To Have and Hold

By Margaret F Carr

Theasoya Thomson is a woman struggling to hold onto her small business and family against mounting odds. When her small riding stable is attacked by vandals she is grateful for the help of a stranger. When more deadly things begin to happen, Thea searches for a reason. Adam Berrisford and his daughter are searching for a home. His in-laws are suing for the return of their granddaughter. Desperate he offers Thea a marriage proposal to resolve both their problems. Thea is warned to ‘look for a stranger nearer to home’ when Adam and his daughter move into the farmhouse. Then a neighbour informs her that her troubles can be laid at the door of Adam himself, the stranger she has trusted with her life and that of her business and family.

• Language: English
• Publisher: eBookPartnership.com
• Release date: May 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781783014309

Book preview

TWENTY

CHAPTER ONE

A motorbike back firing woke Thea Thomson from sleep. Engines stuttered and revved as lights crisscrossed the ceiling to the sound of shouting and jeering. Still half asleep she leapt from the bed and ran down the stairs. Plunging her bare feet into cold boots she grabbed a jacket from one of the pegs on the wall and dashed out into the freezing night.

Racing across the yard she dived into the tack room and reached for the switches that would flood Hillhead Stables with light. Four leather clad riders on heavy machines flashed in and out of the surrounding buildings alarming the resting horses. Hooves clattered on stone floors as horses climbed to their feet and came forward to stick their heads over the stable doors.

Four terriers followed her out into the yard, barking as they hurled themselves into the chaos, ignoring Thea’s commands to stay clear. Daisy, the elder of the terriers leapt up and sank her teeth into the booted foot of the leader of the bikers. With a roar of rage he shook his leg free of the bike trying to rid himself of his pesky adversary but the terrier clung on tenaciously.

Thea picked up a broom and rushed to the dog’s aid. The other three bikers roared around the yards pulling down and knocking over anything they could find.

Barrows, buckets, skips were scattered to the winds. Missiles were thrown into the boxes causing already terrified horses to stamp and lash out.

Thea’s screaming was drowned in the din of barking dogs, roaring bikes and frightened horses. Breathless from her efforts to unseat the leader of the bikers she moved swiftly to one side. With one last heave of his booted foot the rider flung the little dog through the air to crash against one of the stable doors. Free at last he throttled the bike and raced off around the stables laughing and howling as he joined up with the others.

Threatening them with everything she could think of Thea flung the broom at them as they swirled by. By chance it struck the front wheel of the second bike sending the rider over the top of the handlebars. There was a scream as he landed but he was unhurt and quickly back onto the undamaged bike.

You’ll be sorry for that you old witch, and he brayed donkey fashion as they set off down the lane with a roar of engines.

Seething with fury Thea watched their headlights flashing over the hedgerow as they turned onto the main road and disappeared. She crossed to the little dog that was shaking itself down in the corner of the yard none the worse for its battle. As Thea tidied up and retrieved the missiles thrown into the stables, checked to make sure none had done any damage and that all the horses were settling down again, she promised her self that this had to be stopped.

Back in the hall, that smelt of wet animals and sweat, she kicked off the boots and hanging up her jacket padded bare foot down the stone floor to the warmth of the kitchen. In the kitchen the constantly burning aga offered welcome. Sitting down at the long, bare wood table she dropped her head into her arms. She would like to have cried but all her tears had long since been used up. The stables she had struggled so long to maintain were running down hill fast. Spiralling expenses for fodder, bedding, shoeing, vet’s bills and her brother Freddy’s growing university expenses, not to mention her step father, Billy’s, constant drinking all added up to financially cripple her.

Perhaps Kit was right, she thought, and it was time to quit. Kit Mason was a friend and neighbour whose land edged her own. He had several times asked her to sell up and marry him but something had always held her back. What, she wasn’t quite sure. She was thirty six years old and had been struggling to keep the business and her little family together for a long time. Perhaps she was just reluctant to hand over the reins. She climbed wearily to her feet promising herself she would phone the police again first thing in the morning.

