A Winter Affair

by Minna Howard

  ‘Good to see you, Jerry.’ Eloise felt sorry for him. Relationships were so complicated, tying you in and letting you go, ebb and flow like the sea. And when it was over, you had to accept it and move on.

  ‘Oh, Jerry.’ Gaby straightened up. ‘Did things get sorted?’

  Jerry threw Eloise an embarrassed glance. ‘I’m not sure,’ he said, ‘but why did you stay out here in the cold? You could have come inside.’ He sounded grumpy, as if she were an annoying child, leaving Eloise to wonder if he needed someone to boss around as he felt so insecure himself. Gaby was much younger than he was, but she was too strong to let him take her over or use her to bolster his own ego. Eloise, realizing that it would be better to leave them to sort it out themselves, told Jerry she needed to go inside to get the dinner started. Jerry gave her an awkward wave before scurrying to the car he’d rented, opening the door and getting in. Gaby hugged her.

  ‘I know what I’m going to do,’ she said, ‘and thanks for giving me the courage to do it.’

  ‘You did it yourself, but keep in touch when you leave here, I’d love to know how you get on, and when Kit and Lizzie are back it would be good to all meet up again.’ She watched her get into the car with Jerry and silently wished her well.

  She went into the hall and before she’d even taken her boots off, she heard raised voices. The door to the living room was very slightly ajar – it needed a firm pull for the tongue of the door handle to catch – and she heard Ken say, ‘Let it go, Debra, no one was hurt and these things happen in the mountains.’

  Debra’s voice was louder, ‘If Jerry had been killed or badly injured and couldn’t work in the company any more what would you have done then?’

  ‘But he wasn’t, Debra, so let’s leave it, just be thankful everyone came out unscathed.’

  ‘But we don’t know that, Ken.’ Debra’s voice was hard and insistent as if she were losing patience with him. ‘He could suffer a severe mental breakdown. He seems very nervy and anxious since it happened and mental health problems can take a long time to be resolved. He’s in charge of a vital part of our business after all and we can’t take chances. I’ve left a message for Gordon Maynard to call me to see where we stand legally, and that is that.’

  Eloise was stunned at Debra’s ruthless decision – she assumed this Gordon person was their lawyer. She sat there, her boots half off, Debra’s words ringing in her ears. Glancing up, she saw Lawrence standing in the dusk at the top of the stairs that led to his office. His face was tense and tortured, knowing that if Debra took them to court Jacaranda could be finished.

  Thirty-Four

  Eloise was still struggling with her boots when the door to the living room was jerked open and Ken came out. His head was down as if studying the floor and he didn’t see her. She froze; in a moment he would spot her and he’d surely guess that she had heard their conversation. Would he also see Lawrence lurking and listening at the top of the stairs?

  ‘Hi Ken, good day?’ She hoped she sounded upbeat and ignorant of the damning conversation she had just overheard.

  ‘Oh, Eloise, it’s you.’ He shuffled in embarrassment as if he’d caught her naked instead of just bootless. She kept smiling.

  ‘Yes, just back from a good time skiing. Did you go out today?’ She sneaked a look at the stairs and to her relief saw that Lawrence was now out of sight.

  ‘No, we didn’t have time. It gets dark quite quickly at this time of the year, but I would have liked to go. I hope to get the chance tomorrow, only a couple more days left of our holiday now. Do you know the weather forecast for tomorrow?’

  He was standing close to her and she could see how tense he was, though he was doing his best not to show it. He was quite a flirty man, he’d tried it on with her a few times, but she suspected that had she encouraged him he’d have run a mile. She felt sorry for him, had a sudden image of Debra cracking a whip, forcing him to submit to her will. It did not make a pretty picture.

  ‘I don’t,’ she said, ‘but I’ll find out for you if you like.’ She pushed her boots into the shelf under her seat and got up. ‘Must get ready to cook the dinner.’

  ‘I enjoy your cooking,’ he said suddenly, perhaps relieved to be able to talk of a safe subject. ‘What is the menu tonight?’

  She had to pass him to go up the stairs to her room. Unless he moved she’d have to brush past him, but it seemed as if his feet were glued to the spot.

