Page 17 of Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #1)

17

As we walked slowly back up the drive towards the Hall, Lawrie assured me there was still a lot for me to learn and see, and that I should go to the Wyrd Stones myself to experience the extraordinary feeling of power there. I wasn’t so sure I wanted to, but promised him I’d venture there before too long.

‘Lawrie,’ I said, ‘about that talk.’

‘Ah, yes. What is it you wanted to talk about, Callie? Because if it’s to ask me to stay on after the month is up, I’m afraid I’ve already told you?—’

‘It’s not that,’ I said, ‘although I do wish you’d reconsider. No, it’s – well, it’s a bit awkward really.’

‘You can ask me anything,’ he assured me. ‘My job now is to settle you in here and make sure the handover goes smoothly, so don’t be afraid to say what’s on your mind.’

‘Well,’ I said reluctantly, ‘I hate to bring it up, but it’s about money.’

‘Ah.’ Lawrie nodded wisely. ‘That’s always a tricky subject, isn’t it? What about it?’

‘The truth is,’ I said, deciding there was no more time to dodge the questions, however difficult they were, ‘I don’t have any. And I’m a bit scared to be honest. How am I going to pay Mia’s wages? Not to mention feeding us all and keeping the lights on at the Hall, and paying for all the staff Mia reckons we employ…’

‘ You employ,’ he pointed out, which I didn’t think was at all helpful.

Seeing my face, he smiled. ‘Don’t worry, Callie. Things aren’t as bleak as you seem to imagine. But surely you should know all this? Our solicitor?—’

‘I didn’t read it,’ I blurted. ‘I know I should have, but I didn’t. And now I haven’t a clue how I’m supposed to pay for anything, and I can’t sleep for worrying, and?—’

‘Good grief,’ he said, patting my shoulder, ‘you really have got yourself into a tizz, haven’t you? Well, the truth is, I don’t deal with that side of things. I always found facts and figures so tedious and left it to others to handle. Then Brodie took over once he was old enough, thank goodness.’ He pushed open the front door and ushered me inside. ‘No, it’s him you need to speak to.’

‘Brodie?’ I hoped I’d managed to keep the dismay from my voice.

‘Yes. I’ll have a word with him. Arrange a meeting for you both. Perhaps this evening after dinner would be best? That way he’ll be able to put your mind at rest, and you should get a good night’s sleep at last.’

Mia came into the hall and took Lawrie’s coat.

‘How was it?’ she asked. ‘Did you enjoy your tour of the village?’

The amusement in her eyes told me she was perfectly aware that it was the model village I’d toured. I wondered if there was anything Mia didn’t know. She seemed to be very important to the Davenports. I wondered if, when they left, she might want to go with them. I wasn’t sure how I felt about that. There was something reassuring about Mia, and I liked having her around, though I still wasn’t convinced I could afford her.

‘Fantastic,’ I told her. ‘What an amazing model village that is. And Clara’s lovely.’

She nodded. ‘She is, isn’t she? Shepherd’s pie all right for dinner? Immi tells me it’s her favourite.’

‘Ooh,’ Lawrie said, ‘that sounds good. I haven’t had shepherd’s pie for a while now. Mia, have you seen Brodie?’

‘He’s at Appleseed Cottage, mowing Mrs Smithson’s lawn. She rang up this morning and said it’s looking very untidy.’

‘Mowing her lawn?’ I asked, astonished. ‘Who’s this Mrs Smithson?’

‘One of our tenants,’ Lawrie explained. ‘She’s even older than I am, and can’t manage her garden, but she doesn’t want to leave her cottage even though it’s on the very edge of the village, so Brodie does the garden for her, and other odd jobs. It’s a large cottage, you see, but I can’t bring myself to move her to a smaller one.’

‘But surely…’ I was confused. ‘Aren’t there any proper gardeners around here? One of ours maybe? I mean, Brodie…’

I didn’t know how to put it. It just seemed so unlikely. Besides, Brodie was Lawrie’s grandson, and the idea of him being at the beck and call of villagers to mow their lawns seemed absurd.

‘Brodie is a very helpful boy,’ Lawrie said proudly. ‘You should have seen him last autumn. How many gutters did he clear in one day, Mia?’

Mia raised an eyebrow. ‘A world record, I’m sure. Go and sit down, Lawrie, and I’ll bring you a cup of tea.’

‘Thank you. I’ll be in the sitting room, watching that afternoon quiz I like.’ He turned to me. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t forget. I’ll have a word with Brodie as soon as he returns.’

‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘I appreciate that.’

As Lawrie made his way slowly to the sitting room, Immi came skipping down the stairs.

‘I’ve had the most fab time,’ she announced, her eyes shining, her sulk evidently forgotten.

Mia grinned. ‘I’ll put that kettle on,’ she said.

I put my arm around my daughter’s shoulders. ‘Go on then. What was so fabulous?’

‘Mr Wyndham showed me all around the house,’ she explained, as I tried to keep a smile on my face. ‘There’s so much history here! It’s amazing there aren’t loads more ghosts hanging around, but there’s only Mr and Mrs Wyndham. Oh, and Florrie, of course.’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘She’s a right one, you know. She followed us around, scowling and pulling her tongue out at me when her dad wasn’t looking. She doesn’t like me at all. I don’t know why. Anyway,’ she said, brightening, ‘her mum wanted to teach her how to speak properly, so we got rid of her, and Mr Wyndham showed me the attics and?—’

‘The attics?’ I said nervously. ‘Are they safe?’

‘Oh yes, perfectly. Do you know, the servants used to sleep there back in the day? Poor things. I said to Mr Wyndham what a horrible time it must have been for them, having to go up and down all those stairs, fetching and carrying all sorts – even hot water – and he admitted he’d never thought about that before and felt quite sorry he hadn’t. He’s ever so nice, you know, Mum.’

‘I know,’ I said, wondering again what on earth he was doing with Agnes, of all people.

We wandered into the kitchen, Immi still chattering away, and found Mia preparing a tray for Lawrie.

‘A mug of tea and a plate of biscuits,’ she said. ‘Then, no doubt, he’ll have a nap. He usually does at this time. Never makes it to the end of that quiz, you know.’

‘You know him very well,’ I said. ‘How do you feel about him moving out?’

She poured boiling water into a teapot. ‘It makes me sad, if you must know,’ she admitted. ‘He’s a lovely man, and I’m worried what will happen to him without me to take care of him. I know I’m being silly. He’s got Brodie, and anyway, they’ll probably hire someone else to care for them.’

‘You won’t go with them then?’ I asked.

She looked at me doubtfully. ‘Did you want me to?’

‘Oh, no! No, that’s not what I’m saying,’ I said hastily. ‘I just thought that, with you obviously caring about him a great deal, you might want to continue working for him after he’s left here.’

Mia shrugged. ‘Not especially. Would either of you like some of these biscuits with your tea?’

I got the distinct impression she was changing the subject.

‘So, you’d prefer to stay at the Hall, even after Lawrie leaves?’ I pushed.

She sighed. ‘Yes, I would. If that’s okay with you, of course. This place – it’s where I belong. I wish Lawrie and Brodie were staying, but if they’re set on leaving, there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m sure they’ll find someone just as capable to look after them.’

I couldn’t help thinking that there was something Mia wasn’t telling me. I had enough to worry about for now, though. Not least the prospect of an evening in the charming Brodie’s company…