Bay Tree Cottage

by Anna Jacobs

  He saw the fear in her eyes and then it seemed to ebb away and be replaced by a sparkling happiness.

  ‘Yes. Yes, please. I’d love to marry you.’

  So he had to whirl her round the room, laughing aloud for sheer joy.

  When they came to a breathless halt, she looked up at him. ‘Could we … get engaged first, with a ring and everything? It doesn’t need to be an expensive ring, but I never got engaged last time, never had time to relish the situation, or … or grow into the relationship. Alan and I just got married, had a drink at the pub with our two witnesses, and then we went home and I cooked tea. We were as poor as church mice. I don’t know why church mice are supposed to be so poor, do you? We managed but he was never a good earner.’

  ‘I’d love to get engaged to you, Ginger. We’ll go and choose a ring as soon as we can find time. New or antique ring?’

  ‘Antique, please.’

  There was a knock on the shop door.

  ‘Oh dear, he’s even earlier than planned.’ She gave him another quick hug and moved towards the door.

  ‘I’ll come back for lunch. I’ll go and finish getting dressed. And Ginger, when you talk to him, don’t give way unless his ideas are very much better than yours – which I doubt they could be, because he won’t have worked in a café.’

  She tried to switch to business mode in her head but was still a bit too happy for that to be completely successful. The smile would keep creeping back.

  She opened the door. ‘Mr Jimson?’

  ‘Um, no. My name’s Taylor. I’m from the local council, the planning department. I need to come in and check—’

  He was daring to push her backwards. She stiffened, but he was clearly stronger, so she shoved him back good and hard.

  His expression suddenly grew angry and she felt afraid of him, so yelled, ‘Iain. Help!’

  But no one came and there was the sound of water flushing, so when the man grabbed her, she squirmed till she could bring her knee up into a tender part of his anatomy, still yelling for Iain at the top of her voice.

  Why hadn’t he heard her?

  Suddenly the door to her flat crashed open and Iain came running across the shop towards them.

  The man had folded up in agony when she kneed him, but hadn’t let go of her and didn’t seem to have noticed Iain. ‘You bitch. You’ll pay for that and—’

  With a growl of anger, Iain grabbed the man’s hand and yanked it away from her shoulder. ‘What the hell’s going on?’

  ‘This man’s trying to push his way inside.’

  Taylor stopped shoving at her and stood in a way that protected himself from further attack. ‘I could … sue you for that,’ he gasped out.

  ‘Well, go ahead and sue, because I’m going to report you to the police. You thought I was on my own and you could break in, didn’t you?’ she demanded.

  ‘It wasn’t meant like that. I was just … eager to see the secret room.’

  ‘Do you have your council ID?’ she asked.

  ‘Um … yes.’

  ‘Then can I see it?’

  He hesitated, then took out an ID card with his photo on it. He tried to cover the name with his thumb but she saw that it was Clarke, not Taylor.

  ‘This is a driving licence not a council ID. And you were giving me the wrong name too, weren’t you?’

  He took a hasty step backwards as if to leave, but Iain grabbed his arm and swung him round, standing between him and the doorway. ‘I can bear witness that you were pushing your way into the shop and manhandling Ms Brunham.’ Iain frowned, studying the man. ‘I don’t recognise you and I’ve dealt with most of the council officials.’

  ‘I’m new, temporary. Look, please don’t tell anyone I was using a false name or I’ll never get a job. Only I was told that the person here at this hour was just a cleaning lady who hadn’t a clue about the value of the room and didn’t like to let people in. They’re desperate to check that room out, want to keep it safe.’

  ‘Who are “they”?’

  ‘I don’t know. They phoned and asked me to get some photos.’

  Iain looked at Ginger, a question in his eyes. She answered it by saying firmly, ‘Then you’d better tell the person you’re dealing with that I’m in charge of the café and even if I were “just” a cleaning woman, I’d not let an intruder in, whoever he said he was. Let him go, Iain.’

  ‘You sure?’

  ‘Yes. But I’ll be reporting this to Nell and Angus.’

