Page 23 of Christmas Spirits at Honeywell House (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #3)

As I finally finished my tale of deception, I raised my gaze to meet Callie’s, dreading what I’d see in her face.

She was staring out of the window, absent-mindedly stroking Toby’s head, and I wondered if I’d bored her, and she’d drifted off into a world of her own. Then she shook her head.

‘Wow.’

It was one word, but it carried a whole weight of disgust. I felt sick.

‘I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you, but how could I?

I don’t want to leave Rowan Vale. Jack’s lived here his whole life – he loves it, and the boys are settled.

I know I shouldn’t be here, honestly, I do get it.

But it wasn’t deliberate. I mean, yes, I knew about the estate’s history when Jack invited me here, and maybe I should have said no, but I’d put it off for a whole year, and I really liked him, and besides – I wasn’t convinced any of what Dad had told me was true. ’

I shut up as she slowly turned to face me.

‘What did you think when Lawrie stepped down and sold the estate to me?’

‘Wh-what do you mean?’

‘I mean, didn’t it make you angry that he and Brodie were still living here?

Davenports. The gift had been lost to that family and a new family had taken over.

If it’s forbidden for previous owners to return to Rowan Vale, didn’t it bother you that Lawrie was still here? Or Brodie, for that matter?’

‘Well, no,’ I said slowly. ‘I mean, it did cross my mind, but I thought maybe it didn’t count because they never actually left, whereas my family did.

All the previous families who owned the estate did, from what Dad told me.

And I suppose I just thought – well, maybe once you’ve gone, you’re supposed to stay gone, but if you stay… ’

I shrugged. I wasn’t sure what to think really. I supposed, now that it had been pointed out to me, it didn’t really make sense, and it was unfair.

Callie sighed. ‘Lawrie and Brodie are here because, why the hell not? I never understood that rule. Lawrie says it’s because the tenants – alive and dead – would have difficulty adjusting to a new owner if the old one was still around.

He says the new owner has to put their own stamp on the place, and that’s why the old ones leave. ’

‘You don’t agree?’

‘I sort of see his point,’ she acknowledged. ‘It was really hard for me when I came here, and I think even now, some of the villagers take more notice of Brodie than they do of me, even though he never actually owned the place. Although, I suppose, that could be because he’s a man.’

‘More than likely.’ Some of the older villagers were very set in their ways. And, let’s face it, there were no older villagers than the ghosts. I didn’t envy Callie having to deal with so many of those.

‘I always suspected,’ Callie continued, ‘that the real reason the owners left and never returned was because they simply couldn’t bear to see their old home in the care of someone else and be unable to interfere in any way.

I should think some of them loved being in control and would have felt inferior somehow once they’d relinquished that power.

It must feel like quite a comedown. Imagine what it would be like to walk around knowing this place once belonged to your family, and now you’re no one. ’

‘Hmm,’ I said wryly. ‘Imagine.’

‘Does it bother you?’ she asked sharply. ‘Has it always bothered you, all this time?’

‘No,’ I said honestly. ‘I’m not interested in reclaiming the Harling Estate, if that’s what you’re worried about.’

‘I’m not,’ she said. ‘But I am wondering if that’s why owning the model village was so important to you. What was it you said? “Making our own stamp on Rowan Vale”.’

‘It would be nice to have a stake in the place,’ I admitted. ‘And to have something to leave my sons. Is that so wrong?’

‘I suppose not. Having something to pass on to Immi was my main reason for accepting this job in the first place, so I get it.’

‘It was more than that, though,’ I insisted. ‘I want a life, Callie! I want to get back out there and be someone again. Someone other than Mum. But how can I get a job when I have children to look after?’

‘Other mums do it,’ she said gently. ‘ I did it. Not going to pretend that it’s easy because it isn’t, but it is possible.

But I think you know that, deep down. I think you’re scared and that’s why you wanted to set up your own business, so you didn’t have to go outside the village looking for a job.

You want a life outside but you’re afraid to take it, aren’t you? ’

‘Of course I’m not!’ But the hot tears pricking my eyes betrayed my fears. Toby evidently sensed my unhappiness, because he left Callie and padded over to me, resting his head on my lap and gazing up at me with a mournful expression.

