Chapter thirty-four

B

ack at the cottage Charlotte made a pot of coffee before joining a wary looking Andy in the sitting room. She poured out two mugs, handed Andy his coffee and sat down beside him.

‘What’s the matter? It’s not my parents is it? I know they were a bit full on but –’ He reached out to stroke her hair.

‘No, it’s nothing to do with them. It’s – it’s about what I said when I was in London. About where we will live and our lifestyle.’ His face took on a shuttered look but she had to press on. It was crucial to their future. ‘I know you love your cottage, and quite rightly so. But, to be frank, it’s not where I would see us living as a couple. And possibly with children. We…they would need more space. I’m used to having my own study and you need yours, and I have a lot of things I’d like to bring over from London…’ She stopped, wanting him to say something.

‘I know my house can’t compete with a London mansion, but I put a lot of work into it. I’m proud of what I’ve done here,’ he said, waving his arm. His face still inscrutable.

‘Yes, and you have every right to be. It’s lovely. But it’s–’

‘Too small for Madam?’ He looked solemn.

Her heart sank. He was cross and she might have known it would all end in tears…She took a deep breath, determined to speak her mind.

‘This is the twenty-first century, Andy, and I would want us to be equal partners in our relationship. You know my background and you fell in love with me in spite of it. We’ve had different upbringings, which doesn’t bother me. And I would want to put my money into our home. Not a mansion but something…elegant and I’d like a cleaner or housekeeper.’ She gripped her mug tight and watched for his reaction.

‘Well, I hate to admit this, but you’re right to say we would need something bigger if we had children. So perhaps we can consider moving, as long as we can find something we both like. And a cleaner should be okay as long as they don’t live in. I hate the idea of servants which is what they would look like to me.’ He smiled for the first time since they had returned home.

‘You really don’t mind? But…what about the cost? Would you let me put my money towards it? I know how expensive houses are over here.’

‘Yes, but I have to sell this place first so let’s wait until then before buying a new one. Agreed?’

Relief flooded through her. She guessed how hard it must have been for Andy to agree and her heart was filled with love for this wonderful, understanding man. ‘I’ve been so worried you would think me stuck up–’

He kissed her hard on the mouth. ‘I do think you’re stuck up, but I still love you.’

Annette was flying in late morning and Charlotte had arranged to pick her up at one and take her out for lunch, saying she wanted her to meet someone. She and Andy had agreed he would wait for them at Le Fregate while she collected Annette in her hire car. The chilly weather again made the wearing of gloves seem unremarkable.

As Charlotte entered La Folie she spotted her mother talking to Gillian by the reception desk and walked over to join them. Annette allowed herself to be hugged and Gillian smiled warmly.

‘I hadn’t realised you were returning so soon, Gillian. Are you staying long?’

‘Two weeks this time, and then we’ll see.’ She turned to Annette saying they would catch up later and said goodbye to Charlotte before leaving them alone. Charlotte shepherded her mother to the car, asking if she had had a good flight. Annette said it had been comfortable and settled into the passenger seat. Driving down the lane Charlotte asked if any specific treatments had been arranged by Gillian.

‘I shall continue on the current programme until I’ve had a scan tomorrow. Gillian wants to see if the tumours are shrinking before changing anything.’

‘Oh, right. Fingers crossed, then,’ she said, glancing at her mother’s inscrutable face. She was tempted to delay telling her mother about the engagement until after the scan, but if the news was bad it would be even harder to say anything. How do you share your own good news with someone who’s seriously ill? At least they were not having a party to celebrate.

Not much more was said on the journey and Charlotte pulled into the restaurant car park feeling in need of a stiff drink. Thankful she and Andy had resolved the issue of homes and money, she was happier than she had been only the day before. All she wanted now was for her mother to accept Andy as her fiancé. As they walked into the bar, she smiled at the sight of Andy at a nearby table and ushered her mother towards him. He stood up and extended his hand.

‘How do you do, Lady Townsend? I’m Andy Batiste, a friend of Charlotte’s.’ Dressed in an immaculate suit, shirt and tie, he looked the epitome of eligibility, Charlotte thought, her heart swelling with pride.

Annette allowed him to shake her hand and a smile hovered around her mouth. ‘Pleased to meet you, Andy. I’m afraid Charlotte has told me nothing about you, so you may have the advantage of me.’

He pulled out a chair for her and Charlotte sat on Andy’s other side, leaving him between the women.

‘Mother, there’s something important I need to tell you…’

Annette sat quite still while Charlotte explained about the engagement, offering her hand as confirmation. Her mother’s eyebrows rose as she admired the ring, offering her congratulations to them both, accompanied by a warm smile. Charlotte was stunned. And Andy looked the same.

Her mother must have registered the look on Charlotte’s face as she said, ‘I’m not stupid, Charlotte. I have long since thought you must have met someone here, I’ve noticed the change in you. I was simply waiting for you to tell me.’ She looked from one to the other. ‘However, I must admit I was not expecting to be informed you were engaged. It does seem rather hasty after your recent…divorce,’ she said, her eyebrows raised.

