Dave and a couple of his team were working on the barn when I arrived at Hedgehog Hollow on Saturday morning. I made them a round of drinks then headed across to the farmhouse.
As soon as I unlocked the door, a chill ran through me at the sight of the handwritten envelope lying on the doormat. No stamp. Which meant they’d been on my property when nobody was around, likely snooping. At least there was nothing to steal. Or was there?
I grabbed the letter and, slamming the door closed, sprinted round to the garden and breathed a sigh of relief. The bench was still there. I didn’t want an unsightly chain and padlock attached to it but maybe it could be bolted to the ground. It was far too precious to lose.
I didn’t want to read the letter on that special bench, soiling the beautiful memories with what were bound to be cruel words and threats, so I made my way back into the farmhouse and into the kitchen.
‘Let’s get this over with,’ I muttered, ripping open the envelope.
To Miss Wishaw
There’s been a big mistake. Our great-aunt and great-uncle owned this farm and it should have gone to their family when they died. We don’t know why you think it’s yours but it isn’t cos you aren’t family and you need to give it back.
We want to give you a chance to do the right thing and return what belongs to us without doing legal stuff. Our mobile numbers are at the bottom. You can keep the farm and pay us the money for it or you can sell it and pay us. Don’t care. Just care about getting what we’re owed.
If you don’t phone today, we’ll be back to have a word.
NOT YOURS! GET OUT!
Brynn & Cody Grimes
There was a knock on the front door, then it opened, swiftly followed by a shout of ‘hello’.
‘In here, Dad,’ I called.
‘Good morning. Oh. What’s happened?’
I handed him the letter and watched his jaw tighten as he read it, shaking his head and tutting.
‘I’m going to call Mr Jeffreys,’ I said. ‘I should catch him before his first appointment.’
Mr Jeffreys asked me to email him a photo of the letter. He’d be delighted to call the Grimes boys and advise them that they had no legal claim and, if they appeared that afternoon, they would be trespassing on private property and action would be taken.
‘I don’t imagine they’re the sort to pay attention,’ he said, ‘so do keep your guard up and make sure you’re not alone this afternoon.’
‘Thanks. My dad’s here and so are the builders.’
‘This is all you need, eh?’ Dad said when I hung up and he handed me a mug of tea. ‘Especially when everything else is going so well for you right now.’
I knew exactly what he was referring to and couldn’t help grinning. ‘I still can’t believe you ditched me like that but thank you. Josh and I had a brilliant evening.’
‘I think you’ve picked a winner there.’
‘It’s early days. We’ve both been hurt so we’re taking things one day at a time.’
‘Sounds sensible. He’s a good lad, though. Much better for you than James.’
‘I agree.’
‘I think he’s dying to be part of the project but recognises, like I do, that it’s your baby and neither of us want to push you aside.’
‘I don’t think either of you would,’ I said. ‘But I appreciate you saying it.’ I’ve never been the sort of person who has to be in charge or push themselves forward as the leader, but I wanted to be in control of this one to show Thomas that he was right to have picked me. I needed a team to help but I had to be the driving force. If it worked, we could all bask in the glory. If it didn’t, then that was down to me.
‘Weren’t you meant to be going back to Whitsborough Bay to pack up your stuff?’ I asked as Dad finished his tea and took the mug over to the sink.
‘I was. I only popped in to say hello and to say thank you again for getting me the job…’
‘All I did was mention to Josh that you were a vet and you’d lost your job. You’re the one who turned it into a job offer.’
‘But it wouldn’t have happened without you.’ He pointed to the letter. ‘I’m not so sure about leaving you alone now.’
I stood up and gave him a hug. ‘Have you seen how many strapping builders there are at the barn? I’ll be fine. Go home and get packed. Your new life awaits.’
‘If you’re sure? I’m going out with Simon tonight but I’ll be back tomorrow. Let me know if anything happens.’
‘I will. There’s no need to worry about me.’
‘It’s my prerogative as a dad to worry about you.’
I waved him off a few minutes later then went to the barn to ask Dave to warn the others that there could be trouble and not to engage with any visiting strangers.
The interior of the barn was almost ready. Dave reckoned they’d need today and possibly Monday for the final fix then they’d be ready to fully focus on the farmhouse. Work on it had already started. During the past fortnight, the two floors upstairs had been gutted – bathrooms ripped out, carpets removed, wallpaper stripped, electrics sorted and walls freshly plastered. They’d start on the kitchen as a separate project once the bathrooms were fitted. Hopefully Dad and I would be able to move in by the end of April. I’d set 2nd May as the official opening day of the rescue centre because it would have been Gwendoline’s birthday. It would fall on a Saturday so the idea was to do an official small-scale launch for press, friends and family, then a big community launch the day after.
The only potential spanner in the works was Brynn and Cody Grimes. If we started a load of legal wrangling, it could delay everything. Fingers crossed that Mr Jeffreys would be able to convince them to walk away and accept that their family had been cut off long ago.