Chapter Ten
Ophelia
June
‘ I t’s great to have you back. I honestly don’t know if I’m coming or going.’ Ophelia strolled through Timeless Butterfly Interiors main office room with Lucinda, who was newly returned from her holidays. ‘I’ve never felt so disorganised.’ She’d been back ten days, while Lucinda enjoyed time in France, and was only just finding her feet again. They made their way to Ophelia’s office. Just being back here was like returning to a safe and happy place.
Lucinda shared a helpless look with her. ‘What’s happened?’
‘Nothing bad. I just feel like my loyalties are stretched so thin between here and the estate.’ She pushed open the door, and Lucinda walked around the desk to sit where Ophelia usually sat.
‘Sorry.’ Lucinda blinked and made to stand up again. ‘Habit.’
‘It’s fine.’ Ophelia took the other seat. She didn’t see herself in that position much longer. ‘Glenvorneth is a full-time job in itself. I think I’ll have to spend a lot more time there in the future. I’ve been distancing myself from it while I’m here, but I’m worried about Barbara. She’s good at bookkeeping, but the rest of it is beyond her.’
‘I’m so sorry.’ Lucinda put out her hand and took Ophelia’s. ‘I wish I could do something to help.’
‘You are. You’re looking after this place. I’m just terrified Glenvorneth will go back to square one with me being here.’
Now Lucinda was back from her holiday, it was an ideal time for Ophelia to return to the estate, but would she be abandoning her employees? What would happen to Timeless Butterfly Interiors if she was never here?
‘Enough about me.’ She gave herself a mental shake. ‘Tell me about your holiday.’
Lucinda beamed as she recounted her trip. Ophelia tried not to feel jealous. She hadn’t taken a holiday since last year when she’d gone to Cyprus with her friend Florence. Perhaps some people thought going to Glenvorneth was a holiday, but it wasn’t. Not when she spent valuable work time hiding from Jacinta… and Brann – only with the added annoyance of not really wanting to hide from him at all. Her plan to move into one of the estate cottages hadn’t come about in time and she’d ended up using it as an office; the only place she could escape Jacinta during the day.
With all the work at Timeless Butterfly Interiors, she’d shoved Glenvorneth further to the back of her mind. Returning to Edinburgh was fun. She had friends here and, with the long summer days, it was nice to meet people after work and sit outside the bars on the Royal Mile. Florence came up from London for a few days and Ophelia spent the weekend with her. As they were old school friends, Florence knew all about the history with Jacinta and was happy to listen to Ophelia venting.
‘You should wash your hands of the lot of them,’ Florence said. ‘Concentrate on Timeless Butterfly Interiors. The shop is stunning. You could develop it into a chain.’
‘I’d love to, but Glenvorneth isn’t going away.’
‘Not unless you make it. When you inherit it, just sell it. Does the history really matter? Loads of old houses change hands.’
‘I know, but my grandparents fought hard to allow me to inherit. Otherwise it could go to an obscure relative and none of us will own it. It’s my duty to preserve it. I don’t want to let them down or be a failure.’
History lived in the walls of Glenvorneth. People with lives and stories. Her ancestors. Was it silly to want to save that, nurture it and grow something new from it as her grandparents had wanted to? They’d both been taken too soon, and if she didn’t do something, who would?
July
The beginning of July arrived as something of a shock. Ophelia had decided to keep Lucinda in the office she’d used at Timeless Butterfly Interiors, and she’d taken an empty desk in the main room that looked out over George Street. With Florence’s words rattling around her head, Ophelia realised how far she’d let Glenvorneth slip to the back of her mind; she really should call Barbara for an update. Lifting her phone, she hit the number.
‘Hello, hello,’ Barbara said almost immediately.
‘Hi.’ Ophelia tapped her pen on the desk. ‘Sorry, I haven’t checked in properly since I left. I’ve been so busy, but I assume everything is going fine as I haven’t heard anything to suggest otherwise.’
‘Yes, everything’s ticking by as usual.’
‘Great. So, where are we with the stable repairs? Is that all done now?’ If Brann had worked to the timetable they’d agreed, it should all be complete. He should also have done the paddock fences, which would mean they could open the livery again and start making money.
‘Well, not exactly. I mean, the stable repairs are done, but that’s as far as we’ve got.’
‘Oh.’ Ophelia’s grip tightened on her pen. ‘Why?’
‘Unfortunately, there was a hitch with the builders.’
Ophelia let out a sigh. ‘Dare I ask what? Have they abandoned us?’