‘We, er, didn’t see any point in waiting, Mother. But I do hope you’re happy for me and will welcome Andy as your son-in-law.’

‘Of course I’m happy for you. And once I get to know Andy better, I’m sure I shall like him.’ She then surprised them by calling over the waiter and asking for a bottle of champagne. Charlotte’s eyes widened.

Annette smiled. ‘I can hardly not toast my only child’s engagement, can I?’

Charlotte and Andy exchanged a quick glance.

Moments later the waiter arrived with the chilled bottle and poured out three glasses.

They each lifted their flutes. ‘To Charlotte and Andy, may you be very happy together,’ Annette said, touching glasses.

Charlotte, dazed, sipped her champagne, wondering if her mother’s treatment also included something for improving maternal feelings. Whatever had caused the change, she could only be grateful. Catching Andy’s eye he gave her an imperceptible wink. It seemed she need not have worried about her mother’s reaction after all…

In the car on the way back to La Folie Annette brought up the subject of the wedding, asking if she had made any plans.

‘Not yet, but we were thinking of sooner rather than later.’

‘Very sensible. You’re not getting any younger and I assume you’d like children? Or are you already pregnant?’

Charlotte's face reddened. ‘No, I’m not. But, yes, we would like children, although it may not be easy at my age.’

Her mother pursed her lips. ‘True, but women older than you have conceived, some more than once. And I would quite like to be a grandmother.’

She was so surprised she nearly lost control of the car. ‘I…never thought you were bothered. When I was married to Richard–’

‘Oh, but I knew there was no question of a family with him. Most of my friends are now grandparents and they seem to think it’s the most marvellous thing. I may not have been a loving mother but I think I could be a doting grandmother. Assuming I’m still around,’ she said, biting her lip.

Charlotte patted her mother’s hand, fear tightening her stomach. ‘I’m sure you will be. Gillian and Paul seem confident they can help you and Gillian’s very experienced.’

Annette nodded. ‘They will do their best, I’m sure. And I’m very grateful to you for suggesting I seek alternative advice. At least now I have a fighting chance,’ she said, smiling at her.

Again Charlotte was taken aback, this time for being thanked. Her mother was definitely changing.

‘I’m glad for you, Mother. It’s what we all want.’

The weather on Monday morning set the mood for the day of the funeral – cold, dull and wet. Charlotte shivered as she gazed out of the cottage window at the rain bouncing off the car. Turning her back on the dismal scene, she filled the kettle for another cup of coffee. After all the excitement of the past few days, today she felt a bit low at the thought of the funeral ahead and hoped the caffeine hit would help. Apart from the weather and the funeral there was nothing to make her feel like she did and she was annoyed with herself. Winter had never been her favourite time of year and she wondered if the SAD syndrome could be at the root of the problem. She needed sun and warmth, not rain and cold. As she made her coffee her mind drifted back to the conversation with Andy the previous evening. They were discussing the wedding.

‘How about next month? Before the Christmas madness descends on us all. Business is quiet around then and I could take a couple of weeks off,’ Andy said, kissing her as he joined her on the sofa.

‘It’s a bit soon! Not sure if I could arrange everything so quickly.’

‘What’s to arrange? I thought we both wanted a quiet do, just family and close friends.’

She asked herself why she was panicking. Andy was right, a few guests and an intimate party after the ceremony. How long could that take to plan? On her side there was her mother and possibly a couple of friends from uni and Andy only had his parents and a few close friends, including mutual ones like Louisa and Paul.

‘You’re right, it could be done. What about the venue?’

‘The only option is the Greffe for the wedding itself, but we can have our party anywhere. Only about sixteen guests can come to the service but we’re not looking at any more, are we?’

‘No, that’s fine. All we’ll need is a restaurant with a private room.’ She snuggled up to him. ‘What about the honeymoon? I’d like somewhere hot and secluded,’ she said, nibbling his ear.

‘Then hot and secluded it is.’

Charlotte, her hands wrapped around the coffee mug, smiled at the thought of “hot and secluded”. They had decided to ask Glenn, the owner of Louisa’s travel agency, what he could come up with and Andy was to check out the Greffe for possible dates for the wedding. With the need to give sixteen days’ notice there was no time to lose for early December. The happy thoughts of weddings and honeymoons finally pushed away the earlier mood and Charlotte finished her coffee before sitting down to write a list of potential wedding guests. She and Andy were going around to Louisa’s that evening to break the news of their engagement. It looked as if they might be receiving an early wedding invitation as well.

She arrived at the church ten minutes before two o’clock. The rector was at the door greeting a straggle of mourners keen to get out of the rain. He smiled as she approached and as they shook hands, said he was pleased she had been able to come.

‘I wanted to pay my respects, Vicar, but I’ll disappear once the service is over.’ She turned to check they were alone and whispered, ‘The police aren’t going to turn up here, are they?’

‘No, certainly not. I believe they will call round tomorrow morning–’ he broke off as the hearse arrived.

