‘Believe me,’ said Kate, ‘in my time as both teacher and at the Ministry of Education I haven’t met anyone who can’t learn something, no matter what their personality.’
‘You haven’t met Oliver Perry-Warnes.’
‘True. Perhaps it’s about time I did.’
Lucy did a double-take. ‘You wouldn’t like him and, honestly, Mum, the man won’t be told.’
‘Darling, there are other ways to educate than standing in front of him shouting at him.’
‘That’s not what I’m doing.’
‘It sounds like it.’
Jen looked from one to the other, distress evident. ‘OK, OK, time out.’
‘We’re not arguing, Jen,’ said Kate gently.
And Lucy remembered — too late. Jen had only recently escaped from her husband’s control and abuse. Disagreement of any kind upset her.
‘It’s OK, Jen,’ Lucy repeated more softly. ‘Honestly, Mum and I might bicker but it’s only a —’
‘An exchange of views,’ supplied Kate.
‘Yes. An exchange of views.’
Jen nodded, a little too quickly. ‘I’ll clear these things away.’
Kate and Lucy exchanged a guilty glance.
‘I’ll go help her,’ said Sam, following Jen inside. Through the doorway, Lucy caught a glimpse of Jen leaning her head briefly against his chest as he hugged her.
‘I feel terrible,’ Lucy murmured.
Kate laid a hand over hers. ‘No need. We haven’t done anything wrong. Jen is going to have to learn that disagreements aren’t, in themselves, bad things. We can’t all agree on everything. You and I can’t. And nor can you and Oliver.’
Lucy’s face darkened at his name.
‘It’s worth a shot, Lucy. Try and show him how wrong he is before you resort to more confrontational means.’
‘I don’t know why you’re so worried about him. He’s used to aggro.’ She scoffed. ‘I reckon his whole life revolves around it.’
‘I’m not thinking of him. I’m thinking of you.’ Kate’s gaze softened. ‘But, actually, I am beginning to feel a little sorry for him if his whole life is one big feat of aggression.’
Lucy gritted her teeth. She didn’t want another argument in front of Jen. ‘So what do you suggest?’
‘I don’t know. I haven’t given it much thought. What kind of things do you think would sway him?’
‘Um, maybe a lynching?’
‘Come on, think. Give my way a chance first. Show him a gentler side to life than the one he’s used to. Maybe…’ Kate’s face brightened. ‘I know. How about a family barbecue? With Dan still around we could make a thing of it. I’ll invite Megan and Ryan, and George can keep Liam company. I’ll see if Dan wants to bring someone. What do you think?’
Lucy groaned inwardly. ‘So what do you think our happy family will show him?’
‘That we’re happy?’
‘And you think that will stop him from demolishing the hotel how exactly?’
‘I don’t know, darling. It’s just a thought. Sometimes these corporate types stop thinking about how their actions affect real people. We become numbers and percentages. If he sees we’re real people who love our village and what the hotel means to us, then maybe he might rethink. At least it would give him a different perspective.’