  ‘Poussins stuffed with herbs and wild rice,’ she said, making much of hanging up her ski jacket, hoping he’d get the message and let her pass without having to touch him to get by.

  ‘Sounds delicious.’

  ‘I’m glad. I hope you’ve enjoyed it here,’ she heard herself saying as she turned to face him. ‘I love Jacaranda; I used to stay here when I was a child and a couple of times with my own children when they were little. It holds many happy memories.’

  ‘I quite believe it.’ He hovered a moment and she waited for him to ask her what Jacaranda had been like all those years ago, but he did not elaborate just smiled awkwardly and moved away. ‘I’ll go and have my shower.’ He made for the stairs.

  She waited a moment for him to be out of the way before she went upstairs herself to change.

  Lawrence appeared again. ‘Eloise,’ he whispered, ‘come down a minute.’

  She followed him into his office, he gestured to the chair by the window and closed the door. She saw the tension in his face and the anxious way he clawed back the lock of hair that fell over his forehead. She had a ridiculous urge to stroke his tension away; she pushed her hands between her knees in case they inadvertently moved to do so.

  ‘Things don’t look good.’ He sat down opposite her. ‘Travis informed me a few minutes ago… that Debra wishes to take legal advice over whether there’s a case against Theo for taking you all skiing in a dangerous place. Ken, as we both heard through the half-open door, disagrees with her… he has skied quite a lot, whilst she knows nothing of the mountains, but it seems to me that once she gets an idea into her head she holds on to it like a dog with a bone.’

  ‘I know, but what about Travis, might he dissuade her, side with Ken?’ Eloise asked, a cold, frightened feeling settling in her stomach.

  Lawrence sighed. ‘I don’t think so. He’s a rather weak man, as I’m afraid is Ken when it comes to standing up to Debra. She has instructed Travis to act on it and so he will if he wants to keep his job.’ He gave a slight laugh, ‘I’d also say Travis is rather in awe of her, even has a sort of love for her.’

  ‘Do you really think that?’ Eloise was intrigued. She’d hardly seen Travis and not thought much about him. He was one of those people who were like shadows, rather sad, longing to be part of the scene, but for whatever reason unable to join in and so stayed lurking in the background.

  ‘I do, I suppose you’ve hardly seen them all together, but he reminds me of a faithful rather needy dog, utterly devoted to her.’

  ‘And you don’t think Ken can make her see sense, or even Radley?’ She must take more interest in these people, though it was difficult being stuck in the kitchen.

  ‘Oh, Radley is completely under his mother’s thumb and Ken doesn’t seem to feel threatened by Travis’s devotion to his wife. In fact I suspect he sometimes uses him to his advantage.’ Lawrence shrugged. ‘You know, like asking him to do research and the like so he can get on with his own thing without Debra’s interference.’

  ‘How complicated people are,’ Eloise said. ‘I suppose you see a lot of odd goings-on here.’ It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him about Celia and Neil’s bed-hopping before she decided she better not, they might be friends of his, and anyway it was not her business to make trouble, Debra was making a good job of doing that herself. ‘But what about Jerry?’ She went on. ‘He was there, involved in the avalanche, could even have been responsible for it. He laughed at Theo’s concerns, showing off, I suppose he was trying to be macho in front of Gaby, but if he refuses to take it further,
then what can Debra do?’

  Lawrence stayed silent, staring out of the window. Eloise wondered what Jerry had said to Debra when he’d been here a short while ago, or what she had said to him. Had she somehow persuaded him to make a claim?

  Lawrence leant back in his chair. ‘The person Jerry really cares about is Gaby, he’s hopelessly in love with her, and although I wasn’t in the room with him and Debra – who it’s been blatantly obvious thoroughly disapproves of her – I heard her say he should cooperate for Gaby’s sake. She even inferred that she’d been mistaken about Gaby being just a dumb blonde after his money and she might welcome her into the family as she was obviously bright and going places.’

  ‘You mean bribe him?’ Eloise was horrified.

  ‘Yes… I suppose so.’

