Instant Father

Chapter Seven

To Norah’s bemusement and exasperation, Gavin didn’t behave as she’d expected the next day. Instead of snapping at her in his usual brusque manner before retreating into the office, he went out early to buy another camcorder and immediately got to work with it. She enjoyed a laugh at his early fumblings, and he responded with a rueful smile that was the most attractive expression she’d ever seen on his face.

As if he were determined to act out of character, he also adopted her suggestion for getting the best pictures of Peter. Norah came across them while Gavin was saying, “Hold Flick a little higher so that I can see her properly… Now let her run free… You’d better chase her.”

She laughed with pleasure, and they both looked in her direction, smiling. She tried to back off, not wanting to intrude, but Peter ran to her eagerly, took her hand and drew her before the lens. She was about to protest that this was about him, when she remembered the little subterfuge Gavin was practicing at her own suggestion. So she played along, leading Gavin through the sanctuary and asking Peter to fetch out various animals for their moment of stardom.

Delighted, she saw how father and son relaxed when they forgot to worry about their relationship. Gavin seemed to be still the gentle, kindly man of the night before, and Peter responded, smiling, and once even laughing out loud.

The next moment she wondered at herself for being pleased. Every moment that Peter seemed to be at ease in his father’s company was a moment nearer the time she would lose him. Soon, perhaps, the barriers would fall, and father and son would find each other again. Then she would lose both of them. But not yet, she assured herself. There was a long way to go yet.

That evening, when Peter had gone to bed, she found Gavin watching the tape on television. She stopped in the doorway to view the screen and was surprised to see only herself. She was holding Mack and smiling into the little monkey’s face. The next moment Peter appeared. But to her astonishment Gavin pressed the fast-forward button on the terminals and the picture sped ahead until she appeared again, this time in close-up. Suddenly the picture juddered to a halt. Gavin had stopped it, and was holding it still while he studied her face. Norah’s heart was beating madly. She took a deep breath, trying to still it, but nothing could quiet her excitement.

Gavin heard the breath and turned sharply to see her there, just as she backed away and hurried outside. Her cheeks were burning at the implications of what she’d just seen. It was a mistake, surely. Or a whim. That was it. Gavin had watched her face on a passing whim. He was probably annoyed that she’d seen him, in case she misunderstood.

She began to make her final round of the sanctuary, hoping that by the time she went in again he would have gone to bed. But as she closed the final pen behind her she became aware of Gavin standing there, almost hidden by the darkness. “I wondered what had happened to you,” he said.

“I’m always out here at this time of night,” she responded, glad that her voice sounded normal, although her pulses were racing.

“But you don’t always stay out for two hours,” he said.

“I haven’t been here for two hours.”

“Yes, you have. Check your watch.”

She did, and was startled. Had two hours really passed while she walked under the trees thinking of him? But she’d checked the animals as well, hadn’t she? Alarmed, she discovered that she simply couldn’t remember.

“I-some of them were restless. I had to spend more time with them than usual,” she stammered.

“Of course.” He gave no sign of noticing her prevarication, any more than she mentioned how she’d seen him studying her shadow on the screen, but the truth was there between them in the darkness, making the air vibrate.

“It was a good day, wasn’t it?” she said desperately.

“Fine, thanks to you and your bright idea. I’ve been watching the tape. In fact-in fact, I’ve been watching you more than Peter.”

“Have you?” she asked breathlessly.

“Yes. I wanted to fathom your secret, to find out what you have that makes Peter turn to you. I thought perhaps I could learn from you.”

“Oh, I see.” She was glad of the darkness to hide her disappointment.

Gavin sighed. “But it doesn’t work. You give him something I can’t. I don’t know what it is.”

“Gavin, how often do you put your arms around Peter?”

He grimaced. “He wouldn’t want me to.”

“You don’t know that. He might hug you back. He might sense that you need it as much as he does.”

