The Angel Tree (52 page)

‘Maybe later. It’s only three o’clock in the afternoon,’ Ava said, completely taken aback by her mother’s behaviour in the light of what had happened to LJ.

‘Oh, don’t be such a spoilsport, Ava. But okay, we’ll save it for later. So what are we doing this afternoon?’

‘Well, Ava was going to take me out for a walk and show me the estate,’ said Simon.

‘Wonderful idea! Just what we all need, a nice breath of fresh air. I just love walking at this time of year. Autumn is so pretty, don’t you think? Let me go and change into
something more sensible, and I’ll see you back here in ten minutes.’

Ava watched, confused, as Cheska practically skipped out of the room. To the best of her knowledge, her mother had never set foot on a walk any further away than the nearby woods, and she hated
the cold.

‘My goodness, Cheska Hammond is your mother,’ Simon murmured, shaking his head. ‘Why on earth didn’t you tell me?’

‘Is it important?’ Ava snapped and then apologised immediately.

‘No, of course it isn’t important. But when a full-blown international superstar walks into a kitchen in the middle of nowhere completely unannounced, it’s understandable to be
shocked, isn’t it?’

‘Well, there you are. That’s my mother.’

‘As a matter of fact, it explains why you looked familiar the moment I saw you. And you’re every bit as beautiful as she is,’ Simon said gently.

‘Well, we’d better get ready for this walk.’ Ava stood up abruptly. ‘I’ll find you some wellingtons.’

Ten minutes later the three of them were walking down the steps from the terrace, her mother looking faintly ridiculous in an old Barbour and a pair of wellington boots that
were far too big for her.

‘So, where shall we start?’ asked Cheska, linking her arm through Simon’s. ‘The woods are beautiful, especially at this time of year, and then we can take a walk by the
stream.’

‘Sounds good to me,’ Simon agreed.

Ava trailed behind them, amazed that Cheska hadn’t yet asked her how LJ had been that morning, and also unsettled by the territorial way her mother was behaving with Simon. Ava could see
he was entranced not only by meeting Cheska, but by the attention she was lavishing upon him.

Even though Simon had never declared his intentions to Ava, and had certainly never done more than give her a peck on the cheek and a cuddle, she felt a sharp twinge of envy as she watched the
two of them laughing together as they walked on ahead. Surely Cheska couldn’t be thinking of Simon in
that
way? She was old enough to be
his
mother.

But then, Ava calculated that if Cheska had only been sixteen when she gave birth, it meant she was actually only eleven years Simon’s senior. And besides, she looked ten years younger
than she was. Ava shuddered with distaste at the way her mother had suddenly changed from her exhaustion of this morning into a sparkling . . .
girl
the moment she’d seen Simon.

‘Let them at it,’ she murmured to herself.

When they came back from the walk, Ava said she was returning to the hospital for evening visiting hours.

‘I’ll drive you there,’ offered Simon immediately.

‘Oh goodness, you don’t need to do that, Simon. You’ve done enough today already,’ announced Cheska. ‘Ava can take the Land Rover and drive herself, can’t
you, honey? And don’t worry, I’ll keep Simon company. I might even treat him to my scrambled eggs and smoked salmon. Everyone in Hollywood comes to me on a Sunday for brunch. My secret
recipe is famous!’

‘Really, it’s no problem—’

‘It’s okay, Simon.’ Ava had already taken the keys to the Land Rover from the hook. ‘I’ll see you later.’

Ava sat in the chair next to LJ, trying not to think of Simon and Cheska at Marchmont together and glad that LJ seemed far brighter and more alert than earlier. Ava had come
armed with a couple of notepads and pens, and also her great-aunt’s favourite Austen novel. LJ scribbled short words of reply to Ava’s questions:

‘
Yes, feeling better
.’

‘
Doc says I can sit in chair tomorrow
.’

‘
And they will give me a shower!
’

When Ava saw that LJ was tiring, she opened
Emma
and began to read to her. When the bell rang to indicate the end of visiting hours, Ava looked up from the book and saw that LJ had
dozed off. Kissing her gently on the cheek, she left the hospital, dreading returning home.

When she arrived, she found Simon and Cheska sitting in the kitchen chuckling at something. There was an empty champagne bottle on the table.

‘Hello, darling. Simon and I have had a lovely evening, haven’t we? He’s been telling me all about his West End debut and he’s invited me to the first night. Sixties
music is my era, of course,’ said Cheska.

