*
Jasper was in a meeting with the estate manager, Colin, who also had received a wedding invitation. He couldn’t help but notice the man’s slight shocked reaction when handing over the envelope. Clearly Colin hadn’t been expecting one, perhaps due to the rather rocky start they had had.
Jasper, when first arriving from Dubai, had taken exception to the way Colin had blatantly let the state of affairs slip on their estate. Tenants’ rents had been stacking up in arrears, buildings left unkept and falling to pieces, land standing unused and barren, instead of reaping harvests. Jasper had been staggered to learn that Fletcher hadn’t been consulted or even shown the accounts or any bookwork at all for that matter. He’d soon whipped both Colin and the estate into shape and, to Colin’s credit, he really had stepped up to the mark and they had now established a good working relationship. Colin knew the consequences if he ever let things slide again. Gone were the days when he could casually pull the wool over Fletcher’s eyes, not that Fletcher had ever questioned him, which was the very reason why he’d become so lapse; he’d just been left to his own devices. But not any more. Things were very different now that Jasper had taken over the reins so well, and in many ways, Colin respected him for it. A mutual regard had grown between the two men.
‘Thanks, Jasper…’ Colin didn’t know what else to say, taking the invitation from him.
‘You’re part of The Laurels team, of course we want you there, Colin,’ said Jasper firmly. ‘Now then, let’s look at the books.’
Colin had all the accounts ready for Jasper’s perusal, confident he’d be happy with them. He, more than anyone, knew the thoroughness of Jasper’s number crunching.
Jasper’s eyes scanned up and down the columns, taking in every last detail. ‘What’s this?’ he asked, pointing to an item marked ‘labour and costs to agricultural barn’.
‘The barn on the far west field needed attention. The gable end is collapsing,’ Colin answered immediately. Jasper sighed and shook his head. Although the repair work was essential, it was a cost he begrudged paying. The far west field was on the very edge of the estate and hadn’t been used for years. Truth be told, it was a piece of land which had been standing still with no purpose for too long. At one time it had been part of another adjacent farm they rented out, but that tenant had asked to reduce his land as he grew older and had no children to help or pass the farm on to. Jasper’s mind was ticking over, astute businessman that he was.
‘I see. Let’s take a look at it, Colin.’
Together they set off down the fields until reaching the barn in question. It was huge, made of rough-hewn grey stone, which in places was indeed crumbling. The roof was caving in and the wooden doors had rotted and fallen off; it was a danger zone and needed either pulling down flat, or restoring in its entirety. To restore it would cost a lot of money, that was clear, but as Jasper assessed the damage, a kernel of an idea began to form in his head. Colin looked on, wondering what instruction he was about to receive.
‘I want you to make an application for planning permission,’ he told him. ‘This would make an excellent barn conversion.’ Colin stared for a moment taking in the information.
‘But what about access?’
‘We can easily build a dirt track to the main road. This whole field can go. We don’t need it and the cost to upkeep the barn is a liability. Plus, think of how much this plot, along with planning permission, will fetch.’
With that Colin had to agree.
*
Sitting in the castle’s infamous whisky bar, Fletcher had struck up friendly conversation with many of the visitors who had also come to sample the wares. One or two had asked what the relationship was between him and the ‘dear old twins’.
‘I’ve known them all my life,’ he’d reply. ‘We’ve grown up together.’
‘Have they always been such good fun?’ asked one elderly gentleman, who had taken quite a shine to Ruby. Alfred was a quietly spoken, genteel chap who had joined the party without a companion and clearly had his sights set on her. Ruby, being extremely flattered to receive such attention, had taken him under her wing. Definitely a case of opposites attracting but, to Fletcher and Lilly, an absolute blessing.
‘Yes,’ Fletcher replied, ‘especially Lilly. Ruby has always been the more…’ He struggled for words.
‘Extrovert?’ suggested Alfred.
‘Err… yes, certainly the more dominant one.’
‘Ah, yes.’ Alfred gazed over in awe at Ruby sat nearby, making Fletcher smile to himself.
They had all enjoyed a busy day’s excursion to the nearby town. After taking in the shops and sights, and relishing a cream tea, it was back to the hotel for another evening banquet. Fletcher was tired from all the walking, talking, eating and drinking. He couldn’t manage any dancing tonight. Instead, he and the twins, together with Alfred decided to relax in the whisky bar.
Lilly was wearing her new pale blue dress and feeling upbeat. Everything was falling into place – Ruby had an admirer, making her sister happy, and when Ruby was happy, so was she. Normally Ruby would focus solely on Lilly, forever watching and guiding her every move. But now, Alfred was receiving Ruby’s attention, leaving Lilly free to breathe a little more easily.
‘Over here, Alfred!’ was her cheery call, summoning him to her; and up he’d scuttle like a pet dog. It was rather endearing to watch. Lilly had never seen her twin sister so smitten. The transformation in her was astonishing; gone were the snide digs and exasperated sighs, now Ruby actually smiled. She hummed.
Whilst delighted that Ruby was in such a good place, it did leave Lilly a tad concerned about where she’d be once the holiday was over and they returned home. Would her sister revert back to her usual self? She so wanted Ruby to remain upbeat. It would be better for everyone.
‘Try this one, Lilly.’ Ruby shoved a tumbler of whisky in front of her. Lilly sipped it, but to her all the whiskies tasted the same. ‘It’s peatier, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. Very nice,’ replied Lilly, struggling to keep a straight face against the burn of the alcohol down her throat.
‘Over here, Alfred! Try this one!’ trilled Ruby. Alfred dutifully scurried over and the two sampled the whisky together, muttering about notes and finishes. She lifted her head to the bar. ‘Fletcher, you too!’ she called. Fletcher remained seated. He had his back to them and didn’t move. ‘Oy, Fletcher!’ Ruby shouted, making people turn. But still there was no movement from him.
Lilly frowned. Ruby tutted and strode over to him. ‘Can you hear me, man?’ She reached out to give him a shove. ‘Wake up, Fletcher, come on.’ Then her eyes widened as she saw him clutching his chest. ‘Call an ambulance!’ she thundered.
