The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (068) Bucklebury and Brandywine

 

After reading through Amelia Williamson’s thoroughly put together dossier on the Church Lane properties they scanned the documents to her solicitors, Bramstock, Goodman, Crossfield, and Bushe, and then Molly phoned Clive Crossfield, who handled her affairs.  

The conversation lasted an hour, and he said he would have the agents’ invoices checked to see if they had been billing for work that hadn’t been done, with a view to prosecution.

“Obviously we don’t want to use them going forward” she said

“But alternatives are in short supply, so I think we should set up our own”

“Great idea” Clive said “I can set that up for you, but you’ll need a name”

“Well, we’ve been thinking about that, and we like

“Bucklebury and Brandywine”“ Molly said

They picked that because they had watched Lord of the Rings the night before, so they took the name from the Bucklebury Ferry and the  Brandywine Bridge.

“Good name” Clive said, “What about the registered address?”

“Number 1, The Old Mill, St Pierre Road, Spaniards Creek, 

“Ok I’ll get things in motion, and be in touch” Clive said and hung up

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (067) The Dinner Date

 

While he was shaving, fifty-five-year-old Duncan paused to look at his reflexion and thought his face had stood the test of time, and his body wasn’t too bad for a man at his time of life, he was still physically fit despite being a little softer around the middle, but when he was dressed in a smart suit, he was genuinely quite presentable for his age.

 

In her room at the Beaumont Manor Anna had been having a similar internal discussion as she stood before her own mirror, the only difference was that she had been doing it for a few hours longer.

At fifty-three her figure was in quite good shape, she kept fit and hadn’t given birth or had a hysterectomy, so her body had not reached the level of decline that some of her contemporary’s had.

 

Duncan was very nervous as he drove to the Beaumont Manor that evening because he felt very much that after their previous date things had quickly moved to a whole new level, and although he was very comfortable with that.

His nerves stemmed from a fear that he might blow it.

It had been a while that he'd felt that way about someone and he didn't want to lose her now he'd found her.

 

Anna was also nervous, she had fallen head over heels for Duncan, and that wasn’t what she expected would happen, and was out of character for her.

She just thought she had found someone companionable to share a meal with, now the stakes were much higher, so she dressed in her most flattering dress.

 

Suffice is to say he for one was very pleased with the way she looked, and they had a great evening, good food, good company and good conversation. 

When they got to the coffee stage he asked

“So back to the mainland tomorrow?”

“I’m afraid so” she replied “Which is a shame because I’m not back to work until Monday”

“Can’t you stay extra night at least” Duncan asked

“No, I can’t get away with another night at the trusts expense” Anna replied sadly

“You can always stay at the farm” he suggested

His parents were away on holiday, they were the reason he was unable to meet her on Monday as he was dropping them off at the airport, and his children, Derek and Emily, were away at university, so they’d have the place to themselves.

“However, I just have to say in the interests of full disclosure I can’t promise that my intentions will be truly honourable”

“Then I’m afraid the answer is yes” Anna said

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (066) Coffee Date

 

Debbie Wilson had only recently turned fifty and had been a widow for eight years and thought that it was time to put some romance back in her life, whether out of desperation or loneliness, and dip her toe back in the water and begin dating.

She did think about dating apps, but her heart was never really in it.

But after she had a providential coming together with another car in the Stephenson’s Supermarket car park, she thought she might try something more spontaneous.

So about 90 minutes after the event she phoned the number on the business card that he gave her.

“Daryn Goldsmith” he said

“Hi Daryn, its Debbie Wilson from this morning”

“Oh hello, is everything alright?” he asked

“Yes, yes, everything is fine” she said, feeling like she was 14 again

“I still feel bad about this morning”

“There really is no need” he retorted

“Please allow me to buy you a coffee by way of an apology” Debbie said

“There really is no need” He repeated

“It would make me feel better” she added

“Well, ok” he agreed “But I’m in Spaniards Creek for the day”

“That’s ok, there’s a Coffee shop there called the Galleon, I can meet you there at one o’clock” she suggested

“One thirty would be better” He said

 

Daryn got to the Galleon a few minutes late and Debbie was already seated at a table facing the door, drinking a coffee, and she smiled when he walked in.

He joined her at the table where she ordered him a coffee and he asked.

“Are you from the village?”

“No, I’m from the north, but I spent a lot of time here because I keep my boat moored here” she replied.

“What kind of boat?”

