‘Really?’ Charlie raised an eyebrow, and laughed. ‘You? Not gossip?’
‘I’m going to ignore that. But he did say that maybe with him being round it would mean your hours could be a bit more flexible.’ She smiled. ‘I told you, he’s kind.’
‘I know.’ Charlie sighed, feeling guilty about his earlier uncharitable thought that having Eric back could cause disruption. ‘Dad was always very fond of him.’
‘Oh, and he also left something for you in your consulting room, told me to make sure you saw it. Right, well I’ll make us a coffee, you can catch up on your notes.’
‘Thanks, Miss.’
‘Then you can go and pick Maisie up. I’ll give Becky a ring and tell her not to bother today, shall I?’
***
Lucy couldn’t miss the tall figure of Charlie as he hovered just inside the school gate. Maisie spotted him instantly as well, and squealed with excitement.
‘Are you heading home?’ He’d hung on until the rest of her class had dispersed, then made his way over to where she was standing in the doorway.
‘I am actually.’ Lucy smiled. ‘Let me just gather my books together, I’ve got a load of marking to do tonight, and I’ll be right with you.’
‘Can we have cake?’ Maisie ducked her head under Charlie’s arm and grinned.
‘Piper might have eaten it all.’
‘Oo I can see Piper!’ She clapped her hands, then ran across the playground, launching herself at the hopscotch squares that had been painted along one side.
‘Maisie seems happier today. She seems to like Becky?’
‘She does. She played up a bit this morning, phantom tummy pains.’
‘I can sympathise.’ Lucy grinned. ‘There are days when I don’t want to come to school either.’
‘I bribed her I’m afraid.’
‘Nothing wrong with a bit of bribery now and again, but I’d call it reward not bribe if I was you.’
‘Teacher speak?’
‘Well if you give a dog a treat when they do what you want, you call it a reward, don’t you?’
‘True. And the reward was nothing sugary, it was the promise of going to look at a place Jim has found for us tonight.’
‘Wow, he’s moved fast! Where is it?’
‘He wouldn’t say.’ He gave a wry grin. ‘I don’t know whether that’s good or bad. But he did say it had two bedrooms and a nice garden. He told Maisie it was fit for a princess, so I hope she’s not going to be disappointed.’
Lucy laughed. ‘He might be thinking more Rapunzel’s tower than the pink and pretty Maisie has in mind.’
‘Exactly.’
‘Right, hang on while I get my stuff, I won’t be a minute.’
Lucy hadn’t seen Charlie for a few days, and in fact she’d been so busy with school work, talking to the estate agent, arranging solicitors and looking after Piper she would have found it impossible to get out of the house for more than a couple of hours anyway. But it looked like he and Maisie had thrived in her absence. He was coping, it looked like he was finding a way to deal with Maisie’s insecurity, and the two of them were happy together. So maybe she was better keeping her distance. Letting them find their own way without her interference. But just seeing him made her want to forget about being sensible, to just be selfish and dive in there.
‘Eric’s come back to help out at the surgery.’ Charlie took the cup of tea and sat down on the garden bench, making room for Lucy beside him. The soft dregs of September sun were just strong enough to bathe them in a gentle heat, and it suddenly hit him just how lucky he was as he watched Maisie plonk herself down on the grass in the garden. Piper lay at her feet watching her every move as she ate a cake, and crawling forward on her belly to collect crumbs.
They might have their ups and downs, but moments like this made it all worthwhile.
‘Oh has he? What’s he like? I’ve not met him yet.’
‘Oh he’s lovely. He says Sally deserves a few days off, which I’ve got to admit I’d not really thought about. She’s worked non-stop looking after the place since his accident. I think after I spoke to him about letting her have the flat above the surgery he had a chat to her.’
‘That’s kind. She must be dying for a few days away from the place, I mean she ends up working nearly as long hours as you, doesn’t she?’
‘Not far off. But it’s more than that. I think he wants to ease himself back in, see how he feels, see if he can cope.’
‘Which is good?’
