On Christmas Day

by Rosie James

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  ‘The solicitor said that by the end of the month the Deeds of Mr Bakewell’s property would be with my bank,’ Lexi said to Cecilia later. ‘I felt so proud to say I have my own bank account – I think Mr Mayland was quite surprised to hear it! So thanks to Mr McCann for that because he thought it was a good idea to keep my money somewhere safe … but I never thought I would have “Deeds” there as well! Mr Mayland explained that Deeds were just proof as to who owned the property stated.’

  School wasn’t breaking up for the Easter holidays until Wednesday, so Lexi had a bit of quiet to explain to Cecilia just what had taken place that morning. To say that her mother found it hard to believe only echoed Lexi’s own thoughts. It was simply unbelievable.

  ‘I can’t wait to tell Johnny!’ Lexi said. ‘Far better than giving him the news by post! To think that Bert’s Place where we always stop for our drinks and cakes will soon be Lexi’s Place!’

  ‘Do try and eat some dinner, Lexi,’ Cecilia said gently, glancing at her daughter’s flushed features. ‘It’s only a little meat left over from yesterday’s roast, and some mashed potato …’

  ‘Oh Mama – I don’t think I shall ever want anything to eat again!’ Lexi said. ‘I feel so full up with excitement!’

  ‘Well at least have another cup of tea,’ Cecilia said, pouring one each for them from the pot. Then – ‘I wonder who will buy the café when you sell it, Lexi,’ and Lexi almost exploded with indignation.

  ‘Oh I am not going to sell it, Mama!’ Lexi said. ‘Bert’s Place was Mr Bakewell’s pride and joy and I shall see that it goes from strength to strength! I shall take it over, run it myself … obviously I won’t be able to do that alone, but you will help me, Mama, won’t you? And whenever Johnny’s home, he will want to help as well, I know he will! I shall buy him a chef’s hat – and one for me, too!’

  Cecilia didn’t answer for a moment. Of course, it was wonderful that Lexi had been remembered in the will, but did she – or any of them – know how to run a café? There was more to owning a business, however small, than merely being an employee where you just did as you were told. And anyway – it was those like Mr McCann who were business people, not folk like them. How would Lexi know what to do, where to start? But of course Cecilia would help when the time came, though her night shift didn’t leave her with that much energy to become involved in running a business. And her needlework must still be fitted in …

  Cecilia paused in her thoughts for a moment. ‘Don’t you think it would be a good idea to keep all this to ourselves until everything is signed and settled, Lexi?’ Cecilia said. ‘You know, something unexpected may yet happen … the law is a strange thing so don’t count your chickens until they’re hatched. I wouldn’t want you to be disappointed.’

  ‘Oh, nothing is going to change!’ Lexi said, ‘the solicitor made it all very clear. But I’ll do as you say – until Wednesday! I can’t possibly keep this from Johnny when I see him!’

  They had just started to clear the table when there was a quick rap on the back door and Anna arrived, and she was clearly in a state of excitement about something.

  ‘Cecilia … Lexi … I have great news … great news! And no, this is not a belated April Fool trick!’ She stopped to catch her breath, and the other two stared at her. They’d never seen Anna Hobbs in this condition before. ‘I can’t wait another second,’ Anna went on, ‘but it’s Alfred! Alfred is alive … alive … he’s been invalided out of the war! And he’s home, he came home yesterday, and he’s here!’ And with that Anna flopped down in a chair and burst into ecstatic tears.

  The next few minutes passed in a blur as the three in the room hugged and wept until Anna was able to explain the events of yesterday morning, and to repeat it all a couple of times because the others couldn’t believe it.

  ‘What I don’t quite understand,’ Cecilia said, wiping the tears from her eyes, ‘is why Mr McCann wasn’t informed that Alfred had survived. Surely there’s a system where that would automatically happen?’

  Anna nodded. ‘You would think so, wouldn’t you? But Alfred explained what the situation is like, both in France and here in England, with men coming and going all the time. You can see how a mix-up might occur. But I don’t care about that. My boy is home!’

  ‘And how is he, Anna?’ Lexi said. ‘He isn’t injured, is he?’

