That Would Be a Fairy Tale - By Amanda Grange Page 0,74

but old junk?

As she thought about her father’s collection, her footsteps unconsciously took her towards the barn. She could not resist one last look. She opened the door, suppressing all thoughts of what had happened there only a few short weeks before, and ran her eyes lovingly over the velocipedes. Her father had given most of his life to the collection, and it was dreadful to think of it being disposed of. But if it must be, it must be. Reconciling herself to the fact she closed the barn door and turned . . . to almost bump into Alex.

‘Alex!’ she exclaimed.

‘Cicely!’ he said, equally surprised.

‘I thought you were in the village,’ she said.

‘I have just returned,’ he said.

‘Alex -’

‘Cicely -’

They both spoke together. He recovered first.

‘I am glad I have seen you. I will be going to London this afternoon and I will not be returning.’

He held out his hand, palm up, and she saw that something was lying there. And then she realized what it was. ‘The keys?’ She looked at him in perplexity, trying to read the answer to the puzzle in his face.

‘Yes. The keys. I want you to have the Manor.’

‘But why?’ she asked, her voice trembling with anticipation and hope.

She wanted him to say, Because I love you. Because you are important. Because you matter to me. Instead he said, ‘Because you helped me capture Martin Goss. I couldn’t have done it without you. I will always be grateful to you.’

Grateful? What use was gratitude?

He was so close she could smell his cologne. He had shaved recently, but already there was a hint of stubble on his chin. She wanted to touch it, feel it, run her hands over it. But it was impossible. Unless, was there still time . . .?

‘Alex —’ she began again.

He put a finger to her lips.

‘No protest,’ he said. ‘I don’t want a stranger living here. The Manor is yours.’

‘Alex, there is something I must tell you -’

At that moment, Roddy appeared from the direction of the house.

‘I thought I heard voices,’ said Roddy. ‘I’m glad you’re back. I need a lift over to Oakleigh.’

Alex said, ‘Very well.’

Cicely said to Alex, ‘You won’t leave without saying goodbye?’

‘No,’ he said. ‘I will call in at the Lodge this afternoon when I pass.’

And with that she had to be content.

I hope he comes soon, thought Cicely that afternoon as she paced the sitting room back at the Lodge. She had already almost worn a hole in the carpet. She was just about to go and cut some flowers when Chuff Chuff walked in unannounced.

‘What ho, Cicely!’ he said.

Cicely felt a mixture of feelings on seeing him. Although at any other time she would have been pleased to welcome him, now was not the best of times. Indeed, it was possibly the worst, and she wished he had not called. This made her feel guilty and that made her feel worse still.

Nevertheless, she offered him some tea.

‘Not for me, no, Cicely old thing,’ he said. ‘I just popped in to set a date.’

She really was not in the mood for another proposal and said, ‘Chuff Chuff, you know I can never marry you.’

‘It’s no good, you living on your own,’ said Chuff Chuff. ‘Not even now Evington’s given you the Manor.’

‘How did you know about that?’ asked Cicely in surprise.

‘Cyril, the gardener. Saw him giving you the keys.’

Cicely gave a wry smile. In that case, the news would be all round Little Oakleigh by now.

‘You still can’t live there, Cicely old thing. You haven’t got the money to do it. You shouldn’t have to be living hand to mouth. Come to Parmiston. Or if you want to live at Oakleigh Manor we’ll move in there. The Mater told me to tell you that. Told me to tell you we’ll use the Chuffington fortune. Do the place up a bit. Houseful of servants. Dinner parties. House parties. That kind of thing. House in London. Theatres. Plays. Whatever you like.’

‘No.’ Cicely’s voice was firm. ‘I can never marry you, Chuff Chuff, for the simple reason that I don’t love you. I know your mother told you to ask me three times, and you’ve done it, but I won’t change my mind. You’re a dear, sweet man and I love you as though you were my brother, but I can never marry you. I do beg you to believe me, for I don’t want to have this conversation again.’

Chuff Chuff’s face fell.

Cicely put a