Chapter 28

Ralph Peverel leant against the stone wall bordering the wildflower meadow. He was in earnest conversation with Cal, the young man, whom his daughter had chosen to spend a lot of her time with. The man in question leant against the same wall and looked up at the myriad of colours, reaching up to Pookey Wood. It was a magical place and he knew without having to be told, that there was no reason why Flora had to move away from this and onto the bleak moor, just to be with him. He understood.

‘So Flora tells me you may be wanting to sell your place and move to the village?' said Ralph not only cutting into Cal's silence but also echoing the thoughts moving around his head right now. He looked up, surprised.

‘She didn't think she was betraying a confidence' Ralph said with a frown.

‘No, no she wasn't. I suppose she told you why I would like to sell up – or rent somewhere else - and also the reasons why I can't.'

He felt unaccountably nervous around Ralph and not just because he was Flora's natural father. There was something else that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Yet Ralph exuded goodwill which Cal felt was completely genuine. He watched as the older man processed his thoughts.

‘I have a suggestion.' Ralph said eventually. I haven't had too much time to think about it as yet or what it would mean. So bear with me as I process my thoughts out loud.'

Cal frowned, wondering what on earth was coming next.

‘There is a property on my estate' continued Ralph. ‘Gardeners Cottage, so-called for obvious reasons. Although having said that, it was what once housed the grooms for the stables that were next door. You probably won't have seen it.'

Cal thought back to his infrequent visits to the grounds in six years. He knew of the Folly, although he hadn't seen it - but hadn't seen any other buildings in the grounds. He shook his head.

‘Gardeners Cottage had been used in more recent years to house the groundsman and his wife. When they died and the Peterson family from the village took over the job, the small barn between the house and the stables was converted just after the war to add more living space to the cottage, for my aunt and her family to live in. The property is now empty as one cousin is in America and the other in Australia, both permanently. You probably knew that the Petersons who look after the grounds now, have their own house in the village, which their family have lived in for generations?'

Cal nodded even though he had only vaguely heard of the Peterson family and then only because he knew that they were one of the original old families of Farstone.

‘I don't like houses lying empty' declared Ralph. ‘It is damaging to them if they're not lived in. I don't want to sell it and break the estate up. You can understand that?' he looked at Cal for confirmation and he nodded, ‘but I would be willing to rent it out to you. The stables are attached to the cottage so Fury would be close by. There are vast amounts of grounds around it where Finn could run around undisturbed. It is backed by a spinney and surrounded by acres of land.'

Cal stood open-mouthed.

‘I'm sure we could come to a reasonable agreement regarding rent and conditions. Basically, I would just want you to look after it so it doesn't fall into disrepair. The stables too.'

‘I don't know what to say' Cal gulped.

‘ "I'll think about it" would be a start' smiled Ralph. ‘I also think it might be a nice place for you to write your books. There will be good Wi-Fi reception apparently, as there is at the Hall. While not isolated, it is in a very private place and can't be seen from the Hall or the village. You won't be disturbed.'

‘Wow,' Cal breathed out. ‘It's definitely enticing. Have you talked to Flora about it?'

‘No, I thought I'd talk to you first. I didn't want to disappoint her if you refused.'

‘You think it would disappoint her? Cal asked a little too eagerly.

Ralph laughed. ‘I think she might be but she is her own person. Who knows what she may think?'

There was a note of pride in his voice. Was it really only a week that he'd known her? It felt like much longer.

‘I also have an ulterior motive. Eventually, not for a while yet hopefully, Flora will inherit Peverel Hall. I don't think it has entered her head yet that she is my only heir.'

‘There's time yet, surely?' frowned Cal. Ralph couldn't have been much older than fifty, if that.

‘No, I don't think so. I can say 99.5% definitely not, allowing for chance - but Flora would be the eldest anyway. I believe the firstborn should inherit, whatever gender they are. It would be nice to know that you're nearby for now, perhaps with Flora visiting you and getting to know the place before she does have to take over, many years hence.'

It felt to Cal like he was in a dream where his whole life was predestined. He should feel annoyed, manipulated, used. He was a very proud person. Yet he couldn't see any downsides to it. In many ways, it was exactly what he wanted. He would have Fury nearby in the stables and if he was cut off from the world in winter he would at least be cut off along with the rest of the community, with the shops close at hand. He would be near to Flora...

‘Have you thought of the difficulty in getting Flora to move to the Hall in the future?' Cal asked. ‘I'm not sure she'll ever leave Gallipot Cottage.' They both automatically looked over at Flora who was animatedly talking to Peggy and holding a bottle of champagne in her hand.

‘No, you're right. I think she has a connection to this place that will never be broken. However, I'm hoping not to shuffle off this mortal coil for a good few years yet. Binky too, I hope, is going to be around for a good many years. So when the time does come. it's likely that Flora will have children of her own, grown up by that time perhaps, who can take over Gallipot Cottage and the business. Or even Jen's offspring could - or even Mary...'

‘Hasn't it got to be a Gardwicke?'

Ralph nodded.

‘Or have Gardwicke blood, according to the legend' was all he would say.

Cal's brows knitted together, pondering on the logistics. He knew he wanted Flora to be in his life from now on but would they be able to live together? Could they have separate houses but still have a good, loving relationship?

He was going to have to talk to Flora. He had been putting it off. She would know what to do, he felt sure. His brow lifted and the worry in his eyes cleared. Flora would know.

Ralph watched him in silence before a shout interrupted both their thoughts.

‘Come on you two! You'll miss the fun bit' grinned Flora, holding up the champagne and a glass.