by Jenny Lane
Keir sighed. ‘The problem is, we’re going to have to clear this with Peggy Munn. Erica says she didn’t receive any money for the boxes, because she agreed to wait until Peggy had sold the contents. Erica assures me she’d completely forgotten about them until I spoke to her, but technically, as they’re on Peggy’s property, I suppose we can’t just walk off with them and so, for the time being, we’d better not raise your family’s hopes by mentioning our find.’
‘If you say so.’
Keir saw the crestfallen expression on her face and, moving towards her, caught her hands in his. ‘I know how much this means to you.’
‘I just wanted to sort it out. Uncle Hugh intended Aunt Rose and my parents to have a keepsake that he had selected for them. Aunt Rose loves the bowl you gave her for her birthday, but although it belonged to Hugh and Mary, it isn’t quite the same as if they had intended it for her, is it?’
His expression softened. ‘You’re a very caring person, Sophie,’ he said gently. ‘We’ll sort it out.’ Keir turned back to the box. ‘I thought I’d completely emptied this, but there’s something else.’
He removed another package and unwrapped it carefully to reveal an exquisite pair of ceramic candlesticks.
‘I don’t believe it — no wonder Erica said she couldn’t find these!’
He set them down on the counter and then picking one up, turned it over in his hand.
‘Hugh bought them for Erica for their first wedding anniversary,’ he said slowly. ‘I thought she would treasure them.’
‘Perhaps she didn’t realise they were in the box with the other things.’
‘Thanks, Sophie. I’d truly like to think that was the case,’ he said gruffly.
‘Were they made by the same potter as the other pieces Hugh left you?’ she asked quietly.
He nodded, as if not trusting himself to speak and bowed his head, but not before she had seen the raw emotion in his eyes. She moved to his side and caught his arm.
‘Tell me, Keir. What happened.’
He shook his head and suddenly she was in his arms and he was kissing her, but the kisses were bittersweet because she sensed he was still swamped by memories of the past.
‘Tell me, Keir,’ she said again, when they drew apart.
For an answer he placed a finger on her lips.
‘I will, I promise — very soon, and you must tell me your story too.’
She was saved from replying because the shop door jangled just then and Aunt Rose came in carrying another box of eggs.
‘Frances gave me a lift on her way to collect the children from school.’ She looked from one to the other. ‘Is everything all right?’
‘Yes, indeed,’ Keir replied. ‘Very all right. We’ve had an extremely productive afternoon. We’ve sorted through some of those boxes, and it only remains for me to speak to John Munn before we can dispose of the contents.’
Sophie caught his gaze and realised that she’d need to keep very quiet about their find for the time being.
There was something else she was going to have to keep to herself too — the knowledge that she was in love with Keir Ellison.
Once he had seen the contents of the boxes from Rowanbank, John Munn did not waste any time. Keir phoned Sophie to tell her that John had spoken with his mother, who vaguely remembered Erica bringing the boxes to the shop. Who had been responsible for stacking them on the top shelf was a mystery in itself.
Peggy said that it was highly unlikely that she would have paid Erica anything until there had been a sale, but there ought to be some sort of record in her stock books.
John promised he’d take a look and get back to them as soon as possible and that in the meantime, Peggy insisted that the parcels that were very clearly labelled, should be handed to the people they were intended for.
Keir thought the right thing to do would be to contact the solicitor on Monday. In the meantime, they agreed to remain silent on the issue.
After they’d finished discussing this over the phone, Keir said casually, ‘Sophie, I realise this is very short notice, but I thought I’d have a run down to Rye tomorrow. There’s a pottery I’d like to take a look at so, if you’re free, I was wondering if you’d care to come along?’
‘That’d be great,’ she assured him, her heart pounding. ‘I haven’t got anything planned apart from going to the farm shop for Aunt Rose.’
‘Right, if you can fit that in early, I could pick you up by ten,’ he said. ‘Have you been to Rye before?’
‘I’m not sure — maybe when I was a child. It’s in Sussex, isn’t it?’
