Chapter Eighteen
Ophelia
O phelia opened the door to Wood ’n’ Chic and a little bell rang. Camilla Woodcroft and Jacinta followed her. Ophelia had privately arranged to help Camilla furnish the cottage – with proper payment for the privilege, none of which would be going to the estate – unaware that Camilla had also invited Jacinta. Now Ophelia wished she hadn’t bothered. With the rafting later that day, this was something she could do without, but she didn’t dare leave Jacinta here alone in case she decided this was a service Camilla should be getting for free.
‘Good morning.’ Jacinta muscled her way forward and straight to the desk, where Stella was smiling. ‘You might remember me. I’m Mrs Chattan-Blythe of Glenvorneth.’
Camilla tipped Ophelia a wink and pulled a face, indicating she thought Jacinta’s introduction a bit hoity-toity. But that was Jacinta to a T. Lording it over everyone.
‘How are you?’ Stella smiled at Ophelia. ‘It’s nice to see you again.’
‘And you,’ Ophelia said. ‘We’re looking for a few pieces for the cottage.’
‘I know exactly what we need,’ Jacinta said. ‘So, let me see.’
‘Actually, I’ll decide that. I’m a designer, I know what’ll work and I’m also in charge of the budget. Camilla’s set it and I doubt she wants it to go too high.’
‘Indeed, I don’t.’ Camilla held up her hands.
‘Ophelia is a little bit sore about this,’ Jacinta said in a hushed voice. ‘She labours under the delusion she has some right to authority over me but, at the end of the day, I own the cottage. She’s in charge of nothing yet.’
Stella blinked a few times, then smiled. ‘Everyone is welcome to look around.’
Kristalee, the woman with the heavy metal make-up and alternative dress sense, came in from the backroom and said something to Stella.
‘I’ll have a look,’ Stella said. ‘You stay out here and help these ladies.’
‘Sure.’ Kristalee wandered around the desk, running her heavily ringed fingers through her burgundy hair, and came over to Ophelia. ‘I didn’t realise before you were related to the Chattan-Blythes.’
‘For my sins, yes.’
‘I know Edith a little. She’s your mum, right?’
‘Yes. How do you know her?’
‘I cleaned her house for a while after she moved away from her husband. Your dad, I suppose.’
‘Ah, I see.’
‘I see her about quite a bit with her partner. They look so happy together. Good for her.’ Kristalee smiled with a little nod.
‘What partner?’ Ophelia frowned. Her mother didn’t have a partner; she’d never seemed interested in anyone since the split.
‘The woman from… Wait a minute, you didn’t know she was seeing anyone?’
‘No, and I didn’t know she was into women, either.’
‘Oh… I didn’t mean to say anything out of turn.’ Kristalee clapped her hands to her mouth. She and Ophelia were similar in height, both tall, though Ophelia was Willowy, where Kristalee had curves. Her appearance usually made Ophelia feel small beside her, but now Kristalee seemed to diminish. ‘I thought it was common knowledge.’
‘But…’ Ophelia frowned, pushing her mind into places it had never gone before. The wonderings she’d occasionally had about why her mum had never remarried. The friends she had. Nancy… Could it be Nancy was more than a friend?
‘She told me years ago she’d never felt right with your dad and hoped she could bring her true self out in the open soon. It seemed obvious to me what she meant. I mean, she wasn’t always alone at the house, and when I saw her out recently, I assumed she’d told people.’ Kristalee pulled a helpless face. ‘I’m really sorry if I’ve put my foot in it.’
‘It’s fine.’ Ophelia took a deep breath. If it was true, so what? She didn’t mind, but to hear it from someone else made her a little sad. Why hadn’t her mum told her?
Her mind wouldn’t focus on the furniture after that, and she wanted to get out. The desire to call her mum and discover the truth was like heartburn, but she didn’t want to barge in and be tactless. Also, the uncertainty as to why her mum hadn’t already told her niggled away like a brainworm.
