Chapter four

P

ushing the dreaded thought of her mother’s cancer to the back of her mind, she headed off for her first aromatherapy massage with Lin. A session guaranteed to leave her as chilled as her beloved Krug. Sorely needed.

At lunchtime Charlotte floated on a sea of rose geranium and frankincense towards the dining room in the sun lounge. She was meeting Louisa for lunch and was first to arrive. Charlotte was gazing dreamily out of the window admiring the garden when her friend rushed in, apologetic.

‘Sorry to be late, but I had a last minute appointment with the father of Paul’s friend. He’s not a guest but the friend, Andy, was the brilliant architect who designed the pool and this room. So Paul feels we owe him a favour.’

‘No problem. I’m not going anywhere. Had the most divine massage with Lin and can barely function at the moment. You’ll have to do the talking and I’ll listen.’

Louisa laughed. ‘You remind me of how I always felt after a session with Lin. Unfortunately, now I’m staff and not a guest I have to wait in line and Lin’s always busy. Right, what shall we have?’

They had just given their order when a man came up to the table and spoke to Louisa.

‘Sorry to interrupt your lunch, Louisa, but I wanted to thank you for fitting in my father so quickly. He’s been in a lot of pain but says it’s a bit better now. I’ve just come to collect him.’

‘Hi, Andy, you’re welcome. Oh, let me introduce you to my friend, Charlotte. She’s a guest here.’

He turned to Charlotte, offering his hand. ‘Hello, pleased to meet you. Is this your first visit?’

For a moment she was dumbstruck. What a gorgeous looking man! Tall, slim with dark, wavy hair, soft brown eyes and a firm mouth which curled up at the ends. She fought down the unbidden attraction, reminding herself she was off men.

‘Hello, Andy. Nice to meet you, too. And no, this is my second time, I was here earlier in the year which is when I met Louisa. I gather your father needed her magic touch?’

He gave her a brief smile, saying, ‘Yes, he did.’ Turning back to Louisa he asked, ‘Will he need to return for more sessions? Paul and I have an arrangement if he does.’

Louisa nodded. ‘He told me. I’d like to see your father again next week, to check if he’s keeping up the exercises I gave him. And his back’s pretty stiff, probably from arthritis. Not surprising considering his work.’

Andy was about to say something when the food arrived and he muttered a quick goodbye and left.

Charlotte was left feeling annoyed. Annoyed with herself for her initial attraction to Andy and unreasonably annoyed with him for showing not the slightest interest in her.

‘This looks wonderful! Chef told me he’s been working on new recipes for the centre and we’ve been discussing a new book containing them. Perhaps a complimentary book for all guests?’ she said, gushing in her need to move on.

‘Sounds a great idea. Would need to run it past my father, of course, but I think he would go for it. As long as it’s not silly expensive!’ Louisa grinned as she filled her fork with seared tuna.

‘I’ve thought of that and we could keep the costs down by printing on demand and also offering the book to purchase by non-guests. Could be a great marketing exercise.’

Louisa agreed and they discussed various ideas before she stood up to leave for her next client.

Charlotte asked slyly, ‘So, did you two get an early night?’ Louisa reddened and admitted they did and Charlotte offered a thumbs up. She went on, ‘Would you like to come for dinner tonight at my place? Paul’s coming too,’ Louisa said, still pink. Charlotte was happy to accept and, once on her own, her thoughts turned again to Andy. Was he single? Probably not, he was too damn attractive. Stop it! She chided herself. Pulling herself together she slipped outside and strode out towards the cliff path. What she needed was a good long walk and fresh air, not reminders of what she used to have.

The early evening sky was a darkening blue and the sun hung low on the horizon as Louisa drove with Charlotte to St Peter Port. The dark nights were edging ever closer and the women bemoaned the end of summer.

