Conquer

Chapter 4

Lilian hung up the phone. Rachel Slaney had been very apologetic. It turned out she couldn’t get her appointment until Monday, but that was fine. She had money to do her for a while. Rachel seemed very nice. Everyone in Grand Rock did.

“Everything alright?” Linda asked.

“They had to change my appointment to register the business. It’s fine. I have plenty to do me for a good while,” Lillian answered.

“You know you don’t have to worry about money around here,” Linda smiled, “Almost ready to go?”

“I just have to grab my jacket.”

Linda chatted as they drove to the Eustace estate.

“Its a gorgeous property. I think you’ll fall right in love with it,” she said to Lillian.

Lillian smiled. Linda was so happy to see that smile.

They turned a corner and the Eustace place loomed in the wind shield. Lilllian gasped. The house was gorgeous. She held her breath as the sprawling mansion entered her sight. Two long wings jutted out from a tall center space. The house was pink brick. The grounds were immaculate. It looked like it could be used as a golf course or something. A stable was nestled in the far corner of the large yard, and a black and white horse lounged outside.

Tina ran out of the front door to meet them. She hugged both Linda and Lillian in greeting.

“It’s gorgeous,” Lillain gushed.

“Thanks,” Tina said with a smile.

“It must be hard to let such a place go,” Lillian pointed out.

“It is, especially since both Tim and I were raised here, but with us in different provinces it will be too hare to manage. I have let go of most of the staff. There’s just a skeleton crew maintaining the house and stables. Whoever buys it will have to decide what to do with the pool and different out buildings. Let me give you the grand tour.”

“Let’s go,” Linda and Lillian said at the same time.

They started at the front of the house. A detached garage stood to the left of the house. It housed Tina’s car and an old Bentley that Lillian guessed was from the ‘30s. “Dad’s” Tina explained, “It was his pride and joy after Tim and I. I plan to get it shipped to Sudbury and store it there.”

They walked the massive grounds. Lillian enjoyed the soft grass as they walked. There wasn’t much on the front. A long driveway led up to the house. Two rose bushes framed the entrance to the driveway. A large garden was to the left of the driveway. Every manner of colorful flowers gave the large place a homey look. Two large bushes framed the oak front door. It was breathtaking.

The backyard was even more impressive. A round pool took up the middle of the back yard. It was closed and covered this time of year, but it must have been so much fun to use it during the one month of Summer that they usually got in this area.

A row of out buildings laned the back of the enormous backyard. “These were used for storage when the place was being used for keeping horses. The two horses that you saw are going to be sent to farms on the mainland. I’ll miss them. I learned to ride on the white one, Savory.” Lillian smiled at the cute name for the horse.

“Let’s go inside,” Tina said.

They entered the foyer and Lillian was astonished again. A parkay floor dominated the front entrance, gleaming with a polished look. The Eustace family obviously appreciated it. Paintings lined the walls as they walked and listened to Tina.

“The house dates to the mid 1800’s. It’s been updated as the years have gone by; electricity, different materials, that kind of thing. We have a modern kitchen, but I insisted we keep the wood stove. It heats up the kitchen so well. I remember being so warm and toasty coming home from school every day. “

The kitchen would rival any hotel kitchen. Oak cabinets lined the walls. The wood stove stood against one wall while the modern range stove stood straight across from it. There was plenty of room to work at the wood tables and walk around as needed. The wood stove was on and Lillian could appreciate exactly why Tina had insisted on keeping it. The cold had been chased from their bones as soon as they entered.

“Tea?” Tina asked,

“Love it,” Linda answered.

“Sure,” Lillian said.

Tina filled a kettle and put it on the wood stove. They settled at a small linoleum table under a window.

“Can we help,” Lillain offered.

“All under control. You guys just warm up,” Tina said and tool out mugs, mild and sugar.

When the tea was done Tian put mugs in front of Lillian and Linda ans sat down in front of her own mug.

“I do love it. Linda was right,” Lillian said.

“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Tima beamed, “That’s why I want this to go to the Church. All this room will be so good for a Parish school. “
Lillain asked, “What is going on with that?”

