by Ali McNamara
I look out into the crowd, and recognise not only the faces of all the local residents that I know, but also the faces of my new family, all looking up at me with affection in their eyes, willing me to do well.
‘When I came to Chesterford I really didn’t know what to expect. I mean, you can’t do an evening class in how to run a castle, can you?’
There are a few polite titters.
‘But nothing prepared me for what I would find when I eventually did arrive. Not only this remarkable castle, which has stood so resolutely and so magnificently on the Northumbrian coast for centuries, but a community of people that love and adore it too. Stepping into someone else’s shoes is never easy, but when it’s a woman stepping into a man’s shoes, it’s often doubly difficult.’
A few of the women in the crowd nod their agreement.
‘But none of you made it that way for me,’ I continue. ‘You all accepted me, and helped me, and together we have hopefully not only created something in the new stables that will bring more pleasure to our many visitors, but we have begun together a new era for Chesterford, one that will bring much prosperity to the castle and to you all in the local community.’
Some spontaneous applause breaks out, so I wait.
‘But before I cut this ceremonial ribbon, I must thank a few special people without whom I really couldn’t have done this. First, to the two people you see holding the ribbon next to me.’ I gesture towards Tiffany and Joey. ‘Tiffany, my right-hand woman, you’ve been an absolute rock throughout all of this. I simply couldn’t have got through it without you. And Joey – you are a rock too. You’re strong and brave and wise. Never forget that.’
Tiffany and Joey both look highly embarrassed but thrilled at my words.
‘Arthur and Dorothy, you’ve been totally amazing, welcoming us and helping us to understand the ways of the castle. You’ve not only become good friends to me, but you’ve become surrogate grandparents to my son, too. Charlie and I can’t thank you enough.’
Charlie, holding Chester in his arms, grins up at Arthur and Dorothy, who he’s standing next to. Arthur gives me a small salute, and Dorothy fumbles for a tissue to dab at her tear-filled eyes.
‘My good friend Benji, like me, is new to Chesterford,’ I say, looking across at Benji. ‘But without him I definitely wouldn’t be standing here right now. Thank you, Benji, for helping me to see I was good enough to do this.’ Benji blows me a kiss.
‘And finally Tom.’ I look at Tom, who is standing in the crowd looking proudly back at me. ‘What can I say? Thank you for being not only Charlie’s knight in shining armour, but mine too. I didn’t think this princess needed rescuing, but perhaps I was wrong. Perhaps I did need a handsome prince to sweep me off my feet?’
Tom winks at me, and I gaze back at him for a moment. Thank you, I silently mouth.
‘Now,’ I say, looking into the crowd once more, ‘without further ado, let’s finally get this place open!’ I take some shiny new scissors from Joey and I hold them over the ribbon. ‘I now declare The Stables gift shop and tea room officially open!’
There’s rapturous applause as I snip at the white ribbon, and I breathe a sigh of relief as people begin to pour into the stables to get their free refreshments and browse the goods in the gift shop.
‘Here,’ Benji says, thrusting a glass of bubbly into my hand. ‘You look like you need it.’
‘If you knew how long I’ve been practising that speech,’ I tell him.
‘It was superb!’ Benji says, clinking glasses with me. ‘Here’s to many more like it in the future!’
I screw up my face.
‘If you’ve finally accepted that you’re the rightful lady of the manor then you’d better get used to it. That’s what they do, don’t they – open things and make speeches?’
‘Benji, stop teasing me,’ I tell him, gulping down some prosecco. ‘Just be happy I’m doing what you all want at last.’
Benji grins. ‘I am! We all are, you know that.’
‘You were great,’ Tom says, coming over to us and putting his arm around me. ‘I’m very proud of you.’ He kisses my cheek.
‘Thank you.’ I snuggle into his embrace a little. I always feel safe when Tom’s arm is around me, and after making that speech I need all the reassurance I can get.
‘Mum!’ Charlie says, running through the crowd with Chester on a lead, tugging Dorothy behind him. ‘You were fab! I loved your speech. It was a bit like the one my headmaster gave the other day in assembly, only better, and fewer people fell asleep.’
‘The ultimate compliment!’ I hug Charlie, and look at Dorothy. ‘I hope he’s not giving you too much trouble, Dorothy, dragging you around?’
‘Not at all,’ Dorothy says, looking adoringly at Charlie. ‘He’s a poppet, as is Chester.’
As if on cue, Chester barks his agreement.
‘You’re looking very swish today, Dorothy,’ I tell her. ‘I like your dress.’
‘Thank you,’ Dorothy says, smiling. ‘I thought I’d make an effort since it was an important day for you and for the castle. It’s new.’
‘And very nice it is too. You look lovely.’ I’m about to take another sip of my drink, when something about Dorothy’s manner makes my eyes remain upon her. She’s sort of staring at me as though she wants me to notice something.
I look at her again, and then I see it. With her lovely new dress, Dorothy is wearing what looks like quite an old necklace. But it’s not the age of the chain that piques my interest, but the item that’s hanging delicately from it.
