by Lucy Coleman
That’s why Patrick was so diligent about keeping track of what was coming in and what was outstanding. He needed every penny he could get his hands on to take him as far away from Aysbury as possible.
Fisher puts his arms around Mum’s shoulders, hugging her close.
‘I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone when I say we are all really sorry to hear about Ziggy, Val,’ Gray offers empathetically. She wipes her eyes, sniffs, and pushes back her shoulders resolutely.
‘Thank you. Ziggy liked Patrick, no doubt sensing how troubled he was, and if she wasn’t happy around him, then she would have bolted. Maybe his need is greater than mine.’ She sighs. ‘Animals sense things and he must have been desperate to take that money because he knows how hard everyone has worked towards our goal. He has that on his conscience forever and I can only hope that burden makes him mend his ways. He was always good to her and at least that shows he does have a heart. If Patrick can beat his addiction, then this could be his fresh start. I wish none of this had happened, but if he needed a companion who wouldn’t judge him, then I understand why he was driven to take my lovely Ziggy with him.’
My goodness, Mum’s words of kindness and understanding make me feel ashamed of myself. I was sitting here with uncharitable thoughts running through my head, but it’s easy to sit in judgement of other people, isn’t it?
‘When do we tell the others?’ Gray’s question is on the tip of everyone’s tongue.
‘It will break Tollie,’ I reply firmly. ‘The fewer people who know, the better, until we can establish a way forward, at least. Fisher, is there any leeway or have we lost all credibility with Charlton and Sons?’
The mood is shifting as people realise what we need is an action plan.
‘They were as horrified to hear about this as we are, believe me,’ Fisher confirms. ‘Obviously, I’ve informed the police and they will be in touch for some more details, Immi, but Patrick is an intelligent man and I’ve no doubt he’ll hide his tracks and start somewhere afresh. January is a quiet month, John Charlton explained to me, and whatever cash we can get to them will help to pay the wages, but at least they’re being understanding. I know it’s hard, but perhaps we should gather the whole committee together and tell them what has happened.’
Mum puts her hand on Fisher’s arm affectionately. ‘Let’s not act in haste. Tollie, Abe, Ethel, Kurt and Bernie will take it hard, as we have. There are enough heads gathered here today to brainstorm our next steps. What does everyone think?’
‘I can’t even imagine how Tollie will react and I think Mum is right. Let’s go away and let it all sink in before we get everyone together. There are ways to raise money quickly, but Charlton and Sons shouldn’t suffer because of this,’ I immediately wade in. ‘Raise your hand if you’re in favour of reconvening this meeting tomorrow night.’ Gray places his arm around my shoulders, giving me a reassuring squeeze as I watch all five hands go up in the air, before raising my own.
It’s time to start thinking outside the box. I have no intention of letting this ruin everyone’s Christmas.
The following evening, as we trudge along the snowy towpath towards Fisher’s cottage, Gray and I walk arm in arm.
‘Are you sure about this, Immi?’ he asks. I know he’s fully on board with my idea, but he’s fearful of what Tollie would say if he knew.
‘Never been surer of anything in my life before. We are not going to let this defeat us.’
‘Fair enough, I’m with you – you know that. But…’
I stop walking, waiting for Gray to turn around and face me.
‘I have an idea of my own, too. Let’s not hang around and prolong the agony. Besides, we might not be the only ones to have come up with a plan.’
He stoops to gather up the saddest-looking snowball I have ever seen in my life, but it still makes me run off. What we need now is a real Christmas miracle, the sort that even Santa can’t deliver. When I slow down, beginning to overheat in my padded coat, scarf and bobble hat, Gray strides towards me.
‘Let’s keep this on a need-to-know basis for the time being. Between us we’ll sort something, don’t you worry.’
I stare up into the sky and the flakes are coming fast and furious, but they’re too small to come to anything. Although the sky is that ominous opaque white colour, tinged with grey, the temperature has warmed a couple of degrees at least and that’s enough to make everything start melting before it can really pitch. We were motoring towards the festive holidays with such positivity and now everyone in the know is feeling dispirited. And what sort of a mood is that for a wedding three days before Christmas?
