by Sharon Booth
'So, I gather you're here about our bid for custody of George. However, I still have no idea what it's got to do with you? Are you a solicitor, Jeff? Are you working for the Harlands? Please explain.'
Cain leaned forward, his voice urgent. 'Never mind all that for a minute, Con — Deborah. What about you? What's with the fake name?'
Deborah folded her arms defensively. 'Is this really the time and place?'
'I can't think of a better time or place,' he assured her, 'and I ain't leaving until I get some answers.'
She seemed to consider for a moment, glancing around her as if making sure no one was hiding behind a chair. Eventually, having apparently decided it was safe, she leaned back and gave a big sigh. 'I suppose I do owe you an explanation. As you've realised, I'm not Constance. I'm Deborah Fuller and I am, indeed, James's mother and George's grandmother.'
Cain simply stared at her, feeling miserable beyond words.
'I didn't tell you my real name when we first met because — well, for obvious reasons,' she said, waving her arms as if indicating the house, her marriage and family in that one gesture. 'Then, later, when we became lovers, it seemed more exciting. It all added to the fun, the thrill of it. I was no longer David Fuller's wife. I was somebody new, with a life of my own, and I loved it.'
Cain nodded. 'But what you told me about him, about your husband, was that true?'
Her eyes widened, and for a moment she looked like his Connie again. 'I never lied to you about anything but my name. Everything I told you was the truth. Unfortunately.'
'But what were you doing at The Paradise Hotel? Don't tell me you'd gone there to pick up a bloke?' Cain couldn't believe it. She seemed so ladylike. But she clearly hadn't been there on business, so whatever she said, that was another lie. How much could he trust her, really?
'I was supposed to be having dinner with David,' she told him. 'I was quite looking forward to it. Not spending time with him, I should add, but with being out of this house, getting away, doing something different.' She sighed. 'You have no idea how much I hate this place. It's a gilded cage.'
'So where was David then?'
'What? Oh, when he didn't arrive I rang him to find out where he was. He'd been at a meeting in Ripon and was supposed to be meeting me at the hotel, but when I finally got through to him, he admitted he'd forgotten and had gone straight home. I was furious and told him I was at the hotel and was he going to come back for dinner? He told me he'd already eaten and couldn't be bothered to drive all the way to Kirkby Skimmer to meet me, and I should grab something to eat then come home and he'd see me later.'
'Fuck me,' Cain muttered. 'What a catch he is.'
'Exactly,' she agreed. 'I was furious. I told him I was booking a room for the night so not to expect me home, then I ended the call before he could argue. Of course, I knew I'd pay for that with days of silence, and, sure enough, I did. What David fails to realise is that I rather look forward to his epic sulks these days. Oh, it used to tear me apart. The years I spent trying to appease him. Apologising for something I'd done without even knowing what it was. The hours of just sitting there, trying to figure out what I'd said to offend him, begging him to tell me so I could put it right.' She gave a short laugh. 'I used to consider it a punishment, you see. His silence. Nowadays, I think of it as a blessing.' She gave a slight shake of her head. 'I have no idea when that started.' For a moment she was quiet, as if lost in her thoughts, then she shrugged. 'Anyway, I was sitting at the bar, debating whether-or-not to get roaring drunk, when I noticed you. I thought —' she gave him an apologetic smile, 'I thought how much fun it would be if David did turn up and spotted me sitting with a handsome man, so I asked to buy you a drink and the rest, as they say, is history.'
Cain spluttered. 'Jesus, Debs! What if David had come back? He could have punched my lights out!'
'Yes, I know,' she mused. 'I suppose it was rather cruel of me.'
'So, I was just a way to get back at David — to make him jealous?' Cain felt betrayed. 'I thought we were — you know.'
'Oh, Jeff, darling, we were. We are! It was a ruse at first, I'll admit that, but I really did find you terribly attractive. And once I'd got to know you, I totally —'
'You totally what?'
'I like you. A lot.'
Cain felt soothed and rather relieved. 'Yeah, well, I like you a lot an' all. But what was with the name? Why Constance?'
She gave him a sideways look and there was a hint of a smile on her face. 'Lady Chatterley's Lover. I couldn't resist. It all added to the naughtiness of it, somehow.'