With the rafting later, she didn’t have enough time to visit her. And her mum was always so busy, there were no guarantees she’d be there.
She returned to Glenvorneth to change, after making sure she chose all the furniture, Camilla paid for it, and Jacinta did nothing but pull faces as she looked on, trying to add helpful suggestions that Ophelia ignored. She’d arranged to meet Brann in the car park of Heather Glen Water Sports Centre twenty minutes before she was due to meet Hayley – deliberately giving them time to psych themselves up for this.
His van was already there when she got out. Rain was drizzling now and the autumn colours on the surrounding trees and hills were stunning.
Brann got out wearing a tight t-shirt, showing off his sculpted abs and biceps. He lifted a jacket from the seat before he closed the door and swung it around his shoulders.
‘Lovely day to get wet,’ he said.
‘Yeah.’ Ophelia shook her ponytail out from under the collar of her windcheater jacket.
‘Everything ok?’ Brann frowned. ‘You look a bit off-colour. Are you nervous about this?’
‘I suppose so, but it’s not that. I’ve had a really weird morning.’
‘Jacinta?’
‘Surprisingly no. Not entirely, though she was part of it.’ Ophelia rubbed her forehead and glanced around, trying to straighten things out in her mind.
‘Tell me.’ Brann put his hand on her upper arm. ‘Sharing is caring.’
She flicked him a wry smile. ‘Well, only if you swear not to tell anyone else. This is totally unconfirmed, and it’s already making me edgy.’
‘Cross my heart.’ He drew imaginary lines on his chest with his fingertip. ‘My lips are sealed.’
‘Well, an assistant in the shop I was in this morning started talking to me. She said she knew my mum, then she said something about my mum having a partner.’
‘And does that bother you?’
‘Not exactly. Apparently, her partner is a woman though. And, well, I just didn’t know. But I feel like I should know, and I can’t understand why she wouldn’t tell me.’
He gently rubbed her shoulder, and the motion soothed her. ‘Maybe she’s scared to.’
‘Maybe.’
‘It’s hard to tell your kids important stuff if you think it might hurt them, or if you don’t know how they’ll react.’
‘I guess.’
‘What would you have done if you were in her shoes?’
‘Probably the same as her.’
‘Exactly. Hey, come here.’ Brann gently tugged her closer and wrapped his wonderful arms about her. She placed her hand on his broad chest, the soft fabric of his t-shirt warm beneath her. Her forehead rested perfectly against his neck, and she nuzzled into the heat of his skin. He ran his fingers down her cheek in a soothing motion. ‘It’s ok,’ he said quietly. ‘I’m sure she’ll tell you when she’s ready. Just give her the chance.’
‘You’re actually a wise man.’
‘For a builder.’
‘For anyone.’
He shifted slightly and placed a kiss on her cheek. ‘And you’re a strong woman with a big heart. Sometimes it’s hidden under your hard shell, but it’s there.’
She shut her eyes for a moment, sensing her heartbeat, aware it was close to Brann’s and how right that felt. ‘Well, today’s the day you’ve been waiting for.’ She patted his chest, then pulled back, steadying herself with a deep breath.
‘When I get to see you in a wetsuit?’
‘I was thinking more that you get to shove me off a waterfall.’
He chuckled. ‘Except I don’t. I’m coming with you.’
‘That’s kind of how it’s meant to be, isn’t it?’
‘Absolutely.’
Another car pulled in and Brann moved away from her, under the cover of the shop porch.
‘That’s Hayley.’ He nodded his head at the car.
‘Now for the tough bit. The rapids will be a cinch compared to this.’ Ophelia didn’t follow Brann into the porch but waved to Hayley as she got out of the passenger side of a car.
‘Hi!’ Hayley ran over and hugged Ophelia. ‘So, did you bring James? Are we getting to meet him? Ready for the bonding session?’
