The Sea Garden Read online

  ‘And now you believe that your mother knew all the time?’ asks Oliver.

  Johnnie gives a little groan. ‘The trouble is,’ he says, ‘when you know something to be the truth, you never imagine anyone else seeing it differently. It never occurred to me that she believed that Al and Juliet were lovers. One thing it explains, though, is why Mother was very ready to accept Mike’s story about the accident. You’d have expected her to rage about Al’s death, to question us all, and blame everyone but Al. But she was very quiet, very guarded. If she believed that Al and Juliet had been having an affair she wouldn’t have wanted to expose him; to force Mike to any kind of admissions that might prove embarrassing. But it never occurred to me that my mother had guessed about the affair until we knew Jess was coming and Mother began to behave so oddly. Even then I didn’t put two and two together. It was Jess who told me that my mother believed that Patrick was Al’s son and that she was his granddaughter. But now my guess is that Mother knew at the time about the affair but she’d assumed that it was Al who was Juliet’s lover, not Fred. She’d never have suspected little Fred of being Juliet’s lover. Al made no secret of his lust for Juliet and it probably irked my mother that Juliet had chosen Mike over Al. She probably saw much more than I ever suspected. So much of it happened here, in the sea garden, that summer. I’m beginning to think that, over the years, she’d built up a little dossier of facts to support her fragile theory that Juliet had had Al’s son. No wonder she was so excited when Jess appeared on the scene. She hoped, at last, that she’d be proved right. It would have been so important to her, you see. She made that little test for Jess with the photograph, hoping that Jess might identify Al through some likeness to her father. Poor Jess, trying to come to terms with her own shock at seeing the photo and trying to protect herself and Fred, quite by accident allowed her to believe it to be true. Mother was so elated that she had an attack and then she died before the real truth could come to light.’

  ‘How extraordinary that Jess should by chance point to Al,’ says Sophie. ‘Good God! What a muddle.’

  ‘Thank heavens she didn’t point to me,’ says Johnnie. ‘Imagine the explaining I’d have had to do!’

  Both Sophie and Oliver begin to laugh at his horrified expression.

  ‘And at least poor Rowena died thinking that Jess was Al’s granddaughter and that his genes were being passed on. That would have meant a great deal to her,’ says Sophie.

  ‘It could have been much worse,’ says Oliver. ‘From what you’ve told me about Rowena, if she’d lived she’d have probably demanded some kind of restitution on Jess’s behalf.’

  ‘You mean that she should be living here instead of me?’ Johnnie nods. ‘Then the truth would have had to come out and poor Mother would have been devastated. It was bad enough for Al to be displaced by Mike – but by little Fred? Oh dear.’

  ‘And Jess is coping with all this?’ Sophie asks. ‘I mean, what a shock for her. She comes down to look for her roots and finds them with a vengeance. Thank goodness Freddy is so pleased. And to think of him going out to America to meet up with Juliet. That’s just so amazing.’

  ‘Freddy never forgave himself for giving up so easily on Pat. As soon as I told him that Jess was coming to visit us he began thinking of a way to persuade Juliet to break her silence. I wonder, now, whether Juliet suspected that Al had said something to Mother and that she might know the truth, or some of it. Anyway, with the three major players no longer with us she clearly believed that she could break the silence and give Jess and Fred the opportunity to get to know each other.’

  They sit in silence, each thinking about this little piece of history; the story that is still unfolding.

  ‘You’ll tell the girls?’ asks Sophie.

  ‘Of course,’ says Johnnie. ‘An expurgated version. They’ll be delighted. They adore old Fred.’

  ‘And Will and Jess are cousins,’ says Sophie contentedly. ‘Several times removed, but cousins. He’ll be ecstatic.’

  ‘Thanks, Johnnie,’ Oliver says, ‘for including me in on this. I feel very honoured to be taken into your confidence.’

  ‘Oh, well.’ Johnnie pushes back his chair and stands up. ‘You’re part of the family now.’ He looks from Oliver to Sophie and back to Oliver. ‘Aren’t you?’

  ‘He’s on probation,’ says Sophie primly.

  ‘Yes, indeed,’ agrees Oliver thoughtfully. ‘It sounds like I might have rather a lot to live up to.’

