Abby Ch. 16

"Perhaps the owner wouldn't sell." Abby remarked.

Abby made the comment lightly, with no accusation. James laughed. "If they had investigated they would have found out about the Way leave and my father would probably have sold the land without a qualm. But the council didn't look into it, I assume because they really had no intention of doing the work anyway, whatever the circumstances. So it left us like this, partially cut off from the hectic pace of modern society, and the throwback; as you describe it in me; is quite happy with that."

"Why would your father have sold?"Abby was confused. "You have impressed on me the importance of not selling the land."

"If the council had wanted to buy there would have been little choice. You would negotiate for the best price possible, without making the authority go for a compulsory purchase order. In any case dad thought it beneficial for the valley to have the road, so I am sure he would not have put obstacles in the way." Abby now had a smile on her face as she said.

"The munificent Comberfords eh?" She teased James. "That's something different."

James followed the tone immediately. "Wonderful, at last you are starting to see us in a better light."

Whilst they had been talking only two cars had used the road bridge. The driver of one had raised his hand in acknowledgement indicating a local. The other car had driven slowly with heads inside turning this way and that, taking in every sight possible in the time it took to cross the bridge. Abby muttered.

"Grockles." which brought gusts of laughter from James.

"Now I know you have gone native. Where did you learn that word?"

"Mary and Jack. They said it was a local word used to describe visitors." James nodded.

"Well sort of, it is used to describe those visitors who are most ignorant and rude. Not for the usual traveller who respects our environment."

Abby felt chastised. "I shall be careful in future."

They sat in silence for a while, Abby enjoying the peace, the warmth of the Sun, and a seat which was not moving beneath her. James sipping his coffee. She watched the river again, and wondered why the flow was sullen.

"James, Why is the river so different here? Further up it flows quite quickly, but here it's very sluggish." James had been packing away the flask and coffee mugs, obviously in anticipation of starting their return ride. He walked over and looked at the river.

"I suspect it would have something to do with the geology. I believe there is a ridge of impervious Granite down there." he pointed away from the Valley, "and it has created this area of bog. The river couldn't cut through the ridge so it spreads out and finds many channels to run through. I think the railway bridge was built on the granite, but the road bridge had to have that embankment built, probably why they never improved it, they would have had to put pilings down to get a firm foundation." Abby looked up at James.

"Is there nothing you don't know about this valley?" She asked with a smile.

James grinned and shrugged his shoulders. "It's a legacy of the generations that the family have lived here, and of a little boy who was always asking questions, much to the annoyance of his long-suffering mother and father." His face bore that habitual grin. A grin that could be warming, welcoming and sometimes exasperating. "Do you know that some were rude enough to call me that damn know-it-all?"

Abby had to smile. Not that he qualified as a know-it-all but at the picture conjured in her head. "I'm picturing you as a little boy, in short trousers, dirty knees and torn sweater." James laughed and shook his head.

"Never short trousers. Jeans from the very earliest days. Too many brambles and nettles around to wear short trousers. But the torn sweater, yes. I have to admit that." He collected the cups and walked over to Cassie and packed them.

"Are we off then?" Abby asked. James nodded.

"I think we should, bit of a haul back, but we can stop on the way if you want." He brought Jason over and Abby used the parapet of the bridge to mount Jason, who suitably refreshed by the stop was eager to be off.

It is always this way, thought Abby as they rode back. The journey to a place was always more exciting than the return. Yes, she enjoyed riding along with James, and Jason had now learnt to obey her instructions; or perhaps it was that she had learnt how to give them; yet there was a sense of sadness that she was approaching the end of a really good day. As she rode behind James where the track narrowed, she noticed that he was riding with his shoulders slumped a little, did he feel this sense of sadness as well? The gloom of the wooded area did not help either, the Sun was now coming from the west casting more of the valley into shade. Abby felt happier when they emerged from the woods and the sunlight once again fell upon them. Although there was quite a way to ride yet she

didn't want the day to end there, so riding up alongside James she told him how much she had enjoyed the day. "Would you join me for Dinner this evening?"

James looked up sharply. "Dinner?"

"Yes, I am sure that Mary would give us a good meal."

James didn't think at all. "I would love that, thank you, but why?"

"You have been so helpful, allowing me to ride Jason, and showing me this lovely valley, which I admit could not be seen better than in the saddle, so it's a little thank you."

"You have no need to thank me." James replied. "It has been an absolute pleasure, and as I haven't ridden this way for some time, the ride was made all the more pleasant for the company."

"Good I shall tell Mary, I am sure she will do us something a little special." James had that quivering smile about his mouth again.

"I have no doubt of that; she will probably be distraught that she doesn't have any oysters to give us." Abby giggled at that remark, the first time that James had made any kind of a suggestive quip with her. James continued. "Are we going to be formal?"

"Of course not." replied Abby knowing full well that she would put on a dress this evening, and use the lessons she had from Roz, and take more care with her makeup than usual.

"As we are issuing invitations, my mother wondered if you would like to come up to the house one afternoon for tea. Any day this week would suit her, if you are not too busy."

