by Jenny Lane
‘By marriage,’ Faye pointed out. ‘Anyway, how exactly did that benefit you in the light of recent events?’
Katie coloured slightly. ‘I’m sure there’s a perfectly logical explanation for what’s happened. Jack’ll be back. It’s just a momentary blip.’
Faye sighed. ‘Come on, Katie, I know that’s what you’d like to believe, but, deep down, I think you know Jack’s gone for good. Dylan had a look round the bed-sit yesterday and it would seem he’s made off with a few items from there too, a kettle and such-like.’
* * *
Returning to lavender Cottage, Katie did what she ought to have done several hours back, picked up the phone and dialled the contact number on Alice Mason’s note. Shortly afterwards, feeling much happier, she went into the kitchen and put on the kettle for some tea.
Her old friend had managed to reassure her about Lyall Travis. Apparently, many years back, he and his family had stayed with Aunt Alice and her husband, who had a thriving bed and breakfast business in those days.
Lyall had always meant to look her up again and so, while visiting friends in Sevenoaks, had called in on the off chance that she still lived in Lyndhurst.
When he discovered that she had a flat to let, he decided to stay for a few months, as he was in between jobs and liked the area. There were still a lot of unanswered questions and Katie was not sure if she should put her faith in a man she had only just met, but what other option had she got?
Two
That evening Aunt Alice’s cat, Sheba, discovered Katie had returned home. They shared a tin of tuna and then the little animal curled up contentedly on Katie’s lap. While she was pouring over the accounts, trying to assess their financial situation, there was a knock at the door.
Lyall Travis stood on the step. ‘Mrs Mason’s cat seems to have disappeared, and as I’ve promised to keep an eye on her, I’m feeling rather responsible. I don’t suppose...?’
Sheba chose to put in an appearance at that moment, purring loudly. He grinned and bent to stroke the sleek, grey fur. ‘Well, that solves that problem. I take it you’re old friends?’
‘Certainly are. Look you’d better come in. I wanted to have a word with you, anyway. I found Mrs Mason’s letter mixed up in a pile of junk mail. Now that I’ve had a chance to read it and speak with her, things are much clearer. I’m sorry for doubting your word, but it’s all been a bit of a shock.’ Showing him into the cosy little sitting-room, she hurriedly scooped up the papers from the coffee table not wanting to divulge too much about her business affairs in one go.
He perched on the edge of the sofa. ‘So we’re calling a truce, are we? You’ve obviously decided I haven’t bumped all your friends off after all, and that I’m not about to make off with the family silver.’
‘Your choice of words could have been better,’ she told him severely.
He grinned, revealing a dimple in his chin. ‘Sorry! Now, if we want to be ready for this exhibition, we’re going to have to get a move on, aren’t we?’
‘Agreed. So we might as well discuss things in a civilised manner.’
Going over to the sideboard, Katie fetched a couple of glasses and a bottle of wine and handed him the bottle opener. Placing a dish of nuts and raisins in front of him on the coffee table, she said, ‘Of course, there is one thing we’ve overlooked, your name isn’t on the entry form.’
He gave her a glass of wine and sat back on the sofa, looking completely at ease. ‘Oh, no problem, that’s just a formality! I can deal with it if you’ll let me have the details. Now Shelley is raring to get on with her enamelling, so I’ve told her that just as soon as I get the go ahead from you, I’ll go up to London and get all our stuff from my usual suppliers and put it on my account for the time-being.’
Katie gaped at him. ‘You seem to have taken an awful lot upon yourself. I’m not quite penniless and I would have found a way to help Shelley out somehow.’
‘Yes, I’m aware that you’re very independent, but the question is, can you afford to be? Look, why don’t you let me put some money into the business short term? I’ve been looking for a new investment anyway.’
She gasped. ‘Why would you want to do that, when you don’t know anything about us?’
He raised his eyebrows. ‘That’s not strictly true. Remember, I had the opportunity to speak with Mrs Mason for a few days before her sister was taken ill. And, of course, I met Jack and Shelley, and was shown round the workshop before things took a downward spiral. You’ve got a thriving little enterprise there, Miss Mead.’
