on the sofa, wondering where this was going.

  ‘I was too pig-headed to admit I loved Susan and we…we lost each other. Missing out on years of what I’m sure would have been a wonderful time together. Raising our daughter,’ he said, gripping her hand. She felt a lump in her throat. ‘No-one can guarantee that you two will have a long and loving life together, but at least now you can give it a shot.’

  ‘I…I don’t know what to say,’ she said, smiling. He had more than made up for those “lost years”. She could draw a line under the past and its sorrows and look forward to a future containing not only a new love, but her father.

  Kissing his cheek, she murmured, ‘Thanks, Dad. For everything.’

  COMING NEXT

  The Family Divided

  – The Guernsey Novels (Book 4)

  Edmund Batiste is killed during the German Occupation of Guernsey. Labelled a collaborator, it was assumed he was punished by the local resistance. But was he? Years later, his grandson, Andy, seeks
to find the truth of what really happened, and why his pregnant grandmother was forced to flee from the island after it was liberated. The wealthy Batiste family has remained divided ever since: Edmund's brother is now the head of the family and enjoying the wealth that would have been Edmund's. Andy not only wants to clear the family's name, but to restore his father's rightful inheritance.

  Charlotte Townsend was left by her husband and found healing at La Folie, the natural health centre in Guernsey. Returning for another retreat, she meets Andy and together they embark on a search for the truth.

  If you enjoyed Guernsey Retreat why not try:

  Dangerous Waters http://authl.it/B00GCD1KFS

  Finding Mother http://authl.it/B00G3C1Y2W

  Authors rely on reader reviews to gain more readers, so if you have enjoyed this book please take a few moments to leave a review on Amazon or even Goodreads. I'd be very grateful!

  To learn more about me and my books please visit my website www.anneallen.co.uk