Sam studied her for a beat before comprehension dawned on his face. ‘Don’t tell me, let me guess. Your stepfather kept telling you that you were no good and rubbish at everything.’
She was startled by how much he had picked up regarding her lack of confidence in herself.
‘The bad stuff is easier to believe than the good stuff,’ she muttered.
There was a short silence before he spoke. ‘But we believe in you.’
She looked up at him, startled by his words. ‘We?’
He nodded. ‘Me and Grandad. We trust you.’ He paused. ‘I trust you.’
‘Even though I lied to you all?’
He stared at her with an intensity that made her pulse quicken. ‘It doesn’t matter. Unless you’re telling me that you want to leave anyway?’
She took a deep breath. ‘No. I don’t.’
He seemed to relax. ‘Good. Because I think that my grandfather needs a warm, loving person to take care of him at home and I can’t think of anyone whom I would trust to do that other than you. OK?’
She nodded, unable to speak by the effect his words had on her. She ducked her head, pretending to concentrate on the food in front of her, in case he saw the tears in her eyes.
*
‘How about another drink?’ said Sam, gesturing at the barmaid to bring them over another couple of glasses of wine.
‘What about the car?’ she asked.
‘Oh, I never drink and drive,’ Sam told her. ‘Not after my parents’ accident.’
‘Of course,’ said Annie quickly. ‘I should have remembered. Sorry.’
‘You’re not expected to know every detail of my family’s tragic past.’ Sam wanted to reassure her.
Annie watched him for a second. ‘It must have been such a shock to lose them like that. At least with my dad, I had a bit of warning.’
Sam nodded. ‘It was. One day we were just a normal family. The next day, they were gone. All because some idiot decided he was sober enough to drive home.’
It had changed everything. Not only where they lived but how they had lived as well. To go from having young parents to elderly grandparents as their main guardians had been a huge culture shock for all of them. In addition, they had had to move from their own cosy house into Willow Tree Hall, a huge stately home.
‘Will took it very hard,’ said Sam, remembering the tears his younger brother had shed for so long.
‘What about you?’ asked Annie, softly.
Sam took a deep breath in thought before saying, ‘I had to be strong for Will. I tried to be Mum and Dad rolled up in one. But in the end, the pressure was too much. I ran away from home when I was seventeen.’
Annie almost choked on a chip. ‘Why?’ she blurted out.
‘My grandparents had been horrified that I wanted to play in a band,’ he told her before allowing himself a wry smile. ‘Not that I was any good as it turned out so my rebellion only lasted about a week. I quickly realised that my skills lay in recognising those who actually had talent. So I became a manager instead.’
He thought back to the scrapbook that Annie had found and felt a wave of comfort that his grandfather had secretly supported him with that decision after all.
*
Annie watched as Sam took a sip of his wine. There was a sadness lying behind that rigid façade. After all, his life, like hers, had been shattered in his early teens.
Seeing Sam was still looking lost in melancholy, she tried to think of a lighter subject.
‘Did I read that you manage Hazy Weekend?’
Sam rolled his eyes. ‘I must have done something terrible in a former life.’ But he broke into a smile. ‘I’m kidding. Almost. They’re a good bunch. They were the first band that I ever took on.’
‘My mum loves that Christmas hit of theirs.’
He grimaced. ‘Doesn’t everyone? Unfortunately, it’s the only hit they’ve ever had. But the royalties roll in every year. Though if you think our previous builders were badly behaved, just wait ‘til you meet them. These rock bands are just walking sexual hormones.’
I know, thought Annie sadly as she ate her burger. I know.
*
Sam had a feeling Annie was leaving something out of her story. Some tiny final piece in the jigsaw. But perhaps she would trust him in time.
‘You’re so lucky,’ she suddenly said, staring into the flames. ‘Having a big, loving family, I mean.’
‘I know,’ said Sam.
Annie leant forward. ‘Your grandfather and Aunt Rose were so kind to me. That first night in the attic was the best sleep I had known for years.’
‘They gave you security,’ said Sam, realising how blind he had been.
