Chapter Twenty-Four
Ophelia
R unning late was something Ophelia hated, but she had a list of things she wanted to discuss with Stella at Wood ’n’ Chic. She nipped in on her way back to Glenvorneth. This way, it would get done. Checking the time on her phone, she entered the shop. She still had half an hour to get back before her mum and Nancy arrived, though her mum had an annoying habit of always being early.
The little bell above the door tinkled. Ophelia glanced around at the beautiful furniture. Everything was so festive, with twinkly lights and little wooden or stitched decorations hanging everywhere.
‘Hey,’ a voice said from behind the counter and Ophelia realised it wasn’t Stella, but Kristalee. She was in another quirky outfit with a long black lacy goth skirt that came to points at the hem, showing off red and white striped tights funnelling into her Doc Martens.
‘Good afternoon,’ Ophelia said. ‘Is Stella about?’
‘No, sorry. It’s just me today.’
‘Ah, ok. I might need to call back. I’ve got a lot to discuss with her.’
‘Anything I can help with?’
Ophelia sucked on her lower lip. ‘Not really. It’s about the pieces she wanted from me. I need to sort some deliveries and find out when would be best for her. I’ll ring her another day. Just thought I’d pop in while I was passing.’
‘I’ll leave her a note to say you called in.’
‘Thanks.’
Kristalee scribbled something on a pad of paper on the desk. Just seeing someone taking a note on paper was nice. People so often used their phones for everything these days. And really Ophelia could message Stella and arrange this, but it was so much nicer seeing people in person… And it avoided Brann. Or did it? It was Friday afternoon. Would he have left? Her tummy swooped. Once he left this time, he might not be back.
All for the best.
‘I wonder.’ Kristalee tapped the notepad with a black fingernail. ‘Does your sister still go to the theatre club?’
Ophelia frowned. ‘I, um, don’t know. Why?’
‘She and my daughter had a bit of a fall out. Caitlin is quite insistent your sister was… well, bullying her. I wish there was a way for them to make up because Caitlin really loved that club.’
‘My sister was bullying your daughter?’
‘I don’t mean to accuse her.’ Kristalee put her hands up. ‘I know there’s always two sides to every story, and teenage girls have their dramas. God knows, I certainly did.’
‘And your daughter’s called Caitlin?’ Not that it mattered. It was a fairly common name, but Brann’s daughter was called Caitlin, and she was a teenage girl.
‘Yeah. Oh, I forgot,’ Kristalee said. ‘You know her dad. He’s been working for you.’
Ophelia cringed. Small town syndrome. And not only that, but she also had one of the most recognisable names in the county. Nowhere for a Chattan-Blythe to hide. ‘Do you mean Brann?’
‘Yeah. I don’t know if he’s still working for you guys, but if he is, please don’t mention that I told you about Caitlin and your sister. Brann doesn’t think I should talk about it to anyone, as it’s Caitlin’s business. I get where he’s coming from, but problems don’t sort themselves without talking sometimes.’
‘I won’t say anything.’ How could she explain she wasn’t close to her sister? ‘But I’ll see if I can find anything out just generally. I really don’t like the idea of bullying being associated with my family.’ Though if Francesca was anything like Jacinta, what hope did they have? Jacinta was one of the most entitled narcissists Ophelia had ever met.
The drive to the boathouse seemed to take forever. Ophelia’s head was bursting with thoughts about Francesca and Caitlin, then Brann and Kristalee. Why did it disturb her so much that Kristalee was his ex? She seemed a nice enough person and was striking and confident. Brann had confessed to never really having had the depth of feeling he should for her, but they’d been together long enough to have two children.
What kind of woman did I think Brann usually went for?
Someone like me? Unlikely. He and Kristalee were much better suited. Both unconventionally good looking, and tough.
Her mum’s car was outside the boathouse and not only that. So was Brann’s van. The man himself leaned on a new gate, laughing as he chatted to her mum and Nancy. The old charm was back, the twinkle in his eye.
