Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ophelia
O phelia trudged through the estate grounds. Rain drizzled over her, soaking her usually immaculate hair until it was sticking to her face. She needed to be alone with her thoughts. And boy were there enough of them to keep her company for a long time. The estate was ruined. Brann gone. The heritage she clung to was slipping through her fingers. Centuries of history lost. If only she could do as Brann suggested and switch off to it all, forget the past, not worry about the future of the estate and concentrate on herself and her own life. But she couldn’t. It wasn’t her way.
She plodded towards the stables again. If she sat and cried, at least the horses wouldn’t pass comment or judgement. They’d just let her peacefully coexist, and that was all she needed right now.
The rain fell rhythmically on the stable roof, beating steadily like a living heart. That’s what this estate should be like. Not the stone cold, dead place it was. She’d made an attempt at breathing some life back into the place, but it was impossible. Her father and Jacinta were too set in their ways. If she couldn’t change them, nothing would change here. And that was impossible.
The horses were all in for the day, munching at their hay nets or standing in their stalls. Another sound caught Ophelia’s attention. A movement at the far end.
‘Francesca?’ she said. ‘Is that you?’
From the end stall, her younger sister emerged, wiping her eyes and flicking her hair with the same silent nonchalance Ophelia had herself.
‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing,’ Francesca muttered, with a creditable attempt at unconcern.
How alike they were in many ways. Ophelia could break down this moment and cry buckets if she let go, but if anyone asked her what was wrong, she wouldn’t say.
She slumped onto the feed box and sighed, resting her elbows on her knees and putting her face in her hands. Maybe they both needed a place to be quiet in.
‘Are you upset about what I said earlier?’ Ophelia let her hands fall.
‘Of course I am,’ Francesca said. ‘Have you any idea what it’s like for me? Whenever I go anywhere I either get people hero-worshipping me because I live here or calling me names like posh girl.’
‘Yeah. I have a good idea of what that’s like.’
‘Well, then. Do you believe me that I didn’t bully anyone?’
‘Why don’t you tell me what did happen then?’
‘I know what it’s all about. It was Caitlin, wasn’t it?’
‘I can’t say but go on anyway.’
‘She was actually my friend. She was nice, and we arranged to meet in town. Then this other girl, Hope, messaged me and said Caitlin had called it off because she thought I was really snooty, and she was just using me. Then she said this boy we knew from the club had asked if I could meet him instead. I said ok. Then I got messages from Caitlin, saying she was blocking me because she was really upset I’d cancelled on her and started going out with the boy she liked. I didn’t know Hope had taken photos of me and Kyle and sent them to Caitlin. It was her messing about, not me.’
Ophelia let out a sigh. She didn’t miss these teenage dramas, though sometimes she’d give anything to go back to those days because adult dramas were so much worse. ‘Do you still go to the club?’
‘Yes, but Caitlin left.’
‘And what about these other people? Hope and Kyle? Do they still go?’
‘Hope left. Kyle still goes, but we’re not like dating. He’s ok, but we didn’t hit it off like that, you know.’
‘Yeah, I know. Just like me and James and all these other men your mother wants me to marry.’
‘I wish she’d stop that,’ Francesca said. ‘It really freaks me out that she’ll start doing that to me.’
Ophelia didn’t like to say, but she was sure Jacinta would do exactly that. ‘So, about Caitlin. Would you like to make things up with her?’
‘I don’t know. I guess, but she won’t reply to my messages. I can’t even get in touch with her. She’s blocked me everywhere.’
‘I know her parents,’ Ophelia said. ‘I can arrange something if you like. She’s always fancied horse riding, from what I understand. Maybe we could invite her for a lesson.’
‘Well, ok. If you can arrange it.’
‘I’ll try.’
‘Thanks… And for listening. Sometimes I can’t really talk to mum. She’s difficult, you know. She doesn’t really hear what I’m saying.’
‘I understand.’ Only too well. ‘If you ever want to offload, feel free. I know what it’s like growing up with certain expectations.’
Francesca smiled and Ophelia returned it with a little sigh. This is unexpected . Making a connection with Francesca hadn’t been on her to-do list, not when she was as wretched and low as this. Maybe putting things right with Francesca and Caitlin was the best she could do right now. When she got to arranging it though, it wouldn’t be with Caitlin’s dad. No. That ship had sailed. She’d go to Wood ’n’ Chic and talk to Kristalee and leave Brann out of it.
March
Ophelia took a deep breath at the door of Wood ’n’ Chic. Checking through the window, she saw Kristalee at the till, but no other customers. She let herself in.
‘Hey.’ Kristalee looked up and smiled, though she still maintained that somewhat intimating aura.
‘Hi.’ Ophelia approached her. ‘I’ve got something to ask you. I hope you don’t mind.’ She explained about Francesca and Caitlin. ‘We’re wondering if Caitlin would like to come around for a visit at the weekend. They could have a riding lesson together and hopefully make up.’
‘Sounds brilliant.’ Kristalee toyed with a skull pendant at her throat. ‘Thank you so much. I’ll check with Caitlin and if she’s happy, I’ll message you.’
‘No probs. I’ll give you my number.’ Ophelia took out her phone.
‘Just one thing though. I can’t drive. So we’ll have to check if her dad’s free to bring her over.’
‘I can come for her. Dagmar will be teaching them. She’s one of the best.’
With a combination of what was left in the estate funds and Ophelia’s own money, she was keeping Dagmar on, but Perthshire was a very horsey area and if Dagmar chose to work elsewhere, they were screwed. Ophelia wouldn’t blame her for leaving. All it would take was for someone with more money to come and snap her up.
