by Allen, Anne
time she was there but now massed rows of lush vegetables and herbs swayed gently in the warm breeze.
Feeling content and soporific in the heated air of the pool, Charlotte’s heavy eyelids were drooping when Nadine
appeared at her side.
‘Sorry to disturb you, Miss Townsend, but Jeanne Mauger has just phoned. She asked if you could call her
back when you have a moment.’
‘Thanks, Nadine.’ Charlotte smiled as the receptionist departed. Wonder if this means she’s spoken to Andy?
Hope so . She finished the last of her drink and stood up, nodded at a woman lying on a nearby lounger, and
returned to the changing room for a shower. Keen to find out what Jeanne had to say, it wasn’t long before she
was back in her room and reaching for the phone.
‘Hi Jeanne. Any news?’
‘Yes, Andy’s suggested you two meet to discuss things further. I warn you, he’s a bit unsure about involving a
non-local so it’s not a done deal. You’ll have to turn on the charm,’ Jeanne said, laughing.
‘I’ll do my best,’ Charlotte replied, smiling to herself. Jeanne passed on Andy’s phone number and then
excused herself as a baby’s wail echoed down the line. Charlotte was about to punch in Andy’s number when she
was hit by her previous doubts. Was it really a good idea to meet Andy? The thought of the research made her
tingle with anticipation – something to get stuck into, make her feel she was achieving something useful – but
what about the man himself? Did she or didn’t she want to see him again? Telling herself it was irrelevant as he
had hardly acknowledged her, she made the call and Andy suggested they meet at La Folie the next evening. No
longer feeling sleepy, she changed into joggers and trainers and headed outside for a walk. Anything to stop her
dwelling on whether or not she had made a mistake.
The next day dragged. Charlotte had booked a couple of therapy sessions in between her t’ai chi and yoga
classes and although occupied, did not feel fully engaged with anything. A passive participant at best. But at
least, she considered later that afternoon, her mind and body had received due pampering and she was pretty
chilled out in preparation for meeting Andy. Glancing at her watch, she saw there was an hour to kill and
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The Family Divided
returned to her room for her swimsuit. Forty-five minutes later she was showered and changed and waiting in
the sun lounge. She spotted him hovering in the doorway and waved him over to the tucked away corner table.
Wearing a navy T-shirt, a crumpled cream linen jacket and jeans, he attracted admiring glances as he strode
towards her with an easy grace. Mm, looks as if he keeps fit. Not bad for a forty-year-old, she thought, reaching
out to shake his proffered hand. She felt a frisson of electricity as their hands touched.
‘Hi Andy. Thanks for coming. Would you like a drink? They serve a brilliant selection of juices or you can
indulge in a glass of something stronger.’
‘Juice is fine, thanks. I’ll have whatever you recommend,’ he said, offering a slight smile.
Charlotte noticed the smile did not reach his eyes and her heart sank. This was going to be tricky. Time for
the charm offensive. She summoned up her brightest smile and suggested a Chef’s Special juice. The order
placed it was time to talk business.
‘I understand from Jeanne you’re keen to discover what really happened to your grandfather and why the
family’s been divided since. But I think you’re wary of me becoming involved as I’m not a local. Am I right?’ She
tilted her head and opened her eyes wide.
Andy shifted in the chair.
‘Well, sort of. It’s a delicate matter, as I’m sure you appreciate. I need to be convinced of your sincerity and
absolute discretion and, to be frank, I don’t know you.’ His eyes locked onto hers and Charlotte had to remind
herself this was purely a job interview. Nothing more.
‘No, you don’t. Not yet. But Paul and Louisa do know me pretty well and am sure would be happy to vouch I’m
both loyal and honourable. And as a publisher, I wouldn’t survive long if I was ever indiscreet.’
He leant back and smiled. Again it did not reach his eyes.
‘Point taken. The thing is my father and I are private people by nature. We don’t like the idea of washing our
dirty linen in public and, in a small place like Guernsey, it’s very hard to avoid. If anything’s discovered which
could damage our name further, then it must be kept quiet. My father has suffered enough,’ Andy said, a look of
pain crossing his face.
‘Of course, I’d be the soul of discretion. But what puzzles me, Andy, is why you haven’t undertaken the
research yourself? Keeping it in the family, as it were?’
‘Good question. Apart from the fact I’ve never had much free time to devote to it properly, I couldn’t risk my
father finding out. It would be bound to get back to him if I was seen to be asking questions and researching
archives. But the main stumbling block is the other family members wouldn’t talk to me. And, to be honest, Dad’s
also made it clear he doesn’t want the past raked over. God knows why not, as he’s the one to have lost the most,
what with his inheritance going to that…that reptilian uncle of his, Harold.’ His face tightened and Charlotte
could see his struggle to stay calm.
‘I take it you don’t get on with Harold,’ she murmured.
