Page 20 of Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #1)

20

After dropping Immi at the school gates – thankfully in plenty of time – and wishing her all the luck in the world for her first day, I headed back towards the car park.

‘Callie!’

I looked around, surprised to hear my name being called here of all places. A smiling Clara waved at me, and I relaxed.

‘Hi! I forgot your son goes to this school, doesn’t he?’ I said, as she walked up to me, looking, I was pleased to note, as untidy and harassed as I no doubt did, though her face was perhaps more flushed than mine.

‘They all do. Is it Immi’s first day?’ she asked, pulling her red hair back into a ponytail as we walked.

‘Yes. I’m quite nervous for her.’

‘Don’t worry. I’m guessing she’s in Miss Brooke’s class? Ashton said a new girl was shown around his classroom yesterday and I thought it might be her. I told him to make sure she was okay, and he will. He’s a good kid if I do say so myself.’

‘Oh, thanks so much.’ I couldn’t deny it was a relief to know Immi would have at least one friendly child to talk to.

‘No worries. Fancy following me back to Honeywell for a coffee?’ she asked, as we halted beside the hatchback I still couldn’t quite believe was mine. ‘I’ve got a stack of housework to do so I’m looking for an excuse to get out of it.’

I laughed. ‘I’d love to, but I’ve got to go to Rowan Farm, and then I need to do a tour of the village and introduce myself properly.’

‘Fair enough. I’d come with you, but I really do have to get on with the washing and cleaning. How are you getting on at Howling Hall?’

‘ Howling Hall?’

‘Oops! That’s what we call it round here,’ she admitted, blushing an even darker pink. ‘What with the ghosts and everything. Same as Howling’s Halt. And the Howling Estate. You can’t deny it lends itself to the nickname, can you?’

‘I suppose not,’ I said, amused. ‘To be honest, it’s a bit tricky, learning to live with the Wyndhams – especially Florrie. She’s a pain in the backside.’ I sighed. ‘Still, she’s only a kid, so I’m trying to cut her some slack. You’re lucky you can’t see any ghosts, that’s all I can say.’

She gave me a wistful look. ‘If you say so. Hey,’ she added, brightening suddenly, ‘if you like, I’ll pick Immi up and take her to school. Seems daft us both doing the school run every day. I’d suggest alternating but it hardly seems fair when I’ve got three of them.’

‘That wouldn’t bother me,’ I said. ‘I’d be happy to take them if you’re all okay with that. Thanks so much. I’ll pick Immi up alone this evening, with it being her first day. I’d like to know how she got on. But we can start tomorrow? Shall I take the first turn?’

‘Seriously? Ooh, brilliant. I’ll drop the kids outside the gates of the Hall. Well, I’ll let you get off. Good luck with your introductions. Oh, what am I like!’ She turned back to me and rolled her eyes. ‘Totally forgot to mention. Blame my perimenopause brain. The pub quiz!’

‘Pub quiz?’

‘Yes, at The Quicken Tree. Every Thursday. We have a proper laugh, though some people take it very seriously. Why don’t you join us next week? Seven o’clock. It’s not on this week because they’re painting the room, but it’s back on the twelfth. You can be on our team. I mean, it’s not really my team, it’s Jack’s, but they could always use someone with brains cos we haven’t got a functional brain cell between us.’ She laughed. ‘Fancy it?’

I hesitated then smiled. ‘Actually, yes, I do. That sounds great. Something normal .’

‘Excellent! Anyway, I’d better get home. Probably left the grill on or something. My mind lately. Dratted hormones. See you, Callie.’ She gave me a cheery wave and headed off to her own car.

Feeling quite pleased that I seemed to have made a friend, I settled myself in the driver’s seat, wrinkling my nose in dismay as I caught sight of my reflection in the rear-view mirror. I hadn’t had time to put make-up on, and my hair was all over the place. Plus, I hadn’t brought my comb with me, which was typical. Great impression I was going to make on my new tenants.

Ah, well, I wasn’t going back to Howling Hall just for a comb. Time to go to Rowan Farm and see those kittens.

It was a warm, sunny day, and driving back along the Cotswolds lanes towards Rowan Vale, I thought it was the perfect day to introduce myself to as many of the villagers as I could manage.

Betty was delighted to see me, particularly when I told her the reason for my visit.

‘Oh, what a lovely idea. Can’t get a better birthday present than a kitten, can you? Come and have a look at them, lovely.’

