Second Chance with Lord Branscombe

by Joanna Neil

  ‘Oh, okay, thanks... I... I’ll go and find her.’ Jake raised a hand in a goodbye gesture to Sophie and headed for the exit doors.

  ‘He’s doing his best for this hospital, you know,’ Sophie said, her blue eyes narrowing on Nate. He wasn’t being uncivil towards Jake, but there was a definite friction in the atmosphere.

  ‘Yeah, I know.’ His green gaze lingered on her, dark and unfathomable.

  She frowned. ‘But you seem to have a problem with him...?’

  ‘Mmm...you could be right...’ His glance shimmered over her. ‘It’s what he’s doing for you that bothers me.’

  Her mouth made a faint wry quirk. Her relationship with Jake was none of Nate’s business...but it kind of made her feel warm inside to know that he might be just a bit jealous. Perhaps he did actually care for her, deep down. Would there ever be a chance his feelings went further, and that she and Nate might get together? A strange tingling sensation started to run up and down her spine at the thought.

  She gave herself a mental shake. She really couldn’t afford to explore that notion, could she?

  ‘Perhaps we’d do better to concentrate on the job in hand?’ She gave Nate the file she’d been reading. He studied her, his eyes dark and brooding, but she ignored that and commented instead on the patient’s folder. ‘I’m concerned about Josh Edwards. I don’t think the medication alone is going to be enough to resolve the situation,’ she said. ‘I think we should get him up to Theatre so he can be fitted with a drainage tube to relieve the pressure inside his head. The steroids and diuretics on their own aren’t going to keep things under control.’

  He glanced through the file and came to a swift decision. ‘Okay. Notify the surgeon and ask Hannah to prep the boy.’

  ‘Do you want me to talk to the parents?’

  He shook his head. ‘No, I’ll do it. You might want to go and talk to the little girl with the belly piercing—she was asking for you.’

  ‘Was she?’ She smiled. ‘From what she was saying yesterday, I expect she wants me to reassure her that there won’t be a scar and that she can eventually go back to wearing crop tops. I looked in on her earlier this morning, but she was sleeping peacefully. The antibiotics seem to be dealing with the infection at last.’

  ‘That’s good. It’s always nice to know when the treatment’s working.’

  ‘It is.’ She glanced at him. ‘Is there any news about your father? Is he making any progress?’

  His mouth flattened. ‘It’s going to take time, I think. The heart attack caused damage to the heart muscle and he’s finding rehab a strain. I’m booking him into a convalescent home so that he can rest and get the help he needs. We’ll be transferring him there on Friday, so I should be able to check on him on Saturday morning and still do the honours at the fête in the afternoon. I’ve said I’ll call out the winning raffle numbers.’

  She nodded. ‘I only heard about the change a little while ago. Jake was telling me that you’re letting the organisers use the Manor. Aren’t you worried about the damage that might be done to the grounds—your father’s always been very particular about the way they look?’

  ‘Not really. He’s left everything up to me, and as far as I’m concerned, the old saying is true—what the eye doesn’t see, the heart won’t grieve over... Anyway, we have skilled groundsmen who know how to put things right afterwards. I’m more worried that villagers might boycott the event because of everything that’s been in the newspapers about my father and the estate. There’s been a lot of bad feeling, and word soon gets around. It would be a shame if that happened—it would be good to raise money for the Children’s Unit. I certainly wouldn’t want to jeopardise that in any way.’

  ‘I don’t think you need have any worries on that score. Everyone wants to contribute—I know a lot of people have been working very hard to try to make sure it’s a success.’

  ‘Well, let’s hope it all turns out okay.’ His gaze moved over her. ‘I’ll see you there, I hope?’

  She hesitated, thinking about the implications of that, and his gaze darkened. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘I’ll be there to represent the Children’s Unit.’

  ‘I suppose Jake will be with you?’

  She shook her head. ‘He has to go to a meeting with some ex-colleagues in Cornwall, so he cancelled on me. But I’ll have Charlie with me. I’ve entered him in the dog show, and I’m just hoping he’ll walk properly on the lead and not show me up! He gets excitable if there’s a lot going on. He might try to head for the flower borders if I don’t keep a tight hold on him.’