‘Certainly is. Medieval flavour, cobbled streets, harbour, one of the Cinque Ports — ring any bells?’
‘Probably, in the dim and distant past.’
***
The weekend which had previously seemed as if it would be uneventful, now took on a new dimension. Sophie knew that every moment spent with Keir would be precious. She told herself she mustn’t read too much into his kisses which she accepted had been something to do with the candlesticks — something that she didn’t understand.
She supposed Keir would confide in her in his own good time, but for now she was determined just to enjoy his company.
They set off soon after ten o’clock. It was a bright February morning and here and there they spotted clumps of snowdrops and bright yellow splashes of aconites in people’s gardens. They could see for miles across a rather stark landscape which Sophie knew would come alive as spring approached.
There was so much to see and do in Rye that they were spoilt for choice. First they visited the pottery where Keir spent a long time examining the goods in the showroom.
Sophie was fascinated by the exquisite Majolica figures of animals and birds and wondered if she’d ever aspire to making such things herself.
When they eventually moved away Keir said, ‘Let’s have some lunch. I’m absolutely ravenous!’
Over a fish lunch in a charming restaurant, housed in a building dating from the 1800s Keir said, ‘I really enjoy your company, Sophie, and I’d like to get to know you better.’
‘So, what do you want to know?’ she asked tentatively.
‘Everything. I really want to find out what makes you tick. Tell me about the times you spent in Penbridge when you stayed at Rowanbank.’
They exchanged anecdotes about university days and holidays and she discovered Keir had a married sister and a mother living in Gloucestershire. By the time they’d finished coffee she realised they’d both skated round anything to do with past relationships.
‘So how did you come to meet Uncle Hugh?’ she asked casually.
‘Oh, at a pottery exhibition up in London. We got talking and after that we kept in touch.’
She hazarded a guess. ‘Would I be right in thinking it was an exhibition of that potter’s work you both admired so much?’
She could tell from the expression on his face that she was right.
‘Was that pure conjecture or did someone ... ?’
Sophie shook her head. ‘I realise she obviously meant a lot to the pair of you. I saw the way you reacted over those candlesticks — remember?’
He nodded and his brown eyes clouded. ‘I still find it difficult to talk about — the same as I’m aware there are things you’d prefer not to mention, such as your reason for leaving the school where Peter Standish used to be deputy head.’
She lowered her gaze. ‘OK, I expect we all have our Achilles’ heel.’
‘They say time is a great healer so let’s hope they’re right,’ he said softly.
Afterwards they sauntered hand in hand along Mermaid Street, a cobbled lane full of medieval buildings. They stopped to admire the famous Mermaid Inn.
‘I was reading that in the eighteenth century, this place used to be the headquarters of a famous band of smugglers called the Hawkhurst Gang,’ Keir informed her. ‘Now, what would you like to do next? It’s a bit cold to hang about, but we could take a look at the antiq
ue glass shop, just as a change from ceramics.’
‘Brilliant idea!’ she told him, as they wandered round the most amazing display of glassware she had ever seen in her life.
‘Once the craft centre is up and running, we’re going to need to keep our options open. Several of the units are allocated already and we’re only interested in fairly high class stuff. We hope to have an area to encourage talented youngsters to work and exhibit their creations.’
‘Was that Uncle Hugh’s idea too?’ she asked.
‘Yes, he was so enthusiastic. It’s one of the reasons I came to Penbridge.’
Sophie wondered what the others were. There was so much about Keir she still needed to discover. ‘Penbridge is a lovely spot. Ever since I visited as a child, I’ve really loved it.’
‘I suppose you knew Rowanbank pretty well — all its nooks and crannies?’
She smiled, remembering her childhood.
‘Oh, yes, my brother, myself and Crystal Briggs used to play hide and seek, but Crystal’s older sister — Amy’s mum — thought she was too old to play with us.’
‘You’ll have to show me some photos sometime. I bet you were a cute little girl.’
‘I don’t know about that. Actually, I was a bit of an untidy tomboy, always climbing trees.’
He chuckled.
