It was New Year’s Eve and the end of the year was closing with a shiver.
The temperature was bitterly cold but Arthur was wrapped up in many layers as he and Sam walked across the frosty path late in the morning. Some of the snow had remained, leaving the landscape still gleaming white in patches.
‘So where are you taking me?’ asked Arthur, holding on to Sam’s arm. He still used a walking stick and had a slight limp from the operation but his recovery was complete. ‘I know the doctors have given my heart the all-clear, but I’m not sure the old ticker’s up to a cross-country jog yet.’
‘I wanted to show you the old barn.’
‘Don’t tell me, you want to turn it into a gymnasium.’
It was the first glimmer of humour that his grandad had shown since Annie had handed in her notice almost a week ago. The whole house appeared to have been plunged into misery at that news.
But it was nothing compared to the pain in Sam’s heart. He had kept his heartbreak just about manageable by avoiding Annie as much as he could. In fact, he had made sure that they had both never been alone in the same room during the past seven days.
He tried to focus back on the barn.
‘It’s going to be a recording studio,’ he announced.
Arthur stopped walking. ‘Don’t you think we should have, perhaps, a working kitchen first?’
Sam attempted a smile. The kitchen was first on the list to be completed in the New Year, along with various stages of the next phase of the restoration.
‘I know. But here’s my plan.’ Sam took a deep breath. ‘We’re still not generating any money as an estate. And I want to spend more time here.’ He dismissed Annie’s face as it came into his mind. As he had tried to do for every minute of every day for the past week. ‘My bands and singers pay a lot of money to use a decent recording studio,’ he carried on. ‘If I can convert this barn into a sound studio then they can pay us the going rate instead. My artists can record their albums there. They can work in peace and stay at the hall, if that’s OK with you.’
‘Lad, it’s your home too,’ said Arthur. ‘And we need to invest in its future.’
Sam nodded. ‘I agree. Also, half my bands are based in the United States. So I’m signing them over to one of the guys who does the managing over there. He’s a good guy and will take care of them and I’m getting compensated too. It’s just too much for me to cover everyone on my own. I’m so tired from the constant travelling. That frees up my time for a select number of singers and bands and also means that I can spend most of my time here.’
It had seemed like such a good plan before Christmas. Now he almost wished that he could runaway to anywhere else in the world but Willow Tree Hall. He wasn’t sure that he would ever be able to face living there without Annie and all their shared memories which were so wrapped up in the very fabric of the house now.
Arthur turned to face his grandson. ‘I think it’s time for you to take over this place, my boy. You’re ready.’
Sam grimaced. ‘I’m not so sure about that.’
‘I am,’ Arthur told him in a firm voice.
‘But you should remain Lord Cranley,’ said Sam. ‘It’s your title and you’ve earned it. I’ll just sort out the house and grounds.’ He sighed. ‘I’m going to need your help.’
Arthur smiled. ‘You will always have that. But I don’t think you’ll need me too much. I’m proud of you, lad. You’ve followed your dreams and created a great life for yourself. I’m glad the music business worked out so well for you. But, and I’m being selfish here, I’m also glad you’re back home with us. We’ve missed you. And the house needs you.’
They turned around and walked slowly towards the grounds at the front. The willow tree glittered in the low sunshine, its branches dusted with frost.
‘You know,’ said Arthur. ‘The roots of a willow tree are remarkable for their toughness. They have a great tenacity to cling to life. That tree is very old and yet it keeps on going. Much like me, I guess.’
Thank goodness, thought Sam. Because his grandfather was the most important influence on his life these days. And he was grateful to have his love and advice.
‘I came so close to ruining everything with those dodgy builders,’ he said aloud. ‘I’m going to make many more mistakes, I’m sure.’
‘You’ll learn,’ Arthur told him. ‘You’re young and full of ideas. And if you have the love of a good woman next to you, then even better.’ Arthur stopped walking to lay a hand on Sam’s shoulder. ‘You’re many things, my boy, but I’ve never thought that you were a dummy before now.’
Sam rolled his eyes. ‘Gee, thanks.’
‘Did I ever tell you that I nearly lost your grandmother to someone else?’
Sam was stunned. ‘What happened?’
‘I realised that I would be letting the best thing I had ever known slip through my fingers. So I fought for her and won.’
Sam shook his head. ‘This isn’t the same.’
