5 Peppermint Grove (44 page)

Ruth was so happy to see him. Her view on the world was completely different after last night – she wanted to tell him at once what she had learned.

“Fancy going for a cappuccino – there’s a little place on the river?” he suggested.

“That sounds perfect.”

“We can walk to it if you like.”

They began to stroll in the warm sunshine past the Yacht Club and the serpentine bay.

Ruth launched into her tale straightaway, hurriedly getting it off her chest.

“It’s crazy but my father isn’t who I thought. My mother was raped by Charles Walters’ son who died in the car accident – it turns out that he is my biological father.”

Brian stopped dead and turned to her, his eyes wide. “Your father?”

Ruth nodded – she was shaking now.

“Charles Walters, the father, wanted to make amends and offered money and said he wanted to see his grandchild. But my mother wanted nothing to do with him.”

Ruth looked up at Brian and he hugged her tightly. It helped sharing her distress with him.

“It must have been so difficult for her,” he said. He put his arm around her shoulders and helped her to walk on.

Ruth’s eyes welled. It was incredibly difficult to accept what she had learned. These characters that had been associated with the house were blood relatives.

“Yes, I-I-I – eh, I just realised that Emily was my grandmother and she spent all those years on her own in the house with no family. It must have been terribly lonely and all the while I suppose she knew that I existed on the other side of the world.”

Brian was shaking his head in disbelief. “That’s a crazy story. You know, I don’t have much to do with the Arthurs chap but it strikes me that you are the real heir to Number
5.”

Ruth stopped still in her tracks.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, from what I gather they had to give it to this nephew – grand-nephew, mind! Because he was next of kin. The old lady didn’t leave a will . . . wait, I have the name of the solicitor – I might do a bit of detective work!”

“Brian!” Ruth warned. “What are you up to?”

“I’m not sure about the law – let me look into it but from what you say you are the closest living relative to Emily Walters.”

If it was true it would be amazing but Ruth was concerned. “I don’t want to upset the past – I mean, things should be just left the way they are.”

Brian shook his head. “I believe your ancestors are trying to get through to you – why else did you have those strange feelings on Rottnest? It’s all a bit too spooky. And this house is your destiny . . .”

Ruth blinked back the tears. It had been a remarkable few days. She was disturbed about her mother’s revelation but she was so happy to have Brian back in her life that it counterbalanced her distress. Besides, she felt that things were unfolding around her beyond her control. The universe had stepped in and all she had to do was let her future happen.

“Brian – I know that you are trying to help but I don’t want to have anything to do with that family – I mean, after what happened to my mother . . .”

Brian paused. “I’m sorry, Ruth – I’m being insensitive – of course I wouldn’t dream of interfering. You know what is best.”

He stopped walking and hugged her tightly.

“I just want to be at peace with this huge news. I haven’t spoken to my father yet!”

“Of course – and I am here for you – you know that?”

Ruth looked up into his clear blue eyes and melted as he leaned forward and kissed her the way that she loved to be kissed.

Chapter Fifty-seven

Michael got an email to thank him for coming to the interview but the position had been filled. He was gutted beyond words. He went into the kitchen where Horatio sat sipping a mug of tea.

“I didn’t get the job, Granddad.”

Horatio looked up at his grandson. “What’s for ya won’t go by ya, son! If you didn’t get it there’s a reason.”

Michael wished his grandfather was right but he was feeling very dejected right now.

Julia walked into the kitchen behind him.

“Morning, everyone!” she breezed. “I see Mum came back late last night – is she up yet?”

“I haven’t seen her but I heard her car drive in at all hours,” Horatio said. “Michael has a bit of unfortunate news but I told him it could be a blessing!”

Julia looked at her brother. “The job? Did you hear?”

He nodded. “I didn’t get it – I got a generic email. I swear, I leave everything in Singapore to come home for this and all I get is a generic email!”

Julia patted her brother on his back. “It’s okay – Granddad is right – there are lots of other opportunities and you did say that you would like a change or a challenge.”

“But I need to earn money too!”

“Well, as I told you, I need help. I’ve been relying on Gillian too much and I really need a stand-in that I can trust.”

“But I don’t know the business,” Michael said defensively.

“Michael, you have been in business for years! It won’t take you long to figure it out. You can come into work with me today.”

Michael groaned.

“That’s a great idea!” Horatio agreed.

Carol stepped into the kitchen as he spoke. “Morning – what’s a great idea?”

“Oh hi, Mum,” Julia said with a smile. “Michael is going to come and work with me – I’m about to take on some more products – I need help.”

Carol hugged her son warmly. “It’s so good to have you home, love.”

“It’s good to be home, Mum – and you’ve been having a good time from what I hear?”

Carol blushed. “Don’t mind these two. But tell me, did you not go for that job?”

“Eh, don’t mention the war, Carol!” Horatio butted in.

“Okay – I won’t!” Carol said. “Well, to change the subject, I had a lovely time with Gerry and if it’s okay with everyone he’s coming down this weekend.”

“I’ll be back in the apartment by then!” Michael said quickly.

“I’ll probably be staying with Odette anyway,” Julia piped up. “It’s Paddy’s weekend and I’m going to the parade with Dylan and the kids.”

Horatio chuckled. “Are you now?” He winked at his granddaughter.

“Granddad!” Julia berated. “We are taking the kids out to give Odette a break.”

“Whatever you say,” the old man grinned.

