‘—you could ask Liam to take Luke’s case on,’ Cat finished.
‘My godson?’ Emelia considered the request for a moment. Carrenporth was already buzzing as they debated the whys and wherefores of Gareth’s decision not to help his nephew. She knew she shouldn’t get involved in Hunter family business. Ruan would be furious if he found out. ‘I don’t know.’ She hesitated for a moment. ‘He’s usually very busy.’
‘We wouldn’t normally ask this of you … and I’ll be covering his fees,’ Cat interrupted. Emelia heard the desperation in her voice and raised a hand to silence her. ‘I suppose I could give him a call,’ she said almost grudgingly, ‘but don’t get your hopes up, either of you. As I said, he’s a busy man.’
‘We do understand, Aunt Em,’ Nathan said as he grasped Cat’s hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. ‘It’s a slim chance but we have to take it.’
‘You don’t believe he’s guilty either?’ Em was surprised. Nathan wasn’t one to follow his sister blindly. He was his own man and if he doubted Luke Carrack’s guilt she knew he must have good solid reasons.
‘No, I don’t.’ Nathan shook his head. ‘We’ve found new evidence but both police officers heading the case are in court today and the solicitor Luke’s been allocated won’t talk to Cat.’
Emelia paused for a moment, warring with her thoughts. Eventually she got to her feet and retrieved her glasses. ‘Wait here, both of you,’ she said firmly. ‘I’ll see what I can do. Now, where did I put my address book?’ she muttered, opening drawers in her small bureau before eventually tracking down the missing item.
With the book in her possession, Emelia left, closing the lounge door behind her. She was angry with Gareth Hunter. She couldn’t understand why, after supporting his sister’s son financially for so many years, he’d now decided to abandon him in his moment of need. She sensed Evie’s hand in this somewhere. Coming from a poor working class home, marriage to Gareth had not only elevated her socially but it had turned her into an unbearable snob. If local gossip was to be believed, Luke’s arrival in their home after his mother’s death had triggered a most violent outburst involving a large amount of broken glass and crockery.
She headed for the kitchen and the phone and dialled Liam’s number. After several rings the call connected. Hearing the receptionist tell her yes, Mr Richardson-Clarke was in the office this morning, she breathed a sigh of relief. Next came the familiar voice of Francesca, his PA, and they chatted for a moment before she was put through. Their conversation was brief. Minutes later she was back in the lounge.
‘So far so good,’ she said, returning the address book back to its place in the bureau. ‘Liam has managed to squeeze us in an appointment at three thirty this afternoon. Now then, Cat, I’ll need you to come with me so you can explain the situation. Nathan, you can drive us.’
As she took charge of the situation brother and sister looked at each other nonplussed, making Emelia smile. They both high-fived and the next minute Cat was there, wrapping her arms around her in a warm hug.
‘Thank you, Aunt Em, thank you so much.’ She stepped back, wiping away the dampness from her eyes.
‘I think,’ Nathan said, studying them both thoughtfully, ‘on our return you should come and have dinner with us, Em. Would you like that?’
‘Well, yes, I’d love to.’ She hesitated. Is this all it took? One good deed? Was she forgiven? She couldn’t believe it but needed to find out. ‘Does it mean you’re allowing me back into the hotel?’ she asked cautiously.
‘Only for this evening,’ Nathan said firmly. ‘Dad is the one who will need to make a final decision on whether to lift the ban. But in view of your help and the fact you’ve been sensible enough to ditch those awful women he could have a change of heart, but,’ he raised his hands, ‘don’t quote me.’
Cat checked her watch. ‘What time should we leave? It’s just turned ten-fifteen.’
‘As soon as possible if we’re going to make Bristol by three thirty,’ Nathan said, looking at his great-aunt. ‘Can you be ready in fifteen minutes?’
Em nodded. ‘It won’t take me long to get my things together. I’ll meet you at the front of the hotel.’
She watched them leave, feeling more energised than she had for a long time, and happy she was being included as part of the family again. Something, she realised, that all at once had become very important to her.
Chapter Twenty-Two
As they travelled to Bristol, Cat learned that Liam was the only son of one of Em’s childhood friends, Lucinda Cavendish, who had lived at nearby Carrenporth Grange when she was growing up. Lucinda and Emelia had kept in touch throughout their lives; regular meet ups in London for shopping and lunch in those early days after Lucinda’s marriage. The death of her husband ten years ago brought on a slow decline in her health. Emelia had still kept in touch and visited when she could, getting Harry to drive her up to North Kensington where she had moved into a luxury retirement flat with 24/7 medical support. Three years ago, Lucy’s health had gone into a sudden decline and months later she had died of respiratory complications. Cat now realised it couldn’t have happened at a worse time. The death of Aunt Em’s best friend coincided with Gerren and Jenna’s move to France. She was all alone. Small wonder then, that she soon became prey to Rosalind and her friends with their false offers of friendship.
Nathan dropped them off on the edge of Queen Square, a mixture of stone and red brick Georgian townhouses. Mature trees, gravel pathways and the obligatory equestrian statue added the finishing touches to this elegant grass covered square. Indicating his intention to park up and have a wander around, Cat promised to call him as soon as their appointment finished.
Richardson-Clarke, Webster and Dunbar’s offices were situated in one of the red brick sections of the square. Beyond the striking Georgian façade with its ornate glass fanlight above the front door, was a reception area with cream walls and delicate cornices. Pale turquoise carpeting covered the floor and a huge crystal chandelier hung elegantly in the centre of the room. After a few moments wait they were shown to Liam’soffice by his PA, a stylish brunette dressed in red with matching heels.
‘My dear Em, how lovely to see you again.’ Liam Richardson-Clarke walked around his heavy mahogany desk to greet her as the door closed.
‘You too, Liam.’ She smiled up at him as he clasped her small hands in his and bent to kiss her cheek.
‘And who have you brought with you today?’ He eyed Cat with a smile.
‘This is my great-niece, Cat Trevelyan.’ She stepped back to allow them to shake hands.
Cat had never seen such a tall man. He towered over her, all broad shoulders, thick swept back black hair and dark assessing eyes. She imagined in a court of law he could be quite intimidating. Was this the man who could possibly save Luke?
‘How can I be of help?’ he asked as they settled themselves in the comfortable high-back leather chairs that faced his desk. ‘I have to say your call intrigued me.’
‘Well,’ Em said, all businesslike as she settled herself, resting her handbag on her lap. ‘It’s my great-niece’s young man. As I told you briefly on the phone, he’s been arrested. Cat here can give you all the details.’