Because around Dorothy’s neck is a cameo pendant, and it’s not just any cameo she has resting against her ample chest, but one that matches the brooch I’m wearing today.
For this momentous day at the castle I’ve chosen to wear Clara’s precious cameo brooch pinned to my dress, and it would seem that Dorothy has chosen to wear Mary’s missing necklace.
Forty-nine
Dorothy doesn’t seem in the least bit surprised when I drag her away from the crowds and try to find a quiet bit of the castle in which we can talk. But there seem to be people milling around everywhere today, so finally I guide her into the Great Hall, and eventually through to the Ladies’ Chamber, where I know if we close the door, we will at last have some privacy.
‘Where did you get that necklace, Dorothy?’ I ask, sitting next to Dorothy on the chaise longue, and staring at the cameo pendant.
‘It’s a family heirloom,’ Dorothy says calmly. ‘Do you like it?’
‘Yes I do. It’s like my brooch, isn’t it?’ I say, pointing to my own jewellery.
‘It is. I thought you’d notice it; that’s why I chose to wear it today.’
I look at Dorothy, trying to work her out.
‘You know, don’t you?’ I say suddenly. ‘You know about Mary and Clara?’
Dorothy nods. ‘Of course I know. This necklace has been in my family for decades. All us Edwards know.’
‘But why haven’t you or your family ever said anything? Some of you could have been the Earls or the Countesses of Chesterford if you’d said something; it would have been a direct line.’
‘Because we were happy as we were. The story, along with this pendant, has been passed down through each generation of Edwards. Everyone the story was told to understood exactly what it might mean if we ever shared it with anyone outside the family. We were never told not to share, or not to go looking for Clara’s diary, it was always our choice. We’ve always been happy working for whoever the Earl and Countess were at the time; we didn’t want the responsibility of being in charge. The Edwards family have always been happy being in service. We like being downstairs here at the castle. It suits us. We’re content with our lot in life.’
I continue to stare at Dorothy.
‘But what about when they couldn’t find someone to take over here when the last Earl died? Didn’t you think then you might like to step up?’
‘I did think about it,’ Dorothy says st
eadily. ‘And if they hadn’t found someone I might have said something. This castle has been mine and Arthur’s whole life; I wouldn’t see it go to ruin. But luckily they found you, didn’t they, my dear?’ She pats my hand. ‘So I didn’t have to.’
‘But . . . ’ I’m lost for words. The missing heir had been Dorothy all this time, and not only that, but she knew she was too.
‘But Arthur said your father was called Frank,’ I say, finding my voice at last. ‘If you are the direct descendant of Clara’s sister Mary, then your father was supposed to have been called George?’
‘He was,’ Dorothy explains. ‘Silly old duffer changed his name to Frank because he had a friend called George and he said it was confusing when they played on the local cricket team together. Frank was his nickname and it stuck. After a while not many knew his real name was George at all.’
I stare at Dorothy again, still trying to make sense of what she’s telling me.
‘Does Arthur know about this?’ I suddenly ask. Arthur had sworn blind he knew nothing about the heir. I couldn’t bear to think of him lying to me.
Dorothy shakes her head. ‘No, we Edwardses have kept this in our family for years. Not even our spouses know the full story. I can only imagine what some of them might have tried to do if they sensed a bit of money or power might be in the offing.’
‘That is true, I guess.’
‘Arthur told me you were looking, though,’ Dorothy admits. ‘And we both said the same thing – that we didn’t want you to find another heir. We both love having you and little Charlie around, and we couldn’t bear the thought of someone else moving in and starting again, and, besides,’ she adds sadly, ‘what good would it have been if I had come forward as being the rightful heir? Arthur and I haven’t been blessed with any children, so the line would have stopped with us. This way the Chesterford family tree continues with you, then Charlie, and possibly even Charlie’s children in the future. It’s for the best this way, my dear, really it is.’
‘So why tell me today, Dorothy? Why not keep it a secret?’
‘Because I knew you’d keep looking. Yes, I know you said you’d stopped; Arthur was pleased as punch the day you told him that. But I knew differently; I could tell you’d always wonder. Wonder if you should actually be here. Wonder if the castle was rightfully yours. Wonder if one day someone was going to pop up and take it all away from you both. But now you know the truth, you can stop wondering. You can settle down here with Charlie and with Tom.’ She raises her eyebrows and pats my hand again. ‘And the three of you can make Chesterford not only a great castle again, but a wonderful home.’ She holds her hand up as I’m about to speak.
‘And don’t you try to persuade me otherwise, young lady, do you hear? Because now you know who the missing heir is, you also know that you have her permission, and most importantly her blessing, for you not only to live here now but for your future generations to live here too. It’s what I and all the others want, including my great-aunt Ruby and my great-great-aunt Clara.’
Dorothy looks behind me, and as I turn to see what she’s looking at I expect to see the portrait of Clara on the wall, but Dorothy is looking away from that at what appears to be an empty space on the rug.