Ophelia got out, and all eyes landed on her. ‘Hello,’ she said. ‘Nice and early as always, mother.’ They bumped cheeks before Ophelia turned to Nancy. ‘Lovely to have you here.’
‘It’s a beautiful place.’
‘Brann’s been giving us the tour of the fence,’ Edith said. ‘But we’re waiting for you to do the house tour.’
Ophelia cast Brann a look. ‘He could have done that too. He built the place, after all.’
‘It’s all yours,’ he said. ‘I just did the manual labour. You designed it and did all the fancy stuff.’
She watched his face for a moment, pretty convinced she’d never told him she’d designed it. Maybe she had. But his expression was a half frown, like he was surprised but impressed.
‘Sounds like you’re the dream team,’ Nancy said. ‘One does the designs; one brings them to life.’
A little smirk played at the corner of Brann’s lips. ‘Oh yeah, that’s us alright.’
Ophelia rolled her eyes. ‘Right, let’s get in and do the tour.’ She opened the door and hung back as her mum and Nancy went in. Keeping half an eye on them, she beckoned Brann over. A low buzzing started in her tummy as he drew close.
‘Yes, Princess,’ he said in a low whisper.
‘Why are you still here?’
‘Just finished. I need to wait for Harrison though.’
‘Where is he?’
‘Went for a walk. I just had a message. He’s on his way back, but he got lost.’
‘Wait there.’
He lifted an eyebrow. ‘Why?’
‘Just do it.’ She went inside and took both her mum and Nancy by the arms. ‘So, this is the downstairs, as you see. Take a look around and make yourself at home. If you don’t mind giving me ten minutes. I have something to discuss with Brann and it’s easier if I do it now rather than wait until Monday.’ And come Monday, he wouldn’t be there anyway. Who knew when she’d see him again? Which meant she had to do this now.
He was still waiting outside the door, toeing the gravel with his hands in his pockets.
‘What’s going on?’ he asked.
She beckoned him and walked around the side of the boathouse. In the oldest part of the building was a small woodshed that had been left pretty much as it had been, though it was much tidier than before. She held the door for him, and he ducked inside. When she pulled the door shut, it was almost pitch black except for a sliver of light from a tiny, very narrow window.
‘Why are you locking me in a shed?’
‘Because I need you.’ Her hands found him, and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
‘Still?’ He pulled her close.
‘Always.’
His lips were on her, hungry and desperate. She clung to him, dragging him in deeper, closer. His hold was so strong, she couldn’t have got out even if she wanted to. But she didn’t. This was exactly where she wanted to be.
Breaking off the kiss to draw breath, she moaned as he carried on kissing her neck.
‘When I leave today, I’m not coming back,’ he said.
‘I know.’
‘I might never be back.’
‘I know.’ She took his face and kissed him again.
‘So… If you need me again like this. It’s tough luck.’
‘I know.’ The words were jammed on repeat. Of course, she knew. But if there was a chance for one more crazy kiss, she wasn’t going to miss it. Running her hand around his lightly bearded cheek, she drew him towards her again. Their tongues met, causing a furnace to ignite in her. She wanted to rip off her clothes and have him, but they couldn’t do that. Not here. Not now.
At the sound of his van door slamming closed, they broke apart. ‘That must be Harrison,’ Brann said. ‘I should go.’
‘Ok.’
He took her face in his hands and kissed her again. ‘I’ll go first. Don’t come out until I’ve driven away, or this really won’t look good.’
‘Right.’ She listened as he crunched across the gravel and his van door closed. With shaky breaths, she straightened herself out and smoothed down her hair. His van motored down the track and Ophelia came out, closing the door softly behind her.
It was starting to get dark. The lights inside looked warm and inviting. Her mother and Nancy were visible through the window, standing in the kitchen talking. Ophelia needed to go in there, smile, and pretend to be delighted at showing them around. She couldn’t let on she’d just let the love of her life drive away and she had no idea when or if she’d ever see him again.