New beginnings by the su.., p.26
New Beginnings by the Sunflower Cliffs, page 26
Bea sighed, feeling helpless for the second time that day. ‘I understand. No emotions.’
‘Easier said than done, don’t you think?’ Luke walked up behind her. Confused, Bea turned to him. Her stomach did a flip and for a second she forgot her nerves. ‘What are you doing here?’.
‘It’s my hearing today.’
Bea nodded, not sure how to react. ‘Ahh.’
Luke leant closer to her and lowered his voice. ‘I’ve been thinking since we spoke earlier. Tom told you they were investigating me, didn’t they?’ Bea didn’t reply. He looked relieved. ‘I suspected there was something holding you back whenever we—’ he hesitated and looked to see whether or not the lawyer was in earshot ‘—saw each other, and I know it took a while for me to twig, but when my lawyer showed me some paperwork with Tom’s signature on it, I realised he was involved in reporting my case and the reason why I’m here today.’
‘Tom reported it? He never said.’ Bea clenched her teeth together to stop from saying something improper in the hallowed corridors of the Victorian Royal Court building. ‘Why would he do that if he was implicated?’
‘Who knows?’ Luke shrugged. ‘Don’t be too angry, he was proved to be right about my partner, wasn’t he? Maybe Tom hoped that by implicating me he was putting a smokescreen around himself. What he didn’t realise was that I’ve been waiting for Chris to return to the island, or slip up in some way, so he can be prosecuted and I can try to recoup some of the money he embezzled from me.’
A door closed loudly behind them. She recognised Simon’s clipped tone as he approached. She closed her eyes to steady her temper and felt Luke take her hand. ‘I have a feeling it’s going to be one hell of a morning for both of us.’
Bea forced a smile. ‘It seems so,’ she said, determined to ignore Simon until she was inside the court room. Bea couldn’t believe Luke appeared so relaxed. She felt sick with fear about probably being forced to sell her home, while Luke was looking at a possible jail sentence. ‘How can you look so calm?’
‘They’re only going to decide whether there’s a case to be held today, nothing more, thankfully.’ He sighed and bent his head down a little. ‘And I’m not as calm as I probably seem.’
Simon walked over and stood next to them. ‘Beatrice,’ he said, ignoring Luke. Bea noticed Luke’s amusement at Simon’s arrogant behaviour and was relieved he stayed by her side.
Simon glared at Luke, obviously unhappy that he wasn’t leaving them to talk privately.
‘So, you decided not to accept my offer, then?’ Bea said, hating that her voice trembled slightly.
Simon’s eyebrows knitted together. ‘I hardly call expecting me to hand over what’s legally mine without recompense a reasonable offer. I certainly have no intention of being forced by you, or by Claire, into doing something that stupid.’ He gave Luke a pitying look. ‘Watch yourself with this one; she’s got more of a sting than you’d think. She might look all sweet and angelic, but she can stand up for herself with the best of them.’
‘I’ve worked that out for myself,’ Luke answered, giving Bea a cheeky wink to show there were no hard feelings between them and probably to irritate Simon. She relaxed a little. ‘I like that Bea doesn’t allow anyone to bully her.’
‘Oh, it’s like that, is it?’ Simon sniggered. ‘Good luck to you, mate, she’ll turn on you one day, too.’
‘If she does, I imagine it’ll be my own fault.’ Luke watched Simon walk away. ‘What a jerk.’
Bea sighed. ‘He is a bit of an arse, isn’t he? I listen to him and sometimes can’t believe I ever thought I was in love with him.’ It occurred to her that even if she did lose everything at least she wouldn’t be married to Simon any longer.
Luke’s lawyer approached. ‘Mr Thornton, we need to go through now.’
Luke thanked him. ‘I’d better be off.’ He gave Bea a quick hug. ‘Good luck. I hope the judge comes up with the right verdict for you.’
‘You, too,’ she said, holding him tightly for a moment, trying to take a little resolve from his bravery. ‘And I’m sorry I was so awkward with you. I had to watch what I said whenever I saw you in case I inadvertently tipped you off about the investigation.’