The light was fading as they began their homeward journey and she didn’t want the day to end. He said, ‘How about us rounding off the day over dinner?’
Her heart pounded. ‘I’d love to do that, Keir. The only problem is, I’m not the slightest bit hungry.’
He laughed. ‘Well, I am. I could eat for England! Tell you what, how about coming back to Rowanbank and we can have omelettes and salad. You can always phone Rose so that she knows you’ll be a bit late.’
‘Oh, she won’t mind. She’s going to see a film in the village hall with some friends from church — except I did arrange to run her down there for seven o’clock.’
‘Were you intending to join them?’ he asked.
‘Only if I hadn’t been doing anything else. Actually, I’ve seen the film before so I wasn’t that bothered.’
‘I’m flattered you’ve chosen me over a film,’ he teased. ‘Now, you transport Rose whilst I prepare a salad, by which time you might have worked up an appetite.’
It was almost eight o’clock by the time Sophie arrived at Rowanbank. She’d considered changing into some-thing more dressy, but decided against it. She freshened up and put on a pretty jumper, and redid her hair and make-up.
Keir came to the door with a tea-towel over his arm. ‘Madame, if I may take your coat, your table awaits.’
Sophie laughed and allowed him to help her off with her coat, catching her breath as she felt his body close to hers.
‘I’ve just got the omelettes to make. There’s ham, cheese and mushroom for fillings.’
‘Sounds wonderful.’
Keir ushered her into the dining room where the table was already set with an immaculate white cloth, gleaming cutlery and a candelabra. There was a wedding photograph of Hugh and Erica on the unit.
Sophie had to admit that they looked blissfully happy and was surprised that Erica hadn’t taken the photograph with her. In the glass section of the unit were the pieces of pottery Keir had displayed at the exhibition in the village hall. She wondered again about the potter. She had obviously been a close friend of his — a girlfriend perhaps?
A few minutes later, they were tucking into fluffy omelettes and winter salad, washed down with glasses of white wine.
He had turned on the wall lights and soft music played from the expensive music centre. It was a romantic atmosphere and she felt totally relaxed in his company, loving every minute of it.
This time they talked about their childhood and schooldays. They ate one of Mrs Briggs cherry pies for dessert with ice cream, and then they moved into the sitting room and sat over coffee.
Keir joined Sophie on the sofa and it seemed natural when his arm slid round her waist. Suddenly, she was in his arms and he was stroking her hair and kissing her.
‘Thank you for a delightful day, Sophie. I enjoy being with you so much. We haven’t known each other very long, but there’s an undeniable bond between us.’
She leant against him, feeling the warmth emanating from his muscular body, and this time when his lips met hers it was beyond her wildest dreams. His kisses set her on fire.
She drifted away on a cloud of euphoria, nestling against him. The sound of the front door closing shot them apart.
‘What on earth?’ Keir sprang to his feet.
‘Burglars don’t usually use the front entrance. Could it be Mrs Briggs?’
Keir’s tensed. Just as he reached the door it opened. The woman who stood there looked as if she’d stepped off the front of a fashion magazine.
Keir was the first to speak. ‘Erica! I hadn’t expected to see you!’
‘Obviously not! Don’t I deserve a kiss, darling?’
Keir obliged.
Sophie stood, as if rooted to the spot. After a moment or two, during which Erica Mercer shrugged off her fur-trimmed coat and slung it over a chair, Keir propelled Sophie forward, his hand on her elbow.
‘Erica, this is Hugh’s cousin’s daughter, Sophie Burnett.’
‘Oh, yes, I thought I’d seen you somewhere before.’
For a moment it was as if Sophie had been struck dumb, but then she felt Keir behind her, his hand gently resting on her arm.
‘I’m staying with Rose Harding,’ she said, when she finally managed to find her voice.
Erica’s green eyes glinted. ‘Right that’s one of the reasons I’m here — to sort out all this wretched business over the stuff Hugh’s supposed to have left Rose and your father. So tiresome to have all this hassle, although it’s given me an opportunity to see Keir.’
