Family Divided

by Allen, Anne

  well cared for,’ she paused to blow her nose, continuing, ‘And to add insult to injury I’m footing the bill! Never

  once has she asked about the cost and offered to pay. Just assumes I’ll cover it. Of course I’m happy to do so, but

  it’s not as if she’s badly off. Daddy left her well provided for.’ She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

  ‘Oh! I can see why you’re upset. Your mother seems to take it for granted you’re happy to pay for her

  treatments but she still pushes you away as if you don’t care. I’d be upset too, if my mother behaved like that.

  Thankfully, it’s not at all likely.’

  She flashed him a smile. ‘Your mother sounds lovely. I’d like to meet her sometime.’

  ‘You will, but not yet as we can’t jeopardise your meeting with Aunt Maud. There can’t be seen to be any

  connection between us,’ he said, his forehead creased.

  Charlotte nodded, smiling inwardly at how she had distrusted Andy’s motives towards her. He obviously had

  been as keen on her as much as the research. She didn’t want anything else to stop her seeing the old woman

  who might know something about what really happened to Edmund. Although whether or not she would be

  prepared to share her knowledge was another matter. Settling back in the seat, she told herself to stop worrying

  and enjoy being with Andy. He was cooking for them that evening and had dropped her at Louisa’s before lunch

  while he shopped. Andy had made it clear he wanted her to spend the night with him again so she had packed a

  small bag with a change of clothing and toiletries. As she finished Louisa popped her head in.

  ‘There you are! Haven’t seen much of you lately. I assume you’ve been at Andy’s?’ she said, eyebrows raised.

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  ‘Yes, and I’m round there tonight, hence the packing. Sorry I’ve not been much company since I got back.’

  Louisa shook her head. ‘No problem. I’m happy you’re having…fun,’ she said, smirking. ‘It works out quite

  well as Paul is staying over tonight so you won’t be playing gooseberry. And we can have an extra-long lie-in.’

  Charlotte smiled as she zipped up the bag. ‘I’ll be back tomorrow night as Andy has an early appointment on

  Monday. Oh, and by the way, guess who I’m seeing on Monday afternoon?’ She told her about Maud and Louisa

  was suitably pleased and asked if Jim knew about the meeting.

  ‘Oh no, and he mustn’t know. Please don’t say anything when you next see him, will you?’

  ‘I wouldn’t dream of it. And anyway our next appointment isn’t for a couple of weeks. He’s coming on really

  well with the physio and Paul’s also made up a herbal remedy to ease the inflammation. Seems to be working,

  too. I’ve suggested he adds Ayurvedic herbalism to the centre’s choice of therapies. We’re gradually building a

  reputation for our treatments as an adjunct to mainstream medicine. And if Gillian does come on board–’

  ‘Gillian’s joining the centre?’ Charlotte was surprised.

  ‘Well, it depends. Dad wants her to move in with him, but it’s a bit soon. So he suggested she became a kind of

  consultant for La Folie, working minimal hours and having her own space.’ Louisa shuffled her feet. ‘If Paul

  moves in here, his rooms will become free…’

  Charlotte laughed. ‘You and your father have it all worked out, haven’t you? Well, I wish you success with

  your schemes. I think Gillian will prove to be an asset to the centre but I don’t see her as a lady to be pushed.’

  ‘I think Dad’s met his match but I do like her so I’m keeping my fingers crossed they end up together.’

  The doorbell announced Andy’s arrival and after giving Louisa a quick hug, Charlotte ran downstairs to join

  him.

  The next morning Charlotte and Andy enjoyed a leisurely breakfast before setting off from Rue St Pierre to walk

  through the lanes to the reservoir, something she had not yet visited. The name reservoir, to her, conjured up

  concrete dams holding back a large, uninteresting area of water and not much else. Andy assured her this

  reservoir was different, looking more like a lake surrounded by trees and definitely worth a walk around.

  Willing to be suitably impressed, she hooked her arm in his as they walked along lanes deemed too narrow for

  the normal speed limit of 35mph and consequently reduced to 15mph. It still meant they had to listen out for

  traffic coming behind them, but fortunately cars were infrequent. And the occasional tractor was hardly a

  danger.

  The air was mild for October and with no wind it proved enjoyable to weave through the lanes, with sporadic

  birdsong keeping them company. Andy suggested they compete to guess what kind of birds were singing and

  Charlotte was able to distinguish between warblers and a mistle thrush while Andy came up trumps with the

  myriad sea birds. Laughing at their attempts to imitate the cry of a sandpiper, they found themselves on the

  edge of the reservoir.

  This was formed by three ‘fingers’ of water stretching from the ‘wrist’ of the dam and they arrived at the tip

  of the middle ‘finger’. Charlotte gasped with pleasure at the sight of the water, dotted with ducks and gulls, and

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  surrounded by thick woodland. Even the concrete dam was picturesque, complete with arches and mini towers,

  forming a bridge across the water.

  ‘How lovely! I never guessed this was hidden away in the middle of the island. Will it take long for us to walk

  around?’