“A 30ft Masthead Sloop, called “The Sea Nymph”” She replied.

“What hull type?”

“Fin keel and skeg-hung rudder.”

“Made from?” he asked.

“Wood, built on the island in 1934” Debbie replied proudly.

“Nice”

“Do you sail?” She asked.

“Yes, but not since before my wife got sick.”  

“I’m sorry to hear that” she said, “I lost my husband 8 years ago.”

He too had suffered a bereavement but his had only been two years ago, so still felt fresh at times.

“Its two for me”

“Perhaps you’d like to come out on her one day” She asked.

“I would like that, thank you” Daryn replied.

“Would you like to see her?” she asked hopefully.

“Very much so, yes”

“Come on then” she said draining her coffee cup

 

They walked from the Galleon and over the bridge where they turned right and followed the tow path to the moorings.

“Here she is” Debbie said proudly “The Sea Nymph”

“What a beauty” he said

“Come aboard” Debbie said and gave him a full tour finishing in the cabin

“I’m very impressed” Daryn said

“I sleep aboard sometimes, when I’ve been working on her” She said

“I look forward to seeing her in action” he said     

“I look forward to showing you what she can do” Debbie stated

“And I look forward to seeing you again” Daryn added

“Likewise,” she said

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (065) Girl Friday

 

At the same time Debbie was reversing into Daryn’s car

Franci Liebenberg and Amelia Williamson were walking into St Clara’s Church where Danny, Molly and the Vicar were already seated in the pews.

“Morning” Franci said

“Good Morning,” Molly said, “How did you get on?”

“I think you’d better Judge for yourself” Amelia replied and presented Molly with a comprehensive report on the condition of the 12 Church Lane Cottages.

“But they haven't had a single basic maintenance visit from the agents, and when they have an issue, they are slow to respond, if at all, and the external decoration is probably 10 years overdue”

“Then, there is penetrating damp due to poorly maintained guttering” Franci added

“But it's all documented” Amelia said 

“This is very impressive” Molly said as she looked through the dossier

“And it looks like we need new agents”

“Unfortunately, Brown and Leigh are the only agents on the island”

“We'll see about that” Molly said

“Well, I need to get back to meet the Building Inspector” Franci said

“Ok thanks” Molly said

“So what would you do first?” Danny asked Amelia

“There is a detailed schedule in here” she said handing Molly another dossier

“I need to get back to work as well”

“Thanks Amelia, this is really impressive” Molly said

“What do you think?” the Vicar asked  

“I think we've found our Friday” Danny said

“Your what now?” the Vicar asked

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (064) A Coming Together

On the first Wednesday in March, Daryn Goldsmith was in Spaniards Creek to perform his first inspection on the Spanish River site.

He was a stonemason by trade but doubled up as the Islands Building inspector, which was scarcely even a part time occupation.

He was forty-eight years old and was widowed, and was living in Purplemere at the time, and immediately after his wife’s death he seemed to suddenly appear on the radar of the local spinster’s, widows and divorcees in and around his own age.

It all began at his wife’s funeral where he was buttonholed by two well-presented mourners who made it perfectly clear he could avail himself of them if he so chose to do.

Many months after his dear wife was laid to rest, after repeatedly rebuffing the endless advances of even the most attractive of his pursuers he decided to transfer to Pipershaven.

Part of his duties at the council was to perform any and all building inspections on the Pepperstock Bay Islands.

In the two years following his bereavement he had managed to avoid dating even if he was sometimes lonely and he would probably have continued avoiding it but for a providential coming together.

 

He travelled to Beaumont Island on a damp miserable Wednesday morning and his first stop was Stephenson’s Supermarket on the outskirts of St Pierre to pick up something for lunch.

He was just about to leave the car park when another car reversed into him, and they had a minor fender bender.

Daryn and the other driver got out of their cars, and they both looked at the damage before looking at each other. 

“Oh God I’m so sorry” she said

“No harm done” he said

“I’ll pay for the damage”

“There isn’t any, just a few scuffs” he said and then looked at the other driver for the first time.

She was a very tall striking woman, with long ginger hair, and a smiling freckled face.

“Well, we’d better exchange details anyway just in case” She said and handed him her business card, Debbie Wilson, Roman Water Farm.

“Ok, Debbie Wilson, Roman Water Farm, but I don’t think there’s any need” he replied and handed her his own details 

“Well sorry again, Daryn” she said, and he watched as she got back into her car and drove away. 