Cain had never read Lady Chatterley's Lover, but he knew it was racy. He quite perked up for a moment, then remembered the reason for his visit. 'Looks like we're in a bit of a pickle here, Debs.'
'Quite. If you didn't know who I was, why are you the one who's discussing this with me? What's your connection with the Harlands?'
Cain squirmed inwardly. His turn to 'fess up. 'I'm a friend of Eden's,' he admitted. 'She used to work for me, and she's friends with my daughter. Her and Eliot, well, they're a smashing couple, and they don't deserve this. Have you any idea how devastated they'd be if they lost George?'
'But he's my grandson,' Deborah protested. 'Have you any idea how devastated I was to discover that he even existed, and to find that he's been living on that farm with total strangers since his birth?'
'They're not total strangers to him,' Cain pointed out. 'And that's the point, innit, Debs? They're the only family he's ever known.'
'But they're not his real family,' she said. 'They're not Fullers.'
'From what you've told me about your family, I'd say that's a good thing,' Cain said.
Deborah glared at him. 'I thought you, of all people, would understand me. I only discovered I had a grandson a few weeks ago, and yet he's four years old. Do you know how heartbreaking that is? Is it so wrong to want him to be in my life, to get to know him?'
'Course it ain't, Debs,' Cain soothed, 'but getting to know him ain't the same as taking him away from his mum and dad.'
'They're not —'
'Yeah, yeah. I know. But as far as he's concerned, they are. Fact is, from what I can gather, your son didn't want to know the little lad when he was born. George's mum had died, and he could have been left with no one to care for him if Eliot hadn't taken him on as his own. Your son walked away. I reckon he gave up the right to George at that moment.'
'James was grieving!' Deborah snapped. 'Jemima had just been killed. He was heartbroken, in shock.'
'And you think Eliot wasn't?' Cain said quietly. 'And he had two little girls to see to, an' all, who'd lost their mum, as well as a farm to run. He didn't run away though, did he? He stepped up, took George into his heart, and he's loved him like his own ever since.'
Deborah bit her lip, staring hard at the wall. 'Well,' she said eventually, 'the fact remains he's not his own. James didn't want to upset his wife. She can't have children, you see. It would have been insensitive to expect her to bring up another woman's child.'
'It was pretty insensitive to have an affair with a married woman,' Cain responded.
'Well, you'd know all about that!' Deborah snapped.
They stared at each other. 'You're not gunna listen to me, are you?' Cain said eventually. His heart felt heavy. Was this really how it was going to end?
'I want my grandson. We can give him a better life here. You can't deny that Thwaite Park is a far better house than Fleetsthorpe. We have money. George will have the best of everything.'
'He's already got the best mum and dad and the best sisters he could possibly have,' Cain said, standing up. 'I don't see what you can offer him that could top that, and that's a fact. I thought better of you than that. Thought you understood that money wasn't everything. After the childhoods we had, I thought — oh what does it matter what I thought? I came here hoping to discuss things with you reasonably. I hoped we could do this the civilised way. I can see I was wasting my time. I'm sorry about that, D
ebs. You'll be hearing from my solicitor.'
'As you wish.' Deborah ushered him to the door, almost pushing him out onto the steps. 'I'm sorry it's ended this way, Jeff. I really am.'
'Actually,' he said, 'it's not Jeff.' He held out his hand in a very formal manner. 'The name's Cain. Cain Carmichael.'
For a moment she simply stared at him in astonishment, then the heavy door was slammed in his face.
Cain took a deep breath and walked slowly down the steps. Lady Chatterley's lover was dismissed.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
It was with some relief that Beth stumbled upon Jed as she approached the farm. He was leaving the lambing shed, and for a moment, the sight of him as he headed towards the farmhouse left her speechless with pleasure. He was such a big, burly man, and he made her feel safe and loved. She could hardly believe that someone so kind, so loving, could be in love with her. Yet she knew he was. He gave her no reason to doubt it.
'Hey!'
Jed swung round and his face split into a huge grin. 'Hey, yourself!' He strode towards her, glancing around to make sure no one was around, then, clearly satisfied that no one was watching them, he pulled her into his arms.
