by Neale, Kitty
Lorna could see that Ruth was in a foul mood and if she hadn’t also been disgusted with the flat, she might have felt sorry for the agent. Ruth could be formidable, yet looked stunning in another of her designer outfits, her black coat purchased for an English winter along with long, high-heeled boots.‘We could come with you. I need a bit of fresh air and I think Penny does too.’
‘I’m in a hurry and Penny always dawdles. Take her out for a walk, but don’t go far because when I get back we’ll be moving again,’ Ruth said assuredly while pulling on her leather gloves.
As soon as she left, Lorna urged Penny into her coat, scarf, woolly hat and mittens. She was a beautiful child and looked so cute that Lorna hugged her before she put on her own coat. Penny was easy to look after, rarely naughty, a girly girl who loved dolls and all things pink.
When they left the flat, Lorna turned left to head for the sea. Harpers Road was deceptively long, but they eventually came to an intersection and, unsure of which way to go, she asked a middle-aged woman for directions.
‘You just need to turn left and then first right into King Street. You’ll see the sea in front of you and a nice parade to walk along. Mind you, it’s a bit nippy today.’
‘Yes, it is,’ Lorna agreed, and after thanking the woman she followed her route.
Shortly they were there, looking at a rough, grey sea and immediately to her right Lorna could see the harbour. It couldn’t compare to the turquoise sea and sunny coast of Spain that they had left behind, yet as Lorna saw a long sandy beach in the distance, she felt this would be a lovely area in the summer.
Despite the dismal weather, there was something about Margate that drew Lorna – a historic charm, from the cobbled streets she had seen in the Old Town, to the Victorian architecture. A strange, shivery feeling suddenly washed over her. She was a Londoner, yet Lorna somehow felt that she had come home.
From the moment the woman walked into his agency, Adam Mortimer couldn’t take his eyes off her: she was stunning, and obviously classy. From behind his desk he immediately rose to his feet. With a practised, charming smile, he said, ‘Good morning. How can I help you?’
‘Are you Adam Mortimer?’
‘Yes, that’s me. Please, sit down,’ he offered.
As they both sat the woman said brusquely, ‘You can help by finding me something far superior to the flat in Harpers Road. I refuse to stay in that hovel for another night.’
‘Harpers Road? Oh, you must be Mrs Hamilton-Smyth. You rang me from Spain?’
‘Yes, that’s right, and you offered me what you described as a lovely, spacious flat. It isn’t lovely. It’s a dump!’
Seeing her face to face, Adam wasn’t surprised that she didn’t like the flat. The double-barrelled name should have given him a clue. Ruth Hamilton-Smyth looked like she belonged in the Ritz but he recalled their conversation and, wondering if she had fallen on hard times, he said, ‘For the rent you wanted to pay, I’m afraid it was the best I could do.’
Her lips tightened as she argued, ‘I could have offered more rent, but as your description of the flat made it sound perfectly acceptable, there was no need.’
‘I’m sorry if you feel I misled you,’ Adam placated her, thinking now that she might be well off. He was rarely this patient towards troublesome tenants, but this woman was different and he found her intriguing. ‘If you’re happy to pay more I can show you another couple of flats that you could move into straight away. One has sea views, while the other is in Upper Dane Road which is next to Dane Park,’ he said, finding the details for her to look at along with the rental costs. ‘However, with the seafront property you’d have to sign an agreement to rent the flat for a minimum of six months.’
‘No, I only want to rent on a monthly basis while I look for commercial premises.’
‘Maybe I can help. What sort of premises are you looking for?’
Her eyes swept the office. ‘Something similar to these would be ideal, especially with living accommodation above.’
‘There is a large flat upstairs, but it’s rented out as I prefer not to live on top of my business.’
‘Have you got any like this on your books?’
‘I’m afraid I don’t handle commercial property, but as I know agents in the area I’ll put out some feelers for you,’ Adam offered.
‘Thank you,’ she said, smiling for the first time.
‘What sort of business will you be starting up?’
‘A property agency.’
‘I see. So, you’ll be going into competition with me.’
