The Long Gallery, Chapter Eight and Nine (standard:drama, 1528 words) [5/6] show all parts
Author: Brian Cross	Added: Feb 27 2015	Views/Reads: 2011/1473	Part vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Daisy Truman inherits a country estate, but why has she been given precedence over others, and what lurks within the ancient walls of Harvest Hall?

Click here to read the first 75 lines of the story


*** 

‘Guess I beat you to it.' Adam placed a hand on the wooden staked fence
and shook it. ‘Seems sturdy enough.' 

‘Not if you treat it like that.' Daisy raised her brows, casting a
disapproving eye over him. ‘I thought you had enough to be getting on 
with.' 

Adam switched his hands to his hips. Avoiding Daisy's gaze, his eyes
travelling over the sweeping hills of the South Downs, he countered, 
‘You seem so pre-occupied with your move, I wasn't sure you'd show up.' 


‘And why shouldn't I be?' Daisy turned askew of him, arms hugging her
waist. ‘It's most likely the biggest decision I've ever made.' 

‘And likely to be the most unwise.' 

‘Oh, don't start again.' Daisy rifled a hand through her fair hair, blue
eyes blazing. ‘I think we've already ascertained that I don't need your 
thoughts on the matter.' 

Adam shrugged. ‘Well, you were happy enough to have me along in the
beginning.' 

‘That was before you started to raise doubts by the bucket load.' Adam
swept a hand across his forehead, then held it out in appealing 
fashion. ‘I was simply being practical and logical. You just won't 
listen to ...' 

‘Fat lot you know about me.' Daisy pushed past him fired up now. 

‘You haven't thought this out,' he called after her. ‘It's way too big a
place for one person to manage.' 

‘Who said I'm managing it?' Daisy called back, striding towards her
vehicle. 

‘Well, aren't you?' 

Daisy drew breath. She hadn't wanted to divulge any details of her
plans, particularly not for Adam to use as ammo to fire at her, but her 
mouth was winning out. ‘I've hired a company to assist,' she answered. 
Well it was almost true; she'd made up her mind to do just that. 

‘Terrific,' Adam said derisively. ‘And you don't even know who ...' 

Memo to self, keep trap closed. ‘What the blazes has it got to do with
you?' Daisy slammed her vehicle door shut before he'd a chance to 
respond, her fuse well and truly ignited. She drove back at speed, the 
drive over rough terrain throwing her about, jarring her inners, but 
she couldn't care a fig. 

Why was everyone intent on trying to run her life? That was the way it
seemed. But it wasn't going to be allowed to happen; apart from 
engaging an experienced management team, she was capable of directing 
her own affairs; more than capable. 

‘Right girls, here's what we're going to do,' she announced, breezing
into the office. ‘We're going to engage Anchor Estates to maintain the 
Hall and grounds, initially at any rate.' 

‘Marvellous news!' Alison enthused, dropping her pen and clapping as
though applauding a pop idol. ‘That means we get to have the free 
introductory party.' 

Daisy scowled, ‘I said nothing about a party; life doesn't need to
revolve around frivolity, I've a good mind to dispense with that part 
of the deal,' then relenting and sliding into her chair, she continued, 
‘though I suppose as it's free, I could consent to one of sorts. We'll 
draw up a guest list later.” She took a file from her desk. ‘Now then, 
I need to sanction the fence payment.' 

‘Will you be inviting Adam?' It was Penny who asked, fingers working at
adjusting her ponytail. ‘Only you seem a bit off him of late.' 

‘Not off exactly. But I don't know; I haven't had time to think. I'll
give it some thought. Didn't I just say I'd draw up the guest list 
later?' 

Although, in point of fact Daisy had already given it thought; she
guided her mouse across the computer monitor robotically – if there was 
to be a party, then Adam's currently brooding presence wasn't to be 
tolerated. 

‘Don't forget to get back to Mr. Jeffries ...' 

‘Later ...' Daisy snapped at Penny's prompting. The thought of getting
back to him jabbed her like a bony finger in the ribs. ‘He can wait. 
When I get around to Hall matters the management company will come 
first.' 

In fact, Daisy was on the line to Frobisher-French when Jeffries called
again. And when this time she did call him back she found her guess had 
been right. 

‘Miss Truman, I called earlier; twice to be precise. I was wondering
whether you'd given further thought to recruiting staff for the Hall?' 
Jeffries' voice, sombre and suggesting impatience, elevated with the 
final words of his question. 

‘Indeed I have, Mr Jeffries. Forgive me for not returning your call
directly – work commitments I'm afraid.' She bit the bullet. ‘I've 
decided to engage a management company.' 

There was a pause; she could hear Jeffries' slow intake of breath. ‘Are
you quite sure that is wise, Miss Truman? After all, you're hardly 
experienced ...' 

‘That is precisely why I've hired this company,' Daisy hissed. I'm
arranging an initial three-month contract. If I'm not happy, then I'll 
reconsider.' 

‘I see.' Another lengthy inhalation. ‘Might I ask who this company is?' 

‘That is my business, Mr Jeffries – I assume you have no further
questions? I have Reserve business to attend to.' 

‘No, Miss Truman,' Jeffries answered tiredly. ‘However, should you
choose to reconsider what might be a foolhardy decision, then no doubt 
you'll call.' 

‘Of all the ...' Daisy caught her breath. ‘Obnoxious shit!' She slammed
the phone into its socket and fingered through her paperwork with a 
rapidity her eyes couldn't match. ‘Oh to heck with this!' She bundled 
the papers back inside their file. ‘I'm taking the afternoon off,' she 
announced to her startled colleagues. ‘See you later guys.   


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