‘Brilliant, as long as he doesn’t get his hands on the appointment book. I need Sal, she’s my last defence, our only hope of avoiding Eric style chaos.’ He grinned. ‘He’s only been back five minutes and caused mayhem in the waiting room this morning with his new free for all scheme.’ Lucy raised an eyebrow. ‘No appointments, just turn up.’
She grinned. ‘Really?’ She knew that went against every one of Charlie’s instincts, as it would have with her. ‘It’s what they all do anyway isn’t it? Turn up when they like.’
‘True, they do tend to ignore my carefully planned appointment system. But to be fair, strangely enough it worked okay, and it meant I could knock off early and pick Maisie up myself. But it is a bit odd, not being boss any more after running the show on my own for so long. It could be bad though when Sally isn’t in to keep an eye on him, he’s already started scribbling in appointments where we’d normally do surgery, and I can’t read his writing. He could be booking me in to provide a new leg for a hamster for all I know.’
‘Can you do that?’
‘No!’ He shook his head. ‘He is a great chap. I really wish he wouldn’t let people leave without paying though because the cash flow is horrendous. It is his business though at the end of the day.’
‘And?’
‘And,’ he paused, ‘he’s offered me a permanent job. He says it’s obvious he’ll never get back to doing the farm visits, or heavy stuff. It’s the perfect opportunity really, with two of us spreading the load I can afford to cut back on the hours, I’ll have more time for Maisie.’
‘I can sense a but.’
‘Well I did swear I’d never return to the family practice.’
The rueful smile tugged at her heart. She’d sworn never to return to village life, so when she’d arrived in Langtry Meadows earlier in the year they’d been in the same boat. Reluctant, the outsiders. She had a good idea how he felt. ‘But you actually quite like it, don’t you?’ He’d told her that after university he’d been determined to move onto bigger and better things – a modern town-centre practice with cutting edge technology. But although it was circumstances that had brought him back here, he was popular, and he did seem happy.
‘Yes, I do.’ He put his hand over hers, his voice soft. ‘But that might be more to do with the company than anything.’ The air hung heavy between them. They were both conscious of Maisie, of the fact that their future together seemed to be balanced precariously. Lucy made an effort to move the conversation on.
‘But?’ Gosh, there were a lot of ‘buts’, but she was sure there was more on his mind.
‘Josie’s latest email hinted about settling abroad, and that if I want to carry on seeing Maisie I need to think about it.’
‘Going abroad?’ Lucy knew the shock had registered in her voice, on her face, as a solid weight settled in the base of her stomach and she pulled her hand away without thinking. Putting their lives on hold for Maisie was one thing, but if he went abroad, if Josie wanted them out there as a family …
‘It’s all bollocks Lucy.’ His touch was firm as he placed his hand over hers again. ‘She’s filing for divorce, and she’s not even got a permanent job out there. It’s not the solution at all, it’s just her trying to control what I do, she’s just proving she can wind me up, mess with my head.’ He ruffled his hair with long fingers, and Lucy resisted the urge to hug him. ‘I’ve got to fight to be able to see Maisie here, either part of the time like most divorced couples do, or just for hol
idays if Josie does move. Haven’t I?’
Lucy nodded, suddenly sad. She didn’t want Maisie to have to go through a childhood of being shifted between parents, or even worse, of being without her father. ‘Taking the job might be a good start.’
‘That’s what I thought. And finding a home is the next step. Sal is already trying to move into the surgery flat before I’ve had a chance to move out.’ The corner of his mouth lifted into a rueful smile.
‘I told you she’d be keen. Is she moving her stuff in on her weekend off?’
‘Nope. She seems to have plans to go away, but she never goes away, does she?’
Lucy watched as Piper made a lunge for the rest of Maisie’s cake. Charlie was right, she’d never known Sally to go anywhere, was she planning her first weekend break with Jamie?
Chapter 8
‘Well, what do you think, lad?’
Charlie looked around. There was no doubt that Jim had come up trumps, but not in the way he’d expected, and it gave him an unexpected lift.
