Lavender Lane (Larch Tree Lane #4)

Chapter Eleven

While Nina was putting lunch together, Sean phoned the lawyers who were his first point of contact about managing the finances for this project. He wanted to report on the general conditions at Lavender Lane, and of course he described the woman he and Nina had just employed.

‘Getting the place clean and tidy sounds a good first step to re-starting the main work at the property,’ James Pinworthy said. ‘But we’ll check out this Ilsa Platt, just to be sure she’s all right. If she was in the army that should be quite easy to do.’

‘I don’t think you’ll find any nasty secrets in her background. She has a very open, honest face.’

‘Glad to hear it and probably she’s fine. You’ve a reputation as an extremely good judge of character, Sean. But with a project like this it pays to be extra-careful so we’ll check anyway. How is the new heir doing?’

‘Very well. Nina reminds me of what you’d told me about Laura, not so much in looks, judging by the photos, though there is a faint resemblance, but in her caring attitude towards other people and the world in general. I really like her.’ More than merely liked but he didn’t want to admit it publicly yet.

‘That’s a glowing analysis from you for someone you’ve known for such a short time.’

‘Well, sometimes you just know that a person has a decent soul, don’t you?’

‘ You do, more than anyone else we’ve dealt with over the years. You’re almost psychic about that sort of thing.’

Sean could feel himself stiffening. He didn’t like people to attribute psychic traits to him. It was careful observation that told you what people were like, he always said. He didn’t bother to protest, though he was quite sure they’d find nothing wrong about Ilsa, however much they investigated her. Well, if she didn’t have any family, she couldn’t have any dodgy relatives, could she?

‘Oh, and Max said he needed to speak to you, so I gave him your new phone number.’

Sean had only just ended this call when his phone sounded again and Max’s ID came up. He smiled and clicked to accept the call. You didn’t keep Max waiting.

‘Are you free to talk privately?’ a deep voice boomed.

‘Yes. Always nice to hear from you.’

‘Hmm. Maybe. We have a problem here and need to find somewhere to hide one of our operatives while he convalesces, to keep him safe. How long do you think it’ll be before you can get a cottage up and running? Make that a couple of cottages while you’re at it, so we have a spare. There are a few things still to settle about the project he was working on.’

‘How long it’ll take to get ready depends how much money we have to throw at the situation.’

‘Unlimited. Just charge the usual accounts to pay the people you hire.’

Sean was startled. Max was famous among the people he dealt with for being ultra-careful with public money. ‘It’s that serious? What’s happened?’

‘One of our undercover guys was spotted and only just escaped. It’ll be best if he stays out of sight for a few months, and anyway, he was badly injured and will need time to recover properly.’

‘A cottage can be ready for occupying within a couple of hours if it’s that urgent. It won’t be fancy but the living area and one bedroom will be dust-free and comfortable enough, and the sanitary facilities seem to be adequate, if not all that modern. There is a shower and a bath, which will probably both be needed for his therapy.’

‘Thank goodness! A few peaceful weeks will probably work wonders for this chap. But unless there are other people staying in the Lane, he’ll stand out like a sore thumb.’

‘I’ve found some notes about locals who’ll come in and play the part of convalescents in such situations. We’ll make sure he gets a good long rest. When will he be arriving?’

‘After dark tonight. We’ve been told of a doctor who lives in the village near you and has been happy to visit our guests in the past. He knows how to keep his mouth shut about what he sees. And I know about the trio of oldies you’re talking about. They long retired from active service with us but they like to use the Lavender Lane cottages for little social gatherings. They’ll be glad to see it up and running again.’ He chuckled. ‘They’ve missed having it as an occasional escape from their families.’

‘I didn’t realise you had such resources here in the valley as well as the buildings at Lavender Lane.’

‘Yes. An old-fashioned town like this is perfect for our needs. The residents are still very much into people power as well as the digital stuff, and at times people are what you need most.’

‘Is this guy you’re sending us badly injured?’

‘He was rather seriously damaged but he’s already had a stay in a big hospital and the extra attention it could provide and is well on the way to recovery. He’s a tough chap but though he’ll live to fight another day, it won’t be in a front-line position again. He’s done enough for his country now. But we could probably do with someone to look after him and do his household chores for a week or two. He had to have quite a lot of stitches and still hasn’t got to do anything too active.’