‘No, no, nothing like that, and their work is excellent. Nothing to fault. It’s, well, we don’t have the money to pay for it, so unfortunately, they left.’
‘What?’ Ophelia gaped at her phone. ‘The money was there to pay them not just for the stables but also for doing the paddock fencing, so we can get the livery up and running. I don’t understand why they haven’t been paid. I set aside money in the account for it.’ The only money they had left.
‘I know. But your father used it to buy a holiday for Jacinta’s fiftieth birthday.’
Ophelia’s jaw almost hit the floor. ‘Excuse me? He did what?’
‘You heard me.’
‘He can’t take money from the account for that.’
‘Well, technically, he can. It’s profit from previous years, so he can spend it as he likes, but he shouldn’t have as you’d ring-fenced it for the stable upgrades.’
‘I don’t actually believe this. Does he honestly think a holiday is the priority?’
‘No, he doesn’t. He claims he didn’t realise the money had been put aside when he used it. His plan is to repay it when he can.’
‘And how will he do that? It’s not as if he has a steady job.’
‘He has investments. One or other of them will come to maturity this year.’
‘That’s absolutely ridiculous. I wish you’d told me sooner. We can’t get a reputation for not paying tradespeople.’ Ophelia sucked on the end of her pen, her stomach in knots. What the hell was she going to do? She had to pay Brann. This was despicable. ‘Listen, I’ll transfer money into the account to cover the stables and up front for the fencing. I want you to pay the builder with it straight away.’
‘Do you mean you’re going to use your own money?’
‘I don’t exactly have a choice, do I?’
Ophelia had deliberately not given Brann her number, telling him to contact her through Barbara. Now, she wished she hadn’t been so silly. But that was a recurring theme where Brann was concerned. He seemed to bring out every silly bone in her body. She could, of course, call him whenever she wanted using his business number, but something about opening a private communication channel between them seemed even riskier than kissing him in broad daylight outside her car. Yup. Silly. Just plain silly. Even though it made sense in a small corner of her brain.
Barbara had assured her she’d spoken to Brann, and he’d agreed to come back and finish the fences, but Ophelia couldn’t leave it to chance anymore. She needed to leave Timeless Butterfly Interiors and return to Glenvorneth. It was a wrench going again, but she had no choice. And with Lucinda looking so at home in the boss’s chair, maybe the timing couldn’t be better.
The old worker’s cottage where she’d encamped before was cold inside, even though it was a bright sunny day and the grass and woodland surrounding the estate was luminous green. Flowers had burst into life. Red and pink rhododendrons had taken over and were like a giant hedge behind the back garden of the cottage. Compared to her Edinburgh office, it was so quiet and not unpleasant. It reminded her of times when she was happy here, with her grandparents. They’d walked in the woods, or taken her riding, and told her how Glenvorneth should be open to everyone, not just them, and how important it was not to isolate themselves from the community. Something they obviously hadn’t told Rupert. Or perhaps they had, but he’d forgotten since Jacinta started giving her own counsel.
Guilt mites nibbled at Ophelia’s conscience as she unloaded her laptop and notes onto a table she’d bought from Wood ’n’ Chic. It was months ago she’d arranged for Stella, the shop owner, to come and look at the furniture stock, but she’d had to cancel that to return to Edinburgh. Must rearrange that, and soon.
First things first, though. She clenched her fist over the back of a wooden chair. Here was the never-ending nightmare of Glenvorneth. But where was Brann? She’d forked out a large portion of her own money to pay him, but when she’d driven up to the stables, he hadn’t been there. Presumably he’d taken on other jobs after the one here had fallen through. Maybe he couldn’t leave them to come back. Maybe he didn’t trust her. Could she blame him?
The situation sucked, but what the hell could she do about it?
An image of James Charlton wafted into her mind.
He’d taken a backseat too, which was good, but if that was an option she wanted to follow, she’d have to decide how, and if it would be worth it.
What were her other choices? She wouldn’t even entertain the idea of selling Timeless Butterfly Interiors. But she couldn’t afford to keep bailing out the estate with her own money. She also couldn’t stop her father and Jacinta from spending estate money, but she would try.
‘I’ve already discussed this with Barbara,’ Rupert said when Ophelia confronted him. ‘It was a one off.’
‘I won’t have a big birthday every year,’ Jacinta said.
‘That money was supposed to pay the builder, not buy some extravagant holiday.’
