Tom was trying to control his temper as he went along the east wing corridor to find Sam. The letter he was holding was becoming crumpled in his hard grip. He needed someone to talk to.
But Sam was on his mobile when Tom found him in the music room. From his gestures, he was likely to be some time. So Tom waved at him that it didn’t matter and left him to it.
He went back along the corridor and spotted Arthur in his study. Before he could move on, Arthur had smiled and gestured for him to come in. Reluctantly, but not wanting to cause offence, Tom did so.
It was one of the rooms yet to be plastered or decorated, but it looked settled in its careworn way, with the dark wood shelves and desk. Many dusty books were piled up, most of them referring to agriculture and managing estates.
‘I found this by my desk this morning,’ said Arthur, picking up an old tennis ball. ‘I’d hate for young Dylan to lose one of his most prized possessions.’
‘And for you to trip over it,’ said Tom, with a grimace at the thought. ‘I think he’s outside so I’ll make sure he gets it.’
Tom could see the whole vista of the grounds bathed in sunshine through the window behind the desk.
‘I’ve always thought this one of the best views out of any window,’ said Arthur, following his gaze. ‘From my seat here, you can see across most of the grounds at the back all the way down to the river. Almost the whole estate.’
‘That’s a lot for one man to be responsible for,’ said Tom.
Arthur nodded. ‘Indeed. But it’s all I’ve known, so I guess you could say that it’s what you’re used to.’
Tom wondered if Sam felt the same. He appreciated the responsibility that his friend was taking on by becoming Earl of Cranley.
‘Of course, I’m number seven in the line,’ carried on Arthur. ‘My father and grandfather were also well aware of their responsibilities. But my great-grandfather almost lost the whole stately pile in a cards match. Of course, gambling has always run amok in the whole family. The first Earl of Cranley won the estate in a poker game, after all.’
‘So, in a way, it’s a miracle that this place is even here.’
‘Oh yes,’ said Arthur, smiling. ‘But some people make their own destinies, of course.’
Tom glanced down at the letter he was holding and hesitated. Perhaps Arthur could help him, but he didn’t want to burden the elderly gentleman with yet more problems.
He started at the sound of laughter as Rose entertained one of her friends in the drawing room and frowned. Looking back, he found Arthur studying him.
‘Do you know, a place like this does have some advantages,’ said Arthur. ‘Would you like to have a bit of fresh air and see one of them?’
Tom knew that Arthur was being kind and getting them out of the house meant they could talk privately. So he let Arthur lead him out the back door in the ballroom where they found Dylan dozing in the shade of the house.
He automatically glanced at the woods to see if he could see anyone hiding amongst the trees but thankfully the fans seemed to have decided that remaining at the front gates seemed to be their best hope of spotting him. So at least the grounds were private once more.
Once Tom had thrown the tennis ball, Dylan soon perked up and they both followed Arthur across the patio and down the dirt track towards the dilapidated dairy house and stable block.
‘Long since abandoned unfortunately,’ said Arthur, as they reached the buildings. He sounded wistful but not too upset. ‘I remember when I was growing up, the place was full of stable lads and people dashing back and forth to the dairy. I think that’s what I miss most of all. The people. But times, of course, change.’
They carried on past the buildings. Tom counted at least ten empty stable pens.
As they went further into the woods, the path narrowed.
‘Would you like me to go first?’ said Tom.
‘Lead the way, son,’ said Arthur, nodding. ‘I daren’t risk another broken hip. Annie hasn’t got over the first one yet.’
‘What happened?’
‘Slipped over at the bottom of the stairs,’ said Arthur. ‘It was my own fault. Mind you, it did have one good outcome. Sam came home and met Annie.’
They carried on through the trees, taking care to step over the roots that were sticking out of the dusty ground. Dylan ran around them, chasing squirrels until they ran up the trees out of harm’s way.
Finally, Tom could see water ahead through the large trunks of the trees.
They made their way to the bank and Tom was surprised to find himself standing at the side of a wide stream.
‘The River Ley,’ said Arthur. ‘We get a whole mile of it, thanks to the estate.’
Tom gazed out across the water. ‘Is it quite deep?’
‘Perhaps not so much during the summer months but still deep enough for some carp. Perhaps the odd barbel. Do you fish?’
