His stepfather smiled at Ronnie, a smile that said, ‘Even if you don’t accept me, I’ll still be here whenever you
need me.’
‘I think Ronnie already knows,’ he replied. ‘I’m always glad to see him.’
Vicky gave Susie a grateful glance, discreetly thanking her for bringing Ronnie home, even if it was only for a short time. He was the stray sheep that had not yet found its way back to the fold.
‘Right,’ she announced, ‘dinner’s ready. There’s pea and ham soup to start, thick and rich, the way you all like
it.’ It had been one of Barney’s favourites.
The evening went just as Vicky had planned, with everyone together, all eager to catch up with the latest news and gossip. ‘Now that we’ve managed to secure Baron’s Farm, that will bring our holding up to close on a thousand acres of prime productive land.’
Leonard had been after the 200-acre farm for some long time, and now that he had secured it
into the family holding, he was desperate to persuade Ronnie to come back and work with them. It was what he wanted and, more importantly, it would make Vicky a contented woman.
Vicky picked up immediately on his piece of news. Addressing Ronnie, she told him, ‘Leonard has it in mind to renovate the old farmhouse. It’s yours, if you want it.’ Under the table she kept her fingers crossed, hoping
he might leap at the chance. ‘You know the place,’ she reminded him. ‘It’s in a lovely spot, and you can be as isolated as you want. Please, Ronnie, we all want you to come home. Say you’ll take it.’
All eyes were on Ronnie as he seemed to be considering the proposition. When at length he gave his answer, it was not the one Vicky wanted to hear, yet it was the one they all expected. ‘Not yet,
Mother.’ He gave a determined shake of the head. ‘I’m not ready. It’s not that I don’t want to, you know that.’
‘So, what is it then?’ Thomas was quick to lose his temper where Ronnie was concerned. ‘You don’t seem to know how lucky you are. Leonard is offering you a tidy house, and a chance to come back where you belong. At least give it a try. If it doesn’t work out, then you’ve got choices.’
But Ronnie could not be persuaded. ‘Like I said, I’m not ready. It’s a wonderful offer and I appreciate the thought, but I can’t be shackled. I need the freedom to work when I can and wander when the mood takes me.’ He looked at his stepfather. ‘Sorry, Leonard. Like I say, it’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer.’
While Susie had kept her silence, Sheila was bolder. ‘You must be mad!’ This
was the first
she’d
heard of Baron’s Farm being sold to Leonard. ‘If it’s not wanted, we’ll take it, won’t we, darling?’ Snuggling up to Thomas she made cow eyes. ‘We could really do something with that old place, and like Lenny says, it’s in a lovely spot.’
Like everyone else, Thomas ignored her comment. He, more than most, knew how Sheila was never satisfied with what she had. To her, the grass
was always greener on the other side.
‘The house was not offered to us,’ he said coolly, ‘and even if it was, we don’t need two houses. End of discussion.’
‘The farmhouse is yours, whenever you’re ready,’ Leonard assured Ronnie. ‘You’re an important part of the family business, and we all want you with us, like I say … whenever you’re ready. At the moment, the house is being totally renovated.
The builders reckon it should be finished in about six months’ time. Take it or leave it, but it’s yours. The deeds will be in your name, and the keys put aside for when you decide to come and collect them. There’s no pressure. It’s entirely up to you.’
Ronnie thanked him sincerely, and now that the discussion was over and the mood had lightened, Susie had a thing or two to say. ‘I wouldn’t give
him a choice,’ she teased. ‘I’d lock him up in the house until he came to his senses. Anywhere is better than that hellhole he lives in.’
Grinning, Ronnie shrugged his shoulders. ‘It’s
my
hellhole,’ he objected. ‘It’s where I want to be … for now.’
Vicky had listened to all of this, and her heart ached for Barney’s youngest son. Like the rest of them he was still hurting, but instead of getting
on with life, he had immersed himself so deeply in the past, he just couldn’t let go. All she could do was wait and pray, and hope that sometime soon, Ronnie would find peace in his heart and the need for his family about him. More than that, she could not do.
She now turned her attention to her daughter. ‘And what’s happening in the world of hats?’
