Page 36 of Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #1)

36

Later that evening, Brodie very kindly helped me go through the CVs that Mr Eldridge had sent.

It had been an emotional day as he’d brought down the last of the boxes from upstairs and announced that everything was now packed and ready to go, other than a few remaining clothes that he’d need before leaving.

I’d barely eaten a thing at dinner and had escaped to the study to hide how upset I was feeling, giving the CVs as an excuse, so it had been a bit of a shock when Brodie followed me and offered to help. I had to pretend to be interested in the qualifications and previous jobs of five total strangers, which wasn’t easy when all I wanted to do was gaze at this man and plead with him to stay.

‘He’d be my choice,’ he told me, jabbing his finger at one of the papers, clearly oblivious to my yearning looks. ‘Well qualified and he has experience working for a country house estate, which means he’ll probably understand the ins and outs of this place better than most.’

‘Ghosts and all?’ I asked. ‘Just how am I supposed to explain all that to him?’

‘I shouldn’t think there’d be any need,’ he said. ‘Look, he only lives in Cirencester, which is probably partly why Mr Eldridge considers him so suitable. He wouldn’t need to stay in the village if things cropped up and he needed to speak to you in person. He’d be dealing with the financial side of things, that’s all. No need for him to know about the other side of this place.’

‘I suppose not. I’ll give it some thought.’

‘I think he’s probably the best of the bunch, although she sounds pretty good, too,’ he added, showing me another CV. ‘If it were me, I’d be looking closely at these two. If they perform well in the interview, obviously.’

‘And if I click with them,’ I said.

‘Click with them?’

‘You know. I have to get on with them. They have to “get” me.’

‘Do they? It’s a business arrangement, that’s all.’

‘Oh, Brodie! I can’t hire someone I don’t feel I could be friends with. Not that I’d be friends with them probably, but the potential has to be there.’

‘Really?’ He sounded baffled. ‘Good job you didn’t have to interview me then. That first day we met, I hardly made a good impression, did I?’

‘No, you didn’t.’ I smiled, remembering how I’d considered him to be a complete arse. ‘But I did think you were gorgeous.’

His eyebrows shot up. ‘You did?’

‘Yeah…’ I shrugged. ‘Don’t get too carried away. I decided good looks didn’t make up for how miserable and rude you were.’

‘I was very miserable and rude,’ he agreed.

‘I guess you had good reason.’

‘I guess. Even so.’

We were both quiet for a moment then he said, ‘I’ve just been in to see Grandpa. I’m glad you two have sorted things out.’

‘Me too. Did he tell you he’s going to sit in on the kids’ lessons tomorrow while you’re…’

While you’re picking up the van that’s going to take you away from me .

‘He did.’ He gave me a wry grin. ‘Walter will be deeply honoured, I’m sure.’

‘Oh, I’m sure I’ll hear all about it.’

‘You know, while we’re on the subject of lessons,’ he said cautiously, ‘I’ve had a few thoughts about that myself.’

‘Oh? Such as?’

‘Well, I was thinking that some of the other ghosts might be able to help teach the kids,’ he said. ‘Think about it. Who knows more about the war than Mrs Herron? Then there’s the Great War, which I’m sure Ronnie and Bill will be happy to talk about.’

I pulled a face. ‘You haven’t met Ronnie and Bill. It would turn into a punch-up with those two.’

He laughed. ‘Well, anyway… Then there’s Aubrey. He could tell them all about life in Victorian times, and Agnes could talk about the Georgian and Regency period.’

‘And Silas Alexander could give them religious instruction,’ I said with a giggle.

His face fell. ‘You think it’s a stupid idea?’

‘Not at all. I think it sounds amazing. Not the Silas bit,’ I added hastily. ‘I was also wondering if some of the adult ghosts might like to have lessons too. Why not? Lots of adults go to evening classes, so why not ghosts? And maybe some of them would like to learn to read. I’m sure some of the older ones never got the chance when they were alive.’

‘Great idea,’ he said. ‘Of course, you and Immi would be in big demand, turning pages and so on.’