Could you identify any of them Miss Thomson? the young policeman was new she hadn’t seen this one before.

Sorry no.

Anything you noticed about any of the bikes?

It was dark. They always come at night.

The officer looked disappointed. How long have these people been pestering you?

Nine weeks at least once a week.

But you don’t think they are local?

Well I haven’t seen them around the village if that’s what you mean. I suspect they are from the city.

Have any of your other neighbours been bothered in this way?

Not that I know of no.

Why do you think they have singled you out?

Thea shrugged. I have no idea but it’s ruining my business.

Well thank you Miss Thomson we’ll keep an eye out for them.

Yes, yes, I know and do nothing. Thea turned away with a sigh, she phoned every time it happened to no avail the police simple weren’t interested in the destruction of her tatty empire.

Billy, please, not here. She hustled the old man about to urinate in the outside drain back into the house and along to the cloakroom.

Only bloody animals to see, he grumbled, coming back into the kitchen. Don’t know what all the fuss is about.

If your brain wasn’t so sozzled with drink you would know. You’ll end up in jail one of these days if you don’t sort yourself out. She felt like throwing his breakfast at him but laid the plate of eggs and toast in front of him. For goodness sake eat it your clothes are hanging on you.

He stared at his breakfast through bloodshot eyes and rubbed a shaky hand over three days of stubble on his chin. I’m not hungry, thrusting the plate across the table. You eat it.

Eat it or I’m calling the Care People again.

Hum some chance.

Why, what do you mean, she asked, coming to sit down with her own coffee and toast.

Phone’s been cut off. He went to drink from the milk jug.

Thea grabbed it off him just in time and proceeded to pour him a glass when his words made the glass in her hand wobble spilling some of the milk onto the table. It can’t be its not five minutes since I called the police.

Telling you, he nodded, reaching for the drink. I wanted to ask young Freddy. . .

I have told you repeatedly to leave Freddy alone he is working hard at university and doesn’t need you pestering him.

Couldn’t anyway, he grumbled into his chest, bloody phone’s not working.

Thea rose to her feet and crossing the floor to the dresser picked up the receiver and listened for the dialling tone. He was right it was quite dead. Replacing it she stood for several minutes trying to check the rising panic. She had intended to pay the bill, she must have forgotten to post it, then she remembered, Billy had promised to post it on his way to the ‘Cock and Hen’ one day last week.

There was nothing left inside her but temper, rage at the unfairness of life. Picking up the phone she hurled it across the room to crash against the cupboard. The picture on top tottered precariously. It was precious to her and she dashed across the room just in time to save it from falling.

What’d you do that for? Billy jumped to his feet.

Stroking the image of a beautiful woman laughing into the wind, she whispered, Mum’s picture. She heard Billy mumble to himself then the outside door slammed and he was gone.

What am I going to do mum? she whispered to the picture.

Hello, anyone about? Kit’s voice echoed down the drafty passage.

Here Kit, she called out and then he was in the room.

I heard about last night and wondered what damage they’d done this time? He caught sight of the telephone on the floor. What’s been going on here?

A fit of temper, that’s all.

His eyebrows rose as he bent to pick up the telephone and replace it on the dresser. Not like you to give way to temper.

He was a big man, over six feet tall and broad with it, though apart from a slight thickening of the waist he carried no excess fat. His presence always seemed to fill a room and Thea found that comforting.

No, well, they have cut the phone off again.

Let me know how much it is and I’ll sort it.

No Kit, really we’ll manage.

He stepped back a puzzled expression on his ruddy face. He wasn’t a handsome man but his features were even if somewhat heavy and the colour of his tawny brown hair echoed in the depth of his eyes.

I believe Whittle has taken his livery away?

She nodded her head.

And the feed merchants are threatening to close your account. For goodness sake girl, give it up. Marry me and come and live at the Hall. You will loose Freddy anyway once he has qualified and what animals you can’t get rid of you can bring with you.