  Iain stood beside her watching the man get into a shabby little car and drive off, then he turned to Ginger. ‘I was terrified when I heard you yelling for help. Are you sure you’re all right?’

  ‘Yes. But I’m glad you were here. He really was intending to force his way in and he seemed so confident, as if he enjoyed violence.’

  ‘You did an excellent job of holding him at bay.’

  ‘Yes, but what if you hadn’t been here? He was much bigger and stronger than me, wouldn’t let go of me even when I hurt him.’

  ‘You’re going to need an emergency button or pendant, because I can’t be here all day. It’s the sort of thing Angus can fit. And I’ll make damn sure either I’m here at night or you’re over at my place.’

  Another car pulled up outside and she sighed. ‘Oh dear. I suppose this is the real Mr Jimson. I could have done with a few minutes to pull myself together.’ She straightened her shoulders, gave Iain a wry look and said, ‘Onwards and upwards.’

  ‘That’s my girl.’

  He walked back into her flat to finish getting ready for work, filled with admiration for her plucky attitude. What a woman!

  He knew where they could buy an engagement ring. He’d come back this afternoon if she was free and take her out to do it.

  He liked the idea of their being officially recognised as together even before they got married.

  Falling in love with her might have happened quickly, but he was quite sure of his feelings – and just as importantly, of hers.

  Mr Jimson came in only at Ginger’s invitation and his manner was very different from the other guy’s. ‘I hope I’m not too early. The traffic was so light today and it seemed silly to sit outside in my car when I could see that someone was up and about.’

  He looked outside and frowned. ‘I passed someone I recognised driving away from here.’

  ‘I think his name was Clarke. He was trying to push his way in. Do you know him?’

  ‘Yes. He’s a bit of a bad egg, hires himself out to bully people, from what my son tells me – my son’s in the police in Swindon. Was Clarke trying to bully you? If so, you should report him to the police.’

  She turned as Iain came out of the flat. ‘Did you hear that, love? Mr Jimson knows that fellow who was pretending to be from the council, says he hires out to bully people.’

  ‘Good thing I was here, then.’

  She introduced the two men and Jimson said at once, ‘Do call me Dan.’

  ‘And I’m Iain. Ginger and I have just got engaged.’

  She was surprised that Iain would announce this to a stranger, but a quick glance showed him looking proudly at her, and her heart gave a happy little skip at that.

  ‘Oh, congratulations! I’ve been happily married for years and I love to see people falling in love. Well, your affection shines out of you two, if you don’t mind me saying so.’

  ‘I don’t mind at all,’ Ginger said. ‘I’m still a bit surprised by it all, though. We’ve only known one another for a few days.’

  ‘It was just the same with my wife and me. We knew instantly.’ He beamed at them.

  The warmth of such happy feelings was still lingering when Ginger and Dan got down to business and she felt comfortable enough with him to share her ideas. He listened with what seemed like genuine interest, then walked to and fro, eyes narrowed as if seeing something.

  When he turned to Ginger he said, ‘Well done! I’d never have thought of that way of arranging the flow of work. You’re in the wron
g trade, if you ask me, should be working in my area.’

  She could feel herself blushing and saw by his grin that he’d noticed.

  ‘I mean it, Ginger. In fact, I’ll pay you a fee to look at any problem shops with me.’

  Words failed her for a moment. ‘I-I’d be happy to do that.’

  He held out his hand and they shook on it. Then he started taking measurements, discussing shelving and display cases, and didn’t leave until nearly midday.

  She locked the gallery door and wandered into her flat, feeling as if she was floating.

  When Iain phoned and asked her to come and choose an engagement ring that very afternoon, her emotions overflowed and she was mopping her eyes as she agreed to be ready at two o’clock.

  Angus arrived soon afterwards, with some plastic garden furniture in a trailer. He saw the traces of tears on Ginger’s face and asked if she was all right.

  ‘I’ve never been better. I just got engaged.’

  His mouth really did fall open. ‘Who to?’

