Page 126 of Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay
‘Thank you, Amelia; you know I’d love that. Perhaps he could come and stay with me too sometime?’
‘Let’s not get too carried away just yet; it’s early days,’ I say diplomatically.
‘Of course. Of course.’ Graham nods. ‘You’ve done a good job bringing him up, you know? A very good job. I’m just sorry I haven’t been there to help you.’ He pauses. ‘I know I’ve said it before, but I am sorry, for everything. Truly I am.’
‘I know,’ I relent. ‘Are you happy now, Graham? With your new life, I mean?’
Graham sighs. ‘I don’t think I’m as happy as you are living here at Chesterford. This,’ he waves his hand around at the castle, ‘it suits you, you know that? You’ve blossomed from my little Amy Harris into a very grown-up Amelia Chesterford.’
‘Thank you, I think.’
‘No, it’s a compliment. This place has been good for you and good for Charlie too. He’s told me how much he enjoys living here, and I’m glad. All any parent wants for their child is for them to be happy.’
‘That’s true.’
‘So that’s why I’m going to make sure you stay here.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I’m going to recommend to my company that we invest some money here. Not just for you to complete the renovations on the stables – which I may add are very impressive indeed. But Arthur has spent a long time going through everything with me; he’s guided me around the place, told me all the history, and all about your plans for the future – including the costume and servants’ exhibitions, which I think are an excellent idea. He’s also gone through all your books, so I know you could do with quite a lot of investment elsewhere in the castle. This place is going to be great under your leadership, Amelia, and I’m certain Keystone Financial will want to be part of that.’
There’s a tiny part of me that wants to tell him no – stick your money. Isn’t it bad enough you have to be involved in any part of my life now? But I know I can’t; I have to think of the castle and of everyone here.
‘Thank you, Graham,’ I say through slightly gritted teeth. ‘I really appreciate that. I’m certain we can do great things with your investment.’
He nods. ‘I’ll be in touch when I’ve got some figures together. But just between you and me, Amelia, Arthur’s input would have been enough, you know? You didn’t need to go to all that trouble with the special effects; you already had me on board.’
‘What special effects?’ I ask, having no idea what he’s talking about.
Graham smiles. ‘Yep that’s right – you keep playing along. Maybe we can use that in the marketing for this place: Chesterford, Northumberland’s number-one haunted castle. I have to say they were all very realistic – especially the guy riding the horse through the wall in my bedroom. That was thepièce de résistance. Excellent stuff.’
I just stare at Graham. Was he saying what I thought he was? Had the ghosts paid him a little visit in the night? Were they trying to do their bit to keep Chesterford Castle alive too?
‘Right,’ Graham says, appearing not to notice my hesitance, ‘I think it’s time to go. Say goodbye to Charlie for me again, won’t you? I wish he was here to see me off – but school must come first.’ Graham looks at the others who have all been standing back a little so we could say goodbye privately. ‘Arthur,’ he says, holding out his hand to him, ‘thank you for making me see what a wonderful place this is.’
Arthur nods as he shakes Graham’s hand.
‘Dorothy, thank you for all the delicious food.’
‘My pleasure,’ Dorothy says, smiling.
‘Benji, sorry I caused you strife.’
‘Not a problem,’ Benji says, giving him a quick hug. ‘Amelia and I have already made up, haven’t we?’
I nod. ‘I couldn’t stay mad with this one for long, could I?’ I say, slipping my arm through Benji’s.
‘Joey, Tiffany, thank you for making my stay here a pleasant one.’
Joey half smiles and Tiffany waves.
Graham turns finally to Tom and holds out his hand. ‘I know you don’t think much of me,’ he says to Tom’s stony face, ‘but look after Amelia, won’t you? She deserves someone that will stick around.’
‘I intend to,’ Tom says, taking a firm hold of Graham’s hand. I notice Graham wince a little at Tom’s grip and I smile.
We all walk down to the gate with Graham and wave him goodbye.
‘Now,’ I say, turning to the others when he’s finally gone, ‘can we just get on with running this castle normally and without drama for a bit? I believe we’ve got a grand opening taking place in less than a week, and we’ve got a lot to do!’
