A New Beginning: A Sequel to Unfailing Love

© 2011 by Samantha Arran. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 11/11/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4670-1107-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-1108-2 (ebk)

Printed in the United States of America

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This book is printed on acid-free paper.

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Contents

Dedication

List of Characters

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Dedication

Creating my four books I did very, very careful research.

I dedicate this book to Johnny who supplied me with the wonderful Irish names I use. Thank you, Johnny.

The Royalties from this book, as with Love Never fails and Unfailing Love will be given to chosen charities.

List of Characters

Amanda and Mark’s Children:

Twins: Vincent and Holly, 8 years.

Triplets: Eric, Heather and Sophie, 6 years.

Luca, 22 months.

Glynn and Scott, newly-born twins.

Amanda’s family in London:

Father: Lord Justice Jonathon Dansie.

Mother: Lady Teresa.

Brother: Joshua (Josh), lawyer.

Sister-in-law: Nicola (Nicci), fashion co-editor.

Joshua and Nicola’s children:

Rose, 17 years, aspiring ballet dancer.

Twins, David and Andrew, 14 years.

Susan, 12 years.

Mark’s family:

Father: former Chief Inspector Stan Young.

Mother: Isabel.

Brothers: Luke, police fitness instructor, and

Adam, manager of factory Dansie and Young.

Precious family, part of family:

Former Chief Inspector Bob Hawkins (Bob).

Reverend Matthew, vicar of The Open Church.

Count Luca, Amanda’s business associate, and his sons Lorenzo (and family) and Santorini.

Joan, former nanny and dearest friend.

Lord Richard, financial adviser, his wife Sarah and children.

Muriel Hewer.

Reverend Jon and family.

The Seddon family.

Chapter 1

Everyone was delighted with the twins Glynn and Scott. Mark and Amanda were thankful to God they were born sturdy and healthy—they were hearty eaters, each weighed in at birth four and half kilos, but Amanda managed to fill them as she had her other babies. Their brothers and sisters adored them and were constantly taking their photographs to show at school. They had the usual wonderful family Christmas and Teresa and Jonathan stayed for the New Year but Josh, Nicola and family went to Nicola’s parents as always.

After Gary had confirmed her womb had healed and everywhere was healthy Mark told Amanda, ‘I would love to take you to the Morley darling, to celebrate this.’

‘Thank you, my precious, but as you know I have so much milk I would feel uncomfortable being away from home. I’ll accept later please and thank you for the thought. I couldn’t be happier, sweet, than I am.’ She hugged and kissed him passionately. Mark had bought an eternity ring for her after the birth of the twins. She hadn’t accepted one before as she loved her engagement ring and didn’t want to wear three, but now these babies would be her last. They were at a new beginning but were very happy and thankful for their eight healthy children.

In early February, Gerald, Amanda’s chef, asked if he may make an appointment with her to discuss a private matter. ‘Is anything wrong, Gerald?’

‘No, ma’am it’s just the opposite.’ They arranged a time and Gerald told her, ‘My dad is lonely with mother dying, so is moving into a local care home in June where several of his friends are and where he will still be in the community for his activities.’

Amanda listened as she always did. ‘Marie and I are getting engaged on Easter Saturday, Lady Amanda.’ Marie was a local schoolteacher and she and her parents worshipping Roman Catholics, as was Gerald.

She congratulated him. ‘Are you leaving us, Gerald?’

‘No, ma’am, I’m more than happy being here, as you know. I am hoping you will allow me to stay on but ask if I may not work weekends when we are married, but full-time during the week. Any special occasions you need me for at the weekend I will be at your disposal, ma’am. You have always looked after me so when I can help, I will.’

‘I want you to stay Gerald, said Amanda, ‘and of course I understand and would expect nothing less from you needing to be with your wife.’

‘Dad has given me our home as he would when he dies, so we have arranged to marry on the last Saturday of August Bank holiday.’

‘What a wonderful time of year, Gerald. I am so pleased for you and Marie setting up home here and for your dad going to be comfortable and not lonely.’

‘Yes, ma’am, it only takes me fifteen minutes to walk here and less if I cycle or run.’

‘Yes,’ she laughed, ‘I approve that you are still keeping yourself fit. Please let me know what you both would like for engagement and wedding presents, Gerald.’

‘We will, thank you, ma’am. Would you like a glass of Guinness?’

‘Yes, please.’ She sat thinking until he came back a few minutes later. They settled down again.

‘So, Gerald, we need to advertise for your weekend replacement and for when you and Marie are on honeymoon, unless you know someone who is willing to apply?’