We hold hands and Gray starts to swing his arm as if we are little kids. Then he begins singing ‘The Holly and the Ivy’. The pitch is a little high for him, but his voice is clear and comforting. As we swing open the gate to Fisher’s cottage, a voice calls out behind us. It’s Martin, and he has Kurt with him. I thought we were keeping this quiet for the time being?
‘Hey, guys. Are we ready for this?’ Gray throws out there.
‘Yep,’ Karl replies firmly. ‘We aren’t going to let a little weasel like Patrick defeat us.’
He’s in a fighting mood and I wish Martin hadn’t pulled him in. Kurt and Sarah have their hands full during their second busiest season of the year. With the big Christmas lunch coming up and our wedding to cater for, the last thing they need is to get pulled into this mess.
Mum opens the door for us, and we hang our coats in the hallway, slipping off our wet shoes.
‘I don’t know who ordered this snow,’ Martin grumbles, ‘but it isn’t much fun.’
The quicker we sit down and thrash out a solution, the better, before it ends up spoiling what’s left of the most wonderful time of the year. That would be a travesty.
‘Go on through,’ Mum encourages us, bringing up the rear. She looks more like her old self tonight, I’m glad to see. The loss of Ziggy isn’t easy to bear, as she’s been Mum’s little companion for the last four years. Renting out Byre Cottage seemed like a great way to help both Patrick and Mum, while she decides where her future lies, but now I’m regretting the day I trusted the man who succeeded in fooling us all.
‘Hi, Kurt, what are you doing here?’ Fisher remarks, genuinely surprised to see him.
‘I heard a rumour about Patrick and—’
‘Kurt asked the question in confidence and I wasn’t going to lie,’ Martin admits.
‘Fair enough,’ Fisher replies. ‘Does anyone else know outside the people here tonight?’
Kurt shakes his head. ‘I didn’t mention it to anyone, not even to Sarah. It’s too unbelievable. Tonight’s meeting is to come up with a plan, then?’
‘Yes,’ Fisher confirms. ‘The police are now in possession of all the facts and a case number has been assigned. It could be a long-winded process and if they succeed in tracking him down the money could well be gone by then, anyway.’
We take our seats around the table, as Mum dispenses tea and coffee as if it’s a café, before joining us.
‘Can I kick off with our idea?’ I ask, looking at Gray for a nod of approval.
‘Go ahead, Immi.’ I watch as Fisher picks up his pen, ready to make notes. Usually, that’s Mum’s job but she seems happy to leave it to him.
‘It’s a fair chunk of money to find and, let’s be honest, there is no way we can raise that in time. The playground is up and working and it’s not fair to expect Charlton and Sons to wait beyond the original deadline. So, my proposal is that I take out a loan. Whatever we manage to get in, cash-wise, can go towards paying it off and that will lower the repayments. Whatever the shortfall is, I will cover it.’
Martin immediately leans forward. ‘It’s not fair that you take the brunt of this, Immi. I was the one who put Patrick forward. Sadly, I can’t stump up the full amount as I’m consulting a solicitor about repaying the back-handers Patrick inveigled out of my customers. However, I’ll see what I can get my hands on and then we can ta
ke it from there.’
‘Sarah and I can throw in maybe two thousand pounds,’ Kurt joins in.
Fisher looks at Mum. ‘I have money set aside for having the hull of The Star Gazer overhauled and a new paint job prior to my retirement. I’m more than happy to put that in the kitty. She can last another year or two as she is.’
I put up my hand to stop them before it goes any further, but Gray cuts in.
‘Can I jump in here? I’m working with some big clients now and they sponsor all manner of charitable events around the world. Sums of money like this are a tax write-off for them, but for us it’s money no one really has lying around spare. I know you just want to get this sorted quickly, Immi, but what harm will it do to wait a day or two? I’ll make a few calls as soon I’m back in the studios tomorrow morning.’
