by Jenny Lane
‘Only pleasant ones where Sophie is concerned. She was brilliant at fundraising for events such as Children In Need.’
‘Obviously takes after Hugh then,’ Keir commented.
‘Speaking of Hugh, have you heard anything from Erica recently?’ Beverley enquired.
It was Keir’s turn to look startled. ‘She e-mails from time to time and seems to be enjoying life in Spain. When she gets bored she’ll return to England, no doubt.’
Sophie realised that she wasn’t the only one waiting on his reply. Glenda’s green eyes narrowed as she said, ‘So when she returns to England will she come back to Penbridge?’
‘I really have no idea,’ Keir said shortly. ‘We’ll have to wait and see, won’t we?’
Beverley was studying her nails and obviously wishing that she hadn’t mentioned Erica and Sophie wondered again just what the connection was between Keir and Hugh’s young widow.
‘We were talking about the craft centre before you arrived,’ Beverley said brightly.
‘Oh, really. I can’t wait for it to get off the ground. Of course, my father thinks it’s all a bit frivolous. He’s a bit peeved that it’s all going ahead.’
‘Perhaps he’ll change his mind once it’s opened,’ Keir said.
‘You don’t know my father,’ Glenda told him, helping herself to a handful of peanuts.
‘But I think I do,’ Peter said with a grin. ‘I reckon we’ll win him round eventually. Now would anyone like any more coffee?’
‘Now that the quaint old shop where we’ve been displaying our ceramics is closed, I suppose we’ll need to find another outlet,’ Glenda said.
Sophie’s head shot up. ‘What do you mean, closed? Aunt Rose and I were only working there on Thursday afternoon.’
Glenda examined her nails which were painted a startling blue. ‘There was a closed sign on the door when I went past there this afternoon. Apparently the old woman who owns it is ill.’
‘You’re partly right,’ Keir chipped in. ‘Mrs Munn is suffering from a Huey cold and so her daughter-in-law’s taken her to stay with her for a few days, but as to closing on a permanent basis, well that’s not going to happen for a while yet.’
‘OK, but that old biddy must be way over eighty so it’s high time she retired,’ Glenda said rudely.
‘That old biddy, as you call her, happens to be a friend of Aunt Rose’s, so I’d rather you didn’t talk about her like that,’ Sophie said sharply.
Glenda’s eyebrows shot up. ‘Sorry, I’m sure. Anyway, when she goes my father will make sure the premises are sold for something a bit more upmarket.’
Sophie bit back a retort, not wishing to descend to Glenda’s level and Beverley, sensing an atmosphere between the two of them said, ‘Would you like to see what we’ve done to the spare room, Sophie? Glenda’s had a look already.’
Relieved, Sophie followed her out of the room.
‘You mustn’t mind Glenda, Sophie. She’s very outspoken — takes after her father there. Underneath all that brashness she’s really rather unsure of herself.’
‘Hmm, well she’ll be old one day, so let’s hope she develops a more sympathetic attitude. Wow, Beverley! This room is lovely.’
‘Yes, we’re pleased with it. You must come again when the children are here. I’ve really enjoyed your company. It’s good you and Keir get on so well. He’s such a lovely guy. I suppose you know how he came to be living in Penbridge?’
‘Well, actually ...’ Sophie began when Peter called up the stairs.
‘Phone Bev. It’s your mother to tell you what sort of a day the kids have had.’
With an apologetic smile, Beverley excused herself and Sophie wished the interruption hadn’t been at that precise moment.
It was getting on for ten-thirty when Keir stood up to leave. Glenda begged a lift and they departed shortly afterwards. Keir dropped her off at a large detached house. He made absolutely no comment as he drove on, but Sophie couldn’t help wondering what he was thinking. For her the evening had been going so well until Glenda had turned up. It was obvious that the young woman was determined to do everything in her power to get Keir to notice her. Was Keir so impervious as he made out?
As they drove back through the village Keir remarked, ‘I was sorry to hear Peggy Munn was so poorly. I actually didn’t want to spoil your evening by mentioning it earlier, but I saw John Munn in the pub last night and he was telling me roughly what Glenda said. The problem is, John and his wife really can’t cover the shop more than they’re doing already, especially when Peggy needs looking after as well.’
