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TESS’S VISION BLURRED as anger shot through her and she had to take a number of deep breaths before saying she would be right round. She drove on auto-pilot; fortunately there was little traffic and she pulled up in the drive fifteen minutes later. Tess sat in the car until she felt calmer and then rang the bell. Her father, his eyes dull and red-rimmed, opened the door.
‘Hello, love. Come in.’
Tess threw her arms around him, and could feel his bones where once was flesh. Smelling whisky fumes on his breath, she bit her lip, let go and gently pushed him to the kitchen. She saw an open bottle of whisky and a glass on the table but no sign of any food. Not good.
‘I’ll make you some coffee and then order a takeaway. Do you prefer Chinese or Indian?’
‘I’m not hungry, Tess. Really.’ Ken slumped into a chair and Tess returned the whisky to the cupboard before filling the kettle.
‘Dad, you have to eat. Doesn’t matter if you can’t manage much, but you have to eat something. So, Chinese or Indian?’ She pulled out the takeaway menus from a drawer and placed them in front of him.
He looked up with a wry grin.
‘Always were bossy, weren’t you? Okay, let’s go for Indian. You choose.’
Tess knew his favourites and rang through an order for both of them, hungry after missing lunch. They sat drinking coffee while they waited for the food and Ken told her more about Elaine’s visit.
‘She reckons she and this guy love each other and want to be together. And...and she says she no longer loves me and won’t change her mind.’
By the time they had talked through the implications, including selling the family home, they were both in tears. The arrival of the food proved a welcome relief. Before she left, Tess suggested her father see his doctor for help with depression, worried about his lack of appetite and poor sleep. With her leaving in less than two weeks, the timing couldn’t be worse. Driving home, Tess wondered if Elaine had deliberately chosen this time to drop her bombshell. Could she have hoped Tess would change her mind about leaving and stay for her father? And it also occurred to Tess that perhaps the reason her mother had been so upset about not inheriting the house was because she had seen it as a way to fund a new life. Well, in that she would be disappointed, Tess thought, grimly. St Michel was destined to provide a new start for her in Guernsey, which she had been forced to leave by her parents. From what her father had said recently, that decision had been led by Elaine and now, thanks to Doris, she was able to return. A sign of good karma, perhaps?
A couple of days before she was due to finish work, Tess was invited by a colleague to go for a farewell drink the following evening. She was happy to accept as they had become pals over the year she had been working in A & E. And it would be a welcome relief after having to cope with her father’s low spirits. He had finally agreed to see his doctor and was now on antidepressants.
As Tess pushed through the doors to the pub favoured by the hospital staff, a cheer went up and she was taken aback to see a room full of medical colleagues waiting for her, including her boss. She caught a glimpse of a table laden with party food before being enveloped in hugs and having a glass of something chilled thrust into her hand. Afraid she was about to burst into tears Tess took a large swallow of wine before she could risk talking to anyone. Showered with questions about her move to Guernsey, it was a while before she managed to make a break for the food. She found a relatively quiet spot and tucked into a plate of chicken drumsticks, mini pizzas, rice salad and quiche. Music played in the background and the combination of wine, food and buzzy company encouraged her to relax and enjoy herself. Wisely, she had taken the bus to work that morning, anticipating a fairly heavy drinking session with her friend. The intensity of working in hospitals, particularly in A & E, could lead to staff engaging in stress-releasing drinking sessions after work. Tess had been to a number over the years and now hoped being a GP would be less stressful, for the sake of her liver if nothing else. Later, her boss called for silence as he gave a short speech, thanking Tess for her ‘hard work, compassion and devotion to the patients’ and wishing her well in her new life. When the clapping subsided, there were cries of ‘speech, speech’ and Tess was pushed towards the bar and her smiling boss.