‘Listen.’ Rupert held up his hands. ‘Tradespeople work in a different way. They don’t expect to be paid straight away. I’m surprised at him. I thought he was a pleasant sort, but he seems to have acted rashly by walking out. He should know the money will get to him, but often invoices lie unpaid for substantial periods. People are busy.’
Ophelia glared at him. He was completely impossible sometimes. ‘That’s not how it works. It may have been the case at some point in your life, but not now. He didn’t invoice us because we’d already agreed on wages and when they’d be paid.’
‘Well, that was a silly way to do it.’
‘No. That’s a fair way to do it.’
‘Ophelia, when you have a big birthday, you’ll understand. It’s important to celebrate and make memories,’ Jacinta said.
‘I look forward to the one you’ll be throwing me for my thirtieth next year then, just don’t use estate money for it.’
Jacinta cast her a narrow-eyed glance.
‘We must pay people for the work they’ve done,’ Ophelia went on. ‘That’s business.’
She ignored Jacinta’s scoff.
‘We will pay him,’ Rupert said. ‘Just not as quickly as we first thought.’
Ophelia ground her teeth. She wouldn’t tell them she’d paid Brann’s wages. Not yet anyway. She didn’t want them to think this was something she was going to do frequently.
‘Barbara told me he’s agreed to come back.’ Jacinta brushed something from her skirt. ‘So, he’s obviously not that bothered. Or else he needs the work, which shows we’re good employers really.’
‘What absolute bullshit. Can you hear yourself?’ Ophelia ran her fingers through her hair. Jacinta’s warped logic was ridiculous.
‘Really, Ophelia.’ Her father frowned as Jacinta glared at her. ‘There’s no need for that kind of language.’
‘That was tame, believe me.’ She checked the time on the carriage clock. ‘I have to go. I’m meeting Stella from Wood ’n’ Chic. She’s going to look through some of the furniture in the storeroom.’
‘Oh, I could help with that.’ Jacinta dropped her sour expression instantly. ‘I’ll show her what she can have and give her the best price.’
‘No, thank you.’ Ophelia inhaled slowly. ‘I’ve already come to an arrangement with her.’
‘What do you mean an arrangement?’ Rupert said. ‘This is a chance to make money. I hope you’re not planning on giving it away. You could use some of the money to pay the damn builder.’
‘The furniture in the storeroom isn’t worth that much. Just leave this to me, ok?’
She caught Jacinta exchanging an irritated look with Rupert. Honestly, they had no idea. No wonder the estate was in tatters.
Stella arrived at one o’clock with an adorable little boy beside her and a smiley little girl on her hip. Both of them had the same wild curls as Stella, but now that Ophelia had discovered George, the financial advisor, was Stella’s husband, she saw him in the kids too, especially in their big brown eyes.
‘Hello,’ she said. ‘Welcome to Glenvorneth. And who do we have here?’
Stella followed her in the side door. ‘This is Alex.’ She nodded at the little boy skipping along beside her. ‘He’s three and a half, and this is Ava. She’s nearly two. It’s her birthday next week.’
‘Aw, lovely.’ Ophelia smiled at little Ava. ‘I hope you have a brilliant birthday. And do you go to nursery or playgroup, Alex?’
‘Nursery,’ he said quietly.
‘It’s closed for school holidays at the moment. George’s mum is great about looking after them, but it’s a lot for her. I thought they’d like a trip today as the weather’s so nice.’
‘Feel free to take them for a walk around the estate after. There are lots of places to explore.’
‘We’ll do that, thank you.’
They’d barely been in the storeroom ten minutes when there was a knock on the door. Ophelia, suspecting Jacinta, went to open it, but was surprised to see Francesca.
‘Oh, hi. I, um, have a favour to ask you.’ She flicked her hair over her shoulder.
‘A favour to ask me ?’ Ophelia couldn’t keep the scepticism from her voice. Francesca might be her sister, but she rarely spoke to Ophelia, let alone asked for favours.
‘Mum reckons you wouldn’t mind giving me a lift into town. She says you’re going anyway.’
‘I’m not. I’ve got a meeting with Stella just now.’
‘Yeah, mum said she could take over with that.’
Ophelia smiled and shook her head. ‘That won’t be necessary. I’m fine here and if your mum’s free to do that, then she’s obviously free to take you into town. If you want to wait until tomorrow, I’ll take you then, but I can’t today.’
‘Right, ok… I’ll wait until tomorrow then.’
Ophelia was quite sure she wouldn’t, and returned to Stella and the children. They spent a while going through the furniture and chatting about how best to transport it. Stella had a van she used, but it was the lifting of heavy pieces that could be tricky. If only Brann was about. Ophelia could see him moving this stuff without breaking a sweat, but she was probably his least favourite person right now, so no point asking for a favour.
