Page 13 of Mistletoe and Mystery

‘No. The Paradise Cookery School is safe. Claudia and Tim will probably relocate there.’

‘So, what will happen to Stonelea Manor?’

Ah, there it was, thought Millie, she had hit the jackpot with that question.

‘It’ll probably be sold.’

‘Sold! Are you serious? The estate has been in Claudia’s family for three generations.’

‘True.’

Zach took another sip of his coffee, then ran his fingers through his hair causing it stand up in those attractive tufts Millie thought were so cute. However, the serious expression on his face upset her tremendously as she put two-and-two together after her conversation with Blake and realised what the sale of the manor to a new owner would mean for Zach’s future livelihood.

‘I can’t believe Claudia and Tim want to sell.’

‘They don’t.’

‘Then why?’

‘It’s complicated.’

‘I’m listening.’

Now that she had Zach sitting in front of her, she wasn’t going to be fobbed off until she had heard the full story, no matter how long it took or how hard her exhaustion pulled at her bones. She comforted herself with the contention that it wasn’t as though she was sticking her nose into Claudia and Tim’s private business because Blake knew what was going on, and so it seemed did most of the residents of Berryford after the way they had made such a fuss over them that evening – they were leaving the village!

She could feel the pessimistic vibes emanating from Zach which shocked her to the core. From the moment she’d met him, he had never been anything other than upbeat and positive, continually cheering her on from the side-lines as she emerged from her self-imposed sojourn of gloom after the debacle with Luke. Now the tables had been turned and it was her turn to come tohisrescue, but she had no idea how – she didn’t own a country estate that required his unique services. However, she was beginning to understand why the last text message she’d received in London had changed tone.

‘Zach?’ she pressed.

‘Okay, okay. I think Claudia has already told you that Stonelea Manor was purchased by her grandfather who preferred to live the life of a country gentleman rather than a City wheeler-and-dealer on the stock market where he made his money. When he died, he left the house to his two sons, Claudia’s father, Charles, and her uncle, David. David wasn’t interested in the estate and when his son Rupert was twelve, they emigrated to Australia.

‘When Charles passed away, Claudia inherited his half share of the Stonelea estate, and similarly when her uncle David died, his share passed to Rupert, so they ended up owning the Manor equally. Like his father, Rupert had no interest in a crumbling old building on the other side of the world, so when Claudia decided to set up her cookery school ten years ago, he raised no objections, and was content to be a silent partner in return for a proportion of the profits as rent.’

Millie remembered Claudia talking about her cousin, reminiscing about their escapades in the grounds and the incident when he had carelessly raced down the banister and broken his wrists. She suspected there was more than just bones that Rupert had broken recently.

‘In July, Rupert contacted Claudia and Tim to ask if they would buy his share of the house. Tim told me that Rupert has always been a bit cavalier when it came to investing his father’s money and this time he’d chosen a start-up mining company that promised fabulous returns but, of course, didn’t deliver. Anyway, his creditors are screaming for their cash and the only asset he has left to sell is his half share of Stonelea Manor.’

Zach replaced his coffee mug on the silver tray and arranged the teaspoons into neat lines. Millie said nothing, not wanting to interrupt his monologue.

‘Of course, Claudia and Tim had bought the villa in St Lucia and all their cash was tied up in the renovations which didn’t come cheap. They tried to raise funds using the manor as security, but another blow fell when the bank’s surveyor advised them that they would probably need to replace the roof in the next two years – so no chance of a mortgage and the only option left is to sell. Claudia’s devastated, of course, but has tried to look at the situation from Rupert’s point of view, insisting he has every right to liquidate his share. I know it’s not my place to say this, but I think all this worry is the cause of her recent tiredness.’

‘What does Tim think of Rupert’s ultimatum?’

‘Tim is livid with Rupert for springing this on them, but he’s the most sensible, pragmatic guy I know. He’s managed to spin the whole nightmare into a positive and has almost persuaded Claudia that they will be much happier living in St Lucia where she’ll be able to concentrate on building up the Paradise Cookery School, put the finishing touches to the hotel, and producing the high-grade cocoa from the trees she’s been cultivating. What’s really upsetting Claudia is how the sale will affect the wider community. Stonelea Manor has been at the centre of many of the villagers’ lives for decades, and she treats everyone as part of the family – and you’ve seen tonight how her friendship is reciprocated.’

Millie’s heart squeezed painfully when she saw the ragged despair on Zach’s face. Claudia and Tim already had an estate manager in St Lucia, would they really need two? But there was something else lingering in Zach’s eyes and she knew he hadn’t yet finished his explanation.

‘And?’

Zach met her gaze and Millie held her breath as he prepared to divulge the sting in the story’s tail.

‘Last week, Rupert informed Tim that he’s bringing a potential purchaser to have a look round the estate on Thursday and suddenly it all seems much more urgent and real.’

Millie allowed this last nugget of information to sink into her brain, joining up the dots until she understood what Blake had meant when he had asked Zach if he had any news. If the buyer was interested, Zach was going to be out of a job sooner rather than later. But surely the new owner would need someone to look after the grounds?

‘I’m devastated for Claudia and Tim,’ said Millie, indignation at their position fizzing in the pit of her stomach. ‘How will all this affect your position as estate manager?’

‘The guy Rupert is bringing is apparently a wealthy Swedish internet entrepreneur who’s publicity-phobic and wants to turn the manor into a fortress-like retreat, somewhere he can live in peace away from the media mayhem that surrounds him back home. Rupert has already sent photographs of the property and copies of the title deeds to Sven Andersen’s lawyers, and it sounds like it’s a done deal. Thursday is just about the final recce. Tim was furious when Rupert told him that Sven plans to plant a twelve-foot-high leylandii hedge around the perimeter to prevent prying eyes and long lenses, but he was apoplectic when it was confirmed that he would not be retaining any of the staff.’

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