concern for you is based purely on my professional opinion.’
‘You’re a good nurse but a hopeless liar,’ he brusquely interrupted her. ‘Have your feelings for Victor blinded you to the fact that you and I signed a contract in good faith?’
‘Victor hasn’t blinded me. That’s a ridiculous comment to make.’ Her voice rose defensively. ‘His offer makes perfect sense. Why are you always so rude to him? He’s your only nephew, your own flesh and blood—’
‘Flesh and blood, indeed.’ He had pushed up the sleeve of his pyjamas and held his withered arm towards her. ‘Look at me. Not much flesh there, wouldn’t you agree? As for blood, have you any idea how many transfusions I’ve had? I’m only alive because I carry the blood of strangers in my veins. The only way I’ll move out of my home is in a box. I won’t keep you in Hyland Hall against your will. If you decide to leave, I’ll pay you the full terms we agreed on for the duration of your stay.’
‘Are you firing me?’
‘That’s not my intention. I’ve come to rely on you but I need to know I can trust you.’
‘Have I given you reason to doubt me?’
‘That depends. How do I know you’re not plotting with him against me?’
‘There’s no plotting going on.’ She was alarmed at how agitated he had become. ‘I’d never have suggested the move if I’d known how strongly you feel about Hyland Hall.’
‘How strongly did you feel about losing your home?’
‘I’d no choice but to sell it.’
‘Thanks to your husband.’
‘I’d rather not discuss my marriage if you don’t mind.’
‘I’m aware that you’re hurt and angry with him. It makes you vulnerable—’
‘Don’t patronise me, Jack.’
‘Was it a good marriage before his gambling took over?’
Had he any awareness of personal boundaries, she wondered? Did he appreciate the recurring tension that shivered through her whenever she thought about Luke? She was relieved when a nurse entered the ward to check his temperature. Taking this as her cue, Sophy had left before he could continue their conversation.
Later that night, Victor had accepted his uncle’s decision with a resigned shrug. Isobel had protested loudly about having to move back to Hyland Hall and Julie had hidden her own feelings behind Cordelia’s whiny complaints. It would be difficult to settle them back into the old house after their week of luxury but the sooner life settled back to normal, the better.
She had arrived to the hospital at the agreed time for Jack’s discharge yet his impatience as he rose unsteadily to his feet seemed to suggest she had kept him waiting.
‘It’s a long walk to the elevator,’ she said. ‘I’ll organise a wheelchair for you.’
‘I’ll manage.’ He leant heavily on his stick as they made their way from the ward. He was silent on the journey home. She tuned the car radio to Southern Stream. As usual, Gavin Darcy was presenting Afternoon Stream with a mix of music and local information. Jack had an internet radio but the local radio station was the only one he ever wanted to hear.
Charlie was waiting at Hyland Hall with Caesar to greet him. Shortly afterwards, she collected the girls from Mount Eagle. Only Cordelia was smiling as they entered the old house and slouched into the den. As Isobel said loudly enough for Sophy to hear, ‘We journeyed to heaven but have returned to live in hell.’
The memory of Mount Eagle and its comforts faded quickly as they resumed their normal routine. School would begin in another week. Sophy collected Isobel’s uniforms from Doretha’s Drapery on Lower Main Street and hung it beside Julie’s in the wardrobe.
Jack’s latest brush with death appeared to have galvanised him into action. A team of workers came to Hyland Hall to insulate the house and repair the long-neglected central heating system. A new manager had been hired to look after the estate and would move into the gate lodge as soon as it was habitable. Benedict Hancock, Jack’s solicitor, arrived one afternoon by appointment. She led him upstairs and into the living room.
Later, when she rapped on the door, the solicitor’s voice reached her. ‘It’s a simple will yet watertight,’ he said. ‘There can be no arguments over your next of kin’s inheritance and if—’ He stopped when Jack called out to Sophy to enter.
They had been discussing Jack’s last will and testament. His inflexible countenance gave nothing away yet she sensed that he was disconcerted by her appearance. He nodded at her to