The Legacy of Hope House (8 page)

‘That would be great,’ Liz said, immediately cottoning onto the idea before either Anna or Quentin could say anything to spoil Grant’s suggestion.

‘Anyway, why not tell us a bit about the area,’ he said. ‘We’re likely to be here for some time, so we might as well get to know the place as well as we can.’ Both men leaned back, and listened to Anna and Liz describing local places of interest, The Wye Valley, Tintern Abbey, Penhow Castle, and a few local castles.

‘No exciting night-life then, but maybe you’ll show us some of these sights one weekend,’ Grant said, looking directly at Liz.

‘No night-life here, but Bristol is less than an hour’s drive, and Cardiff about the same in the opposite direction, There’s plenty of night life in those cities… if that’s what you want,’ she said, with a sniff.

It was fairly late in the afternoon when they left the inn, and as soon as they returned to Hope House, the two men disappeared to their respective rooms.

Anna glanced at the desk diary, and only then did she realize, with a start, that David Rees had said he would call in later that afternoon. No sooner had the thought of David entered her mind, than he walked into the hallway.

He stood still and looked at her with a smile as he pushed an invoice across the desk. ‘Hello,’ Anna he said, ‘no rush to pay. The old man’s loaded, so whenever you’re ready will do,’ he said. ‘If there’s anything else that needs doing, just give me a bell, and we’ll be around straight away to fix it.’

David was a pleasant person, and someone she had really liked for ages, even better now, since she had recently had more contact with him. She mused as he stood there in front of her. If too much time passed without their seeing each other for a date, he would surely find a new girlfriend, or go back to his old one; and that would mean the only decent, local, eligible bachelor would be out of reach again.

David managed a little smile, pushed his hands deep into his pockets, and shuffled his feet. ‘Er, feel like coming out for a drink and a bite to eat tonight?’

Anna’s heart fell. This was exactly what she was afraid would happen. She wanted to go out with him, but she was already committed to a foursome for the evening. Under the circumstances, it would be awkward to opt out of that now, and she hesitated before replying.

David’s immediate change of expression indicated quite plainly that he had taken this faltering as a sign of reluctance on her part. She felt powerless to do anything about it now, and certainly wasn’t going to tell him straight out that she had wanted to go out with him for ages.

His next remark was short and sharp. ‘Never mind, Anna. I can tell the idea doesn’t excite you. Maybe some other time, okay?’ He turned on his heel and left hurriedly with a casual wave before she could say a word to explain things. ‘See you,’ he called out, over his shoulder, and strode briskly out through the open door.

Anna felt she could kick herself for having thrown away the first chance of a proper date with David Rees, and her spirits fell when she realised that maybe he wouldn’t ask her again. She sighed as she heard his van take off down the drive, feeling totally frustrated at the simple way the misunderstanding had come about.

Chapter Sixteen

The Bull Inn proudly claimed their food was cooked on the premises; no ready-made frozen meals served there. The inn had the most expensive menu for miles around, but it also had the best chef and the most exotic menu, which was the reason Anna had chosen it for their evening out.

The four headed for the ancient inn at seven o’clock, and from the general atmosphere that greeted them on arrival, it was immediately obvious that the venue was going to prove a success.

They were immediately guided to a table for four set in a cosy corner of the beautifully decorated dining room. They studied the menus the waiter handed them and made their choices. The four-piece band struck up while they were waiting, so they all took to the small dance floor and enjoyed the diversion until the waiter politely asked them to be seated again. Their meals were ready.

The service was excellent, and the dishes certainly up to the usual Bull Inn standard. They danced again after they had eaten, and the music and the soft lights, along with the wine, increased the romantic mood of the evening.

Even though she might have traded it earlier for a mediocre pub meal and a drink with David, Anna acknowledged that the occasion had turned out to be something rather special. As people began to filter away, she felt sorry the evening was coming to an end. ‘How about we all have a night-cap at the manor before we turn in?’ she suggested. ‘And, Liz, you’re welcome to overnight there as well, okay?’

Everyone agreed wholeheartedly, and once back at Hope House, they stepped into the large hall, all laughing and talking happily. The first thing Anna did was to phone her mother so that she wouldn’t worry about her, and Liz phoned home to say she would be spending the night at Hope House.

With no urgency about anything now, and none of them having to drive anywhere, they spent another couple of hours imbibing and chatting in the big lounge, so by the time they decided it was bedtime, they all seemed to know each other fairly well. As they climbed the stairs to bed, Anna felt extremely buoyant, and when she glanced at Papa’s portrait she blew him a kiss. She slept like a babe that night; no nightmares.

There was no movement in Hope House until well after nine o’clock the next morning. Then all four descended on the kitchen at the same time for breakfast. ‘Full English all round?’ Anna asked.