Francesca came with Ophelia to collect Caitlin and Kristalee. Ophelia had suggested they didn’t shout about what they were doing to Jacinta. Francesca obviously hadn’t, as Jacinta seemed to think Francesca was simply cadging a lift into town and didn’t ask any questions.
The satnav led Ophelia to Kirk Lane, and she turned into it, edging down the narrow space between the pavement and the church wall. Was this close to where Brann stayed? Would he see her car? Had Caitlin told him where she was going? So many questions rattled through her head, but she pushed them aside. This day wasn’t for her.
‘Hello.’ She got out of the car as Kristalee and Caitlin came out of one of the cute, little terraced houses. The one next door had a narrow curving staircase leading to an upper floor that looked almost Dickensian. Caitlin was skinny and half hid behind her mum. Ophelia smiled at them. ‘We met before,’ she said to Caitlin. ‘You might not remember.’
‘I do,’ Caitlin said.
‘Nice car.’ Kristalee opened the backdoor. ‘And you must be Francesca.’
‘Yeah. Hi.’
Caitlin jumped in the back beside her. ‘Hi.’
‘Hi,’ Francesca said, her cheeks slightly pink. ‘Did your mum tell you about—’
‘She told me everything. And I’m sorry about what happened.’
‘Hey, you don’t have to be sorry. I’m sorry.’
Kristalee smiled at Ophelia as they took their places in the front.
‘Sounds like you should close the book on it,’ Kristalee said. ‘And look forward to this lesson. Caitlin’s been pestering us for god knows how long to go riding.’
‘Well, I’m glad we can bring it about,’ Ophelia said. ‘Dagmar is a very good teacher, and she’s great at matching people with horses. We’ve only got three to choose from and they’re all very placid, so it shouldn't be a problem. Conker is mine. He’s really good and very able.’
‘I can’t wait to see this,’ Kristalee said.
Francesca and Caitlin chattered all the way to the stables. No one hearing them would ever know they’d had a falling out. They sounded like best friends, catching up on all the gossip. Ophelia asked Kristalee about her work at the shop, and they chatted about that and Kristalee’s large extended family, who seemed to have all sorts of bizarre issues and set-ups. Some of it was soap opera or Jerry Springer worthy, and the chat easily carried them all the way to Glenvorneth. When they arrived, Ophelia and Kristalee watched from the edge of the paddock, while Dagmar took charge of the girls and the horses.
‘I need to learn to drive.’ Kristalee leaned on the fence. ‘So I can take her places and not have to rely on her dad or her brother. I should have done it years ago.’
‘She’ll soon be able to drive herself, won’t she?’ Ophelia said.
‘Oh, don’t.’ Kristalee covered her face. ‘That’s such a scary thought. My baby being able to drive.’
Ophelia smiled. ‘Yeah. That must be strange.’
‘I was just a bit older than she is now when I had Harrison. Seems crazy now. She’s so young. So was I. I didn’t know what had hit me. I’m not even sure how we survived or how we kept them alive.’
‘Looks like you’ve done a good job.’
‘It’s one day at a time and a lot of hoping and crossing fingers.’ She crossed two of her black nails and held them up.
Ophelia huffed out a laugh.
‘Don’t you fancy having your own kids?’ Kristalee asked.
‘I do, but I have to find the right man first and that’s a bit of a problem.’
‘Is it? You seem like a nice person to me and you’re so pretty, so I don’t see why.’
‘It’s all about family expectations unfortunately. They want me to marry someone with money to save this place.’
‘And are there a lot of rich blokes going about? Coz if there are, can you send them my way?’
Ophelia laughed. ‘There aren’t that many, which is part of the problem. The ones they find are… Well, not suitable. Or I don’t like them. And that’s where I have to stop being so picky and just do it.’
‘But that’s crazy. What if you get stuck with someone horrible?’
‘Grin and bear it, I suppose.’
‘I wouldn’t advise that. Not after what happened to my sister.’ She pulled a face. ‘She got stuck with a right bastard. And what if someone else catches your eye before you meet a rich guy?’
‘I’d hate to fall for someone and not be able to…’ The words fizzled out. She was talking about Brann, and she had a weird sense that Kristalee had been talking about him too. Did she know? Would he have told her? She needed to stop talking before she gave something away.
‘Sorry.’ Kristalee nodded. ‘I shouldn’t have asked. Just couldn’t help myself. Harrison told us his dad had a bit of a thing for you. I don’t think he meant it seriously, but I suppose I kind of wondered, well…’ She shrugged, but her eyes flashed with intrigue.
Ophelia’s cheeks heated. How awkward was this? She cleared her throat. ‘We had a bit of banter,’ she said. ‘I suppose that’s what he saw.’
‘Probably. Brann’s a funny guy and he has a way of turning heads. I thought he’d find someone else almost as soon as we split, but he hasn’t dated much. Not at all really.’
‘Maybe he hasn’t met the right person.’
‘I think it’s more because of Caitlin.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘She gets really anxious if she thinks either of us is dating. I tried for a while but it’s hard. Brann doesn’t want to risk losing his little girl. He’s worried she’ll not visit him if he’s with someone else or be too upset to meet his new partner. Or worse, do harm to herself.’ Kristalee let out a sigh. ‘She did that before and it was scary. We’ve got a lid on it just now, but who knows what might trigger it?’
Ophelia frowned and sucked on her lower lip. In the back of her mind, she’d almost arrogantly believed if she suddenly had the means to save the estate, she could go to Brann and he’d tumble straight into her arms, but maybe he wouldn’t. Not that it mattered. She didn’t have a winning lottery ticket and didn’t have the means to save the estate on her own.