‘Yes, of course. In fact, we’ve just hired a caretaker-cum-cleaner, who’ll be able to do some of the work, and Nina and I will be happy to help out as well, if necessary.’

‘I hope this caretaker is the sort of person you can rely on in an emergency.’

‘She’s ex-army, so ought to be all right, but head office are still checking her out. Nina and I will be around for a while too and we’ll be able to make sure that everything’s running smoothly before we start leaving Ilsa on her own for longer periods.’

‘Sounds good. Anything else?’

‘Yes. I shall need to tell Nina more about the general picture if she’s to get fully involved from now on. She is, after all, the owner and custodian, and would have to find out eventually, though apparently we don’t usually do that so soon after taking over. Will it be all right if I explain more about the situation to her?’

‘You’re that sure of her already?’

He laughed softly. ‘I’d better be. I’m seriously attracted to her.’

‘ You? I thought you didn’t do romance.’

‘I thought so too. Seems I was wrong. Though it’s early days yet. I’m not rushing in feet first, so to speak, but am enjoying the journey into getting to know her and hoping it’ll lead to permanency.’

‘Well, for what it’s worth, I can highly recommend a good marriage from my own experience. That’s the reason I was transferred to backroom work. They think families interfere with some aspects of active service and they’re probably right, so they make such changes automatically. Be warned. You’ll have to do the same if anything comes of this attraction.’

‘I was considering retiring anyway – well, as much as the service allows us to retire.’

‘They won’t want someone with your skills to retire fully yet. You’re too good at sorting out problems.’

Sean chuckled. ‘Thanks for the compliment. You only dish them out when you want to keep someone on side.’

‘Are you still on side?’

‘Of course I am. I don’t stop being a patriot just because I retire.’

‘Good. I’m bringing this guy to join you myself and will get in touch again when we’re about half an hour from Essington St Mary. You can put the percolator on.’

‘We haven’t got one here yet.’

‘Good heavens! You’re right about one thing, then. Our friend will be roughing it.’

Max’s addiction to fancy coffees was well known. ‘Does this guy you’re bringing have a name?’

‘He hasn’t decided on one yet. Call him till he does.’

Sean whistled softly in surprise as he put his phone down. That temporary name did have its amusing side but also a sad side too because it meant that their guest would probably never be able to use his own given name again, a major step not normally needed when you left the service. The poor chap didn’t have any close family or he’d not have been sent into difficult situations, but if he had found anyone, the relationship would be over now.

Well, you knew what you might have to face when you joined this rather special wing of the security services.

All in all, he was glad he was leaving dangerous work and still surprised at his own reaction to Nina. He’d never been as deeply or quickly attracted to any woman in his whole life and was already hoping she felt the same and that they’d be able to stay together. There was something so frank and open about many Australians that he’d always liked.

He shrugged mentally. He’d work out the details of how they could organise their lives together when things were more certain of their feelings – or at least, when she was. He was pretty certain of how he felt about her and had been thinking of leaving active service anyway. He’d been lucky to stay safe, unlike this chap.

In the meantime he had to bring Nina up to speed and tell her what was going to happen tonight. And she needed to know about the occasional other uses of her inheritance.

He smiled as he thought of one use that he liked the sound of. The three oldies were apparently a delight to interact with and would be happy to start coming here again, from what he’d heard.

He went to join Nina, his spirits lifting at the mere sight of her in the kitchen, humming quietly to herself as she worked.

Nina looked up as Sean came into the kitchen. ‘The food’s nearly ready. I was just going to pretty it up a bit.’

‘Leave that. We’ll gobble it down quickly whatever it looks like, because I have something important to tell you and then we’ll need to get busy.’

‘Not bad news?’

‘No. Well, I don’t consider it bad exactly, just a bit sensitive.’ In between bites he explained about the injured agent who was being brought to them that night, and the three oldies who’d also be joining them, then waited for her to respond.