‘Um, no.’ Ophelia glanced behind her and realised Brann was keeping out of sight. ‘James and I aren’t a thing anymore. In fact, we never got as far as being a thing.’
‘But we need him,’ Hayley said. ‘To balance the raft.’
‘It’s ok. I brought… The builder.’
‘Brann?’
‘The very same.’
‘Do you want a bonding session with him?’
‘No. He was… In the right place at the right time.’
Oliver came up behind Hayley and put his hand on her back. ‘Everything ok?’
‘Fine, yeah. Ophelia’s brought Brann instead of James, but that’s ok. As long as he shows up.’
‘He’s here already. Brann!’ Ophelia called to him.
He strolled out with his hands in his pockets. ‘You called, Princess?’
‘Just wanted to show Hayley you’re here. She’s worried the boat won’t balance.’
Hayley laughed. ‘Well, this is unexpected. But good to see you. This is Oliver, my fiancé.’
‘You’re together now.’ Brann smiled. ‘That’s good news.’ He shook Oliver’s hand. ‘I’m Brann.’
‘The builder, not the boyfriend,’ Hayley said.
He put his hands up. ‘Definitely the builder. And the boat balancer.’
Hayley took Ophelia’s arm and let the guys walk ahead. Ophelia was prepared for this. ‘So, you and him…’ Hayley cocked her head in Brann’s direction. ‘This is new.’
‘He’s here for the rafting, that’s all. It’s something he’s always wanted to do.’
‘Is it? I didn’t think he sounded that keen before. Must be something else that’s made him want to do it… Or someone.’
Ophelia smiled at her, then put her finger on her own lip. ‘Shh. Stop speculating. There’s nothing to see here, ok?’
Hayley’s expression told her this wasn’t the end by a long stretch.
As Ophelia wrestled into her wetsuit a short time later, she caught Hayley grinning again.
‘I’m not sure I like wearing this,’ she said, before Hayley started questioning her again. ‘It’s kind of like being naked with only a layer of rubber on top.’
‘That sounds all kind of dodgy.’ Hayley giggled.
‘Seriously? You’re like a high school kid.’ Ophelia lobbed her rolled-up top at her, which only made Hayley laugh more.
After pulling on the ugly over-jacket, Ophelia sat back on the wooden bench in the changing cabin beside Hayley and the other rafters.
‘So, class three rapids,’ Ophelia said. ‘Should I know what that means?’
‘Nice try,’ Hayley said. ‘But why not tell me about Brann?’
Ophelia groaned. ‘Why won’t you believe what I already told you?’
‘Would you if you were in my position?’
‘Probably not.’
She was saved from having to continue as several of the other people started filing back into the main room.
‘We should go too.’
‘Ok,’ Hayley said. ‘But this isn’t over.’
Brann and Oliver were waiting. Both of them looked a lot better in their wetsuits than Ophelia felt. Brann was all-levels of hot, almost superhero style with the tight suit showing off his body shape – broad shoulders, muscly chest and tapered waist.
Ophelia deliberately made no reaction as she approached. Hayley greeted Oliver with a hug.
‘You look edible,’ she said.
Brann edged closer to Ophelia. ‘Do I look edible too?’
‘Oh yes. I’ll happily feed you to any sharks we see on the way.’
He barked out a laugh, and Hayley turned to him with a quizzical expression. Ophelia rolled her eyes.
‘Come on, we’re going.’
Logan, the instructor, was waiting with some of the group already assembled around him. He smiled easily, talking with wide hand gestures. They approached, and he welcomed them.
‘Once we’re all together, we can head off in the minibus. Let me do a quick head count.’
The minibus had a trailer with a rack of rafts on the back. Ophelia’s stomach lurched. Why was she doing this? She never did anything like this, and those rafts didn’t look very secure.
‘We got this.’ Brann patted her on the back as they made their way into the minibus.
‘It’s a bit nerve-racking, isn’t it?’ Hayley clipped her seatbelt.