Abby had to give this some thought, not that she wanted to refuse, but about the significance of this meeting. Deciding that there was no real significance, she answered. "I would like that. Would Wednesday suit?"

James nodded. "I am sure it will. I'll let you know this evening if that is ok."

"Will you be there, James?"

"Some of the time, I am sure. I may have to go out though, but I won't let you suffer completely alone."

"You make it sound like a bit of a trial."

James laughed. "No not really. Mother is quite easy to get on with, when she is here. She just makes life uncomfortable for me for the first few days when she arrives. She will be all sweetness and light for you." Abby was thinking to herself that she should have to make another effort for this appointment, when James said.

"You don't need to go to any trouble. Mother will probably be in Jodhpurs."

"Oh, does she ride?"

"Yes, Jason is her horse really. When she's here, Jason gets a lot of exercise; else he would be eating his head off all the time." Abby had heard from James before that his mother did not seem to spend all her days in the valley and wondered why?

Emboldened by their frankness earlier she ventured to ask. "Does your Mother spend much time away?"

James smiled before answering.. "When the Flat racing season is with us she's in Berkshire, when it's National Hunt rules she's everywhere else, as long as there is society to be part of, that's where she is. She has never been happy in the valley you see." James said that as if he couldn't understand why anyone could not be happy with the valley. He went on. "That suits me well. I am left to get on with my life as I see fit. Apart from her spies of course."

"And what pray," Abby giggled, "have they told your mother about you neglecting your duties to entertain this newcomer to the valley?"

"I would imagine that mother has been briefed thoroughly. I know not what she is thinking, but I can imagine as I would think you can as well."

Abby's face lit up. "Along the same lines as Mavis and Mary perhaps?"

"Got it in one." James nodded vigorously. Abby mentally slapped herself. She was flirting again. Annoyed in one respect but pleased that it seemed to come so easily. Perhaps it was James and the ease with which they could talk and yet not talk together. Neither feeling the need to fill the gaps with inane chatter. She was comfortable with him, never feeling threatened by crude and loaded comments.

They were arriving back at the station. Abby was surprised to see Sam and another man on the platform. She had seen this other man in the Combe Inn and talked with him, yet for the life of her could not remember his name. She was saved when James muttered.

"I wonder what Sam and Harry are doing here?" That was enough of a reminder for her, the name now jumped from her memory. Harry Webster, the man with the terriers. They rode up, Sam and Harry turned to await their arrival. Abby was the first to speak.

"Hello Sam, hello Harry, it's a lovely day?" She guided Jason towards the platform, and Sam came forward to help her dismount. Abby gave him a kiss on the cheek which brought on Sam's blush as ever. Harry's greeting was more reserved, lifting his cap slightly and murmuring, "Mr. James, Miss Abby."

Sam immediately told Abby why they were here. "Harry and me were wondering how we were going to open up this place for his dogs to check it out. That's if you don't mind of course."

"Oh no, I don't mind at all, in fact I would be pleased."

"Don't want to break a window, or force the door, but I cannot see another way at the moment."

Abby could see the problem, and was giving some thought as to what she would prefer when a moment of clarity came to her. "Wait a minute; I think I may have keys for the doors."

James turned to her with amazement. "How could you have the keys?"

"I saw granddads solicitor. There were some personal items, and a set of keys. It never occurred to me until this moment, that they could be the keys to the station and the house."

"Do you have them at the Inn?" Harry asked.

"Yes."

"Well if Sam and I can borrow them we will try tomorrow, if that's alright with you? I'll bring my tools along just in case they don't fit and we have to force the doors."

"I hope they are the ones." Abby seemed eager. "Can I come along and watch?"

Sam nodded vigorously. "Of course, Abby it's your property after all."

"What time do you think you will be here? Not too early I hope."

Sam laughed. "I would have thought about mid-Morning, it will take Harry an hour or so to catch his terriers first."

Harry pretended to bristle a little. "Not likely, Sam, if my dogs get the idea that there is some fun for them here, they will be here before any of us." Abby laughed, as she remounted Jason, with Sam moving to help her. James had sidled Cassie alongside of Jason to make sure he didn't move away, something that Sam noted silently to himself. They rode off with Abby waving goodbye. Sam smiled and waved back. His inward thoughts adding a lot of warmth to his smile.

Harry watched them ride away, lifted his cap and scratched his head. "I am not really a judge of these things, but it appears to me, Sam that Mr. James and that young lady are getting rather close."

Sam slowly nodded his head. "Could be you are right, Harry, could be. But don't let on your suspicions to anyone else. You know what my Mavis is like. Give her a sniff of romance and she will have the Vicar booked and everything before you can turn round."

Harry was well aware of Mavis's weakness for matchmaking. "Heart of gold your Mavis. Always remember how kind she was when I needed help. But she's the same as all women. Likes a romance, particularly if it ends with a Church wedding. And our Church has not seen one of those for quite some time. Reckon it'll go that far?"