  ‘Iain Darling.’

  ‘Good heavens! That was quick. But he’s a lovely fellow. You couldn’t find a nicer chap to hitch up with. My Nell thinks the world of him.’

  Ginger insisted on helping him unload the plastic furniture, which was light and easy to carry, and they set out the front room for the interviews.

  When that was done, she told him about the morning’s incident and he immediately said he’d fit a panic button. ‘And I’ve got one with a pendant to go with it. I’ll set them up tomorrow after the interviews. You must promise to wear it all the time you’re here on your own, and to be especially careful till the gallery is up and running, and the other artists are in residence.’

  ‘I suppose so.’ She didn’t like the idea of it, though. It seemed so – melodramatic. But then she hadn’t liked fighting off that oaf, either.

  Angus left and she went to get something to eat then prepare for her afternoon’s outing. Only it took longer than usual, because she kept stopping to smile and stare down at her left hand, which had been bare of rings for a few years.

  Who would have thought her visit to Saffron Lane would lead to this?

  Who would have thought her life could become so interesting?

  When Angus got home he went to find Nell, who was stealing an hour to work on her beloved garden, which was in itself a historically listed feature of Dennings.

  ‘Guess what?’

  She sat back on her heels. ‘What?’

  He explained about the would-be intruder. ‘My guess is he was hired by that Brody woman.’

  ‘We’d have difficulty proving it.’

  ‘I’m beginning to think she’s mentally ill. Why is she making such a fuss about our activities, for heaven’s sake?’

  ‘To show off, perhaps, in order to prove she can do the job permanently?’

  ‘Well, I doubt she’s convincing anyone. I heard a whisper that someone else was the front runner to get the job.’

  ‘Where did you hear that?’

  He touched the side of his nose and gave her a sly smile. ‘From a friend. He ran into her in town and she brought up the subject of Dennings. He said she ranted on and became rather incoherent. Ah, never mind her. She has no real power over what we do here.’ He looked round, changing the subject. ‘You’re making good progress.’

  ‘Iain lends me a hand now and then. He loves this garden too. Though at this rate, by the time we get it all cleared, the part we started with will need doing again. It’s a never-ending task.’ She gave the garden a fond smile.

  ‘Good thing you love doing it, then. Everything ready for tomorrow’s interviews?’

  ‘Yes. You’d better go and read through the summaries. They’re on my desk.’

  ‘OK. Still only the same four people?’

  ‘Yes.’ She waved one dirty hand at him. ‘Go on! Do it! And I don’t care who calls you with a job. You can’t take anything on till after the interviews.’

  He turned, then remembered the news. ‘Oh, and by the way, Ginger and Iain just got engaged.’

  She gaped at him. ‘What? But they’ve only just met.’

  ‘Yes, but it’s great news, isn’t it?’

  ‘The best. I like to see people happy. Why didn’t you tell me about it first? That’s much more important than the interviews.’

  ‘I forgot.’

  ‘Men!’

  ‘Yes, my lady!’ He gave her a mock bow and walked back into the house. He’d go through the applications, and then prepare a panic button system for Ginger. He had enough small components on hand to do that.

  When Iain arrived to pick Ginger up that afternoon, he was dressed more smartly than she had ever seen him before.

  He turned round in a circle, gesturing to himself. ‘Will I do?’

  ‘You scrub up very nicely.’

  ‘You’ve Katie to thank for that. When I told her about us and where we were going this afternoon, she wouldn’t let me come out on such an important errand “dressed like a scarecrow” to quote her exact words. Oh, and I’m to take you round to her place for drinks in a day or two so that you can get better acquainted.’

  ‘She’s not annoyed about you marrying someone else?’

  ‘No, love. Not my Katie. And in case you’re wondering, nor would my wife have been. We always told one another if anything happened, the other was free to marry again. Only it’s not so easy to find someone. You and she would have got on well, I know it.’

  Oh, how she envied him his loving daughter! And his wife sounded to have been a lovely woman. Could she live up to Mary? Would he feel she was second best?

