Thinking of Rose’s rule about hugs he’d put up the previous day, Albie placed his arm around Theo’s shoulders and squeezed. ‘I do too sometimes, and it’s been a lot longer.Butit’s good to remember the things our loved ones cherished. That way, they’re alive in our memories, and hearts.’
Theo nodded, eyes shining. ‘You’re right. Talking about it free of judgement helps, especially after the way her family were, and at the funeral…’
‘I know.’ Albie dropped his arm, giving his friend space to compose himself, aware of how difficult Julia’s family had made things when she’d ceased chemo to tick off her bucket list instead. ‘Better stop hugging before you call me Nonno again. I’m no one’s grandad,’ he joked, ‘far too young.’
‘Sorry, you just remind me of him a bit.’
Tori snorted. ‘Nonno? I keep forgetting we both have Italian backgrounds. Though yours sound more traditional than mine.’
‘Yeah,’ Theo’s mouth curved fondly, ‘Julia loved it. Anyway, what were you talking about?’
‘Albie was wandering around with a dopey expression on his face,’ Tori teased. ‘Why was that?’
He hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But, if he couldn’t trust them with part of his secret, how could he expect them to trust him and strengthen the bonds of their kindness tribe?
As he opened his mouth to reply, Gilly and Ariel came through the walled garden gate, arms entwined.
‘Morning all.’ Gilly smiled in a way Albie hadn’t seen before. ‘Isn’t it a lovely Sunday?’
As the others murmured in agreement, Ariel turned to him. ‘Let me know when the walls have been replastered in your cottage?’
‘Will do. They’re still fixing the upstairs floors.’ Turning to Gilly, he asked, ‘Can I tempt you to get involved now?’
‘Not yet.’
Hmmm. Progress. Better than the previous emphatic no.
‘Albie was about to explain why he was mooning over the roses,’ Tori teased, to cover the way she was edging away from the group.
‘Will you stop that,’ he admonished her. Pausing, he chose his words carefully. ‘But fine, there’s something you don’t know. A reason why rebuilding the cottages and restoring the village is so important to me.’ He stopped again, before saying, ‘I loved my wife immensely. That’s why I looked, as Tori so delicately put it, soppy. I was thinking about Rose, and how much she loved it here.’ As they glanced at each other in surprise, Albie thought,here goes nothing, Rose. I hope I don’t live to regret it.‘Beaubrook Manor was her home as a young girl, before her family were forced to leave. She always wanted to come back.’
‘Forced?’ Tori asked curiously.
‘It makes me cross to think about, but the Army requisitioned the buildings and lands during the Second World War. They needed it as a base for training, and because of its strategic location. There was also the train station behind the cottages – disused now since the 1960s, but used back then – connecting Salisbury to the Dorset coast. It was used to move supplies for the military, or sometimes carry prisoners of war.’
‘That’s awful. And they just took people’s homes away?’ Theo frowned.
‘They did it more than you’d think. Like with Tyneham, near the Purbecks.’ At their blank expressions, he sighed. ‘I’ll tell you about it another time. In any case, because of the requisition, the family moved to Devon. It’s funny, isn’t it? If Rose’s parents, Lord and Lady Beaubrook, hadn’t been too devastated to stay locally and see their home and legacy dismantled, I wouldn’t have met my wife.’ Life worked in odd ways, as if the universe found it necessary to balance things. Rose had to lose, for him to gain.
‘That’s so romantic,’ Ariel sighed, eyes misty, ‘like fate. And they were a Lord and Lady, how fascinating.’
Tori’s eyes narrowed. ‘And it just so happens you’ve bought a flat where she grew up?’
How much to tell them? When they knew everything, would they feel betrayed? Manipulated? He wasn’t ready to let go of the dream yet. Skirting the truth, he replied, ‘I always kept an eye on it, over the years. Hoping. I understand now why she always spoke of this place with such fondness and longing.’
They turned as one to gaze up at the stunning grandeur of the Georgian manor as the sun broke through the clouds, the honey-coloured stones sparkling in the golden light. It wasn’t just the beauty of the building’s original features that was so special, nor the small, abandoned village holding such promise, with thatched rose-dappled cottages cosied together as if protected by the manor and generous founding family. Neither was it the unbelievable countryside vista, a vivid blue sky hanging above achingly green hills as birds tweeted in the branches of the oak tree by the river. It was the sum ofallparts, an indefinable magic giving the air a wonderful peace and tranquillity.
It wasn’t hard to see why the care home residents had been so happy here, or why Rose adored it. A dart of guilt pricked his conscience, but he’d done what was necessary and must focus on the rebuild.
‘That’s why you’re so invested in restoring the village,’ Gilly observed, tugging his attention back to his neighbours. ‘Because of your wife.’
‘Yes. It’s part of the reason she was such an incredible person,’ he choked, imagining her dancing across the lawn as a fair-haired girl. ‘Even though she was seven when they left, this place taught her kindness because her parents helped the locals and always shared their home with people in need.’ His voicedropped. ‘Choose kindness, every day. It was her dying wish to see it restored.’
There was a silence while they absorbed his words. As if speaking too soon would lessen the impact. Humbled as they acknowledged the original owners of this property had been good, kind, and more than worthy of remembrance.
‘Oh, Albie,’ Tori said at last. ‘No wonder it’s so important to you… What a sad, but lovely story.’ Clearing her throat, she added, ‘And the entrance hall notes?’
‘Erm, what about them?’