‘I’ve really enjoyed being out in the garden in the evenings after work and at weekends we’ve had friends round for barbecues. I’m glad Dad snapped up the lease as I’m sure the house would have gone quickly to someone else. It has such a pretty garden which I can’t wait to show you, and luckily it’s warm enough to eat outside tonight.’

‘Lovely. I’m pleased you’ve settled in, but what are your long-term plans? Will you sell your London house?’

Louisa sighed. ‘Depends on what happens with Paul. If we can get over this bad patch the idea is for him to move in with me and then eventually buy our own home. I’m not sure what I’d do if we were to split…’ she looked so unhappy Charlotte gripped her shoulder.

‘Hey! Don’t be so defeatist, I’m sure you two are meant for each other and you’ll come through this even more in love. Paul adores you, but you need to tell him you’re there by his side. Big Sis says so, remember.’

Louisa turned to face her and grinned. ‘Thanks, Big Sis. Always wanted a sister or brother you know. I’d happily settle for you as a surrogate.’

‘Good. That’s agreed. From now on we’re sisters in all but name. Oh! Is this your house?’

Louisa steered the convertible into the drive of the semi-detached house and switched off the engine. ‘Yes, lovely isn’t it? And it’s so quiet in the close that I forget I’m virtually in the centre of Town. Come on, I’ll show you around before I start cooking.’

Charlotte admired the 1930s house which appeared recently modernised. Louisa proudly showed her the garden, with a small lawn and patio surrounded by shrubs, offering privacy from the neighbours. It was delightful and Charlotte could see why her ‘sister’ was so happy there.

‘So, what time’s Paul arriving?’

Louisa was removing vegetables and chicken breasts from the fridge and said, ‘In about an hour. Which is fine as I can prepare the food and cook it as soon as he arrives. We’re having an easy stir-fry. Now, how about a glass of wine? White or red? Sorry, we’re all out of Krug!’ She laughed.

‘White would be lovely, thanks. And even I can have too much champagne, you know.’ She sat on a bar stool while Louisa poured two glasses of wine before chopping the vegetables. Charlotte felt uncomfortable with the domesticity of it. The preparation of the meal, waiting for the man to arrive – it took her back to the time of her marriage. Not that she ever prepared the food; they had a housekeeper, Mrs Thomas, who moved with them to her father’s house in London after his death. But Charlotte had helped to choose the meals and would always make sure there was a glass of something ready for Richard on his return in the evening. Until the excuses about working late began…And now her friend Louisa was worried about her own relationship, albeit for different reasons. She knocked back her wine.

When everything was ready they took their drinks outside to enjoy the last rays of the sun.

Paul arrived, more or less on time, and he set the table outside while Charlotte lit the candles in the lanterns. Within minutes the stir-fry was ready and everyone tucked in. Once they had finished, the plates were cleared and glasses refilled.

‘This is heaven. I can understand why you love it here, Louisa. I should eat outside at home, too, but it seems such a fag asking Mrs Thomas to take everything into the garden for me. I usually eat in the breakfast room as the dining room’s far too grand unless I’m entertaining. But I don’t do much these days, since…since Richard left.’ Charlotte sighed.

‘Perhaps you will again soon. We’ll just have to find you a man! Oh, that reminds me, Paul, Andy brought his father in for a session with me today and I said Jim should come back next week. Is it okay?’

‘Sure. I told Andy we’d cover a couple of sessions and he’ll pay us a reasonable fee for more if needed. He wants Jim to think we’re not charging at all as he’s too proud to accept what he’d call charity.’ Paul sipped his wine. ‘Did you know he wants to uncover what really happened to his grandfather during the occupation? Apparently Jeanne offered to help as she was researching that period for her next book, but she’s rather up to her eyes in nappies these days,’ he said, laughing. ‘A pity, as he seems really keen to help his dad.’

‘Sounds intriguing. What’s the mystery?’ Charlotte asked, leaning forward.

