Authors: Dilys Xavier
Rex was her first visitor that day. When Katie answered his knock, he walked through the front door, looking very pleased with himself and rubbing his hands together. He placed his hands firmly on Katie’s shoulders and gave her a little squeeze.
‘Now, my dear Katie, ‘ he said, smiling as he peered down into her face, ‘as soon as the weather in Majorca cools a bit, we should head for Valldemosa. It’s all I said it was… a heavenly place. In fact, it’s mighty popular. You’ll love its ancient monastery, and the quaint little places around—all quite interesting.’
Katie studied his face, noting how carefully he watched her reaction. ‘It’s a hilly little village; the whole northwest area is mountainous but beautiful, and I can guarantee that the views are stunning. Those winding roads and precipitous drops are not for the faint-hearted, I can tell you. Driving along those can make your stomach queasy if you look down. Quite frightening. Oh yes, quite frightening.’
He released his hold on her and linked his arm in hers as he drew her towards the sitting room. ‘It’s no way as busy as the other popular resorts in Majorca, where most people holiday. The rocky landscape around Valldemosa makes modern development impossible, you see. I can promise you that you’ll think you’ve stepped back a century or two when you get there. As well as being visited by our royalty, it also has links with Chopin, and his lover, George Sands, the French novelist of the 1800’s, too.’
‘I don’t doubt that what you say,’ Katie said, and I really appreciate your offer, but I don’t know if…’
Rex turned his head sharply and stared at her. ‘Oh, come on, Katie, don’t tell me you’re getting cold feet.’ He leaned forward to look into her eyes. ‘You are — aren’t you?’ He leaned back, pursed his lips and sighed. ‘You’re opting out, aren’t you? I can tell… you’re looking hard for an excuse not to come.’ He heaved a sharp breath. ‘I really don’t understand you. I promised you a room to yourself there, if that’s what’s worrying you. What on earth is the matter with you?’
‘It’s not that,’ Katie said, quite taken aback by his terse tone. ‘It’s just that …’ How could she tell him that even though he’d made that promise, maybe he would try to join her at night in her room? She didn’t feel that way about him at all. And it wasn’t worth the risk.
Rex’s expression changed and he frowned. ‘I offer you a superb holiday, all expenses paid, and you throw it back in my face.’ He turned from her abruptly. ‘Okay. There are one or two other charming ladies who would jump at the chance. But you? Oh, no! You can’t even find a flicker of enthusiasm.’ By now, his expression was one of distinct annoyance.
Well, take those others instead, was what she wanted to say, but she stopped herself, not wanting to be rude or seem ungrateful. After all, his offer might have been perfectly genuine. She was groping for words when the telephone rang, and she hurried away to answer it. She returned to the room. ‘It’s a redirected call for you,’ she said. ‘You can take it in the study, across the hall.’
Rex disappeared, but because he had not quite closed the door, Katie could hear snippets of what he said, particularly when he raised his voice in annoyance.
‘Look here, you damn fool, I’ve told you often enough to get moving fast when I give you a special job like this.’ There was a slight pause, then, ‘Yeah, yeah, but don’t ring me again until you’ve got results. And don’t use my redirection. If I’m not at home, put the phone down and ring again later.’ There was another short pause. ‘Yes, well, I’m at a friend’s house now, so I can’t go into details. Good bye.’
Katie heard the receiver slam back onto its rest, and raised her brows. Is this the real Rex Charters? A cantankerous old creature who loses his cool when things don’t go his way? She had never heard Rex behave like that before, and wondered what it was all about when he reappeared, his face dark with anger.
‘You look upset. Bad news?’ Katie asked quietly.
‘Yes. Bad enough to upset a saint,’ he retorted, in the same aggressive tone. ‘Sheer damned incompetence.’
Katie gave him time to cool down while she made some coffee, but just as they were about to drink it, the phone rang again.
‘If it’s for me, I’m not here,’ Rex said, sharply.
Katie lifted the instrument.
‘Hi, Mums,’ Margie said, breathlessly. ‘Can you do us a big favour?’ She sounded excited. ‘An offer’s been made on ‘Rose Cottage’, but no decision’s been made yet. Dylan wants to clinch the deal by going straight to the agent, but his car’s conked out, and I can’t get away, so can you take him there right now? Otherwise it’ll be too late.’
Katie took a deep breath and darted a glance at Rex, who looked as though he was still fuming. She thought quickly; it would mean she could be legitimately relieved of entertaining a crosspatch for the rest of the afternoon.