Seeing Stella’s kids running about the grounds that afternoon made Ophelia smile. This was what should be happening here. Why not let people visit and enjoy it too? It was wasted otherwise. Her grandparents’ vision had been for it to be a place everyone could enjoy. When they were alive, they’d hosted local events and community gatherings.
‘This has been so great,’ Stella said, as she loaded the kids into the car.
‘Come again anytime.’ Ophelia waved her off.
The following morning, Francesca surprised Ophelia by saying over breakfast.
‘Can I come to town with you then?’
‘Oh… Well, yes.’
Ophelia drove the car down the lochside, not entirely sure what to talk about with her younger sister.
‘Who are you meeting in town?’ Ophelia broke the silence after several uncomfortable moments.
‘Oh, just some people from the theatre club.’
‘Will you be putting on a show with all these skills you’re learning?’
‘The leaders want us to, but I don’t know.’
‘I’m sure we’ll all want to come and watch.’
‘Oh god. Sounds like a nightmare.’ Francesca returned to her phone and silence reigned again. Seeing the first houses of Glenbriar was a relief. Ophelia wanted to claim her peace again.
‘I’ll drop you off down here,’ she said. ‘Then I’ll go on the hunt for a parking place.’ The town was crawling with tourists. Surely some of them would be interested in visiting Glenvorneth. They could walk, ride, even fish or take a boat out on the lochan. If only Ophelia could get Rupert and Jacinta onboard with the idea.
‘Thanks.’ Francesca unclipped her seatbelt and got out. She swished her long hair over her shoulder as she walked off down the street. Not so long ago, Ophelia had been just like her, desperate for lifts into town to meet friends and get away from the emptiness of Glenvorneth. Maybe she still was, only she didn’t have anyone to meet up with these days.
Ophelia’s trip was mainly to stock up on supplies for when she was in her office. Jacinta was still spending far too much on expensive deliveries, notably from Duchan Fayre; that had to be an attempt to impress James Charlton. So, Ophelia had to lead by example and get some nice normal stuff from local shops. Just some coffee, snacks, hand soap, loo rolls for when the bathroom in the cottage was finally done up.
‘Hi!’ a cheerful voice said, and Ophelia’s eyes connected with a smiling face.
‘Oh, Hayley, hi. How are you?’
‘All good, thanks. Just taking a breather from the salon. It’s roasting in there today.’
‘I suppose hairdryers don’t help on hot days.’
‘Even with the door open, I’m melting.’ Hayley loosened her shirt and wafted her neck with it. ‘What are you up to today?’
‘Just boring stuff. I might get a cold drink though. I’m a bit hot myself now you mention it.’
‘Want to grab one with me? I was going to nip into The Drip Drop Coffee Shop. My mum works there, and they’re doing some amazing frappuccinos and coolers at the moment.’
‘That would be nice. I was just thinking how weird it is when I’m here that I don’t have anyone I can go for a drink with or meet for lunch. In Edinburgh, I’m spoiled for choice, but I don’t really know a lot of people here.’
‘If you want a drinking buddy, give me a call and I’ll see what I can do.’
Hayley’s smile was so bright it was dazzling and infectious. Ophelia automatically smiled back. ‘That’s sweet, but aren’t you busy with that man of yours? The one who sends you roses.’
Hayley giggled. ‘Indeed, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have time for other people.’ She pushed open the door to the café. ‘I’ll give you my mobile number. I don’t like the idea of anyone feeling lonely.’
‘You’re very kind. I’ve just lost touch with people here.’ She frowned as she looked around. Maybe she’d never really been in touch with that many people here. It wasn’t because she hadn’t tried, but she’d always been on the edge – sometimes literally. Like Francesca, she’d had to rely on lifts everywhere. She’d not attended the local school and her only clubs had been the pony club and a music group. But even there, she hadn’t exactly made friends with local people.
‘I can introduce you to lots of people if you want,’ Hayley said. ‘My job means I get to meet so many.’
‘I always think of myself as someone with a lot of friends, but actually, I’m not super close to any of them. Maybe Florence, but she’s so busy with her engagement. And Lucinda, but she’s a colleague too.’
‘That’s ok. Colleagues are friends. Mine definitely are. Speaking of which, we googled you at work and were reading about Timeless Butterfly Interiors. It looks utterly brilliant.’
