Page 1 of Trust in Truth
Chapter 1
Anna stretched back in her chair and yawned; it was the end of a very long week. Today marked the first closure day of the winter season at Nunswick Abbey. The site was so tranquil without visitors; a walk around the ruined walls of the abbey could transport you anywhere in time. Not that she’d had time for walking today; she’d been stuck in her office since her arrival that morning.
The closure of the site signified a turning point for Anna — the promise of a new job. The position of marketing and events manager would be created in the new year, and she was determined to make it hers. Although she was technically still tour supervisor until the site reopened in the spring, Anna had been asked by the trustees to put on a New Year’s Eve event at the abbey as a trial run. If she made a success of it, she hoped it would impress the trustees enough to give her the job.
As much as she loved her tour supervisor role, her background had been in marketing and events, and she missed the buzz of it. Her biggest regret was moving away from it. She’d relocated to move in with Jessica, her ex-girlfriend, which meant a change of job. Jessica had said she could support her whilst she found a new job that suited her. A week later she had been made redundant forcing Anna to find any job she could.
Her position as a researcher at the National Archives had fortunately proved invaluable. Not only had she learned a new set of skills, she believed it was what enticed the trustees to hire her when she moved back to Nunswick. They then went on to trust her to create the tour and write a guidebook, which was now on its second print run. She knew the abbey like the back of her hand, in her mind there was no one better to market it.
Although she had been planning the New Year’s Eve event alongside her other duties, there was still a lot to organise in the four weeks she had left. Now she finally felt able to focus one hundred percent on it. The pressure was already on without the interruption Christmas would bring.
A ping from her laptop alerted her to an email; she hoped it was the one she was waiting for from the branding agency. It was. She opened the attachment, excited to see their ideas for the branding of Abbey Barn. They were excellent considering the restrictions of the Nunswick Abbey branding they were asked to work around. It needed to be complementary to the abbey and have its own unique style at the same time.
They had sent a couple of options; one caught her eye that incorporated a sketch of the medieval barn. Its aesthetics were the unique selling point. She was keen to get home and show the designs to Katherine. Until she was officially appointed into the new role, all decisions had to go past Katherine who was the trustee overseeing the barn renovation and its management.
She shut the lid of her laptop, extracted her bag from under her desk, and turned out the light. It was her turn to lock up, and she had a vigorous checking system in place to avoid any repeats of her costly mistake from the summer. She checked the larger office next to hers to make sure the lights were off. Margaret had appointed this as the trustees’ office with hot desks, despite only Margaret and Katherine having paid roles onsite. As she closed the door, the movement of air wafted the scent of Katherine’s perfume that dominated the room despite her absence. She inhaled deeply and smiled; she adored the aroma.
The smaller office was temporarily shared by Carrie and Anna. They were due to move into the two ground-floor offices in the barn once it was finally fitted out next year. Anna couldn’t wait; it would mean Katherine would move into their old office away from Margaret.
Although Margaret was Anna’s boss, she had felt uneasy towards her since she’d propositioned Katherine. Katherine had just begun her role as an abbey trustee, and Anna and Katherine had just got back together after the General Medical Council debacle, when Margaret had left some flowers on Katherine’s doorstep with a dinner invitation. Katherine had immediately set Margaret straight, and Margaret had said there was no impropriety intended; she was simply reaching out in friendship as they would be working together.
Anna still didn’t trust her. She had witnessed Margaret’s behaviour over the last few months since Katherine had taken on the role of trustee, and it was obvious to her that Margaret sought more than friendship with Katherine. It had recently crossed her mind that Margaret had informed the General Medical Council of her and Katherine’s relationship to split them up. She had no evidence, of course, and was unlikely to ever have any. Realising her heart rate was picking up, Anna pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind. She locked the gate to the abbey car park and began the short walk home to Abbey House.
As she lifted her key to the door, it was opened for her by Katherine, strapped into her cooking apron as was usual of an evening. She placed a kiss on Anna’s cheek as she entered. Anna would never tire of coming home to her.
“It’s here,” Katherine said with a hint of melody in her voice.
Anna looked up at the enormous Christmas tree. It filled the space in front of the staircase and extended upwards to the first-floor landing. Her mouth dropped open. “Did they not have any big ones?”
Katherine nudged her. “It’s fine. It fits perfectly.”
“How do we even decorate it?”
“You on the stairs and me on the stepladder of course,” Katherine replied flatly.
“You mean you on the stairs and me on the stepladder.”
Katherine nudged her again. “Don’t be cheeky, young lady. I think I can manage a stepladder.”
“I’m sure you can, however, I can manage it better. I have flat shoes on for a start.”
“Fair enough,” Katherine said, scrunching her face.
A rustling from within the tree made Anna jump back in fright. Virginia jumped out and landed at her feet.
“Virginia!” Katherine shook her head at her and shooed her away. “The silly cat keeps hiding in there.” She rummaged in a large box of decorations that lay beside the tree. “Tinsel first?”
“Whatever you say, boss. It’s been a long time since I decorated a tree.”
A line etched between Katherine’s eyebrows. “I’m going to need more information.”
Anna shrugged. “I’m just not a very Christmassy person. I don’t normally bother with any of this.” She bit her lip. “Please don’t tell me you went to all this trouble for me.”
Katherine grinned and threw some tinsel at Anna, which she caught. “Of course not. I love Christmas and I always go to this much trouble, regardless of ungrateful house guests.”
Anna sucked in a breath through her teeth. “Harsh. I’ll have you know I am very grateful for all the services I receive in this house.” She threw the tinsel around Katherine’s neck and pulled her gently towards her, planting a kiss on her lips.
Katherine reciprocated and pulled Anna’s body tightly against hers. “Maybe you just need the spirit of Christmas put in you.”