  He squeezed her hand. ‘You’re different. I’m not comparing you with her, except in niceness, if there is such a thing.’

  ‘Oh, Iain.’

  Ginger’s family was just Donny now and she wished she knew how he was going on.

  She banished that sad thought resolutely but of course Iain had caught her mood.

  ‘We can only hope your Donny will come good,’ he said gently.

  She brought his hand to her cheek for a moment and they stood smiling at one another for a moment or two before they set off.

  She carried the warmth of that moment in her heart as they drove to the shops. She hadn’t smiled so much for years.

  Half an hour later they found the ring, a beautiful sapphire set in a circle of tiny diamonds. Ginger fell in love with it on the spot and it fitted perfectly. Then she caught sight of the price and took it off hastily. ‘Too fancy for me.’

  Iain slipped it back on her finger. ‘You’re trying to save me money, but don’t. This is too important and I can afford it.’

  She stared down at the ring. ‘Oh, Iain, I don’t know what to say.’

  ‘Say that you love it and will wear it always, even if you have to put it on a chain round your neck when you’re working.’

  ‘I love it and I’ll wear it always. But I love you most of all.’

  He took her back to his house and opened a bottle of champagne with a flourish, after which they didn’t answer the phone but spent the evening together, making love then making plans for the future.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Emil decided that his flat was now as tidy as he could get it so invited the sisters to come and help him celebrate that evening. He set out the nibblies, hoping the crisps, grapes and cheese would tempt children and adults alike. He had prosecco chilling in the fridge and now had time, he hoped, for a few minutes’ rest before they came.

  He was more tired than he’d expected to be after all the exertions of settling into the small town. It was taking him longer to recover fully than he’d hoped – taking as long as the doctors had told him, in fact. He should have listened to them about pacing himself, but he hadn’t wanted to upset his family and he still didn’t want anyone to know about his medical problems. As far as the rest of the world was concerned, it was a ruptured appendix that had caused his trouble.

  He managed ten mi
nutes of fidgeting around in an armchair before the doorbell rang. Relieved, he hurried to open it. ‘Keziah! How lovely to see you.’ He smiled down at the child. ‘Hello.’

  ‘This is Susie. Say hello to Mr Kinnaird, darling.’

  But the little girl clung obstinately to her mother’s leg and wouldn’t even raise her eyes to him.

  ‘Just ignore her and she’ll come round. We haven’t been to a lot of social events involving other grown-ups. Abbie will be up in a minute. Louis delayed her.’ She looked round. ‘Your flat is exactly the same layout as my place, isn’t it? Well, it’s on top of mine, so it would be. Abbie’s is a mirror image. But you get the views.’

  ‘Didn’t either of you two want to claim those?’

  ‘We wanted to be together. The other tenant on the top side has been there for years and she’s quite elderly, doesn’t want to move, so we left her.’ She shuddered. ‘As for me taking an upper flat, not with this young demon to keep an eye on. Susie’s into everything and they have no sense of self-preservation at that age. I’d worry myself sick about having a balcony. The door to it is locked now, isn’t it?’

  He hurried across and turned the key, then took it out and slipped it into his pocket for extra security. ‘It is now. That hadn’t even occurred to me.’ He indicated the bowl of crisps. ‘Am I allowed to offer her one and a drink of lemonade?’

  ‘Yes. You make the offer. That might tempt her out of the shyness.’

  He bent down. ‘Susie, would you like a drink of lemonade? And a crisp?’ He held out the bowl.

  The child hesitated, looked at her mother for permission, then took a crisp and said, ‘Nemonade?’ hopefully.

  ‘Just half-full,’ Keziah said hastily. ‘And you haven’t said thank you, Susie.’

  ‘Fank you.’

  He put the glass on the plastic box he was using as a side table temporarily. The doorbell rang just then and he said apologetically, ‘I’ll get your drink in a minute, Keziah.’

  ‘That’s all right.’

  He opened the door and Abbie was there, looking flustered with a sulky little boy standing behind her.