Gillian greeted Michael at the reception. She was determined to meet a man and Michael would be just perfect – Dylan was obviously besotted with Julia and she couldn’t be wasting any more time on him.

“Oh, Michael, lovely to see you again!” she beamed.

“Hi – Gillian, isn’t it?” Michael smiled.

She nodded her head like the dogs who sit in the back of car windows.

“Gillian, Michael is going to be working with us now,” Julia said.

“Oh really – great news!” Gillian blushed. “If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know.”

“I’ll be straight on to you, Gillian!”

Gillian giggled at the double entendre and Julia wanted to be sick.

“Come on, Michael – no slacking now!” she said, ushering her brother into the office where she shut the door and hissed, “Michael, Gillian is insatiable – don’t tempt her – I don’t want her for a sister-in-law!”

“Uh – I could do worse – she seems nice.”

“I’m seriously having my doubts – I think she’s attracted to any man with a pulse.”

Michael titled his head. “That does wonders for my ego, sis!”

“I’m not worried about your ego! Now sit down and let me show you the accounts – I want to introduce you to the cruise company this afternoon – cruises are going to be a major product this season.”

Michael covered so much ground so quickly that Julia was confident she had made a great decision. He was pouring out new ideas and they were working like a finely oiled machine in unison.

The hands turned on the clock on the wall and both were surprised when they saw that it was already
three o’clock.

“I’ll send one of the girls out to get us a sandwich for now – we’ve worked through lunch!” said Julia. “And I have to pop out and meet
Lydia in a while. She wants to speak to me about something.”

Michael raised his head on hearing his old love’s name. “Leave me here and I’ll finish off.”

“Are you sure? That would be a great help. She sounds upset.”

Michael raised an eyebrow. “There’s hope for me yet then?”

“Don’t hold your breath,” she sighed.

“Okay, talk later, and if I’m still here when you’re finished maybe you can drop me home?”

“I’ll be right back as I have to be in Howth by six!”

Julia said her goodbyes to Gillian and rushed out to
Wicklow Street where she had agreed to meet Lydia for a quick coffee at the Butler’s chocolate café.

Lydia
was sitting up at a high stool devouring a chocolate truffle when Julia came into the shop.

“Sorry I’m a bit late – I’ve got a new employee.”

“It’s okay – I got started,” Lydia said, giving her friend a peck on the cheek. “Thanks for coming to meet me at such short notice. I need to thrash my thoughts out with someone and I trust your opinion more than anyone.”

“I’m honoured – that you chose me to talk to.” Julia smiled gently. “You are a good friend,
Lydia, and deserve to be happy. So is it Peter?”

Lydia
nodded. “Oh Julia – I think I dived in too quickly – I seriously think that he has no intention of ever getting married. It’s like he loves being in a stable relationship with just a certain amount of commitment and he goes there really quickly with his girlfriends and then just strings them on for years.”

“There are guys like that . . . I did say so before . . .” Julia hated it when she was right.

“I told him that I’m moving out!”

Julia could see the pain in her friend’s eyes. She put her hand out to console her. “Are you okay?”

“My heart was hoping that he wanted the same as me but my gut was saying something else. My head said get out now before I get hurt!”

Julia nodded. “But maybe you can just enjoy what you have?”

“Does any woman just want that?”

Julia shrugged. Commitment was definitely not on her priority list. But most of her friends had different needs.

Lydia sighed. “I’m going around to collect my things this evening – I’m lucky that I didn’t sell my apartment! Maybe I should just take a break from men!”

Julia raised her eyebrows. “I think you’re right to trust your gut but don’t shut yourself off from love.”

“You know me too well! I haven’t the nerve to tell my mother – she thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread.”

Julia did know her friend and she was sure that she would do the right thing.

“I’m there for you if you need me.”

“I know that. I just needed to say it to someone and you are the person that I trust the most. Thanks, Ju. So who’s your new employee then?”

“Don’t laugh but I think it’s going to work out really well – it’s Michael.”

“Your brother?”
Lydia asked in amazement.

“Yes – he came home for an interview and didn’t get the job.”

“Is he really home for good?”

“Oh God, yeah – he was becoming one of those miserable homesick Irishmen crying into his pint. He’s been up in the Abbey Tavern every evening with Granddad since he got back and he’s happy out.”

Lydia smiled. “He’s not the settling down type either.”

“All he’s talked about for months is settling down. I seriously think that he will settle for the first girl he meets that will have him.”

Lydia laughed. “I feel I’ve been very harsh with him.”

“Don’t feel bad – he’s his own worst enemy.”

“Maybe I’ll give him a second chance then?” Lydia joked.

Julia warned. “Give him time to prove himself.”

“I’m only joking – I’m going to give myself some time before I jump into another relationship. But, tell me – are you really meeting Dylan at six? I was stunned when I read your text.”

“I, eh, yeah – funny but we’ve been hitting if off rather well and he’s a great support to Odette and the kids – we’re both trying to help ease things for her.”

Lydia couldn’t wipe the grin off her face.

“What’s that face for?” Julia asked defensively.

“I always knew you would cave in eventually.”

“What?”

“Oh nothing.” Lydia stood up. “I’ll let you go but I’ll keep you posted on my decision.”

Julia stood up and kissed her friend on the cheek. “I have saved so many calories! I forgot to order a coffee and chocolate – I’ll have to meet you more often!”

Lydia walked away with the elegance of a swan and Julia wished that her friend would find happiness soon.