He came closer and gave her a wry look. “You talk as though I were one of your sick animals. Can’t you meet anyone without diagnosing them?”

“I guess not. It’s an instinct by now. This is a sanctuary. No wounded creature is ever turned away. And after a while you learn that most creatures are wounded.”

She sensed him flinch at the implication, but he stood his ground. “And that’s how you cure them? By putting your arms around them?”

“There’s only one way to heal,” she whispered, “and that is to love.”

“Is that your secret, Norah?” he asked softly. “Is that why all creatures come to you for comfort?”

“Not all,” she said, looking at him.

“Yes,” he replied huskily. “All.” On the last word he reached for her blindly, pulling her against him so that his mouth could cover hers.

She went easily into his arms, kissing him back and holding his body close. She knew now that she’d been longing for this to happen ever since last night. He’d taken hold of her then to comfort her, and she’d been comforted, but it hadn’t been enough. She’d wanted more. Now more was being offered to her and she seized on it with shameless hunger, receiving the caress of his lips and caressing him back with her own. A deep sigh broke from her as she felt his arms tighten about her. His need was there in his lips, in the heat of his body, in the urgent movements of his hands.

“Norah…” he whispered against her mouth. “Norah…”

She tried to murmur a response, but he was kissing her again. For once this super-controlled man had let his control slip, letting her sense depths of passion and abandon that were usually hidden. That was the man she wanted, the one so carefully concealed behind the iron front, the true man who could set her heart alight if only he were allowed to live and breathe in the sunlight. And she was being given a chance to find him…

But then a chill invaded her, as she realized the moment was slipping through her fingers. Gavin wasn’t just drawing apart from her. He was actively pushing her away.

“Gavin…” she whispered, half pleading.

“That wasn’t very wise,” he said in a voice that shook.

“No, I suppose not, but-”

“But we can be wise now,” Gavin hurried on. “It’s not too late to keep our heads and remember that we’re still on different sides. That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it?”

“Yes,” she said bleakly. “I guess that’s what I was going to say. How lucky for us both that you’re a cautious man.”

“I’ve always had to be. It’s stood me in good stead in my career.”

“And in your life?” she couldn’t resist asking with a touch of bitterness. “Has caution enriched your life, Gavin?”

“It’s saved me from some bad mistakes.”

“And kissing me was a mistake?”

“Getting involved with you would be. It would be a mistake for you, too. I’m not-not a very nice person.”

“You are sometimes.”

“Not often enough. Go on thinking badly of me, Norah. You’re safer that way. That’s a friendly tip from someone who likes you.”

“Oh, you!” she yelled. “Get out of here and stop confusing me.”

He went at once. She watched him disappear in the direction of the house, fighting a desire to throw something at him, preferably something that would hit him on the head and knock some sense into him.

The wire beside her shook, and she saw Mack clinging to the other side. She sighed and tickled his tummy. “Why can’t I be like you?” she whispered. “All you think about is the next meal and the next sleep, and I’ll tell you something. You’ve got life worked out.”

He nibbled her finger, and his bright eyes gleamed at her.

When she’d calmed down, she followed Gavin into the house and prepared to go to bed. But when she reached the top of the stairs she found him standing outside Peter’s room, listening intently. From behind the door Norah could hear Peter’s voice, murmuring soft words. “He’s got Flick in there,” she said.

“And he’s talking to him,” Gavin said with a touch of bitterness. “He can talk when he wants to.”

“He’ll talk to you when he’s ready. Give him time.”

He gave a mirthless laugh. “I thought I’d have made the breakthrough before now-long before now. That’ll show you how little I know. Perhaps I should just give up and go away. Nobody needs me here.”

“That’s not true,” she said urgently. “Don’t give up, Gavin. Peter needs you more than he knows. Be patient.”

He sighed. “I’ll try. But it gets harder every day. Good night, Norah. I’m sorry about tonight. Sorry for everything. Just try to forget anything happened.”

