‘It is. But it’s a different family to the original owners when I first started here. The Roystons own it now. They love it as much as I do. It’s as much a hobby for me as a job. It’s like they say, isn’t it? Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.’
‘That’s right,’ Melissa smiled.
‘You say this Barney character was local?’
‘He grew up here,’ Harvey replied.
‘I didn’t come to Leafbourne until I started this job, I’m afraid. Excuse me a minute…’ He’d spotted a couple coming into the shed.
Melissa looked out of the shed, across the concrete area in front to the sign that faced the traffic as it came in around the bend. It was just visible now; it hadn’t been earlier, with the lad in front of it enjoying a smoke, or a couple of smokes. But now, he’d finally gone back to his job and the sign was there for all to see. On a white background was a navy blue anchor with intricate rope weaved through it with the name Leafbourne Marina split into two, one word arching over the top of the anchor, the other curving upwards beneath.
She put an arm out and her hand rested on Harvey’s skin. ‘Look at the sign.’
‘I’m looking.’
‘Don’t you recognise it?’
‘Can’t say that I do.’
‘Oh, God, what am I talking about? Of course you don’t, you didn’t see the letter in the wedding bag.’
His face showed he was as bewildered now as at the start of this conversation. ‘Enlighten me.’
‘The same anchor and wording was at the top of the letter. Well, the wording had faded, which is why I didn’t put two and two together, the anchor symbol was faint but not so much that I can’t match the two now I think about it. The letter from Lois must have been on a fancy piece of letterhead paper some people use, especially if they have a –’
‘Family business,’ he said at the same time as her.
Bill was busy taking the visitors outside to point them in the right direction of the village hall when it turned out they didn’t need the marina after all and as they waited for him, Melissa began to wonder. ‘Have you ever thought that perhaps we’re asking about the wrong person?’
Harvey leaned against the desk nearby, strong arms folded in front of his body. ‘You think Lois might be the connection to this place rather than Barney?’
‘It’s possible, isn’t it?’
When Bill came in again, unbothered by the rain, Melissa asked, ‘Have you ever heard of a woman called Lois? She’d probably be around the same age as our friend, although I can’t be sure.’
‘The name doesn’t ring a bell, I’m afraid.’
‘Who was the family that owned the yard before it was sold on?’ Harvey asked.
Bill thought hard. ‘The Charlestons, that was their name, and they were as high and mighty as they sound, let me tell you,’ he added in a low chuckle. ‘Mr Charleston, well, he was in this for the business ownership, he had a couple of boats himself, but there was no love for the craft. That’s what he lacked. Although his wife was so serious all the time I’m not sure he had much love for anything. To be honest with you, I was glad when they sold the place on. The Roystons took over the business and have a clear love for boats. The whole family has a passion and it made a difference, let me tell you. Mr Royston wasn’t all about the money whereas the Charlestons…well, let’s just say we could’ve been making and selling tin cans and if it drew the same profits they wouldn’t have given a toss. Pardon my language,’ he directed at Melissa.
‘Not a problem,’ she smiled, realising Bill liked to talk as much as Barney once had. ‘I don’t suppose they had kids, did they? The Charlestons?’
One hand on the hip of his beige dungarees, he thought hard to remember. ‘They had a son, he did the accounts…always late with the wages he was.’ He rolled his eyes heavenward. ‘Would’ve got the sack anywhere else but you know what it’s like, Daddy’s company and he had a job for as long as he wanted.’
‘Just a son?’ Harvey asked.
‘Just the one kid, wouldn’t wish that father on anyone else.’
Melissa and Harvey exchanged a look. She knew what Harvey had put up with better than anyone else.
Deflated at the dead end they’d just hit, they thanked Bill for his time. ‘We really appreciate it,’ Harvey told him.
‘I wish I could be more help. I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be,’ said Melissa. ‘It was a long time ago.’
Harvey opened the door and a woman came bustling in past them with what smelled like a parcel of fish and chips.
