Page 25 of The House of Hopes and Dreams
‘Yeah, that would be why my name is stencilled in big letters on the lid,’ I said sarcastically, and went over and closed the box with a snap.
She recoiled slightly, the wheels of the chair squeaking. ‘I’ve got my own things anyway – why would I need yours?’
‘Ah, yes, I’ve heard you’re going to try your hand at stained-glass design.’
‘Willow’s going to be our new designer,’ Nat said from behind me.
When I turned he was standing by the corkboard on which was still pinned Julian’s initial design for the rose window.
‘Once I’ve shown her how to do a cartoon and cutline, she’ll soon get the idea of what works and what doesn’t. I can handle the more traditional commissions myself.’
‘Well, no problem then,’ I said brightly. ‘She’ll pick it up in no time and you won’t need me then, will you?’
‘I don’t need you now,’ Nat said bluntly. ‘The place is overstaffed and I’ve already told Ivan I don’t want him hanging around after today, let alone that grandson of his. Grant and I can do everything between us.’
‘So, you’re giving me my notice?’
‘Making you redundant, shall we say? We don’t want any tribunalsfor unfair dismissal, do we? But we won’t expect you to work a month’s notice.’
I shrugged. ‘I was going to tell you today that I was handing in my notice anyway, though for Julian’s sake I wouldn’t have left you in the lurch before you’d found someone to replace me.’
‘And I already have – Willow,’ he said triumphantly, obviously not realizing that if he hadn’t been so quick to fire me, he’d have saved himself a whole lot of redundancy pay.
‘As soon as we’ve sold our flat, we’re going to build a big extension on the cottage, including a studio space for me, so I can carry on with my other graphic work, as well,’ Willow said.
‘So, there it is, and I’d be glad if you removed yourself from the workshop as soon as possible –withouttaking any more of my property.’
‘You know very well that I wouldn’t take anything from here or the cottage that didn’t belong to me.’
‘I think that’s debatable,’ Nat said unpleasantly. ‘Anyway, we’re off to the cottage for our lunch now and you can clear off before we get back.’
They went out, slamming the door behind them, and though I was vaguely conscious of voices in the workshop, I was struggling to get control of myself. I thought of all the hard work Julian and I had put into the business, the happy years of working as a team … the difficult eighteen months I’d spent trying to nurse him back to health while keeping the business running, always hoping that he’d get better and life would resume its happy pattern once again …
The door must have reopened without my hearing it, for behind me a voice like dark heather honey trickling over gravel suddenly said, ‘Hello, Shrimp!’
I turned quickly, thinking I must have conjured up Carey’s voice, just as I had Julian’s, but no, there he stood, tall, pale and gaunt, but more or less upright, propped up by the doorframe on one side and a black walking stick studded with shiny silver skulls on the other: the witchdoctor will see you now.
I told Lily all about it at the first opportunity and she teased me, saying that the handsome Mr Revell must have been motivated by a romantic interest in me. But I told her roundly that it was no such thing, for apart from my lack of inches, figure and beauty, he is very much the gentleman, while I am a tradesman’s daughter – and working in the business.
He had been very friendly, it was true, and talked with great enthusiasm about his new house, having been involved in every aspect of the design, both inside and out. Everything, from the fittings, furniture and soft furnishings, right down to the smallest details such as door handles, must be unique and fit in to the Grand Plan. He had a true understanding of the workmanship that went into the various crafts involved.
A day or two later, as I was coming away from one of my art classes, I was surprised to see Mr Revell passing by, and as soon as he saw me he stopped and raised his hat. Lily and one of her numerous younger brothers had called by to walk home with me, but Mr Revell, after some conversation, somehow became one of the party.
When the same thing happened again a few days later I knew it could not be coincidence, but that he had sought me out for some reason. I invited him into the house that time to meet my aunt Barbara, which threw her quite into a flutter.
Unfortunately it also seemed to have awoken the most uncalled-for romantic ideas in her head, just as it had in Lily’s, though if they couldonly overhear my conversation with Mr Revell when we are alone, they would soon change their minds. It is entirely concerned with architecture, art and especially glass, with nothing lover-like at all about it! In fact, I think he forgets that I am female during these lively discussions, much as Father and my cousin Michael often do, which is very refreshing.
11
Cursed Windows
‘Carey?’ I gasped, before doing something totally out of character: I threw myself on to his broad chest and burst into a Niagara of tears.
Even under the onslaught of my slight weight he staggered slightly, before gathering me in against his hand-knitted cream Aran jumper and patting my back with one large hand, in a reassuring kind of way.
‘Angel – Grant’s just told me about Julian and I’m so sorry! It was quite a shock because I thought he was getting better.’
‘Yes, we all did … or that he was stable, at least,’ I said, my sobs having quickly subsided to the odd hiccup and snivel.