  ‘About an hour so we’ll back in plenty of time for lunch,’ he said, his arm around her shoulders as they

  admired the view.

  ‘It’s so peaceful, isn’t it? It has a stillness the sea can never achieve. I imagine it’s a great place to come if you

  wanted to totally get away from it all. Want to think things through.’ She stood perfectly still, trying to block

  everything from her mind, except the fact of standing there with Andy by her side. This felt so right, but…She let

  out an involuntary sigh, thinking of the barriers to their relationship. Could they be overcome? It would be

  nice…

  Andy pulled her round to face him. ‘Are you all right?’ he asked, stroking her face.

  She forced a smile. ‘Of course. I…I was just wondering how it would go with Maud tomorrow, what sort of

  questions I should ask.’ She hated lying to him but it was sort of true.

  ‘Hmm. Shall we chat about it as we walk? Might get some inspiration on the way round.’

  Charlotte agreed and they walked on, batting ideas back and forth. She pushed down her concerns about the

  future – or otherwise – of their relationship.

  They arrived back at the cottage energised from their long walk and the abundance of fresh air. Charlotte caught

  a glimpse of her face in a mirror, noting the pink glow of her cheeks and the sparkle in her eyes. Not one for

  vanity, she had to admit she looked pretty darn good. Something was definitely agreeing with her. Turning, she

  saw Andy looking at her, his lips curled up in a warm smile.

  ‘You really are beautiful, Charlotte. And I know we have to change for the lunch, but all I want to do at this

  moment is make love to you. What do you say?’ he asked, softly.

  She felt the heat rise up from her neck to her face. ‘I think there might be enough time…’

  Charlotte had booked lunch at a restaurant recommended by Louisa, The Farmhouse in St Saviours, not far from

  Andy’s part of the island. Not that anyw
here was very far, but it did mean they only took ten minutes to get

  there. Set in lovely gardens with a pool, it offered ideal al fresco dining, but not in October. They were both

  ravenous after the morning’s exertions and chose the traditional three-course Sunday roast. The main dining

  room, a light and airy space, was separated by a wall of glass doors from the garden, bringing the outside in.

  The view was lost on Charlotte and Andy, absorbed as they were in each other. Every time Charlotte looked

  up she caught Andy gazing at her and this happened so often that when their eyes locked again, they burst out

  laughing.

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  ‘We’re behaving like a couple of teenagers, not adults who have been around the block a few times,’ Andy

  said, his eyes crinkled up with laughter.

  ‘Hey! Speak for yourself! I’ve led a very chaste existence, thank you. Until now,’ she said, feeling exactly like a

  teenager. Andy had brought her alive and made her feel young again. And it seemed she had achieved the same

  for him.

  Andy had just stroked her hand when the waiter arrived to clear away their plates and bring the dessert

  menu. Releasing her hand he studied the menu as if it was a complex legal document. Charlotte smiled, not at all

  fooled. By the time they had finished the desserts and coffee, they were in playful mood and instead of going

  back to the car, wandered around the garden.

  He cleared his throat. ‘I know we’ve not known each other very long, but I, I think I’m falling for you. And the

  thing is, you’ll be going home soon and well, I wish you didn’t have to.’ He pulled her close and kissed her as they

  stood hidden by a large shrub. Charlotte gave in to the kiss, living in that wonderful moment when all else is of

  no consequence. As voices floated nearby they drew apart but stayed immobile.

  ‘I…I have feelings for you, too. But it’s complicated, isn’t it?’ she said at last, pushing her hand through her

  hair and wishing they could stay as they were. ‘People do have long-distance relationships and there’s no reason

  why we couldn’t. It’s only an hour’s flight to London so we could meet at weekends…’ she trailed off, knowing in

  her heart it wouldn’t work. Or at least not long-term. She would be spending all week looking forward to the

  weekend and then be in bits when she waved him off on Monday morning.

  He kissed the tip of her nose. ‘Not sure if it’s what either of us wants, is it? We don’t have to decide anything

  now, but I guess I wanted to know how you feel. To see if I have any chance of winning you. For the duration, not

  just for a few weeks.’

  Charlotte took a deep breath. He really wanted a proper relationship! Which would be wonderful if only…

  ‘Let’s see how things develop, shall we? There’s a lot going on at the moment, what with your family’s secrets

  to resolve and your father’s health. And then there’s my mother, with her illness…’ she said sadly, thinking of the

  woman to whom she was so close, yet wasn’t.

  Andy’s face fell, registering his disappointment. Charlotte wished she could offer him more, but it wasn’t the

  right time. She could only hope he would wait until she knew exactly what it was she wanted. And what she

  would be prepared to give up.