Sophie felt slightly faint. ‘It’s time I was going,’ she said, forcing herself to sound normal.
‘Yes, if you don’t mind,’ Erica said dismissively. ‘Keir and I have rather a lot to discuss, haven’t we, darling?’ She moved to a side table and poured herself a glass of wine and, as she did so, Sophie noticed the engagement ring.
It was not the one Hugh had given Erica, which had been sapphire and diamonds in an antique setting. No, this was a modern design — an ostentatious cluster of diamonds.
Sophie felt her throat constricting, mesmerised by the sight of the ring. She could not bear to look at Keir. He didn’t say anything merely nodded in reply to Erica who caught his arm.
Sophie could not escape from the room quickly enough. It was less than a year since Hugh had died and Erica was engaged again.
Sophie swallowed. She and Keir had been having such a wonderful day. Now she didn’t know what to think. Surely, he and Erica ...? She shook her head, as if to rid herself of the thought.
They were obviously more than just friends. Keir hadn’t attempted to persuade Sophie to stay and Erica had kissed him warmly.
Had he been leading Sophie on, just amusing himself until Erica’s return? The tears blurred her eyes and she dashed them away angrily.
***
The following morning over breakfast, Aunt Rose stared at Sophie in disbelief.
‘You’re telling me Erica’s returned and she’s wearing an engagement ring?’
Sophie patted Aunt Rose’s arm sympathetically. ‘I’m so sorry, but I had to tell you before someone else did, and I didn’t want to spoil your evening out.’
Aunt Rose nodded. ‘Thank you for that, dear. It was a very good film. Well, I’ve no idea what to make of all this. I suppose Erica’s met someone in Spain.’
If only that were the case. Sophie couldn’t trust herself to voice her thoughts. She’d tossed and turned most of the night, trying to make sense of it all. She felt a deep pain inside her, as the realisation dawned that Keir was no better than Brett when it came to deceit.
***
Back at Rowanbank, Keir was finding it
hard to have his space suddenly invaded by Erica. She had swept in like a whirlwind, full of demands, and didn’t seem to realise the mayhem she was causing.
He’d seen the hurt in Sophie’s eyes, the unspoken questions.
If only Erica’s arrival could have been timed a bit differently. If only she hadn’t barged in like that. There was so much he needed to say to Sophie and now he’d have to postpone it. He had thought their relationship was going places, but now, thanks to Erica, it was in danger of falling apart.
‘I could have wished you’d have given me a little warning, Erica, rather than turning up out of the blue like this,’ he said, as they sat over a late breakfast.
Erica buttered a croissant. ‘Oh, you know me, darling. I do things on an impulse, but I would remind you that Rowanbank is still my house, so surely I can come and go as I please.’ She put a hand on his sleeve. ‘Anyway, you’re full of surprises yourself, aren’t you, darling? I wouldn’t have thought that mousy little creature was your type, Keir.’
‘Then that just shows how little you know about me, doesn’t it?’ he said curtly. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got rather a lot of school work to do this morning.’
‘So, what am I supposed to do whilst you’re doing that?’ Erica demanded petulantly.
‘I don’t know — paint your nails, read the newspaper, find something in the freezer for lunch,’ he said testily.
‘Oh, you can take me out for lunch,’ she told him airily. ‘You know how I detest cooking. What about these wretched boxes. Can’t I take a look at those to stop me dying from boredom?’
Keir frowned. ‘You know you can’t, Erica. We’ve discussed that already. That’s mainly why you’re here, isn’t it, so that you can sort the matter out with John Munn and his mother. You’ll need to contact your solicitor first thing tomorrow. I’m working, but if you want me to come with you, I could probably ...’
‘That’s sweet of you, Keir, but unless you don’t trust me to sort it out, I’ll manage perfectly well on my own,’ she told him firmly.
He didn’t bother to reply, merely cleared his breakfast dishes and went into the study, closing the door behind him.
Erica reached for her mobile, a slight smile playing about her lips. The sooner she could get all this business over and done with the sooner she could get on with the real purpose of her visit.