‘Did have, you mean.’ Katie was uncomfortably aware that the man sitting opposite her had somehow managed to edge his way into her life before she had fully grasped what was happening. Shelley was obviously under his spell and he had managed to charm both Faye and Aunt Alice. Katie still found herself suspecting that he might have an ulterior motive. Lyall Travis gave her a dazzling smile.
‘Come on, Miss Mead. Why are you still hesitating?’
She toyed with the stem of her glass. ‘Just because Shelley is young and gullible, it doesn’t mean to say that I am.’
His amused gaze swept over her. ‘Come on, you’re not that old. Late twenties, I’d say.’
Katie glowered at him. ‘You’ve been questioning Aunt Alice!’
He chuckled. ‘I told you we’d had a chat, but you needn’t worry, she’s very discreet and didn’t give any of your innermost secrets away.’
Katie wondered how much Aunt Alice had told him. Had she mentioned Katie’s own reasons for being in Lyndhurst, her broken engagement to Peter, and her need to find somewhere quiet to sort herself out? She sincerely hoped not. ‘So what exactly did she tell you?’
He helped himself to a handful of nuts and raisins. ‘Oh let me think now! She outlined the set up at the workshop, told me how Jack had been part of your team for the best part of a year and that, although he was her late husband’s nephew, due to a family rift she’d not set eyes on him since he was a little boy. I don’t know any details, but I gather she’s been generous to him since he’s been here.’
‘I don’t know what you’re implying, Mr Travis!’ Katie told him angrily. ‘Jack was always kind to her and she enjoyed his company.’
The man opposite her spread his hands and sighed. ‘Alice Mason is an astute lady who is fully aware of Jack’s failings. I expect she is also aware that you had feelings for him, and didn’t want to disillusion you.’
Katie refilled their glasses, as the impact of his words hit her. Had she been too blind to see what was going on under her very nose? Was she such a poor judge of men that she couldn’t tell whether or not they were being sincere? First Peter and now Jack had let her down.
There was a silence, and then Lyall Travis said, ‘You still haven’t given me an answer. Do you accept my offer to join you in your business or not?’
She considered, aware that he was watching her. ‘Just tell me what’s in it for you, first of all.’
‘Fair enough! As Mrs Mason’s probably told you, I’ve been abroad for the best part of a year and now I’m back in England looking for a new enterprise. Your craft venture happens to appeal to me. Ceramics have been an interest of mine for a while now and I’d enjoy helping you out for the exhibition.’
She met his hazel eyes with a penetrating blue stare. ‘OK, so what do you do for a living—when you’re not travelling?’
‘Graphics. I work in advertising— mostly freelance.’
Her eyes widened and he saw this with amusement. She took a deep breath. ‘Why on earth didn’t you tell me that before? You’d be a godsend.’
He grinned. ‘It was worth it to see your face. You have a very expressive face, you know. But seriously,’ as she coloured, ‘you didn’t ask me, and, obviously, Mrs Mason hasn’t mentioned it, although I suspect she’s filled you in about other things.’
Katie nodded. ‘Well, yes. She told me about your recent trip to Australia and how you and your family stayed with her as a child, b
ut beyond that…’
Sheba appeared suddenly from behind the curtains, stretched and gave a prodigious yawn. Then she made a beeline for Lyall and jumped on his knee. He stroked the little cat under the chin as he told Katie a little bit about his work and, as she watched him, she was very aware of what a very attractive man he was — older and more mature than Jack and very self-assured.
‘So what do you reckon now, Miss Katherine Mead? I have to tell you that this is the final offer.’
Katie made a rapid decision, hoping she wouldn’t regret it. ‘OK, then, thanks, I accept. Of course, it’s going to be tough going to get everything assembled in such a short space of time.’
‘We’ll manage. As a matter of fact, I’ve got a few designs worked out already. Now, what about Shelley?’
