Page 78 of A Family Affair
One had Chuck becoming a huge success in the states. Using the money Clarissa had gifted him to start a new life, he would open a chain of Blue Grass bars and restaurants across the state of Kentucky.
It had been Clarissa’s way of softening the blow when it became clear that he wouldn’t be named heir to Chamberlain. Not that he seemed to care. He was more than happy with being part of the family, which was why, after he’d embraced Cheshire life and become part of the furniture, something was drawing him back home, to Kentucky.
Clarissa understood and, having had her wings clipped and her dreams shattered, was adamant that Chuck wouldn’t suffer the same. But he needed to make his own mind up so in giving him funds to achieve his dream, she’d set him free. On one condition: that if he changed his mind, or was unhappy, he would come straight back to Chamberlain. There would always be a welcome and a home for him there.
And that was Honey’s alternative scenario for Chuck. That he would hate Kentucky so much he’d come straight back, fall in love with Ziggy and they’d all live happily ever after. The end.
She didn’t realise she was smiling but Levi had noticed and placed an arm around her shoulder and pulled her close.
‘I hope that cheeky grin on your face is because you’re thinking of me, Mrs Robinson.’
‘You, Mr Robinson are such a needy attention seeker, but I do love you. Although I was actually making up happy endings for Ziggy and Chuck. I’ve not even got started on Gospel and the plans for the café yet, but having seen how magnificent he’s been today, I think it’s time I let him loose to do his own thing, don’t you?’
‘I do indeed. So you’re going to let him open the café at night, as a restaurant?’
Honey nodded. It was the fair and sensible thing to do because once Levi had set them up as a not-for-profit charity, things had moved quite quickly and, thanks to a grant, they’d soon be knocking through to next door and Honey’s school-holiday-club would be born.
They’d already been able to take on another trainee chef and now it was Gospel’s time to fly. Not far though, just swap his daytime shift for the evenings and let him live his dream.
Thoughts of opening a Caribbean-themed fusion restaurant in the village were interrupted by new arrivals on the lawn. ‘Ooh look. Here come the donkeys. The little ones will love this.’
Levi and Honey watched on as a couple of volunteers brought their wards to say hello. Clarissa, the patron saint of good deeds, had stepped into the breach when she heard that the sanctuary had run out of time and options and offered them a new home at Chamberlain, rent free.
It was a bit of a contrast, a donkey sanctuary housed next to the stud farm, but the equids on both sides of the fence were getting on fine. And the locals loved coming to see the little donkeys and the regular volunteers had been joined by fresh eager faces, so it had all worked out well.
They were watching the little kids feed and pet the donkeys when Levi spotted something and grimaced, ‘Oh bloody hell. I hope Yosef isn’t going to lose his mind when he sees what Sharon’s just done on his lawn…’
Levi had become something of a donkey expert since the sanctuary had been re-housed, and he knew the names of every single one. Sharon was one of his favourites because, as she’d just proved, she was the naughtiest.
‘Oh no, that’s a big one. I suppose it’s good for the plants… but no way am I offering to scoop… oh lordy, one of the kids has stood in it. Look away, look away quick and pretend we haven’t seen.’ Honey wasn’t like Ziggy and didn’t do poo or sick of any kind.
Levi stood and averted his eyes, holding out his hand to Honey. ‘Come on, Mrs R, lets walk the long way round and make our way back to the terrace and with a bit of luck everything will be sorted and smelling nice by the time we get back.’
Knowing a good plan when she heard one, she linked his arm and began to stroll around the edge of the lawn, like the lord and lady of the manor, surveying all they owned, or would do, anyway.
Once all the fuss had died down and everyone had met up and caught their breath, Eleonora and Clarissa had convened a pow-wow. A private conversation between the two of them where together they decided the destiny of Chamberlain and more to the point, Levi and Honey.
Even though there were more senior members in the family pecking order, Clarissa was adamant that Levi as the youngest and most able, should be named as joint beneficiary along with their one direct descendant, Honey. Eleonora wholeheartedly agreed.
It made perfect sense that when the time came, Levi and Honey would take the reins. And while they were grateful and humbled by the gesture, both she and Levi hoped that it would be many years before their time came. Clarissa was a Chamberlain and not only was she dearly loved by them and many others, hers were big boots to fill.
They’d discussed it until the wee hours many times, the potential that Chamberlain had. The good it could do and for them it would never be about private wealth. It would be about giving back more than you took.
It was still daunting though and, as they stopped at the corner of the rose garden, the sun began to dip behind the manor, casting it in a peachy-pink glow. Honey wished she could capture it in that moment, because it was perfect. Like the day had been, and like their imperfect, semi-dysfunctional but joined together family.
‘It’s beautiful isn’t it. When you see it like that. Despite the secrets it kept and the things its seen. I hope when it’s our turn we can do something spectacular with Chamberlain and really do it and Clarissa justice. Do you think we can?’
Honey felt Levi’s arm slip around her shoulder and pull her close before he kissed her hair.
‘I do. Because you know what, Mrs Robinson? Me and you are a team. We share the same vision, principles, a family so I have absolutely no doubt at all that together, one way or another, we’ll think of something.’
CHAPTER59
Chamberlain Manor. Present Day
Clarissa was alone in the parlour, warming herself beside the fire. October had started with a damp chill to the air, so Jennifer had done the honours.
‘There, that should keep you toasty while I pop out now, is there anything you need from town?’