‘But some of the ghosts have relatives who can see them,’ I pointed out. ‘Like Mia, for example. If we can co-ordinate it, we might be able to get them to help each other. You know, I really want them to have more to do. I was thinking of asking about special showings of their favourite films at the cinema. And maybe holding a tea dance for them somewhere in the village once a week? Just something where they can all get together and enjoy themselves,’ I said, thinking of Harmony and Quintus and the other ghosts who must live such lonely afterlives. ‘Do you think they’d be interested?’

‘You can only ask, but I think most of them would love it,’ he said, his eyes shining.

‘And not just for the ghosts,’ I added. ‘Maybe we could arrange a social gathering in the village for the tenants too. Or maybe they’d like to come along to the tea dance or the film showings?’

‘Great ideas,’ he said. ‘Can I venture something, too?’

‘Of course.’

‘The model village,’ he said. ‘I honestly think it’s wasted shut away at Honeywell House like that.’

‘So do I!’ I cried. ‘I’d love to see it open to the public. The villagers and the tourists would love it. I wonder if I should have a word with Jack and Clara? There must be some way we can come to an arrangement, so visitors don’t encroach on their privacy. Maybe Jack would sell it to the estate?’

‘Or maybe he and Clara could run it themselves? Extra income for them, after all.’

‘We could surely make another entrance to the model village, so they didn’t have to go through the courtyard,’ I mused.

‘And Jack could make models of the newer ghosts,’ Brodie said eagerly. ‘So no one feels left out. I’m sure he’d be up for that. We could help them financially to get it off the ground if that’s what they want to do.’ The sparkle left his eyes suddenly. ‘I mean, you could. I’m sure you’ll make a success of this, Callie. I really am.’

The excitement that had been fizzing away in the pit of my stomach dissolved, leaving me flat and suddenly depressed. I collected up the papers and shoved them in the top drawer of the desk.

‘All done?’ he asked, all brisk and businesslike again.

‘Yeah. I think I’ll look at them again tomorrow. Your last day here,’ I said, as if either of us needed reminding.

‘I know.’

‘I’ll… I’ll miss you, Brodie,’ I said quietly.

He gazed across the desk at me, those bright-blue eyes looking rather sad and wistful. ‘I’ll miss you too.’

Then why are you leaving me?

I waited, wondering if he was going to kiss me again, but he didn’t. Instead, he got to his feet, rather wearily, and said, ‘It’s been a long day. I think I’ll get an early night. Lots to do tomorrow.’

‘Oh yes, me too. Lots to do, I mean. Well, goodnight.’

‘Goodnight, Callie.’

* * *

Two hours later, I was still wide awake and lying in bed in the darkness, staring up at the ceiling, my mind whirling with thoughts and ideas.

Everything Brodie had suggested sounded amazing to me, and as he’d told me his ideas, they’d sparked new ones of my own. This place had so much potential – not just to increase revenue, but to make life (and afterlife) better for the residents. I wanted to bring them together. I never wanted any of them to feel alone or lonely again.

But I couldn’t do this by myself, and I didn’t want to. The more I thought about it, the more I realised that if I let Brodie leave, I was the one who was going to be lonely. Life without him in it would be too miserable to contemplate. Seeing his smile every day had kept me going through my most difficult times here, and the thought of saying goodbye to him broke my heart.

I’d been lying when I’d told Lawrie that my relationship with Brodie amounted to nothing more than a kiss. It was so much more than that, and I’d never be able to live with myself if I didn’t tell him so.

I sat up and flicked on the bedside lamp, my stomach churning with nerves. But what if I told him how I felt, and he didn’t want to know? What if he left anyway? How would I deal with that?

After all, he had a lovely house in Devon waiting for him. I’d seen the photos, and it looked stunning. And then he had those interviews lined up. Mia had told me only that afternoon that they were with excellent companies, and she was sure they’d snap Brodie up. What could I offer him in exchange for that?

And then a thought entered my head, and I pulled up the duvet, snuggling under it as I allowed the thought to grow. Of course! It was perfect. He couldn’t possibly say no to that.

