‘Dad’s going to need all the help he can get.’ Mitch’s face, for once, had lost its grin. ‘So’s Mum. The business is going to have to run smoothly so that he has no worries, and so that Mum can devote more time to looking after him. There’ll have to be sacrifices.’
‘Sacrifices?’ Matt looked at him. ‘What would you know about sacrifices, Mitch?’
‘Well, I’ll have to forget the stock car racing for a while. There won’t be time to spend on that. Although –’ he glanced out of the window ‘– if the weather stays like this the meetings will be cancelled anyway. Either way, Luke and I will be able to spend more time in the garage.’
‘And I’ll have to abandon the rugby teas,’ Megan said cheerfully. ‘That’ll be awful, won’t it?’ she added, not meaning it at all. ‘I can take over Mum’s shift on the radio and do some more driving.’
Mitchell grinned. ‘Somehow that doesn’t seem like much of a hardship. Less time with the awful Peter and more time with Luke!’
‘Luke?’ Matt noticed Megan blushing. ‘Don’t be ridiculous! He’s far too young for her.’
Mitch laughed. ‘You weren’t at Warwick. They somehow got themselves separated from Jacey and me. Found some romantic candlelit bistro, so the story goes … We didn’t see them again until it was time to go home.’
‘Mitchell!’ Megan’s face was scarlet. ‘That’s not true!’
‘No – well.’ Mitchell was unabashed. ‘Luke did eventually creep into his bed in the early hours of the morning with a soppy smile on his face.’
‘Luke?’ Matt shook his head. ‘For heaven’s sake, Megan – at least Peter King has prospects! What sort of future could you have with someone like Luke? Don’t even think about it. It would break Dad’s heart if he had to worry about you –’
‘Shut up!’ Megan flared. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about. At least I’m still committed one hundred per cent, to Lavender Cabs. Which – as I don’t need to remind you – is more than you and Sally …’
Matt squared his shoulders. ‘Don’t bring us into it. We’d made our arrangements before Dad was ill. It’s too late to change them now.’
‘Of course it isn’t.’ Mitchell frowned. ‘You don’t have a choice, Matt. You know what Mum said. Dad isn’t to have any worries.’
‘And in the meantime I’m supposed to sit back and watch all our plans go down the drain, am I?’ His face was dark with anger. ‘You two may be quite happy to let Lavender rule your lives, but I’m not. I’ve got a wife and a child. My first responsibility is to them.’
Mitchell shook his head in disbelief. ‘You can’t! Surely you can put this aromatherapy thing on ice for a while?’
‘Not a chance. We spent all that time in London sorting out suppliers, and we’ve committed ourselves financially. The shop is almost ready, the stock arrives next week – and …’ He trailed off.
‘And what?’ Mitch leaned towards him. ‘And what, Matt?’
‘Nothing.’ Now was not the right time to tell Mitchell and Megan about the house on the new Larkspur estate that he and Sally had put down a deposit on. He’d have to tell his parents first – but not yet.
‘Well,’ Megan, ever the peace-maker between her brothers, spoke quietly. ‘We all know what we have to do. Sally can surely run the shop with Gran Phillips without taking Matt away from Lavender. We’ll manage just fine – as long as Dad isn’t upset by anything, and Mum has more time to spend with him.’
‘Paul and Judith can help out as well,’ Matt said sullenly. ‘I don’t see what all the fuss is about.’
‘What?’ Mitch’s voice echoed round the garage. ‘You’re priceless, Matt! If it hadn’t been for you, we wouldn’t have been saddled with Paul and Judith in the first place! They’re a liability – not an asset.’
‘Talk of the devil.’ Megan looked out over the snow-encrusted garage forecourt. ‘Or should that be devils? There they are now. But they’re the last people Mum and Dad will want to see on his first day home! Quick, Mitch – go and stop them!’
Mitchell rushed to the door, his anger at Matt’s selfishness simmering, so that he was just dying to tell his aunt and uncle exactly what he thought of him.
‘Too late!’ He slithered to a halt on the frozen ground. ‘Mum’s already answered the door!’
Megan peered over his shoulder, her face a picture of despair, watching as her aunt and uncle disappeared into the bungalow.