‘And love,’ said Annie before her pretty face clouded with concern. ‘Look, I know they’re not my actual family…’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ he quickly told her. ‘You don’t have to share the same blood to be close. Or even as far away from each other like I’ve been with Grandad.’
‘But you’re friends now?’
‘I think so,’ he said, thinking back to his visit to the nursing home earlier.
Perhaps they were finally getting along.
And so was he and Annie.
He glanced across at her. Her pretty face was softly illuminated by the flames. Those beautiful huge green eyes were looking so sad. He had a sudden desire to take away all of her pain and protect her from any further hurt.
He needed to prove to her that he was serious about renovating Willow Tree Hall. He was also hugely relieved that she wouldn’t be leaving any time soon.
And he knew deep down that it wasn’t just for his grandad’s sake.
Chapter 20
The following morning brought the arrival of Mr Reynolds and his team of builders. They might not have outnumbered the previous team in physical bodies but Sam was relieved that their professionalism was tenfold in improvement.
‘It’ll take some time,’ said Mr Reynolds when he arrived to survey the house. ‘That Kevin Jacobs has made a right mess of things. But most things I think we can rescue.’
‘I know it’s not going to happen overnight,’ Sam told him. ‘What do you think should be our priorities?’
‘We need to get it waterproof,’ replied Mr Reynolds. ‘That means the roof, gutters, windows and doors first. Then we can start to look at the inside.’
‘Is there any way it’s going to be habitable any time soon?’
Mr Reynolds thought for a moment. ‘This is about getting the Earl back to live here, right?’
Sam nodded. Although his grandad was holding up much better than expected in the nursing home.
‘I think we’ll have to concentrate on one wing at a time. I’ll get someone to look at the plumbing and electrics in the east wing as that’s where the master bedroom is.’
‘Grandad just needs his bedroom and bathroom. Perhaps the drawing room too.’
‘It’s going to take a bit of time to get the right people together on a massive job like this.’ Mr Reynolds’ look of horror could not be disguised as he stared around the entrance hall and up at the rickety ladder that still lay against the top floor. ‘I assume you’ll want a staircase as a matter of urgency as well? I’ll get the carpenters working on it straight away.’ He shook his head. ‘I’ve never seen anything like it.’
Sam gulped at the mess. ‘I’m prepared to throw a bit of extra money everyone’s way if they can move us to the top of their lists.’
Hopefully not every penny we have, he added silently.
But finally, Sam felt as if he were in control. And in charge.
*
Annie was called into an urgent family meeting later that morning, along with Megan, Rose and Will, who had been summoned back from France.
But first they had stood and stared in horror in the middle of the entrance hall.
‘I’m actually at a loss for words,’ said Megan eventually.
‘Well, I suppose there’s a first time fo
r everything,’ quipped Will. But Annie could see from his face how upset he was about the state of their home.
Rose’s lips trembled. ‘I just don’t believe it,’ she said.
Will put his arm around her and squeezed her tight. ‘Don’t you worry, Aunty. We’ll have you sliding down a new bannister before you know it.’
They went into the kitchen and sat around the table, awaiting instructions from Sam who paced up and down the room whilst the others drank their tea. ‘Right. I’ve told Mr Reynolds that I’m willing to throw as much money as possible to get the house done by Christmas.’
Annie was thrilled about her perfect Christmas being back on track but surprised that anything could be completed in such a short time frame. ‘The roof will be fixed by then?’
‘We think that it shouldn’t need a total replacement which should save us some time,’ said Sam, with a firm nod.
Annie thought that he seemed to have grown about three feet in statue as he stalked past the table, fully in control. He had never looked more like an earl in his life.
‘So the roof and windows are taking priority,’ he carried on. ‘And the stairs, obviously. I’ve already booked a chimney sweep to start work tomorrow. The central heating’s so dodgy that it’s going to take months to sort out but we need some kind of heat in here. Although I appreciate that’s also going to take time, so we’re going to prioritise the most useful fireplaces.’