‘Maybe the two of you could come together?’ Simon’s deep brown eyes turned to Ava.

‘If LJ’s out of hospital by then,’ she answered abruptly.

‘Want a drink, darling?’ Cheska asked, proffering a newly-opened bottle of wine.

‘No, thanks. If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to bed. Goodnight.’ Ava walked to the kitchen door and left them to it.

At lunchtime the following day, despite Cheska’s protests that Simon must stay for lunch, he said he had to leave and head back to London.

‘We’re teching the show in the theatre from tomorrow, so it’s going to be a long week.’

‘Well, I can’t wait to see it,’ said Cheska, following Simon out to the car with Ava. ‘Perhaps we can go out to supper afterwards?’

‘I think I’ll be expected at the first-night party, Cheska. But thanks for your hospitality. Ava’ – he beckoned her towards him though Cheska was still hovering close by
– ‘will you let me know when you’re heading back to London?’

‘Yes.’ She nodded.

‘I—’ he looked at her, then at Cheska, and shrugged. ‘Send my love to your great-aunt, and take care of yourself.’

‘I will.’

‘Well, wasn’t he charming?’ Cheska said as they walked back inside together.

‘Yes.’

‘So mature for such a young man.’

‘I’m off to the hospital now, Mother,’ Ava said briskly, not wishing to hear her extolling Simon’s virtues. ‘Will you come with me?’

‘Maybe not today. Simon and I had a pretty late night. And you said earlier that LJ was a lot better yesterday evening. I’m going to catch up on some rest after lunch.’

Ava spent as much time as she could with LJ at the hospital over the following few days and was delighted by the improvement in her. At the end of the week, the consultant
called Ava into his office and said that he thought LJ would soon be ready to leave the hospital.

‘Have you looked into any of the nursing homes I suggested?’

‘No, but we will now that you think she’s ready to leave. Thank you, doctor.’ Ava stood up. ‘I’m very grateful for all you’ve done.’

‘Just doing my job, Miss Marchmont,’ he said, showing her to the door. ‘By the way, how is that charming mother of yours? I haven’t seen her this week.’

‘She’s been very tired after being here all last week with my great-aunt, so I’ve taken over.’

‘Well, do send her my regards, won’t you?’

‘Of course.’

‘And let me know how you get on with the nursing homes. I’d book her in provisionally from next Wednesday.’

When she got home Ava dialled the numbers of the three establishments the doctor had suggested. One of them was full, but the other two said they could take LJ from the date Mr
Simmonds had suggested. Having assiduously avoided her mother as much as possible over the last few days, bored now with the never-ending monologues on how marvellous Simon was, Ava went in search
of her. She found her in the library looking through some papers.

‘Would you like to come with me this afternoon to visit the nursing homes the doctor has suggested? LJ is going to be allowed out on Wednesday.’

‘I . . . is it necessary, Ava? I’m sure I can trust your opinion on where will be suitable, darling. Obviously, the one nearest to here, as, once you’re back at college,
I’ll be the one visiting her all the time.’

Ava could see that her mother was distracted. ‘Okay. I’ll go and see them and report back.’

‘Thank you, Ava. Anything else?’

‘No. Isn’t it good news that LJ is getting better?’

‘Wonderful.’ Cheska nodded, her eyes back on her paperwork.

On Wednesday Ava travelled with LJ in an ambulance to the nursing home she had chosen. Cheska had said she would drive LJ’s Land Rover and meet them there. True to her
word, she was standing in the car park when they arrived.

The nursing home was set in well-kept parkland. The staff were friendly, LJ’s room was bright and had a lovely view over the gardens. When she’d first visited, Ava had been happy to
see that there were just as many young patients as there were old.

‘We cater for all sorts here, dear,’ the matron had explained. ‘We’re not a dumping ground for the elderly but a recovery unit for the sick of any age.’

Ava helped unpack LJ’s case and arranged her things as she liked them. Cheska just sat in a chair, seeming distracted. Ava and LJ had developed a form of communication: LJ would squeeze
Ava’s hand, or raise an eyebrow, pointing shakily with her good arm at whatever she wanted. If she couldn’t make herself understood, she would write down what she wanted.

‘Honey, I think we should go now, give LJ a chance to get settled in.’ Cheska was staring out of the window, her fingers twisting nervously.

