Reaching Caer Gwyn they followed Em into the lift, emerging on the first floor where Marion was hovering anxiously. ‘I was so worried, Miss Em,’ she said. ‘Where have you been?’
‘Causing mayhem outside the mini-mart,’ Cat replied as they followed her aunt through into her sitting room.
‘Standing up for our rights,’ Em corrected, finding a soft chair and sinking into it.
‘Can you organise some coffee for my guests, please, Marion.’ She indicated Nathan and Cat with a wave of her hand.
‘Of course.’ Marion smiled and left them.
‘I know what this talk is about. He’s not going to let me back in, is he?’ Em looked at them both, her mouth wobbling.
‘Not with this sort of behaviour, I’m afraid,’ Nathan said shaking his head. ‘Can’t you see how devious Rosalind is? She gets you all fired up, then simply stands back with the rest to enjoy the show. Think about it. All these mini crusades you’ve been on with her. On every occasion you’ve been the one in the firing line. You have to stop this. Find something else to occupy your time.’
‘But what else is there?’ Em said, her blue eyes misting with tears. ‘No one wants me. I’m surplus to requirements.’
‘Oh come on, Aunt Em,’ Nathan coaxed. ‘I’m sure there’s something. Are there any friends you can go and stay with for a while?’
Em thought for a moment. ‘Well there is Margaret Roberts, an old school friend of mine who lives in Norfolk. We keep in touch by phone, and she often says she’d like me to visit, but I’m not sure if—’
‘Leave it with me,’ Cat interrupted. ‘If you give me her details I can make contact, arrange everything for you. It would be a change of air and get you away from Rosalind for a while.’
‘Thank you, I’d like that.’ Em nodded. ‘How soon do you think it could be arranged?’
‘I’ll give her a ring this evening.’
‘That would be lovely, dear.’
‘Aunt Em, there’s something we’d like to discuss with you,’ Nathan said as Marion arrived with coffee and a small plate of chocolate biscuits. ‘We wondered whether you might be interested in helping out at Carrenporth Museum.’
‘The museum?’ Em made a face. ‘What could I do there?’
‘The curator is looking for some part-time help. He specifically wants someone with good local knowledge to show people around and discuss the village’s history. With visits from tourists and school trips, I gather it can be quite busy at times. And when the museum is quiet, there’s a photo archive he needs sorting out.’
‘Photos?’ Em perked up. ‘I’ve loads of photos here. Do you think he’d be interested?’
‘He might …’ Cat shot Nathan an optimistic smile. ‘Would you like me to arrange an appointment with Mr Tregorran?’
‘Adrian Tregorran?’
‘Yes, do you know him?’
‘I know his parents.’ Em smiled. ‘His mother used to do reception work at the doctor’s surgery and his father taught in one of the local comprehensives. I believe they recently retired abroad.’
‘So are you interested in having a chat with him?’
‘Oh yes, very much.’ Em nodded enthusiastically.
‘Great, I’ll give him a call this afternoon,’ Cat said, pleased at how well all this seemed to be coming together.
By the end of the week everything had been sorted. Em would spend a fortnight with her friend in Norfolk and on her return begin her three mornings and one afternoon a week at the Museum helping Adrian.
‘Does this mean she’s parting company with the Gossip Girls?’ Ruan asked when they broke the news to him over dinner that evening.
‘Not quite.’ Nathan looked across at Cat who gave her father an encouraging smile.
‘I think she has the measure of them now,’ she said finishing her meal and pushing her plate to one side. ‘She still wants to meet the group for coffee or lunch occasionally but she won’t be involving herself in their disruptive behaviour.’
‘Actually,’ Nathan took over the conversation, ‘I think Em’s discovered a niche for herself. She has a wealth of knowledge about Carrenporth’s history and I understand Adrian’s preparing to take some of her photos on loan for a special display on the history of Tarwin House.’