  ‘She doesn’t want to marry him. She only agreed to wear his ring and say they’re engaged so as not to shock the family. I’ve just spoken to her; she’s going to try and get a scholarship, do some of her course in the US to get away from him,’ Eloise said, anxiety grabbing her. She’d encouraged Gaby to leave the country, get away from Jerry, but Jerry wanted Debra’s blessing on their relationship and if she gave it, her price might be for him to take her side in getting legal advice about the avalanche. If Gaby escaped him by going to study in America would that make Jerry angry and hurt enough to side with his aunt especially if he found out that she, Eloise, encouraged Gaby to leave him?

  ‘So Jerry doesn’t know this?’ Lawrence frowned.

  ‘Not unless she’s told him just now.’ Eloise went on to explain about Gaby’s studies, ‘And now I feel I might have inadvertently signed Jacaranda’s death warrant when Jerry finds out I encouraged Gaby,’ she finished dramatically.

  Lawrence’s anxiety increased and Eloise feared her interference in Gaby’s escape from Jerry could make him determined to side with Debra. He could even use it as a subtle blackmail to make Gaby stay with him if he dropped his aunt’s wishes to take action. Eloise struggled to find something to say to relieve the tension and blurted out that she hoped she hadn’t made things worse.

  ‘It’s too late now,’ Lawrence said heavily. ‘I don’t know how Debra’s mind works, or Jerry’s for that matter, but if Gaby decides to leave him for whatever reason, he could easily scuttle back under Debra’s wing.’

  ‘Gaby will do whatever she thinks best for her. She is determined to get a good career and she won’t take my advice if it doesn’t help her,’ Eloise said lamely, moving to get up and leave the room, the dinner had to be cooked and she couldn’t bear it if Lawrence was angry with her for making things worse.

  ‘Gaby’s at a difficult time in her life, making choices of getting the right degree for her career,’ Lawrence said, ‘and it’s a pity she’s got involved with Jerry and is sort of beholden to him. Sugar Dads, we never had anything like that when I was at uni.’ He was silent a moment, his eyes seeming to focus on something she couldn’t see. He went on slowly, ‘I got involved with someone when I was a student, Georgia, Theo’s mother. He was the best mistake I’ve ever made, but at the time it was quite a drama.’

  ‘I can imagine.’ She’d wondered about the relationship of Theo’s parents but had not liked to ask. It was obvious they were not together and Theo seemed quite relaxed about it, spending time with each of them. But there was enough going on at Jacaranda now to concern Lawrence without Eloise adding to it by questioning him about his love life at uni.

  But Lawrence seemed to be happy to continue with his story. ‘We were fortunate that both sets of parents – well not my mother, she didn’t feature much in my life, but Desmond, Maddy and Georgia’s parents – supported us. It was youthful sex and exuberance I suppose, though we are still very fond of each other, but it was not enough to marry. That would have been a disaster.’ He laughed. ‘But I think everything worked out in the end.’

  ‘Certainly has, Theo is lovely, you couldn’t ask for better,’ she said with enthusiasm.

  Lawrence’s story made her feel closer to him, see him in a different light. Ever since she’d arrived she’d been wary of him, knowing her cooking skills were not up to the dizzy heights he expected and afraid of letting him down. Apart from Bert and the lamb incident, which she felt he had not quite forgiven her for, he had not complained about any of the meals she had produced, though she suspected he’d be relieved when the proper chef arrived in a week or so and she went home.

  She got up. ‘I must cook the dinner and not give Debra any more reasons to make trouble. I don’t know what to do about Gaby and Jerry,’ she said. ‘I feel bad about encouraging Gaby to go to America, but I suppose either way Jerry might side with Debra. I’d hate to have any part in harming Jacaranda.’ To her horror she felt near tears, she sniffed angrily.

  Lawrence noticed. ‘Oh Eloise,’ he said, ‘don’t upset yourself, how could you know you were dealing with such a megalomaniac as Debra.’ He got up and put his hand on her shoulder.

  She’d no idea how it happened, she must have lost her balance and fallen against him. She laid her head on his chest, feeling his heart beating and the warmth of him. He put his arm round her, perhaps to steady her or to push her away, but the feel of it was so comforting, so exciting. He bent over her head and she thought that she felt his lips kiss the top if it, but of course it could not be that, she was just imagining things.

  They heard a clatter coming down the stairs, reaching the door. Theo calling, ‘Lawrence, you promised a game of snooker.’

