by Jenny Lane
‘Absolutely.’ She hesitated. ‘Keir, I’m sure it doesn’t need me to tell you that some of these pieces that belonged to Uncle Hugh’s are, well, probably quite valuable.’
He looked startled. ‘If that’s your way of asking me to take care of them, then don’t worry, I certainly will. But, what you probably don’t realise is that Hugh left his collection to me so I can actually do exactly what I like with it — even sell it, if I so choose.’
Sophie felt herself colouring. She supposed this was Keir’s way of telling her that it was no concern of hers. He gave Sophie an apologetic little smile as the red-head she’d seen talking to him outside the library beckoned to him.
Sophie’s mind was working overtime. So Keir had been a close enough friend of Hugh’s to be left his collection of ceramics. Unless of course, Erica had given it to Keir and he hadn’t liked to mention that.
Sophie immediately dismissed that thought, realising it was highly improbable.
Turning back to the display, she found Aunt Rose and Mavis Briggs standing behind her and wondered if they’d heard her exchange with Keir. Fortunately, Aunt Rose gave no sign of having done so, but she studied the exhibits with a thoughtful expression on her face.
Just in case anyone was in any doubt, the label read that they were part of a collection that had belonged to the late Hugh Mercer.
‘I thought Erica would have disposed of those long since,’ Rose commented after a moment. ‘It’s good to know she hasn’t.’
‘You should try cleaning them,’ Mavis Briggs said tartly. ‘I’m always terrified of dropping the blessed things!’
‘I’m surprised Erica’s left them at Rowanbank. They must be worth a bob or two,’ Rose remarked, echoing Sophie’s thoughts. Sophie decided that now was not the right moment to divulge what Keir had just told her. She’d wait until she and Aunt Rose were back at Rose Cottage.
***
To Sophie’s surprise, Tim rang up again the following evening.
‘Natalie’s got a team-building course on Saturday, so I’m at a bit of a loose end. Mum said something about you needing more clothes so, if you like, I could come down to Penbridge to see you and Aunt Rose. What’s going on, are you partying, and if so who with?’
‘Don’t be daft,’ she told him. ‘I just need a few additional things in case of — of, well, who knows what might crop up. Anyway, it would be great to see you on Saturday.’
‘Oh, and tell Aunt Rose not to worry about cooking a meal. Mum and Dad have offered to stand us lunch. Apparently, there’s a rather good restaurant about a couple of miles out of Penbridge, but you might need to book.’
Aunt Rose was delighted. ‘I haven’t seen Tim for ages. Oh, what a nice surprise, but I’d willingly have made you lunch here. Can he stay over?’
‘No, he’s got to get back because he and his girlfriend have been invited out with friends on Sunday.’
***
On Thursday afternoon, Sophie went into the shop wondering what to expect. Peggy Munn spent the first twenty minutes showing her around the place and explaining her system, which seemed to be a kind of organised chaos.
Sophie was fascinated by the motley collection of things and browsed happily, all the time listening to Peggy Munn’s chatter. The elderly lady seemed to be a font of information about village life.
‘People pop in for a bit of a gossip sometimes, you know, and when school’s over, parents bring their kiddies to spend their pocket money. I keep a selection of small items for them to choose from. Have you heard about that fancy place they’re talking of opening in Bridge Street?’
‘Well, yes, it’s actually going ahead, isn’t it?’
Peggy Munn sniffed. ‘All these people with their new-fangled ideas. What we need is a place for the farmers’ market. Well, they needn’t think they’ll drive me out of business!’
‘Would you like me to do a bit of dusting or tidying?’ Sophie asked hurriedly, deciding it might be best to change the subject.
‘You can if you like, dear, but you will be careful, won’t you?’
Sophie was in the middle of reorganising one of the displays of glassware when the door opened and Keir came into the shop.
His eyebrows rose when he saw her.
‘Well, you don’t look like Mrs Munn.’
‘She’s out the back making some tea — did you want me to fetch her?’
‘No hurry — just wondering if I’d had any sales. Mind if I take a look?’
He went across to the show case. ‘Goodness! There’s a surprise — four items sold in a week!’