And Billy?

We’ll find somewhere for Billy. He pulled at his lower lip.

I don’t know Kit. I’ll think about it.

His hands dropped to his sides and his face took on a stubborn look. You have been saying that for months now, what will it take to make you see that you cannot go on like this?

Freddy is coming home this weekend we’ll have a talk about things then. We are a family Kit, however dysfunctional, I can’t just cast them adrift. Now if you’ll excuse me I have work needs seeing to.

He followed her to the door then crossing the yard climbed into a dark green landrover and drove away.

Billy watched him leave from the corner of the food store.

Freddy came home on Friday night quieter than his usual bouncy self and Thea was reluctant to burden him with her worries. There were sixteen years between them and she was more of a mother figure than sister. Billy for once was fairly sober as they all sat down to dinner on Friday evening.

Kit has asked me to marry him, she began.

What again, Freddy asked, looking up from the toad in a hole on his plate.

I would like to wait until you left the uni but things are getting a bit tight here and . . .

She’s going to ditch us and marry him, Billy butted in.

Are you?

Of course not, she scowled across the table at Billy.

I’ve got three job interviews lined up for the summer, so I’ll be out of your way or I can come home and help out? Are the bikers still bothering you?

Who told you about them?

The old man raised his shoulders and made a face.

Not him Freddy said, Kit told me. One of the lecturers at college is a biker, newish bloke, lodges here in the village, I could ask him to keep an eye out for possible trouble makers.

Oh no Freddy, don’t go pulling strangers into this. Kit had no business telling you.

I’m not having you scared witless by a bunch of yobs. Adam’s ok I’ll ask him to look in on you when I get back.

Thea lay down her knife and fork. No, don’t do that. The thing is . . .

Billy stared at her from under heavy brows and she couldn’t continue. Making some excuse she got up and left the table. Sometime later she heard the two of them leave for the village and the ‘Cock and Hen’.

Four days after Freddy went back to college Thea was mucking out with Angela one of the two working pupils she had helping her, when she picked up the sound of an approaching motorbike. She dropped what she was doing and marched out to the doorway ready to do battle. When the engine dropped to a bare murmur and entered the yard Thea’s heart leapt into her mouth.

A black and chrome monster drew to a halt directly ahead of her. An equally large man in matching black and chrome dismounted to hunch well muscled shoulders over a small child in the sidecar. He removed the child’s helmet then took off his own before stowing the small one inside and dropping them both into a carrier on the back of the bike. The man’s wavy black hair slid down onto his shoulders as he lifted the child out of the sidecar. Crossing the yard they approached Thea.

I’m looking for Thea Thomson he said, in a voice as rich and dark as molasses.

You’ve found her. What can I do for you?

He looked surprised. What, had he expected to find, she wondered.

You are Freddy Benton’s sister?

I am but I don’t see. . . Oh my God, she thought, the biker lecturer. She shook her head to clear her thoughts when a little voice piped up. Can I see the ponies please?

Thea glanced down at the child who could only be five or six, a plait of black hair and a front tooth missing. Angela, show the little girl the ponies please.

Beth, the little girl said. My name is Elisabeth Barrisford, but you can call me Beth, she told Angela, as the two of them walked off into the stables.

Your brother tells me you have been having trouble with some vandals. He pulled one hand from the thick leather gloves he wore and offered to shake hands.

Bikers, she confirmed. Keeping her arms folded.

I don’t think so, sounds more like youngsters fooling around on bikes, different thing altogether.

Thea’s hackles were up. Did he think she didn’t know the difference between the local yobs and leather clad hooligans on heavy class motorbikes? Don’t you think that child is too young to be riding around in a dangerous looking machine like that?

His head shot back and steel grey eyes stared down into her green ones. The machine is only as dangerous as its rider and I have been carrying my daughter around in it all her life.