‘Oh, dear. She wasn’t at all well on Thursday, but we hoped she was getting better now. Aunt Rose will be upset. I don’t think she can take it on board that Peggy might retire.’
‘OK, we’ll just have to think round it, won’t we?’ he said mysteriously.
‘How do you mean?’ Sophie demanded.
‘There’s got to be some solution for your aunt. The craft centre will be up and running by Easter if all goes according to plan, but that’s not ‘til April, so there’s time enough to think things through. Not only that, but the rest of us are still going to continue to need an outlet for our work in the short term, as Glenda pointed out. Don’t worry, Sophie. Just because things are looking bleak at the moment, it doesn’t mean to say we can’t work round it. Rose’s dolls’ house furniture is legendary, and it would be a great pity if she had to stop producing it.’
‘Actually, I think she’s finding it a bit of a struggle because of the arthritis in her hands, but she’s not going to give in easily.’
‘And nor should she. Anyway, John says he hopes to reopen again on Tuesday.’
He pulled up outside Rose Cottage, leant over and kissed her on the cheek.
‘Things’ll work out, you’ll see. It’s been a good evening, hasn’t it?’
Aunt Rose was sitting over a mug of hot chocolate, watching the tail end of a documentary.
‘Hello, dear. I thought you’d be a lot later than this. Did you enjoy your evening?’
‘Yes, it was a lovely meal. How about you?’
Aunt Rose beamed, ‘I had a lovely time too. They made me so welcome. Fiona’s mum, Betty, is a widow and she’s decided to sell up and move down here as soon as it can be arranged. We got on really well.’
‘That’s good.’ Sophie hesitated. She didn’t like to mention Peggy Munn’s shop being closed, but knew she’d better fill Aunt Rose in so that she didn’t hear the news in church the following morning.
‘Well, I can’t say I’m surprised, but it’s a dreadful shame. I wonder if I could fit in any more hours down there, although I’m not too keen to do it on my own!’
‘I could probably manage another session. We’ll have to get our heads together,’ Sophie told her. ‘By the way, I was interested to learn that Keir is still in contact with Erica. Beverley asked him outright.’
‘Well, I suppose if he’s renting her house then he’s got to be. I don’t see anything strange in that, Sophie. I just hope that if she does decide to sell Rowanbank, she gives Keir first refusal.’
So did Sophie. Suddenly the thought of being in Penbridge without Keir seemed something she really didn’t want to contemplate. He had given her a new purpose in life, melted the ice around her heart and made her come alive again.
***
Work was a great deal easier the following week apart from Stanley Pierce who made it clear that he’d rather Sophie wasn’t there.
‘All the other support staff have worked outside in a separate area. It’s less distracting,’ he told her.
When she arrived back at Rose Cottage she found Aunt Rose sitting at the kitchen table, eyes glistening with tears.
‘Whatever’s wrong?’ Sophie asked, alarmed.
‘It’s Peggy. John’s just called in to give me the key on his way to work, and he’s told me the news.’
‘Is she worse?’ Sophie prompted, sitting opposite Aunt Rose.
‘No, no, it’s not tha
t. She’s on the mend. But she’s finally thrown in the towel and decided to move nearer to them, which will mean giving up the shop. John says he’ll endeavour to keep it open for about three afternoons a week, just until the property is sold. Actually, he’s offered to pay me to do a bit more sorting out. Apparently, Peggy’s perfectly happy for me to do that and there’s a cupboard jam-packed with stock. He’ll have a clearance sale eventually. It’s a bit of a body blow, Sophie, I have to tell you.’
‘I’m so sorry, Aunt Rose. I can’t imagine how you must be feeling,’ Sophie said sympathetically.
Aunt Rose blew her nose and got briskly to her feet. ‘Well, I’d better not sit here all day. There’s work to be done. Have you had any lunch, Sophie?’
‘Not yet, but I can grab something from the baker’s once we’ve opened up.’ She picked up the box of dolls’ house furniture from the table and they set off.
