Never Too Late (27 page)

Clutching her dress, she ran after him, her ballet flats slipping on the grass as she rushed to catch up. “Jake, please. What he said…” she gasped.

He stopped and looked at her, his forbidding expression darkened further by the night. “I thought you were different, but you’re just like all the others, a lying, unfaithful tramp. You should have told me you were playing for Barrowdene right from the start. I could have saved you the trouble of having to warm my bed for it.”

“He lied!”

“It doesn’t matter either way. If that piece of worthless trash is what you want, then you’re welcome to him.”

“Oh god, Jake! Please listen.”

She caught his arm with her free hand, but he shook her off as if her hand was soiled, and the fierce glitter in his eyes warned her from touching him again.

“You and I, Molly… we’re done.”

He strode away, and drowning in despair, she watched him go.

“The Summer Fair is always fun, and we younger ones get to organize it this year. You’d enjoy it.” Sophie looked at her hopefully as they walked together in the warm afternoon breeze, past the front of Barrowdene house.

But Molly shook her head, looking away as her friend’s face fell in disappointment. She hadn’t set foot in the village for the past four days, not since the party on Saturday night. The night Jake had left for good. Would she ever go into the village again? Not right now at least. Right now, she wanted nothing to do with Appleby.

She glanced at the finished house. Tim’s decorators had completed the upstairs bedrooms yesterday, and the house stood gleaming white like a flawless diamond in the summer sun. It was magnificent… and empty. 

None of them had heard from Jake since he left. Had he sold Barrowdene? Did any of them still have a home here? She knew only one thing for certain—she would never see him again.

A rogue tear trembled on her lashes and rolled down her cheek.

“Molly!” Sophie pulled her into a hug. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“It’s not you.” She rested her head on Sophie’s shoulder. “I… I just can’t put this behind me.” Pulling away, she angrily swiped the tears from her face. “Poor Nan. Poor Nate. They don’t need me like this. I have to make sure they’re all right.”

“But what can you do?” Sophie’s gaze was full of concern. “Will you all leave Barrowdene just like that? I know it’s difficult, but couldn’t you try getting in touch with Jake?”

“I already did. I couldn’t bring myself to at first, but Nan kept asking, so I called his private number. It was an assistant who answered and she flat refused to put me through to him.”

They walked on in silence, taking the path to Rose Cottage. 

“I have to do something,” Molly said, frowning. “Everyone needs answers. Maybe the best thing would be to move on, find a new place for all of us. But how can I just abandon Barrowdene? Who will take care of it?”

“Doesn’t Jake have a huge company that deals with property and things? I know you love Barrowdene, but—”

“But I’m not a part of it anymore.” She looked at Sophie with a small smile. “I know. I have to let go.” She thought for a moment, then nodded, making up her mind. “I’ll tell Nate and the stable girls to look for something new, and I’ll speak to Nan. Clara Ainsley has offered to rent out Martin’s old office to us. I just need to find another job.” She gazed ahead thoughtfully. “I was thinking of applying for a position at Halstead.”

“No, you don’t have to run away to Halstead. I know the rumours Brian spread embarrassed you, but nobody in the village believes any of it. They don’t blame you, Molly. In fact, everyone had hoped Jake would marry you.”

Molly shook her head. The comfort had come too late. “I’m not ready for it. And as for Brian…” She gritted her teeth at the thought of him.

“You don’t have to worry about him. He left Appleby last Saturday.”

“Did he go back to London?”

Sophie looked worried. “I don’t think so.”

“It’s nothing to do with me anymore,” Molly said with a shrug. “I’m ecstatic if I never see him again.”

They reached the double garages and a pearl-blue Mercedes was parked there. Her heart skipped a beat. She’d never seen the car before, and judging by its eye-catching shine and the number plates, it was brand new. Could it be Jake’s? Had he come back? The thought had equal measures of excitement and trepidation rising in her. 

She glanced at Sophie, and the look Sophie gave her held the same question.

Molly licked suddenly dry lips. “I’d better find Nan,” she muttered. “See what’s going on.”

“Don’t worry.” Sophie planted a quick kiss on her cheek. “Everything will work out. You’ll see.”