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  chapter twenty-three

  Charlotte sat in the kitchen, playing with a bowl of muesli. Her stomach was clenched with nerves and she had to

  force the food down. The upcoming meeting with Maud was uppermost in her mind and she was surprised to

  find herself so nervous. She was just an old lady who probably couldn’t even remember there had been a war

  and an invasion. She brought herself up sharp. No, that was wrong, Martin had specifically said she was compos

  mentis and remembered the past more clearly than the present, like a number of older people. So why was she

  so afraid of seeing her? Chewing a spoonful of muesli, Charlotte realised she was afraid, not of Mrs Batiste, but of

  failing Andy and his father. If she messed up this interview it would be the last chance she had of talking to a

  member of the family. Up to now the research had been impersonal, detached. But Jim’s aunt could hardly be

  labelled ‘detached’. Although she and Andy had discussed what to ask, Charlotte had not been convinced by his

  suggestions. She needed to talk to someone not emotionally involved. It then occurred to her there was someone

  who could help. Reaching for the phone she tapped in the number.

  ‘Jeanne? How are you? Surviving I hope,’ she said, brightly.

  ‘Charlotte! Lovely to hear from you. Yes, all is well chez nous, thanks. Harry’s at nursery, which is a godsend,

  and Freya has just settled down for her nap. How are you getting on with the research for my book?’ she asked,

  with a laugh.

  ‘It’s that I wanted to talk to you about. I’m seeing Mrs Maud Batiste this afternoon, Andy’s great aunt. And I’m

  worried about what to talk about. How to steer the questions to the family etc. Any ideas?’ She explained about

  the rector having talked to his parishioners.

  ‘That's great news about Maud. But I see your concern. Let me have a think,’ Jeanne said, before silence came

  down the line.

  ‘Right, how about this?’ she continued, ‘Concentrate on what she’ll expect you to ask, that is ask about the

  farmers in the parish, how they managed short-handed etc. Then you could ask about her role; did she work for

  anyone in particular or stay at home? Ask about her family. You could then lead the conversation to the

  Resistance and from there to collaborators and informers. Did she hear anything about it happening in the area?

  If she’s happy to talk you could then bring up Edmund and what happened to him. See what her reaction is. She

  must have known him as you said she was going out with Harold before he died.’

  ‘Sounds good, thanks. I’m so conscious of scaring her off as, after all, she and Andy are on opposite sides here.

  She’s not likely to say anything to disinherit her grandson, is she?’

  ‘No, but she might let something slip. I think the best way of approaching this is to treat her as if she’s not

  important and relax. It’s amazing how much people tell you when they’re off guard.’ Jeanne chuckled.

  ‘Good idea. At the very least, Jeanne, I hope to give you some helpful background information for your book.

  The island archives are a mine of information, aren’t they?’ She went on to talk about what she had researched

  and Jeanne agreed she would be glad to read her notes when she had finished, together with Madeleine’s diary.

  Charlotte eventually said goodbye feeling a lot more cheerful about seeing Maud. Now all she had to worry

  about was Andy and her mother. Not that there was much she could do about either. With regard to her mother,

  she planned to call her every day or so to see how she was, but not visit unless specifically asked.

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  The situation with Andy was trickier. Although they had spent the rest of the afternoon and early evening

  together on Sunday, Charlotte had sensed a slight withdrawal on his part. As if he didn’t quite trust her feelings

  for him. This had been hurtful but she had refused to let him see it, particularly after such a wonderful few days

  together. Men! Why do they have to be so complicated? Couldn’t they see life was never as simple? That

  sometimes the head vied with the he
art where relationships were concerned, she thought, banging her mug on

  the worktop as she switched on the kettle for another cup of coffee.

  Louisa had again lent Charlotte her car for the trip to St Martins, even though she had offered to hire one. The

  suggestion had been brushed aside, Louisa saying there were far too many cars on the tiny island roads as it

  was. Thinking it was a pity the weather was too overcast to put the roof down, Charlotte drove slowly down La

  Route de Jerbourg, keeping an eye out to the right for the sign pointing to La Vielle Manoire. It was hard to miss,

  a prominent polished granite stone bore the name in gold lettering at the beginning of a lane marked “Private”.

  The narrow lane veered round a bend and she drove for another hundred yards before the house came into

  view.

  Charlotte was confronted with a building looking nothing like a traditional Guernsey farmhouse, but one with

  a strong resemblance to a French chateau, but not one in the best tradition of such chateaux. It was clear from

  the result at one time it had been a good sized granite farmhouse but someone – and she did not need to guess

  who – had added extensions and raised the roof to create a three-storeyed building and then stuccoed the result.

  Her mouth dropped open as she took in the mismatch of windows, doors and incongruous shutters vainly trying

  to give an impression of an old, Georgian mansion such as could be seen in Queens Road, St Peter Port.

  As she stepped out of the car, her first thought was what would Andy make of it? Heading to the porticoed

  front door, she could see a swimming pool to one side, set in what was probably once the original farmyard, but

  was now made to look like a Mediterranean courtyard. It would be funny if it wasn’t for the fact the house was

  rightfully Jim’s inheritance, not Harold’s, she thought, ringing the bell.

  A middle-aged woman dressed in a carer’s uniform answered the door.

  ‘Miss Townsend? I’m Sal, please come in, Mrs Batiste is waiting for you in her room.’ She ushered Charlotte

  inside, adding, ‘She’s having one of her good days today so I’ve settled her in an armchair near the window. Likes