22 It’s Time to Try to Turn the Tide

22

It’s Time to Try to Turn the Tide

By Monday lunchtime it feels like all hell has let loose and I call Mum to let her in on today’s developments.

‘Elizabeth asked me to call you; we have a bit of problem.’

‘You do?’

‘It’s about you and Greg staying at Hawthorn Mews on the estate at Christmas. Elizabeth would have called you herself, but she’s in her room, resting.’

‘She’s all right … is she?’ Mum’s tone is one of concern.

This is awkward. ‘Yes, she’s just overdone it a little, that’s all. Too much excitement,’ I quip.

‘It was good of Elizabeth to offer us an alternative now that your grandma’s cottage is all but empty. If it’s not convenient, though, I could give Harry up at the farm a call. They might have a room free.’

‘No, Hawthorn Mews is empty, awaiting the family who are taking occupation in mid-January, but how do you feel about one of Elizabeth’s nieces and her husband staying there too?’

‘That’s not a problem, at all,’ she replies, happily. ‘Christmas is all about sharing! And with your grandma settled in at the Hall, they’ll be pressed for space this year I should imagine.’

That’s precisely the problem. Two of the bedrooms at Silverberry Hall have now been turned into a suite for Grandma. Builders will be putting in a connecting door between her bedroom, and what is now her personal sitting room, early next year. With only three spare bedrooms now, this year things are going to be a little different.

‘Yes, they’re one bedroom short, but it appears that Stephen assumed it would be Grandma who would move out over the Christmas period, to accommodate them all as per tradition , and Elizabeth is understandably incensed.’

‘The cheek of the man!’ Mum sounds flabbergasted.

‘Yes. Please don’t repeat this to Grandma, as she isn’t aware that Stephen had a full-blown meltdown over it. Georgina witnessed the whole thing when she was serving them mid-morning coffee in the orangery. Stephen said something about family should come first and Elizabeth walked out of the room. Georgina only mentioned it, because she thought someone should go to check on Elizabeth, hence this phone call.’

‘It’s unbelievable. The woman can do exactly as she pleases in her own home.’

‘Yes, but that’s not how Stephen sees it. At least offering alternative accommodation within the grounds should solve the problem. Admittedly, Elizabeth’s other brother – Matthew – and his wife live the closest, so it would be less inconvenient for them if they didn’t stay this year; but it means a lot to Elizabeth to have them under her roof at Christmas. They never invite themselves to stay at random times, as Stephen does, and their offspring are happy to travel back and forth for the festivities, so they’re no trouble at all.’

‘Yes, but Elizabeth couldn’t possibly put them out in order to accommodate one of Stephen’s children. I mean, all of her nephews and nieces are grown-ups, for goodness’ sake, and she can’t be seen to favour one brother over another!’

‘Precisely. The point is that things are going to be different moving forward and they all have to accept that.’

‘She’s newly widowed and they’re fools if they didn’t expect the old normal to change.’

‘My sentiments entirely! They usually return home on Boxing Day morning, after the leisurely family brunch. If we can’t sort this to everyone’s satisfaction quickly, the atmosphere this year is going to be unbearable and Grandma is going to be in the midst of it, too! But Elizabeth wants to send out a very clear message. In future, stays at the Hall will be by invitation only and I have a feeling she intends to tone it down next Christmas.’

‘I did wonder. It seemed a little strange to ramp it up this year, even though I know she’s doing it to honour Freddie. But it’s a lot of pressure, especially when people take advantage.’ Mum tuts. ‘Greg and I will go along with whatever works best, no matter what. We’re on countdown now and don’t worry, there’ll be so many people there that the odd grump in the gathering won’t even register.’

Well, I can only hope that Mum is right, because Stephen likes the sound of his own voice. He might convince himself that he’s simply trying to protect his sister, but what he sees as help is beginning to look suspiciously like bullying .

I spend most of the evening on the sofa wrestling with my conscience, until I eventually get up the courage to contact Jasmine and ask for Ash’s mobile number. She doesn’t hesitate, no doubt thinking that I want to place a bespoke order.

It’s not for me to meddle in Elizabeth’s family affairs, but it’s becoming increasingly clear that Stephen is trying to undermine her confidence. When Elizabeth is on her own she’s an easy target and I find it deplorable that he’s starting to make her second-guess herself.

We all know there will be changes, but it’s entirely up to Elizabeth what those changes will be and when she chooses to implement them. For now, things are ticking over and that’s enough for her.

The only reason Elizabeth is in this precarious position is because she feels she can’t openly acknowledge her grandson. I understand why, but Stephen is a man on a mission.

I happened to walk past the orangery this morning and the door into the hallway was open. I was horrified when I heard his booming voice say he could take all her worries away . It stopped me in my tracks and I froze, unable to move in case I made a noise. He went on to say it would guarantee the long-term future of the Hall.

