by Jenny Lane
‘Now wait a minute! Shelley, don’t just sit there and let Lyall make all the decisions. What do you think?’
Shelley gazed into her coffee, as if for inspiration. ‘Oh, you know me, I’m happy to go with the flow.’
‘Huh!’ Katie’s body language said it all. ‘I would remind you that there are three of us involved in this project. Right from the outset, I told you we’d got some drawings for the layout, Lyall.’ He sighed impatiently. Aware that he was treading on eggshells, but determined to put his point across. ‘And, right from the outset, I told you that, until I’d had an opportunity to think things through, I wasn’t interested in seeing them. Now I have and I am, so can I take a look, please?’
She extracted the drawings from her portfolio in silence, and he studied them carefully, before producing some of his own and putting them beside them. Eventually, he selected a couple from the pile Katie had given him and put two of his own with them. Finally, he held up the drawings he’d chosen for their inspection.
‘As you can see, there’s a certain similarity of thought. We’re not so very far apart in our ideas.’
‘That’s because those two drawings are Jack’s,’ Katie told him stonily. ‘Mine are the ones that you’ve pushed to the bottom of the pile!’
Shelley gave a little laugh, caught Katie’s gaze and busied herself with her work again.
Lyall set Jack’s ideas aside and considered Katie’s instead. ‘OK, if we put this one of yours, and say this one of mine together, then I would think it might just work, although there’s still something not quite right…’
‘Hang on!’ Shelley sprang to her feet and went round to his side. ‘I’ve got it! This is what’s missing!’ She grabbed a piece of paper and, with a few swift strokes, pencilled in one or two extra details.
‘That’s a stroke of genius, Shelley! Why didn’t I think of that?’ Lyall asked, head on one side, and Katie had to agree. Shelley, for all her reluctance to participate in a brainstorming session, had triumphantly come up with the solution and saved the day.
‘Layout is extremely important,’ Lyall reminded them. ‘An eye-catching display is going to attract the judges. Now we must concentrate on the centrepiece, something stunning to connect all three themes, but not the obvious flower arrangement. Any thoughts on the matter?’
The two girls shook their heads and, after a couple of hours hard work, during which they spoke very little Lyall said, ‘I fancy a bite of lunch, my treat. How about Faye and Dylan’s place?’
‘They’re closed today,’ Katie told him.
‘Right. Then how about our local hostelry?’
Shelley groaned. ‘I see enough of it in the evenings when I’m working behind the bar. Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll tell you what, Lyall, I’ll take a rain check, if you don’t mind. I could do with finishing a bit earlier today.’
He nodded and looked across at Katie, who hesitated only fractionally before saying, ‘Actually, I’m starving. I only had a sketchy breakfast.’ It was, she decided, time to bury the hatchet! ‘D’you want anything from the baker’s, Shelley?’
But Shelley, absorbed in her enamelling once more, reached for another chocolate biscuit and shook her head.
In the end, Lyall took Katie to The Malt Shovel in the next village, where they did good bar snacks and there were alcoves for them to sit comfortably without being jostled by elbows, as in the pub in Lyndhurst. Katie realised how hungry she was and tucked into scampi and chips washed down by lager.
‘There are a few things we need to iron out, now we’re out of Shelley’s earshot,’ Lyall said.
Katie looked at him in surprise. ‘Oh, but I thought you valued her input.’
‘Where work is concerned of course I do, and it would be most unjust to leave her out of any discussion. No, Katie, I’m talking about our own working relationship.’
‘What exactly are you getting at, Lyall?’
His hazel eyes swept her face and the slightly long fair hair fell forward over his forehead, making him look boyish. He sighed. ‘You don’t make it easy for me, Katie. I’d like us to get on for Alice Mason’s sake, but you still seem to resent me. I know I can’t take Jack’s place, but we ought to, at least, make an effort to get on whilst we’re working.’