‘I was going to ring you later with tomorrow’s duties,’ Amy said as her sister entered the hall. ‘I don’t think Bob’s up to visitors yet. He’s just having a snooze by the fire.’
Paul laughed with false heartiness. ‘Oh, we haven’t come to visit the sick. We didn’t think Bob would want to be disturbed. But neither have we come to see what horrendous hours you want us to work tomorrow. Amy.’
‘No.’ Judith smiled. ‘We’ve come to tell you how we intend to help you out of this dilemma.’
‘What dilemma?’ Amy’s heart plummeted. ‘We don’t have a dilemma. If we all pull together to cover Bob’s duties for a few months, we’ll be fine.’
Paul pulled a face. ‘If you mean getting the kids to help out more and having us driving round the clock, I can’t possibly agree with you. That’s a recipe for disaster.
‘Let’s face it, Amy. Bob’s going to be out of action for some considerable time. You can’t neglect him – and you simply won’t have time to look after him and run the business. Nor do the children – yours or ours – have the sort of commitment you believe them to. I’ve heard whispers about Matt, you know – and Mitchell has already proved his unreliability. No –’ Paul’s smile showed very white teeth beneath his moustache. ‘– there’s only one thing for it – and we’ve already discussed this with Mum and Dad Foster, who agree it’s for the best.’
‘It’s all worked out well.’ Judith’s voice was a triumphant purr. ‘Paul and I are going to take over the running of Lavender Cabs.’
Bob sighed, hearing the voices echoing from the hall. What on earth did Paul and Judith want, today of all days? He closed his eyes, hoping that Amy would be able to get rid of them. He didn’t want to admit to anyone – not even Amy – just how weak he was feeling, and how much his illness had frightened him.
‘… and I’m very sorry, too.’ Amy’s voice was firm. ‘But now is not a good time. Bob has only just come home and a discussion on the future of the business is the last thing he needs. Anyway, the children are coping well, and I’ll be back in the office tomorrow.’
Bob groaned and eased himself to his feet. Steadying himself against the furniture, he made slow progress towards the door and pulled it open.
Three heads turned and Amy frowned.
‘Bob, I’m sorry. Go back and sit by the fire. Judith and Paul aren’t staying.’
‘Maybe they ought to.’ Bob nodded at the visitors. ‘Maybe we could get a few things sorted out and save any speculation.’
‘That’s just what we thought.’ Paul was already shrugging himself out of his sheepskin jacket. ‘Amy seems determined to protect you like a mother hen, but I think if we lay our cards on the table now, your recuperation will be that much quicker.’
Amy muttered under her breath, and Bob grinned.
‘We were just going to have a cuppa. I’m sure Amy can stretch to two more.’
‘Bob.’ Amy’s voice was low. ‘This is exactly what the doctors told you to avoid.’
Judith walked quickly past her towards the kitchen.
‘We’ve no intention of upsetting either of you! Let’s leave the men alone for a moment, Amy. We’ll talk out here while we make tea.’
Bob grinned again at the mutinous expression on Amy’s face, and ushered Paul into the snug warmth of the living room. As he closed the door he heard Amy’s voice: ‘Why do I get the feeling that this has been carefully rehearsed, Judith? Get on with it. But don’t expect me to agree to anything.’
Bob sank back into his chair and motioned to Paul to take a
seat.
‘I’m glad to see you’re looking so well,’ Paul said heartily. ‘You gave us all a nasty shock.’
Bob waited. He didn’t have to wait long.
‘I’ll come straight to the point,’ Paul said, shifting in his chair. ‘You’re going to be sidelined until the spring, Bob, and Amy would be better employed spending time with you. Neither of you needs the worry of Lavender at the moment. That’s where we come in.’
Bob raised his eyebrows. ‘I understood everything was running smoothly.’
‘Yes, of course it is,’ Paul agreed. ‘But as there’s no sign of a let-up in this appalling weather, and everyone wants taxis, all the drivers are stretched to the limit. The garage could run twenty-four hours a day with all the breakdowns and accident repairs we’re being asked to do.