‘Are they here?’ I ask, amazed, as I suddenly realise that Dorothy can see the ghosts too. ‘Clara and Ruby? You can see them, Dorothy?’
‘I can,’ Dorothy nods, ‘and they look pleased, very pleased.’
‘Why can’t I?’ I ask in an anguished voice.
‘Because it’s not quite the right time for you yet. You will see them, my dearest Amelia. You will, I promise.’
Dorothy and I walk back outside to the others arm in arm.
‘Where have you been?’ Benji asks anxiously as he spies us walking across the courtyard towards him. ‘Arthur is going bananas looking for you, something about a key ceremony?’
‘Oh yes, the ceremonial key! I’d forgotten he was going to do that today. Where is he?’ I ask, looking around.
‘Over by the stables. You’d best go find him.’
I leave Dorothy with Benji and hurry back to the stables.
‘Here you are at last!’ Arthur says with relief when he sees me. ‘I want to do this before people start leaving.’
‘Sure, sorry, Arthur. I had some . . . business to take care of. Is that the special key?’ I ask, looking at a large iron key in Arthur’s hands. It looks exactly like the one we’d found hidden in the trunks in the cellar.
‘It is; now we just need to get everyone’s attention.’
‘Tom, can you get everyone together again?’ I ask him as he comes wandering over. ‘Arthur has an announcement he wants to make.’
‘Sure,’ Tom says, leaping up on to the box in front of the microphone. ‘Joey, can you switch this thing on again?’ he calls. Joey waves and does as he asks.
‘Ladies and gentlemen, if I could just have your attention one more time, please. Arthur, our beloved stalwart of Chesterford, would like to say a few words.’
People begin to gather around the mic again as Arthur steps up on to the box.
‘Ahem . . . as some of you may know,’ he begins, looking a tad self-conscious, ‘when a new owner takes control of Chesterford Castle, they are traditionally presented with this ceremonial key to signify not only their possession of the castle but their allegiance to Chesterford village and the people that live here. It is an ancient ceremony that has taken place many, many times over the centuries, yet one that is still equally important and relevant today in the often troubled times in which we live. Chesterford Castle is something solid and reliable, in a world where everything has to be fast and disposable, and I for one welcome that security.’ There’s a small ripple of approving applause, and Arthur waits until it has died down before continuing. ‘I think you will all agree that our new owner has come to Chesterford and not only brought about solid change for the good of the castle and the community, but she has done it with style and grace, and most importantly a good heart, and I am delighted that she and her son Charlie are going to be a permanent part of our Chesterford family. So without further ado, I ask you, Amelia Chesterford, to accept this key as a symbol of your allegiance and ownership of Chesterford Castle. May your time here bring you good health, much wealth, and above all lots of happiness.’
I take the key from Arthur and hold it above my head so the photographer who is still here from the local newspaper can get a good shot.
‘Oh look!’ someone suddenly cries. ‘There’s a rainbow over the bay!’
Everyone in the crowd turns to look, then they begin to rush over to the exterior wall of the castle to get a better view. Mobile phones are suddenly produced, and people begin taking photos of this magnificent phenomenon of nature as it radiates its magic in the sky above us.
I look up at the incredibly bright, vibrant rainbow and I smile. I knew exactly what that means – everything is A-okay again here at the castle. Just like Benji had said.
I look for Charlie in amongst the people, but when I see him I notice he’s not looking at the rainbow, instead he’s gazing up at the top of the castle behind me.
I turn to see what he’s staring so intently at, and then I see for myself: up on the castle ramparts, in between two of the towers, stand four figures – an older man wearing Elizabethan-style clothing, a young girl in a white apron and a shabby brown dress, a red-coated soldier on top of a white horse, and, lastly, an elegant woman in a pale green evening gown, wearing emerald and diamond jewellery.
Percy, Ruby, Jasper and, at long last, Clara.
They all look down at me and wave, then Clara blows me a kiss. I glance back at Charlie and find he’s grinning at me, and then we both look immediately back up at the castle again, but the figures have disappeared.
The ghosts of Chesterford Castle have given me their own unique seal of approval, just like the rainbow had.
It seems Charlie and I have finally found our way back home.
Ackn
owledgements
Wow, this is my tenth book, and that means my tenth set of acknowledgements!
Surprisingly, and rather gratifyingly, the people I have to thank now are mostly the same people I thanked ten books ago.
My amazing agent, Hannah Ferguson for believing in me and ‘Scarlett and Sean’ all those years ago.
All the team at Sphere and Little, Brown who published book number one and are still publishing my stories ten books later. And my editors over that time: Caroline Hogg, Rebecca Saunders and currently, marvellous Maddie West.
You, my loyal and avid readers. Some of you have been with me from the beginning (thank you!) and some of you are just finding my books now. Never underestimate how much your messages of joy, happiness, thanks and support are appreciated. They never fail to put a smile on this author’s face.
And last, but never least, my wonderful family: my husband Jim, my daughter Rosie and my son Tom, whose never-ending love and support mean more every day.
Until the next time . . .
Ali x
