So, all in all, things were on the up, Tobias thought with satisfaction as he surveyed his estate. Gone was the deep feeling of uncertainty. He wished his father could see it all now, and was saddened to realise that his last days must have been riddled with money worries. Not for the first time he cursed himself for not spotting it, not seeing for himself the pressure his father must have been under; but Tobias had been too preoccupied running his own business, renovating and selling property, to notice.
He shook his head and vowed never to let his relationship with his son suffer like that. Tobias had learnt a valuable lesson the hard way – family came first. On that note, he decided to call in to the folly to see his brother. Whilst he appreciated how happy Sebastian obviously was, he couldn’t help but notice how tired he was looking too. Clearly setting up his new theatre company and preparing for the production was taking it out of him.
As he strolled through the woods, he could hear voices in the distance. Sebastian, in true form, was playing the court jester. Squinting through the trees, Tobias could see his brother place a donkey’s head over himself and call out, ‘Ee-oo, ee-oo!’ to a small crowd of actors who cheered him on with laughter. He chuckled to himself, then stopped suddenly when seeing Sebastian lose his footing and fall over. The crowd carried on laughing, thinking it was Sebastian fooling, but Tobias knew different.
As Sebastian lay on the ground, Tobias saw Jamie quickly pull off his donkey head and help him up. Sebastian quickly recovered and took a bow to a still-cheering group. As Tobias approached through the woods, they dispersed quickly, leaving him alone with Jamie and Sebastian. He overheard the tail end of their quiet whispers.
‘You need to be more careful, Seb,’ urged Jamie.
‘Stop fussing,’ came the curt reply. Tobias frowned. Sebastian quickly changed the subject. ‘Ah, very kind of you to pay us a visit.’ He bowed again theatrically.
‘I take it that’s Bottom?’ He nodded towards the donkey’s head on the grass.
‘It sure is,’ laughed Jamie.
‘All set?’ asked Tobias.
‘We’re getting there,’ Sebastian replied looking more serious now. ‘It should all come together for the opening night.’
‘You sure?’ Tobias looked at the props and wooden scenery scattered on the ground. He knew the costumes were carefully labelled and hung on racks inside the folly. The play was due to open in a fortnight.
‘It’s all under control,’ reassured Sebastian. He picked up the donkey’s head from off the grass and threw it on a pile of outdoor rugs. Lanterns, blankets and rugs were to be supplied to the audience, creating a cosy, comfortable atmosphere in the early evening dusk. Tobias noticed Sebastian’s hand tremor slightly.
‘If you need any help, just ask.’
‘Will do, thanks,’ replied Sebastian, then he turned to Jamie. ‘Right, let’s crack on. We need to work on the programs.’ Tobias turned to go.
‘I’ll leave you to it!’ he called and made his way back to the Hall, feeling a touch of concern.
9
Christie was sat near the bar. On the table in front of her lay samples of wallpaper, swatches of fabric, colour charts and brochures. She was on a mission, wanting to get the alterations just right. It baffled Dermot the way she seemed to be agonising over shades, patterns and textures. Surely it wasn’t that hard, was it?
The breakfasts had just been served and the guests were passing her. Daniel smiled to himself and stopped.
‘Thinking of a refurb?’
Christie, deep in concentration, suddenly looked up.
‘Just the bedrooms and hallway.’ She smiled too. To her surprise he took a seat next to her. His beautiful pale blue eyes glanced over the samples. Christie wondered what he did for a living. It would be a stroke of luck if he was an interior designer – he looked the arty type. He definitely had style. His clothes, although casual being khaki green combat pants and a long-sleeved olive T-shirt, fitted him perfectly and were obviously of good quality. He had a sharp haircut and just the right amount of stubble to look ruggedly handsome, rather than unkempt. He smelt fresh too. Christie caught a whiff of sage as he sat close to her. His broad shoulders brushed up against her.
He noticed her sizing him up and grinned back at her. ‘Hope you don’t think I’m being nosy.’
‘Not at all!’ she exclaimed, blushing slightly.
‘I enjoy this kind of thing. I’m actually an architect, but love seeing how a building I’ve designed comes to life inside.’
Christie’s face lit up. She really could do with a second opinion, especially from someone who knew what he was talking about.
‘Ah, I see. In that case, Mr—’
‘Daniel,’ he cut in. Those eyes bored into her, making her stutter a little.
‘I… I’m Christie,’ she replied faintly.
‘Well, Christie, what did you have in mind?’ He nodded towards the table and laughed. ‘You’ve quite a bit to choose from.’
She laughed too. ‘I know, Dermot thinks I’m bonkers.’ She gestured towards him behind the bar, where he was busy replacing bottles. Daniel smiled again. Christie noticed his cheeks dimpling, then realising she was staring once more, forced herself back to the issue at hand. ‘I thought of a warm, rich colour for the hall, something welcoming, like this Hawthorne Yellow.’ She pointed to it on a colour chart.
Daniel nodded his head in agreement. ‘Yep, like the sun’s shining through it permanently, keeping it airy and light.’
‘Precisely!’
‘What about curtains?’
‘I thought this tweed, with pale creams, browns and the same yellow running through it?’ She looked eagerly for his approval. Again he nodded. Christie was on a roll now, keen to show him her ideas for the bedrooms. ‘Let me show you my bedroom,’ she gushed.
Daniel’s eyebrows rose in mock seduction. ‘If you insist,’ he replied playfully, making Christie blush again.
‘Sorry.’ She giggled, then opened a book of wallpaper samples.
Her hands stopped on a page that was pretty enough, but slightly too girly in his opinion, with its pale pink background and swirly silver pattern. Was there no husband sharing this bedroom with her? Instinctively he looked down to her left hand and noticed a pale ring mark where clearly a wedding ring had recently been removed. Plus, wouldn’t she have said “our bedroom” not “my bedroom”?
Christie took his pause to be a negative. ‘Maybe not – it was only going to be a feature wall.’
‘No, it’s nice,’ he quickly interrupted. ‘What about the rest of the guests’ rooms?’
‘That’s where I’m undecided. Should I keep them all similar, country-chic style, or individual?’
‘Definitely individual, give them a theme.’
Christie’s face lit up again. He really did get it, she thought. ‘That’s an excellent idea!’ she gasped with enthusiasm, making Dermot glance over.
‘Just one thing though.’ Daniel appeared a touch more serious, making Christie frown.
‘Yes?’
‘You’ve no family room. Maybe take the biggest bedroom and put a sofa-bed in there, to cater for a couple of children, if need be.’