‘Hardly,’ she said; her expression distasteful as she looked around his untidy office.
Adam found her superior attitude a bit annoying, but managed to mask his feelings behind an ingratiating smile as he said, ‘As you want to rent a flat on a monthly basis, that only leaves the one in Upper Dane Road.’
‘It might be suitable,’ she said, looking at the details, ‘but I can’t see any mention of a second reception room? I employ a nanny to look after my daughter and ideally I would like one for her use.’
‘There isn’t one, but there is a separate dining room.’
‘I suppose that could work. Could you show me the flat now?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Adam agreed, impressed that she employed a nanny. It smacked of class again, but why rent a flat if she had money to buy a property?It was a bit of a mystery and he wanted to find out a few more things about Ruth Hamilton-Smyth, mainly if there was a man in her life.
Adam hoped not. If the woman had money she could be of use to him – and from what he’d heard so far, in more ways than one.
After locking his office, Adam Mortimer led Ruth to his car. He was tall, very good looking, with blond hair and grey eyes, and Ruth had already noted his expensive suit, silk shirt and tie. He reeked of money, from his expensive cologne to his snazzy Jaguar, but Ruth’s mind was on other things as he drove her to Upper Dane Road.
If she could lease premises set on a corner, just like Adam Mortimer’s, they would be ideal. She liked the large windows facing out onto two streets which would be perfect for showcasing properties, and once settled into another flat she’d go to see every agent she could find in her search for something similar.
It wasn’t long before Adam lifted his hand from the steering wheel to point ahead. ‘There’s Dane Park. It looks a bit bleak now, but it’s very nice in the summer.’
‘Yes, I’m sure it is,’ Ruth murmured unenthusiastically.
Adam Mortimer must have picked up on her tone and said, ‘Margate comes alive in the spring and summer. The Dreamland amusement park attracts thousands of visitors, and there are other attractions too. It’s my busiest time, as I handle a great deal of holiday lets.’
Ruth liked the sound of that, and her mood lightened.
‘The flat I’m showing you is on the ground floor and I think you’ll like it,’ Adam said as they drew up outside an obviously well-maintained, redbrick, end-of-terrace house.
When they went inside, the first room they entered was at the front with light streaming in from the bay window. It looked freshly decorated and that pleased Ruth, along with the furniture. It wasn’t anything special, but the green sofa and chairs with wooden arms looked fairly new. They moved on to the rest of the rooms, and though the kitchen wasn’t huge, there was enough room for a small table and chairs which meant that Lorna could have the dining room.
Adam Mortimer opened the back door to show her a small, low-maintenance garden, but as Ruth didn’t expect to be there for long she only gave it a cursory glance. On the whole she liked the place. It was more expensive to rent than Harpers Road, but still worked out a lot cheaper than staying in a hotel.
‘Would you like to make an appointment for your husband to see the flat?’
‘I’m a widow so that won’t be necessary. The flat is fine and I’ll take it.’
Adam Mortimer drove her back to the office to sign the paperwork. Ruth had expected an argument ove
r the refund of her deposit, but there was none as the man just transferred it to the new agreement. She was warming to him now, more so when he offered to drive her back to Harpers Road.
‘Thank you. That’s most kind,’ she said.
‘It gives me an excuse to spend a little more time with you,’ Adam Mortimer said as they walked back to his car. ‘In fact, if I’m not treading on anyone else’s toes, I’d like to ask you out to dinner on Saturday night.’
Ruth quickly thought about her reply. Adam had already proved useful in offering to get in touch with commercial agents, and she might be able to use him to her advantage to find out about the holiday rental market. Smiling, she said, ‘Thank you, I’d like that.’
‘Great, how about I collect you at seven-thirty?’
‘That’s fine,’ she agreed, thinking as they drove to Harpers Road that things were really looking up. All Ruth needed now was to find the perfect commercial premises, and then she could get her agency up and running.
Chapter Six
Lorna had rung her mother to tell her that she was back in England, and that there might be post arriving for her, but so far she still hadn’t received the divorce papers from Richard’s solicitor.