‘All I can say is thanks, boss, for saying such nice things about me and the cheque’s in the post,’ she said, with a grin. Once the laughter died down, she continued, ‘You’ve been a great team and I’ve learnt a lot from you all this past year. The most impressive being the ability to down the equivalent of a week’s recommended alcohol allowance in one evening and be able to turn up for an early shift the next day ready to save lives.’ More laughter and a few claps. ‘Seriously, although it’s been tough, and there have been times when I just wanted to go home and cry, I stuck it out because I couldn’t let you down. I’ll miss you, but not the long, unsocial hours and I’m looking forward to my new life as a GP with time to hit the beach whenever I want. Not that I want to make you jealous, or anything.’ She smiled as a few groans broke out. ‘Thanks for arranging this evening and I wish you all the best in the future. Here’s to you all,’ she finished, raising her glass. Everyone joined in with the toast and Tess went in search of any remaining food. The party continued until closing time and taxis were called to deliver everyone home safely. Tess fell into bed in a happier mood than she had been for weeks.
At work the next day, Tess wasn’t surprised to see a few bleary-eyed colleagues who gave her a cheery wave before rushing off to deal with the latest emergency. By the end of the busy day, she was both sad and excited about leaving and walked to her car dragging her feet. She was going out for a farewell dinner with her father and wasn’t sure how he’d be. Her mother had not suggested they meet, sending a text to wish her good luck. It promised to be a great evening. Not.
As it turned out, her father made a huge effort to be cheerful, even laughing when she told him about her leaving do. He said he thought the combination of antidepressants and a mild sleeping pill were helping.
‘I’m still unhappy about your mother, love, but I’m trying to get on with my life. I joined that Facebook thingy you’ve told me about and connected with old Guernsey friends. Might go over soon and meet up with them. Stay in a B & B and have a little holiday. What do you reckon?’
‘Brilliant idea, Dad. I could show you my house and we could have a meal or two together. It’ll be fun.’ Tess smiled at him, genuinely pleased he was making an effort. And it would ease her guilt about leaving him on his own if he made a trip to Guernsey. She enjoyed the evening and hugged him goodbye, with a promise to phone as soon as she arrived in Guernsey.
The next day Tess was up early and after loading her cases and a few boxes in the car, dropped off the flat keys at the estate agents. The ferry from Weymouth was leaving late morning and it was an hour and a half’s drive from Exeter. The journey to her new life was about to begin.
The ferry crossing was smooth and much quicker than the old ferry Tess and her family had sailed in years before. The ship bustled with early summer tourists and locals returning from the mainland and Tess was relieved she didn’t succumb to the seasickness that had plagued her on the previous journey. On her last flying visit Tess had bought a copy of Perry’s guide showing all the Guernsey roads, indispensable for tourists and locals alike, thanks to the many unmarked lanes and small roads for such a small island. She had tried to memorise the route to Andy and Charlotte’s house and set off up St Julian’s Avenue heading towards the Rohais and the road to the west coast. Tess relaxed, taking in unremembered roads as the early summer sun bathed the island in warmth, filling her with a sense of optimism. Charlotte’s warm welcome reinforced the feeling.
‘Welcome, Tess. How was the crossing?’ Charlotte said, flinging her arms around her. As Tess answered, Charlotte led her indoors, insisting on making her a drink before they unloaded the car. Tess was shown to what would be her home for at least a couple of months, a mini self-contained apartment on the top floor, which even boasted a tiny kitchen. Charlotte said she was welcome to share meals with them or be independent as she wished. Tess, once on her own and surrounded by unpacked cases and bags, couldn’t help thinking how lucky she was, sending up a silent thank you to Jonathan and Colette for their introduction. She then phoned her father to tell him of her safe arrival. He sounded a bit flat, but said he was coping. Tess hated knowing there was nothing she could do to help and hoped her mother would see sense and go back home.
The following day Andy joined Tess to check on the progress at St Michel. Although she had been receiving updates, Tess was nervous about seeing the reality. And, she had to admit, of seeing Jack again in ‘her’ space. As she entered the hall the sound of drilling and banging filled her ears and she immediately thought of her neighbours and what they had to put up with. Andy steered her into the sitting room and she gasped. Since the last update the wall between this room and the dining room had been knocked out, creating a large, light room drawing the eyes to the view of the sea and Castle Cornet.
‘Wow! This is better than I’d imagined. I’m going to have so much space,’ she said waving her arms around.