‘More often than not that reception area is bulging with people – people who could do with a drink and a snack while they wait. People who would buy something to read. People who might even like to hire a car to tide them over …’ He leaned forward. ‘Business opportunities by the score, Bob, which are simply going to waste.’
Bob leaned his head back in his chair. The wind was rattling the windows and the ochre sky heralded more snow. He felt very tired.
‘I’m grateful for your concern, Paul, but Amy has more than enough on her plate at the moment. Couldn’t this wait?’
‘Not really.’ Paul’s voice betrayed his exasperation. ‘Judith and I are more than willing to shoulder the extra burden. We’re here to help, not hinder. The best thing we could do for you would be to take over the day-to-day running and introduce more money-making ideas … you and Amy wouldn’t have to be concerned with it at all. Profits would be up. Everyone would benefit. You and Amy – Stella and Jim – the children …’
‘And you and Judith,’ Bob said quietly.
‘Well, yes, of course. But for a very small outlay we could see profits doubling, trebling even.’
Bob surveyed his brother-in-law. At that moment, letting someone else take over the running of Lavender Cabs was a very attractive proposition. It would give him and Amy some precious time together, and the business would still be making money.
Paul sensed victory. ‘Naturally we’d have to sound out Stella and Jim about any changes, I realise that.’ He sat back in his chair. ‘I’m so glad you can see that the suggestions are sensible – especially now. I wonder what’s taking so long with that tea? The girls have been out in the kitchen for ages …’
Out in the kitchen, the kettle had boiled at least three times. Four cups and saucers stood empty on the tea-tray as Amy and Judith faced each other.
‘You always were stubborn,’ Judith said dismissively, ‘even when we were children. You’d never give in.’
‘Not to your tantrums over who had the best hair ribbons, no!’ Amy retorted. ‘And as far as I can see, nothing’s changed. You still want what’s mine.’
‘For heaven’s sake.’ Judith sighed. ‘This isn’t a playground squabble. All I’m trying to do is make things a little easier for you – for you and Bob. And Lavender should be half mine anyway …’
‘Let’s not go into all that again.’ Amy switched the kettle on for the fourth time. ‘You’ve bought your way into this business, by fair means or foul, and –’
‘Perfectly fair means.’ Judith turned from the window. ‘By buying shares from your son – who is surely able to make up his own mind about what he wants to do with his life – to become involved in a business which our parents set up. I don’t think I’m being unreasonable.’
‘You never did.’ Amy’s memories of childhood spats were suddenly vivid. ‘Of course Matt had a perfect right to dispose of his shares. You and Paul had a right to buy them – but not a God-given right to walk into Lavender Cabs and take over.’
‘Oh, I see! Paul and I are good enough to act as skivvies but when we offer you some of our business expertise …’
‘Your what?’ Amy laughed. ‘What business expertise? You and Paul have never been in business in your lives! You’ve been on a management course and now you think you’re the next Richard Branson!’
Judith, who had dispensed with her sheepskin coat and various scarves when she’d entered the kitchen, started to put them all on again.
‘There’s no point in talking to you if you won’t take it seriously. With Bob no more than an invalid, your children looking ready to leave the business in droves, and you clinging on to Mum and Dad’s outmoded ideas, I’ll be surprised if Lavender is still running this time next year!’
Tossing her exquisitely groomed head, she marched past Amy and into the sitting room.
‘Paul, we’re not stopping for tea.’ Her eyes reached her brother-in-law, and softened. ‘I’m pleased to see you home, Bob. Really I am. And I do hope you’ll take things easy and get completely better. That’s all we want. It’s just a pity that your wife is so blinkered that she can’t see it.’
Paul got to his feet, leaving Bob sitting bemused by the fire.
‘Come on, Paul, we’re going next door to talk to Mum and Dad.’ She looked pointedly at Amy. ‘Maybe they’ll be prepared to listen.’
Amy watched them skid their way across the cobbles and returned to the sitting room with a grin.
‘She’ll have a long, cold wait. Mum and Dad have gone shopping in Oxford! I’m sorry, love. That was just what I wanted to avoid. I hope you sent Paul away with a flea in his ear, too.’
‘Not exactly.’ He patted the arm of the chair. ‘Come and sit down.’
Amy perched on the arm of the chair. ‘What do you mean, “not exactly”?’