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The Family Divided
Andy grunted. ‘It’s that obvious, is it? Harold’s the key to the whole sorry story. Ideally it would be great to
ask him directly what happened but that’s never going to happen. We’d have to find a way of uncovering the
truth some other way.’ He took a sip of his drink, then gave her a searching look. ‘How would you achieve that?’
She wasn’t encouraged by his manner, he certainly didn’t seem attracted to either her or her offer of help. But
at least she could answer the question. ‘I’ve thought about it. As Jeanne’s novel is set in the occupation, she
intended to talk to people with first-hand experience of living here at that time. I thought I could be her
researcher, talking to people on her behalf. What do you think? Would it work?’
‘Hmm, should do. Old islanders love talking about the war. But it’s extremely unlikely Harold would talk to
anyone; from what I’ve heard anything to do with the occupation is a taboo subject. And apparently my
grandfather is never mentioned by his side of the family. It’s as if he never existed.’
Charlotte saw the tightening of his jaw. This was really a big deal for Andy; it looked as if Jeanne was right
about the chip on his shoulder. But at least he was beginning to open up.
‘May I ask why it seems more important to find out the truth now? After all, it’s been a long time since…’ she
said, spreading her hands.
Andy twiddled the glass in his hands and seemed to be debating what to answer. At last he said, ‘I’m
concerned my parents are now struggling financially. Dad had to retire early thanks to his bad back and Mum
only earns a pittance as a translator.’ Charlotte raised her eyebrows and he went on, ‘She’s French. Dad was
brought up in France, where my grandmother fled after the Liberation. She had family in Normandy, you see,
like quite a few locals. My parents were teenage sweethearts and married young. Once I was on the way Dad
decided to come to Guernsey so I could be a local and
take up my family heritage.’ Andy gave a bitter laugh.
‘Some heritage! I don’t know what happened when my parents arrived here, but Harold has never recognised
Dad as part of the family and, more importantly, the rightful heir. And why would he? He’d have lost virtually
everything.’
‘So your parents received nothing?’
Andy shook his head.
‘That doesn’t sound right. Can your father prove who he is?’
‘You mean he’s Edmund’s son?’
She nodded.
‘I don’t know. Don’t see why not. Apparently my grandmother didn’t know she was pregnant when Edmund
was killed and she left Guernsey shortly after. So I guess it’s possible no-one here knew about the pregnancy
when she left. But Dad’s birth certificate proves he was born less than nine months after his father died, so…’ He
shrugged.
Now Charlotte was surprised to find herself angry on his behalf. ‘This is so unfair. Something doesn’t make
sense and it sounds as if Jim’s been swindled out of his inheritance. I’d really like to help if you’d let me, Andy.
We can’t let Harold get away with this!’
She felt herself flush as Andy stared at her, eyebrows raised.
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The Family Divided
‘Are you always so passionate about other people’s problems? Particularly when you don’t even know them?’
Charlotte, embarrassed, laughed. ‘Sorry! I did get rather carried away. But I do so hate it when there’s an
injustice and I meant what I said about helping.’
‘In that case it would be churlish of me to refuse,’ he replied with a smile. Charlotte relaxed under his warmer
gaze. This would be such a worthwhile project to keep her occupied. And not thinking of anything else…
He went on, ‘It’s not just about seeing my parents enjoy a comfortable retirement, I also want to stop my
waste of space cousin inheriting everything when Harold finally shuffles off this mortal coil.’
‘Oh, so why’s your cousin the heir and not his father? And what’s so bad about him?’ Charlotte leaned
forward, beginning to be fascinated by the unfolding story.
‘My uncle Stanley, Harold’s only child, died years ago of cancer, leaving a son, Dave. He was a teenager at the
time and went even more off the rails than before and has been in trouble with the police more times than I can
count. And he’s the Batiste who will inherit what should be my father’s!’ Andy virtually spat out the words.
After he had left Charlotte returned to her room to mull over what had been discussed. Grabbing a notebook she
jotted down the main points. While a guest at the centre she had no intention of undertaking any research, as
she had agreed with Paul, but wanted to be clear about where to start once she left. As she wrote, her thoughts
kept straying to Andy. He was rather delicious, she decided. But she wasn’t ready for a relationship. She simply
had to sort herself out first. And although he had thawed a little towards the end, he had not showed any
interest in her as a woman. Only as a researcher. Tapping her pen against her lips she gazed out of the window
towards the cliffs and the sea beyond. A wind had built up during the day and now white caps topped the waves,
adding melodrama to the scene. Mesmerised, Charlotte thought it was a shame she couldn’t stay at La Folie until
the research was finished. Reminding herself to ask Louisa if she could recommend a hotel, Charlotte glanced at
her watch and saw it was time for dinner. After a quick freshen-up she headed downstairs in anticipation of the
delights Chef had planned for the guests.
She was crossing the hallway when Louisa appeared from the office, her face ghostlike.
‘Louisa, whatever’s the matter?’ Charlotte cried, rushing toward her.
Her friend’s face crumpled as she fell into her outstretched arms.
