Page 46 of The Runaway Wives

‘He’s doing the official opening at one thirty and then he will be valuing people’s heirlooms from two thirty.’ Kenny took out a couple of wooden easels and stood them up on the table. ‘We’re hoping he’ll be a big attraction.’

‘I’m sure he will be. I’ve got something I want him to value for me.’ Her grandmother’s brooch was safely tucked away in her handbag. She hoped it was worth a few hundred at least, she needed every penny she could get, especially now Nigel was threatening to cancel her bank cards.

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Dee watched in admiration as Kenny stood some paintings on the easels; a beautiful landscape, a flowering bush, a ship on a stormy sea with flashes of lightning crashing across the sky, the same sea on a sunny day with the water shimmering.

‘I’d love to be able to paint like that,’ she said. ‘You’re so talented.’

‘Thank you, but it’s been years of practice. Perhaps, you could give it a try?’ Kenny suggested. ‘It might be good to have a hobby, distract you a bit from everything else that’s going on.’

Dee nodded. ‘Glenn said the same. Are you running a workshop?’

‘I am. Feel free to take part, if you want.’

‘I might just do that.’

Dee left him to finish preparing his stall and hurried over to join Andi and Cath at the refreshments tent. ‘Right, what do you need me to do?’ she asked, rubbing her hands together.

‘A hand in putting out all the cups, saucers and plates would be very appreciated,’ Cath told her.

‘I’m on it. Show me where they all are.’

* * *

Crowds flocked into the manor grounds. Dee was sure that it helped that it was a warm, sunny afternoon and that a popular celebrity like Simon was officially opening the event. He was charismatic and charming, and was greeted with cheers and applause when he finished his speech. Then people went off to see – and buy – the wares on display at the stalls, and either watch the crafts people at work or have a go at doing the crafts themselves. Dee was pleased that she’d suggested leaving a list on each stall for people to sign up if they were interested in attending workshops at the art studio when it was open, that would be added income for the artists as well as generating interest in the project. She helped Andi and Cathy serve the never-ending stream of customers wanting refreshments for an hour or so then took a break so that she could ask Simon to value her grandmother’s brooch.

There was quite a queue around Simon Hemingford already. Most people had smaller items such as watches and jewellery but there were a couple with paintings and one with a very old teddy bear. It was fascinating watching Simon value the items. Some people were overjoyed with the amount, but others were disappointed that it wasn’t worth what they’d expected. Which would it be with her grandmother’s brooch, Dee wondered?

Simon’s eyes sparked with interest when Dee passed him the brooch, briefly explaining its history. ‘If I’m not very much mistaken, this is Edwardian.’ He held the brooch in his open palm and looked through the magnifying glass at it, turning it over and examining it from all sides. ‘It definitely is. I would say that this is worth at least £4,000, maybe more.’

Dee clasped her hand over her mouth. ‘Really?’ she could hardly believe it.

‘Definitely. Would you like me to put it in an auction for you?’

Dee nodded. ‘Yes, please.’

‘Wait until the end of the valuation session and we’ll discuss it,’ Simon told her.

Dee moved away from the group so Simon could continue with the valuations, her head in a whirl. A sum like that would really help her, it would pay a couple of months’ rent on a flat for a start. And she would need some money for solicitors’ fees.

At the end of the valuation session, Dee went to talk to Simon, handing the brooch over, getting a receipt, and giving her details. He arranged to contact her when he had offers to buy the brooch. ‘I can transfer the money straight into your bank,’ he told her. ‘Minus my small fee, of course.’ He mentioned what Dee thought was a very reasonable fee.

Dee felt like a load had been lifted from her shoulders. Thank you, Grandma, she thought silently. The times Nigel had suggested she sold that brooch, but she’d hung on to it saying that it was sentimental. Even now she was sad to let it go but she was sure her grandma would understand.

* * *

‘I forgot how wonderful it was to be involved in a community project like this,’ she said later as she sat down to have a much-needed break. The crowds had dispersed a lot now and the crafts people were starting to pack away their stalls. ‘And it’s revived my interests in paper crafting. I’m going to start it up again, as a hobby. It will keep me busy and give me a purpose now Nigel and I are over.’

‘Are you certain it’s over?’ Andi cocked her head to one side questioningly. ‘Your husband is a solicitor, isn’t he? I’m guessing that you have a big house and luxurious lifestyle?’

‘Happy to give it up, and my two-timing controlling husband, for a lovely peaceful life doing exactly what I want. I’ve decided that I’m going to try to stay in Port Telwyn.’

‘Good for you,’ Andi told her. She finished her drink. ‘Now, I’d better dash back to the café to help clear up. Are you still on for helping out from Monday?’

‘Definitely. Nigel has threatened to cancel my bank cards so it will be great to earn some money of my own.’

Andi raised her eyebrow. ‘He’s a real piece of work, isn’t he?’ She leaned forward. ‘Well, if it was me, I’d withdraw a load of cash ASAP, in case he carries out his threat.’ She winked and walked off leaving Dee staring after her thoughtfully.

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