Barbara Taylor Bradford - Just Rewards

‘It gave me Adele.’

‘Yes, of course, and I know you love her, I know what she means to you. But you’re a young woman, you should have happiness with a man, a fulfilled life. And how often do we find the right person? The one for us? I haven’t yet. But you have. Jean-Claude is the perfect man for you, and you’re going to be very busy being his wife and bringing up Adele. And what if you have a child, or indeed children, by him?’

‘You’re right, Lorne,’ she replied very quietly, looking into the distance.

‘I know you, Tessa, and you’re thinking about Linnet. About Linnet being the head of Harte’s, and that kills you, doesn’t it?’

Tessa stared at him. She said nothing, biting her lip.

There was silence.

Neither of them spoke for a while.

It was Lorne who finally said, ‘You’ve just got to get over this jealousy of yours. You’ve been rivals for years and it just makes for bad blood between you. And upsets us all.’

‘I know … but she wants the top job desperately.’

‘And she’ll probably get it. Face that now. You’ll be living in Paris with your new husband. She’ll be here, right on the spot. Of course Mummy’s going to give it to her.’

‘I wish I could commute.’

‘Don’t be so ridiculous! That wouldn’t work. You’d better make up your mind to forget having the power at the stores, and think of your marriage. I don’t believe you can have both. And to my way of thinking, you’ll be happier being Madame Jean-Claude Deléon than the new Emma Harte. That role’s for Linnet. Accept it.’

Tessa stared at him. She did not reply.

‘I would like to speak to the Countess of Dunvale, please, Paddy. This is Linnet O’Neill.’

‘Oh hello, Miss O’Neill,’ Paddy Whitaker said pleasantly. ‘I’ll put you through to the dining room.’

‘Oh, I don’t want to disturb their lunch!’

‘No, no, it’s all right, they’ve finished. Just a moment please, Miss O’Neill.’

It was India who picked up the phone in the dining room, and said, ‘Hello, Linnet, I hear you want to speak to Grandma.’

‘For a minute or two, India. I hope I’m not phoning at an inopportune time.’

‘No, no, it’s fine. We’ve finished lunch, just waiting to have coffee. Let me get Grandma.’

Linnet waited several minutes before she heard that famous sonorous voice. ‘Here I am, Linnet. To what do I owe this honour? An unexpected phone call from you is a rarity.’

‘Oh gosh, Great-Aunt Edwina, don’t say that. You make me feel guilty.’

‘Don’t be daft, and guilt’s a terrible waste of time.’

‘Yes, Great-Aunt Edwina,’ Linnet responded and went on quickly, ‘I need to talk to you about Uncle Robin and Evan’s family, and it’s urgent.’

‘Why? Is there something wrong?’

‘No. But there could be. Is it at all possible for me to see you tomorrow? I could drive over.’

‘Today would be better, my dear. And if it’s urgent, isn’t it better we meet today? Or can you tell me about this problem on the phone?’

‘I’d prefer to talk it out with you in person. I have an idea. Why don’t you come to supper tonight? Tessa’s cooking, she’s making her famous lamb stew.’

‘It sounds delicious, but I’m not sure I could eat another big meal,’ Edwina protested, although she was now riddled with curiosity.

‘You don’t have to eat anything much, you know. You can pick, like the model girls do.’

Edwina laughed. ‘Well, I am free this evening, and—’

‘I could invite Robin, Great-Aunt, and we could kill two birds with one stone,’ Linnet cut in swiftly. ‘Please say you’ll come. It’s very important.’

‘What actually is it about?’

‘It’s too complicated to explain on the phone, but let’s just say this … I need you to talk some sense into him. About having the Hughes family stay with him. They can’t.’

‘Why not?’

‘Because Jonathan Ainsley’s unexpectedly in Yorkshire, and he might cause trouble for everyone. And especially Owen Hughes.’

‘Ah yes, of course, Linnet, you are absolutely right.’ There was a little pause. Edwina took a deep breath and announced in her familiar, commanding voice, ‘I shall come tonight. And you must make sure Robin is there as well. You are correct, as usual. As your great-grandmother always was. Only I can talk some sense into my brother.’

‘Thanks for agreeing,’ Linnet exclaimed, her voice suddenly cheerful and breezy. ‘Shall I send somebody over to fetch you?’

‘No, no, that’s not necessary. I have my driver. Just tell me what time I should arrive, and I shall be there promptly.’

‘You’d better come before drinks. About six-thirty, if that’s all right with you? Then we can have a chat before Uncle Robin arrives. Just the two of us. Oh, and it’s a casual evening, Great-Aunt Edwina.’

‘I am never casual , my dear. I shall dress for dinner as usual.’

‘Could I have a word with you in private, Gladys?’ Dusty said, walking across the kitchen to the small eating area where Gladys was finishing lunch with Atlanta.

‘Of course you can, Mr Rhodes,’ Gladys Roebotham responded, standing up, moving away from the small table. ‘I’ll be back in three shakes of a lamb’s tail,’ she said to the child, who laughed and clapped her hands with glee on hearing these words.

Dusty smiled lovingly at his daughter, and then turning to Gladys he said, ‘I haven’t heard that expression in donkey’s years. My mother used to say that.’ As he finished he laughed when he saw Atlanta’s face. It was a picture.

Gladys laughed with him and said, ‘It’s funny the way these old-fashioned sayings always have a reference to animals in them. They certainly amuse Atlanta, she loves hearing them.’

‘Indeed she does.’ He guided the young woman across the kitchen and into a small hallway that led out to the back garden.

Gladys said, ‘What did you want to speak to me about, Mr Rhodes?’ She sounded curious.

‘I was wondering if you would be able to do a bit of baby-sitting for me, Gladys? You know, come over and look after Atlanta, if it’s at all necessary? She seems very attached to you, and you’re so good with her.’

Immediately, a troubled look settled on Gladys’s face and she said slowly, worriedly, ‘I’d love to do that, I really would, but it’s a bit of a problem right now. I have a relative staying with me, who’s not been well, and I can’t be away for too long during the day. I’m ever so sorry, Mr Rhodes, I am that.’

‘I am too,’ Dusty responded, forcing a smile, filled with sudden disappointment. Over lunch he had convinced himself that Gladys would be available and that she would solve a lot of problems for him.

Observing him carefully, Gladys saw the crushed look slide onto his face, and swiftly she said, ‘But perhaps I’ll be able to do something to help later on. I mean, if Molly’s still in the hospital and Atlanta’s out here with you.’

‘I’d appreciate it, if that becomes the case, Gladys, I would indeed. I want to thank you again for looking after Atlanta, for being so responsible. Now let me take you back to the kitchen to finish lunch. And whenever you’re ready, Paddy will call for the car to come. It only takes the driver five minutes to get here and he’ll take you anywhere you want to go.’

‘Thanks ever so much, Mr Rhodes, you’ve been ever so nice. Any message for Mrs Caldwell if I do get to visit her for a while?’

‘Yes, of course. Tell her I’m wishing her better very quickly, and that she should have the hospital call if she needs anything. You can also tell her I’ll be in to see her on Monday.’