  He grinned. ‘Oh, I can imagine... Charlie’s quite a character, isn’t he? I remember when he was a pup I was back home for a couple of weeks in the summer, and he dug up the lawn at the back of the Manor. My father was apoplectic when he saw a dozen or so holes appear in his pristine turf, but I couldn’t help seeing the funny side. Your father was chasing Charlie, trying to stop his antics, but Charlie thought it was all a good game and kept stopping to dig a bit more. As soon as your father caught up with him, he ran off. The more he was chased, the more fun it was.’

  Sophie rolled her eyes. ‘He’s always been a handful. But hopefully he’ll behave himself on Saturday. At least he’s grown out of digging holes.’

  He smiled. ‘I’m glad you’re going to the fête.’ A gleam of anticipation sparked in his eyes. ‘I’ll look forward to seeing you there.’

  A quiver of nervousness started in the pit of her stomach. ‘Yes, you too.’ She set her mind on her work and went off to sort out the arrangements for Josh’s operation.

  To her relief, everything went smoothly. The neurosurgeon treated the request as an emergency and the little boy was whisked up to Theatre. Once there, the surgeon implanted a small silicone tube into the subdural space in Josh’s head to draw off blood that was forming there, and the pressure on the little boy’s brain was instantly lessened.

  Sophie went home that day feeling much happier about his progress. Josh was still sedated for the moment, but she knew he stood a much better chance of recovery.

  The day of the fête arrived—a gloriously sunny afternoon—and Sophie set off early with Charlie to walk to the Manor. Their route took them along the cliff top, with moorland stretching away into the distance. Soon, Branscombe Manor came into view, situated high up on a hill, looking out over the landscape, a beautiful yellow stone mansion formed in an elongated U-shape with two gable-ended wings making the U. Over the years there had been side extensions added towards the back of the house, again with magnificent gable ends.

  The house was architecturally superb, with stone mullioned windows fitted with leaded panes. The glass sparkled in the sunlight and she paused to gaze at the house in wonder as she approached it from the long curving driveway. But then her attention was distracted by the arrival of a large white catering van turning in off the lane.

  There would be burgers and hog roasts and all manner of refreshments laid on for the hungry visitors. Stalls had been set up on the sweeping lawn at the front of the building, with striped marquees to one side where people could sit at tables and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. Further along she saw another marquee where alcoholic drinks were being served.

  Sophie looked around. As a teenager, she’d come here often with her father, helping him as he carried out various tasks around the Manor. All those memories came flooding back now, as she gazed once more at the imposing house and well-tended gardens. At the side of the house there was a walkway through a stone arch that led to a rose garden and beyond that there was a landscape of trees and shrubs.

  ‘Hi, Sophie. Things are looking good, aren’t they? We’ve a great crowd here already.’ Tracey greeted her cheerfully, her fair hair tied up in a ponytail, her grey eyes lighting up as she saw Charlie. She bent down to stroke him. ‘Shall I take him for you while you go and do the honours?’

 
‘Oh, bless you. Thanks, Tracey.’ Sophie handed over the dog, who went willingly, pleased to be fussed and patted and generally crooned over. His tail wagged energetically.

  Sophie stepped up on to the dais and set about formally opening the proceedings. ‘We want you to have a great time here today,’ she told everyone. ‘We’ve all kinds of fun things for you to see and do this afternoon—there’s face painting for the children, a karate demonstration taking place in the South arena at two o’clock, and music from our favourite band all afternoon. Don’t forget to look in on the flower and plant marquees while you’re here, and there are all sorts of cakes, jams, pickles and chutneys for sale in the home produce section. Above all, remember that any money you spend here will go towards buying much-needed equipment for the Children’s Unit at the hospital. Please—enjoy yourselves.’

  ‘Well said. That’s the aim of the day.’

  Sophie glanced around, her stomach tightening in recognition as she saw that Nate was waiting to take his turn on the stand. He looked good, wearing casual chinos and a crisp open-necked shirt that revealed a glimpse of his tanned throat.