“Happened?” she queried ironically. “Did anything happen? I didn’t notice.”

He gave a wry grin. “I asked for that, didn’t I? But you’re quite right.”

“Battle lines drawn up again?”

“Right.”

But despite her words, as she went to bed Norah found herself thinking of Liz, and wondering about her first marriage. She’d been fond of her stepmother, and apart from her one meeting with Gavin six years ago had mostly taken her view of him from Liz. Now a new thought startled her. Perhaps Liz had never really understood Gavin. Perhaps if she’d understood him properly, she might have loved him better. He was a man who would need a great deal of understanding, but Norah was used to dealing with creatures who lashed out because of some inner pain. It seemed to her that this would make her the ideal person to love him. “But I don’t,” she told herself quickly. “Of course I don’t. What’s one little kiss, after all?”

Yet the feeling of his lips on hers stayed with her long into the night, and when she fell asleep the memory haunted her dreams.

When the telephone rang next day, Norah had a rebellious moment of refusing to answer and take yet another message for Gavin. But then she thought it might be for the sanctuary, so she snatched up the receiver.

“Gavin Hunter, please,” snapped a male voice.

“I’m afraid he’s not here at the moment.”

The man made an exasperated sound. “Is that his secretary?”

“Oh, yes,” she said ironically, “of course I’m his secretary. I can’t remember when I was anything else.”

“Fine. Tell him please that Harry Elsemore called. I’m making progress on raising the finance on the property, but it’s hard when he only owns half of it. Hallo? Are you there?”

“Yes,” she said slowly. “I’m here. What did you say?”

“About this place-Strand House-that he’s trying to raise money on. It’s not easy when he’s only the half owner. It would be better if he could get the other party out. I’ve got some ideas about that. Tell him to call me back as soon as he comes in. He’s got my number.” The man hung up.

Iris, contentedly feeding rabbits a few minutes later, was startled to see Norah stride out of the house, sprint across several hundred yards in double-quick time, and storm into the wooden hut she used as an on-site base. The door was slammed with a force that nearly demolished the hut, but this was followed by a silence that was even more alarming. After a moment Iris approached and apprehensively opened the door a crack. When nothing happened, she ventured to open it further and discovered Norah sitting on the table, her arms wrapped around her body. She was totally silent, but the silence had a volcanic quality.

“What-what are you doing?” Iris ventured to ask.

Norah spoke between gritted teeth. “I…am…calming…down.”

“Oh, I see. Well, I’ll leave you to it.” Iris crept away.

An hour later Gavin’s car appeared. The sight brought Norah out of the hut, face pale and eyes flashing. “Find Peter something to do at the other end of the grounds,” she told Iris. “Make sure he doesn’t come near the house.”

Gavin went straight to his room. He was tired, hot, sticky and dispirited. Nothing was going as he’d planned, and the unfamiliar sensation of not being in control was playing havoc with his nerves. He stripped off and went into his bathroom, hoping that a shower would make him feel better. But no sooner had he stepped under the cool water than he heard the sound of his bedroom door being opened and then shut forcefully.

“Hunter.” He’d never heard Norah use that tone or that volume before, and it struck his ear disagreeably.

“I’m in here,” he called. “I’ll be out in a moment.”

Through the glass panel he could see her enter the bathroom. “I want you out now,” she snapped. “I have things to say.”

“Then you’ll have to wait until I’m ready,” he called back, affronted. “Please leave.”

“Not on your life. We have to talk. Hunter, I’m warning you, if you don’t get out, I’ll come in.”

Seeing her reach for the handle on the other side of the panel he grabbed his own handle and hung on. “What’s the matter with you, woman? Have you gone mad?” he yelled over the sound of the water.

“Oh, I’m mad, all right. You’ve no idea just how mad. But you’re going to find out. Now turn off that water and get out here.”