‘You chose to do it,’ Oliver said with a smile.
‘I want to and I’m not chickening out, but I’m nervous.’
‘Me too,’ Ophelia said.
‘I didn’t realise you were keen,’ Hayley said to Brann.
He pulled up one shoulder. ‘Ah, you know me. I’ll try pretty much anything.’
When they arrived at the starting point, Logan explained the safety issues to the group. He helped them into the boats and instructed them on how to paddle at the shallow edges of the river. Ophelia, Brann, Oliver, Hayley, and another couple were in a boat together. Logan demonstrated the technique – everyone seemed to know what they were doing except Ophelia; she couldn’t get it right.
‘What you’re doing is fine,’ Logan said. ‘You just need to make larger movements, stirring rather than stabbing.’
‘Remember that.’ Brann leaned closer. ‘No stabbing. Especially if you ever get the urge to pick up a pair of antlers again.’
‘Just shut up, will you?’ Ophelia narrowed her eyes as she saw Hayley laughing.
Half an hour they practised before Logan jumped on the boat with them. A couple of other groups seemed more experienced and were going alone. A fourth boat had another instructor with them.
Ophelia was very relieved someone was with them. She could see herself mucking this up. The boat lunged into the current, and they were off. All seemed calm. They dipped and bobbed along the river. A few small peaks pushed them up before they smacked back down.
‘Ok everyone,’ Logan called. ‘This is the first stage. Everybody ready, remember to stay calm and listen for my instruction.’
As they coursed forward, Ophelia’s heart was almost ripped from her chest. She couldn’t draw breath. They plunged into a deep trough, only to be flung high onto a mountainous crest. As they slammed back down, she lost the feeling in her limbs. Logan’s shouts were indistinct. Her face was wet. She wanted to wipe the water from her eyes, but her hands were stuck to the paddle.
Suddenly the tumult became a softer bob. Her senses were recovering. Lessening her grip on the paddle, she realised she could breathe again. She blinked the water from her eyes as they reached a calmer point, but they were still racing along.
‘You ok?’ Brann asked.
‘What? Oh… I think so.’
He smiled and gave her a wink, dipping his paddle at the same time. Anyone would think he was a seasoned pro. Show off.
‘Ok, everyone,’ Logan called. ‘A little while until the next rapids, sit tight, and enjoy some of the terrific scenery. This is the Dairvin wood on either side of the river. Lovely walks in there, especially with these autumn colours – and we’re coming to the soldier’s leap. After that, we approach the next set of rapids.’
Ophelia didn’t want to do it again. Her stomach was still back at the first set, and suddenly she heard Logan’s voice alerting them to the soldier’s leap. The boat dashed forward, speeding into the current, then lunged. A blur of red and gold sped past on either side.
‘Ready everyone?’ Logan shouted.
She didn’t hear what he said next; she was too petrified. They were approaching a waterfall.
A hand rested on her arm. ‘It’s ok,’ Brann mouthed. ‘You’ll be fine.’
She nodded. Then the breath left her body as they careered over the edge. She shut her eyes, clinging to the paddle.
A moment of utter silence.
She must have died.
The boat smacked the river below; it spun for a few seconds. The noise of screaming and laughing hit her alongside the tumultuous gush of the water. Logan shouted at them all to paddle.
She instinctively stabbed at the water, forgetting everything about ‘stirring’.
Another set of rapids was in sight. The boat raced towards them, drawn with stealthy speed and unseen force. They plunged in, were thrown back up, and again. The boat spun; Logan yelled at them to paddle. Another dip, Ophelia’s stomach was left behind. She wanted it to stop, but at the same time there was a thrill in every peak and tumult. Finally, they swirled into an area of open calm. The river widened and despite its speed, it got gentler; they eased along until Logan instructed them to paddle to the bank.
Ophelia couldn’t move. She was shaking all over.
‘Come on.’ Brann helped her up. ‘You’ve done it.’
