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‘Why am I here if you don’t want me?’ I press her.
‘Because your grandfather did. And I keep my promises…’ she sighs.
‘I know you miss Nano…’
She looks at me quizzically. ‘He talked about you all the time. He wondered what you were like, what you were doing, which traits you’d inherited. Sentimental old sod that he was.’
‘It’s so sad, what my parents did. I missed out on my family. My own blood. Years and years of stolen memories. I don’t know that I can forgive my mother for this as well.’
Her eyes open and she turns her head towards me. ‘As well? What do you mean?’
I shrug. ‘She and my father, they were absorbed in their own lives. They never cared much about me.’
‘I’m not surprised. They were very selfish, self-centred people.’
Says the Lady Mary Heatherton-Smythe of Heatherton Hall and snob extraordinaire.
‘And they never kept in touch with you?’ I ask.
She shakes her head. ‘Never. We’d send birthday cards and gifts for you, but never got an acknowledgment. Nano was heartbroken. And so was I…’
‘I’m so sorry this happened to you.’
‘Yes, well, it can’t be helped anymore,’ she says with a trembling voice. ‘They’re all gone. Every single one of them.’
I’d like to tell her that they’re not all gone.I’mstill here. But I don’t think it’s much consolation. Simply looking my way must remind her of her daughter. But apart from that, I’m still a stranger. I only wish she’d open up to me. I’m not a gold digger. I didn’t even know they existed before the letter. How can she not see that? Why does she resent my presence so much now? Will I ever be able to penetrate that vault that is her heart? But perhaps, rather than pressing her more, I should start with the simple things. Get to know her.
‘Shall I make us a cup of tea?’ I offer after a few minutes of her unbearable silence.
She slowly turns to me again as if she’s already forgotten I’m there.
‘Yes, that would be nice, thank you, Emily.’
‘I’ll only be a minute, then.’
I get to my feet and go into the kitchen, and as I fill the kettle, I wonder how I ever got myself into this mess in the first place. I was perfectly unhappy and confused in London without having to come all the way here to be even more unhappy and confused. Now here, so far away from everything I know (and don’t love), I still feel somewhat at a loss. I was better off when I didn’t have an inheritance to worry about. I was better off when my path was already clear and cut for me. Marriage to Stephen, my work as a teacher and maybe some children. End of. Now, I find that there are too many ways to turn and I don’t know what to do with myself.
When I return to the drawing room with a tray of tea and her favourite shortbread, she’s looking frail and paler than usual. Perhaps I should call Dr Martin Miller.
‘Ah! shortbread. Lovely. Thank you, Emily.’
Dare I hope that one day we can be a real family? But for now, because I don’t want her to think that I’m only interested in my inheritance, I’ll keep quiet. It does worry me, however. I have to sort Jago out once and for all and try to come to an agreement of sorts with him. Maybe he could buy me out. In any case, tomorrow I’ll go and check out the third and last asset I’ve inherited, my grandfather’s boat.
*
The Miranda, as I’ve been told, was Nano’s fishing barge. I don’t know anything about barges, except that they float on water. But I’ve inherited half of it and it would have seemed ungrateful on my part not to come down to the cove and inspect the wretched thing. Apparently, this was his prized possession.
But if it’s anything like Stormy Cottage, it’ll be another utter wreck. And, like all things, any form of repairs will inevitably be costly. Hardly worth the work. And all that to do what, exactly? I can’t fish and nor would I want to. As lovely and picturesque as the idea of a barge floating down a river is, I have to be practical. Perhaps I can convince Jago to buy me out of that, too. Although he doesn’t seem to have any means.
Why would my grandfather leave half of his assets to me and half to Jago? What does he expect me to do with it if not sell it? And if Jago won’t buy me out, I’m stuck with the stuff. Why hasn’t he left me any indications in his will?
And my grandmother? What does she expect me to do with it? Is she laughing herself silly at me for inheriting it? Or is she angry at Nano for leaving me a 50 per cent share of a business? Even if it may not be profitable.
The barge is moored in a quiet, practically deserted inlet. I cross the dock and the plank leading to the front door and once on deck, I put my key in the lock, hoping I’ll be a bit luckier this time. The key turns like a dream and in I go, stopping on the threshold in surprise at the excellent state of the barge. It’s been converted into a home to a very high level. Very nice, Nano!
The inside has simple but quality furnishings. There’s a beautiful oak coffee table next to a reading chair and off to one side, a unit full of books with many classics. The place is absolutely beautiful, with soft rugs and gorgeous lamps scattered here and there. Faith Hudson herself would gush.
‘Well, if it isn’t Lady Weaver of Heatherton Hall!’ comes a voice from behind.