  Gesturing to him to come and take the microphone from her, she introduced him to the crowd and then stepped down. The atmosphere changed almost immediately as he took to the stage. People weren’t sure how to react to him—it was clear in the silence that fell over them and in the way their expressions changed from smiling to sombre. His father’s poor investments and lack of judgement had come down to haunt the son.

  ‘Thank you, Sophie,’ Nate said. He looked briefly at Charlie, who was busy trying to wind his lead around Tracey’s legs in his efforts to get back to his mistress, and then he looked out at the sea of faces. ‘Ah... I should mention there’s a dog show too, for any of you who haven’t yet had time to glance through your programme. It’ll be held in the East Meadow at two-thirty.’ He looked bemused as Tracey swiftly tried to untangle herself and Charlie began to pull her exuberantly towards Sophie and a child who was licking an ice cream.

  ‘Among other things, there will be an obedience training exercise. I’m not sure if Charlie here will be a good candidate for that—he might be considered a bit of a disruptive element.’ There was a ripple of laughter among the crowd as Charlie’s ears pricked up at the mention of his name. The dog quickly turned tack, heading up on to the dais, pulling Tracey along with him. Worried, Sophie followed.

  Nate grabbed hold of the leash from a relieved Tracey and then wound it firmly around his palm. ‘Of course, he might do well in the sledge-pulling event.’ Another murmur of amusement. He looked at the overexcited dog and said briskly, ‘Charlie—sit!’ To Sophie’s amazement, Charlie sat, looking up at Nate with an expectant, adoring expression.

  ‘Okay...’ Nate turned his attention back to the audience. ‘I’ll call the raffle results at the end of the afternoon—we’ve a television as first prize, a hamper to be won, bottles of wine, and a whole array of wonderful things which you’ll see on display when you buy your raffle tickets. Go and have a great time.’

  Nate stepped down from the stage, bringing Charlie with him. ‘Are you okay, Tracey?’ he asked.

  The nurse nodded. ‘I just feel a little silly, that’s all. I didn’t expect him to go racing off like that.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ Sophie said. ‘Perhaps obedience classes would be a good idea, after all—except he’s probably a little too old for them by now.’

  ‘That’s up for debate,’ Nate said, laughing.

  Tracey walked with them for a while as they wandered around the stalls and checked out the games on offer. Sophie tried spin-the-wheel and won a cuddly toy. ‘That’s one for the Children’s Unit,’ she said happily, holding on to the golden teddy bear. At the first opportunity she would pass it on to one of the organisers.

  Nate had a go on the rifle range and hit the prime target, sending a spray of water to fall on Charlie’s head. The dog promptly shook himself and showered everyone in the vicinity. ‘Aargh, I’m sorry,’ Sophie said, pulling the Labrador away.

  ‘My fault,’ Nate commented with a smile. ‘I might have known he would try to get his own back.’

  Tracey met up with a friend and went off with her to buy candy-floss, leaving Sophie and Nate to walk round the rest of the stalls together. They bought burgers from a van and walked along, eating them as they went. It was fun, until they began to be interrupted by villagers who stopped Nate and asked him about the tenancies on the estate and about the activities of Peninsula Holdings.

  ‘What’s going to happen to my home?’ one man wanted to know. ‘This company—Peninsula Holdings—has been sending men to measure up and ask a lot of questions. My tenancy’s up for renewal in a few weeks. It always used to go through automatically, but what’s going to happen now? Am I going to be put out of my home? Where am I going to go with my family?’ He was understandably angry, disgruntled by the way things were going, not knowing how to plan for the future.

  ‘Like I’ve told everyone else who’s asked,’ Nate said, ‘nothing’s been decided yet. Peninsula Holdings are looking into things to see if they want to do a deal. I may decide it isn’t going to work. In any case, no one’s going to be turned out at a moment’s notice. It could be that you can go on renting, or any new buyer might want to offer the properties up for sale, but you would be given first option to buy. In any event, we’ll make sure you’re offered alternative accommodation.’