  ‘Well, not too much,’ Anna replied, ‘but he looks poorly. He’s lost weight, and his face is pallid. And I certainly do not like the sound of that cough. He has been sent home with medication, but Mr McCann is having a specialist come to the house to check Alfred over properly.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I cannot wait to start building the boy up again and give him all the dishes he likes, shortages or no shortages. I’m going to put some colour back into his cheeks again.’

  ‘I am sure that Mr McCann was furious at not being told the news,’ Cecilia said, and Anna shook her head.

  ‘It doesn’t seem to have bothered him all that much. He just said these things might be expected in wartime – but, in fact, my employer has been in a very good mood lately, since the start of the year, and of course now that Alfred is alive, what more does Mr. McCann need to put a smile on his face!’

  ‘And Johnny?’ Lexi said. ‘He knows, doesn’t he?’

  ‘Yes, Mr McCann contacted the college straightaway with the good news,’ Anna said. ‘But there’s no point in Johnny coming home early to celebrate, because he’ll be here on Wednesday for the holidays.’ Anna folded her arms and hugged herself with delight. ‘We shall be a full house again,’ she said, ‘and my cup of happiness will be overflowing! I don’t need another thing!’

  At that point Lexi decided that, whether her mother liked it or not, now was the time to share their own good news. After all, Anna Hobbs was almost one of the family … it seemed unkind not to tell Anna.

  ‘Would you like to hear something else to be pleased about, Anna?’ Lexi said, avoiding her mother’s gaze. ‘It’s just … it’s just that Mr Bakewell has bequeathed me his café, Anna! Me, Lexi Martin! And I am going to run it like he did! But I am going to need help – so you will back me, won’t you Anna? Mama will as well, so between us we’ll make sure that Mr Bakewell’s café goes on forever!’

  Anna was open-mouthed at the news. ‘This must have come as a shock to you, Lexi,’ Anna said, and Cecilia broke in -

  ‘A complete shock,’ she said, ‘but as it isn’t actually Lexi’s until the end of the month we are not saying too much about it.’

  ‘Oh, if it were me, I would want to shout it from the rooftops! Anna exclaimed. ‘How many people have that kind of luck!’ She smiled at Lexi. ‘And of course I will help you as often as I can, Lexi,’ she said, ‘when the time comes. I’ll fit you in somehow – you know me, I love being busy! Though I can’t promise that my cakes and scones will be as good as Bert’s, and I’m not too sure how he made that rice pudding he used to cut into slices – but I’ll start practicing right away.’ She put down her cup and saucer and went over to hug Lexi. ‘You deserve this, dear, and it is so exciting for you. How much more wonderful news can we stand before we all come out in a rash!’

  After Anna had gone, Cecilia put down her sewing and leaned back. She’d always known that her daughter had a very strong will, and there was in no doubt that Bert’s Place would continue with Lexi at the helm. Cecilia sighed helplessly. Life was so easy when children were young, before they had ideas and ambitions of their own and when the one person they depended on was their mother. But before you knew it they were ready to fly the nest and go their own way with others of their own choosing.

  Anna walked more slowly back to Grey Gables, shaking her head at what she’d just been told. Perhaps she’d wake up in a minute, she thought, and find that she’d been dreaming everything….

  She let herself into the kitchen to find her employer making himself a cup of tea. So she was dreaming! He glanced around at her quickly.

  ‘Alfred i
s having a lie down,’ he said, ‘but I needed a cup of tea and as you weren’t here I thought I would make one myself. Will you join me?’

  Anna opened her mouth to say something but no sound came. Her employer making his housekeeper a cup of tea, or doing anything at all in the kitchen for that matter, was unheard of.

  ‘Well – thank you, Mr McCann,’ Anna said, sitting down at the table. ‘I just had to run up to the cottages to tell the Martins our wonderful, wonderful news,’ she said, ‘and they wept for joy.’

  Reynard smiled and nodded, pleased to hear that.

  ‘But they also have news,’ Anna said, ‘which they are keeping secret until the end of the month when the transaction becomes final.’

  ‘Oh?’ Reynard was immediately interested. ‘What news is that?’

