CHAPTER THREE

The house was in darkness. ‘They keep early hours,’ Michael said. ‘There’ll be a note. Some message. You’ve an overnight bag in the car?’

Kathryn nodded. Suddenly the place seemed unwelcoming and it was getting darker by the minute.

‘Your car’s all right here for now,’ he said. ‘But we’ll drive round to the back. I’ve got a key.’

He waited for her to retrieve her bag and climb back into his vehicle. As they drove through an archway she could see that one downstairs light was on. This turned out to be the kitchen. Michael unlocked the door and ushered her inside.

The room looked bare and felt cold. Kathryn shivered. That she was not expected to return was obvious.

‘Not to worry,’ said Michael as if he could read her thoughts. ‘They’re a bit vague sometimes. I’m sure they’d want you to stay. Your mother’s room will be ready. The best thing is for you to settle in there for the night. Come, I’ll show you.’

Bemused, she followed him along the passage and up the wide staircase. He threw open a door at the end of another passage, flicked on a switch and stood to one side for her to enter.

‘In the morning things will seem better,’ he said, stifling a yawn.

He withdrew so quickly there was no time to thank him. Kathryn yawned too, as she stumbled towards the bed. The central light dazzled the brass ornaments on the mantelpiece above the tiny Victorian fireplace and made her eyes ache. Almost blinded with fatigue she pulled off her jeans and jersey and collapsed beneath the covers of the soft bed.

A high-pitched sound entered Kathryn’s dreams, intrusive and insistent. What was that? She sat upright in bed, her heart thumping as she glanced round the unfamiliar room. A fire alarm?

In seconds she was out, opening the thick curtains to let in the daylight and pulling on the clothes abandoned so hastily the night before.

She followed the noise down the stairs and along the passage to the open door of the kitchen. The acrid smell of burnt toast was overpowering and she rushed to throw the outside door and windows wide open. The smoke alarm subsided as the air cleared. She grabbed a cloth and removed the grill pan with its smouldering cargo, carried it outside and dumped it on the ground.

Phew! She wiped her hand across her forehead and then realised she was not alone. Sir Edwin Hewson, his stick tapping on the cobbles, was walking towards her. Lady Hewson, looking agitated, was close behind.

‘Our apologies, Miss Marshall,’ he said. ‘It was remiss of us to leave the kitchen so hurriedly.’

‘A strange cry,’ Lady Hewson murmured. ‘So many birds here but this was different. We wanted to identify it.’ She looked sadly down at the incinerated toast. ‘And now the toast is ruined.’

‘I’ll see to breakfast for you,’ Kathryn offered. ‘It’s the least I can do after having a bed for the night.’

Sir Edwin bowed slightly. ‘It’s a pleasure to have you stay, my dear. Naturally we wish to know how your poor mother is. Mrs Marshall is one of our employees. We feel responsible for her.’

‘I don’t think you understand,’ Kathryn said gently. ‘My mother will be out of action for at least six weeks if not more. There’s no way she can work as your housekeeper now. I’m so sorry.’

Lady Hewson smiled sympathetically as she indicated the larder door. ‘We were afraid of that, dear.’

Kathryn opened it and found a spacious area containing a fridge and a bread bin. The butter was in a blue dish on a marble shelf above and looked soft. By its side lay a pack of bacon and a bowl of eggs. Suddenly she felt ravenously hungry.

While the bacon was sizzling in the large frying pan and Kathryn was breaking eggs into a bowl, she filled them in on everything that had happened.

‘This is delicious dear,’ Lady Hewson said as they began to eat.

Kathryn was touched. ‘I’m glad you enjoyed it,’ she said as she began to wash the dishes. ‘I did too. But now I must tidy up upstairs and then get back to the hospital. I’m so grateful for the accommodation.’

‘You have somewhere else to stay tonight?’

‘Well, no, not yet.’

‘Then you are most welcome to stay here,’ said Lady Hewson.

Sir Edwin got to his feet. ‘Yes … yes, an excellent idea. But on one condition.’

Puzzled, Kathryn looked at him as he stood leaning on his walking stick. Sir Edwin’s eyes twinkled. ‘You must cook us another excellent breakfast tomorrow!’ he said.

He looked so proud of his suggestion that Kathryn couldn’t help laughing. ‘Of course I will,’ she said. ‘I’d love to.’