  Lawrence let her go, opened the door. ‘Theo… I was just talking to Eloise about the avalanche, I must question you too and she must get the dinner.’

  Theo frowned, his face now anxious as he, followed by Bert, came into Lawrence’s office.

  Eloise escaped, running up the stairs to change out of her ski clothes, her emotions in turmoil.

  Thirty-Five

  Whatever was he thinking holding Eloise close like that, even kissing the top of her head? He could still feel the silkiness of her hair on his lips and recall the soft, flowery scent of it and the pressure of her head against his chest. He was going mad; Debra and her insistence of contacting her lawyer was causing him to behave in the most irrational way.

  It was hardly surprising that it was Travis who was detailed to inform him that Debra felt it was such a serious matter that she would be seeking the necessary legal assistance. He had given the news in a monotone like a bad actor and it was obvious that Debra had convinced herself that Theo had not taken proper precautions. He’d listened with sinking heart, knowing if Debra carried out her threat he must also consult his lawyer and that could cost a fortune.

  ‘So will you be leaving Jacaranda early?’ he’d asked, they only had two more days and he’d rather they went given the circumstances, but then they’d probably ask to be refunded for the last days.

  Travis had seemed surprised, ‘Well I… I don’t know.’ He looked embarrassed, as well he might, and scuttled away, muttering that he’d ‘consult with Debra’.

  ‘So Dad, our game, we’ve just time before supper,’ Theo said impatiently now, turning towards the snooker table that was in the room outside the office, fitting beside the wine cellar, a deep freeze and the washing machines. Bert had made off to check out the corners of the room and to see that his bed had not been disturbed while he’d been away.

  ‘No… in a minute, I’ve got to talk to you first about the avalanche.’ Lawrence pulled himself together and gestured for Theo to go into his office.

  Theo said plaintively, ‘Not that again? You promised a game and I’m going out later.’

  ‘I will play but I must talk first, keep you up to speed. Come in and close the door.’

  ‘Jerry said he’d stop Debra going to a lawyer, suing me, us whatever… so not to worry.’ Theo flopped down on the chair. ‘She wasn’t there, so it’s none of her business.’

  It was hard to tarnish Theo’s opinion of a person he’d enjoyed spending time with but it had to be done.

&nbs
p; ‘I’m sorry Theo, but it hasn’t worked out that way.’

  ‘What way? What do you mean?’ Theo looked anguished.

  ‘Debra holds the reins for this family, she probably paid out for this holiday herself. I suspect she’s a better businessperson than all of them put together. It doesn’t help that she knows very little about the mountains, skiing or the weather conditions, but she can get someone to find all that out and, if it’s possible, to bring a case of negligence.’ Lawrence sighed, he’d fight it all the way, but it would take money, wipe out the sums he’d put aside to carry out crucial maintenance on Jacaranda, not to mention be catastrophic for Jacaranda’s reputation and remaining on the exclusive agency’s books.

  ‘OK, I see that, the old cow,’ Theo said bitterly, ‘but Jerry knows how it was. Eloise and Gaby will back me up.’ He sighed, ‘I’m not going to go through it all again, Dad, I’ve told you enough times. Surely Jerry can persuade Debra not to take action, especially as it might go badly for him, as he rushed off when I told him to wait. Eloise and Gaby heard me do it.’

  ‘I don’t know the whys and wherefores but Travis told me Jerry’s agreed to support his aunt’s decision to consult her lawyer to see if there is a case,’ Lawrence said heavily, feeling as if he was spearing his son with a knife.

  ‘No, he can’t have!’ Theo protested, his face anguished. ‘He promised he wouldn’t. He said she was mad and it was just one of those things that can happen in the mountains. You must have misunderstood, Dad.’ He slumped back in his chair, near tears.

  Lawrence longed to hold him, assure him that everything would be all right, he would deal with it, but he couldn’t. Theo was an adult, accused – wrongly, he was certain – but accused all the same of a serious offence, of leading them into danger.

  Debra’s determination to make trouble reminded him of those disreputable insurers who cold-called people about ‘their accident’ on the off-chance that they had had one and could be persuaded to make a claim for it, when it hadn’t crossed their minds before.