Adrian grinned and looked away. He noticed the man he’d pegged as Mr Llewellyn, chatting with his daughter and peering over at them.
“I see. So listen, the reason I wanted you to contact me is because my father left the family’s Welsh holiday home to me. That’s right, Bryn Bach. Well, it seems your mother is none too pleased about the outcome—”
Even Adrian could hear the voice at the end of the phone becoming loud. Lenny looked at Adrian and pulled a face, which had Adrian chuckling.
“The point is, she’s threatening me with solicitors to challenge the will and, from everything I’ve been told, she doesn’t have a hope in hell of winning. She’ll basically end up throwing a lot of money away based on—”
Lenny stopped again to listen and nodded slowly while taking a sip of his beer.
“That would be really helpful, Mary. Let me know how you get on. I don’t really want us to go down that route, but I’ve had to deal with disputes all my life, so I have my own legal adviser ready to go.”
Once again Lenny waited for her to finish talking.
“Perfect, thanks, Mary. And I didn’t say, but I’m in the process of renovating Bryn Bach, giving the place a new lease of life, so to speak. Once we’re done, and only if you’re happy about it, I would love for you and your husband to come for a house-warming.”
Lenny smiled into the phone.
“Absolutely. Just let me know. But it would be great to finally meet you. And one last thing before I go. Do you know if your brother still has keys to Bryn Bach? Or if somebody locally might have a set? I’m only asking because I think someone’s been keeping an eye on the place. Is that right? Okay, I see. Well, I’ll let you go and thanks for your help.”
When he put the phone back down, and after gulping beer, he filled in the gaps for Adrian.
“She said she’s not surprised. Her mother is a chronic obsessive. Once she gets her mind set on something, she never lets go. Just hope you never meet her, Ade.”
“I don’t know. I’d like to see her go a few rounds with my mother," said Adrian, grinning. "Does Mary still see her? Your aunt?”
“That’s the weird part. They’re no longer on speaking terms. She sees her father still, but refuses to talk to her mother. Never said why, though. Funny how Aunt Millicent never mentioned that little nugget at the funeral. Anyway, she said that although her mother won’t speak to her, she knows somebody who might talk some sense into her. She’s going to try, then get back to me next week.”
“That’s good. Mary sounds like a grown up. And what was that about Matthew?”
"She called him hopeless, said if he kept the keys at home he’d never remember where he put them. Apparently he used to leave them down here somewhere, but she has no idea where or who with. And another thing. She said that, to her knowledge, he hasn’t been down here for years. Which is not what he intimated at the solicitors’ office."
“Interesting. So our intruder could be a local?”
“Let’s not think about it. Come on. How’s progress going? I can’t wait to see the place.”
Adrian brought Lenny up to speed with the few things that had happened since their call the night before. Adrian had managed to call the local guttering specialist, who also provided roofing services. So he had asked them to check both and make any necessary repairs when they came on Tuesday. Even over the phone he had been able to tell the man knew his stuff, referencing the photos Adrian had sent him and explaining about the local materials used. Towards the end of his short update, Maggie appeared at their table and crouched down to their eye level.
“Sorry to interrupt. I was in the kitchen putting your order in when chef says we got a delivery today. Fresh steaks,” said Maggie, her voice lowered. “Wagyu rib-eye. Not on the menu ‘cause he’s only bought a few, see? Thinking about adding them to the menu. And as you two are as good as regulars, he thought you might like first pickings. Don’t get me wrong, the pies are fine, too, but he thought you might like something different. For sides, he’s got French fries or Lyonnaise potatoes, with fried onions, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms. Only if you’re interested.”
“Now you’re spoiling us,” said Lenny. “And I would love the steak. Cooked medium, with the Lyonnaise. Ade, how about you?”
“Same. French mustard, too, if you have any.”
“Same,” said Lenny.
“You two make me laugh,” said Maggie, chucking genuinely. “You’re like bookends, always ordering the same. I’ll let Chef know. There’s a bit of a lull in the kitchen right now, so it shouldn’t be too long. If any of the nosy buggers comes over and asks, tell them you ordered them through the chef who got them in specially for you.”
“The friend I had with me asked your chef if he would ever consider serving up steaks,” said Adrian. “On Monday. Is that why—?”
Maggie said nothing, simply smiled conspiratorially before patting her forefinger against her nose a couple of times, and leaving them both laughing.
“We’re officially locals,” said Lenny.
“Feels good, doesn’t it? But promise me something.”
“What’s that?”
“No matter how hungry you are, we skip dessert. I need to get you back to the house.”