‘Glad you’re pleased. I think you’ll find the whole house will seem a lot bigger by the time it’s finished,’ Andy said, with a smile.
Tess took in the patches on the walls where crumbling plaster had been hacked off, exposing the old wiring, now to be replaced. The original floorboards looked to be in good condition, which was a bonus, although some had been uplifted. As Andy was explaining that so far any joists checked seemed sound, Jack walked in, dust turning his dark hair grey.
‘Hi, Tess. Andy. Didn’t hear you come in, I was upstairs checking the lads. So, what do you think?’
She was surprised to find the sight of Jack somewhat unsettling. Apart from the dusty hair, he was immaculate in a suit and tie. Hardly the normal attire of a builder. And very sexy. She cleared her throat.
‘I’ve only seen this room but think it’s great.’
He must have noticed her staring at his suit.
‘Oh, I only called round to check how the work’s going and to see you, of course. I don’t usually get hands-on unless one of the men is sick and we have a deadline.’ He grinned and went on, ‘I have a meeting with my bank manager later so I spruced up a bit.’
‘Right. Then you’d better shake off the dust in your hair,’ Tess said, feeling stupid. Why would the owner of a successful property development company dirty his hands with his men? Somewhat tartly she added, ‘Do you have time to show me around before your appointment?’
‘Sure, that’s why I’m here. Why don’t we start downstairs? Too much of a racket upstairs at the moment,’ he replied, running his hands through his hair.
Tess caught Andy giving her a quizzical look, but simply shrugged and followed Jack down to the basement. It had been completely gutted, the only sign it had ever been a kitchen the old pipes for the sink leaning awkwardly against the wall. Again, Tess found the space bigger than it had seemed, and what had been the old pantry and loo, an early twentieth century addition, now formed what would be a utility area. The original small kitchen window had been replaced with a French window bringing in more light. At the moment this led into the garden but would form the entrance to a conservatory when she could afford to add one.
Andy produced his 3D drawing of the proposed new kitchen and they spent some minutes discussing the choice of finish for the units and worktops. Tess liked the idea of a mix of contemporary with a touch of traditional and it was left that she would visit a showroom to finalise her choice. She also had to choose the bathroom and cloakroom fittings and promised to do it all within the week.
‘Good. Let’s go upstairs and see what you think. We’ve done most of the first floor and a guy’s just started in the attic rooms. You’ll have to watch your step as some of the floorboards are up.’ Jack led the way up to the hall, pausing to show Tess how they proposed to fit a tiny cloakroom under the stairs. She had to admire the thought that was going into the work and it looked as if he and Andy made a good team.
Upstairs the floors were covered in a grey powder and bags of old plaster waited to be cleared. Like downstairs, the floorboards still in place looked to be in good condition and would only need a sand and polish, she thought. A couple of men were hacking away at the walls in the main bedroom and, judging by the noise, the same was happening in the attic. Tess was with Andy and Jack in the bathroom, now cleared of tiles and sanitaryware, visualising Andy’s design, when there was a shout from above.
‘Hey, boss, think you should come and see this.’
‘Coming up,’ Jack shouted back and started for the stairs, followed by Tess and Andy. The mess was even worse up here, with large pieces of plaster littering the floor, leaving little of the original in situ. Tess wasn’t surprised as Jack had previously explained the attic walls were in poor condition thanks to damp under the windows and poor ventilation. They arrived in the larger of the two rooms to find a labourer, covered in so much dust only his eyes were clear in his face, standing by the middle of one wall which he had partly cleared of plaster. There seemed to be a large crack down the wall.
‘What is it, Larry?’ Jack said as they crowded in.
Larry grinned, revealing white teeth in the grey mask.
‘Think I’ve found something interesting, boss. Look!’ He slipped his fingers into the crack and pulled. Tess gasped as she realised it was a door and as Larry opened it wider, behind was what looked like a large walk-in cupboard. She moved forward to get a closer look in the dim light and Larry produced a torch, shining it over the contents. There was an antique looking desk, various cardboard boxes and, on the wall above the desk, several unmistakeable images of Victor Hugo.