Page 9 of Kindred Spirits at Harling Hall (Ghosts of Rowan Vale #1)

9

Sir Lawrence did everything he could to make the transition as easy as possible for us. The day after Brodie’s visit, I spoke to him on the phone to confirm that I was happy to go ahead with purchasing the Harling Estate, and he’d been so obviously relieved and delighted and humbly grateful, he’d nearly made me cry.

All I had to worry about, he said, was moving here, and he would do all he could to help. He and Brodie would remain at the Hall for a month to help me settle in and to show me how things worked at the estate. After that, they would leave, and I’d be on my own. I tried very hard to believe that a month would be ample time for me to learn all the things I’d need to know, but I can’t deny panic was already setting in even as I transferred the ten pounds into his account.

All those warnings about scams had obviously gone over my head, as I’d paid him before signing anything. I realised none of this was usual for the sale of property, but I didn’t have a lot of experience in the matter. I mean, he could have been a conman, but if he was, he aimed low. Even I could afford to lose ten pounds. Just. Part of me hoped it was a scam, and I could forget all about it.

Sir Lawrence, however, kept his word. Ten days after our conversation, an enormous brown package arrived from Eldridge and Smales, Solicitors.

There was an introductory letter inside from a Mr Harold Eldridge, who explained that Eldridge and Smales had been the solicitors for the Harling Estate ever since the Wyndhams bought the place in 1820, and that the business was still in the hands of the same families, so they were fully aware of the “special circumstances” pertaining to the village.

The letter went on to explain that the package contained various documents relating to the rights and responsibilities of the new owner, as well as a contract for the sale of the estate. Mr Eldridge urged me to read all documents thoroughly before I signed anything, adding that I was welcome to seek advice from my own solicitor (what solicitor?) and that the contract would also require the signature of a witness.

This was what I’d dreaded. All my life, I’d struggled with reading and writing, but it was only when I admitted as much to one of Immi’s teachers that I was finally tested for dyslexia. It was a relief to find out I wasn’t stupid, but that didn’t help me when it came to reading this mammoth document from the solicitor.

I tried reading it all but honestly, I couldn’t make head nor tail of it, and had a blinding headache before I’d finished the contract, never mind started on all the ‘rights and responsibilities’ stuff. Besides, it was a bloody long contract written in legalese, and who understands that unless they’re Mark Darcy?

What was I supposed to do? I’d paid Sir Lawrence ten pounds. Once the contract was signed and witnessed, I’d be the new owner and get to live in that massive country house in the Cotswolds with Immi. And ghosts. But at least my daughter’s future would be secure, and I’d get to spend more time with her at last.

Happy ever after.

After everything we’d been through, didn’t we deserve that?

And I couldn’t afford to consult a solicitor anyway so…

As I sat chewing my pen wondering what to do for the best, Mel knocked on the door.

‘Did our Violet leave her jacket here this afternoon?’ she asked without preamble. Her mouth dropped open as I practically dragged her into the flat.

‘Just in time. Would you be my witness?’

She looked thrilled to be asked. ‘Ooh. A witness to what?’

I could hardly tell her I was about to buy an entire estate in the Cotswolds for a tenner, so I simply explained that I’d been offered a new job complete with accommodation, working in the office of a country house.

‘You never have! That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you,’ she said warmly. ‘Mind, I’ll miss your Immi. And Violet will miss her too. She’s going to be gutted when I tell her.’

‘I promise Immi will keep in touch with her,’ I said. ‘Maybe she can come and stay with us when we’re settled?’

It was just something to say but I realised immediately I’d made a huge mistake. Her eyes lit up, and I could almost read her thoughts. About time you looked after my kid for a change! I’m sure she wasn’t really thinking that, but I couldn’t blame her if she was.

‘That’d be great. Violet would love that. Give me a pen, love, and I’ll sign. Oh, I’d better read through it all before I do, though.’ She laughed. ‘I could be signing my life away for all I know!’

‘Of course,’ I said. I handed her the huge package and beamed at her. ‘There you go.’

Her laughter died immediately. ‘Really? All that? Maybe I’ll just sign it, eh? I know I can trust you.’

‘Of course you can. Thanks so much,’ I told her.

Violet’s mum scarpered as soon as the deed was done, and the very next day, I sent the papers back by recorded delivery, which cost me an absolute fortune because I’d completely missed the bit that said I was supposed to keep the ‘rights and responsibilities’ stuff and only return the contract. I had to admit, it didn’t bode well for my future as a businesswoman.

A few days later, Mia got in touch, and she became the go-between for Sir Lawrence and me. She seemed to be doing a lot of the organisation, from what I could make out.

Having decided that the best time to move to Rowan Vale would be during the May half term holidays, I gave my month’s notice to the agency in late April. Mia, meanwhile, contacted the primary school in Kingsford Wold on my behalf and made an appointment for Immi and me to speak with the headmistress on the second of June, which was the first day back after half term.

I hadn’t seen or heard from Brodie since the day he’d come to my flat over a month ago, but I guessed the situation was still proving difficult for him. Even though he’d wanted to help his grandfather and the ghosts, handing over his inheritance and his home couldn’t be an easy prospect. He might have done the honourable thing by persuading me to take up Sir Lawrence’s offer but that didn’t mean he had to like it.

It didn’t ease my anxiety, though. As if moving to a new home and taking on a new job wasn’t enough to deal with, the thought of sharing a house – even one as large as the Hall – with someone who didn’t really want me there was daunting. It was going to be a long month. And that was before I even thought about what it would be like living with Agnes.

But moving day was drawing ever closer and there was nothing else to do but wait. Our new life was about to begin, and I could only keep everything crossed that I hadn’t made a huge mistake.