‘I expect it was your talk that did it. Everyone will want to own a piece of Keir Ellison pottery now.’
He chuckled. ‘I wish! Look about that, I think I owe you a bit of an explanation.’ He came to stand beside her. ‘Those pieces Hugh left me — well, they meant a lot to him, and he knew I’d treasure them. I want you to know that they’re in safe hands and I’ve got absolutely no intention of selling them.’
‘None of my business,’ she said quickly, very aware of his closeness, of his sheer maleness. She caught a waft of his cologne — fresh and woody.
‘Let me assure you that they mean a lot to me too, particularly the modern collection.’ A shadow crossed his face. ‘Hugh and I both knew the potter. She was a very talented and lovely young woman who died just as she was beginning to gain recognition.’
He sighed.
‘Erica isn’t much into ceramics — her tastes are vastly different, as you can tell from the paintings and prints, which is another reason why Hugh left his collection to me. Anyway, I just wanted you to know.’
He put out a hand and touched Sophie’s arm, the contact making her want to cry out. Was he aware of the effect he had on her? She pulled herself together with an effort, just as Peggy Munn came into the room bearing a tea tray.
‘Hello Mr — er, Keir — would you like a cup of tea?’
He declined graciously, collected his payment and left a moment or two later.
‘Such a nice young man. Talented too,’ Peggy Munn remarked for the second time, as she passed the custard creams. ‘I suppose I couldn’t blame him if he wanted to take his business to this new place, although if everyone did that, then I know it’d be curtains for me.’
Her rheumy eyes misted and Sophie wished she could think of something to console the elderly lady, but failed, realising that, in all probability, it would prove to be an inevitable outcome.
Chapter Five
Tim turned up at eleven-thirty on Saturday, just in time to unload the car and have a quick chat with Aunt Rose before whisking them off to the restaurant where Sophie had booked a table. It was situated in a beautiful spot just south of Penbridge. They could see for miles across a patchwork of ploughed fields. The landscape was still rather bleak, but in a month or so, it would spring into life.
They were halfway through their main course when the door opened and a group of people came in, amongst them Alan and Crystal, who paused by their table.
‘Tim, how lovely to see you! It must be years!’ Crystal exclaimed and introduced Alan.
‘Keir’s evening class are having a belated Christmas meal. Alan’s asked me along because I’m joining the class as someone’s dropped out.’
A few minutes later, the door opened again and Keir appeared accompanied by the red-haired Glenda who was wearing a white, fur-trimmed jacket, a short skirt and long fashion boots. Keir stopped to speak, but before he could do any more than briefly acknowledge them Glenda said rudely, ‘Come on, Keir; everyone’s waiting for you.’
And with a brief, apologetic smile, he was gone.
Tim pursed his lips in a silent whistle. ‘Who on earth was that?’
‘Aunt Rose’s next door neighbour, Keir Ellison, who’s renting Rowanbank whilst Erica’s away.’
‘Yes, I gathered that. I actually meant the red-head? Is she his girlfriend?’
‘Oh, she’s just one of his students,’ supplied Aunt Rose, �
��although in my day, students treated their tutors with a bit more respect.’
‘Well, she actually attends his beginners’ evening class and I think that’s quite informal,’ Sophie pointed out, wondering if there really was anything going on between them. Glenda was certainly very attractive and was doing her best to flirt with Keir. As Sophie heard the gales of laughter coming from the table occupied by Keir’s class, she felt a little prickle of jealousy.
It was an excellent meal and afterwards, they went back to Rose Cottage. When Aunt Rose got up to feed Poppy, Tim said, ‘I’ll just take your case upstairs, Sophie, so that I can return it to Mum.’
‘What was all that about?’ Sophie demanded, a few minutes later as they sat in her room. ‘Mum said I could keep the case for the time being.’
‘I couldn’t think of any other excuse to get to talk to you on your own. What’s going on, Soph? You’re a townie, not someone to bury herself in a backwater like Penbridge for any length of time. It’s not like you to turn down the chance of some work either.’