“Don’t give me orders,” he shouted.

“Hah! If I gave you what I’d like to give you, you’d be in the hospital for the rest of your days. Get out of the shower and face me like a man.”

Curiosity, as much as anything, made him yield. “Get out of my bathroom, and I’ll get out of the shower,” he yelled.

“And have you lock the door against me? Oh, no!”

“If you imagine I’m getting out like this, with you standing there, you delude yourself.”

“And if you imagine that the sight of your body would make me want to do anything except commit violence on it, you delude yourself. Here’s your robe. I’ll look the other way while you put it on.”

She averted her head and held the robe out behind her. Now seriously alarmed, Gavin opened the shower door very gingerly and took it from her. He put it on hurriedly, keeping his eyes on her back, which seemed to radiate fury. “I’m ready,” he said shortly.

She stood aside, refusing to leave first, so that he had to pass before her to get into the bedroom. “Aren’t you going rather over the top?” he demanded.

“I’m not taking any chances of you retreating into the bathroom and shutting me out.”

“No way. I want to know what this is all about. What gives you the right to march into my bedroom and start acting like a storm trooper? Time for explanations.”

“Right! But it’s going to be you doing the explaining. I had a phone call this morning. Or rather, you had a phone call, which I had to take. I really couldn’t blame the man for assuming I was your secretary. What else do I have to do?”

“Did you get me out of the shower to make an issue of this?” he demanded in outrage.

“I got you out of the shower to discuss Harry Elsemore and his plans for driving me out of this place,” Norah said emphatically.

At that moment Gavin became uncomfortably aware that the robe didn’t cover him very well. He instinctively clutched the edges together while he expelled his breath very slowly. It gave him time to think.

“He was very eloquent on the need to get rid of me to make it easier for you to raise money on this house. How dare you try to mortgage Strand House behind my back!”

“I’m trying to raise money on my half of it, which I have every right to do.”

“Not behind my back.”

“Why should I discuss my business affairs with you?”

“Because they affect my home-and it’s going to continue to be my home no matter what nasty little plans you and Elsemore cook up.”

Gavin cursed. This had all seemed so simple when he’d first planned it, and it was simple. It was just that Norah had the gift of making it sound underhanded, and he was furious with her for it. “Elsemore went too far,” he snapped. “I never asked him for suggestions to get you out, and I won’t listen to them.”

“Oh, come,” she scoffed, “surely if he comes up with a real beauty-”

“I tell you I won’t listen. I don’t do business Elsemore’s way-”

“Why on earth not?”

“Because he’s a crook,” Gavin snapped, realizing too late that he’d said something fatal.

He was right. Norah fell on this tidbit like a lioness devouring prey. “Oh-ho, so he’s a crook! But you do have dealings with him?”

“Long-distance dealings and only when necessary.”

“I wonder what sort of necessity puts you in cahoots with a crook.”

“I don’t like the expression ‘in cahoots with.’”

“Tough!”

“As for necessity…Look around you. How long can we go on like this? But the only way I plan to get you out is to buy you out.”

“Not in a million years! This place is perfect for the sanctuary, and I’m staying. I’ve told you that before, but you suffer from convenient deafness.”

“There are other places. You’ll have plenty of money with what I propose to pay you-”

“There is nowhere else like this, and I’m staying.”

“Look, Norah, don’t force me to play dirty.”

“I don’t believe what I’m hearing. You? Play dirty? Surely not.”

He flushed at her sarcasm. “You’re damned lucky I’m offering you money at all. Liz had no right to simply assign her half of Strand House to your father, and if I challenged you in the courts I’d rate my chance of overturning it as pretty good. That’s what I should have done at the start. But no, I made the mistake of trying to be fair. Well, this is my last offer. Sell to me for a reasonable price, and I’ll be fair to you. I’ll help you find somewhere else. I’ll even pay for the transport of the animals. I can’t do more than that.