Luke gave her a reassuring smile. ‘Don’t worry. My advocate explained that you could have got years in prison, and in your position, I’d have also kept my mouth shut.’
‘Tom obviously showed me the paperwork to keep me off the scent about what was going on with him and Chris.’
‘I suppose so. He must have known that if you suspected me, you’d keep away from me, and also be suspicious of anything I said.’
‘I still find it hard to believe he could be so sly.’
‘All I’m bothered about is that you believe me now.’
‘I’m being summoned,’ she said spotting her advocate waving her over. ‘Bye then, and good luck in there.’
‘You too,’ he said, before walking calmly towards the main courtroom where the magistrate would hear his case. She took a deep breath and entered the smaller wood-panelled courtroom ready to face Simon and her own future.
Bea sat impatiently, waiting for the procedures to be read through and the French swearing in to be announced by the greffier, and couldn’t help thinking how smart and dignified the officer of the court was as he carried out his duty. Resolving to follow his example, she folded her hands in her lap and listened as each case was heard. Eventually, it was her turn. Her advocate stood and, referring to the papers he’d filed with the court, began his reasoning why Simon should not be awarded half the value of The Brae.
When Simon’s advocate had finished, the judge addressed Bea. ‘You have expressed a wish to speak, Ms Philips?’
‘Thank you, yes.’ Bea took a deep breath determined to hide her anger towards Simon. ‘I understand that because I was still married to my ex-husband when my aunt died and left me The Brae it was considered a matrimonial asset, but I’m making a request for the court to consider my aunt’s wishes for her home when the decision is made.’
He looked down at his notes for a moment. ‘I believe your aunt, Mrs Annabel Juarez, had booked an appointment with her lawyer who has confirmed his belief of her intention to change her will.’
She could almost feel Simon’s irritation at her daring to speak, but didn’t care. She owed it to Aunt Annabel to fight her case as strongly as she could. ‘I’m certain of it. The day after my aunt discovered Simon’s— I mean, Advocate Porter’s association with Claire Browning, she told me she intended adding a clause to her will ensuring he didn’t benefit in any way from her death.’ Bea’s voice cracked at the memory of her aunt’s anger and her sorrow that she would die within three days of the conversation.
The judge turned his attention to Simon. Bea wondered if he knew Simon personally. After all, Simon was an advocate and no doubt represented his own clients in front of this same judge. Bea willed herself to remain positive.
‘I agree, the whole situation is very unfortunate.’ He turned to whisper something to his greffier, who nodded and handed him a sheet of paper. He spoke to Bea once again after reading it. ‘I’m advised by your aunt’s lawyer that she did indeed arrange the meeting and that they had a conversation on the telephone prior to that meeting where she advised him of her intentions towards Advocate Porter. Also, according to your papers, despite your best attempts to raise the value of half your property known as The Brae, you’ve been unable to do so.’
Bea didn’t dare move. She concentrated on breathing, aware that she was gripping a little too tightly on the wooden partition in front of her.
‘You have, however, been able to raise a figure amounting to a little under one third of the value of the property through a mortgage. Considering all that I’ve heard today, I’m going to award Advocate Porter the value of one third of the property. I realise you will still have to fund a further ten thousand pounds to meet the required amount I am awarding to him, but feel that one third is the fair amount in this case.’
Bea wasn’t sure if she’d heard correctly. Had she managed to keep her house? She didn’t have to sell? Simon’s angry whispers to his legal counsel echoed across to her, and she relaxed slightly, still unable to believe what had happened. It wasn’t an outright win, but she still had her house and could find the means to buy Simon out. ‘Thank you very much.’
She turned to her advocate and shook his hand. She’d done it. It was all over. Finally.
The greffier announced the following case. Bea sat down on the leather seat and lowered her head in her hands, just about managing to stifle her laughter. She could stay at The Brae. She hadn’t let Aunt Annabel down.
Her excitement died down and she sat up straighter, composing herself once again. She wondered how Luke was getting on in the next-door courtroom.