‘Och, and you gotta be joking,’ Grant said, holding his head. ‘A couple of painkillers is all I want.’

‘And a hair of the dog, for me please,’ Quentin groaned. ‘I never take breakfast anyway.’

Anna shrugged. ‘As you wish, but Liz and I will enjoy ours anyway.’ It wasn’t long before Grant and Quentin were asking for strong coffee and a piece of dry toast, then they all relaxed in the lounge until the effects of the night before began to fade. It was half way through a lazy morning when Liz answered the phone to David, and passed the instrument to Anna, mouthing his name so that she would know who was calling.

‘Er…, Anna,’ David seemed to be having trouble, and began again. ‘Look, sorry I took off in such a hurry yesterday; that was pretty thoughtless of me. Anyway, I thought I’d ask if you’d like to come out for Sunday lunch.’ He said it so quietly that Anna could barely hear him. Then there was a pause.

‘Yeah, sure,’ Anna said. ‘That sounds great. Where do you want to go?’

‘Usual place, if that’s okay with you,’ he mumbled. ‘I’ll call for you at noon, okay?’

Anna replaced the receiver then turned to Liz. ‘I felt obliged to accept David’s invitation to lunch,’ she said, ‘although I’d sooner stay here.’

‘No problem,’ Liz said. ‘I’ve got things to do when I get home, but I’ll come back at teatime and overnight again, if that’s what you’d like.’

Ready and waiting by the time David arrived, Anna climbed into his Ford and they set off. Curious as to David’s reaction, she stole a quick glance at his face when Quentin waved to her as he walked across the drive to his own car. David said nothing for a few moments, but then posed a question.

‘So who’s that good-looking guy then; the one who just waved to you? Someone special? I noticed you and Liz with him and another fella in The Bull last night when Ben and I popped in for a drink.’

‘He’s no one special. Just our very first guest and his colleague. We couldn’t feed them at Hope House so we felt obliged to guide them to a decent meal,’ Anna replied, ‘and we had to share the last available table.’ It crossed her mind whether David could be feeling a bit jealous, so she continued. ‘Going to The Bull was unplanned; it just happened, that’s all. Why?’

‘None of my business,’ David said with a shrug, ‘but I wondered who he was and if you were tied up with him in any way.’

‘Course not; only just met him anyway. There’s nothing between us, if that’s what you’re asking,’ Anna said, feeling pleased for the chance to explain. She took a sly look at David, and noticed the trace of a smile on his face, as though what she had said pleased him.

After they had eaten, Anna felt it opportune to set the record straight about her dreams, and see what David made of them. She related every detail, and then waited for his response.

‘You’re telling me you dreamed about places you’ve never seen before? Come on, Anna, that’s stretching it a bit; stop pulling my leg.’ He grinned at her. ‘After all, it was a nightmare, so why attach any importance to it?’ He looked her straight in the eye. ‘I’m not surprised you’re having lots of them. After all, you’re surrounded by ancient family portraits staring down on you, and if the nightmares are all similar, then it’s gotta be due to something weighing heavily on your mind, like the responsibility of this place for instance. Anyway, I can’t accept that dreams mean anything. I don’t go along with dream interpretation.’

He placed his hand gently over Anna’s, and squeezed it as he inclined his head closer. ‘Look, I’ve been thinking; we enjoy each other’s company, so how about we make a habit of doing things like this, eh?’

Anna’s heart gave a jerk. This was something she had wanted, but not wanting to show too eager, she curbed her excitement and merely nodded approval with a smile.

At the end of the meal, David got up from the table, stretched, and then reached out to help Anna to her feet. ‘I’ll take you home now, wherever that is,’ he said, smiling, ‘and then I’ve promised to give someone an estimate for a job, Sunday or no Sunday. Time is short and precious, and we’re pretty goddam busy for this time of year.’

Liz reappeared soon after Anna returned to Hope House, and in no way could Anna withhold her excitement about David’s suggestion they should meet regularly; she sat down with Liz, and told her all about it.

‘Got something to tell you, too.’ Liz said. ‘When I left here earlier, I called at the supermarket for some milk, and who should I bump into there, but Quentin Hale, buying mints and chocolate to help him quit cigars.’ She gave a girlish giggle. ‘The long and short is, he asked me for a date. I really fancy him; he’s such a handsome hunk and we’re going to the Spanish Wine Bar in town tonight.’

Anna was delighted for Liz, and there was no envy over it, even though she thought she had made a conquest herself where Quentin was concerned. Although the man’s looks had turned her head a bit, David had been the one she had fancied long before Quentin was on the scene, and she wanted to avoid any chance of spoiling this new development with him.