‘I don’t know the whole story, but it boils down to the fact Jim’s father, Edmund, was killed a month before the end of the war, not long after having being labelled an informer by his younger brother Harold. The police never found who did it, although they suspected a POW looking for food. Anyway, Edmund’s widow, Madeleine, was apparently shunned by the family and left Guernsey soon after the liberation. Harold later inherited the extensive family property which is now worth a mint, but no-one knew Madeleine was pregnant with Jim. He should by rights have inherited, you see.’ He topped up their glasses and leant back in his chair.

‘That’s so unfair! I’m not surprised Andy wants to help. But surely Jim’s the one to demand answers?’ Louisa said, looking shocked.

‘I agree, but for some reason he’s not pursued it. He’s much more laid-back than his son, as I’m sure you found. Jim’s a lovely guy, salt of the earth, and not got a grasping bone in his body, but he’s not very worldly.’

‘Is Andy an only child? He seemed quite concerned for his father when we saw him,’ Charlotte asked.

‘Yes he is. They’re very close, both love fishing and often go out in Jim’s boat together. We occasionally buy some of their catch for La Folie if they have any spare.’

‘Don’t their wives mind them going out fishing if it takes up so much time?’ Charlotte asked, casually.

‘Jim’s wife Yvette is only too glad of the fish on the table and Andy was divorced years ago.’

Louisa raised her eyebrows at Charlotte, who pretended not to notice. She swirled her wine around the glass, keeping her face neutral, but inwardly she felt her heart pump faster. Her mind began to race.

‘Perhaps I could help.’ As soon as the words were out, Charlotte wondered why on earth she had said it. Stupid, stupid, woman! But it would give her something to take her mind off her failed attempt at writing…

Paul and Louisa looked at her, surprised.

‘I mean with the research. What if I carry on where Jeanne left off, go through the records etc. See if I can find out anything pertinent to what happened. My forte’s always been research and as I’m struggling with my writing at the moment I’d be happy to assist.’ She sipped her wine, looking across at her friends.

‘That’s kind of you, but aren’t you here to relax and not tie yourself down with researching in dusty books? Andy’s waited years for answers so I’m sure he can wait a bit longer till Jeanne’s back in writing mode,’ Paul said.

‘Yes, Paul’s right. I thought you were here to recharge, not get involved in other people’s problems?’ Louisa gave her a quizzical look.

‘I’m sure I can do both. And it might just kick-start my own writing, which quite frankly, needs something to move it along. But ultimately it will be up to Andy and Jeanne to decide whether they want me to come on board. By the way, how did Jeanne get involved in the first place?’

‘Nick and Andy have been friends since boyhood as their fathers were great mates, all living in St Sampson. So he and Jeanne were keen to help in any way they could,’ said Paul, emptying his glass. ‘Anyone for a refill? I can open another bottle.’

The women shook their heads. Charlotte, thinking Louisa and Paul might want time alone, suggested ordering a taxi. Paul insisted on driving her back, saying he needed an early night with new guests arriving on the first flight from the UK. As she hugged Louisa, her friend whispered, ‘I think you’ve an ulterior motive about this research lark. You can’t pull the wool over my eyes!’

Charlotte didn’t comment, just smiled before following Paul to his car. Once they were heading out of town, she said, ‘I am serious about helping Andy, you know. It does sound as if his family’s had a raw deal and I’m all for obtaining justice. Would you mind passing on my offer?’

Paul glanced at her. ‘If you’re sure, but you know it wouldn’t be right for you to work on anything within the confines of La Folie. Strictly against the ethos of the centre. We want to encourage guests to leave the rest of the world behind while they recharge.’

‘Yes, of course, that’s why I left my laptop at home. But I’m sure something could be worked out if Andy and Jeanne accept my offer. I’m only booked in for two weeks and could stay longer somewhere else if needed. There’s no urgent need for me to return home so…’ Charlotte shrugged, trying not to think about her mother’s illness. For the moment it made sense to be fully occupied with something which had a purpose rather than play at writing a novel, which she still hoped to do. But it was much more important to help a family in need, wasn’t it?