‘There’s no shame in being afraid,’ she said. ‘You’ve been a stay-at-home mum for twelve years. It’s a big deal, going back to employment.’

‘Terrifying,’ I said, wiping away a tear.

‘And that’s if I can even get a job in the first place.

I mean, look at me, Callie! Who’s going to employ me?

My skills are completely out of date, and I’m fat, spotty, hormonal…

’ I shook my head. ‘When I came to this place, I was young, attractive, full of confidence. I knew who I was and what I wanted. But now…’

‘So many women feel like that, Clara,’ she said. ‘You’re not on your own. And you’re still young and attractive.’

As I snorted with laughter she put her arm around me.

‘Yes, you are! Don’t forget you’re eight months’ pregnant, so your hormones are all over the place.

You may have gained a little weight, and maybe got the odd blemish, but that will all settle once the baby’s here.

Besides, there’s so much more to you than looks.

You’ve brought up a family of three boisterous sons!

You must have loads of transferrable skills.

And you can bring your training up to date.

There are courses. That’s if you even want to do the same kind of work as you did before.

I mean, the world’s your oyster. You can be anything. You just have to believe in yourself.’

As I shook my head in denial, she said kindly, ‘I think you can do so much more than sell tickets to tourists who want to wander round a model village during the holiday season.’

I gave a half-laugh. She had a point. It wasn’t much of a job, but it was safe. Right now, safety was my priority.

‘What will happen now?’ I asked her. ‘Will I have to leave?’

‘Don’t be daft!’ Callie nudged me, a smile on her face. ‘As if I’d make you leave. I couldn’t care less if a Wyndham’s back in the village. If it’s okay with you it’s fine by me.’

‘Really?’ I could hardly believe it. ‘Are you sure? You sounded a bit angry when I told you what had happened.’

‘I am a bit angry,’ she admitted, ‘but not with you. Now I understand why you won’t visit Harling Hall. Scared of ghosts indeed! Can’t believe I fell for that. How come you came to the 1940s ball? You could have bumped into Aubrey then.’

‘I asked Lawrie’s permission. I really didn’t want to let you down, and I knew Jack was desperate to go. And, to be honest, I really wanted to go, too. I wanted to see the Hall, and I wanted to have some fun.’

‘And Lawrie just agreed?’

‘Reluctantly. He said he’d discuss it with Aubrey and let me know. Then the next day he rang me and said Aubrey had agreed that I could attend if I stayed in the ballroom. He would keep out of my way.’

‘Aubrey said that, did he?’ Callie murmured. ‘Hmm. Something’s not right about all this, and I think I know what’s happened. I’ve dealt with it before.’

‘What do you mean?’ I asked, puzzled.

‘I’ll explain later. I must go home now and find out if I’m right.’

She got to her feet, inadvertently dropping bits of churro onto the carpet, which made Toby abandon me immediately, the fickle creature.

‘What about those?’ I asked, nodding at the rest of the snacks that sat untouched on the coffee table. ‘Do you want to take them with you?’

‘You can reheat them in the air fryer later,’ she said. ‘Give them to the kids. They’ll be home from school soon, won’t they?’

I nodded. ‘Jack’s picking up the two youngest. He finishes a bit earlier on a Thursday, so he said he’d go straight to Kingsford Wold and collect them.’

‘There you go then. I’m sure the boys will enjoy them, and I’ve lost my appetite.’ Seeing the look on my face she added hastily, ‘Honestly, I’m not mad at you. I need a word with Lawrie.’

‘Jack mustn’t know!’ I begged her. ‘He has no idea I’m a Wyndham and if he found out… I mean, after all this time. You can see how it looks, can’t you?’

‘We’ll sort something out,’ she said briskly. ‘Just one thing before I go. What you said about Aubrey. You couldn’t be more wrong. He’s the kindest, gentlest person I know, and he would never be so dismissive towards you. I just think you should know that.’

After she left, I sat shaking on the sofa, not sure what was going to happen next. It sounded like she was going to have a showdown with Lawrie, and then all this might come out. It was the last thing I wanted.

Whatever Callie had said, I wasn’t convinced about Aubrey. Maybe she didn’t know him as well as she thought she did.

One thing was for sure, he wasn’t worth breaking my family up for. I wished I’d never said a word.