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (063) Dinner with Anna

The first week of March, fifty-three-year-old Anna Turnbull returned to the island to hold her Audiology clinic.

The clinic normally ran for two or three days, depending on the volume of patients, she always enjoyed her trips to the island but in March it had a different dimension, because she had arranged to have dinner with Duncan Wilson.

She had hoped to meet him on Monday, but he had a prior engagement.

 

Duncan Wilson was a farmer up at Roman Water Farm and he had felt like a schoolboy, he had not had a date for a very long time, but then he hadn’t wanted to date anyone, until he met his Audiologist. 

 

Anna stepped outside the Hotel wrapped up against the cold, but she was happy, despite the bitter cold, because she had been looking forward to seeing Duncan again, she had not dated for a while herself, and then she saw the Range Rover pull up to the curb.

“Hi” she said and leant over and kissed him, which took them both by surprise.

“Well, I can tell you’re hungry” he said, “So let’s go.”

“Where are we eating?” she said with a giggle.

“Roman Water Farm” he replied.

 

“Wow that was an amazing dinner” she said.

“Your ex didn’t say you could cook.”

“Oh, you’ve been talking to Caroline” he said, “So what did she tell you?”

“That you were a good and kind man”

“Well, that was nice” Duncan said “I hope you feel the same way”

 

At the end of the evening, he drove her back to the Hotel and pulled up outside.

“So what ferry are you catching tomorrow?” he asked “Maybe we could get a coffee before you go”

“That won’t be possible” she replied

“Oh” he said disappointedly

“Because I’m not getting the ferry tomorrow” she explained and smiled

“Really! Then we can have dinner together again” he suggested

“Yes, I’d like that, but we can dine at the hotel” she said “My treat”

“That would be lovely, but I don’t care where we go as long as we’re together” he said and leant over and kissed her

The Islands in the Bay – Chapter (062) New Beginnings

 

After Church on Sunday Reverend Arielle Nicholas arrived at Cliff Haven for lunch.

She liked being invited for Sunday lunch because she was a terrible cook, and even if she wasn’t she wouldn’t have bothered just for her.

After a very acceptable meal Molly and Arielle retired to the lounge while Danny cleared away.

“So, what were your questions?” Molly asked

“I just have one question really” she said

“Which is?”

“Why don’t you want people to know that you’ve bought the Church?”

“That’s simple” she replied

Then went on to explain that she wanted to do the best for the people of Spaniards Creek, but she didn’t want to come off as Lady bountiful, so she wanted to help them without them knowing she was helping them.

Molly further explained that the reason the Bishop agreed to sell St Clara’s to her was because the land on which the Church stood already belonged to her, along with the vicarage.

“What about the Church Lane Cottages?” she asked

“Yes, I own those as well, and an assortment of derelict buildings down by the Spanish River” Molly replied

“What made you think of the cottages?”

“Well, the tenants have been telling me for years that they belonged to the Church” the Vicar said as Danny entered the room carrying a tray of coffees.

“I would prefer they kept thinking that” Molly said “Because I’m in a bit of a quandary”

Then she explained she didn’t want her tenants to know who their landlord was, nor did she want Brown and Leigh, the property agents, to know she was involved, but she wanted an independent inspection of the 12 cottages, without the agent’s knowledge or consent.

“Are you not happy with the agents?”

“No, I’m not” Molly said “I think all the cottages need work, I just don’t know how much”

“The tenants are all congregants, so I can talk to them” The Vicar suggested

“Yes, that would be helpful, thank you” Molly said

 

The next afternoon the Vicar was back having spoken with the residents and she had a plan, or rather, Franci Liebenberg, had a plan.

Molly knew Franci because she was working on the renovations.

The Vicar knew her because she also attended St Clara’s, and because she was a native of Spaniards Creek, and her plan involved getting her friend Amelia Williamson to help.

 

Amelia was also from Spaniards Creek and had been working in property management in Purplemere for four years before returning to the village following her father’s stroke.

She was now picking up shifts as a barista at the Galleon and behind the bar at Philips Folly so she could be at home to help her mum nurse her dad.

 

March

 

So on the first of March, Franci and Amelia knocked on the door of the first cottage.

As far as the residents were concerned the cottages belonged to the Church so they weren’t suspicious as the Vicar had visited them all, the day before, to warn them, and by the end of the day they had done a comprehensive inspection of all 12 properties.