  ‘Well, let’s have none of that creeping about corridors at night,’ says Johnnie. ‘I can’t stand that sort of thing. Bumping into people when I’m going for a pee. I went through all that when the girls were young. If you’re going to do it, then just get on with it.’

  ‘But not when Will or the children are here,’ says Sophie firmly. ‘Then Oliver stays in his own quarters until we’re sure that…’ She hesitates.

  ‘Until we’re sure that this is not one of those affairs that are based on simple lust,’ Oliver prompts her. ‘What fun it’s going to be, finding out.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear you say so,’ says Johnnie. ‘I like to think of people enjoying themselves like we did. When we were … well, you know…’

  ‘Back in the day?’ suggests Oliver.

  Johnnie beams at him. ‘Back in the day,’ he says.

  TAVISTOCK

  There is another heavier fall of snow. Coloured lights gleam and twinkle in shop windows; the pannier market is thronged with happy shoppers; in the Bedford the fire is alight in the bar, and the Christmas tree is decorated.

  Kate sits at the corner table with Flossie at her feet. Gemma comes back from the bar, where she’s been ordering coffee.

  ‘So,’ says Kate. ‘This all sounds amazing. Guy coming home for Christmas, Johnnie all set to help you make things go.’

  Gemma sits down, takes a deep breath. ‘I’m not sure I can take it all in. Everything’s happened so quickly. To begin with, like I said, Mark went ballistic and then told Guy he didn’t want him around. Guy says that secretly Mark’s pleased to get out of the whole thing. He just wants to sell the business and settle down with the new wife. Apparently, she has great plans to go travelling. Guy feels guilty, of course, but there’ve been a few more rows so I think he’ll just be glad to finish the packing and get the next flight out. Luckily, because the place was furnished, there’s not much packing to be done.’

  ‘But how will you live?’

  Gemma makes a face. ‘With great difficulty. Oliver is going to get the business set up, Guy’s found a secondhand boat and we start advertising sailing holidays and training weekends to begin in the spring. Guy’s got to go on a few courses but that’s not a problem.’

  ‘Thank God for Oliver.’

  ‘I know. I have to say without his support I wouldn’t be feeling quite so gung-ho about it all.’

  ‘And Guy has accepted that Oliver is going to be a shareholder or whatever you call it?’

  The coffee arrives and Gemma sits back while the tray is put on the table. Kate begins to sort out cups and saucers.

  ‘It’s been slightly tricky,’ admits Gemma, accepting her coffee. ‘In a way it’s lucky that it’s had to be done by telephone and emails. Guy has simply had to come to terms with it quickly instead of doing that arguing and walking out and coming back thing that can waste so much time. But it’s Johnnie who’s really swung it. He’s just carried on by assuming that Guy would be only too pleased that his brother-in-law is so excited by the scheme and wants in.’

  ‘Poor Guy,’ says Kate. ‘You mean he knows he’s being set up but because it’s to his advantage there’s nothing he can do about it.’

  Gemma glances at her anxiously. ‘I know. It’s tricky, and I really don’t want Guy to feel that Oliver’s patronizing him but I don’t see how else we can get it going, do you?’

  ‘Of course not. This is Guy’s dream and if Oliver can help him realize it then he’s simply going to have to swallow his pride.’

  �
��After all,’ says Gemma quickly, ‘it’ll make money. Everyone is sure of that, including Oliver.’

  ‘Oh, I believe you. Oliver is very canny when it comes to money. It’s given me huge confidence to know that he’s investing in it.’

  ‘He says that he’s been looking for an investment, and this is a really good business idea, but he wants to have some control over Guy in case he gets too carried away. You won’t tell Guy that, will you? Anyway, we’re investing a hundred and fifty thousand from the sale of the cottage in Brent and Ollie is matching that. He’s asked Johnnie to buy a few thousand shares so that he holds the balance of power if ever there’s a stand-off between Guy and Oliver. Ollie says that it would be wrong for him to be the majority shareholder so he’s putting in the rest as a loan. Guy would rather borrow it from the bank but I’m glad it’s coming from Ollie. Less to worry about.’

  ‘I quite agree,’ says Kate fervently. ‘I can’t see Ollie foreclosing on you or forcing you into bankruptcy, or whatever, if it went wrong.’

  ‘Well, that’s it. I know Johnnie feels that way, too. It’s going to be very hard work and huge fun.’