‘Yes Lady Amanda, I do.’

She had been expecting him saying this. ‘Jack who helps us out here when needed and works at the Morley part time Thursday to Saturday; he is still learning Cordon Bleu at Chesterton College and attends Mondays and Tuesdays. I can thoroughly recommend him, ma’am, he loves creating and cooking, he is first class and super clean. He could still work at the Morley on the Thursdays. He’s on benefit, being a student, but he lives with his parents in one of your homes, Lady Amanda.’

‘You have thought this out thoroughly Gerald and I appreciate this.’

‘I only want the best for you, the Chief Constable and your family, ma’am.’

‘Yes, thank you, Gerald, we know that. You and I together need to interview Jack.’

‘Yes ma’am. May I tell him?’

‘Please. When will you be finishing weekends?’

‘Is after the children’s birthday party convenient, Lady Amanda? I will be able to spend time with Marie sorting our home out. We’ll not be rushing anything.’

‘Whatever you think Gerald, any change please let me know. When we have settled with Jack, has he to start earlier for you to show him the ropes?’

‘Yes please, ma’am.’

Amanda relaxed back in her chair. ‘What about your wedding cake, Gerald. Would you like to make this here?’

‘Thank you, ma’am, I would love to. Marie and I are hoping you and your family will come to our wedding?’

‘Thank you Gerald, for your invitation. I need to speak with my husband and family first of course as we will need to come back from Devon a day earlier. But I know you can take it as read.’

‘I regret it has to be this Saturday, ma’am, but it is the only one that is free.’

‘I’m very pleased couples are marrying,’ answered Amanda and they both laughed. ‘Where are you going for your honeymoon?’ ‘We thought we would stay in the cottage, there are some improvements required and then it will need decorating.’

‘Would you and Marie like to go the Villa?’ asked Amanda.

Gerald started crying, ‘Oh ma’am that would be so wonderful, I will be able to introduce Marie to Miss Louis and my Italian friends and possibly my father will meet up with us.’ (Gerald’s father, Dante, is from an Italian millionaire business family. He made Gerald’s mother pregnant when she was only 17 years and because she was of a lower class the family wouldn’t recognise her and threatened to disown him. He stayed with the family and their business. Harry and Roberta adopted Gerald from a children’s home and brought him up. He was very intelligent and went to university and as he had always been interested in cooking he specialised in Cordon Bleu. The community always thought with his colouring he looked Italian but, although he was lively, he was a well mannered boy and young man and a good loving son. As a trained Cordon Bleu cook hoping he would have a connection with his father, he went to Italy and Dante did keep contact with him but this had to be in secret as he was married into a very influential Italian family. Dante introduced him as a chef to Amanda’s aunt, Contessa Sophie Gambetti in Italy telling her in confidence that Gerald was his son. His mother hadn’t and didn’t keep contact with him; he knew she was a highly professional politician in London. This is why Amanda when the Contessa died and Gerald had asked her and Mark if he could come to Chiverton and cook for them and to be near his aging parents. He did from the beginning of their marriage and Amanda valued him.)

‘Right, if Marie approves I will get this set up with Signor Gessi. Count Luca’s plane will provide transport.’ Gerald sat overwhelmed. ‘We are all very fond of you Gerald and appreciate all you have done for us. We couldn’t have had a more faithful cook. And no-one has ever been poisoned.’ Gerald was emotional. ‘I must get to my babies and Luca now Gerald. Please ask to see me anytime and about anything. At least you and Marie have set the wheels in motion, as they say.’ They both laughed and stood up. Gerald held out his arm to shake hands. Amanda holding on her stick gave him a cuddle. ‘God Bless you, Gerald. You are a wonderful young man.’ He started crying again. ‘Please don’t give Mrs Burton a heart attack Gerald, seeing you crying,’ she joked. He laughed and wiped his face. Mrs Burton expected him to be emotional when he came back. She gave him a motherly hug then made him the strong coffee that he liked.

When they were on their own he told her what Lady Amanda had promised. She wasn’t surprised, for she knew Amanda had a generous heart and had always included Gerald, Sandra, Julian and herself as part of their family. This is why she had faithful hardworking loyal staff. They never gossiped outside of Chiverton.

Everyone in the community had the highest respect and regard for Amanda and her whole family. They loved her all the more for what she was doing for Gerald and Marie. Of course, no-one knew of Gerald’s blood parentage. They thought Amanda was helping them because his mother had recently died.

‘Will I be a bridesmaid?’ Sophie asked her mum.