‘All right,’ she said. ‘Mid-day outside the hospital you said? I’ll be there.’ She replaced the receiver and turned to Rex. ‘I’m afraid I have to drive someone to Coaley as a favour, Rex.’ She watched his face twitch with annoyance. ‘It’s important, so I have to leave right now. I hope you understand.’
‘Perfectly,’ he said. ‘You’re telling me to go, that’s how I see it. Anyway, it’s just as well, because I have notes to sort out for a lecture I’m giving later on.’ He tossed his head, and uttered some unintelligible mumblings as he left the room. ‘Huh, and I thought we might have had a pleasant lunch together here. But suit yourself,’ he added testily, waving his arms in the air as he strode through the hall. Without as much as a cheerio, and certainly without an apology for his outburst, he stormed out through the front door, slamming it hard behind him. Within moments, his car sped past the sitting room window, kicking up the gravel as it skidded away under his irascible control.
‘Phew,’ Katie murmured. ‘That little episode showed another side to Rex Charteris.’ She shrugged it off, then finished her coffee quickly, and picked up her handbag and car keys.
Dylan was waiting at the appointed time and place, and she stopped for him to get in, and then drove off. At the end of the road, she stopped once again at the pedestrian crossing where several people were waiting to cross the road. She could not help noticing that one of them took his time and glared straight at her as he walked across in front of her car. Dylan noticed the dark look as well.
‘Someone you know?’ he asked, gently.
‘Yes, someone I know quite well,’ she said slowly, without elaborating. She actually felt pleased that Rex had seen her. It would do him good to see her with another man, and surely he hadn’t had enough time to see that Dylan was too young for her. Serves him right for bragging about his other lady friends, she thought, and smiled. Now there’s a man who needs to be put in his place.
Once they left the High Street for the main road, Dylan turned to Katie. ‘It’s really very good of you to do me this favour.’
‘Oh, this is no trouble at all, and it’s a pleasant drive,’ she replied, thinking of the miserable afternoon it had saved her.
‘Last night, the more I thought about that cottage, the more I wanted it, and the fact that someone has made an offer made me even more anxious to have it.’ He shrugged his shoulders. ‘But that’s a natural reaction, eh?’ Then he went quiet. ‘I’ll give the asking price, or more if necessary, but I really want it. I know there’s no time to waste. I think this is the one for me, so let’s see what happens.’
Following Dylan’s directions, Katie pulled up outside ‘Rose Cottage’. She pointed to the man standing on the doorstep. ‘Looks like someone is waiting for you.’ She gave him a little nudge in the ribs. ‘Good luck, Dylan.’
‘Come with me, please,’ he whispered, as they drew near. ‘I’d like your opinion on the place.’
Mr. Batstone welcomed them effusively, and immediately invited them to go inside. ‘It’s empty so take your time to look at it. Best be sure, eh?’
As they walked around, the agent described the special qualities of the three bed roomed cottage, pointing out the original inglenook fireplaces in the two large rooms downstairs, and emphasizing that the kitchen was brand new. Finally, he took them around the large garden, which had a variety of interesting features and some fruit trees.
‘This is a real bargain at the asking price,’ he said. ‘We won’t take long to sell it. It’s only been on the market two days, and we’ve had two offers already that the owners are currently considering. All the same, those offers are slightly under the asking price.’ He gave Dylan a very knowing look.
‘Two offers… in two days?’ Dylan sounded surprised.
‘Yes. There’s a queue for every house for sale here now due to a shortage of properties in this area. Look here, if you really want to secure it, a firm offer at the asking price should clinch it. Think about it, but don’t leave it later than tomorrow morning if you’re seriously interested.’ He thanked them for their interest, shook hands, and proceeded to lock up while Katie and Dylan headed for the car.
‘What do you think?’ Dylan asked.
‘Super. A cottage, but maybe a little large for one person,’ Katie said.
‘I’ll take it,’ he murmured, hurrying over to the man before he left. ‘Mr. Batsone, I’d like to offer the asking price.’
The agent beamed back at him. ‘Well done, Mr. Maine. If you could come back with me to the office now, we’ll get everything sorted out, and the cottage is yours.’
That done, Katie and Dylan returned home and went straight to Margie’s flat.