Her eyes smouldered. ‘The workshop was my enterprise originally. It’s a project close to my heart. I put most of the capital into it. Money given me by my grandmother, and the others contributed towards the rent. We split any profits. Jack and Shelley were happy to leave most of the decision making to me, and everything was going well, but now you’ve come along and seem to think you can take over.
‘It must be wonderful to be so sure of yourself. Well, I for one am not taken in by your charm, even if the rest of the population of Lyndhurst are. What makes you think you’ve got the right to tell us what to do?’
There, she had said it now. Lyall looked positively amazed by this onslaught, and for a moment or two there was a strained silence, and then he set down his knife and fork and said icily, ‘We’ve been through this all before, Katie, and I thought we’d sorted it out.
‘Well, even at this late stage I’ll opt out, if you prefer it that way. After all, there must be plenty of others who’d be more than happy to join forces with you, but you can kiss goodbye to this particular exhibition that you seem to have set your heart on so much!’
He had called her bluff and she knew she deserved it, for she was behaving in a ridiculously childish behaviour. She swallowed hard. ‘No, Lyall, it’s OK. I know I’ve given you a rough ride and there’s no real excuse. It’s just that you seem to want to be in control and I’ve been used to managing things myself. On the whole, it all seemed to be going quite well, even if I have made a bit of a hash of things at times.’
His expression softened. ‘You think I’ve been a bit high-handed coming in and taking over like that? Well, maybe you’ve got a point.’
Katie made a pattern with the peas on her plate. ‘You’ve made it painfully clear that you could do things a whole lot better, so the easy option would be for Shelley and I to sit back and let you take charge. However, I happen to think that we were making a reasonable job of things before you arrived on the scene. OK, so perhaps we could improve on our marketing strategies, and I’m prepared to accept your expertise in that direction, providing you realise that we can’t take on orders we aren’t able to fulfil until after the exhibition.
‘I’m not setting out to become a millionairess, just to earn enough to keep me independent, and I happen to enjoy what I’m doing, and that goes for Shelley too.’
Surprisingly enough, he inclined his head and said, ‘I know, and I don’t want to change any of that. After all, I can’t give you any idea of how long I’ll be around before I become interested in some other project.’
He grinned suddenly. ‘Now before you give me my marching orders, for the umpteenth time, how would it be if I promise to handle things differently in future rather than just charging in like a bull in a china shop.’
She was forced to smile. ‘I know I can be a bit stubborn. You see, when things are going along OK, I honestly can’t see the point in change for change’s sake, and Shelley, bless her, has always been happy to leave the management side to myself.’
‘Well, from now on we’ll be more up front with one another, shall we? I’m aware that you’re not too keen on my drifting off without telling you where I’m going, not that it’s any of your business, of course.’
She glared at him. ‘On that score you’re just like Jack. He used to skive off for a session at the gym or an extended lunch break, but at least he’d say when he expected to be back.’
‘Point taken. You know we’ll have to have more business lunches like today.’
A few minutes later they left The Malt Shovel and, as Lyall said he needed some stamps, walked the short distance to the post office. Katie paused to look in the window of the antique shop and something immediately caught her attention.
>
‘Lyall, come and look at this!’
He was by her side in an instant. ‘What’s wrong, Katie?’
She pointed to the centre of the display. ‘Lyall, that’s Aunt Alice’s cigarette box, the one that Jack took!’ He whistled. ‘It certainly looks like it, but are you sure?’
‘Of course, I’d know it anywhere. Anyway, it’s easy enough to identify. It’s got a distinctive mark on the inside. I really can’t believe Jack would stoop so low as to have sold it.’
‘I could tell the owner it’s stolen property.’
Katie shook her head. ‘It would mean involving the police and we’ve already decided against that. I wonder how much they’re asking for it?’
‘Wait here, I’ll go and ask. I might be able to make a few subtle enquiries as to how he came by it and, if it means so much to Aunt Alice, then I’d be only too pleased to redeem it.’
‘Actually, it means a lot to me as well, Lyall.’