  ‘Only that Mr Bakewell has left his café to Lexi,’ Anna said. ‘Just imagine, Mr McCann – our Lexi owning Bert’s Place! Isn’t that quite incredible?’

  For a few moments Reynard remained completely silent. So … the little Martin girl was the beneficiary! How very peculiar that it was she who was to own all that land he had been lusting for, for so long.

  Reynard couldn’t help baring his teeth briefly in the foxy, cunning smile feared by many he had done business with over the years. At last! Now it was just a matter of time – and it wouldn’t be a long time.

  Before the year was much older he would buy the girl out with a sum she couldn’t possibly refuse, making her a very rich young woman.

  But not as rich as he would be – eventually. And the first thing to happen would be the demolition of that pointless little outfit known as ‘Bert’s Place’.

  As he lifted his cup of tea to his lips, Reynard had difficulty in not shouting out in joy.

  He knew he’d get his way in the end.

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  On the last Friday in May, Reynard made sure that he was in the kitchen waiting for Lexi when she returned with the rents. By now, the name of the lucky beneficiary of Bert Bakewell’s property was all over town, having been on the front page of the local paper, and despite the girl’s newfound position in the world, she still seemed happy to continue with the rounds. Which did strike Reynard as rather odd, but of course – she still needed cash flow, and the café and the land weren’t on the market yet.

  Reynard had been in his study for most of the day making plans, working out how he would develop that valuable piece of land when he bought it. But before it came on to the open market he hoped to persuade Lexi to sell it to him without all the fuss and bother of competition with other hopeful buyers. It would save everyone a lot of time if she accepted the generous offer he would be making.

  Now, alone in the kitchen, and with one eye on the clock, he sat at the table, drumming his fingers. Anna would be back in an hour – fortunately she’d gone to take a birthday present to her friend in the town – and Reynard wanted to speak to the girl without his housekeeper being present. He and Lexi Martin had things to discuss which were private.

  Reynard wondered how he could approach the subject without seeming too grasping – or too ingratiating. He still found it unbelievable that Bakewell had left everything to the girl – but surely she would see sense when Reynard made her his offer? Surely she would see that he deserved a little priority consideration? After all, a sound relationship had existed between her family and Grey Gables for a very long time, and the Martins had always been made welcome – even if that was largely thanks to Anna, he admitted. And of course Mrs. Martin had earned herself a great deal of money over the years thanks to Reynard’s desire for well-made clothes. So, all that must count for something, surely? Not to mention the fact that, thanks to him, the girl had made quite a sum on the stock market.

  It was well past 8 o’clock before Lexi arrived with the rents, and Reynard stood up to welcome her.

  ‘I’m a bit later tonight,’ she said, putting the bag of coins down on the table, ‘because everyone wanted to talk to me about, you know, me owning the café.’

  ‘Yes, well, that is certainly something worth gossiping about, isn’t it,’ Reynard said. ‘Would you like a cup of tea, Miss Martin?’

  Lexi looked at him in surprise. He’d never suggested that before. ‘No thank you, Mr McCann – I really must get back,’ she said.

  Reynard cleared his throat. ‘Before you go,’ he said, ‘I have something to say to you regarding your, um, inheritance. You obviously will not know, but I have been trying to secure that land for many years with a view to developing it.’

  ‘No – I didn’t know that,’ Lexi said. ‘In fact, selling the café was never mentioned by Mr Bakewell. I am sure he never wanted to part with it.’

  ‘Well, my point is,’ Reynard said, ‘that I am prepared to offer you a very substantial sum for it, Miss Martin, now, without any further delay.’

  Lexi couldn’t help smiling. The thought of Mr McCann involving himself in Bert’s Place was funny. ‘Oh – I am not selling the café, Mr McCann,’ she said, ‘because I intend on keeping it, running it myself. Of course, it’s going to need a little refurbishment, some improvement before we re-open but Bert’s Place is not for sale, nor will it ever be.’

  Reynard’s expression darkened. So – he was going to have to haggle with this youngster, make her see sense. ‘My dear Miss Martin,’ he said, ‘what do you know about running a business… any business? And why would you bother with one like that? I’ve always been under the impression that it was a little hobby of Bakewell’s to keep him occupied in his retirement. It can’t net much profit, so hardly a sound investment.’