Ruth was so busy that Lorna hadn’t liked to ask for any time off, but hoped that in the New Year she’d be able to take a short trip to London to see her mother. The closeness they’d once shared had dwindled when her mother remarried and Lorna had to admit her part in that. She had been a sullen and stroppy teenager who had resisted Ted Redman’s intrusion into their lives. Ted in turn was an impatient man who demanded her mother’s attention, and to placate him, Lorna was often sent to her room. She had felt hurt, neglected and had put up a wall, an emotional barrier that separated her from her mother and to some extent, it still remained.
Though it wasn’t quite the same, it hadn’t taken Lorna long to realise that Ruth too had little time for her daughter, rarely showing Penny any love or affection. Lorna had no idea why, but as it wasn’t to do with a man, she wondered if it had something to do with Ruth’s childhood. Perhaps her own mother had been cold and unloving, but Lorna was loath to pry. Ruth didn’t like talking about her past, so to make up for her mother’s lack of affection, Lorna smothered Penny with lots of hugs and kisses.
They had become very close, Penny like the child she would never have, and soon after moving into the flat, Lorna had found a local infant school for her. However, as it was near to the end of term she wouldn’t be attending until after the Christmas holidays.
Ruth had purchased a car and was out most of the day looking at commercial premises, while as Christmas drew closer Lorna had kept Penny amused making festive decorations. They were now hanging up in the lounge, along with a small tree festooned with baubles and fairy lights that Lorna had found in Woolworths.
It was now the Friday before Christmas Day which would fall on Sunday and that afternoon Lorna was making mince pies. Penny was helping, but Lorna had to giggle at the sight of the little girl covered in flour, and there were bits of pastry stuck in her hair. Lorna put the pies into the oven and then lifted Penny down from the stool. ‘Come on, let’s get you cleaned up before Mummy comes home.’
She had barely got Penny into the bathroom when the front door slammed, then Ruth appeared in the doorway. ‘That was another waste of time,’ she said huffily. ‘The premises were far too small and the price they wanted for the lease was ludicrous.’
‘Never mind, something is sure to turn up soon,’ Lorna soothed.‘I’ll just give Penny a wash and then I’ll make you a nice cup of tea.’
‘Look at the state of her! What on earth have you been doing?’
‘We made minth pies, Mummy.’
‘Don’t lisp!’ Ruth snapped. ‘It’s mince … not minth.’
Lorna saw Penny’s eyes welling up with tears and said, ‘Penny was with Carmela for a long time and has picked up her Spanish pronunciations.’
‘I’m well aware of that, but we’re not living in Spain now.’
‘Give her time and I’m sure she’ll grow out of it.’
‘See that she does,’ Ruth ordered.
Annoyed and unable to hold it back, Lorna said crisply, ‘Yes, madam, certainly, madam.’
There was a moment of silence and Lorna expected Ruth’s temper to erupt, but instead she laughed, saying, ‘Goodness, Lorna, for a moment I thought you were going to stand to attention and salute me too.’
‘It’s a wonder I didn’t. Sometimes you make me feel that I’m in military service.’
‘Oh, Lorna, I’m sorry,’ Ruth said, looking contrite. ‘I don’t know why you put up with me. I’ve come home in a rotten mood but I shouldn’t have taken it out on you.’
‘You’ve upset Penny too.’
‘I know, and I’m sorry, darling,’ Ruth said, giving her daughter a very rare hug. ‘I can’t wait to taste one of your mince pies.’
‘Aunty Lorna said I should leave one out for Father Chrithmas. Will he be here thoon? I want to ask him for a thister or a brother for Chrithmas.’
‘You can forget that. He only brings toys, and you won’t get any unless you learn to speak properly. Soon, not thoon. Now you try.’
‘Shoon.’
Ruth’s lips tightened, but before she could open her mouth again, Lorna jumped in. ‘Clever girl, that was nearly right,’ she enthused. ‘Now close your eyes and I’ll wash your face.’
‘I’ll leave you to it,’ Ruth said. ‘My feet are killing me and I’m going to get these boots off.’