For a few moments there was nothing and no one else in the world, then reality encroached, and Beth reluctantly pulled away with a sigh.
'What's wrong, baby?'
Beth lay her head on his chest, her fingers stroking the hairs peeping out above the buttons of his shirt. 'I'm here on a mission, and I'm not looking forward to it.'
Jed kissed the top of her head. 'Has this got anything to do with George?'
'It has.' She stepped back and looked at him, wishing she could spend the precious time she had at the farm with him, and him alone. But she'd promised, and this was important. 'I have a message from Deborah.'
'Right.' Jed whistled. 'Then I guess we'd better call a meeting. I think Eden's changing the sheets in the main bunk barn. I'll get her to call Eliot. You go indoors and wait.' He kissed her again, a light kiss, more for luck than anything, and headed out of the yard.
Beth gave a big sigh and headed to the farmhouse, where she found Emerald lying on a sofa, eating chocolate and flicking through a magazine. 'Busy?'
Emerald gave her a haughty stare. 'Actually, I am. I'm studying this bridal magazine for inspiration.'
'Inspiration?' Beth shook her head. 'Surely there's nothing left to do with this wedding? You've been working on it non-stop for weeks. All those meetings you keep having in Leeds and Harrogate — we're expecting something spectacular, you know.'
Emerald looked distinctly uncomfortable. 'Oh, half the time things didn't work out when I went to see them in person,' she said vaguely. 'But don't worry. This wedding's going to be very memorable.'
'I hope so,' Beth said. 'They deserve the best.'
'Hmm.' Emerald put down her magazine and swung her legs round, planting her feet firmly back on the floor. 'So, what brings you here, Beth? Like I can't guess.'
Beth frowned as Emerald gave her a wink. 'I have no idea what you mean by that, but I've actually come to see the happy couple. I have a message for them.'
'Really?' Emerald sounded eager. 'From whom?'
'Well, that's for Eliot and Eden to hear,' Beth said, wondering why Emerald was taking such an interest all of a sudden. It was a little nerve wracking, to be honest.
Emerald scowled. 'Fine. I'll be upstairs in my room,' she muttered, snatching up her magazine and chocolate and stalking into the hallway.
Beth shook her head, wondering how Jed had come to have a sister like Emerald, although, from what she knew of her, Honey hadn't been much better. She hoped Jed's twin sister, Scarlett, was a bit more like him. Jed seemed very fond of her, so it would be nice to meet a sister that she got on with.
She tutted inwardly. If she ever got to meet her, that was. How could she say? She had no idea how things were going to pan out with her and Jed. This could be a holiday romance. Jed wouldn't stay here forever and when it was time for him to go, where would that leave them?
She looked up, plastering a smile on her face as Eden entered the room.
'Jed's frightened me to death,' she told Beth. 'He says you have an important message for us? I got hold of Eliot on the walkie talkie, and he's on his way back now. He and Adey were checking and repairing the meadow walls. Don't want any loose stones damaging the mower when they start harvesting, do we?' She stopped gabbling for a moment, then burst out, 'Oh, Beth, please tell me this isn't more bad news.'
'Let's wait until Eliot gets here, shall we?' Beth suggested, wishing for the thousandth time that she wasn't caught in this situation, being piggy-in-the-middle between the Harlands and the Fullers.
Eden sat on the sofa beside her and plucked at the cushion, until they heard the front door shut and the sound of heavy boots striding down the hall. Clearly, Eliot was so upset he'd forgotten to take them off, though judging by Eden's worried face, she wasn't bothered about the fact.
He looked pale with anxiety, his eyes even darker against his skin than usual. 'Go on then,' he said without preamble. 'What's this message?'
'Sit down,' she said, hoping to calm him a little. 'Don't look so worried. It's good news.'
'I'll believe that when I hear it,' he replied, but sat nevertheless.
'I have a message from Deborah. She said to tell you that, if she is allowed to see George, to meet him properly, she will consider other options. That is, she'll discuss things with James with a view to changing their appeal for custody to regular access.'
There was silence for a moment while the Harlands digested this news. Then Eden turned to Eliot, her voice hopeful. 'Well, that's good news, isn't it?'