Susie swallowed a forkful of potato. ‘Well,
I too have bought property – I acquired the old butcher’s shop, and I’m already having plans drawn up to change it into a fashionable milliner’s. It’s in a good area, on a corner position, with two panoramic windows and huge floorspace. It’s got great potential.’
‘Well done, sis!’ Thomas exclaimed. ‘I’m proud of you.’
Everyone raised their glass in celebration, even Sheila, though her comment
was a touch sarcastic. ‘What will that be – your fifth shop now? Soon you’ll own the whole of Boston and we won’t be able to walk down any street without seeing your name in lights.’
Her face fell with Susie’s second revelation of exciting news.
‘You know I’ve been after that contract to supply the French house for the spring season?’
Ronnie groaned. ‘We should do,’ he said jovially. ‘You’ve
been harping on about it these past nine months! I told you then – the French have cracked it where hats and fashion are concerned. You’ve no chance. Might as well forget it, sis. This time you’ve lost out.’
‘Ah, well that’s where you’re wrong!’ Susie took delight in telling them all, ‘I sent them half a dozen samples and they’ve all sold. I have now secured the contract to supply for the coming
two seasons. There! I told you I’d get it and I have.’
Vicky leaped out of her chair. ‘Oh Susie, you clever thing.’
Glasses were raised for the second time, and everyone congratulated her.
All but Sheila, who skulked in her chair, loathing Susie as never before. She envied the girl her dogged determination to succeed in business; she resented her natural talent and skills, and the warm caring
nature she had been blessed with. But mostly she envied her natural prettiness; with her gently-rounded figure, childlike features and soft shining hair, Susie was attractive in an unassuming way. Yet in spite of the fact that she was no striking beauty, Susie had caught the eye of many an admirer. As yet though, none of them had captured her heart.
To her lazy, ungrateful sister-in-law, Susie
appeared to have everything, when all
she
had was a husband who lacked imagination and ambition. From the start, the loyal, hardworking and generous Thomas had never been enough for her. He knew that and because he loved her, he reluctantly accepted it.
Grudgingly accepting that for now at least, Thomas was the best meal-ticket she had, Sheila raised her glass to show willing. ‘Congratulations,
Susie!’ she cooed. ‘I’m sure we all hope your luck will continue to hold out.’
No one missed the hidden meaning of her words, least of all Susie.
‘Thank you, Sheila,’ she said sweetly. ‘I, too, hope
my luck
holds out.’ And she did, because even though she worked hard and long, there had to be a measure of luck to bring it all together.
Her business was thriving, yes, but she was often lonely,
especially at night-time when the day’s work was over and she could sit for a while before starting on the neverending paperwork. It was then, when she was relaxed and alone, that she would reflect on her hard-earned achievements and wish that somewhere along the way, she could have found someone to share her success with, to share her life and be there when she needed just to talk. Someone to
come home to of a night; some kind and loving man who would help plan their future together.
But as yet, there was no sign of it, and Barney’s older daughter was beginning to wonder if she would ever find her soulmate.
L
EONARD MAITLAND SIPPED
his wine and watched the family as they chatted, and he felt like a man blessed. Since coming back to Boston with Vicky and the children, he had known happiness of a kind he had never dreamed would be his.
Years ago, against his every instinct, he had made a promise to Barney that he would never reveal the real reason why Barney had deliberately driven his beloved
family away. Through all the long years, even after Barney’s death released him from that promise, and in spite of many times being tempted to confide in Vicky, he had remained silent.
Now, his greatest fear had come true. A few days ago, a letter from England had arrived at his office. Deeply unnerved, he had left it unopened, his mind in turmoil as to who might have sent it. The postmark was
smudged and gave him no clues. He did not recognise the handwriting.
There were only three people who might be writing to him from England. One was his solicitor. Another was Raymond Lucas, who had known the truth and with whom, over the years, Leonard had exchanged letters, which of course he had hidden away for fear that Vicky or someone else might inadvertently come across them.
The only
other person who might have reason to write to him was Lucy Baker. She had been the closest to Barney after his family left.
In the early letters exchanged between himself and Dr Lucas, there had been much mention of Lucy, of how devotedly she had cared for Barney. He knew that some time after the family’s departure, Lucy had borne Barney’s child; the couple had moved away soon after.