‘I’ll leave you to it,’ she said, vanishing into the church, keen to avoid coming face to face with Harold. The pews were decently full of mourners, probably acquaintances of Harold rather than Maud, Charlotte thought, slipping into a space at the back. The only person she recognised was Sal, the carer, seated a couple of rows ahead. A blast from the organ announced the arrival of the cortège and everyone rose to their feet. Charlotte kept her head down, but took a quick peep as the coffin drew level. Harold was the sole mourner pacing behind, sombre in black. She hugged to herself the knowledge such an evil man was soon to reap his just deserts, and shivered slightly as he passed.

Without warning the image of her mother intruded into her thoughts. With the results of the scan only days away, the thought of whether or not the news would be good was never far from her mind. But here, in the church, her eyes following the progress of Maud’s coffin towards the altar, it seemed an omen. She had to grip onto the back of the pew in front to stop herself sagging. No, no she couldn’t accept it. Her mother must not die! The organ sprang into life again as the congregation sang the first hymn and Charlotte forced herself to join in. It helped to soothe her and she was able to sit down feeling calmer as the rector read out a brief eulogy, explaining Maud’s widower was too upset to read it himself.

‘Humbug!’ she muttered under her breath, causing a neighbour to glance in her direction. As she listened to a fulsome description of “a paragon of virtue, wonderful wife and mother”, Charlotte relived the time she had spent with Maud and decided it was a load of hogwash. She wouldn’t allow herself to wonder what she could say about her mother if…Forcing her mind back to the service, thinking although Maud had been no saint, she was not as black as her husband. And Charlotte respected her for wanting to put things right for Jim and was present solely for that reason.

The service was concluded and the journey of the coffin reversed and as it passed her Charlotte looked up to find Harold’s baleful eyes on her. A look of puzzled recognition crossed his face and she immediately looked away, her heart racing. He was obliged to walk on and Charlotte waited until the church had emptied before leaving. She watched from the porch as the hearse and mourners’ cars left for the interment in the cemetery and then retrieved her car. Even though she knew Harold could not harm her, she was glad to get in the car and drive away. And the service had brought up things she couldn’t bear to think about.

The evening with Louisa and Paul washed away the darkness of the funeral. Charlotte and Andy were welcomed warmly by their friends and as soon as Louisa spotted her ring, she let out a joyful cry.

‘I can’t believe it! You two haven’t wasted any time, have you? But I’m so, so pleased for you both.’ Hugs and kisses were exchanged again and Andy brought out another bottle of Krug, causing Louisa to have a fit of the giggles, shortly joined by Charlotte.

Paul raised his eyebrows, but was grinning as he opened the bottle. After the requisite toast to the newly engaged couple, they sat down to catch up on the events of the past few days. By the time they were leaving, Charlotte noticed Louisa was looking pensive.

‘Everything all right?’ she whispered as they stood apart from the men.

‘Yeees. But now you’re engaged and getting married next month, I’m hoping Paul won’t be long popping the question. I’m always worried–’

‘Hey! Don’t be silly. He adores you, just give him time. Not everyone rushes full-speed ahead like us. He might even propose at our wedding, he’s such a romantic at heart,’ Charlotte said, giving her a hug.

Louisa’s face brightened and she agreed it was a possibility. Andy grabbed Charlotte’s hand and as she shouted goodbye, she hoped she was right. It would be lovely to have a double celebration.

The next couple of days passed slowly and Charlotte struggled to focus on her writing. Her mind continually wandered off to her mother’s scan and the all-important results due on Wednesday, and also to Harold and his longed-for arrest. By Wednesday afternoon Charlotte could wait no longer and rang her mother at La Folie.

‘Hello, Mother. Have you had the results yet?’

‘Ah, Charlotte, I was going to ring you. Yes, Gillian’s just informed me the scan shows the tumours have shrunk a little, which is good news.’

‘It certainly is! Oh, I’m so pleased. What does Gillian say?’ She felt the lead dissolve and she smiled.

‘I’m to start on the new treatment we discussed and will be monitored regularly, and she says it looks promising for a remission.’ She paused. ‘Now, tell me if there’s any news about the wedding.’

‘We can book the Greffe for the 12th December and we think we’ve got somewhere for the party. I’m just waiting to hear from the travel agent about the honeymoon, and then it’s full steam ahead.’

Her mother wanted to know all the details and Charlotte, surprised but pleased by her interest, was happy to oblige. The call ended with her saying she would call round to see Annette the next day. Change was definitely in the air.

Andy arrived home from work waving a copy of the Guernsey Evening Press.

‘It’s in the paper!’ he cried, swinging her around the hall.

‘What is? Oh, is it about Harold?’ she asked, her own excitement matching his.

‘Yep, front page too. Look,’ he said, handing it over.

Charlotte scanned the headline “Wealthy land-owner charged with murder and fraud”, underneath which a photo showed a scowling Harold, his arm raised as if to ward off the photographer. She read on for the details. Looking up she saw the gleam in Andy’s eyes and kissed him.

‘It’s all come right, darling. There will be justice for your family at last.’