‘It’s – it’s my father. I’ve just been on the phone to Glenn who’d been trying to track him down.’ Tears soaked
onto Charlotte’s shoulder as Louisa went on, ‘He should have left Bali a week ago and flown to Japan but didn’t
catch the flight. And – and Glenn’s contacted the Bali hotel and Dad checked out as planned but – but hasn’t been
seen since!’
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The Family Divided
chapter eight
Charlotte steered Louisa back into the office. Fortunately it was empty and she pushed her friend into a chair
before sitting beside her.
‘Look, don’t get yourself in a state. I’m sure there’s a perfectly innocent explanation. Malcolm’s free to change
his plans if he wants and I’m sure that’s what he’s done. Found somewhere else to go on the spur of the moment.
Which would be so like him, wouldn’t it?’
Louisa blew her nose and nodded.
‘I guess so. But I don’t see why he didn’t cancel his flight to Japan. Glenn checked with the airline and they
hadn’t heard from Dad, which is odd. It’s not like him to throw money away.’ She sniffed.
Charlotte couldn’t help agreeing, but didn’t want to worry Louisa further. Holding her hand she asked, ‘Has
Glenn contacted other airlines which had flights that day?’
‘No, he said he can’t as they won’t divulge passenger lists except to the police and we don’t want to involve
them – yet. Oh, where on earth is he? He can’t just disappear!’ Tears tracked down her cheeks, leaving black
mascara trails.
‘Hey, this is not solving anything. Have you got any clients booked this evening?’
Louisa shook her head.
‘Good. Have you spoken to Paul yet?’
‘No, I…I was on my way to find him when you saw me. I’m not sure where he is…’
‘Right. You stay here and I’ll go and find him,’ Charlotte said, squeezing Louisa’s shoulder. ‘How about
splashing some water on your face? You can’t let the guests see you so upset, now can you?’
Leaving Louisa to freshen up, Charlotte headed to the reception desk to ask where she could find Paul. Told
he was due to finish with a client any minute, she hovered outside his therapy room while thinking what could
possibly have happened to Malcolm. She could only pray he was all right for Louisa’s sake. It would be too awful
for her to lose him only months after meeting him for the first time. And so soon after losing her mother…The
thought reminded Charlotte of her own mother and the tests she would be undergoing in a few days. Her
stomach clenched and she had to take a deep breath. So much for a chill out break. What with her mother and
now Malcolm…
‘Charlotte, are you looking for me?’ Paul appeared at her shoulder and she quickly told him about Malcolm
and that Louisa needed him. His eyes widened in shock and he thanked her before dashing off to the office. She
thought it better to leave them alone and carried on towards the dining room, even though her appetite was
gone.
After another restless night Charlotte dragged herself off to the early morning yoga session, hoping to hear from
Paul that Malcolm had phoned. Unfortunately Paul hadn’t said anything and was subdued during the class and
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The Family Divided
hurried away afterwards. He told Charlotte that Louisa was calmer but still concerned and was ringing Glenn
again that morning. As she returned to her room to change Charlotte prayed there would soon be good news, for
everyone’s sake. It was always the waiting that was hardest to bear, she thought. Once you knew
what had
happened, it meant you could deal with it. But when you didn’t know what you had to face it made it worse. Like
not knowing whether or not her mother’s cancer had returned…Giving herself a mental shake, Charlotte made
tracks for the dining room and a belated breakfast, aware, in spite of everything, she was actually hungry.
Later that morning she caught up with Louisa whose shadowed eyes bore witness to her lack of sleep.
‘Any news?’ she asked, giving Louisa a hug.
‘Not yet, but Glenn’s emailing all the major hotels in Bali to see if Dad’s staying in one of them. It’s going to be
a long haul as there’s hundreds!’ She sighed wearily.
‘Oh dear. Look, I’m sure Malcolm is fine and he’d be mortified if he thought you were worrying about him.
Until you find out more, isn’t it best to carry on as normal as I’m sure you’ve guests who need you, right?’ Louisa
nodded. ‘How about you try and book a session with Molly, perhaps some of her hypnosis will help you relax?
She helped you when you first came here, didn’t she? And I found her counselling invaluable,’ Charlotte said,
forcing herself to sound more positive than she felt.
‘You’re right, I know. Paul said something similar but it’s not going to be easy. I’ll see if I can catch Molly, I
think she’s in today and even a short session might help. Thanks, Charlotte, you always manage to say the right
things.’ Louisa gave her a weak smile before going to check about Molly.
Charlotte was left feeling pleased she had helped but worried she had been too optimistic. Although Malcolm
was a free agent and did not need to report in, she did think it strange he had not been in contact for weeks and
was not keeping to his schedule. Now that was worrying.
Time crawled by for Charlotte, concern for her mother and Malcolm gnawing away at what should have been
her chance to assuage her grief over her father and re-evaluate her goals. Instead, the possibility something
awful may have happened to Malcolm actually reinforced her feelings of loss. And with the uncertainty about