  She speaks with great determination and Kate looks at her affectionately. She can imagine that Gemma knows just how difficult the months ahead will be. This dream of Guy’s will come with a price tag that includes a great deal of stress and anxiety. Suddenly she is very pleased to know that Gemma will be working with him, encouraging him, sharing her strength and optimism with him. Guy will need all these things before the dream can become a reality.

  ‘I can’t tell you how pleased I am to hear you say that,’ Kate says warmly. ‘And it’s wonderful to think that you’ll all be here, back home again.’

  ‘It is wonderful.’ Gemma drinks some coffee. ‘The twins are off their heads with joy. The only thing I’m afraid of now is that the weather prevents Guy from coming home. Flights are being delayed and goodness knows what. Well, that and finding somewhere to live. I can’t expect Guy to settle down happily at the Rectory for very long. He wants something in Bere Alston, if we can get it, but there’s nothing going for rent at the moment. Johnnie says we can go down there until we find something, and there’s some sense in that while we get the business set up, I suppose, but it’s a bit awkward, living with other people, whether they’re family or friends. Anyway, he’s coming up for lunch at the Rectory tomorrow, bringing Oliver and Jess in that four-track of his. Oliver says he can’t get his car up the lane but he doesn’t sound too upset about it.’

  ‘Johnnie’s dropping Jess off with me,’ says Kate. ‘She wants to do some Christmas shopping and then he’s picking her up after tea.’

  ‘And talking about Christmas,’ says Gemma, ‘you’ll be coming to the Rectory, won’t you? Ma said to be absolutely sure to nail you. It’ll be great with Guy home, and the twins. You must be really glad now that you bought the cottage in Chapel Street. After three years of hardly seeing you and the APs we’ll all be settled around Tavistock. Gosh, it’s going to be good.’

  Kate finishes her coffee and pours another one. ‘Yes,’ she says, ‘I’m sure it will be.’

  ‘Oh, and when I told him I was meeting you, Oliver said to remind you that home is where the heart is. Does that mean anything to you?’

  Before she can answer, Tom appears. He looks around for them, then comes over and bends to kiss Kate.

  ‘I don’t want to break up the party but we ought to get back, Gemma. It’s started to snow again. Will you be OK, Kate?’

  Kate looks at Tom’s face, at the network of lines and his grey hair, remembering Cass saying, ‘I never thought he’d turn out to be such a grumpy old man.’

  ‘Of course I will,’ she answers. ‘It’s only a few steps away. It must have been a bit scary coming round by the ford.’

  Tom grimaces. ‘Thank God for four-wheel drive. Wouldn’t have risked it otherwise. Cass says you’re welcome any time, Kate. She doesn’t want you stuck in Tavistock unable to get to us for Christmas.’

  ‘That’s sweet of her. Bit early, though, isn’t it? Nearly two weeks to go yet.’

  ‘The twins break up on Thursday,’ Gemma says. ‘You’ll come to the end-of-term service, Kate?’

  ‘Yes, please,’ says Kate. ‘I wouldn’t want to miss that.’

  She remembers those end-of-term services at St Eustachius’, whose grey tower she can see between the bare branches of the trees across the road. Parents meeting up with their children in the porch; the matrons, Gert and Foggy, with Mr Wortham. Giles and Guy in their cord shorts and high-neck jerseys, bobbing excitedly in the pew beside her; sweet singing in the choir.

  ‘We’ll take a rain check then,’ Tom is saying. ‘Or a snow check.’ He laughs at his little joke. ‘If you want to come back with us after the service, Kate, just say the word.’

  She smiles at him gratefully. ‘Thanks, Tom,’ she says. ‘But don’t you think it’d be a bit of a crush: the boys and Flossie; two school trunks; you, me, Cass and Gemma?’

  ‘Oh, we’ll manage,’ he says. ‘Come on, Gemma. Got everything?’

  ‘Thanks for the coffee,’ Kate says. ‘Let me know when Guy’s due home, assuming he’s going to tell anyone this time.’