This was no cute cottage on the green where all the neighbours could watch his every move, or a tidy house on the new estate where they might have felt cooped up. This was perfect.
‘I don’t know what to say Jim.’ He looked up at the high ceiling, and glass fronted mezzanine floor that ran from one end of the building to the other, then turned to gaze out of the enormous window that gave views over the fields and beyond, all the way to his surgery.
‘Say yes, say yes, Daddy.’ Maisie was more animated than he’d seen her in a long time, jumping up and down as she tugged at his hand, and he was glad that he’d gone along with the impulse to bring her. ‘Look, look there’s a proper kitchen, and everything.’ He grinned, her enthusiasm would have been catching, if he hadn’t already been smitten with the place. She ran over to the other side of the lounge, and into the bright open plan kitchen –which meant he would never be far from Maisie even if he was doing his best to cook an edible meal. ‘And a proper TV.’ She dashed past them, and into the cosy lounge area, with its wood burning stove and large television. And he felt a sudden sharp pain in his chest. In their small flat at the surgery, which they’d spent the summer in, Maisie had missed out on all this. Normal living. It was no wonder she was unhappy, longing for something familiar. ‘And Ted from school lives here so I’d have a friend even though he isn’t a girl.’
With a grin, she was off again, up the spiral staircase to the mezzanine floor, where she stopped to wave at them, before disappearing into a room at the end of it. They’d already both been up there and he knew she’d fallen in love with the spacious bedroom with its fairy-tale skylights. Within seconds she reappeared and stood on the open area that overlooked the ground floor. She could play there whenever she wanted, and watch him at the same time.
For an insecure little girl, who needed the comfort of always knowing somebody was there, and a blundering parent who was doing as many things wrong as right, it was perfect.
‘I was expecting an old cottage.’
‘Ah well, I asked around and there’s none free, and Elsie Harrington wasn’t much use. Then I thought of this place. Ed’s old mum used to live here. When he took over the farm she said she had no place in the house any more, didn’t want to be in the way. He wasn’t for having her move away so he got this place turned into a granny flat.’ Jim chuckled, ‘well, granny house. Independent old bird she was, bit like Elsie Harrington, so she wanted her own driveway, own bit of garden, but he felt reassured like, happy that he was close by if she needed any help.’
‘It doesn’t look like any granny flat I’ve ever seen before.’ Charlie wandered back up the short corridor that led to the master bedroom, bathroom, and a small study that could also be used as a bedroom. If Maisie was really unhappy he could always put a mattress in there for her, and she’d be almost within touching distance, but still with her own room.
‘He’s used it as a holiday let,’ Jim tapped the side of his nose, as they wandered back outside, ‘on the quiet like, since she passed away.’
Charlie nodded as they wandered out of the front door and gazed over at the nearby farm buildings.
He was no stranger to Wright’s farm, but he had never known this place existed. It was close enough to walk into the village even for Maisie. The barn conversion was simply furnished, but felt homely enough and although it was a far cry from the town centre home they’d once shared as a family, he couldn’t have wanted anywhere better for his daughter to grow up. If he got the chance to see her grow up. He tried to push the ever present worry to the back of his mind. ‘It’s perfect Jim.’
‘Good.’ Jim Stafford puffed his chest out in obvious delight. ‘I thought it might suit the young ’un. Nothing like fields, a kid their own age, and a bit of fresh air to cheer them up.’
Charlie tried not to frown. It was that obvious was it, that his daughter was unhappy? They watched her for a while, peering into the barn at the calves.
‘She’ll be missing her mum no doubt, not that you aren’t doing a grand job, Charlie boy.’ Jim patted him on the arm. ‘I’ll be off then, leave you to sort it with Edward, shall I?’
‘That’s great, thanks, Jim, fantastic. Thanks for your help.’
Five minutes later, Charlie had the keys in his hand and an agreement on what he needed to pay. ‘You stay as long as you want, be a weight off my mind knowing there’s somebody in it, especially with autumn on its way. Get damp it will if it’s not being used.’ The farmer had said. ‘Don’t be asking me to help you move your stuff in though.’ He winked.