He stared at her. ‘You see it was actually my grandparents who gave it to Aunt Alice and Uncle George for a silver wedding present, so it’s of sentimental value. Oh, it’s true, Aunt Alice did say Jack could have it, but she wouldn’t have expected him to have sold it.’
Six
A few minutes later, Lyall came out of the antique shop clutching a package and looking pleased with himself. ‘I had a bit of a chat with the owner, did a deal, and he let me have it for a special price. He wasn’t prepared to tell me how he came by it, though.’
‘Thanks, Lyall, it’ll make Aunt Alice’s day, to say nothing of mine!’
He grinned. ‘Then it was a worthwhile investment!’
As he drove the short distance back to Lyndhurst, Katie said, ‘This trouble that Jack’s in, do you happen to know what it might be, Lyall?’
He didn’t reply for so long that she thought he hadn’t heard her question, but as they approached the village, he broke the silence. ‘Jack did something rather foolish which he now regrets, and only he can put it right. I thought he’d decided to remain in Lyndhurst, face the music, but he chose to leave and since then I haven’t heard from him. I can only assume he’s got himself into more trouble. He has been known to mix with some rather dubious types.’
Katie stared at him. ‘You mean these so-called friends might have caught up with him, put pressure on him?’
Lyall shook his head. ‘I honestly don’t know, but I would advise you not to get involved. It’s up to Jack to decide whether to come clean about what’s happened, or make a fresh start for himself as far away from here as possible.’
‘Then why doesn’t he go? What exactly is there to keep him here?’
Lyall shrugged. ‘Who can say? He’s never been good at commitment, but he obviously enjoyed working at his pottery. Perhaps he’s hoping for a second chance.’
Aunt Alice was thrilled by the return of the cigarette box and even shed a tear. She hugged Lyall. ‘Thank you so much! Oh, I know what I said about not minding, but I’m afraid I was just trying to put on a brave front. I’m deeply hurt at the way Jack’s behaved and would like to give him a piece of my mind. And you, young man, let’s hope you don’t do a vanishing act, too.’
Lyall perched on the sofa. ‘Oh, I’ve got no intention of disappearing and, when and if I do decide to move on, I’ll be sure to give you plenty of warning and come back to visit. You can’t get rid of me that easily, and now I suppose Katie and I had better get back to the workshop or Shelley will think we’ve both cleared off!’
The minute they entered the work shop, Shelley informed Lyall, ‘Your lady friend was on the phone just now. Said to ring her right back. Olive. No, that can’t be right.’
‘Olivia. Thanks.’ He didn’t correct her on the first score, Katie noted, so maybe that’s how it was. She felt he could do better than Olivia.
‘She said she couldn’t reach you on your mobile,’ Shelley added as an afterthought.
‘No, that would be right because I left it here, switched off!’
He went into the back room and, after a few minutes, returned looking slightly irritated, but was pleasant enough to both of them.
The pile of exhibition work was growing daily and Katie knew that the standard was good. The replacement items were, if anything, even better than the originals and Lyall’s contribution was going to prove a great asset.
Suddenly, Katie had every hope that things could soon start looking up for them and that there might be a life after Jack, after all.
She put the finishing touches to a silver bracelet and got up for a leg stretch. Lyall stood up at the same time.
‘Sorry, guys, I’ve got to go. See you both tomorrow morning.’
‘I guess he’s gone to see the delectable Olive,’ Shelley said when he was out of earshot.
‘Olivia,’ Katie corrected her automatically. ‘Well, he’s entitled to a life outside work, but she obviously only has to raise her little finger for him to come running.’
Shelley looked at her friend thought fully. ‘Lucky old Olive! Anyway, did you have a nice lunch?’
‘Yes, it was very pleasant. You should have come.’ Katie filled Shelley in, but neglected to tell her about the cigarette box.
Shelley tidied her area. ‘Actually, I like working with Lyall. He’s more organised than Jack, but there is a sort of similarity, don’t you think?’