Penny didn’t complain when Lorna washed her face and hands, nor when she brushed the pastry out of her hair, though she wanted to know why she couldn’t have a brother or sister. Lorna did her best to placate her, saying that as an only child she was very special, and at last her incessant questions ceased. She was such a good little girl, so easy to love, and it would help when she was at school with other children to play with.
When they returned to the kitchen, Ruth didn’t even spare her daughter a glance. It was a surprise though to see her making a cup of tea, and as she spooned tea leaves into the pot, she said, ‘I’m seeing Adam again this evening.’
‘Will you want something to eat before you go out?’ Lorna asked as she went to check on the mince pies. Ruth had gone out to dinner with Adam Mortimer soon after they had moved into this flat, and she now saw him several times a week.
‘No thanks. Adam is taking me to a fish restaurant.’
‘That’s nice,’ Lorna said politely and seeing that the pies were ready she lifted them out of the oven. The sweet, spicy aroma assailed her nostrils and suddenly evoked memories that made her stomach knot. Richard had loved her mince pies, but she had lost him and though the pain was no longer so raw, her heart still ached. Tears threatened and she blinked rapidly.
‘What’s the matter, Aunty Lorna?’
‘It’s nothing, darling. Just something in my eye,’ Lorna said as she hid her feelings by delving in the cupboards to find a wire rack to cool the pies on. She wanted to grab one, to stuff it in her mouth, but knew she would have to wait. Once Ruth had gone out and Penny was in bed, she’d be able to eat as many as she liked, drawing comfort from the feeling of a full stomach crammed with food.
Adam sat opposite Ruth, noting that as always she was dressed immaculately, drawing looks from almost everyone in the restaurant.
‘I’ve tried every agent now and not one of them could show me any decent leasehold premises,’ she complained.
‘I’ve talked to my contacts too, but unfortunately there isn’t much on offer at the moment,’ Adam replied, pretending sympathy. Of course in reality he was happy that Ruth hadn’t found what she wanted. It would have ruined everything if she had.
Ruth studied the menu, and when the waiter arrived she ordered soup to start with, followed by halibut in a mustard and dill sauce. Adam frowned at the prices, but had to keep up the facade of being comfortably off as he too went for the soup, and then the lemon sole. I
n reality, financially he was in a fix, a big one, and this continuous fine dining in expensive restaurants wasn’t helping his overdraft. Adam knew that he’d been an idiot, living beyond his means, but he’d wanted it all, an expensive car, Savile Row suits, and though he had liked what he’d seen, there had been no need for him to take on such large premises. Now he was up to his eyeballs in debt and if he couldn’t persuade Ruth to fall in with his plans, he stood to lose everything.
‘I’m going to have to consider other areas,’ Ruth said, returning to the subject of property, ‘perhaps Broadstairs or Ramsgate.’
Adam inwardly cursed that he hadn’t considered the possibility of this happening. He’d wanted to gain Ruth’s trust before making his move, but now couldn’t risk waiting. He had to get Ruth to agree. If she didn’t he could lose everything: his premises, his business, and his car.
However, despite desperately needing an injection of cash and having had to let the young girl who worked part time for him go, Adam knew he’d have to tread carefully. Ruth had to think he was doing her a favour so, reaching out, he placed his hand over hers, saying with false sincerity,‘Ruth, I’ve already checked with my contacts in those resorts, but unfortunately none of them have anything on their books with the square footage and accommodation you’re looking for.’
‘It was good of you to try and thanks,’ Ruth said. ‘I’ll make a few enquiries myself, but it doesn’t sound promising.’
‘I’m afraid that premises like mine, especially on a corner plot in a good location, are at a premium and rarely come on the market.’
‘Yes, I realise that now, and though loath to do it, I suppose I’m going to have to settle for one of the smaller places I’ve been shown here in Margate. It will mean continuing to rent the flat which isn’t ideal, but it seems I have little choice.’
Their soup arrived and for a minute or two neither of them spoke as they tucked in, but then Adam made his move as he said, ‘Ruth, I’ve just had an idea that could help you, though I’ll have to give it some thought.’