Thea opened her mouth to retaliate then thought how silly it would be. After all it was none of her business what he did with his daughter. With a sigh she forced herself to relax, it wouldn’t do any good to get too uptight. I’m sorry Freddy bothered you. I really don’t know how you can help.

Why don’t you tell me about it from the beginning?

Thea shrugged her shoulders. Then you had better come into the house.

As they walked over to the back of the farmhouse and entered the kitchen Billy slunk out. She saw the biker eye the old man and with tight lips she turned to move the kettle onto the hob.

The name’s Adam Berrisford by the way, and he held out his hand to her as she turned away from the aga. They shook hands and sat down at the table waiting for the kettle to boil.

Thea told him about the bikers and the trouble they caused. It started a couple of months ago and they always come at night so I can’t identify them. They chuck things about, pull down fences, make a general nuisance of themselves and the police don’t want to know.

Pushing back her chair she climbed to her feet and crossing to the aga made two mugs of tea. Returning to the table she placed one in front of him and kept the other for herself.

You need someone to keep watch and catch them red handed.

I’ve tried that, the nights I stay awake they don’t come, as soon as I have a night’s sleep, they’re here. I can’t win. She clasped both hands around the mug as though seeking comfort from it.

Is there no one else who could stand in for you? What about, he glanced towards the door as though looking for Billy.

No, Thea jumped in, he’s not reliable, she felt uncomfortable under his stare. So you see there really is nothing to be done.

At this point Angela and the little girl Beth burst into the kitchen. Beth had a small terrier cross puppy in her arms. Daddy look, her name is Pansy isn’t she lovely? She picked me out and followed me everywhere, didn’t she? she turned to the girl behind her. Angela looked expectantly at Adam Berrisford.

The child’s face glowed with love and the little dog raised its face and licked her chin. Thea bit her inner cheek and set her features in a blank expression. She had been through this process so many times. Little ones that came to the stables sooner or later wanted to take something home, if it wasn’t a new puppy, it was one of a litter of kittens or depending upon the depth of a parent’s pockets even a favourite pony.

Adam cast a desperate glance in her direction but there was no help to be found and frowning sternly at his daughter he said, Beth you know we can’t have pets.

But daddy she’s so small, she could fit into my seat with me.

Mrs Taylor won’t allow it cherub.

But she doesn’t need to know, argued his daughter, I can hide Pansy under my jacket.

No Beth, please don’t argue it’s out of the question.

The child hung her head, snuggled her face into the dog’s coat then calmly handed her over to Angela. Look after her for me.

I’ll be in touch, he said, taking Beth by the hand and strolling out to the bike. Thea watched through the window as they fastened on their helmets, then Adam lifted his daughter into her seat before climbing onto the bike. There was a sudden roar then the bike moved out onto the lane and they were gone.

CHAPTER TWO

Billy lay snoring on the settee at one end of the kitchen. Thea tried to decide whether to wake him or let him lie where he was when she heard the noise of a bike come into the yard. There was only the one. Cautiously she moved to the window and drew the curtain aside. In the shadowy light she could just make out the big bike and rider. It was Adam Berrisford back again. What on earth, could he want at this time of night, she wondered.

Adam shook his head free from his helmet as she opened the door.

Is there somewhere I can put the bike out of sight?

What? She tugged her old cardigan tighter around her body. I don’t understand. What do you want she asked, peering around him.

I thought I would come up and see if we can catch these trouble makers of yours but it will only work if I can get the bike out of sight.

But they may not come tonight. I never know when they might come. You should have phoned, she snapped.

I tried to but all I kept getting was the answering machine.

Yes well, I have to be off duty sometimes.

It’s a clear night, he said looking up at the sky, just the kind of night for a ride out so if we are lucky we’ll catch them tonight.

Put the bike in the first shed straight ahead. She heard the click as he lifted it from its stand then they both disappeared into the night. Now what, she fretted, he would have to come into the kitchen which meant waking