Sam ruminated, his head nodding slightly. "I would say a fair chance of that. Mr. James has never treated any girl the way he treats Miss Abby. Perhaps this is the one."

"Well that would be good." Harry slapped Sam on his back. "Just imagine, you could be asked to give the Bride away, eh Sam?"

"Rubbish." Sam was scornful. "I am sure Abby has plenty of friends she could ask."

Harry was grinning and shook his head. "Now come on Sam. It was you told me that the girl has no living relatives. I've noticed she turns to you a lot, so it's a pound to a penny that she will ask you. Of course it will be have to be the full rig; you know the tail coat and all. I mean Mr. James will be in full dress uniform won't he? So you will need the top hat." His smile grew broader as he teased Sam. "Got to do these things properly."

Sam's face was quite red again. "Now don't you start, Harry Webster. You and my Mavis are very much alike, neither of you know when to stop do you?"

The couple in question rode quietly for a while. Until Abby turned to James. "James, why is it that Harry will always call me 'Miss Abby'? He did so then and also when I have seen him in the Combe Inn."

James thought a little. He knew why, but searched for the right way of telling Abby the reason. "It's something to do with the way Harry sees his place in society. Because he places you as one of my peer group, he sees you in my company so he has to show respect. He always calls me 'Mr. James' so he has to call you 'Miss Abby'." Abby shook her head.

"But that's not right, I am no better than them, besides Sam calls me Abby. It's back to the same situation with your father and granddad."

"Yes, but it's a little different with Sam. He is the oldest man in the valley, and you show him respect as that. In addition you have become close to him, treating him as a father figure, so that makes it ok for Sam to call you Abby. But Harry could not for all the tea in China be so familiar. I know it isn't how things happen in the modern world, with everyone calling everyone else by their given name, no matter how fleeting the acquaintance. But here older and different values apply." Abby had a mischievous smile on her face as she replied.

"Oh we are back to the throwback mode are we? So why don't they call you Squire? You are the Squire aren't you?"

James grinned. "Squire is a title you have to earn, it doesn't just come with the land and the big house. It is a very old style, a bit too old even for me, it never seemed right. One or two did call me that, but I quickly put them straight. To be honest I agree with you. I am no better than them. They work the land, I am just a sort of parasite even though I own the land. I would be happy if they just called me James, but they didn't think it right."

He then changed the topic. "Anyway clever girl. How come you manage to find your grandfather's solicitor, I wouldn't have thought for a moment that he would have one."

"I have to confess it wasn't my idea." Abby replied a little shamefaced. "Toni at the Library in Paverton suggested I ask around. I struck lucky."

"So was there a huge legacy?" He asked with his normal grin.

Abby laughed. "If you can call a couple of keys, a watch and a journal, which Mr. Brasher went ecstatic about, a legacy, well then yes. The personal items were nice to have though."

"It brought you closer to your granddad." Abby nodded and went silent for a while. James did not attempt to fill the void, but concentrated on taking the horses through the gate into the meadow.

They arrived back at the Inn. The Cream Teas were not so busy this afternoon, and apart from one or two curious looks as they came through the gate, and hitched Cassie and Jason to the fence, little was said as they sat down. Mary immediately appeared and beamed her smile as Abby asked if they could have some tea.

"Did you enjoy your ride?" she asked hoping for some tit-bits with which she could regale Mavis. Abby's next request gave her all she needed.

"James is going to join me for dinner tonight. Mary, I don't want you to go to any trouble, whatever is going will be good. Is that all right?" Mary's mind was racing, outwardly she kept her calm. She replied casually.

"No trouble at all, as long as I put out enough food to feed three, Mr. James will be quite content."

James could not let this slur pass. "Mary, are you saying I eat a lot?"

"No, Mr James. It's just that you seem to believe that a plate should never be sent back with anything on it but the pattern."

"It is simply good manners, Mary, good manners. If someone goes to the trouble of cooking this good food, I should not disrespect their labour by leaving food on the plate."

Mary made no reply to that except, 'Humph.' Leaving no doubts about her opinion. "I'll get you some tea."

Abby was absolutely certain that there would also be scones, Jam and cream. She would eat none of it, but knew that James would fall upon the scones with delight. She sat back to enjoy the late afternoon Sun, grateful for a solid seat. James had gone to the horses and was emptying the saddle bags of their Lunch. Jason and Cassie were in luck as there were two apples left, which they scrunched with obvious enjoyment. He put the packages on the table and whispered to Abby. "Nothing left but the wrappings. That will please Mary." Abby giggled.

If it pleased Mary, she said nothing, as she placed a tray on their table. As Abby expected the tray held far more than the tea, for which Abby was gasping. She busied herself pouring tea for them both, remembering that James took one sugar; something that Mary noted; whilst James set about the scones and cream.

Mary watched with a smile on her face for a while, and then said. "I shall have to be getting on now, oh by the way, I shall be doing Somerset Pork tonight, but looking at Mr. James and those scones vanishing, I don't suppose he will want much anyway." James had his mouth full at that time, and was unable to reply. He just looked at Mary with a hurt expression on his face.

To be continued