Gayle nodded. ‘Did you like the room?’
‘Sure.’
Jake picked up his bag, thankful that Gayle still hadn’t asked why they hadn’t stayed at The Lake House. He guessed it was obvious; how could they, after that terrible Christmas?
‘If you pass this way again, be sure to stop by.’
‘I will,’ said Jake, although he thought it highly unlikely that he would ever return.
He stepped outside. He could see Marcus still waiting by the car, his arms folded. Jake turned back to Gayle. ‘Thanks again for the room.’
‘No, I should be thanking you.’
Jake frowned. ‘I’m sorry – what?’
‘For your wonderful gardener. I know your family are his biggest employer. I’m just glad that he had the time to do my garden.’
‘Your garden looks fantastic,’ Jake said, and he meant it.
‘As does yours, I’m sure.’
Jake nodded. ‘Yeah, it makes quite a contrast to the house. When I first saw it I couldn’t get over how it’s started to deteriorate in a little under a year.’
‘That is sad.’
Jake realised that Gayle hadn’t seen the house up close recently – if ever. Jake admitted, ‘I shouldn’t have been all that surprised. I’ve neglected that house. I was more taken aback by the grounds.’ The gardener must have remained on the payroll, and not only that, had continued to do his job despite the fact that nobody ever came to the house. ‘The peculiar thing is that Ithought the gardener was some old guy.’
‘Marty took over from his father when he retired.’
It had always seemed normal to Jake that he didn’t know what went on at his own house. The company always took care of everything. He’d assumed that this would stop when he stopped working at the Ross Corporation, although he was still a company director.
‘I remember now. He occasionally brought a kid along.’ Jake remembered the freckle-faced, ginger-haired little lad who couldn’t have been more than twelve when he’d last seen him. ‘When did his father retire – do you know?’
‘I think around about the time …’ she trailed off, aware of the delicate nature of mentioning the name Eleanor Ross. ‘He loves that old house; said it was so sad the way everyone had deserted the place.’
Jake was thoughtful. ‘I wish I’d known that he’d retired after all those years.’ Jake imagined that the company had probably done something for the gardener when he retired – hopefully given him a bonus. Even so, Jake would have liked to do something for him too.
Jake glanced over his shoulder at the car. Marcus was mouthing something and making a point of looking at his watch. Jake sighed and turned back to Gayle. ‘I’d better go.’
Jake stepped onto the gravel drive, realising that it was probably the beautifully manicured lawn and flower borders that had kept squatters away from The Lake House. How could the house appear abandoned if the gardens looked so well cared for?
He did an about-turn and asked Gayle, ‘Will you tell Marty, next time you see him, that I’d like to do something special for his dad, in recognition of all the hard work he’s put into the garden over the years?’
Gayle folded her arms. ‘No.’
Jake stopped. It wasn’t the response he was expectingfrom Gayle when he’d asked her to pass on a message to Marty. He looked quizzically at Gayle. She was normally so accommodating.
‘Do you want to know why I won’t do it?’
Jake nodded. ‘Yes, I do.’
She unfolded her arms and took a step towards Jake. ‘You should speak to Marty yourself and let him hear some praise for his father from one of the Rosses themselves.’
Jake eyed Gayle. She was right: an apology was in order for not even realising Marty’s father had retired, and he should also welcome Marty to The Lake House and thank him for continuing his father’s excellent work. ‘You’re absolutely right,’ said Jake. ‘Thank you, Gayle.’
‘You’re welcome.’
Jake turned to go, hoping Marty was still at The Lake House. Jake knew he hadn’t long returned to Lark Lodge, so hopefully the young gardener would still be there.