‘I agree. It’s freezing in here,’ said Will. ‘I’m so cold, I think Annie and Megan should sit on my lap and warm me up.’
Annie blushed and shook her head at his joke.
Megan gave him a pointed look. ‘Seeing as you’re not completely ugly, remind me again why you haven’t found the right woman and married her already?’
Will broke into a wide grin. ‘Just lucky, I guess.’
‘Can we get back to the matter in hand?’ barked Sam, glaring at his brother.
‘What about the new kitchen?’ asked Annie, glancing around the dilapidated room.
At this point, Sam stopped pacing and sighed as he placed both hands on the table and looked around at them all. ‘OK. Here’s the deal. It’s such a massive renovation job that we’ve had to split it into various phases. This will be Phase 1. That means that the bare basics need to be safe and in place, which includes plumbing, electrics and weatherproofing the house. We’re going to concentrate on the east wing because that houses Grandad’s and Aunty’s bedrooms, plus the drawing room. Those rooms and their bathrooms will be top of the list.’
‘How wonderful,’ said Rose, breaking into a smile. ‘I can’t wait to move back. I love Beryl but I miss my own space.’
Annie smiled at her. ‘We’ve missed you too.’
‘So Phase 1 is the boring stuff,’ Sam told them. ‘Making the place habitable.’
‘That doesn’t sound boring to me,’ said Annie. ‘It sounds like absolute heaven.’
Sam’s face lit up into a quick smile. ‘I agree. So once that’s all done, Phase 2 will be the kitchen, dining room and servants’ quarters.’ He gave Annie a sheepish look. ‘Sorry about the kitchen.’
‘It doesn’t matter,’ she told him. ‘If the roof doesn’t leak anymore then I’ll be happy.’
‘If it makes you feel better, my room won’t be done either,’ said Sam.
‘Yes, that does make me feel better actually,’ she replied, giving him a grin.
They exchanged a smile until Annie began to feel the stares of the others watching them and quickly looked away.
‘You know,’ said Rose, her eyes still twinkling at a blushing Annie. ‘I need help to get my hands on some different clothes out of storage. There’s a new gentleman in our book group.’
Annie had been pleased to see Rose begin to wear her couture clothes once more.
‘What’s he like?’ asked Megan.
‘Lovely!’ cooed Rose. ‘There’s a few rumours about his wife’s mysterious death, but men over sixty are rare in this village, you know.’
Annie glanced at Sam who was staring open-mouthed at his aunt. Thankfully, his phone rang and broke his train of thought.
‘Alex? Where are you? I need you,’ he barked. ‘Very funny. Get here by next week at the latest.’ Sam put down his phone. ‘Aunty? You’re in charge of decoration. I’m going to leave you and Alex to sort out the look of the place, OK?’
‘How exciting,’ said Rose, looking thrilled.
‘Just ideas. Nothing extravagant. Or expensive, please.’ He broke into a smile that made Annie wonder how she had ever thought him as anything other than handsome. ‘Don’t worry,’ he said. ‘We’re not going to turn it into some stainless-steel, folding-windows Grand Design type of place any time soon.’
‘Glad to hear it. Well, I’m going to get my nails done,’ said Rose, standing up. ‘I don’t want your designer friend meeting me like this. I wonder if there’re any spare appointments at the hairdressers’
As she wandered out of the room, Sam turned to face Annie.
‘I want you and Megan to start getting everything ready for the quickest restoration job in history. I’ve transferred a fair bit into the housekeeping account. New bed linen, towels, you name it. Buy it, OK?’
‘Yes, Sir!’ said Megan, with a wide grin. ‘At the ready, Sir!’
‘Let’s get this show on the road, shall we?’ said Sam, with a wink.
Annie found herself nodding in agreement and felt a little thrill of excitement that he was referring to them as ‘we’. Although he was obviously including everyone in the room at the time.
As he walked out of the kitchen with Will, Annie found herself unable to look away from Sam. It was a pretty good view on a cold morning, what with the wide shoulders and firm bottom encased, surprisingly, in jeans that day.