‘Rubbish,’ snapped Arthur. ‘I have never seen two more miserable people as you and Annie this past week.’
The words almost stuck in Sam’s throat. ‘She loves someone else. That’s why she’s leaving.’
He was convinced that she was going away to live with that Steve.
Arthur shook his head. ‘I don’t believe that. I saw the way she was looking at you at Christmas. She’s not type of girl that would just switch that on and off.’
Sam sighed. ‘She’s only still here because she’s serving out her month’s notice. Once that’s finished, there’s nothing keeping her here.’
‘Only you.’ Arthur took him by both shoulders and looked at him sternly with his blue eyes. ‘Find a way to work it out before it’s too late.’
Sam wondered how on earth he could make that happen.
As they walked back towards the house, Arthur told him, ‘We can always find another housekeeper but you’ll never find another Annie.’
Sam knew in his heart that his grandad was right but he had no idea how to stop Annie leaving his life forever.
*
Annie put down the phone in the entrance hall, deep in thought.
The domestic staff agency had just called regarding the advertisement she had placed. One of their highly trained housekeepers had just finished a position early and was able to start within the next day or two.
So that was that. She could leave at any time and know that the family would be taken care of. Probably in a far more professional manner than she had ever been able to achieve.
‘Was that my colonel?’ asked Rose, coming down the stairs.
Annie shook her head. ‘No, but he called earlier when you were in the shower. He still wants you to go to the party with him tonight.’
Rose shook her head. ‘I’m not in the mood for any more parties,’ she said, her voice wavering.
It broke Annie’s heart to see Rose so upset. Especially as she knew that she was the cause of the pain.
She went to speak but didn’t know what to say anymore. Both Rose and Arthur had tried over and over to persuade her to stay. Even Will had tried to cajole her into keeping her position. But it was impossible. Every time she saw Sam she knew she couldn’t remain living there. No matter how much her heart was breaking.
Rose squeezed her arm and then walked away, shaking her head.
Annie’s phone rang out into the empty entrance hall. But although it was Eleanor, she didn’t pick up. She couldn’t bare yet another phone call about Sam and how everything would be alright once they sat down and talked to each other. She knew her friend meant well and wanted her to be happy but it was no use. She couldn’t talk to Sam anymore about anything.
Annie looked up from her phone and stared around. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could fight the temptation to stay at Willow Tree Hall forever.
But it wasn’t her home. It belonged to the Harris family. To the long line of Lords of Cranley, all the way to the next one. Sam.
She bit her lip, trying not to cry again. They had managed to successfully avoid bumping into each other for most of the past week. But her heart ached for him. She missed him terribly and staying in the same house only made it worse.
With a new housekeeper arriving, there was no reason for her to stay on any longer. She could leave with a clear conscience.
It was time to leave before the last of her resolve crumbled.
*
Early in the evening, Annie stood still in the middle of the entrance hall listening for any sound.
Arthur and Rose were in the drawing room. Will was upstairs, getting ready to leave for a New Year’s Eve party. Sam was in his study. There was no one around. She had waited and waited for the right time all evening and here was her opportunity.
She drew out the envelope from her pocket and hesitated slightly before placing it on the sideboard. Then she quickly turned and went down the corridor and the couple of stairs into the kitchen. She closed her eyes as she crossed the floor but it didn’t stop the flood of happy memories arriving. She could see herself gossiping with Rose and Beryl in front of the Aga. Making Arthur his morning breakfast. Listening to Will and Alex exchange friendly digs at each other. Falling off the kitchen chair and into Sam’s arms…
She shook her head free of any further thoughts and went into the pantry to find the two suitcases that she had packed and hidden that afternoon. She grabbed her coat and, at the last minute, remembered to place the back door key on the kitchen table before she left.
She took one last look around the kitchen.
She knew she was a coward. That she should have said goodbye and not just left a letter for them to find. She should have thanked Arthur and Rose properly for everything they had done for her. Thanked the family for their support and generosity. But that would have meant saying goodbye to Sam as well. And some words were just too hard to say.
Besides, they would have tried to persuade her to stay and it was so hard even like this. It was better this way. They would all be able to move on far quicker without any fuss.
A new housekeeper would arrive and take her place. They wouldn’t need her any more.
So, with tears in her eyes, she quietly closed the back door behind her.