“But if you insist on fighting me to the end, you’ll find out what real dirty play is. I’ll take you to court and have that gift declared null and void. Then I’ll turn you out without a penny. Now what’s the matter?”

He asked the last question in some alarm, because Norah’s expression had changed with disconcerting suddenness. The anger had vanished to be replaced by hilarity. “What’s so damned funny?” he demanded.

“You are. You and your illusions. Gift, my foot! There was no gift. My father bought Liz’s share of the house fair and square.”

He was taken aback by this, but only briefly. “Sure he did,” he said, recovering. “And I can imagine the kind of nominal price he paid. Probably one pound.”

She’d stopped laughing and was looking at him curiously. “No, it was rather more than a pound.”

“Ten pounds. Or did he rise to the stratospheric heights of a hundred?”

“It was more than a hundred.”

“So how much? C’mon, blow my mind.”

“As a matter of fact I don’t know the exact amount-”

“Ah-hah!”

“But I do know it was a generous sum, because I heard Liz say it was too much.”

“Well, she would say that, wouldn’t she, to save his pride? None of this scares me. I still think this was a gift disguised as a sale, and that means I can still get it set aside.”

“Then I suggest you try.” She moved toward his bedside telephone.

“What are you doing now?” he demanded sharply.

“Calling our lawyer to say you want to see him. Hallo, Angus? Can you come over tonight and bring all the papers connected with…”

Gavin waited, fuming, until she’d finished. “Thank you,” he snapped. “I could have called him myself.”

“Yes, but some of the things you need to know are really my private business. Without my consent he wouldn’t have opened up. But it’ll be all right now.”

She went to the door. As she opened it, she turned and looked at him. She went out without speaking, but Gavin stared at the door a long time after she’d gone. The look on her face as she’d regarded him had been deeply unsettling. It had been a look of pity.

He discovered why, when Angus Philbeam arrived later that evening. He was a small, elderly man with bright eyes and an alert manner. Norah tactfully left them alone together, merely remarking, “Tell him anything he wants to know, Angus.”

“I gather you’re interested in the details of the sale of a half share in this property that was made by Mrs. Elizabeth Ackroyd to her husband, Anthony Ackroyd,” Angus remarked, removing papers from his briefcase.

“I have my doubts about whether it was a proper sale at all,” Gavin informed him.

“Oh, dear me, yes, it was a proper sale. The valuation was made by a most reputable surveyor. I have here a copy of his report.” Gavin skimmed quickly through the papers and gave a grunt when he came to the figure. “That, of course, was the valuation four years ago,” Angus Philbeam remarked. “It’s probably worth rather less now. Property has fallen in price, as I’m sure you know, Mr. Hunter.”

Gavin had reason to know it. It was the fall in property prices that had knocked the bottom out of his business. But as always, when discussing money, he kept his face impassive, merely remarking carelessly, “You’re surely not telling me that Tony Ackroyd paid half of this figure?”

“As a matter of fact he paid rather more.”

“More?” Gavin couldn’t believe his ears.

“Mr. Ackroyd felt that had Strand House been unoccupied the value would have been higher, so he insisted on paying his wife an extra thirty thousand pounds on top of the fifty percent.”

Gavin felt as though the roof had caved in on him. This was far worse than anything he could have imagined.

“This surprises you?” Angus asked, looking at him intently.

“Well, yes. Somehow you don’t think of a naturalist as being a-a solid man. I wonder how he persuaded anyone to give him a mortgage.”

“Oh, there was no mortgage. He paid cash. He was an extremely wealthy man. As a naturalist his reputation was second to none, and his books earned him a fortune. As for his being a ‘a solid man’-in these ‘green’ days I sometimes feel that naturalists are the only solid men. They seem to rake in cash while people in the more traditional money-making occupations are losing it. It’s a topsy-turvy world.”

“Yes,” Gavin said with an effort. “It is, isn’t it?”