'I think it is,' Beth said. 'I don't believe that James wants custody and I know he's only going along with this to please his mother. If we can get Deborah to agree to access only then the battle's won. I can't think what changed her mind, but whatever it was, it's wonderful.'
They both looked at Eliot, who hadn't spoken a word.
'Eliot?' Eden raised her eyebrows.
'You think this is good news?' Eliot shook his head, dark curls bouncing. 'I think it's a bloody cheek! No deal.'
'But — but it's a good offer,' Beth began.
He got to his feet. 'How is that a good offer? The only good offer is if the Fullers bugger off and leave us alone. The sooner they get it into their thick heads that George is a Harland and nothing to do with them, the better.'
Eden sighed. 'Eliot, I understand what you're saying, but —'
'If you understand what I'm saying,' he said furiously, 'then you'll know there's no but. No deal. She's not going anywhere near Georgie and that's final.'
Beth glanced at Eden, hoping she'd be able to talk him round, but Eden looked defeated before she'd even tried. Evidently, she'd already recognised that Eliot was having none of it, whatever anyone said. All the same, Beth felt she had to try.
'If you don't agree to this, it will go to court, and they'll demand full custody. You don't want that, do you?'
'Let them try,' Eliot growled.
'Eliot, they have top solicitors. They have Thwaite Park. They have pots of money. And —' she hesitated, but he needed to accept the facts, 'they have a blood connection. George is James's biological son, whether we like it or not.'
'They'll have to prove it first,' Eliot said grimly.
'But they will! Of course they will. You've already had the letter demanding a DNA test. Do you think they'll let that drop? And you falsified a birth certificate.'
'So what?' Eliot snapped. 'Jemima was my wife. Any husband would assume that a child born within a marriage would be his. I'd defy anyone to prove otherwise. Why would I have thought different? I had no idea she'd been unfaithful, did I?'
'We both know that's not true,' Beth said.
'And are you going to tell the court that?' Eliot demanded.
'Of course not! I'm on your side in this.'
'Dun't sound like it.'
'I am! That's why I urge you to accept her offer. Let her meet George, let her spend time with him. I know it will be hard at first, but you'll get used to it. If she gets regular access, I think she'll be happy with that.'
'And then she'll want to tell him who she really is,' he said. 'And how do we explain that? And then it'll be weekend visits, and then holidays. Before I know it, he'll be at Thwaite Park more than he's here. I'll not have it and that's that.'
Beth sighed. 'I can see I'm wasting my time. Is that what you really want me to tell her?'
'Aye, it is.'
Eden reached for his hand. 'Eliot, please think about this.'
He snatched his hand away. 'I don't need to, and if you're really on my side you won't ask me to.'
'How can you say that?' Eden murmured, shaking her head slightly. 'I can't believe you even thought it.'
'Aye, well.' Eliot shrugged. 'If that's all, I'll get back to work. I won't be in for tea tonight,' he added. 'I'm going over to Camacker to help put pens up for't' show at weekend. I'll be meeting up with t'others for a few pints and a catch-up. I'll get summat to eat at The Shepherd's Crook.'
As the front door slammed, Beth and Eden looked at each other.
'Stubborn fool,' Beth said, her voice sharp with frustration. 'This could have been settled if he'd only give an inch. Has he made all that up about the show?'
'No, he mentioned it yesterday.' Eden twisted her hands together in her lap. 'It's what they do. The farmers, I mean. Get together to prepare the pens for the first shows of the season and then have a catch-up afterwards. You can't blame them. They're so busy during lambing season that they never go anywhere.'
Even so, Beth thought she sounded rather anxious. 'Is there something else wrong, Eden? Apart from this stuff with George?'
'No, no.' Eden tutted. 'Just me, being silly. Except ...'
'Except what?'
'It's probably nothing. Just that, Eliot seems very drawn to Camacker lately, and I don't know why. Mrs Edwards spotted him there before the barns opened, and he told me it was Adey wanting to try the local ale, but Adey clearly knew nothing about it and was trying to cover for him. And he's gone missing a couple of times, which makes me think he's been in the village then, too. I mean, I don't know for sure but ...' She shook her head. 'Ignore me. I'm putting two and two together and making five.'