  ‘And what if I don’t want it? What if I don’t want to move away? We’ve lived here in the village, in this house, all our lives.’

  ‘I know...and I’m really sorry. I understand this is a difficult time for you.’ Nate tried to soothe him, to calm all the people who came to complain or ask about what was going to happen, but nothing he said could appease them. Sophie could understand how they felt. It was all so unsatisfactory, with everything left up in the air, but she sympathised with Nate. She didn’t see how he could tell them anything different if he was still awaiting the outcome of negotiations.

  They headed over to the East Meadow for the dog show and watched the dog trials taking place. Sophie sighed. ‘They’re all so clever, aren’t they, listening to what their owners say and going where they tell them to go?’ She glanced at Charlie, who was panting, eager to get involved. ‘Not so with this one, though,’ she said with a smile.

  Nate chuckled. ‘He’s one of a kind,’ he said, tickling Charlie’s silky ears. ‘I think dogs need to listen if they’re to learn, but he’s never seemed to have that connection between ears and brain.’

  She laughed. ‘Oh, well, here goes... It’s the competition for the best-looking dog—that’s one thing he is good at. He’s always been beautiful to look at.’

  He watched her get ready to walk the dog over to the line-up. ‘You make a perfect team,’ he said. His glance shifted over her slender figure, neatly clad in blue jeans and a sleeveless top. She was wearing her hair loose, the curls tumbling down over her shoulders.

  Unexpectedly, he took his phone from his pocket and swiftly took a photo. ‘Two beautiful blondes.’ He looked at the image on the screen and a glint of satisfaction came into his eyes. Sophie was oddly still for a moment, the breath catching in her throat at the casual compliment. Then she collected her thoughts and set off with Charlie, conscious all the time of a warm glow starting up inside her.

  She came back to Nate a few minutes later, but there was no rosette to show for their efforts. ‘I can’t believe you were outshone by an Afghan hound,’ she told Charlie. ‘Don’t let it bother you—you’re way better-looking than any dog here.’

  Nate smiled. ‘Better luck next time, maybe.’ He glanced at Sophie, his expression sobering. ‘I’m still being pounced on from all sides. Shall we try and get away from here for a bit, before anyone else comes up and tries to waylay me? Have you seen everything you want to see for the time being?’

 
‘Yes, okay. Where do you want to go?’

  ‘I thought we might take Charlie for a walk by the river—that might wear him out for a bit.’

  She smiled. ‘Okay. I think he’ll definitely be up for that.’

  They left the meadow and walked along a footpath until they came to the riverbank. The water was fairly deep at this point, flowing freely on its downward tilt towards the sea. It was fed by the lake in the grounds of the Manor, a favourite beauty spot when she had been a teenager. The lake was on private land belonging to the Branscombes and was supposed to be out of bounds, but she and her friends had often gone for walks there on hot summer days. Further along, she recalled, there was a weir, where they’d stood and watched the water tumble over stone and form white froth.

  ‘You must love this place,’ she said now, watching the ducks glide on the water, dipping their beaks every now and again among the reeds as they searched for morsels of food. ‘It’s so peaceful and unspoilt.’ They were following a well-worn path by the river, where clumps of yellow fleabane grew along the banks and here and there were shiny deep pink blooms of musk mallow and star-shaped ragged robin. Charlie was sniffing among the blades of grass, seeking out the flower petals and sneezing when they tickled his nose.

  ‘I do.’ He sent her a sideways glance. ‘It’s even better having you here to share it with me.’

  ‘Is it?’ She was pleased but looked at him curiously. ‘I wasn’t expecting to see you at all outside of work, but I suppose when you opted to have the fête on the Manor grounds you felt you had to put in an appearance.’

  ‘That’s true...but I’d have turned up anyway, just so that I could spend some time with you.’

  ‘Really?’ Flattered though she was by his persistence, she wasn’t about to fall for his charm the way countless other girls had in the past. ‘That might have been awkward if Jake had been around.’

  ‘Ah, but he isn’t here, is he?’ His eyes glittered. ‘What was he thinking, choosing to go to a meeting and missing out on the chance of being with you?’