‘Thanks.’ Ophelia blinked, focusing out of the window, sensing that rush of heat she got whenever people complimented her on it.
‘How did you do it?’
‘Do what?’
‘Get so successful?’
Ophelia gave a little shrug. ‘I’m not sure I know. I don’t feel like I am. It’s just work that I enjoy, and it grew quickly.’
‘I think it’s amazing,’ Hayley said. ‘I wish you’d open a shop here. People in this town would love it.’
‘That’s not such a bad idea.’ Though she wasn’t sure she wanted to. Somehow, keeping that life separate from Glenvorneth worked better in her mind.
‘It must be really hard trying to split yourself between the two places.’ Hayley rubbed her arm.
‘It is.’ Ophelia let out a sigh. ‘I appreciate you being so kind. It’s rather lonely without anyone here to talk to.’ The only other person she’d confided in here was Brann, which seemed quite ridiculous. But he’d helped her when she’d been stressed by Jacinta. Yup, her mind strayed off to him again. The most unsuitable man. The man who turned her from a well-mannered woman into a tigress on the hunt for a mate.
‘I used to fancy myself as a bit of a matchmaker too.’ Hayley giggled. ‘So if you’re lonely in that way, I could find someone to set you up with.’
Ophelia shook her head with a smile. ‘Only if it’s someone extremely rich.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Deadly. Part of my life is the Glenvorneth Estate, and it can’t survive without money.’
‘That’s sad,’ Hayley said. ‘What if you never meet anyone who fits the bill because your options are so limited?’
Ophelia laughed into her drink. ‘Sounds very silly really, doesn’t it?’ Her whole life was a bit like that. But stopping for the drink with Hayley proved to be just the tonic. Ophelia was now friends with her on social media, and Hayley insisted she could message any time about anything.
It was habit, maybe, but Ophelia drove to the stables when she got back before going anywhere else. She liked to see Conker. Her heart flipped when she saw Brann’s van parked near the paddock. A small field next to where Dagmar kept her trailer joined onto the larger paddock and Brann stood at the fence, leaning on it and chatting with Dagmar. What was he saying to her? Possibly something about not getting paid and Ophelia’s stomach turned over. She had nothing to do with paying Dagmar’s wages, but she couldn’t remember seeing them in any of the notes or statements she’d read. Had the poor woman been getting nothing for months? How did she afford to live? She and Ophelia had never been best friends; that teenage rivalry still sat in the way of them ever getting close, but the thought of her working for nothing made Ophelia’s skin crawl. This was what had become of the Chattan-Blythes. Hardly pillars of society.
Brann was laughing in that roguish way he had. Ophelia’s jaw set and she was determined not to find him attractive… an impossible ask, of course. Dagmar was well known for being tight-lipped, closed-off, and quiet, but her pale face had lit up, her cheeks were rosy, and she was smiling. Ophelia couldn’t recall seeing her smile much before – maybe with the horses, but not with people.
Seriously?
Brann and his way with women. Well, she’d have been a fool to think she was the only one.
She got out of the car and made her way towards them. Brann looked up, saw her, and said something aside to Dagmar before approaching Ophelia.
‘Well, hello,’ he said. ‘Here’s a person I didn’t expect to see.’
‘Hello.’ Ophelia stopped in front of him. ‘You’re back, I see.’
‘As are you, Princess.’
‘I take it you got paid?’
‘Eventually.’
‘I’m very sorry about that.’
He raised an eyebrow. ‘Yeah. It’s not very pleasant after you’ve arranged a fee to not get it. Especially when the person you arranged it with goes off and insists you deal with someone else about it.’
‘No, Brann, that’s not what—’
‘Save it. I’m not in the mood for games.’ He stalked past her across to the other side of the field.
Ophelia took several calming breaths, forcing herself not to follow him. She looked around and caught Dagmar’s eye. She was still by the fence a little way off, making a meal of untangling a bridle rope.
‘Hello.’ Ophelia approached her. ‘How are you?’
‘Oh… you know, fine.’ She didn’t meet Ophelia’s eye.
‘What was Brann saying to you?’
‘Nothing much.’ Dagmar kept her focus on the rope. ‘Just something about the Highland Games.’
Ophelia frowned, her insides tense. ‘Have your wages been paid since the stables closed?’
Dagmar shook her head. ‘Jacinta says I’ll get them backdated when the livery reopens.’
‘What? Oh my god, Dagmar. That is not on.’ Hot blood rose in Ophelia’s chest and her brain might explode. She would have to pay the wages, but she wanted to find her father and Jacinta and knock their heads together.