Jasmine’s brain is on fire. She’s partway there. But one thing she absolutely knows, Natasha Smith cannot stay at the Hall. Such a thing would start the tongue of every gossip in the village, drawing attention that is not only unwanted put potentially dangerous. Not only that, but the grandeur of the Hall intimidates ordinary people – Petey hated being in it. To someone who is struggling to keep the spark of their own identity alive, it would be crushing. She considers the options. Eleanor and Jacob are still reeling from their latest loss. They will need their privacy for a long time. Flora would be willing and loves children but her place is tiny and three extra bodies would be unbearable.
But there is someone, someone longing for grandchildren but with a daughter who is relentlessly focused on her career and whose son never got a chance to father kids of his own. Jasmine calls Gillian. This time the call goes more as she has planned. Gillian lets Jasmine lead the conversation with only occasional interjections of “the poor soul” and “how terrible”. When Jasmine gets to her request – a fortnight’s sanctuary for Natasha and her children until the gate house is available – Gillian is bristling.
“Of course she can stay with me!”
“You realise if her husband finds her, you could be in danger?” Jasmine doesn’t want Gillian’s big heart to blind her to the situation.
“Pfft!” Gillian scoffs. “Kate’s based about an hour away for the next few months. He tries anything here, she’ll have half the British Army on his tail.”
Although Jasmine thinks the claim a massive over-exaggeration, it does help to know Gillian and Natasha would have some protection they can call on. And Jasmine will also call Jacob to let him know of Natasha’s predicament. The Winters are a remarkable family.
“It will be lovely to have a house full of children! Boys, you said?” Gillian is happily making plans. “I think I still have Petey’s wooden railway set in the loft. He had all the Thomas the Tank Engine trains.”
There is the possibility, she realises, Natasha won’t make it to the east gate lodge house. Gillian’s hospitality might be too welcoming.
There is only one problem remaining. She checks the time. The Leader is due in half an hour and every hand she has needs to be on deck. But problem-solving has always been her strength. She calls the one person who has always had her back, who has been with her through thick and thin, her best friend in all the world, Sean.
“Why are you calling?” he answers. “You should be too busy to call.”
“I am. But a little problem cropped up today. Actually, it’s a massive problem.”
“They’ve found a bomb? No, you wouldn’t be calling me. Your apartment’s on fire and you need some place to stay? Your leg is broken and you need a lift to the hospital?”
“Stop! None of the above. And I don’t have time for games today.” Quickly, Jasmine takes him through the events of the morning. As he was already involved in the Smith saga, it doesn’t take long to get to the point. “So can you pick them up and take them to Petey’s mum’s? I’ll send you the address.”
“Be there in ten,” he says and disconnects. Jasmine breathes a sigh of relief.
As soon as she opens the door to campaign headquarters, Ben’s voice rings out. “Thank God you’re back. All hell’s breaking loose.” And she is once more immersed in the minutiae of the impending visit.
Ten minutes later, true to his word, Sean walks in the door and Ben nearly loses it. “What the hell ishedoing here?” he challenges.
“Nice to see you too.” Sean delights in riling Ben but Jasmine is aware her candidate is about to explode.
“He’s the one person who can’t be here,” he hisses at her. “The Leader cannot be seen with him until the inquiry exonerates Richard Exmore. The Tory tabloids will have a field day!”
“Hush!” she orders him, one finger up, and his eyes bug out. “He’s here to take Natasha. Or do you want her hiding in the kitchen when the Leader comes?”
Ben simmers down instantly. Jasmine hauls Sean into the meeting room where Lou is doing a stellar job of amusing the children. Jasmine takes a seat next to Natasha, who has her hands clasped around a cup of tea as if it is the only thing tethering her to earth.
“You remember Sean?” she says to Natasha.
“You brought the clothes,” she nods and gives him a brilliant smile. It is a smile that could ensnare a man’s heart. Jasmine can see why Adam Smith is so desperate to hold onto his wife. It is to his deep shame he couldn’t have done it through love and compassion rather than threats and controlling behaviour.
She wants to plough on but she knows Natasha has had a lot to deal with in a very short time. It is an awful time for her to be making crucial decisions with long-term consequences, but they have no choice. While Lou occupies the little boys, Jasmine slowly lays out the plan, pausing to answer Natasha’s questions, giving her every chance to object. It is important Natasha feels this is a step she is taking, not a solution being thrust on her.
“So this woman, Gillian? She lost her own son?” Jasmine can see Natasha’s eyes fill with tears at Gillian’s pain. Natasha’s capacity for sympathy for another human while dealing with her own problems is astounding. Her eyes find her children. “And she will help us?”
“Yes. But you must understand. It is a very different place in the countryside. It’s far from everything you know. It may not be easy for you.”
Natasha looks around her. “There is nothing for us here.” Privately, Jasmine has to agree.
“My Aunty Mary may have some work for you,” she says, but she wants to be sure Natasha understands she is not obliged to help out in return for sanctuary. This is not modern slavery in disguise. “But you absolutely don’t have to take it, if you don’t like it or you don’t like dogs.”
“I love dogs,” Natasha’s head comes up and she smiles one of her blinding smiles again. “Adam hated them.”
“Well, okay. But you know, you can find your own way at your own pace. My dad will be in touch with you to sort out the legal stuff but if you aren’t happy about anything, you can say so. Don’t suffer in silence.”
Natasha’s eyes find Jasmine’s. “You are very lucky,” she says. “To have such a wonderful family. It is a precious thing.” Having always been predisposed to think her own family rather intrusive and fairly objectionable, the words make Jasmine pause. Natasha looks across at Sean and Lou. “And you are a truly good person. Your friends are also lucky to have someone like you in their life.”
