‘Oh, Tomasz, I am sorry. But I know, because we have looked at our policies, that we have good insurance, they have to pay out.’
‘Yes, they do but when is the question, and in the meantime we are losing money and also as you know we put all the profits that we don’t live on back into the business so there’s not a lot …’ Tomasz sighed.
‘I guess the fact we’ve put our savings into this cottage isn’t the best timing.’ Franceska stroked me and then I understood. There was a problem with the restaurant and it was costing money and they didn’t have much because it was in Seabreeze. This did not sound good.
‘No, not good timing but,kochanie, don’t worry, I will think of something.’
‘Make sure you are on the case with the insurance. They always try to make it difficult when they have to give us money but they are quick to take ours. By the way, I haven’t told them, none of them, why you are not here, I didn’t want the boys to worry.’
‘I think it’s best we keep it quiet from them. Hopefully by next weekend I’ll have more of an idea, and I can have a nice weekend with my family.’
I hoped so too. Paws crossed.
‘Ah, look, Frankie and Alfie are both asleep,’ Matt laughed. I woke up and yawned. How long had I dropped off for? Franceska opened her eyes. Her book was resting on me, I noticed as I started to stretch out.
‘I must have fallen asleep.’ She shook her head. ‘Did you have a nice evening?’ I saw that Claire and Jonathan were also in the room. Claire was leaning on him and Jonathan had a big smile on his face.
‘We did.’ Claire’s voice was a bit slurry. She did get like that on occasion.
‘Guess what, we met Amber and her husband, Dan, in the pub and well, let’s just say they were very enlightening about Andrea.’ Polly sounded gleeful.
‘Really?’ Franceska sat up and I pricked my ears.
‘Maybe she charmed us after all,’ Jonathan said.
‘But she was nice though,’ Matt offered.
‘Yes but it is clear that she wants Seabreeze Cottage, although still no one is sure why. But they said that she is going round the village bad-mouthing us, and saying that we’re up to all sorts here. Honestly, she made it sound as if we are criminals or something.’
‘Does anyone believe it?’ Franceska asked.
‘I get the impression that Andrea has been acting up a bit lately,’ Jonathan said. ‘So, no, I don’t think so but they are suspicious of us, being out-of-towners, so we do need to get more involved.’
‘How?’ Franceska asked.
‘Well, Jonathan — after a few pints I might add — told them that we would go to church on Sunday,’ Matt said.
‘Church?’ Franceska looked horrified. ‘But we never go to church.’
‘Apparently this village is still very much a church-going village. Anyway it seemed like a good idea. And the best thing is that Andrea goes, so imagine her face when we all turn up!’ Jonathan clapped his hands gleefully.
‘I don’t mind, I like going to church,’ Claire said. ‘Especially a charming village church. But I’m not sure about the kids.’
‘Yes forget Andrea, imagine the look on their faces when they are told they have to go,’ Franceska agreed. ‘Jonathan, you may end up paying for this one,’ she finished.
Chapter Eleven
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Franceska was right. On Sunday morning, Aleksy looked horrified about the idea of going to church rather than the beach; Tommy rebelled against having to wear trousers and proper shoes rather than shorts and bare feet; Summer didn’t actually understand so she didn’t mind; Martha was the same, she was happy to wear a pretty dress whatever the occasion; Toby had never been to church so he was interested, but Henry complained because he was told he couldn’t take his games tablet with him. Even in the cold light of day, the adults questioned the wisdom.
‘My head hurts,’ Claire said. ‘I think I drank too much wine last night.’
‘The local cider is probably stronger than in London, which would explain why we thought it was a good idea to go to church,’ Matt moaned.
Franceska rolled her eyes, fed everyone a big cooked breakfast, made them drink lots of juice and in the end they were all ready to go, or as ready as they would ever be.
‘Meow?’ I said as I sat by the front door. I wanted to go with them. Claire crouched down and rubbed my head.
‘Alfie, you can’t come to church, I don’t think they allow pets, but honestly, you’ll be much happier here.’ I turned to look at George but then I noticed Tommy had him in his zip-up jacket, his little ginger head poking out of the top. I felt jealous and excited at the same time. I knew I was a bit big to fit into the children’s jackets these days, so I tried not to mind too much. I looked at Tommy as if to tell him to look after George.
‘Don’t worry, Alfie, I’ll take care of him,’ he whispered. I flicked my tail to say I understood. I would have liked to go with them but actually, l was being given some alone time, which I was quite grateful for.
I went to finish off my breakfast, but as I was doing so, I heard the cat flap open and the elusive Gilbert appeared. I knew he had been in the house, but I hadn’t seen him since our chat.
‘Hi,’ I said.
‘Alright,’ he said. He really was a fine-looking cat, and I wondered, again, why a cat like him would choose to be homeless.
‘Well everyone is out, apart from me,’ I said.
‘I saw them all go, I assumed you were with them, but never mind.’ He started sniffing round the food bowls.
‘Glad you’re pleased to see me,’ I joked. Gilbert just looked at me. OK, so not much of a sense of humour this cat. ‘Anyway, it’s nice to see you,’ I continued. ‘It’s all been a bit hectic here.’ I filled him in on the story of Liam and his sabotage and how Andrea wanted the cottage and the exchange that George had seen.
‘They don’t sound like very nice people,’ he concluded when I finished.
‘No, they aren’t. The children are scared of her children, the women are scared of her, I mean it’s ridiculous. But her aim is to get her hands on Seabreeze Cottage as I’ve said and now I’m getting worried that she really is going to stop at nothing to do so.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She’s got Liam working for her when he should be working for us, and what else? Gilbert, don’t you see? I know you don’t much like family life and you don’t want to get involved with us here, but if Andrea does get her hands on this place then our days are numbered and so are yours.’
He stopped eating and sat down, licking his paws thoughtfully.
‘OK.’
‘Look, I get you don’t want to tell me why you live here or how you came to live here, and that’s fine. I’m a good listener, if I do say so myself, but I’d never pry where I shouldn’t. However, this cottage is important to me and my families and it’s also important to you as you see it as your home, so surely you wouldn’t want her to get it?’
‘No, I suppose I wouldn’t.’
‘So you’ll help me?’ I felt hope spring up in me. Finally, I might just have an ally.
‘I don’t see how, but then I also don’t see what choice I have. Right, Alfie, what do you need me to do?’
After Gilbert had finished eating and had drunk plenty of water, I gave him a tour of the attic rooms and filled him in on what we knew so far. I had to admit, saying it out loud, it wasn’t much.
‘Right, so this Liam needs keeping an eye on. You say your boy’s helping with that.’
‘Yes.’ I thought about telling him about George’s crush on Chanel but I didn’t want to overload him with information. ‘And I’m keeping an eye on him too. He’s definitely in cahoots but I really would like him caught red-handed with her.’
‘That won’t be easy. But you know I am good at lying low, as you’ve already seen. You’ve been good to me, feeding me and, well, you’re not too nosy either, so I’ll think about what I can do to help. You never know.’