Fisher rests his hand on his chin, deep in thought. ‘We have some expensive boats moored up in the marina, owned by some wealthy people. Okay, they might only appear a couple of times a year to travel the canals, but when they do come here, they really appreciate the surroundings. I could put out some feelers because Gray is right, it would be merely a tax write-off to a lot of them.’
‘How about approaching Aysbury Manor?’ Kurt interjects.
‘It’s usually only the estate manager around these days,’ Fisher points out.
‘Yes, but they sent three of their groundsmen to help shift the snow from the towpaths and around The Bullrush last Christmas, didn’t they?’ Martin points out.
I look at Mum and she stares back at me, pointedly. ‘That’s a good idea,’ she replies. ‘I know the estate manager and I’ll pop along and have a chat with him to find out where the family are staying. If they’re still in Spain, it might be difficult to get hold of anyone, but you never know!’
‘So, we have a sort of plan, then,’ Fisher declares. ‘Immi, hang fire, darling girl. This isn’t your burden to shoulder, or Gray’s either. In fact, the same goes for us all. Let’s agree to meet back here on, say, Wednesday evening, and see if anyone has come up with any promising leads. Agreed?’
Hands are raised in the air, but mine remain in my lap.
‘What?’ Fisher asks, his eyes scanning my face.
‘On the proviso that no one speaks of this to Tollie, or anyone else, until it’s all resolved – after Christmas, if possible. I don’t want Patrick’s actions taking the shine off the anniversary celebrations and that’s precisely what will happen if word gets out before the Christmas party. It’s gone from a triumph to what feels like a disaster and do we really want other people feeling as miserable as we do about it? The playground has already become a popular attraction and is drawing even bigger crowds to support our local businesses. But I know how Tollie will look at it – that if he’d just accepted the posh dinner we’d originally planned in his honour, none of this would have happened. He would be wrong. It has pulled us all together and made us stronger.’
Gray reaches out to clasp my hand. ‘We’ll sort something out, Immi, don’t you worry.’
‘Okay. Everyone in agreement?’ I ask.
There is a chorus of hmms, and yeses. ‘And I’ll make enquiries tomorrow morning, as soon as I get to the studios,’ Gray states firmly. ‘If we want to part people from their money, Christmas is the season of goodwill!’
They all mean well, but time is of the essence. This problem isn’t going to go away and the quicker we pay the outstanding amount, the less likely there are to be rumours. Tollie will be cross with me when he eventually finds out, but it will be a done deal by then, hopefully. I was the one who gave Patrick unfettered access to the money and I didn’t think to check up on him. No one has pointed that out, but it’s the truth. We wouldn’t be in this position now if I’d shown due diligence and my naivety allowed this to happen, so the onus is on me.
28
A Little Help from My Friends
Even though I promised I’d wait until this evening’s meeting before doing anything, yesterday morning I spent some time at the police station and then paid a visit to the bank. They’d already withdrawn Patrick’s access to the account but, as it stands, the shortfall will be in the region of fourteen and a half thousand pounds and we discussed the possibility of a personal loan to cover that amount. It will take about a week to set up and get the funds through into my personal account, but it was surprisingly hassle-free. I walked away with the application forms and a decision to make regarding the term of the repayment.
I pop back to the cottage for lunch to await a call from Gray; my phone rings and I see that it’s Mum.
‘Immi, I thought I’d let you know that I spent the morning at Byre Cottage giving it a clean through. I knocked on Cameron’s door to let him know that I’m no longer renting it out and that Ziggy wasn’t going to be around. I was vague and I think he assumed that she’s with Fisher and me for the time being. Fisher is going to pop round tonight to change the locks and put the side light in the sitting room on a timer. It all looks a little less suspicious then, doesn’t it?’
It’s horrible having to cover up Patrick’s tracks like this.
‘Thanks, Mum. And thank Fisher, too. This is the right thing we’re doing, isn’t it?’