‘Oh, I was hoping I could stay on for a bit, Mother. Don’t worry, you go home and I’ll call Tom the Taxi to come and pick me up.’

‘It’s okay. I’ll wait,’ Cheska said firmly.

LJ squeezed Ava’s hand and shook her head slightly, indicating the door.

‘Are you sure you’ll be okay?’

She nodded.

‘I’ll be back tomorrow. Anything you need, write it down and hand it to the matron. When I call her later, she can tell me what to bring in for you.’

LJ was looking irritated.

‘I know, I know, I’m fussing,’ said Ava, then kissed her great-aunt’s forehead. ‘I just can’t wait until you’re back home. I love you.’

LJ smiled her lopsided smile and waved so pathetically it brought fresh tears to Ava’s eyes.

Outside, she bit her lip as Cheska unlocked the car. ‘Oh dear. I do hate leaving her here.’

‘Don’t be silly, Ava. She’s in good hands, as you can see. It’s costing the earth as well, so the place should be good.’

‘I know. I’m sorry. I suppose it’s because I know I have to go back to London soon.’

‘Well, I’ll be here, won’t I?’

Cheska started the engine and put the car hard into reverse.

Ava visited LJ every afternoon for the next three days, reassuring herself that her great-aunt was happy and settled. The staff seemed kind, and the physiotherapy was helping
enormously. Even though her speech hadn’t yet returned, LJ was now able to take short walks around the garden with the aid of a walking stick.

‘You must go back to London. I am better.’

Ava read the note and saw LJ looking at her and nodding. She wrote another note and handed it to her niece.

‘Tomorrow!’

‘But, LJ, I don’t want to go until you’re home.’

‘You must. Don’t disobey me.’

‘I’m not, but—’

‘I am still your aunt.’

‘All right, if you insist. But I’ll be back next weekend.’

‘
We’ll see about that
.’

Later that evening, when Ava told her mother she felt that LJ was well enough for her to leave for London, Cheska announced she, too, would be visiting the capital.

‘And I have Bobby’s . . . I mean, Simon’s show to see. I thought I’d also stop by and see my old agent. While I’m in England, it seems a pity not to explore
opportunities.’

‘But what about LJ? I thought you’d be here to visit her while I was away?’

‘For goodness’ sake, Ava. I was only thinking of coming to London for a night! Mary’s here, and I’m sure LJ can survive for twenty-four hours without both of us. We can
meet at the theatre for a drink before the show. I have to find something to wear beforehand, of course. It is a premiere, after all. I’m so excited!’

Cheska said goodbye to Ava the following morning with a kiss and a smile.

‘See you on Wednesday night. And don’t worry about LJ. I’m going straight off to see her now.’

‘Okay. Send her my love.’

‘I will.’

The next morning Cheska put on a fitted silk blouse that matched her eyes and showed just a hint of cleavage. Then she went downstairs to greet Dr Stone, whose car had just
pulled up outside.

When he’d left, Cheska drove into Monmouth and walked into the reception of Glenwilliam, Whittaker and Storey, the solicitors for the Marchmont estate.

‘Hi, my name is Cheska Hammond. I have an appointment with Mr Glenwilliam.’

‘Er, yes . . . Miss Hammond . . .’ The receptionist stumbled slightly over her words. ‘Do sit down, and I’ll let Mr Glenwilliam know you’re here.’

‘Thank you.’ Cheska sat. A minute later, the door opened and a man in his early thirties came out. She stood up.

‘Miss Hammond, it’s a pleasure. Do come through to my office.’

‘Thank you. I thought you were going to be crusty and old.’ Cheska giggled coquettishly.

‘Er, no. You would be thinking of my father. He retired a couple of years ago and I took over the practice.’

‘I see,’ she said, following Mr Glenwilliam into his office.

‘Please sit down, Miss Hammond.’

‘Thank you.’

‘Now, what can I do for you?’

‘Well, the problem is, my uncle is abroad on an extended holiday and at present uncontactable.’ Cheska crossed her legs slowly and watched the solicitor’s eyes follow their
movements. ‘And now that LJ, my aunt, is so sick, I—’ Her eyes filled with tears and she reached into her handbag for a handkerchief.

‘Please try not to distress yourself, Miss Hammond.’

‘Well, it’s all been left up to me to sort out, and I really need some advice.’

‘I will try to help in any way I can,’ Mr Glenwilliam reassured her, staring into those famed blue eyes.