My heart was thumping in my chest. His proposal was that he and his wife move in and manage everything, leaving Elizabeth and Grandma to focus on hosting charity events and parties. I had to put my hand over my mouth, as I almost groaned out loud.

It’s no secret that Elizabeth intends to leave something to all of her nephews and nieces, but what happens to Silverberry Hall? It’s Stephen who has his eye on the big prize. In return for running the estate and ensuring its future, everything she and Freddie have worked for would continue to stay in the family . If I hear that man say ‘in the family’ one more time I won’t be held responsible for my actions.

She’s vulnerable and he’s playing on that, but if Ash came forward everything would change in an instant. Elizabeth would have a reason to reconsider her options. At the moment, it’s hard enough for her to get her life back on an even keel and cope with family squabbles, let alone think about filling the hole that Freddie left. But what can I do on a practical level?

I dial the number.

‘Hello?’

‘Ash … it’s Sienna Sanderson. I hope you don’t mind but I got your number from Jasmine. Sorry it’s late … I um … wondered if you could spare me a few minutes?’

‘OK … should I be concerned?’

Oh gosh, he thinks I’m delivering some sort of bad news.

‘No, um … but after our chat down at the beach it’s only just occurred to me that you might not be aware that your grandfather, Freddie, passed away earlier this year.’

He sucks in a deep breath and the line goes quiet. ‘So my grandmother lives there all on her own?’

At least his tone is empathetic.

‘No, not entirely. She has a live-in housekeeper and my grandmother, whom she’s known since they were at school together, has recently moved in as her companion.’

He breathes out heavily. ‘Losing my father, too, must have hit her very hard indeed and I’m sorry to hear that.’

I don’t know why, but my heart leaps in my chest. He’s listening and he isn’t being dismissive. Despite the fact that he said he doesn’t owe anyone anything, he’s still able to be compassionate.

‘It’s fair to say that she’s struggling to come to terms with what is an enormous loss.’

‘Look, I don’t know why you’re telling me this now. It’s not as if I can be of any help.’

If only I knew what to say. He’s Elizabeth’s flesh and blood and I have one chance to get this right.

‘Your grandparents never got over the loss of their son. And now to discover she has a grandson, only to be hit with the realisation that he’s lost to her, too … well—’

‘Did she ask you to ring me?’ His tone changes and there’s an edginess to his voice that wasn’t there before.

‘No. This is all my doing. I’m sure you can imagine how hard it is for your grandmother to soldier on. She’s not getting any younger and …’

I pause, trying to figure out where to take this next.

‘When we talked, you said there were no strings attached and I’m still not sure where this thing with the solicitors is going. Besides, no one lives in a huge place like Silverberry Hall unless they have a large family and a lot of friends around them, do they?’

I’m losing him.

‘I know how it looks, but Elizabeth is a woman who has endured so much heartbreak that I fear she’s growing tired of fighting.’

‘Fighting?’

Argh. Maybe I could have chosen a better word. Or maybe not.

‘It’s inevitable that the loss of Freddie will mean changes at the Hall, but she’s emotional and vulnerable. Yes, she’s surrounded by people, but you’re not just people , are you? I truly believe that this wonderful woman feels you are all she has left. And I know that sounds like I’m … I don’t know, applying pressure, but I’m simply stating the truth. It’s not something you’ll hear from anyone else, and least of all Elizabeth, unless you seek her out.’

‘You don’t hold back, do you, Sienna?’

He doesn’t sound angry and I don’t know why, but I do feel that he’s been taking on board every single word I’ve said. There’s no hint of dismissal, or annoyance in his tone.

‘Elizabeth lives for today; she knows she can’t change the past. But all she can do is fill the future with hosting charitable functions and pretending she’s bearing up, when she isn’t. You see, because you don’t know her, you have no idea how special she is. She would love you unreservedly for who you are, not simply because she regrets what happened in the past.’

‘You must really care a lot about her to risk sharing that with me, but …’ He sighs and I sit here trying to calm my erratic heartbeat. ‘As lovely as she sounds, our lives are poles apart.’

My stomach begins to churn. ‘I understand, but will you at least sleep on it? Give it some thought and if you want to talk at any time, just give me a call.’

‘OK, I’ll think about it; that’s the best I can do, I’m afraid. I’ll be honest with you; this is all way outside of my comfort zone and it’s unsettling. I’ve lived my life sort of expecting people to let me down, it takes the sting out of it when they do. I’m not sure I’d know how to act, if you can understand that.’ He gives a dismissive little laugh, but for some reason it gives me a glimmer of hope. ‘You make it sound easy. Maybe it is, I don’t know. Anyway, thanks – I can tell that was difficult for you.’

‘It was. But I can assure you that you’d simply have to be yourself, Ash; that would be more than enough.’

‘Right. Thanks. I’ll uh … give it some thought.’

When the line goes dead I can only hope I’ve done no harm, but at least I tried.