The warmth of their invitation washed over Kathryn as she went upstairs to get ready for her drive to the hospital. Tonight’s accommodation had been solved. Great! But, of course, there was still the bigger problem remaining. Where would her mother stay when she came out of hospital that was suitable for someone with a broken ankle?

In spite of her worries Kathryn enjoyed her drive through grassy-banked lanes dotted with bright celandines and paler yellow primroses. A faint mist was rising from the fields and the sky looked hazy in the distance. She had phoned Helen before leaving Bulbury Knap and she had said they would be up to visit as soon as they could, probably tomorrow.

Kathryn smiled as she entered the ward and saw Sarah seated on a chair at the side of her bed. ‘You look so much better, Mum,’ she said in wonder as she kissed her and found a chair.

‘That’s because I feel I’m back in the land of the living,’ said Sarah. ‘Zillah will be back here in a minute. She’s going home today as soon as a lift can be arranged.’

‘You’ll miss Zillah,’ Kathryn said.

‘She’s good company,’ Sarah agreed. She looked at Kathryn searchingly. ‘And how are you, my love?’

Kathryn hesitated. Taking a deep breath, she told her quickly about the split with Nick glossing over the details and glad it was accepted without question. She had to pause, even now, to steady her voice and unclench her hands in her lap before she went on to talk of the accommodation she planned to get near the hospital so she could visit every day.

Sarah leaned forward in her seat. ‘But what about your teaching work, dear?’

Kathryn smiled. ‘I’m going to put it on hold for the moment. I need to get right away, do something different. And this is it.’

Sarah patted her hand and Kathryn was glad to see her face light again as Zillah came into the ward.

‘Am I missing something?’ Zillah asked, her colourful smock swinging as she pulled out a chair and sank down on it.

Sarah’s cheeks were a little flushed as she looked from one to the other. ‘Kathryn’s giving up her flat in London and is planning on staying in the area for a while,’ she said.

‘So, Kathryn, where’s your mum going when they let her out?’ Zillah’s warm voice seemed to echo round the ward.

Kathryn looked at her in dismay. She had deliberately avoided that subject and Mum hadn’t raised it herself.

‘You could come to me, Sarah,’ said Zillah, leaning forward in enthusiasm. ‘I’d look after you, I promise.’ She got up from her seat as if to prove she could, gave a twist of pain and then plumped down again. ‘I’d love it. My studio flat’s right on the harbour front and there’s plenty to watch all day long.’

‘Oh but Zillah …’ Sarah began.

‘If it wasn’t for me you’d be OK,’ said Zillah, her voice deep. ‘Please let Sarah come to me, Kathryn.’

Kathryn felt sorry for her. Wouldn’t she feel just the same in the same position as her friend, blaming herself even though the accident wasn’t her fault? ‘But Zillah, you’ve got to think of yourself. You’ve been in an accident. You’re probably still in shock.’

‘Rubbish,’ said Zillah, her voice scathing.

Kathryn looked at her mother and saw that she was smiling.

‘I could be in here for days yet,’ Sarah said. ‘Let’s wait and see how you feel then, shall we?’

‘Kathryn can come and see for herself,’ Zillah said as if she hadn’t spoken. ‘Inspect the place and so on. Too bad I can’t fit more than one extra in.’

‘Hold on,’ Kathryn said, laughing. ‘But thanks, Zillah. I’ll be there as soon as I can.’

*          *          *

‘Me?’ Kathryn swung round from the sink and gazed at Sir Edwin in surprise. ‘You wish me to take Mum’s place as housekeeper here at Bulbury Knap?’

‘In a temporary position, of course,’ Sir Edwin said gruffly. ‘Until your mother is fully recovered and able to take up her position.’

‘But I’ve never done anything like that before,’ she said, as she wrung out the dishcloth and pulled the plug out of the sink.

‘If you could find it in your heart to help out an elderly couple we should be so grateful,’ said Lady Hewson tentatively. She got to her feet and stood leaning her frail weight on the back of her chair.

‘Indeed, my dear,’ said Sir Edwin.

Kathryn hesitated. This amazing suggestion would mean that Mum’s dream of working and living at Bulbury Knap hadn’t come to an end after all. But … herself as acting housekeeper? She glanced around the kitchen. Surely she could prepare and cook meals for them easily enough and do the shopping and the cleaning? ‘But isn’t there anyone else you should talk to about this before offering the job to me?’ she said.