‘Not for years,’ said Tom, smiling. ‘And certainly not in any setting as beautiful as this.’
‘Well, you’re welcome to have a go whilst you’re with us. I’ve got some old fishing stuff somewhere in the garages. I’ll get Sam to hunt it down.’
‘That’s very kind of you.’
Arthur shrugged his shoulders. ‘You’re a friend of Sam’s so that makes you family. By the way, are your own family from around here?’
Tom shook his head. ‘No.’ He paused before deciding to go on. ‘My parents didn’t want me so I grew up in foster homes. Nowhere near as pretty as this place unfortunately.’ He looked across the glittering water, soothed by its beauty.
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ said Arthur, softly. ‘That must have been difficult for you.’
‘Yeah,’ said Tom. Difficult was an understatement. ‘I’m afraid I wasn’t very well behaved.’
‘Hardly surprising.’
‘But in a way, it made me who I am as well,’ said Tom.
Arthur nodded. ‘I agree, my boy.’
‘Have I shocked you?’ asked Tom.
‘You know,’ said Arthur. ‘Nothing shocks you if you’d lived in Cranley all your life like I’ve done. It’s a small village and yet it’s as if it’s the whole world encompassed in a few avenues and lanes. We’ve had it all. Affairs, divorces, heartbreak and even the odd murder.’
Tom was amazed.
‘Not, I might hasten to add, in my lifetime,’ said Arthur, with a soft smile before checking his watch. ‘Mind you, that record may yet be broken if we don’t head back in time for lunch. My future granddaughter-in-law is liable to worry about me these days.’
They slowly made their way back to the house.
‘Was there something you wanted to ask me about?’ asked Arthur.
Tom drew out the letter from his pocket. ‘I just wanted some advice really about my gran. She is, was, my only true relative. She passed away six months ago.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’
Tom gulped away the pain. ‘It’s been, well, it’s been pretty tough. Anyway, she left everything to me in the will. Not that there’s much to be had, just her flat. Probate is being granted at the minute, but I just wanted to ask what happens when someone challenges a will. My dad wants his share now. He hasn’t been around for years, didn’t want to know or see either of us and yet he expects the full estate to pass to him.’
Arthur stopped and nodded, deep in thought. ‘I take it that the will was done properly?’
‘Yes. Gran had a local solicitor draw it up.’
‘Then I can’t foresee any problems. There may be a short delay whilst your father’s claim is being dealt with, but I would hope that the full weight of the law would fall onto your side.’
‘Right. Well, thanks.’ Tom looked down at the letter once more.
‘You know, I’ve used Bill Fullwright for years,’ said Arthur. ‘He’s a local solicitor. Trust him implicitly. When we get back to the house, I’ll pass you the details and give him a call. He’ll see you right.’
‘Thank you,’ said Tom. ‘That’s been a real help.’
Arthur smiled but Tom was horrified to see him trip over a stick that Dylan had dropped and lose his footing. He just about managed to grab Arthur’s arm and keep him upright.
‘No, no, I’m fine,’ said Arthur, as he stood and regained his balance. ‘Many thanks. You see? No blue blood and yet you have better manners than many of my ancestors.’
They had reached the stable blocks when they saw Annie coming across to meet them.
‘Hello,’ she said, smiling at them both. ‘What have you been up to?’
‘No need for the search party,’ Arthur told her. ‘I’m in safe hands.’
‘Glad to hear it,’ she replied, with a knowing smile at Tom before she turned to face Arthur. ‘I wanted to ask you something. Eleanor needs to make some soap and it’s all a bit tricky apparently. She needs somewhere quiet to work away from people as the stuff she uses is a bit toxic. Is it okay with you if she uses one of the old stables for a little while?’
Arthur smiled warmly at her. ‘You know, they’re your stables too,’ he told her gently.
Annie blushed. ‘I’m still getting used to all that.’
‘It’s absolutely fine,’ said Arthur. ‘Tell her to come over anytime.’
The three of them followed Dylan back up to the main house for lunch.
Tom felt ridiculously pleased that Eleanor would continue to visit the hall. Presumably, with whatever concoctions she would be creating, he would be seeing a lot more of her.
He even found he was humming a new tune as he made his way towards the recording studio later that day.