‘I thought you’d already taken up residence in Coaley,’ Margie said, laughingly. ‘You’re later back than I expected so I was a wee bit worried. And tell me, Dylan…’ she said, almost jumping up and down in expectation, ‘did you manage to secure Rose Cottage?’
‘Yes,’ he said, firmly, grasping her in both arms and lifting her off her feet. ‘Matter of fact, we had a very successful trip. I think your mother’s a wonderful person to step in and help me out at a minute’s notice. She gave up her afternoon for me, and she’s given me some good sound advice about Rose Cottage. I can’t thank her enough.’ He turned to Katie. ‘I’d like to take you out to dinner tonight, as a small token of appreciation.’
Katie was so happy for them, and hoped that Rose Cottage was going to be a home for Dylan and Margie one day soon.
‘Come on inside while I get ready,’ Margie said. ‘You look great, Mumsy, so there’s no need to go home and change; you’ll do just as you are.’
The evening flew by and the more Katie observed the couple together, the more convinced she was that this was the real thing. She breathed a sigh of relief. It was quite late when she finally drove into Priory Farm. She was surprised to see the porch and hall lights on, but a glance at the annex showed lights on there as well, which explained it. Pat had to be there. Perhaps he had popped over with a few more of his belongings in readiness for his move.
Inside of a minute, he was greeting her at the window of her car. ‘I hope it’s all right that I went in and put on your lights,’ he said. ‘I know you don’t like coming home to dark windows, so I fished out the back door key from under the potted camellia and I was just about to leave when I saw your car lights.’
Katie locked up her car and walked towards the house. ‘Oh, thanks Pat, but don’t go yet,’ she said, placing her hand on his arm. ‘Stay a while and have a coffee with me.’ She sighed. ‘I’ve had such a busy, but enjoyable day, and I know I won’t be able to settle down for a while. I still feel all on the go.’ She walked to the front door and stretched her hand towards him. ‘Come on, Pat, come inside. Please.’
While she made the coffee, she told him where she had been and what had happened. Then she began to relate the story about Rex’s bout of bad temper. ‘I must say, I really was surprised,’ she said. ‘I always thought he was such a gentleman, but now I think differently. He’s a bad-tempered old bear if things don’t go his way.’
Pat had listened quietly up to this point, but he smiled at her last remark. ‘So, what about the trip to Majorca now, Katie? Are you still considering it?’
‘No way. And wouldn’t I be the biggest fool to do that? He can take his ‘one or two other charming ladies who would jump at the chance’ with him instead, and forget about me.’ Katie was sure that a fleeting smile passed over Pat’s face when she said that, but she dismissed the thought and settled down with him for a coffee. ‘Well, give me your news, Pat.’
‘Not much to give except that I’ve finished the big job down the road, leaving me more time to do your garden before I take on a new one. And, of course, I’ll be moving in to the annex tomorrow.’
‘Oh, tomorrow?’ Katie almost squealed. ‘I’ve been waiting for ages for that day to come. That’s wonderful. So now you’ll be around practically the whole time.’ She reached over and squeezed his hand. ‘Oh, Pat, it’ll be lovely to have you so close all the time. It’ll make me feel so safe.’
The Irishman’s face coloured. ‘Well, er…’ he looked around obviously at a loss for words.
After they had eaten, Katie set a CD to play, and they both relaxed with a cup of tea as the soft music played.
‘It’s late, so don’t make me too comfortable,’ Pat said, ‘or I’ll fall asleep.’
‘It’s a shame you’re not already living in the annex. If you were, you’d only have to walk through that little corridor to be home and dry.’
Pat gave a languid smile. ‘Yes, that’s true, but don’t forget that I still need to look for a permanent place of my own. I can’t go on accepting your kindness like this; I don’t want to take advantage of you. I’d have felt a lot happier if you had charged me a decent rent, not peanuts.’
‘You’re not taking advantage. To have you so close probably suits me better than it does you.’ She clucked her tongue. ‘You just don’t understand, do you, Pat? I need you here, and I’d like you to stop thinking about moving on somewhere else. Just think of this as your permanent home now… please.’
‘Well, I don’t know if that would be wise for me to do.’ Pat blinked wearily. ‘The longer I stay here, the harder it’s going to be to drag myself away. It would be kinder to me to go as soon as possible.’ He gave a little shrug. ‘I really should be doing something more definite about going back to Ireland. To live there… that’s my ambition. Oh, Katie, you should just see those lush green fields, the lazy rivers and the quiet, winding roads.’