Chapter Six

The rain poured relentlessly as Bastion smoothed down his suit jacket. It had become just a little creased from being in the duffel bag, and the rain was soaking it through. He was disappointed because the last thing he wanted to do was to give a bad first impression. He looked down at Lily, whose eyes were as big as saucers. She stood beside him staring at the Hall as it loomed up before them.

‘Daddy, it’s a castle. A really, really big castle.’ She gripped his hand tightly and skipped through the puddles. They were both soaked, and he noticed that Lily shivered continuously. Yet for some reason, they were both in good spirits, even though their walk from Scarborough had been a long one.

‘It’s not a castle, princess. It said in the paper that it was a country house hotel, but, yes, I can see why you’d think it so grand as to be a castle.’ He took in the grandeur of the building, the tall mullion windows, the stained glass that had pictures of swans and serpents and the big, arched wooden door that stood at least ten feet high. Planters stood by its side, and two large bay windows stood to each side of the house.

He took a step backwards, suddenly unsure of what he was about to do. He began to doubt whether Jess would want to meet him, whether she’d even care who he was and wondered why he’d actually thought this a good idea in the first place. He had nothing to offer her, no money, no job, no home. He’d walked away from all of it in London. He stupidly didn’t have enough money to get home again and had no idea what he’d do if Jess turned them both away.

Kneeling down he looked into Lily’s eyes. ‘Honey, I’m so very sorry, we shouldn’t have come here.’ He paused and looked back up at the house. ‘Your daddy is a crazy, stupid old man. We’ve come a very long way, we’re getting soaked to the skin and I should have never brought us here. Not on this day.’ He looked up at the grey swirling clouds and then heard the rumblings of thunder that echoed overhead. ‘We need to take cover.’ He ushered Lily under a tree.

‘But, what about Jess? You said I had a sister.’ Tears filled Lily’s eyes. ‘Won’t I get to meet her now? Won’t we get to go inside the castle?’ Her shoulders slumped. ‘And, Daddy, you’re not so very old or so very stupid, but my feet do hurt.’ She lifted her foot to show a hole in the sole of her shoe.

Bastion shook his head and looked down at his beautiful girl. ‘Oh, Lily.’ He shook his head, he knew he didn’t have enough money for shoes. He leaned on the tree for support. ‘Your sister, Jess, she doesn’t know who we are, princess. She’s never met me.’

Lily looked confused. ‘But how come, Daddy? How come she never met you? Aren’t you her daddy too?’

It was obvious to Bastion that Lily didn’t understand why Jess wouldn’t know him. To her a daddy was someone who was always there, someone who looked out for you, bathed you, dressed you and fed you. He was also someone who should buy your shoes and he pursed his lips, furious that he’d failed her. He tried to think of a way to explain, to tell her what had happened and why Jess had never met him, just as the front door opened and a beautiful dark skinned, voluptuous woman stepped out. She was dressed in black, but was wearing a brightly coloured apron with a green, yellow and black Jamaican flag on the front. Bastion not only approved, but he stood spellbound watching as with broom in hand she swept the damp leaves away from the entrance to the Hall and then turned to the hanging baskets and pulled one or two dead heads from the winter pansies. She stood in the rain, not seeming to care that she was getting wet, and stared out over the fields. But then she turned, caught his eye and her face lit up with the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen.

‘Good day to you, sir. Can I help you?’ she sang out as she walked towards them. ‘And you, little one, aren’t you the most beautiful little thing.’

The words made Lily beam and Bastion held out a hand to the woman. ‘I’m Bastion Collymore,’ he said, hoping that the name might mean something, but the woman just shook his hand and continued to smile.

‘And I’m Nomsa, I’m very pleased to meet you.’ Her eyes sparkled and Bastion loved the way her whole face lit up. ‘I work here. But I’m so sorry, if you’re looking for a room for the night, we can’t accommodate you.’ She sighed. ‘We’ve had a death in the family and all the family and most of the staff are at the funeral today, including the receptionist.’ Nomsa wiped away a tear.

‘Daddy.’ Lily pulled at his coat. ‘Did … did our Jess die?’ The tiny voice came from a worried Lily and Bastion turned quickly, wishing she hadn’t spoken. He glanced back up at Nomsa, knowing he’d have to explain. But then he began to cough, and leaned against the tree, looking up apologetically.

‘Oh no, darling, Jess didn’t die,’ Nomsa said. ‘No, Jess is fine. You should have said you were friends of hers.’ She looked at Bastion with concern. ‘And if you don’t mind me saying so, you don’t sound so very well. You’re soaked and look like you need a sit down.’ She put a hand out to steady him. ‘Come on, let’s get you in the house, you need to get dry and I’ll put the kettle on.’

Bastion was unnerved, he didn’t know what to say, didn’t know how to explain why he was here. He picked up the bag that he’d dropped while coughing. ‘No, no. I really don’t want to intrude, not on such a day. We’ll be on our way. Come on, Lily.’

Lily let go of his hand. ‘But, Daddy,’ she shouted. ‘We came such a long way to see Jess and I want to see her, you promised.’

‘Lily, today is not the day. Now, come on, be a good girl, follow your daddy.’

‘Oh no you don’t,’ Nomsa said as she patted Lily’s shoulder. ‘You are not well, you’re soaked and, by the sound of it, you’ve come a long way. The least I can do for a friend of Jess’s is give them a cup of tea. Besides, the family won’t be back for a good hour. By then, we could have you both dry.’ Nomsa took the bag from his hand and marched back towards the Hall. ‘Come on, I’ve made my best fruit scones for when the family get home from the funeral. I’m sure you’d like one,’ she said, looking at Lily, ‘wouldn’t you?’