She expels a long, slow breath. ‘Things seem to be ticking over as usual in Aysbury for the moment and it’s not as if we’re ignoring the problem. I agree with you though that there isn’t any point in ruining everyone’s Christmas. Whether we will be able to keep a lid on it for that long, who knows, but for the moment it’s still contained. Anyway, I’ll see you tonight. Try not to worry, Immi. We’re all in this together.’
I know what Mum is thinking – that if the local papers hear so much as a whisper about this, it will make the front page. People gave their hard-earned money in good faith and now most of it is gone.
There’s a tap on the patio doors and I glance up to see Tollie looking at me, no doubt wondering why I’m sitting on the sofa, staring into thin air. I jump up, plastering on a smile to mask how jaded I’m feeling.
‘Mornin’, m’dear. I’m off to the wholesalers with Kurt to do me usual pre-Christmas top-up. Anythin’ in particular I can pick up for you?’
The last thing on my mind today is toilet roll, kitchen towel and trays of baked beans and soup in case we get snowed in, but it’s kind of him.
‘No, we’re good, thanks, Tollie.’
‘Everythin’ all right?’ He peers at me and, although it is upsetting keeping him in the dark like this, I know he’d be totally horrified if he knew the truth.
‘It’s all good. Just taking advantage of a little peace and quiet until I can be bothered to make myself some lunch.’
‘Oh, well, I’m sure Daphne would be glad of a bit of company and she’s just about to make a sandwich. I’ll pop back inside and let her know you’re coming.’
This is the last thing I needed, today of all days, but I suspect Tollie wouldn’t be suggesting this unless he feels there’s something Daphne and I need to thrash out when he’s not within earshot.
‘Fine, thanks. I have a phone call to make first, and then I’ll head over. Enjoy your little trip out with Kurt.’
‘Oh, I will,’ Tollie replies, sounding pleased with himself, while I’m trying my best not to groan out loud.
I press speed dial and Gray immediately answers. ‘I was just about to call you!’ he exclaims.
‘I’ve been summoned to lunch with Daphne, so I thought I’d best ring you now. It was Tollie’s idea.’
‘Oh, poor you,’ Gray commiserates. ‘Just make some light conversation. She’ll know you only get an hour. Anyway, good news. I mean really good news. We have a taker. Fifteen thousand pounds ready to be donated, and I was totally upfront about the situation.’
I flop back down onto the sofa, holding the phone tightly to my ear.
‘You’re joking! OMG! But what if we succeed in getting any money back, or the outstanding funds due in take us over the final payment for the playground?’
&nb
sp; ‘Then the donor is happy for it to go back into the general charity fund. As I said, tax write-offs are just that, and as long as we have an invoice covering that amount, which we do, it’s fine.’
‘It’s fine,’ I repeat, dazed. ‘And you told them about Patrick?’
‘Like I said, I was honest about it and told them that the fund was defrauded. If you let me have the bank details and sort code, the money will be transferred within a few days. I called in a favour, Immi, that’s all.’
My head is buzzing as it sinks in. ‘We’re sorted, then?’
‘Yes. Relax. Now go and make friends with Daphne, because that will put a smile on Tollie’s face. If I can just point out one thing though, and don’t bite my head off… I suspect she’s feeling left out. Think about that and how you’d feel coming into such a tight-knit group. Anyway, I’d better get back to work.’
‘Love you, Gray, and thank you, thank you so much. That can’t have been an easy conversation to have. Miss you, and roll on Friday night!’
‘Ah, Immi, come in. Tollie said you were all alone and looking a bit down.’
Did he, now?
‘It’s just been crazily busy, lately. How are you?’
‘I’m well, thank you. I’ve made ham sandwiches and there’s a quiche, too. Let me take your coat and I’ll pop the kettle on.’
Things feel a little stilted and as Daphne indicates for me to take a seat at the table, I’m struggling to find something suitable to say to break the ice.
‘Well,’ Daphne says, beating me to it. ‘This is rather nice.’
‘Is it?’ I ask truthfully.
There’s a pause as Daphne turns around to face me. ‘Oh, so this was Tollie’s idea. He gave me the impression you were looking for some company.’ She raises her eyebrows and laughs. ‘Men, eh?’