27
MAY 11 – SECRET GARDEN
Since Tom’s arrest, Bea had given the police a statement and was allowed to go. She still couldn’t get over Tom’s involvement. Bea cringed at the memory of not trusting Luke enough to believe him the previous morning. Bloody Tom had a lot to answer for.
Her bank manager, Mr Peters assured her that he hadn’t changed his mind and that she could have the money to pay off most of her debt to Simon. Bea didn’t mind about needing to locate another ten thousand pounds to cover everything; she’d worry about that tomorrow. So what if she would probably be broke for years? The main thing was that she’d managed to keep her house and Annabel’s pride and joy. She swallowed the lump in her throat. ‘I did it,’ she whispered. ‘You knew I could, didn’t you?’
She realised the house phone was ringing and ran inside to answer it. ‘Hello?’
‘Bea, please don’t put down the phone, I need to explain everything to you.’
Bea shuddered hearing Tom’s self-pitying tone. ‘No, Tom, I have no wish to hear anything you have to say.’
‘You must let me explain,’ he whined.
‘I think I’ve listened to far too much of what you’ve had to say. You’re sly, vindictive and your callous disregard for anyone else makes me sick. As far as I’m concerned, you deserve all that’s coming to you.’ She ended the call without giving him the chance to reply. Bea went to leave the room, but the phone rang again. She left it for a few seconds, then realising the caller had no intention of giving up, answered. ‘I told you I had nothing to say to you, and I meant it.’
‘Who’s rattled your cage?’ Mel asked, amused.
‘What are you phoning for, you’re on honeymoon.’
‘I know, and Mauritius is gorgeous, isn’t it honey?’ she shouted to Grant.
‘This must be costing a fortune, Mel. Is everything okay?’
‘Better than okay, in fact.’ Bea took a breath to speak, but Mel continued. ‘Shut up and listen, Grant said I can only talk for two minutes because the roaming charges are astronomical. Guess who we bumped into at the airport?’
‘Who?’ Bea asked politely, wishing she’d bought a cordless phone so she could go outside and sunbathe.
‘Leilani.’
‘Leilani?’ Bea stopped dreaming about the sun and paid immediate attention. ‘But I thought Luke said she’d taken a modelling assignment in California. Are you sure it was her?’
‘Of course I’m sure. How many six-foot models do I know?’ she teased. ‘She was furious with Luke.’
‘What did she say?’ Bea asked, intrigued.
‘It turns out she didn’t choose to leave him, whatever he may have told you. She sat him down one day over lunch with the intention of fixing their wedding date and getting all the plans underway.’ She could hear Mel taking a long sip from her drink. ‘That was delicious. I’ll have another daiquiri please, hon.’
‘Go on,’ Bea urged impatiently. ‘What happened?’
‘Apparently Luke told her in no uncertain terms he had no intention of making any commitment to her. Typical bloke.’ Bea could barely breathe. ‘When she argued that everyone assumed they were engaged, he reminded her she’d been drunk and announced it without any encouragement from him. He told her she shouldn’t expect him to marry her simply because she’d tried to back him into a corner by telling everyone he was going to.’
‘Really?’ Bea felt breathless at the unexpected news. ‘What happened next?’
‘Melanie, your two minutes are up,’ Grant shouted in the background.
‘I’m on the bloody phone to my sister. You get me that daiquiri and then I’ll get off the phone.’
Bea couldn’t help feeling sorry for Grant. ‘Poor bloke, you don’t have to be so rude to him.’
‘Shush and listen. What was I saying? Oh yes, well, apparently Luke pointed out that if she were to settle down now, at the peak of her career, she’d be doing herself a disservice. He suggested she return to the States and not waste her talent as a model.’ Mel giggled. ‘Or something like that. I think she exaggerated a bit, but I think he told her to go and get on with her career as a kind way of getting rid of her.’
Bea considered Mel’s words. ‘I can’t believe all this.’
‘Hang on a sec, you haven’t heard the best bit yet,’ Mel whispered sounding even more excited than she had done seconds before. ‘Grant’s on his way back, so I have to hurry. Leilani believed Luke would fight for her. She called his bluff by telling him about this modelling assignment she was offered in America, saying that if he didn’t commit to her then she’d accept it and they’d be finished, for good.’
