‘Drive carefully, Jasper.’ Her voice wobbled with emotion. With one last embrace he left.
Jasper drove through the night in turmoil. The hotel manager had kindly offered him a room, which he’d only used for a matter of hours before heading straight to the hospital as soon as possible. He hadn’t brought Lilly with him but promised to go back for her once he’d sussed out what was happening with Fletcher first. The last thing he needed was Lilly fretting before knowing the full facts, and the poor woman looked dead on her feet as it was.
He was seen by a doctor who quietly took him to one side and explained the procedures which Fletcher had undergone. An ECG had tested his heart’s rhythm and electrical activity. He’d also had blood tests, which showed that Fletcher actually suffered from angina, the cause of his pain. He reassured him that angina could be steadied and improved with medicine and rest. That, and a healthy lifestyle, obviously. Too right, thought Jasper, already planning to ban Fletcher from the drink’s cabinet. The news came as a huge relief, but changes were most definitely going to be made back in Lilacwell, he swore to himself.
Walking down the hospital ward, Jasper forced himself to remain calm. Then he saw him, through the glass window in a separate room, lying in bed propped up by pillows. His eyes were shut. He looked so peaceful.
Jasper stopped in his tracks. Then, taking a deep, calming breath, gently knocked on the door and entered. Fletcher’s eyelids flickered open at the disturbance.
‘Jasper,’ he croaked and held out his hand.
‘Fletcher,’ he gulped and hurried towards him. ‘How are you feeling?’ Jasper’s eyes searched his face. Although pale, there was still a twinkle in his uncle’s eye.
‘Better.’
‘You gave us all a shock.’
‘Gave meself one.’ He gave a wry smile. Typical Fletcher, to attempt humour even in a situation like this.
‘It’s angina. Did the doctors explain to you?’ Jasper was worried that he may not have taken everything in.
‘Yes, yes, I know.’ Then he looked sheepishly at him. ‘I think I may have overdone things.’
‘Just a bit!’ shot back Jasper. ‘From now on, I’m taking over, Fletcher. I mean it. There’s no more whisky—’
‘But…’ Fletcher tried to speak.
‘No, listen,’ Jasper interrupted with force. ‘No alcohol and no more fry-ups. From now on it’s a healthy balanced diet. Do you hear me?’
‘Loud and clear,’ replied Fletcher faintly. Visions of the hotel whisky bar slowly faded away into the distance. So much for his Highland fling.
Chapter 24
Rory sat back and took a sip of his coffee. It was late afternoon and he was basking in the bright winter sunshine on the hotel terrace. Cassie was busy working and he was once more studying the properties he was imminently due to view. After the other day’s tricky experience at the Bowland Rise new house, Rory was even more cautious about opening up to Cassie with his ambition to run a smallholding. Especially as she had upped the ante by searching for similar houses. He just couldn’t second guess her reaction, more so when seeing how much she loved her job here in this luxurious hotel. It was obvious that in spite of the commitment previously mentioned, she still flourished in the role as assistant manager. Would she show the same commitment to his plans? He knew he was procrastinating. Hell, his viewing of the house in the Lake District was tomorrow, and still he hadn’t broached the subject. Angry with himself for being such a coward, he decided there and then to stop being such a spineless swine and just talk to her, no holds barred.
It wasn’t in his nature to be this weak, but that only emphasised to him how much he so wanted to succeed with his ambition, but with Cassie by his side. Such a lot was hinging on her views. He knew he was on safer ground with the second property he was due to see at the end of the week because this farmhouse was very near to Lilacwell, in the nearby village of Chipping, which was one huge box ticked for her. But Cumbria was pushing it, hence the delay in discussing it with Cassie. Putting all this aside, when he read about ‘this large Victorian renovated house, with original architectural features built in 1868’ he was sorely tempted by its character. That and the ‘bounteous fruit gardens where strawberries, blackcurrants, gooseberries and rhubarb are currently grown’, plus the ‘acreage of woodland adding further greenery and privacy to the area, where daffodils, snowdrops, crocus and bluebells bloom as spring approaches and the local wildlife is abundant…’ Rory sighed at the idyllic lifestyle all this pictured. A far cry from the city and all its chaos.
He jumped when Cassie’s voice suddenly interrupted his musings.
‘I’ve been looking for you!’ she called, walking down the terrace steps to join him. Rory quickly folded the property details away in his pocket. ‘What are you doing out here?’ she asked, sitting next to him.
‘Just enjoying the scenery,’ he smiled. It was indeed a beautiful sight; winter frost glittered on the tree branches and fields beyond, and the distant hills were capped with a dusting of snow. All was peaceful, except for the sound of the river rushing through the forest and the call of a wood pigeon through the sharp, clean air. Rory had never felt so much at home. He was reluctant to be shortly returning to London, albeit temporarily to sort out the move. He regarded it as an inconvenience. It was an inconvenience. He needed to be here, in Lancashire, getting on with the next stage in his life.
‘Penny for them?’ Cassie tilted her head pensively at him.
Rory looked her full in the face. Now was the time.
‘Cassie, I need to speak to you.’
Her face fell. ‘What?’
‘It’s about our future,’ he said in a serious tone.
‘You’ve been having second thoughts?’ Her voice cracked.
‘Not about us,’ he quickly replied, hating how wounded she looked.
‘Then what?’ Her eyes filled with tears.