  Lexi felt annoyed. There was no need for Mr McCann to be so dismissive. ‘It was much more than a little hobby,’ she said, ‘it had been Mr Bakewell’s baby, his family. And Bert’s Place was very popular – of course, turnover was not massive, but it was consistent and Mr Bakewell knew exactly how to manage it, and how to keep his customers.’ Lexi felt her cheeks begin to burn. ‘And I shall do the same,’ she said. ‘But you are right – I am inexperienced but everyone has to start somewhere and I am going to honour Mr Bakewell’s memory by seeing that his beloved café goes from strength to strength.’

  Reynard admitted to being surprised at the girl’s spirit – but he admired her for it. She clearly felt passionate about the café yet that was understandable – she’d just been left a small fortune.

  Reynard thought it wise not to say anything for a moment, then, trying not to sound sarcastic – ‘Well, I wish you the best of luck,’ he said, before adding – ‘And what about the field behind the café area? Mr. Bakewell owned that too, of course’

  ‘Yes,’ Lexi said, ‘he used to allow the gypsies to camp on it occasionally, and sometimes local lads would play football there, and it became an unofficial public right of way for people to walk across. Which it still is. But Mr Bakewell had no real use for it.’ Lexi added – ‘He just loved the openness, with all the trees around it. He always said he didn’t like being hemmed in, that he enjoyed the sense of space that land gave him.’

  ‘And do you intend to keep it like that?’ Reynard said, his toes beginning to curl at the thought. He was talking to a very determined, but very sensitive young woman and he could see his plans disappearing down the drain.

  ‘No, that land will be for sale,’ Lexi said, ‘because I want the money for other things. But it will have no effect on the café and the surrounding grassy area all around it,’ she said. ‘That will remain as it always has been – somewhere for people to sit and relax and enjoy home-made food.’ She returned Reynard’s gaze. ‘The sale of the field is in the hands of financial advisers who are dealing with it …’

  Reynard interrupted. ‘As I have already told you, I have made countless offers to Bakewell for his property but with no success. However, I am now asking that you sell to me, without delay - I will meet any other price offered.’ ‘He paused before adding – ‘May I suggest that I deserve a little consideration in this matter, Miss Martin, because
some time ago I seem to remember that I gave you good advice regarding your investments, did I not? In which you actually trebled your stake?’

  ‘You did, Mr McCann, and I shall always be grateful for that,’ Lexi said. ‘But you also gave me other good advice – that there is no sentiment in business. So – my solicitor has recommended a financial adviser, and they are dealing with this together. Please get in touch with them if you need any further information.’

  Lexi felt her knees tremble slightly. Where was she finding the strength to say all this to Reynard McCann?

  Reynard breathed in deeply. ‘And may I enquire how you intend to use your considerable resources – when they eventually materialize?’ he said. ‘Because you will be in possession of a great deal of money. So … what plans do you have for it?’

  Lexi didn’t hesitate. ‘I believe I have mentioned my ambition to you before,’ she said, ‘but I am going to buy my family a lovely house like yours, Mr McCann, where Mama will have everything she wants, and where she will never have to work in that laundry, ever again,’ Lexi added.

  Turning to leave, she paused at the door. ‘And perhaps this is a good moment to give you notice, Mr.] McCann,’ she said, ‘that as I am going to soon be very busy, this is the last month I shall collect the rents. I hope you won’t have too much trouble replacing me.’

  After she’d gone, Reynard sat back down at the table and sulked. He’d thought – hoped – he could have got her to sign on the dotted line before she’d gone home; get her to sign away her fortune – or most of it – to him. But it wasn’t over yet. He was going to outbid any other competitor, whatever it took.

  Reynard bit his lip until he could taste blood. He’d managed to get his own way many times before in business, but there’d been that one occasion when he’d had cause to regret what had taken place. Deeply regret. Perhaps, this time, he had better hold his fire …

  But with luck, that field was going to be his, and he would change that gypsy encampment/playing field/right of way into a huge building development. He had visited the town’s planning department before and had been told that there was no reason why the land should not be built upon.