Feeling a new hope, I flicked off the bedside lamp and settled down to sleep. It was going to be okay after all.

* * *

The following morning, I went in search of Brodie. I found him in the garden at the back of the house, cutting some roses for Mia who wanted to display them in the hallway. I could have waited for him to return to the house, but with so many people coming and going already, and Walter due to arrive very soon with the boys, I thought the peace and quiet of the garden would be the perfect place to put the proposition to him.

‘They’re lovely,’ I told him, nodding at the perfect, pale-pink blooms in his hands.

‘Aren’t they? I thought I’d offer to cut them for Mia. Take my mind off things. I’m picking up the van in an hour.’

‘I know,’ I said. ‘But does it have to be that way?’

‘What do you mean?’ He snipped off another rose before turning to face me.

‘Brodie,’ I said. ‘I don’t want you to leave. Please change your mind.’

Was it my imagination or did his face light up? There was a definite hint of a smile on his lips, and a sudden sparkle in those gorgeous, blue eyes.

‘Callie, I don’t know what to say,’ he told me.

‘But you must surely have realised that I didn’t want you to go?’ I said, surprised.

‘I… I hoped… but you never said, and I’d already made my feelings clear, and I didn’t know what else…’

‘Then you’ll stay?’ I beamed at him. ‘Please just say it.’

He seemed lost for words, though I thought it was in a good way. He certainly seemed to be happier than he’d been a few moments ago anyway. Time to nudge him over the edge and seal the deal.

‘I can’t lose you,’ I said firmly. ‘This place can’t lose you.’ I waved my arm around, as if taking in the entirety of the estate in one swoop. ‘And that’s why I’ve come up with an offer I don’t think you’ll be able to refuse. Brodie, will you…’

I closed my eyes. Be brave. Be brave .

‘Brodie, will you be my estate manager?’

I opened one eye and peered at him. He was still smiling but now it wasn’t quite reaching his eyes. I saw him swallow.

‘Estate manager?’

‘Yes! You’re far too good to just be the accountant, and besides, you work way too hard. I was thinking about all the ideas you’d had last night, and it occurred to me that this would be the perfect solution. We could still hire one of Mr Eldridge’s accountants, to take the load off your shoulders, and you could concentrate on the business side of the estate. Obviously, the accountant would be answerable to you, not me, and I’d give you a pay rise. What do you say?’

He shook his head. ‘I… I don’t know what to say.’

My heart thudded. He couldn’t possibly turn this down, could he? Surely even that pretty house in Devon wasn’t enough to compete with such a good job offer?

‘Last night,’ I said, ‘when we were coming up with ideas for the estate, we agreed on everything. We bounced off each other, didn’t we? You can’t deny we made a good team. Can you?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘I don’t deny that.’

‘Well then! Oh, come on, Brodie! I need you. Please stay. I can’t do this without you.’

Brodie stared down at the roses in his hands. I noticed his finger was bleeding.

‘The thorn,’ I said. ‘Didn’t you feel it prick you?’

‘No… No, I didn’t.’

He sounded numb, as if nothing was making sense to him. All my hope and optimism began to drain away as if someone had pulled the plug on my plans for the future. Our future.

It wasn’t enough. Even the prospect of promotion and more money – it wasn’t enough to make him stay with me. But then, how could it be? He would never stay here without Lawrie. I’d been such an idiot.

‘It doesn’t matter,’ I said dully. ‘I can see you’re not interested.’

Brodie shoved the secateurs in his pocket and carefully bundled the roses together. ‘It’s all sorted,’ he said. ‘Like I said, I’m picking up the van in an hour. By tomorrow afternoon, I’ll be in Devon. I’ve got my first job interview on Monday, so…’

‘Yeah. Of course. Well, it was worth a shot,’ I said, ‘but don’t worry about it. Maybe Mr Eldridge can help me find an estate manager. I’m sure they’re not that hard to come by.’

Trying desperately not to reveal how hurt I was, I spun away and headed back to the house. That would teach me to wear my heart on my sleeve, I thought bitterly. Well, lesson learned. Never again.