She let his strong arms and powerful body guide her out of the boat. So cold. She shivered, barely aware his arms were around her. The van was waiting to take them back to the centre. Hayley and Oliver were huddled under a blanket, laughing.
Ophelia curled in next to Brann, and he pulled a blanket over her and put his arm around her shoulder.
Teeth chattering, her whole body shaking, she became aware that the low sound she’d taken for the engine was actually Brann. He was humming a soft melody. As she tuned into it, it soothed and comforted her like a magical healing song. The relief that the rafting was finished subsided, and a bubble of pride swelled in her chest. She’d done it. Done something anyway. Maybe not exactly what she’d set out to do. She’d been seen with Brann and by the biggest gossip ever. No way would Hayley be able to keep a lid on this. The box was well and truly open. Except what exactly was inside? Ophelia wasn’t sure.
The changing cabin was only slightly warmer than outside, but Ophelia was very glad to get back into dry clothes. Brann’s singing had fed her soul and kept her going, but now it had stopped, it left her empty.
‘That was brilliant, wasn’t it?’ Hayley said.
‘I might think so in a month’s time.’ Ophelia towelled her hair, pushing away the odd loneliness. ‘Right now, I’m still too shaky.’
‘Just as well you had a strong pair of arms to fall into.’
‘Yeah. That’s why I brought him along. He’s the scaffolding.’
Hayley snorted. ‘So, do you and him want to get some food?’
‘No thanks,’ Ophelia said. ‘Well, I can’t speak for him, but I have stuff to sort out with my family tonight.’ A little white lie, but she couldn’t face anything else – because if she went, Brann was sure to follow, whether in the flesh or in hundreds of questions. Of course, she couldn’t prevent him going if he wanted to, but she suspected he wouldn’t want to be a gooseberry, so would likely decline.
‘No worries, we’ll get together again soon, for something a bit less dramatic.’ Hayley sat on the bench as she pulled on her socks. ‘But for now, you can spill the beans.’
‘About what?’
‘Brann! Why was he here? Are you two a thing, or what?’
‘Of course we’re not. He’s here because he heard me talking about it and invited himself. That’s all.’
‘Looked quite cosy on the way back.’
‘Yeah, well, I was cold.’
She smiled. ‘You could do worse, you know. He’s a nice guy, steady job.’
‘Listen.’ Ophelia plonked down next to Hayley. ‘This is all lovely and I’m sure for most people what you just said is true. But it’s not going to happen. Nothing can happen with him and me. Ever. I have to marry someone a lot richer. Maybe it’s old-fashioned and sounds stupid, but it’s my reality. Money doesn’t grow on trees. Without money, my family home will be lost. And I’m not just talking about a house. It’s a place with a soul where generations of us have lived. I owe this to my grandparents and their memory. It’s not something I can give up lightly or walk away from. Seeing Brann would be nothing but a stupid fling, because nothing can happen in the long run.’
Hayley cocked her head and let out a sigh. ‘That’s sad.’
‘Maybe, but it’s also true, and I can’t lose sight of that.’
Hayley reached out and pulled her into a side hug. ‘I get it and I’m sorry. It can’t be easy for you. I bet people laugh at you and think it’s silly, but when you’re living the reality, it’s different.’
‘Exactly.’
‘And I guess it’s almost impossible to find a rich man… Not only that, but a rich man you actually love.’
‘Completely impossible, I’d say.’ Which was why she hadn’t made any progress for months.
‘Especially if you happen to fall for someone else while you’re looking.’
Ophelia leaned down, breaking Hayley’s hug, and picking her wet swimsuit up off the floor. ‘Just as well that hasn’t happened then.’ She stuffed the swimsuit in her bag, not looking at Hayley. She couldn’t. If she did, her face might betray the truth, and she didn’t want to face it. If she’d fallen for Brann somewhere along the line, she would never admit it. Not to Hayley. Not to him. And definitely not to herself.