‘Well, to be honest, some of what Paul said made sense. Things have changed, love. Things do – we can’t cling on to the past just because it’s the way it’s always been. There have to be changes.’ He took her hand. ‘We both know that I’m going to be taking a back seat for quite a while, and if it makes things easier for you –’
‘So what have you agreed to?’ Amy asked.
‘Nothing outrageous, nothing that will change the way Lavender’s run. But, honestly, if they’re willing to involve themselves in the business more, I don’t think we should stop them introducing one or two new ideas …’
‘New ideas?’ Amy stood up quickly. ‘“One or two new ideas” now, while we’re vulnerable, will become the major changes they’ve wanted all along! Really, Bob – what on earth possessed you?’
‘Come and sit down again and I’ll tell you.’ He took her hand again and squeezed her fingers. ‘We’ve always run Lavender. It’s always been there, and everything else in our lives has revolved around it. My illness has made me realise that there are more important things.’
‘I know,’ Amy agreed. ‘I feel the same – but I can’t let Judith take over.’
‘It doesn’t have to be Judith.’
‘What? What do you mean?’
‘Mitch didn’t want his shares, remember – and Matt obviously couldn’t wait to sell his.’ Amy shook her head. ‘Megan will probably marry out of the business, and – what are you laughing at?’
‘You.’ Bob pulled her against him. ‘You accuse me of not taking any notice of what’s going on in this family – but I think I’m far more observant than you give me credit for! Mitch didn’t want his shares at the time – but that was before Jacey Brennan. And,’ he went on quickly, sensing her pending outburst, ‘Megan’s very involved with Lavender. Far more involved than she is with Peter King.’ Amy stared at him. ‘What are you saying, Bob Phillips? Are you telling me that –’
‘That I want to get out of Lavender altogether and spend the rest of my life living peacefully with the woman I love?’ He grinned at her. ‘Yes, Amy, I am. Now, tell me what you think of that!’
Chapter Nine
Shock News
Megan tidied her bedroom without enthusiasm. She was very tired. She’d done nothing but work flat-out for three days, ever since her father had come home. She’d felt it was the best thing in
the circumstances.
The atmosphere throughout Lavender Cabs was very strange. Her parents kept smiling at each other, Paul and Judith were hardly speaking, Dean and Debbie were very quiet, while Matt and Sally might as well have vanished from the face of the earth.
And now there was Peter.
‘I’ll be there at three,’ he’d said on the phone. ‘And don’t make excuses this time, Megan. We have to talk.’
It was a quarter to three now. She looked out of her bedroom window. The village was silent under its fresh blanket of snow. Lights blazed from the garage and the office, changing from yellow to blue in the shadows.
This meeting with Peter was something she had dreaded, but she knew it couldn’t be put off any longer. It wasn’t fair to him.
She closed her bedroom door and walked downstairs.
Two drivers grinned at her as they carefully negotiated the slope from the road to the office. She watched as they collected their passengers from the office, then stepped into the yellow warmth. She had to talk to someone, and Debbie would be there.
‘Hi!’ Debbie looked up from the reception desk. ‘You’re not on duty, are you? I thought it was your afternoon off.’
‘I’m not and it is.’ Megan smiled at her. ‘What are you doing?’
‘Oh, it’s just a sketch.’ Debbie tried to cover the piece of paper in front of her.
‘Deb! It’s brilliant!’ Megan looked at the drawing of the village under its cloak of snow. ‘You can really feel the cold – and the way the lights are reflected on the snow is amazing! You really should be at art school – not wasting your time here.’
The sketch surprised her. She had expected Debbie, with her black clothes and rainbow hair, to produce aggressive abstract pictures, not this delicate landscape.
‘Actually, I’ve applied to college in London,’ Debbie admitted. ‘But don’t tell Mum and Dad. I’m not saying anything until I’ve been accepted. I don’t mean to be rude but this –’ her hand swept round the office ‘– isn’t for me.’
‘I’m not surprised,’ Megan laughed. ‘Lavender Cabs is an acquired taste, although it’s one I’ve grown up with. It’s in my blood – but not yours and Dean’s, obviously.’
Lavender Lane Page 10