‘No darling, it’s Marie’s family who will be.’

‘I’m the only girl in our school who hasn’t been a bridesmaid.’

‘We haven’t,’ Holly and Heather protested. ‘It’s enough you are singing with your brothers and sisters.’

‘Would they like me to dance?’

‘Your daddy and I will think about this darling, we are guests.’

Sophie was intelligent enough to understand that. ‘OK Mum, fair enough.’ Amanda had to laugh to herself at the fair enough. ‘I’ll explain to my friends.’ Every day Mark and Amanda were amazed with their children’s perception

Amanda received a letter from Marie. Thank you Lady Amanda, you have made both of us very happy, especially Gerald. As you will understand ma’am, the wedding is being, and will be, an emotional time with his blood parents not participating, but your kindness along with your family, Mrs Burton, Sandra and Julian more than compensates.

Amanda asked Gerald, ‘Thank Marie for her letter and nearer the wedding we want you to bring your dad, Marie and her parents to have lunch. Let me have the menu.’

‘Won’t I be cooking this, ma’am?’

‘Do you want to do this, Gerald?’

‘Yes, please ma’am.’

She laughed, ‘Fair enough; possibly Marie and her mum would like to look round the flower gardens then and will be welcome to choose any flowers for your wedding.’

Gerald, after talking with Marie about this, thanked her and asked if they may have flowers for the tables at the reception, and Marie have a few roses and gypsophila for her bouquet?

Mark had brought the rose bushes to Chiverton from The Laurels, their family home before it was sold, and he and Nigel had transplanted them. Over the years with the good soil and horse manure, they had flourished and were even more beautiful than the bouquet Luke had brought her when he met Amanda for the first time before she opened the Spring Fair at the Community Hall. When she had thanked and told him how gorgeous they were, he admitted Mark had grown them. One particular bush which yielded small pale pink with a marbled lavender was her favourite, also a delicate lemon tinged with apricot edges. Their perfumes were outstanding. Over the years Mark had taken cuttings in the autumn and these had grown and were growing.

After Gerald had shared with Julian and Sandra that he was getting married and he and Marie would live in his dad’s home, Julian asked Amanda if he may have an appointment with her. This was arranged. ‘Sandra and I will marry later this year ma’am; have we your permission to rent Gerald’s flat? I could move in when Gerald vacates it.’

‘Of course Julian, you may have it. You know Jack, who is going to be our weekend chef, lives with his parents. Congratulations on your coming wedding.’ She knew Julian had hesitated asking Sandra to marry him as he was unable to have children, but they were in love as well as being good friends. Sandra was taking over Mrs Burton’s duties more and more under her training.

When Julian had left her, Amanda went to her piano, quietly playing and reflecting on these new beginnings and thanking God for her faithful staff. Brenda the night nurse also was getting married and she was training Lily from the reputable agency Amanda had used over the years.

Whilst Amanda was with Joan she asked, ‘What are Mrs Burton’s plans when she retires?’

‘With her family living away and wanting to stay in this community, she has her name down for a bungalow’ answered Joan.

‘I will ask her if she would like to stay here’, said Amanda, ‘and then when she chooses she will also be welcome to eat with us.’

‘You are the most, darling, she wants to see Sandra and Julian married and settled before she hands over. May I tell her?’ Mrs Burton in tears thanked Amanda who cuddled her.

‘After you and Marie are married, she could come here and have supper with you, if it will help’ Amanda told Gerald.

‘Thank you Lady Amanda that would be brilliant. It will enable Marie to mark the homework and prepare her work, also do some chores. She has promised to call and see Dad on her way home, so won’t come until the meal is ready, ma’am.’

‘I think she will be busy until then, Gerald,’ Amanda laughed. He joined in. ‘Please take this out of my wages, ma’am.’

‘Nonsense Gerald, I don’t think Marie will eat that much. I am raising your hourly rate Gerald, so you are not losing out with not working weekends. This is just between us and Mrs Burton, Gerald.’

‘Thank you, ma’am, I am very grateful. Marie and I hope to buy a larger home and start our family in two years.’

When Amanda shared this at dinner, Stan told her it was very generous of her. ‘It works both ways, Dad. First, Gerald will settle to do his work without being eager to get home to Marie and second, I feel a special responsibility and love for him with his connection with the Contessa: she would have helped him.’

‘I thought at the beginning you were getting devious, Amanda,’ Mark laughingly told her. She smacked his hand. Marie wrote again thanking Amanda for promising she would be able to have her evening meal with Gerald.

Whilst Amanda and Mark were soaking in