She glanced over at Megan and found her friend smiling at her.
‘Looks like we’ve got another leak in here,’ she drawled. ‘Wait! I’m wrong. It’s just a puddle of drool that you’re creating.’
Annie blushed. ‘What are you saying?’
Megan’s eyes gleamed. ‘I’m saying go get him, tiger!’
‘You know that Will is totally unsuitable. He’s the biggest playboy ever.’
‘I wasn’t talking about him and you know it.’
Annie rolled her eyes. ‘Sam’s in a relationship,’ she said, even though the words pained her.
‘Ugh,’ said Megan, with a shudder. ‘I’d forgotten about Cassandra. Maybe you can make Sam forget about her too?’
Annie glanced at her watch. ‘Isn’t it time that you went home to look after my beautiful godchildren?’
‘Do I have to? I’m on permanent repeat at the moment, telling them that Father Christmas won’t come next month unless everyone is good.’
‘Is it working?’
Megan grimaced. ‘Not even remotely.'
‘Talking of which,’ said Annie. ‘I’ve decided that I’m going to organise the best Christmas ever.’
Megan looked startled. ‘Er, you?’
Annie threw a tea towel across the table at her friend. ‘I can do this. I can get organised.’
‘OK.’ Megan didn’t sound sure but smiled anyway to soften the blow.
Annie just hoped that she could prove herself wrong as well. Christmas had been her dad’s favourite time of year. But it hadn’t been special since he had died.
But she was determined that this, her first at Willow Tree Hall, would be wonderful.
Of course, that may require having a roof. And some windows.
Maybe some stairs would be a start as well, she added with a sigh.
*
Later on that day, she went to visit Arthur and found him surprisingly perky in spirits.
It was in stark contrast to how she felt.
‘You’re looking very serious today,’ said Arthur, frowning. ‘I thought things were beginning to pick up, according to my grandsons when they both came to see me earlier.’
Annie gulped. ‘Then you k
now the truth. About me, I mean.’
Arthur’s grey eyebrows went up. ‘You? What are you talking about?’
Had Sam not told him? She couldn’t quite believe it but it didn’t matter. She had to confess.
‘You see, I’m not really a housekeeper. I lied to you when I came about the job.’
‘Oh, I know you did,’ said Arthur, with a soft smile.
‘You did?’
‘Goodness me, my dear. It was quite obvious. You were far too young and, how can I say this, your lack of experience showed quite early on.’
Annie was aghast. ‘Why didn’t you confront me? Sack me?’
‘Why on earth would I want to do that?’ Arthur reached out and took her hand. ‘You know, you’ve become very dear to me and Rose. We could have had some stern-faced bossyboots getting the place shipshape but we had you, which was far better.’
‘But I’m completely useless,’ Annie told him, the tears slipping down her face. ‘You could have died when you fell down the stairs.’
‘But I didn’t,’ he told her in a firm tone of voice. ‘It was a just a silly accident so no more regrets, eh?’
But Annie was still wrestling with her conscience. ‘Sam should have sacked me.’
‘He didn’t want to. Besides, I wouldn’t have let him.’ Arthur smiled. ‘You know, he was quite insistent that you absolutely had to stay on at the hall.’
Annie was amazed. ‘He said that?’
Arthur’s eyes wrinkled up into a smile. ‘I think you need to give my grandson about a bit more credit that you’ve previously allowed him. He likes you.’
Annie felt her cheeks grow hot. ‘I wouldn’t go that far,’ she muttered.
Then she quickly changed the subject onto the new builders.
*
By Friday, Sam was pleased to see even more workmen arriving at Willow Tree Hall. But this time they were professionals with specialised areas of expertise.
The new roofers had spent the afternoon assessing the state of the tiles.
‘The good news is that the whole thing doesn’t need to be replaced,’ one of them told Sam. ‘The bad news is that it’s going to take a few weeks to find the appropriate missing tiles. We’re also going to have to replace quite a few of the joists which are completely rotten.’
A House to Mend a Broken Heart Page 17