Yet Lucy
had not known this address, so how could she have written to him? Lately though, she had been in touch with Dr Lucas; he knew that much because in the last letter from the doctor, he had written of her visit to Liverpool. So, had the doctor given her this address – and, if so, why? What did she want with him?
In the mist of his thoughts, Leonard could hear the family laughing and talking, and
his feelings were anguished. This was
his
family now, and had been for the past twenty years. Was Barney reaching out to take them from him? No! His imagination was running riot. Barney was gone. For their future security and happiness, Barney had willingly entrusted Vicky and the children to his care. So now they were his family, but the letter had made him fearful; was something about to happen
that might take his loved ones from him? It was unthinkable. He couldn’t lose them. He must not!
Instinctively, his hand went to the letter in his breast pocket, and his heart pounded.
‘Are you all right, my love?’ Vicky’s voice filtered into his mind. ‘I called you twice,’ she said curiously. ‘You were miles away.’
Mentally shaking off his thoughts, Leonard looked up. ‘Sorry, darling. I must
have dozed off.’
She glanced at the tumbler in his hand. ‘How many glasses of wine did you have?’
‘Three, I think.’ In truth he’d had only one.
Vicky was horrified. ‘Oh Leonard! You know how wine affects you … giving you such bad heartburn you can’t sleep.’
Somewhere in the back of her mind she did not altogether believe him. She had not seen him take more than one glass of wine. Moreover,
just now when she was calling him, he didn’t appear to be asleep. Instead he seemed to be in deepest thought. ‘Are you sure you’re all right?’ Although Barney was always with her, Leonard had earned a part of her heart, and she had come to love her second husband dearly.
‘I’m fine now.’ Getting out of the chair, he rested his head for a moment on her shoulder. ‘Why were you calling me?’
‘Susie
wants to know if you would do her the honour of opening her new shop, when it’s ready?’
Leonard was thrilled. ‘Of course I will.’ Raising his glance to the far side of the room, he saw Thomas and Ronnie talking, and over by the drinks cabinet, Sheila was helping herself to a measure of brandy. There was no sign of Susie. ‘Where is she?’
‘She must have gone outside,’ Vicky said. Giving him a
little push, she suggested, ‘You’d best go and find her.’
Leonard found his stepdaughter seated on the bench by the pond. It was pitch black now, and the wind was freshening. ‘Fancied a quiet spell on your own, did you?’ Sitting down beside her, he took hold of her hand. ‘Mom says you would like me to open your shop when it’s ready.’
Susie smiled up at him. ‘If you don’t mind?’
Beaming from
ear to ear, he said, ‘Why ever would I mind? I’m flattered you’ve asked me, though I don’t know what I’ve done to deserve the honour.’
‘You saved me,’ she murmured. ‘When we came here, you saved us all.’
In the twilight Susie observed this man who had been their salvation, and a great surge of love filled her heart. When she was just a child, frightened and confused, he had taken her under his
wing, and where her beloved daddy had caused her pain, this kind and gentle man had healed the wounds, though the haunting memories could never be erased.
Leonard sensed her emotions. ‘You’re lonely, aren’t you, sweetheart?’
She gave a wry little smile. ‘Sort of. Sometimes.’
‘You won’t always be lonely,’ he said assuredly. ‘One day, sooner or later, there will be a certain someone for you,
I just know it.’
She smiled at his words. ‘Do you?’
He nodded. ‘A bright young thing like you, I know you’re not meant to live your life alone. There’ll be someone somewhere, just as lonely, looking for a lovely young woman like you to share his life. Fate will bring you together. You must believe that, my dear.’
They hugged for a moment, then he walked her back to the house.
One by one, the
family left, until only he and Vicky remained. ‘It’s been a wonderful evening, don’t you think?’ she said dreamily.
Vicky began to clear away the dinner plates. ‘And wasn’t it nice to have Ronnie here? Just like old times.’
‘I shouldn’t pin too much on that,’ her husband warned. ‘Don’t forget, it was Susie who dragged him here. And remember how he’s twice tried to live in the family fold. It
didn’t work out for him then, so there’s little reason to think it might work out a third time.’
‘I live in hope,’ Vicky answered confidently. ‘I’m just relieved that Susie gets through to him, where no one else can.’