Molly raced the remaining distance to Rose Cottage. If Jake was here, would he be with Nan at the cottage or would he be in the big house? Was he looking for her? What on earth was she going to say to him?

By the time she reached the cottage door, she was an out of breath, trembling mass of nerves. She paused with one hand on the doorknob, her legs unsteady. She needed to see him, had to. She had to make him realize how much she loved him, even if he chose to leave after that. With a deep breath, she opened the heavy wooden door and stepped inside.

Voices reached her in the warm hallway, Nan’s and a man’s. Instant recognition hit and her heart sank to the floor. Slowly, she followed the voices to the living room.

Martin and Francine sat huddled together on the small two-seater couch, each clutching a teacup and saucer, and a smiling Nan sat opposite them in one of the armchairs.

Disappointment was a physical pain, but Molly forced a smile on to her strained features.

“Molly!” Martin leaped to his feet, and depositing his cup and saucer on the coffee table, rushed over and enveloped her in a big hug.

His exuberance broke through the chill surrounding her heart, and she chuckled and hugged him back, rejoicing in the genuine warmth she suddenly felt at seeing him again. 

Francine was right behind him, and when he finally released Molly, Francine caught her up in a hug of her own and kissed her on both cheeks. 

“We can’t thank you enough,” Francine said, tears shimmering in her beautifully made-up eyes. “Lucy told us everything you went through with Belinda. I know Martin wouldn’t have made it without your help.”

Martin grinned, his eyes sheepish as he rubbed his scraggly beard. “Worst days of my life, no contest.” He gazed down at Francine with tender affection. “Thank god you were waiting for me on the other side.”

Molly watched them together and her smile broadened. “I’m so glad you two found each other.” At least this was one well-deserved happy ending. 

“We’re all glad,” Nan said from the confines of her plump armchair. “There’s not enough time in the world to be living a miserable existence. It’s best to be with the one you love.”

Francine glanced at Martin and smiled. “Yes, it is.”

“It has meant a lot of changes, obviously,” Martin said as he and Francine sat down on the sofa again.

Molly took the second armchair opposite them, sinking back into its depths. “You won’t be working in Appleby anymore. I know.” She tempered her words with a smile. Finding a new job was her problem, not Martin’s. He didn’t need to feel guilty about that.

“Well… no, I won’t.” His features twisted in an apologetic grimace.

Nan nodded. “Doesn’t make sense for you to be here. I’d have thought London would suit you better now.”

“Yes, exactly,” Martin said. He turned to Molly. “I’m making my London office my base. I was actually hoping you’d still carry on working for me?”

Molly’s jaw dropped. “In London?” she squeaked.

“Yes,” he said with a smile. “I know this is all rather sudden, Molly, but I’d be lying if I said this transition would go smoothly without your help.”

“London?” Molly glanced uncertainly at Nan. “I… I’m not sure I can.”

“Nonsense,” Nan said matter of factly. “There’s no earthly reason for you to stay on in this place. It would do you the world of good to be somewhere more lively.”

“But, Nan, what would you do? We’ll have to vacate the cottage soon and I can’t leave you all alone, even at Clara’s.”

“A small suggestion?” Martin said. “I’d help you rent a flat in London, Molly. Perhaps you’d like to join her, Lucy?”

Nan chuckled. “You couldn’t pry me from Appleby with a ten foot crowbar. I may have to leave Barrowdene, but I can find plenty to keep me occupied in the village.” She turned to Molly. “I’ve told you before. Don’t be worrying about me. It’s time for you to get out there and see the world.”

Frowning, Molly looked at her. The thought of leaving Nan, even Barrowdene, everything that was home, had her stomach twisting in knots. But did she really want to stay on in Appleby, especially now that Jake was gone? This place held too many bittersweet memories. She looked at Martin’s eager jolly face and relaxed. He’d help her through. Besides, being with Jake had taught her she was capable of so much more.

She nodded. “If Nan’s all right with it, I’d like to accept your offer, Martin.”

“Wonderful,” he said, grinning. “I won’t rush you, but if you want to come over to our home there on Friday, I can help find you a place to stay.”

She laughed. Friday was just two days away. Martin was never one to sit on an idea. But the sly thought popped into her head that being in London meant she’d be closer to Jake. Her laughter faded and she pushed the thought away in disgust. She was doing this for herself and no one else.

