Mary laughed, as she was supposed to. ‘I might as well hang on here a bit longer then.’
When Hattie had made the tea and brought everything out to the table and chairs that were perfectly placed to make the most of the views, she asked, ‘Is Clive not willing to let you move yet?’
Mary shook her head. ‘It’s not that I’m unhappy here, by any means. I love this cottage, but it is a little large for me and needs more upkeep than I’m able to give it.’ She raised a hand. ‘But of course I’ll ask you if I think Ineed a builder. Clive is determined to get “top dollar” for it and probably wants to use his own man to do any necessary work.’ Hattie could hear him saying this. ‘And it goes without saying, he doesn’t want me to move until the market is absolutely right.’
‘The market is pretty good for properties like this, Mary. It’s a perfect spot. Near a village but rural, a good-sized plot but not unmanageable. It would be snapped up.’ She didn’t add ‘by me’ because she knew it would be beyond her means.
Mary regarded her. ‘I think we both know why Clive doesn’t want to sell really. He doesn’t want the value of this house going towards me being in a care home.’
‘It’s your house and your money, Mary! Would you like me to help you sell it? And with finding the care home?’
Mary shook her head. ‘It’s very kind of you, darling, but Clive owns half of this. I can’t sell it without his agreement.’
Hattie gasped. ‘Did I know that?’
‘I always try and forget it myself,’ said Mary. ‘I may not have told you.’ She seemed a little embarrassed. ‘To be honest he talked me into it years ago, which means I’m stuck. I keep hoping to persuade him to sell, but…’ She shrugged. ‘You do make wonderful scones, dear.’
Hattie laughed as best she could but she was furious – and depressed – at the thought of her old friend being in the power of a man like Clive.
Hattie stayed with Mary a bit longer than she had intended and the sun was fading as she headed for home. As she turned into the lane she saw a car parked a little way away. She stopped and reversed to where she could turn; she was almost sure it was Lance.
She headed for Luke’s, all thoughts of solitude abandoned. He would take her in. Now she thought about it she realised she had been mad to think Lance would forget about her. She had been a vital player in his public humiliation and he wouldn’t forgive her.
Chapter Sixteen
‘Hattie! Hey!’ said Luke. ‘I was going to bring Xander over later. Oh – what’s the matter?’
Hattie had thought she was looking her usual cheerful self but Luke saw instantly that something wasn’t right.
Hattie greeted the dogs to give herself time to think how to phrase it. ‘I’m fairly sure I saw Lance’s car parked near my house. I’d gone to visit Mary—’
‘Come in,’ he said. ‘You’ll want to stay the night. Have a glass of wine.’
Luke’s tall, reassuring presence soothed Hattie more than the wine did. Luke put a bowl of her favourite crisps by her chair too.
‘Where’s Xander?’ she asked.
‘In the cabin. I’ve still got quite a lot of equipment from when I was into making music and he’s finding out how to use it. Something I never really did properly.’ He paused, obviously thinking. ‘He can sleep on the sofa bed in there. You can have the spare room.’
‘I didn’t know you had a spare room. I thought you had a room where you kept table drills and other equipment.’
He smiled. ‘It is rather full of other things at the moment, but there’s a bed in there too. I’m a bit lowon bedding.’ He paused. ‘I’m going to go over to your house to check out the situation. I’ll pick up some things for you.’
‘If you got my duvet and pillows – Xander’s too – that would make things easier for you here. I’ll help him sort things out if that’s all right.’
Hattie hadn’t often been in the wooden cabin in Luke’s garden. In theory it was his office but she knew it had got filled up with other things. But there was a sofa bed and a telly and an electric kettle. Xander would be happy in there.
He nodded. ‘Good idea. And when I know what’s going on and have everything you need, I’ll get fish and chips on the way back.’
Hattie was usually resistant to being looked after. Looking after people was whatshedid. But she found herself very comforted by Luke’s casual but firm command of the situation. She stopped feeling foolish for running away from a car that might not have been Lance’s. Luke made her feel it was the sensible thing to do.
Xander took her sudden appearance in his stride and didn’t mind being told they were staying the night, but when he was asked about his fish and chip order he wanted to go with Luke. ‘I never know what I want until I’m in the shop.’
‘I’ve got an errand to run first though,’ said Luke. He glanced at Hattie, obviously wondering if he should go on.
‘Luke’s going to check there’s no one hanging about at home. But the person who might have been there may well have gone. If he has, you can help Luke find stuff we need for here.’
Luke nodded. ‘And if there’s any chance Lance is still hanging around, Xander can stay in the car. But will you be all right here?’ he asked Hattie. ‘I’ll leave Frank and Fearless.’