‘Oh, she’s not likely to raise any objections...I’ve already sounded her out, and she’s up for it and happy to leave the decision-making to me, although, of course, the three of us will need to have a business meeting soon to sort out the finer points.’
‘Of course, and I’d like to take a look at your accounts sometime. Good, now that’s settled, I’ll go up to London tomorrow to collect some of the basic supplies. Perhaps you’d care to accompany me? I expect you’d prefer to get your own stuff and Shelley’s?’
‘We’ve been ordering over the internet recently, but I suppose it would be better to collect on this occasion,’ she said rather hesitantly.
‘Right then. I’ll pick you up at around eight. We’ll breakfast in London, shall we?’
‘That sounds civilised!’
‘I’m afraid I’ve got a couple of things to do in the afternoon, but I’m sure you can find something to occupy you, and then we could perhaps have an early meal before heading back here.’
She smiled at him. ‘Thanks, that’d be great. Welcome to the team, Mr Travis.’
‘Lyall,’ he told her and, as he took her outstretched hand, a frisson shuddered down her spine.
A few minutes later he left, and she collected the glasses, her head was in a spin. She wasn’t usually so impetuous, but she recognised that the man had a magnetic quality about him. The sensible side of her told her to be cautious. She hadn’t got a good track record where relationships were concerned and was determined not to get hurt again.
Anyway, a man as attractive as Lyall Travis was bound to have a woman in his life. Katie picked up the phone and dialled Shelley’s number.
The following morning was grey and drizzling. Katie had a coffee and croissant to keep her going, and had just finished washing up when Lyall knocked on the door.
‘Did you fed Sheba and put her out?’ she greeted him.
He grinned. ‘But, of course. Shelley’s coming over later to see to her needs, just in case we’re not back.’
He picked up the post from the doormat and, as he gave it to her, his fingertips brushed hers. She wanted to gasp at the contact and bit her lip, knowing that she would have to keep a tight rein on her emotions where this man was concerned. Charming he might be but she still wasn’t convinced that she could trust him.
They made good time and were soon breakfasting in a swish hotel in Kensington. Lyall looked immaculate in a grey suit, crisp white shirt, and blue silk tie. Jack had been Bohemian in dress and was often unshaven at this time in the morning. She was glad that she was wearing her new green trouser suit. She caught him looking at her and lowered her gaze, determined to keep their relationship on a strictly business like footing.
The trip to the supplier’s didn’t take long, and Lyall seemed to know his way around. In a relatively short space of time everything was loaded into the boot of his car. He arranged a convenient meeting place with her for that evening and dropped her off at a nearby tube station.
She found herself wondering where he was going and wishing she could accompany him. It was a long time since she’d been in London, on anything apart from business, and she felt at a bit of a loose end. She hadn’t too much money to spare, thanks to Jack, and after browsing round one or two shops, decided to go to the Victoria and Albert Museum to seek inspiration for her jewellery. She wandered happily through the costume section making notes, had a coffee and was surprised at how quickly the time passed away.
It was approaching six o’clock as she made her way to the Italian restaurant Lyall had pointed out to her that morning, but there was no sign of him.
It was a chilly evening and, after a short while, she went inside and ordered a cappuccino.
The minutes ticked by and she was beginning to wonder if he had stood her up. She didn’t fancy having to make her own way home and was feeling more than a little irritated when Lyall strolled through the doorway.
‘Oh, here you are. How sensible of you to come inside. Had a good day?’
‘You could at least apologise,’ she said crossly.
‘What for?’’ He looked genuinely surprised.
‘You’re late. You said you’d be here at six o’clock.’
He frowned. ‘I’ve been stuck in a traffic jam for the past hour or so. You’ll have to forgive me.’ She calmed down. ‘You thought I’d let you down, didn’t you? You’ll have to learn to trust me, Katie Mead.’ He pulled out a chair, a glint of amusement in his hazel eyes. ‘Right, enough of that, let’s enjoy the evening. Have you decided what you’d like to eat?’