‘Perhaps I want a bit of time to chill out,’ Sophie told him rather sharply. ‘Anyway, I happen to like it here. There’s a lot going on and it makes a change from being in the rat race. Just don’t read too much into it.’
‘But you’ve asked me to bring your laptop and Mum to pack your business suit — are you going for an interview or something?’
Sophie shrugged. ‘Who knows what I might do. It’s good to have the right clothes — and be prepared, just in case something crops up. I can’t go on living with Mum and Dad for ever and I need a bit of time out to think things through.’
‘If you say so. You can’t stay here for ever either. Once Aunt Rose is fully mobile again you won’t have any reason to stay.’
‘Aunt Rose says she’s enjoying my company,’ Sophie informed him. ‘You’d better take my smaller case back with you.’
Tim was looking at her curiously, ‘Is there something you’re not telling me, Soph?’
‘Of course not,’ she assured him, ‘at least ...’ She filled him in about Keir and the ceramics. ‘I am a bit surprised that Uncle Hugh left his collection of ceramics to Keir and didn’t leave us a bean. It makes me sound mercenary and it isn’t intended, but ...’
‘Aunt Rose wasn’t left anything either, was she?’
‘No, she only received the same sort of letter as Mum and Dad. The solicitor couldn’t make any sense of it either. You should see the inside of Rowanbank, Tim, you wouldn’t recognise the place.’
‘Tea!’ Aunt Rose shouted up the stairs, a few moments later, and Sophie stuffed a couple of unwanted garments and some books she’d finished with into the case and they went downstairs again.
***
As Tim was leaving he said in Sophie’s ear, ‘If it all gets too much for you, or you want me to suss anything out, give me a buzz.’
Sophie smiled at him. It was good to have such a caring brother. She knew she could depend on him. She didn’t know what the future held for her, but somehow felt Penbridge was the right place to be just now, although seeing Keir Ellison with Glenda at lunchtime had made her feel strangely unsettled again.
‘Of course you can stay for as long as you like,’ Aunt Rose reiterated when Sophie broached the subject that evening. ‘I love having you here, you’ve been such a help. I’m just worried that you’ll find it dull. It’s hardly the right time of year to go out anywhere.’
‘Well, as soon as the weather bucks up we can go for a spin in the car,’ Sophie told her, picking up the tea tray.
***
At church the following morning, Mrs Briggs came across to Rose.
‘I’ve got a very big favour to ask you, Rose. The teachers at my little granddaughter’s school have got one of those staff development days, or whatever they call them nowadays, tomorrow, and I’m at Rowanbank in the morning — so I was wondering ...’
‘Oh, bring her over to Rose Cottage, Mavis. We’d be delighted to keep an eye on her, wouldn’t we, Sophie?’
Sophie smilingly agreed before turning back to Crystal, with whom she’d been having a chat. ‘So are you going out with Alan today?’
‘No, he’s gone with Keir and a group of students to an art exhibition. They did ask me, but I’ve only known Alan a week and don’t want him to think I’m being too full on. Besides, Teresa and Steve are coming to lunch with little Amy.’
‘I expect Glenda’s going to the exhibition,’ Sophie said, before she could prevent herself.
‘You bet she is! She’s a dreadful flirt and, although Keir’s always friendly, he certainly doesn’t encourage her. He’s a perfect gentleman — pleasant to everyone. It’s my belief he’s got someone tucked away in the background.’
After lunch Aunt Rose said she wanted to watch something on TV, so Sophie decided to go out for a walk.
Fiona and Ian Knight were in their front garden. She’d met them at Keir’s talk.
‘Hi, we’ve just been for a walk too. Are you staying here for a while?’
‘Just until Aunt Rose is fully mobile.’
‘Yes, we’re sorry we didn’t realise she’d had an accident,’ Fiona said sympathetically.
‘We’re pleased we managed to get to Keir’s talk the other day,’ Ian told Sophie. ‘We can’t wait for the craft centre to get up and running. It’ll be a boost for the village.’
‘Do you think so? I’m worried it’ll take business away from Peggy Munn.’ They chatted for a few more minutes and then Sophie headed back to the cottage.
