become public knowledge, that it would hurt Alison and Nick, both growing up and old enough to understand, that the charities she served would consider her a liability rather than an asset, but most of all, that George’s sleazy business deals would all come out in the open. How could he take such risks?
She suddenly realised that Isobel was still standing uncertainly in the hall. She smiled at her. ‘Shall we go into the drawing room? I’ll ask Kate to make us some coffee.’
‘Is that where you were working?’ She noticed the heavy eyes, the puffy cheeks and the liquidity in the voice, but decided not to comment.
‘No. I’ve got a studio where I can make as much mess as I like.’
‘Then why not go there? I’d like to see it.’
Barbara went to the kitchen to speak to Kate, then led the way upstairs. ‘You’ll have to excuse the mess.’
Isobel stood looking round the studio in delighted surprise. Messy it might be but it was a kind of organised mess, and there were paintings everywhere, on the walls, stacked against them, piled on a table. ‘May I look at the pictures?’
‘Of course.’
She wandered slowly round the room, picking one or two up to examine them more closely, turning her head sideways to look at those left on their sides against the wall. ‘They’re very good. I’ve seen the one of Melsham in your dining room, and the one of Alison, so I ought not to be surprised, but you really are very talented.’
‘It was what I was hoping to do after I left college. It fell by the wayside when I married George and we started a family.’ She laughed suddenly. ‘And please don’t say, what a waste. I’d never have made a proper living at it and I certainly don’t regret my children.’
Kate brought in the tray and put it on a table already cluttered with pots and tubes of paint, pencils and tubs of brushes, and left them.
‘Now, what can I do for you?’ Barbara asked. ‘I’m always pleased to see you, but you didn’t come to look at my paintings, did you?’
Isobel smiled. ‘You remember when the film people came and we started talking about a hydro?’
‘Yes.’ It wasn’t the only thing she remembered about that day, but it was something she had pushed to the back of her mind. Seeing Simon and then Jay-Jay inviting him to view the painting of Melsham marketplace had so nearly been disastrous. If Simon had taken him up on that… She stopped her errant thoughts to pay attention. ‘Pie in the sky, you called it.’
‘So I did, but you made me think. And when James had a slight stroke…’
‘Oh, I’m sorry, I didn’t know. When did it happen?’
‘A couple of weeks ago. He isn’t badly incapacitated, but he’s more doddery than ever. I suggested he should find himself a nice residential home where he can be looked after, but he won’t go while he thinks I need him.’ She smiled. ‘I can’t put off a decision any longer. I spoke to Miss Barcliffe, as you suggested. I suppose I should call her Mrs Erikson.’
Barbara smiled. ‘I can’t get used to the idea she’s married either, but I’m sure she’d rather you called her Penny. What did she say?’
‘She said she would put the word around her contacts, see who might be interested. And she has a friend who’s been working for a large international company and would welcome the chance to manage a small privately run concern. She has all the right qualifications.’
‘Sounds good.’ She paused. ‘I know it’s none of my business, but I thought finance was a stumbling block.’
‘There’s someone who’s interested in backing the scheme.’
‘Not George?’ she asked in alarm.
‘No, definitely not Mr Kennett.’ She spoke firmly. ‘Mr Barcliffe.’
‘Penny’s father?’
‘No, her brother. So, what do you think?’
Simon. He had not married again. According to Penny, he had said he was waiting for that special woman, the one and only, to put in an appearance and until she did he would stay the carefree divorcee. She made an effort to still her wayward heart and speak levelly. ‘Isobel, it isn’t what I think that matters. If you like the idea and think it will work, then go ahead.’
‘I want you to be part of it.’
‘But I haven’t got anything to offer,’ Barbara said, taken by surprise. ‘No experience, no money…’
‘With Mr Barcliffe providing the finance, lack of money doesn’t matter. You’re a great organiser, Barbara, and you get