‘And so,’ Ambrosine was saying when Meg finally got her mind back to the meeting, ‘as my name means “Immortal”, which means I’ll live forever’ – she looked at Colin, to make sure he got the point – ‘I’ve decided to make over my share of Nightingale Woods to Meg.’
‘Oh!’ said Louise. ‘How lovely!’
Because she’d been distracted at the beginning, Meg wasn’t absolutely certain about what she’d heard. Ambrosine was going to make over her share of the hotel to her?
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘Ambrosine, would you mind very much saying that again?’
Ambrosine obliged, and then added, ‘Meg, darling, you will be the very best person to have my share. You love Nightingale Woods and you are good for it. You can follow your dreams here.’
Meg suddenly needed to clear her throat. She didn’t want to cry in front of people but she was very touched by Ambrosine’s words.
‘Hang on! A non-family member giving all that valuable property to another chit of a girl who just happens to be working in the hotel?’ said Colin. ‘It’s outrageous. I’m not even sure why Ambrosine was in the will anyway!’
‘I thought I’d explained,’ said Andrew, sounding frustrated. ‘Without Ambrosine, there wouldn’t be a family. Our father wouldn’t have survived the war!’
‘I never knew what he did in the war,’ said Colin, subsiding a little.
‘That was because he never told us,’ said Andrew.
‘It was ingrained in us not to tell anyone anything,’ said Ambrosine. ‘And it would have been more important for your father. He’d signed the Official Secrets Act. I was just an amateur.’
‘Ambrosine told us about her war while she was in hospital,’ said Justin. ‘But to reiterate’ – he looked at Colin – ‘she was incredibly brave and helped people in the SOE – Special Operations Executive. Saboteurs and information-gatherers, basically.’
Ambrosine sat forward in her chair. ‘Edward, your father – Teddy, as I knew him’ – she nodded to Colin – ‘was particularly valuable to the SOE because he’d spent a lot of his childhood in France. His French was perfect, and his work in the mines, before the war, meant he had knowledge of explosives. That came in very handy, I can tell you.’
Meg couldn’t help smiling at Ambrosine’s understatement, in spite of the serious nature of her story.
‘You were both extremely brave, you and my grandfather,’ said Justin. He turned to Colin. ‘And I hope you now understand why he wanted Ambrosine to have a home for life.’
‘I suppose I do,’ said Colin resentfully. ‘But I still don’t think Ambrosine should be allowed to make her share of the hotel over to – to …’ He searched for her name. ‘Meg. I’m sure it isn’t legal.’
‘It will be legal when everything is sorted out,’ said Ambrosine firmly. ‘The colonel’s son is a lawyer and he’s been advising me.’
‘I think that’s a wonderful idea, Ambrosine,’ said Justin.
‘So do I,’ said Andrew. He gave Louise a fond glance.
Colin shook his head. ‘I shall fight it! I’m not going to listen to the opinions of a teenager—’
‘She’s twenty-two!’ said Louise.
‘That’s still very young!’ said Colin.
‘Colin,’ Justin interrupted. ‘Listen to me for a moment. Would you like to sell your share of the hotel?’
‘Stupid question!’ Colin replied. ‘Of course I’d like to sell it. But unless everyone agrees to sell the bloody place, I’m stuck with it. Which is why I’m so annoyed at this ridiculous decision.’
He glared at Ambrosine, who seemed amused. ‘Colin, dear,’ she said. ‘You wouldn’t’ve much liked having to listen to the opinions of a very old lady. At least Meg knows what she’s talking about.’
‘If I bought you out,’ Justin persisted, ‘you could walk away from Nightingale Woods and—’
‘—only come back as a guest!’ said Louise, obviously anticipating that Justin was going to say something inflammatory.
Colin was paying attention to Justin now. ‘Could you afford to buy me out?’
‘We’d have to get the hotel valued—’ Justin began.
‘Oh, I’ve done that. It’s worth approximately …’ He named an eye-watering figure.