“Well,” Tina began, “When Dad died a few months ago, Tim and I tried to maintain it, expecting to spend holidays here. Between the property itself and maintaining the staff, we realized that the long distance would make things very difficult. We announced the sale last month, and that's when it started.”

“What did?” Lillian asked.

“The fight,” Tian answered, “Mayoeur Fleming wanted a place for an Event Venue. Father Green wanted to get the place and turn it into a parish school. He’s been incensed since they took religious studies off the school curriculum. I don’t like that much either.

The Mayor wants to bring more money into Grand Rock, which is an understandable intention, I didn’t want my childhood home made into purely a money making venture. Father Green and the nuns would run the parish school free of charge, and he plans to use the property as it is. I have no idea what Mayor Fleming plans to change, But, it will come down to who has the money to buy it.”

Linda piped up, “That's what yesterday was for. Father Green is trying to get the money together for the down payment anyway. The Archdiocese is not being much help. “

“Politics,” Lillian scowled. She rarely voted and didn’t like politics entering other aspects of life. It annoyed her.

“Mayor Fleming,” Tina went on, “knows that she can get the money from taxes or just the Town coffers. She’s not worried. It’s just poor Father.”

“If I can be nosy, how much are you asking?” Lillian asked.

“1.5M,” Tina answered.

Lillian’s jaw dropped and Tina smiled. “ I couldn’t believe it either. The real estate agent told me I could ask more. The money is not the point for use, though.”

“When do you want it sold?” asked Lillian.

“As soon as possible but I do want to keep the bidding going on for as long as possible to see what Father will come up with.” Tina answered.

They talked about other things and Lillian noticed Tina glancing around as she talked.

After tea was done, they went and explored the rest of the house. The rooms were huge. A formal dining room was just off the kitchen with an oak table, china hutch and chairs. Real linen adorned the table. A gorgeous bouquet of lilies sat at the center of the table. The could be used for meetings, lessons, anything really, Lillian thought.

The bedrooms were too many to count. Big and spacious. They ended the tour and Tina assured them she would stop by Linda’s before she left.

At home Linda and Lillian worked on pot roast and vegetables for supper.

“I am surprised that Tina didn’t just offer the Eustace Estate to the Church right away. It does sound like money is a consideration or for,’ Lillian said keeping her eyes on the carrots she was chopping.

“It might have been but that would mostly be because of her brother. Tim would want to get as much for the place as possible if they’re going to sell it. He’s a bit on the practical side,” Linda answered.

“I remember us being in Junior High and getting ready for our Confirmation. Do you remember the dress I wore?” Lillian asked.

“Red and blue plaid,” Linda giggled, “You were so mad when your mother came home with that one.”

“My mother had said that she would get me one made for me. I was expecting one a little nicer, but it was fine. I made sure you did my hair,” Lilian said, “It was after the Confirmation Dinner that I told her I wasn’t going to Church anymore. She reacted better than I expected.”
“Is that why you wanted to know about Tina’s side of the whole Parish School thing?” Linda asked.

“Yes, I felt like I made an informed decision when I decided to give up Church. We learned about it in school and Mom and Dad always took me to Mass every Sunday. Kids today won’t even know what their religion is about. They will be wanting to get married and buried in Church, though.” Lillian finished the carrots and started on the onions, “Father Green seems very nice.”

“He is and he tries to answer any questions the kids have while he coaches. He isn’t trying to convert the kids, like some of the parents think. He just wants them to know a bit about what their religion is all about. He taught some of these same kids religious studies before it went off the curriculum, and most are still asking questions.”

“He cares about the kids, then. They seem to like him, too. Mayor Flemming’s idea might be beneficial as well, though. Both very good causes if you ask me, but she can rent anywhere or use one of the offices at the Town Council if she wants to have a fund raiser or something. The question is rather complicated,” Lillian said and wiped her eyes after peeling and chopping the onions. Linda was done putting the roast in the roaster. Lillian walked over and put the vegetable from the cutting board and into the pot. She watched Linda put it into the oven.

“Anyway,” Linda said, “Let's set the table. I’m sure they will work it all out.”