Katie considered. ‘In their work, do you mean? Otherwise I don’t think they’ve got much in common.’
‘Yes, of course I mean their work. They have a similar sort of style, even though Lyall is working on smaller items than Jack. Have you seen his latest batch of pendants just removed from the kiln?’
The ceramic necklaces were exquisitely executed. The designs were as bold as Jack’s, but the colours were more subtle, pale greens and blues and lilacs, whereas Jack would have chosen bright yellows, reds and purples.
As Katie studied them, she could see what Shelley was getting at, although it hadn’t occurred to her before. It was as if they had both studied under the same teacher.
‘I can see what you mean regarding the ceramics, but if you take a look at Lyall’s graphics, then there’s really no resemblance. Perhaps he took a look at Jack’s pottery, the few pieces he left behind, and thought he’d try to fit in with what he’d been doing. I have to say I actually prefer Lyall’s work. It’s not so garish and I think it will appeal to a more sophisticated taste.’
‘I know where you’re coming from, but I actually liked those bright colours of Jack’s. It was right for younger people. Anyway, I suppose we’ll just have to see what happens.’
‘Yes, we’ll need to find out how much interest the exhibition generates before we can make any decisions about the way forward. Time will tell, no doubt.’
Shelley consulted her watch. ‘And it’s time I was going, or I’ll be late for my shift at the pub again. See you, Katie.’
Katie was invariably the last to finish because she could not hurry her silver work. Eventually, she packed her things away and locked up carefully. When she arrived back at the cottage, she found another message from Jack on the answer phone. It gave her quite a start to hear his voice after what had transpired that afternoon.
‘I’m keeping a low profile, Katie. Don’t worry about me, there are things I’ve got to sort out. I’ll be in touch again soon.’
* * *
Katie couldn’t seem to settle to anything after that. There was nothing on TV or in the newspaper to capture her interest. She prowled around the house like a caged animal and, in the end, decided to have an early night. She had just switched the kettle on to make herself a hot drink when there was a loud knock at the door. Cautiously, she put on the chain and Lyall’s voice called out urgently.
‘It’s Lyall — open up, Katie, I need to speak to you.’
She unlocked the door and he almost shot inside. ‘What on earth’s the matter?’ she demanded. ‘Is it Aunt Alice?’
‘No, but because I don’t wish to alarm her, I ca
me here first. I surprised some intruders at the workshop just now. The alarm was going off ninety to the dozen when I got there.’
She stared at him, her heart in her mouth. ‘Had they got in?’
‘Yes, through that side window that’s a bit iffy. Anyway, I obviously gave them such a fright that they scarpered.’
She suddenly noticed he’d cut his hand. ‘What have you done to your hand? Surely you didn’t hit anyone?’
He looked down at his hand in surprise, as if unaware that he had hurt it. ‘No, I was doing battle with the sash and must have grazed it.’
‘Did they get anything?’
‘Nothing of any significance. I had a quick look round, but I thought I’d better get you to come and check things out, and find out if you want to phone the police.’
‘Did you get a good look at them?’
‘No. They didn’t hang around long enough for that. Just a group of youngsters, I reckon. I’ve probably disturbed any fingerprints. Actually, I think they were after Jack. I heard his name mentioned and shouted after them that he didn’t live here anymore.’
She shivered and he put an arm lightly about her shoulders. ‘It’s up to you what you want to do, Katie.’
In the end, they decided to call the police and, after dressing Lyall’s hand, they went to take a look at the workshop together. Fortunately, the intruders hadn’t time to do much damage, what with the alarm going off and Lyall startling them, but apparently they had stuffed their pockets with whatever they could find. Mainly Lyall’s pendants and few tools, and had sprayed a rather rude message on one wall, together with some indecipherable hieroglyphics.
Fortunately, the police weren’t too long in coming and, after taking a few details, had a quick look round and advised them to get some stronger window locks. As they departed they said they’d be back in the morning and not to touch anything.