‘No.’ Bea was impressed with the girl’s gall.
‘Yes.’ Mel laughed. ‘He called her bluff, and told her she should take the assignment. That was the day before my wedding. The morning of the wedding he dropped her off at the airport on his way to the church. We met her when we checked in later that day. Can you believe it?’
Bea was stunned. ‘But I don’t understand,’ she whispered, trying to take all this news into her head. ‘Why would he let me believe she had left him and gone off like that, when really it was him who forced her hand?’
Bea suddenly felt better than she had done in weeks, months even. Leilani had gone and wasn’t coming back – not for the foreseeable future, anyway.
‘Hey, I only told you because I thought you’d be interested. I feel a bit bad for her though,’ Mel admitted. ‘Poor Leilani was devastated.’
Bea was amused at her sister’s change in tone. She took a deep breath to calm down. ‘You’re right, I’m not surprised she was upset.’
Fuelled with this news, Bea ended the call and ran upstairs to find Shani and tell her everything.
‘You’ve got to phone him,’ Shani insisted, holding out a smelly nappy.
Bea grimaced and took it between her forefinger and thumb and placed it into a nappy bag.
‘Don’t be so dramatic, it’s a nappy – it won’t bite.’ She rolled her eyes. ‘Maybe it’s time you let Luke know how you feel?’
Bea wasn’t so sure. ‘I don’t think so. Mel did say he wasn’t ready to commit to Leilani. If I’m going to be with someone, then I want it to last.’ Bea picked up the newly changed baby and cuddled her.
‘But you’re already in love with him,’ Shani added unhelpfully.
‘I’m not going to argue with you about that.’ Bea held the warm baby in her arms and sniffed her fresh baby scent. Even if she couldn’t be with Luke, it would have been comforting to hear from him, especially after everything that had happened the day before. She wondered how his court hearing had gone. ‘I think I’ve probably ruined any chances I had with Luke by not believing him,’ she said miserably. ‘I know he seemed fine in the court building, but I’ve no idea what that verdict was yet.’
‘You mean he could still be guilty and involved with all that laundering business?’
‘I doubt it, but it is a possibility.’ Her instincts told her he wasn’t involved, but they’d also told her Simon was the love of her life and Tom a good friend. What did she know about anything?
Shani carried Poppy downstairs and placed her carefully into her pram. ‘I’m going to take her for a walk to the shops,’ she said, looking happier than Bea had ever seen her. ‘Do you need anything?’
Bea shook her head, unable to speak for a minute as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. ‘No, thanks. Enjoy your walk.’
They couldn’t have been gone more than five minutes when Bea, flicking through the envelopes in her hand, spotted the usual bills and another one that stood out. She dropped the bills onto the Bishop’s seat and tore open the cream envelope. Unfolding the letter inside, Bea read it twice to take in exactly what she’d been sent. ‘No way!’ she screamed, dancing crazily around the empty room. She kissed the letter and punched the air. ‘Thank you, Aunt Annabel.’
‘Shani,’ she shouted up the stairs, before remembering her friend had gone out with Poppy. Bea grabbed the phone and dialled Shani’s mobile number. ‘Shan,’ she said, barely able to contain her excitement, ‘you’ll never guess what’s happened!’
‘Is everything okay?’ Shani asked anxiously.
‘It’s better than okay – I’ve discovered what A Jersey Kiss is. Hurry up with your shopping and come back as soon as you can, I’ve got something to show you.’
28
A NEW LEAF
Bea was so busy skipping around the hallway she didn’t hear Luke knock at the front door. ‘Oh.’ She stopped instantly as he poked his head around the door. Not caring how idiotic she looked she waved him in.
He laughed. ‘You obviously beat Simon then?’
‘Not completely.’ She didn’t care about Simon right now, or the outcome of the court case. ‘Better than that.’
He looked puzzled. ‘You seem very pleased with yourself about something. Hey, I’ve got a surprise for you.’ He held out an envelope, but when she went to take it, he pulled his hand back. ‘I know what the Jersey Kiss is that your aunt left to you.’
