‘Like a sibling?’
‘Exactly like a sibling.’ This was all a bit of an eye-opener for Lottie. His simple explanation answered so many questions that had troubled her for such a long time.
‘Rose was more than a mother to you, Lottie – she was your stability, your rock, your safe place. But you know, you are tougher than you think.’
Lottie sighed and let out an ironic chuckle. ‘I’m about to be made homeless, so I’m going to have to get tough pretty quickly.’
Joe leant back. Lottie missed the warmth of him against her, but she knew he had just been being friendly. She stood up to put some distance between them.
‘Ah. About you being homeless.’ Joe looked sheepish.
‘What?’ She didn’t like the look on his face. ‘I’ll be fine. I can stay with Dayea and Bernard if I get desperate. I could do worse.’
‘What if the new owner of Henbourne Manor wanted you to stay on here?’
She pondered it. It was a nice daydream. ‘I’d love that, but it’s about as likely as my mother becoming a nun.’ She chuckled, but the laughter soon faded. ‘The estate agent said a company had bought it, so they’ll probably turn it into flats or, worse still, knock it down.’ A shiver of dread ran up her spine. If that was the case, she would have to make sure she was a long way away – she just couldn’t bear to see it happen.
Joe frowned. ‘Nope. That’s definitely not happening.’
Lottie’s head whipped in Joe’s direction. ‘You know who’s bought it. Don’t you?’ He nodded but kept his eyes downward. ‘Come on, we promised no more secrets.’
He looked up, and as their eyes met, her resolve puddled inside her. She was going to have to get a long way away from Joe Broomfield too. Being this close was going to keep stirring up feelings she wasn’t equipped to handle. She pulled a tin from the shelf and busied herself with finding a small plaster for her finger.
‘It’s me,’ said Joe, in a small voice.
‘What’s you?’ She glanced over her shoulder.
‘It’s my company that’s bought the manor. I’m the new owner.’
Lottie was momentarily stunned. She blinked a few times and focused on Joe. His face had broken out into a grin. Lottie felt her jaw drop. ‘You?’ He nodded. ‘I’ve been worrying myself sick about this place and it was you all along!’ She gave him a playful thump.
‘Hey!’
‘Why didn’t you say something?’
‘I didn’t want it to influence what you did. I still don’t.’
‘You’re not pulling it down are you?’ Lottie held her breath.
‘No. Definitely not. But it’ll get updated. Some new heating for a start.’ He gave a shiver.
‘Why did you buy it?’ Suspicion marauded her happy thoughts.
‘I love this place. I always have. And I knew I was ready to come back to Henbourne – what better place to have a veterinary practice than here? I’m thinking of converting the garages and store into consulting rooms and buildinga theatre at the back for surgery. All in keeping with the original building.’
Lottie’s mind was working overtime. ‘But surely you didn’t know it was for sale until you saw the sign in the garden?’ She narrowed her eyes. ‘So when you left America you couldn’t have known.’ She watched him closely as he replied.
‘True. But I already had plans for the practice, and I was on the lookout for a suitable property locally. As soon as I saw the For Sale sign that was it, I had to have it.’ Joe rummaged in his jacket pocket. ‘And I also had one of these.’ He pulled out a familiar-looking Christmas card.
‘Nana.’ Lottie’s voice was barely a murmur. Joe offered her the card and she took it. She blinked away tears as she tried to read the familiar handwriting.
Dear Joe,
I hope this finds you in good health and at peace with the past. Lottie is back home at the manor and she’s breathed life into the old place and me. Having her here has had me thinking about the decisions we make in a passing moment and then feel we have to live with forever – I do not believe this to be the case. There is little, except for death, that cannot be undone.
You are very much missed by the Collins family. I always considered you one of my brood. I am not a young woman and I find that I am nearing the end of my life’s journey somewhat sooner than I expected.
I intend to make this Christmas a special one and we would love you to share it with us. You always have a home here at Henbourne Manor.