  She sits for a moment when they’ve gone, thinking about Bruno and wondering what he is doing: working in his study, in the kitchen preparing something for his lunch, walking with Nellie on the cliffs. The bar is beginning to fill up. A tall, elegant woman comes in with a little white dog, which she settles on a towel on one of the chairs before she goes to order coffee. An elderly couple exclaim with pleasure at the sight of the fire and settle themselves at the table beside it. Kate thinks about Tom and Cass, wondering if he will ever persuade Cass to leave the Rectory, and how the return of Gemma and the twins will affect them. She’s seen in Tom’s face the ravages of grief and remorse, and she thinks about Charlotte, always gentle with the smaller children, such a loving little girl.

  Outside the window the snow whirls and dances. Kate finishes her coffee. She gets up, puts on her coat, and she and Flossie go out into the snow.

  * * *

  That evening she telephones Bruno.

  ‘So how is it?’ he asks. ‘We’re practically cut off. Rafe’s managing to drive up the lane to the main road with the old Land Rover so he’s getting supplies in. It’s just so unheard of down here by the sea. Thank goodness we have an unending supply of logs. Are you appreciating the virtues of living in the town?’

  She listens to his voice, missing him, thinking of the magical valley filled with snow.

  ‘I’m not sure,’ she says. ‘It must be very beautiful down there at St Meriadoc.’

  He is silent and she knows he is wondering what he should say to her: trying to second-guess her needs and motives. They have been so careful to give each other space, to make no demands.

  ‘Have you decided,’ he asks now, ‘what you’ll do for Christmas? You’re definitely not going to Giles and Tessa?’

  ‘No,’ she says. ‘After all, I’ve been to them for the last two years, and I think they might like a little break. They all came over last week and we exchanged presents and they’ve asked me for the New Year. I was hoping to do a pre-Christmas-run quickie but I’m not sure I’ll get down to their cove now if it goes on like this.’

  ‘And Cass? She’s invited you. And Guy will be home, and the twins.’

  ‘I know,’ she says. ‘What about you?’

  ‘Well, I shall be here,’ he says cheerfully. ‘Stuck on my rock, as usual. And it would be very good to have you here with me but I know how you feel about your family. How’s Flossie?’

  Kate knows that he’s trying not to influence her; that he will never come between her and her sons and their families.

  ‘Flossie is fine,’ she says. ‘She doesn’t like the snow much. How about Nellie?’

  She imagines the scene: Bruno on the sofa by the fire, legs stretched out, ankles crossed. Nellie will be curled up beside him, nose on tail.


  ‘Nellie is loving it,’ he says. ‘We went up on the cliff earlier and she positively pranced along. She puts her nose down in the snow and then throws her head up and tosses it about rather like a water buffalo in a river. She’s never seen snow before.’

  Kate laughs. ‘I’d like to see that,’ she says.

  ‘Well,’ he says, ‘there’s no reason why you shouldn’t. The main roads are still open and Rafe’s got the Land Rover. You only have to say the word.’

  ‘I know,’ she says. ‘I just wish I knew what the word is, Bruno.’

  ‘The word is “love”,’ he says lightly. ‘I shall be here, Kate. Just don’t be anxious or feel guilty. Let me know what you’re going to do. But the weather isn’t going to get better, by the sounds of it. I hope Guy manages to get back in time.’

  ‘Yes,’ she says. ‘So do I. Jess is coming tomorrow. Then I shall know a bit more.’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘About whether I continue to live here, or rent it out. She might help my decision-making process. After all, I did offer her the cottage as a bolt hole for a while, though she seems to have settled in very happily down on the Tamar. And yet I had such a strong instinct that the cottage was important. Everyone is assuming I shall stay here, of course, now that Guy’s coming home and they’ll be somewhere close at hand. Anyway, we’ll see.’

  ‘It’s easier if other people make your decisions for you,’ he says, ‘but not so life-affirming as making them for yourself.’

  * * *

  As soon as she sees Jess Kate knows that something extraordinary has happened. She can barely get through the door before she starts into her story. As the names tumble out – Juliet and Mike, Al and Freddy – Kate grows more and more bewildered.

  ‘Hang on,’ she says. ‘Remember it was a long time ago, those parties in the sea garden. You don’t mean Freddy Grenvile?’

  ‘He’s my grandfather,’ says Jess, halfway between tears and laughter. ‘My grandfather, Kate. Can you believe it?’

  And she explains it all over again, more carefully, and Kate is struck by the strange story; how it began, how it has been played out, and how it is being moved on now by Jess.