Anyway, she consoled herself, handsome, successful Quentin was the kind who would be here today and gone tomorrow. And he had said he has no intention of staying for long in a place like this. Her thoughts then turned to her friend. If Liz thinks she’s hooked Quentin Hale, she’s got another thing coming. He’s well aware of his handsome looks, and it shows.

To Anna, he didn’t seem the sort of man who would stay long with one woman. In her opinion he had a roving eye; he looked a typical ladies’ man, and the sort to make full use of his spectacular appearance to attract any woman he fancied. She sighed. He was also the kind of man every woman wanted to be seen with, herself included, even if only to flaunt him. On the other hand, David was good looking, solid, dependable, and locally settled. And available now.

Suddenly feeling guilty for making comparisons, Anna turned her thoughts to her business. Her plan now was to make arrangements for leave of absence from work. It was out of the question to cope unless she could have free time, so she decided to approach her supervisor about it first thing in the morning.

As soon as she went into the office next day, she experienced a strange foreboding that all was not well. This was confirmed by the straight glare that Mrs Evans gave her when she approached her about the intended leave. The woman seemed distant and disinterested.

‘Anna, forget about leave of absence,’ she retorted, briskly. ‘You know we’re laying off people, and I’m very sorry, but I’m afraid you’re next on the list to go. It’s last in, first out. But you’ve no need to worry; you’ve got your hotel so you don’t have to search around for another job.’

Anna felt as though she’d been slapped in the face, and wished she’d been sitting when Mrs Evans had delivered the decision. This meant she had no option but to make a success of Hope House. Telling her mother she had lost her job was not going to be easy, but there was no need to give her the news straight away; it could keep. The most important thing now was to get Hope House up and running properly.

She had not seen Liz since her date with Quentin, and she wondered how it had gone, but she had only a short while to wait, because Liz called in straight after work next day. Anna looked straight at her with her big round eyes plainly asking the question.

‘Well…’ Liz said, brightly, ‘we had a great night in the Wine Bar, and we’re out again tonight.’

‘Oh, then maybe it’s on the way to being serious?’ Anna said, lifting her brow.

‘On two dates? I wouldn’t say that.’ Liz, frowned. ‘For starters, there was nothing romantic about the evening whatsoever; no holding hands, no sweet words, not even a peck goodnight. Certainly not a touchy-feely night at all.’ She shrugged it off. ‘Admittedly, he’s a fabulous looking guy and all that, but there’s that little something about him… something I can’t quite put my finger on.’ She shrugged and frowned again.

‘Something - like what? Give me an example.’

Liz linked her arm in Anna’s and led her to a seat in the hall. ‘Let’s sit down here, and I’ll tell you. Well, Quentin seems to be a high-flyer. To start with he talked about his job, his ambitions, and all that sort of stuff, and then he got talking about you and your inheritance - like how lucky you are and so on. He enlarged upon that, quite unnecessarily I thought; said he wondered how you were doing, whether you intended to continue with your new career, and if so, what plans you had in mind.’

She gave Anna a look of doubt. ‘I’m not sure I should be repeating this, but I must tell you what I feel about it all, especially about him.’ She continued, ‘He asked me all kinds of other questions about you; ones I considered none of his business, and lots I couldn’t answer anyway.’

Liz looked awkward for a moment and took few seconds before she came out with it. ‘I had the distinct feeling that Quentin Hale asked me out in order to spy on you.’

‘Spy… on me? Oh gawd!’ Anna laughed aloud. ‘Come on, Liz. What on earth makes you say that?’

‘I don’t know, and that’s the problem. It’s so nebulous I can’t tell you; can’t put my finger on it. He tried hard to sound casual, but I’m afraid that was just an act.’ Liz nodded as she thought about it. ‘He almost asked for your CV, as it were. Your life story. I saw through him though. It was obvious he took me out, not because he fancies me, but because he wanted to know all about you.’ She jabbed her finger in the air. ‘If Quentin Hale wants to know that, then he’d better ask you, instead of shooting all the questions at me.’

‘Ah,’ Anna said, narrowing her eyes, ‘That’s interesting, because he hasn’t asked me out at all, nor even asked a single leading question, and he’s had loads of opportunity for that; he’s hiding his curiosity from me.’ She looked perplexed. ‘No doubt he assumes you’d tell him more than I would, or that I might take exception to being questioned, and decline to answer.’ She looked puzzled. ‘But why is he so curious? I still can’t see why he wants to know all about my private life. It amounts to very little right now. What’s it to him, anyway?’

‘That’s exactly what we need to find out,’ Liz said, quickly. ‘I know he’s a handsome hunk and all that, but there’s, well, there’s something about him that bothers me, and I intend to discover what it is.’ She gave Anna a big hug then jumped to her feet. ‘I must go now. See you soon.’