She sat frowning at him, the sort of frown you get when you’re thinking carefully about something important, he felt. Then she looked down at her hands for a few moments and when she looked up again it was to stare directly at him. ‘I had no idea things like this were happening still. I thought the set-up here was an anachronism.’

‘No. It definitely isn’t. This sort of stuff is still going on all over the world, with governments and political groups plotting, planning and acting sneakily – or viciously in some cases.’

‘Goodies and baddies, we used to call such people when we were playing games as children. Only this isn’t playing – it’s horribly, deadly serious, isn’t it?’

‘Yes. And if you don’t want to take part in it, now is the time to speak out and perhaps sell Lavender Lane to someone who is happy to do that. I must admit I’d prefer to think of our lot as “goodies”, not the other sort.’

He waited to give her time to think, then went on gently, ‘I’d wanted to give you more time to settle in here before getting things going again, but fate has stepped in and has pre-empted any breathing space. There’s a person who needs to move here as a matter of urgency to stay safe and then move on into a new life.’

‘It’s surprised me how serious it all is, and that I’m involved in such a thing is, well, mind-boggling.’

‘Yes. It is extremely serious.’

She looked round the kitchen and then went to stand by the window and stare out. When she turned round, she said, ‘It’s my country too that may need protecting. And my inheritance that can help do that. But you’ll have to tutor me because I’m not at all used to this cloak-and-dagger stuff.’

He smiled and walked towards her, pulling her into his arms and simply cradling her against him. ‘I’m glad you took that decision because I really want to get to know you better.’

‘I’m glad you’re here to help me, very glad, and I’d really like to get to know you better too.’

They stood quietly for a moment or two, then she asked, ‘How long have you been doing work of this sort for?’

‘A couple of decades, give or take.’

‘Were you ever injured on active service?’

‘Yes. But I was lucky. I only had a minor problem to recover from.’ He hesitated, then said, ‘You may not be related to Laura but you’re following in her footsteps and you’ll need to make the same sort of agreement with this government department.’

‘All right.’

He stared at her, then smiled. ‘Is it as simple as that for you to agree?’

‘Yes. Because it means I won’t lose this very beautiful home and I’ll be doing a job that matters. Two wins.’

‘You’re not worried about the danger?’

She looked a bit surprised. ‘It’s not extreme, is it?’

‘Not usually in places like this, no. For me this is probably going to be a retirement job. If you can stand to have me around, that is?’ He gave her a questioning look and saw her whole face soften into a lovely smile. It reinforced the fact that he really had fallen in love with her. That had happened so quickly because it felt utterly right, for the first time in his life. You just – knew.

‘I can definitely stand to have you around, Sean.’

‘Good. We’ll . . . take it easy, though, getting to know one another, I mean.’

She didn’t pretend not to understand what he was referring to by this. ‘Yes. I’d prefer it that way. I rushed into a relationship last year in Australia and it was a big mistake. Very big. I don’t think you will be, but I still don’t want to rush in, even with you.’

‘Nor do I. It’s too important. Besides, we’re going to have another focus to our lives for a while besides what we might want for ourselves.’

However, he did allow himself to pull her close and kiss her again, just gentle kisses, one on each soft cheek, but they felt very nice. Then he stood holding her and breathing in the faint perfume that was very much a part of her.

As he pulled away, he asked, ‘Do I smell a hint of lavender?’

‘Yes. Strange, isn’t it? I keep sachets of lavender in my underwear drawers and have done for years and now I own a place called Lavender Lane with lavender plants growing in my garden.’

‘I’ve always liked that perfume, as long as it isn’t overdone.’

‘No perfume is good when it’s used too lavishly.’

‘It’s as if this place was waiting for you, Nina. I haven’t really looked at the gardens but Elizabeth next door clearly has. It’s good that there’s lavender growing here. And let’s hope she and her friends can help us protect it and make the whole garden area flourish.’

‘Yes. I agree. Now, finish off your lunch, then we’ll choose a cottage and start to get it ready for occupation by our guest.’

‘I think we’ll need several cottages if we bring in help from the town, and need them quickly. How about asking Ilsa to call her friend Megs and see if she wants a casual job for a day or two?’

‘Good idea. Ilsa is a good find, isn’t she?’

‘I think so. I like her.’

‘So do I.’