A shadow flickered across Lady Hewson’s face. ‘Jane, our daughter, lives in New Zealand,’ she said. ‘Andrew looks after our interests when he’s here. Such a dear boy. We’re expecting Andrew any day now,’ she added, smiling a little.

Kathryn glanced across at the photo on the dresser she knew was of Sir Edwin’s great nephew. He looked serious, his dark hair smoothed flat. Mum would be so pleased her position would still be here for her when she was well again.

‘I haven’t any other plans at the moment,’ Kathryn said, considering. Life here would be so different from Wimbledon, she thought, struggling to ban from her mind the painful vision of Nick and Anna together. ‘You would need references,’ she added. ‘I’d be able to sort that out for you.’

‘We mustn’t rush you, dear,’ Lady Hewson said. ‘Talk it over with your mother when you see her today and let us know what you decide. You’ll have time to see over the house first so you can see what would be expected of you?’

‘Of course.’

*          *          *

The route through the house was tortuous with so many steps up and down. Kathryn could see that although the furniture was old and beautifully preserved there was an air of neglect about the place. One or two rooms showed signs that someone had tried to make them look lived-in. Sir Edwin threw open a door at the end of a long passage upstairs and then stood aside for the others to precede him.

The bed was a small four-poster with faded cream hangings. A walnut chest of drawers and wardrobe stood against one wall and a writing desk and chair on the other with a door leading into a spacious en suite. Kathryn exclaimed in delight.

Lady Hewson glowed with pleasure. ‘This is Andrew’s room, and the room next door he uses as his study,’ Lady Hewson said. ‘His computer is in there and all sorts of things we don’t understand. It’s kept locked, of course.’

*          *          *

Kathryn leaned on the warm windowsill and gazed down from the open window of Zillah’s studio at the busy harbour scene below. Although late in the season the place seethed with activity. People in holiday gear meandered about eating ice creams. Squawking seagulls added to the din of boats’ engines and the salty breeze fanned her hair.

She still felt euphoric from her mother’s pleasure in Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson’s kind plan and her acceptance of it when she got back from the hospital yesterday. Helen, too, had been delighted. But there was still the question of finding somewhere for Mum since Helen’s and Dan’s small cottage in Cornwall was overflowing now that Dan’s brother was living with them.

‘If only it was more suitable for her here, Zillah,’ Kathryn said now, hearing the longing in her voice.

Her friend’s chair creaked as she leaned back. ‘So what’s wrong with it?’

‘Mum would never get up those narrow steps with her leg in plaster and the room she’d have is higher still, above this one.’

Zillah, in her flapping smock, gazed back at her with the light of battle in her eyes. ‘Are you saying it can’t be done?’ she demanded as she jabbed a paint-smeared finger in Kathryn’s direction.

‘This place is ideal for an artist like you,’ said Kathryn, rubbing her arms as she turned to face the over-crowded room. ‘But for Mum I’m afraid it’s out of the question.’

*          *          *

The dread in Kathryn’s heart deepened as familiar landmarks began to appear on her drive up the M3 towards London.

Even the flat key in the pocket of her best jeans felt heavier than it should now she was getting near. They had made no contact, she and Nick, but hopefully everything in the apartment was how she had left it.

She felt a lump in her throat. How could he have done this to her, allowing her to find out about himself and Anna in that humiliating way? But she mustn’t think of him, wouldn’t think of him. Concentrate on the driving, she told herself. She had left Bulbury Knap this morning as the sun was rising still bemused by Sir Edwin and Lady Hewson’s amazing offer on her return from Zillah’s studio.

‘Naturally your mother will come here to convalesce,’ Lady Hewson said in her gentle voice.

‘Here?’ said Kathryn in surprise. The torturous staircases and the many uneven steps from one part of the house to the other made it highly unsuitable for anyone on crutches. But Sir Edwin had offered Michael’s help in getting the invalid established in her room upstairs.

‘And if you feel you could take the temporary post as housekeeper that would be delightful,’ Lady Hewson had added.

‘Of course I will,’ Kathryn said though she still felt doubtful about how it would all work out.

Another downside was her having to return to London for one night in order to put her affairs in order and to collect all her belongings from the apartment. But it had to be done and she would phone Helen on her return.

Unlocking the door of the apartment and stepping inside was painful, but at last it was done and she shut the outside door behind her and posted the key through the letterbox with relief. Nothing of her now remained in the place that had been home to her all these months.