Page 102 of A December to Remember
“I beg to differ,” Betty challenged.
Simone huffed out a breath. “Whether he turns the place into a hotel or a bloody casino doesn’t change the fact that he owns the property and is evicting our sister. I’ve a good mind to go over there myself and give him a rollicking.”
“He owns the leasehold,” Betty replied simply.
“What difference does that make?” Simone’s voice was rising, but Evette motioned at her to be quiet.
“Go on, Betty,” Evette urged.
“Gilbert owns the lease but not the freehold. The freehold is owned by the North estate.”
There was a stunned silence, which felt as though it might stretch on indefinitely. Finally, Star asked, “How do you know this, Betty?”
Betty sniffed and jutted out her chin. “I am a member of the Rowan Thorp chapter of the Women’s Institute, it’s my business to know. And if you North girls hadn’t been so flippin’ secretive about the eviction, I could have stepped in before any of this nonsense.” She cast a reproachful look at Star and Simone, who quelled beneath her gaze. “For heaven’s sake! I’ve known you all since you were babes in arms. Why in god’s name didn’t any of you come to me?”
“Sorry, Betty,” said Star, rubbing the toe of her boot along the flagstone floor.
“Yes, sorry, Betty,” added Simone in a tone so meek that Evette did a double take.
“Well then.” Betty smoothed down her apron. “I’ll call an emergency meeting of the WI and let’s see if we can sort this out. Gilbert and his cronies are still in the pub, you say?” Patrick nodded. “We need to keep them there. You, young man, Duncan. Get yourself over there and tell Troy what’s going on. Tell him it’s imperative that Gilbert doesn’t leave.”
Duncan started to sputter, but Betty’s answering glare brooked no argument.
“I’ll be off myself,” Betty said. “Leave you to sort your sister out. Tell Maggie I need her to meet me outside the pub in two hours. You got that?” She tapped her watch. “Two hours!”
They all nodded, and Betty marched out of the shop and across the street like a woman on a mission.
After a fewmoments of stunned silence, Simone gathered herself.
“Right,” she said, returning her mind to the immediate business. “Okay. We can work with this. So, all we have to do is find Joe, tell him we know what he’s been trying to do for Mags, and get the two of them in a room together to sort this shit out. And as for you, dearest nephew, your mother’s relationship with Joe is none of your beeswax. What’s the time?”
“Eight fifty,” said Star, looking from the clock to the itinerary. “Plenty of time to get everything done for the festival and reunite the star-crossed lovers before the ceremonies begin.”
“Let’s do this!” Simone grinned and held her palm up to Star, who high-fived it.
“Joe’s gone,” said Patrick in a voice so small it was as though he hadn’t wanted to be heard.
“What do you meangone?” asked Evette.
“Troy told me. He left a note and the cash for this month’s rent.”
“Well, where did he go? Did he say anything in the note?” Simone demanded.
Patrick shrugged. “I don’t think so.”
“Have you tried calling him?” asked Star.
“It goes straight to voicemail. He’s either switched his phone off or he’s blocked me.” Patrick gave an awkward grimace.
“I’ll give him a try.” Star pulled up his number and held her phone to her ear. A moment later she shook her head. “Straight to voicemail.”
“Does anyone have any idea where Joe might have gone?” asked Evette. She was answered by shaken heads. “Maybe Maggie might have an idea?”
“Ahem.” Duncan, who had shrugged into his jacket and was almost to the door, stopped in his tracks. “I, um, saw Joe this morning when I was out for my run. He said he was going to France, catching the ferry.”
“France? Why France?” asked Simone.
Star rounded on him. “And you didn’t think to tell me?”
