Page 65 of A Change of Location
“Sure. Happy to help.”
Eve and Mim erupted in laughter.
“I’ve caught you at a bad moment. Shall I get in touch tomorrow?”
“No, no, it’s okay. I’m hanging out with my girlfriends.” She held her finger to her lips before moving away from the kitchen island.
“I’ve got appointments in the morning for a series of medical tests. The holiday will delay lab processing. Instead of staying in Boston, which I’m informed will become very crowded, I’d like to go elsewhere. I know there are mountains and lakes and the seaside not far from here, and I haven’t any preference. I wondered whether you could perhaps recommend a pleasant inn or a bed-and-breakfast.”
“Easy enough,” she said brightly. “For a location scout.”
“Wonderful. I’ll give you my mobile number. Better wait till the afternoon to get in touch.”
“Is there anything else I can do?”
“Good wishes would be appreciated. Prayers, too, if you’re so inclined.”
“You’ve got them. I hope all goes well in the morning.”
“I appreciate that, Hannah. And I look forward to hearing from you.”
“You definitely will,” she said. She returned her phone to her purse and resumed her clean-up tasks.
“Didn’t sound like a job offer,” Eve commented.
“A woman who’s visiting from France, asking if I know of a traditional New Englandy inn or B&B.” She wouldn’t get tangled up in explanations of how she became acquainted with Isobel Latimer or identify her as the parent of the wealthy aristocrat she’d referenced.
Odd, thought Hannah, for Isobel to travel alone to the States for medical purposes. If Martin had accompanied her, wouldn’t she have said so? Perhaps her sister Julia was with her, and planned to stay in the city over the holiday. That was possible.
“Does she have a car?” Mim asked.
“Didn’t ask.”
“If she drives in France, she won’t have any trouble here.”
“Our traffic is worse,” Eve pointed out. “Especially before and during and after the Fourth.”
Hannah was troubled by the prospect of Isobel attempting to maneuver through Boston’s clogged and confusing one-way streets or busy highways where motorists would be speeding towards the beach or the mountains. Or just as bad, relying on the scheduled tour buses. An obvious solution presented itself, one that depended on her ability to handle the awkwardness of looking after the mother of the man she’d loved and left. It also forced her to make a journey that she’d postponed since returning from England.
“Back in a minute.” She retrieved her cellphone and opened the sliding door to the wooden deck.
Don’t overthink, she told herself. Just do it.
She pressed the number at the top of her list of contacts.
“Ballard residence.”
“Hi, Mum. Do you and Dad have any special plans for the Fourth?”
“He’s got the day off. I’ll be in the garden and the kitchen. Are you able to come home? We’d love to see you, sweetie.”
“Is it all right if I bring someone?”
“I didn’t realize you and Joel were back together.”
Perish the thought. “It’s Isobel Latimer. Her son owns Stanwell House in Somerset, where Liz is filming Forsaken Fortune.” She relayed Isobel’s requirements, adding, “Bear Knoll matches her request perfectly. It’s quiet and secluded, and near the coast. It’s a chance to repay the hospitality I received from the Latimers.”
“Of course. We’ve got loads of room, and it gives us a reason to be festive. Your grandfather can supply us with lobsters. We’ll recreate the American Revolution, just for fun. She and I can sit together on the British side of the table. The Yanks—your dad and granddad—will go on the other. You’ll be the piggy in the middle. When do you plan to join us?”