They spent the afternoon sorting through previously unopened boxes and labelling them ready for John to see, only stopping to serve the occasional customer.
‘I knew Peggy was a hoarder, but this is ridiculous,’ Rose said, mopping her brow.
‘We ought to get Keir to take a look. He’d know if there was anything of value and then, with John and Peggy’s permission, we could organise some kind of sale.’
It seemed that no sooner had the words left Sophie’s mouth than Keir appeared.
‘I’ve just popped in to see how things are going and to find out if you want a lift to the class tonight. My goodness, whatever’s all this?’
‘About five years’ worth of new stock, I would imagine. It’s such a mixture that we’re going to have a problem pricing it up.’
Keir consulted his watch. ‘I could spare half-an-hour or so, if that would help, just to separate the more expensive items from the junk.’
‘Oh, I don’t like doing this without Peggy’s say so. It doesn’t seem right somehow,’ Aunt Rose said worriedly.
‘Well, we’re not actually proposing to sell anything not already on display without consulting either Peggy or John, are we now?’ Sophie pointed out.
Keir made a quick assessment of the stuff they had unearthed so far. They found a marker and some labels and repacked the boxes once they’d been sorted.
‘How many more of these boxes are there?’
For an answer Rose led him to the back of the shop and flung back an ancient velvet curtain to reveal a series of shelves from floor to ceiling, stacked high with cardboard boxes of all shapes and sizes.
‘Quite an eye opener, isn’t it? No wonder John and his wife haven’t a clue where to begin.’
‘Mind if I take a look?’ Keir asked.
‘Feel free.’
Rose went off to serve a customer and Sophie lingered as Keir cast his eyes over the boxes. ‘Most of these look like new stock. Even I would need a ladder to reach that top shelf.’
Sophie fetched the steps stool and he hoisted himself up.
He spent several minutes looking at the labels on the boxes, pausing over one or two. When he clambered down again he dusted down his trousers and she noted the thoughtful expression on his face.
‘Keir, what is it? What exactly have you discovered up there?’
‘I’m not sure — something or nothing. Leave it with me for the moment. Sophie, you’re not working tomorrow afternoon, are you?’
‘No, why?’
‘Neither am I. Could you spare the time to come back here for an hour or two, with the Munns’ permission, of course.’
Rose finished dealing with the customer and joined them at the back of the shop.
‘Have you found some buried treasure, Keir?’
‘I doubt it, but there is a bit of a puzzle and I’d like to come back tomorrow when I’ve got a bit more time. I’m afraid I’ll have to go now or I won’t be ready for my class this evening and that would never do, would it, Sophie?’
‘Well, what do you make of that?’ Rose asked as the door closed behind him.
‘I can’t make out what he could have seen just by looking at the outside of some boxes,’ Sophie added, staring up at the shelves as if seeking inspiration.
‘We’re just going to have to be patient, aren’t we?’
***
Back at Rowanbank, Keir picked up the phone to Erica. To his surprise, she answered almost as soon as it started ringing. After exchanging a few pleasantries, he came to the point.
‘Erica have you had occasion to take any boxes of ornaments to Peggy Munn’s shop?’
‘What are you talking about, Keir? Why would I? Oh, wait a minute, I remember now, but that was yonks ago, when I was clearing out a cupboard in the spare room. I’d forgotten all about it. Why?’
‘Because ...’ He filled her in and asked a few pertinent questions.
‘As if I would! Honestly, Keir, if you’re right then it was a genuine mistake. You know what Hugh was like about getting rid of things. I just had to get on and do it myself. How was I to know? It just looked like a load of old junk to me — otherwise, why would it have been stowed in that cupboard? Anyway, you were left all the ceramics so, by rights, I suppose all that stuff’s yours. What’s that? Keir, if you haven’t even looked inside the boxes then why on earth are you making such a fuss?’
She listened impatiently for a few moments. ‘No, of course not. What? OK, I’ll leave it in your capable hands. I’m sure you can sort it out. If not I’ll get in touch with the people concerned. What a bore! Anyway, it could just be a load of old junk. Now we’ve got friends coming over tonight, so I’ll have to love you and leave you. Bye for now.’
