Page 1 of Forgive Not Forget
CHAPTER1
Aloud whistle rang out, its echo resonating off the nearby ruined walls of Nunswick Abbey. Anna lowered her fingers from her mouth and shot Katherine a satisfied grin. She was only too aware her endless practising had been driving Katherine crazy the last few days. It was a skill she had been determined to learn, and it would prove useful in her new job. Her whistle had drawn the attention of the crowd that had gathered outside Abbey Barn, whose open doors were barred by a red ribbon.
Katherine gave her a wink as she tapped the microphone, clearly as impressed with Anna’s whistle as she was.
“Is this thing on?” Katherine’s voice bellowed from a speaker beside her feet, causing the crowd to erupt into laughter. She stepped up onto a box to elevate herself above the crowd. “I think that’s a yes. Everyone, welcome to Nunswick Abbey, and a special welcome to Abbey Barn.” Katherine gesticulated to the renovated structure behind her. “We hope it will become a cherished addition to the site and prove useful to you as a community. It’s available to hire for classes, weddings, birthday parties, Bar-Mitzvah. You name it, it will take anything you throw at it — as long as you don’t throw more than eighty people. However, saying that, we can accommodate more in a marquee on our beautiful grounds.”
Anna gazed with adoration as her spectacular fiancée worked the huge crowd. They had practised her speech multiple times that week, discussing what needed highlighting and making sure Katherine remembered it by heart.
Though she was normally relaxed amongst a crowd of people, Anna felt nervous. Her confidence had dwindled a little since she’d been promoted. The daily repetition of the abbey’s history, followed by immediate thanks, had been replaced by months of behind-the-scenes work, which she wouldn’t know had been a success until the event was over. She now relied on a team of people to pull things together rather than just herself, which was bound to leave her a little nervous.
“As you can see behind you,” Katherine continued, “work on the visitor centre is running behind schedule. I had hoped to at least present a completed external structure today; unfortunately, work was halted upon the discovery of some human remains.”
The crowd drew in a collective breath.
Katherine’s hand shot out to calm them. “Historical, not modern, I might add! We hope to resume building work as soon as possible. Once it’s completed, you’ll find extended food offerings in our new restaurant, with additional seating inside and out; a gift shop full of quality items; and most importantly… our limited-edition print of the abbey by our fabulous artist Michael Warner.” Katherine extended her arm to an elderly gentleman at the front of the crowd, and everyone broke into a round of applause. Once the clapping lulled, she resumed her speech. “Interest in the print is already high, so I’m pleased to announce that he has agreed to create a set of four watercolours in total for us and to extend the number of editions available, so thank you, Michael.”
The gentleman gave Katherine a nod of acknowledgement in return.
“We have an exclusive offer for you today only, as we are giving you twenty percent off a lifetime membership to the abbey. Now remember, this gives you the benefit of continued free parking, ten percent off purchases in our new restaurant and gift shop, and VIP status for future events, which has been confirmed by our new marketing and events manager, Anna” — Katherine gestured with her hand to the woman standing beside her box — “will include an annual New Year party.”
The crowd broke into another round of applause, this time directed at Anna. Her face warmed with either pride or embarrassment — perhaps a little of both. Following the success of the New Year party, Anna had been persuaded by the trustees, though mainly Katherine, that it should be held annually.
“If you would like to sign up, then please see Carrie. Carrie, where are you? Give us a wave.”
Carrie shot out from the barn, where she was making some finishing touches to the room, and gave an enthusiastic wave to the crowd.
“She’ll be in the barn to sign you up, which is also where we hope you will join us for a glass of fizz to celebrate, which, after all, is why we are all here today. Before I cut the ribbon, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Carrie and Anna for all their hard work over the last few months in getting the barn ready for opening. I think you’ll all agree, especially those that saw the barn prior to the work commencing, that the team have achieved something truly wondrous.”
Carrie gave a little bow before disappearing back into the barn.
Anna blushed at yet another round of applause. It was typical of Katherine not to take any of the credit herself; it had been her project and her vision that had come together to create the space.
“One last thing before I let you all loose at the bar. Please do join us for Easter when we will be holding a bunny trail on Easter Sunday afternoon. There will be plenty of chocolate eggs for everyone.”
Anna passed Katherine a pair of scissors as she stepped backwards off the box. A photographer stepped through the crowd and took several shots of Katherine and Anna to a backdrop of yet more cheering and clapping. They posed, each holding one end of the ribbon that was strung across the central, glass double doors of Abbey Barn.
“Without further ado, I declare Abbey Barn officially open.” Katherine placed the ribbon between the scissor arms and snipped it.
Anna welcomed this particular round of applause. She had worked tirelessly since the new year to not only ensure everyone knew about Abbey Barn but also to organise the official opening event. Now that the formalities were out of the way, she could finally relax a little.
She and Katherine stood to one side and let the crowd fall into the barn.
Carrie appeared with two glasses of prosecco. “Well done, both of you! I thought you might need these.”
They both reached out in desperation. “Thanks, Carrie,” they said in unison as she disappeared back into the crowd.
“Shall we sit for ten minutes, let the prosecco to do its work, and then go in with the hard sell?” Anna asked.
Katherine chuckled. “Sounds like a plan.”
“Come to my office, we can warm up. I’ll show you what I’ve done with my postage stamp.”
“It’s not that small!” Katherine protested.
“Can we swap then?”
Katherine nudged into her, conceding the point. “No.”