Over the pasta, which was excellent, he watched her visibly relax. He was aware of the need to tread carefully if he wanted to gain her confidence in him. He told her a little more about his trip to Australia, proving to be both an interesting and entertaining companion and, almost before she had realised it, had asked her a few pertinent questions about herself.
‘So, how long have you lived in Lyndhurst?’
‘For the past two years. My mother was born there and my grandmother only died six months ago, leaving me the cottage. She was a great friend of Alice Mason’s, who isn’t my real aunt, of course.’
‘I see, and have you any other family?’
‘Yes, my parents have retired to Dorset and my brother went with them, but I came to live with my grandmother because I wanted to be nearer to London.’
And, at that time to get away from Peter, she added to herself bitterly.
Lyall was asking too many questions and before she had a chance to slip in any of her own, he had skilfully brought the conversation round to Jack.
‘So Alice Mason traced him through her husband’s solicitor?’
‘Yes, it was really quite easy. A number of years back, Uncle George had received a letter informing him that his brother had died and that his sister-in-law and her son had gone to live up north, but he hadn’t attempted to get back in touch with them.
‘As he got older, however, he regretted this and wanted to put matters right between them, and so, after his death, Aunt Alice decided to try to track them down. As it happened, they still used the same family solicitor in London.’
‘I see,’ Lyall said again and ordered dessert from a hovering waiter.
Katie tucked into the mouth-watering selection of Italian ice-cream with enjoyment. She set down her spoon.
‘What I can’t make out is why Jack decided to leave whilst both Aunt Alice and myself were away.’
Lyall gave her a long look. ‘Probably because he hadn’t got the guts to face up to the pair of you. He told me he had a bit of history, admitted he’d got himself into debt. Personally, I reckon his past had caught up with him and he was running scared. Actually, if I hadn’t been around that evening there might have been further problems.’
She went cold. ‘How do you mean?’
‘He came round to the house, said he’d left a couple of things in Alice Mason’s safe, but, of course, I didn’t fall for that one.’
‘So what did you say?’
‘That he’d have to wait until she returned. Of course, he didn’t like it, and, as it is, I think he made off with the silver cigarette box on the hall table.’
Katie stared at
him. ‘Aunt Alice will be so upset. She’s so fond of him. I hadn’t the heart to tell her what’s happened. You must think I’m a complete idiot, but I really believed in him. He was a talented potter and we were good as a team...Our stuff sold like hot cakes in the tea shop.’
He laughed at the pun and she joined in, relieved that it was all over.
Shortly, after more cups of cappuccino, they left the restaurant and he drove her home.
He said little during the journey and she must have drifted off because she awakened as the car pulled up outside Lavender Cottage.
‘Come on, sleepy head, I’ll see you to your front door. I’ll bring the stock round to the workshop tomorrow morning and we’ll make a start on our little enterprise.’
‘That sounds good to me. Thanks for the meal, Lyall and for believing in us.’ Taking her keys from her, he opened the cottage door and turned on the light. ‘All part of the service.’ Catching her hand in his, he pressed it to his lips. ‘Sweet dreams, Katie, I’ll see you in the morning. We’ve an exhibition to prepare for.’
Three
Katie went to the workshop early the next morning, having selected ideas from her book of designs. She had two main themes for her work, one based on leaves, flowers and fruit and the other abstract designs inspired by swirling lakes and patterns on wood bark.
Lyall was already at work and obviously in a very business-like mood.
He looked up briefly and informed her, ‘Your materials are in the back, locked in the cupboard.’ It was as if the previous evening had never happened.
They worked in companionable silence for a while and then Shelley turned up full of enthusiasm and bright ideas and, for the first time since her return to Lyndhurst, Katie felt a spark of interest again. It had all been so difficult during the past couple of days that she hadn’t known which way to turn.
She dreaded telling Aunt Alice of Jack’s departure and was putting off the evil moment. For now, however, she decided that to bury herself in her work would take her mind off things. Katie thought that the best option would probably be to make a number of pendants and bracelets because, although earrings and rings took less time to fashion, they were quite fiddly and wouldn’t take up much space in a display area. She would concentrate on the larger items first and then see what time was left.
