Free Summer on the River by Marcia Willett Page B

jealousy, an overwhelming sense of loss – but also, deep down, this sense of relief, of peace.
    It was odd that in his moment of crisis, wondering where he would go, what he would do, it had been to Evie that he turned, hoping he might stay with her at the boathouse until he sorted himself out. He knew that here there would be no judgement, no criticism; there would be none of that salacious, dreadful glee that is so often present even in the best of people when such a disaster happens. Amongst his and Kirsty’s friends there was a degree of that lip-licking, eye-glittering voyeurism, that eager neck-craning to get a glimpse into the pain of somebody else’s failure, that was barely disguised by sympathy.
    Well, he’d agreed to Kirsty’s terms: no arguments, no quibbling about the divorce. The flat to be sold and split three ways – between him, Kirsty and Laura – after the mortgage was paid, and the inference that he was lucky to be getting his share. Perhaps he was. He’d always contributed what he could, though his earnings were irregular and it was her salary that kept the mortgage paid. He’d have enough to pay Charlie back and some left over – but where to go while he sorted himself out?
    That’s when he telephoned Evie.
    â€˜Of course you can come,’ she said. ‘It will be lovely to have some company.’
    A week later, his old VW Golf packed with his belongings, he was on his way to Dartmouth. It was so good to be going back, going home: that’s how he always felt about returning to the West Country, to Dartmouth.
    Evie welcomed him as she always did; not as a guest, or a visitor, but as someone returning to the place where he belonged. He sat on her huge sofa, with its back resting against the long wide oak table, and stared out at the river. It was as if he were supported and embraced by the dazzling light, his spirit lifted and carried by the rising tide.
    When she offered him the Merchant’s House he was silent with surprise.
    â€˜Why not?’ she asked. ‘The tenants are going in a few weeks. It will be empty. I’d rather you were there than someone I don’t know.’ And again she asked, ‘Why not?’
    He was confused. ‘Well, it seems a bit cheeky, I suppose. I probably can’t afford the rent you’d get for it and … what about Charlie?’
    â€˜What about him?’
    â€˜Well, I suppose I feel that he might not like it.’
    â€˜You mean Ange might not like it.’
    He laughed then. ‘Yes, I suppose I do.’
    â€˜Well, TDF left the house to me so I shall do as I please with it and I’d love to have you there if you’d like it.’
    He was overwhelmed with such joy that he felt he might burst into tears. Nobody had ever guessed how much he loved the elegant, graceful house overlooking the river.
    â€˜Never mind about the rent for the time being. We’ll come to some arrangement about that later. Just think how nice for me to have you there, and there’s room for Laura when she needs a bolt hole,’ Evie was saying. ‘If it means that we shall see more of darling Laura it will be an added bonus. I can use the garden and the garage, those are my conditions, though you’ll have to share with Charlie and Ange when they come down. Not that it happens very often. Will you mind that?’
    Ben shook his head. ‘There’s plenty of room.’ He was already planning that he’d have the two rooms on the second floor for his own quarters. ‘It would be amazing, Evie. If you’re really sure?’
    He was slightly surprised by her own delight at the scheme; as if it had solved a problem. Perhaps it had. Perhaps she didn’t want any more tenants though it was a big house to leave empty for most of the year. It was a relief to think that he might be helping her out, paying some rent, paying the utility bills, whilst realizing his own private