lips pursed momentarily, but her voice betrayed no irritation. âHeâs taken a man on part-time to take care of the day-to-day business. Edmund keeps his hands firmly on the reins, but Lewis has taken on the burden of much of the routine work.â
âIt canât be easy, making an estate like this pay nowadays.â
Evie smiled. âEdmundâs very good at it. He understands the importance of tradition, but heâs not afraid to try new things. Iâm very lucky with my children, Jo. Theyâve turned out better than any mother could have hoped.â
I accepted the implied compliment in silence.
The happy family idyll crashed around everyoneâs ears the day after Boxing Day. Edmund had seemed quieter than usual over lunch, but I put that down to the hangover that, if there were any justice in the world, he should be suffering. As Evie poured out the coffee, he cleared his throat and said abruptly, âIâve got something to say to you all.â
Diana and I exchanged questioning looks. I noticed Janeâs face freeze, her fingers clutching the handle of her coffee cup. Evie finished what she was doing and sat down. âWeâre all listening, Edmund,â she said gently.
âAs youâre all aware, Amber Band has become increasingly successful. A few weeks ago, I was approached by a representative of a major record company. They would like us to sign a deal with them to make some recordings. They would also like to help us move our touring venues up a gear or two. Iâve discussed this with the band, and weâre all agreed that we would be crazy to turn our backs on this opportunity.â Edmund paused and looked around apprehensively.
âCongratulations, bro,â Diana said. I could hear the nervousness in her voice, though I wasnât sure why she was so apprehensive. I sat silent, waiting for the other shoe to drop.
âGo on,â Evie said in a voice so unemotional it sent a chill to my heart.
âObviously, this is something that has implications for Amberley. I canât have a career as a musician and continue to be responsible for all of this. Also, we need to increase the income from the estate in order to make sure that whatever happens to my career, there will always be enough money available to allow Ma to carry on as she has always done. So I have made the decision to hand over the running of the house and the estate to a management company who will run the house as a residential conference centre and manage the land in broad accordance with the principles Iâve already established,â Edmund said in a rush.
Janeâs face flushed dark red. âHow dare you?â she hissed. âYou canât turn this place into some bloody talking shop. The house will be full of ghastly sales reps. Our lives wonât be our own.â
Edmund looked down at the table. âWe wonât be here,â he said softly. âIt makes more sense if we move out. I thought we could take a house in London.â He looked up beseechingly at Jane, a look so naked it was embarrassing to witness it.
âThis is extraordinary,â Evie said, finding her voice at last. âHundreds of years of tradition, and you want to smash it to pieces to indulge some hobby?â
Edmund took a deep breath. âMa, itâs not a hobby. Itâs the only time I feel properly alive. Look, this is not a matter for discussion. Iâve made my mind up. The house and the estate are mine absolutely to do with as I see fit, and these are my plans. Thereâs no point in argument. The papers are all drawn up and Iâm going to town tomorrow to sign them. The other chaps from the village have already handed in their notice. Weâre all set.â
Jane stood up. âYou bastard,â she yelled. âYou inconsiderate bastard! Why didnât you discuss this with me?â
Edmund raised his hands out to her. âI knew youâd be
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