Keir sighed as he put down the phone. Erica really was the limit. If his suspicions were right then it was a mercy Peggy Munn was such a hoarder. He consulted his watch and went into the study.
Chapter Ten
‘I’ve managed to get hold of John Munn,’ Keir told Sophie on the way to the class that evening. ‘He’s perfectly happy for me to take a look at the contents of the boxes and make a list. Apparently his mother just doesn’t feel up to doing it herself and has agreed to him taking charge, but obviously he’ll have to run everything past her before disposing of any of the stock.’
‘I take it there’s something that’s gripped your attention,’ Sophie prompted.
‘I’d rather not say for the moment. After all, it could be that the boxes have been recycled, in which case I’d have egg on my face if I told you what I was thinking.’
‘Right then, I’ll just have to wait until tomorrow afternoon, won’t I?’
‘Yes, I’m afraid we both will,’ he said, as he drove through the school gateway.
Keir had already unloaded the kiln and everyone crowded round to take a look at their efforts. ‘Today comes the exciting bit,’ Keir told them. ‘We’ll be decorating the jewellery prior to refiling it and then, next week, we can adhere clips and fastenings.’
Keir took the cufflinks he had been working on and showed them carefully how to apply metallic lustre bands to their jewellery. ‘It will just add the finishing touch.’
After this, they began to make dishes using moulds. It was during the break that one of the students asked, ‘Have we had any sales yet from Mrs Munn’s shop?’
‘I wouldn’t hold your breath?’ Glenda said rudely.
‘You’ll be pleasantly surprised,’ Keir told them. ‘Yes, there have been several sales, but I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a while for your payment, as the lady who runs the shop is indisposed and her son is dealing with it. I have it on the best authority, however, that we can continue to use the shop as an outlet for our wares. It’ll continue to open three or four times a week.’
‘That seems very positive,’ Crystal remarked. ‘Poor Mrs Munn has been very poorly with a nasty cold recently, which is why the shop’s been closed more often.’
Sophie thought Glenda looked distinctly uncomfortable, but she didn’t make any further comment.
The evening passed pleasantly enough and Soph
ie realised that, although she enjoyed what she was doing, she was just happy to be in Keir’s company.
When they’d finished clearing up the room, someone suggested they went for a drink. One or two of the group had to get home, but several of them, including Glenda, Crystal and Alan opted to go to the nearby pub. It was a relaxing atmosphere and Sophie watched Keir as he interacted with the other members of the group. He was such a charming, considerate man and she knew she was in danger of falling in love with him.
Was she deluding herself when she felt he was interested in her? After all, apart from that one kiss there had been nothing to indicate that he thought of her as anyone special.
Glenda said something in a low voice and he roared with laughter. Sophie couldn’t help but feel a tinge of jealousy.
After one drink the group split up, most of them having work the following day.
‘So we’ll take a good look at those boxes tomorrow, shall we?’ Keir asked Sophie on the way home.
‘What about Peggy Munn? I wonder if she’ll mind us going through her stock.’
‘Oh, John will clear it — don’t worry on that score,’ he assured her. ‘I get the impression that it’s all been getting a bit much for her for rather a long time now and that, now that she’s finally decided to retire, she doesn’t want to be bothered with it any longer.’
‘Well, that’s as maybe,’ Sophie said, ‘but I still think we need to tread carefully. After all, it’s been her livelihood for years now.’
‘Oh, I’ll see that she gets a good price for everything, if that’s what’s worrying you, Sophie.’
‘No, I didn’t mean ... Keir, surely you didn’t think ...’
‘I think you’ve got a highly suspicious mind,’ he told her frankly. ‘You have to learn to put your trust in people a bit more.’
It was a good job that it was dark because Sophie felt the colour flood her cheeks. He was right. The episode with Brett had left her unsure of herself and wary of trusting people.
When they pulled up outside Rose Cottage, Keir reached across and took her hands between his. ‘Someone hurt you badly, didn’t he? Perhaps one day you’ll feel able to talk about it, but until then, remember that not everyone is like that.’