“Has Jake been in touch?” Francine asked, startling her.

“No… Why?”

Francine glanced at Martin. “We’ve been trying to contact him. We wanted to thank him too. If it hadn’t been for his help, we wouldn’t be together now.”

Molly sat up. “Really? What did he do?”

Martin’s sheepish grin was back. “Kicked my ass, that’s what.”

“And a good thing too.” Francine placed a hand over his. “Jake gave me a place to stay in the Lake District with some friends of his. It was so good of him. I wanted to go back there, but I hadn’t been for so long and I was scared to go alone. I had hoped to see him today.”

“I think he’s in Europe now,” Molly said quietly. It didn’t surprise her that Jake had tried to help Francine, but a part of her hurt to know he hadn’t trusted her enough to tell her what was really going on between Francine and Martin.

Francine looked downcast. “Such a shame. Oh…” With a quick movement she scooped up the large handbag by her feet and rummaging through it, pulled out a thick brown envelope. “Jake’s office sent me this, Molly, for you.”

“I’d completely forgotten about that,” Martin said.

Molly frowned. Jake’s office would be sending her only one thing—an eviction notice. With an anxious glance at Nan, who was leaning forward with curiosity, she reached for the envelope and took it with an unsteady hand.

All eyes were on her as she opened it. Several sheets of paper were inside and she pulled them all out in one go. She quickly scanned the short official looking letter on top of everything and gasped. 

Unable to believe her eyes, she flipped through the papers behind the letter: surveyor’s notes, land deeds, and details of an account set up in her name with a figure that made her eyes pop.

“Well, what is it?” Nan asked, sitting forward even more.

“I… I don’t understand.” Molly shook her head, her mind reeling.

Martin reached for the papers. “Mind if I take a look?”

She handed them over, and as he studied them, sat clutching her hands in her lap, hoping she’d been mistaken.

“Good heavens!” He looked up with a grin. “You’re the new owner of Barrowdene, Molly. All you have to do is sign for it.”

“Mercy me!” Nan plopped back into her armchair, one hand pressed to her bosom.

Francine looked at the papers with excitement. “But that’s wonderful!” She jumped up and kissed Molly’s cheek. “Congratulations,” she said, before sitting down beside Martin again.

Molly stared at them all with wide eyes. “But he can’t mean it,” she burst out. “Why would he just give me Barrowdene?” She looked pleadingly at Martin. “There has to be some mistake.”

Martin shook his head. “It’s all legal and in writing. Barrowdene is yours, pending a signature.”

“It’s a shock. I know.” Nan caught hold of her hand. “Give yourself time.”

Molly could only stare at her, unable to understand what Jake must have been thinking to do this.

“We’d best leave you with this, then.” Martin stood up, Francine following him. “I realize this changes things somewhat, Molly,” he said. “I’ll give you a call in a couple of days to see what you’ve decided about London.”

She nodded numbly and rose to her feet. Yes, this changed things. But instead of ecstasy, all she felt was bleak desolation. 

She followed Nan into the kitchen after Martin and Francine had left, the papers clutched tight in her hand. “Say something.”

“I don’t know what to say, child.” Nan leaned over the kitchen table and flicked on the radio. Her favourite blues filled the uncertain silence. She glanced at Molly. “This is a good thing, isn’t it?”

“How could Jake just… give me Barrowdene?”

“Sit down, and I’ll make us some tea. It’ll help put things into perspective.”

Molly pulled out a wooden chair and sank into it, and placing the papers on the table in front of her, she sifted through them again. Her hands stopped on the bank statement. “Not just the house, but all this money too. It’s too much.”

The kettle bubbled to a rolling boil and Nan took two mugs for their tea. Molly watched without really seeing. Anger slowly flared in her. She picked up the document with Jake’s bold signature etched into the paper in deep black ink and her gaze stopped on the blank line awaiting her own mark. It was like he’d dealt her a stinging backhander. Had he really believed she only wanted Barrowdene from him? He’d labelled her a gold-digger with a flick of his pen and she was damned if she accepted Barrowdene and damned if she didn’t.

“We’ve never been ones for charity, us Kings.” Nan said, placing a mug of tea in front of her and slowly lowering herself into a chair. “We’ve always worked our way through this world.”