She ushered me into the farmhouse and through to the “back room” as she called it, where I was soon cooing over the little kittens.

‘Oh,’ I said, my heart melting despite having had my heart set on a puppy, ‘aren’t they adorable?’

‘They are. Just like their mum,’ Betty said, stroking Mitzi’s face fondly.

The proud mum was a black and white cat with green eyes. She’d given birth to five kittens: two mostly black with a bit of white on them, two mostly white with a bit of black on them, and one black and white like her.

They were all so cute and friendly, I couldn’t resist picking each one of them up for a cuddle.

‘Have any of them got homes?’ I asked.

‘Two of the girls have,’ she said. ‘They’re going to their new homes tomorrow. I’ve got someone coming round this evening to look at the two boys and the other girl, so I’d choose one now if I were you, or your favourite might be gone if you think about it overnight.’

I had to admit I was drawn to the two boys.

‘Tuxedo cats,’ Betty said, ‘on account of how they look like they’re wearing a tux. Gorgeous, aren’t they?’

They were, but I was particularly smitten with the bigger one. He had a thick, bushy tail, and was far fluffier than his siblings.

‘Takes after his dad, that one,’ Betty said.

‘You know who his dad is then?’

‘Oh,’ she said, pursing her lips, ‘I know all right, and by the time I’d finished with his owner, I’d made very sure that there wouldn’t be any more kittens from him . Mind you, I’m going to make sure there won’t be any more kittens from her either,’ she added, rubbing Mitzi between the ears. ‘Five’s enough for anyone, isn’t it, petal?’

‘So, can I have this one then?’ I asked hopefully, cradling the little tux kitten in my arms. He stared up at me with bright-blue eyes, and for a moment, he made me think of Brodie.

‘Course you can,’ she promised. ‘Do you want to take him now? He’s ready to go.’

‘I haven’t got anything for him,’ I explained. ‘And he’s a surprise for my daughter’s birthday, so would it be okay for you to keep him until the night before?’

‘No problem,’ she said. ‘I’ll be sad to part with him to be honest. Wish I could keep them all, but Nick’s put his foot down with a firm hand.’ She laughed. ‘Anyway, good homes are all I ask, and what better home for him than Howling Hall, eh?’

Wow, it really was a nickname! I got to my feet, brushing off the cat hairs. ‘Well, thanks so much for showing me the kittens, Betty. How much are they going for, by the way?’

‘Forty pounds each, please,’ she said. ‘Just bring the money when you collect him.’

I bid the kittens and Mitzi a reluctant farewell and followed Betty into the kitchen.

‘I understand your tractor’s in need of repair,’ I said, aiming to demonstrate my concern for my tenants.

She frowned. ‘It is. Nick’s cleared it with Brodie. He said the estate will loan us the money at the usual rate. Is there a problem?’

‘No, of course not. I was just saying.’

‘Brodie knows Nick would never ask for money if it wasn’t necessary,’ she said firmly. ‘If you’ve got any concerns, you should talk to Brodie. He’ll steer you right.’

‘I don’t have any concerns,’ I assured her, although suddenly I realised the fact that Nick and Betty were still going to Brodie for clearance was worrying. Shouldn’t they have asked me? Not that I knew the first thing about tractors, but I should at least have been involved in the decision, surely? And Brodie had no right to clear a loan without telling me. It was my estate which, I realised, made me sound awful, but I had to know what was coming out of the funds, didn’t I?

Anyway, Betty telling me to talk to Brodie, as if I was incapable of making up my own mind, had annoyed me.

I knew I should say something, but I didn’t have the nerve, especially since I’d just reserved one of the kittens. I decided it was time I headed off to Churchside.

‘Thanks again, Betty,’ I said. ‘I’ll be back on Friday night to collect the kitten and pay you.’ Though maybe I should ask Brodie if it’s okay to do that first.

‘Nice to see you again, Callie. I’ll take care of young Tux until you pick him up,’ she said, all smiles again now that I’d apparently accepted her advice.

I headed back to my car trying to keep my mind focused on the next job for the day. I was going to visit the Swinging Sixties shops and introduce myself formally to my tenants, and I had to think about that, nothing else.

Even so, Betty’s words kept nudging me. I couldn’t help wondering if all my tenants felt the same way, and if so, would they ever accept me – even when Brodie and Lawrie were gone?