‘Maisie?’ She turned round expectantly. ‘Do you want another look at your new room before we go and start packing your stuff into boxes?’
Charlie read through the document one last time. He hadn’t wanted to come back to Langtry Meadows, take a backwards step from his modern town centre referral practice, this was only meant to be a stop-gap. A favour for one of his father’s oldest friends.
At first he’d resisted because it meant coming back with his tail between his legs, admitting he’d failed. Now he was worried he’d fail again. If Josie got her way and took Maisie from him, then the villagers would witness it all. Which was why he’d hung on to his temporary, and very unsuitable flat above the surgery. And why he’d resisted Eric’s job offer.
Now though, things were different. He wanted to stay because of Lucy, and he wanted to stay because there was the slightest glimmer of hope that if he put roots down he might be able to prove he was a good father. A father who deserved to spend time with his child.
He picked up his pen, and with a sigh scrawled his signature along the bottom of the contract of employment. He’d always said he wanted nothing to do with his father’s practice, he’d been happy to see Eric buy it when his father had retired, but now by a roundabout route he’d done it. Become part of the family firm.
The other sheet of paper on his desk was more of a problem.
The words glared out at him boldly. Home Paternity Test. The result, it declared, would offer peace of mind. He gave a short laugh. It could give him peace of mind that he had a fair chance in any battle Josie wanted to enter into, or it could shatter the shred of hope he was hanging on to.
If he truly wasn’t Maisie’s father, as Josie had suggested, where would that leave him?
He’d spent many a sleepless night trying to work out dates in his mind, but it was impossible. At the time she was conceived, he and Josie were still on good terms, in what he thought was a happy marriage. Having sex. Okay, maybe not as often as they had when they’d first got hitched, but they’d been busy. Building up a business. There were late nights, emergencies to deal with. But it wasn’t like they were sleeping in separate rooms, or no longer got the urge. It was just a bit more … well, a bit less.
And unfortunately, she’d also been sharing her time with another man.
He swallowed down the bile. The thought still made him feel sick, even after all this time. Even though he no longe
r loved her.
Charlie pushed the sheet of paper to one side, turned to his laptop, and pulled up the email address of the firm of solicitors the family had always used. He needed advice.
He’d just hit the send button when the whimpers reached him.
‘Daddy, daddy … scared … Roo’s left me. Want Roo.’
He was scared too. He covered the short distance from the lounge area of the flat to the bedroom, but Maisie was asleep. Her long lashes fluttered against sleep-flushed cheeks. Her auburn curls clung damply to her face. He brushed a lock of hair gently away and eased a wriggling Roo from her grasp.
She gave a little moan, then settled again, her thumb in her mouth. Tip toeing out of the room, the dog at his heels, he grabbed a can of beer and settled down on the sofa again, just as his phone vibrated to signal an email.
It was brief and to the point.
Don’t do anything, and whatever you do, don’t do any kind of DNA test – legal or otherwise. If it comes up negative you won’t have a leg to stand on. Talk tomorrow. Malcolm.
Chapter 9
Lucy watched the last of the children leave the playground, and then on impulse set off across the green to join Elsie Harrington, who was sitting on the bench by the pond. Molly, her dog, at her feet.
‘I bet you’ve watched a lot of the village children grow up.’
‘I have, dear.’ She patted Lucy’s hand. ‘It’s so wonderful to watch them on their little journeys; so wary on their first day, so excited and ready to challenge the world by the time they leave.’ She sighed and sat back. ‘Time passes so quickly, it’s over in the blink of an eye, although by the time you reach my age the pace of everything in life is far too fast.’
‘Have you always watched them come out?’ Lucy hadn’t really thought about it until now, but ever since she’d first joined the teaching staff at Easter, Elsie had been a constant presence. If the weather was fine, she could be seen sat on the small bench that overlooked the village pond. As the last of the children rejoined their parents she’d make her way past the school and head down towards the cobbled square, and her home.
Coming Home to Jasmine Cottage Page 8