The following morning Sophie had just set off to collect Amy from Rowanbank when she bumped into Keir accompanied by a small figure.
‘We suddenly realised Amy had never met you, so I’ve brought her across.’
‘Where’s that other lady?’ asked Amy. ‘The one with the yellow hair?’
‘Oh, you mean Erica, Mrs Mercer?’
‘Mrs Mercer’s gone to Spain with her friend.’
They all made their way to Rose Cottage.
***
Aunt Rose looked up with a smile. ‘Hello Amy, just the person I could do with. Do you think you could help me make some peg dolls?’
The little girl nodded and perched herself on a stool beside Aunt Rose. A few minutes later the grey and blonde heads were bent over their work.
‘Well, it looks as if we’re redundant,’ said Keir.
Aunt Rose’s head shot up. ‘Oh, no you’re not. You can fetch me that large cardboard box from the cupboard under the stairs.’
‘Did you enjoy the exhibition yesterday?’ Sophie asked as he extracted the box.
‘To be perfectly honest I found it a bit disappointing, but most of the others liked it so that was good and, after all, it’s important for my students to get to see a wide variety of different aspects of ceramics.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘Unfortunately, I’m going to have to go very shortly or I’ll never get the work ready for this wretched meeting this afternoon.’
Keir placed the box within easy reach of Rose, and Sophie felt a pang of disappointment as he made a quick exit before Amy noticed. Luckily the child was so absorbed in what she was doing that she didn’t even look up.
Midway through the morning, Sophie glanced at Aunt Rose and saw how tired she was looking. Summing up the situation Sophie said, ‘Shall I put the kettle on? I’m sure this young lady would like a hot blackcurrant drink and I expect you’re ready for your coffee?’
‘What a good idea,’ Aunt Rose said, looking relieved, ‘and there are some chocolate biscuits in the tin.’
After their elevenses, Sophie volunteered to read Amy a story and then the little girl produced her own reading book and they had some quiet time whilst Aunt Rose carried on working on her dolls’ house furniture.
Later on, Sophie took Amy into the garden to let off steam. Aunt Rose had found an old tennis ball and a couple of racquets in the cupboard.
Amy was an energetic child and obviously good at sport. They spent a hectic half hour car
eering round the garden and then, much to Sophie’s embarrassment, she saw Keir watching them from the back door.
He thought what a picture Sophie looked. Her hair was all over the place and her cheeks were rosy. He smiled to himself, thinking how refreshingly natural and unsophisticated she was and knowing he was attracted to her.
Nina had been the love of his life and he’d vowed there would never be anyone else, but that was before he’d met Sophie Burnett. Keir snapped out of his reverie and called to Amy. The little girl ran up to him.
‘Your grandmother’s almost ready to leave now, Amy, and I’ve got to go to my meeting soon.’
Amy pulled a face. ‘Oh — can I come with you?’
‘I’m afraid not, it’ll be very boring and you wouldn’t like it at all. No, you’d be much happier staying with your grandmother.’
‘I’ve had a brill time this morning. Can I come again, Sophie?’
‘I’m sure you can, but you’ll have to ask Mrs Harding because it’s her cottage, you see.’
‘You’re very welcome, lovey,’ Aunt Rose said, a few minutes later, when Amy skipped indoors and repeated her question. ‘Now, are you going to take these peg dollies with you?’
It was Sophie’s turn to stand and watch from the back door, as the child set off with Keir. When they reached the gate they turned and waved.
‘There goes one very nice young man,’ Aunt Rose commented, echoing Sophie’s thoughts. The problem was he seemed too nice. There was another tick in the tick box — he was good with children too. Sophie knew she was becoming increasingly attracted to him and she was powerless to do anything about it.
The week fell into some kind of routine after that. Aunt Rose felt able to accompany Sophie to the farm shop, but declined Sophie’s suggestion that she might like to go further afield perhaps into Tonbridge.
‘When the weather improves, and I feel more confident walking on this foot, then there’ll be no stopping me but, for the moment, I’m happy to stay in Penbridge. But don’t let me stop you from having a wander round. There are quite a few things I could do with, if you do get near one of the supermarkets.’
