Epilogue
Ophelia
O phelia woke in Brann’s arms. Beyond the end of the bed, the view of the loch from the boathouse was clear in the early morning light. The empty feeling she’d had in the boathouse since moving in wasn’t an issue anymore. Not now that she had strong arms to hold her.
Brann stirred, and without opening his eyes, pulled her closer to him.
‘You’re not thinking about getting up, are you?’ he said. ‘It’s Saturday morning.’
‘I know, but remember, we have visitors coming.’
‘Not for ages yet.’
She giggled as he kissed her brow and stroked her hair. Ok, thoughts of the visitors could wait. Brann’s light stubble tickled her as he kissed his way down her body. Saturday mornings were made for this.
By the time they got out of bed, they didn’t have that long to wait before Caitlin, Harrison and Colette were due to show up. Harrison had obviously seen the boathouse before, but the only time Caitlin had been inside, it hadn’t been near finished. This felt uncomfortably like a first meeting. The first time Brann’s children had been to this house since he’d unofficially moved in. Ophelia’s body was tight with the pressure of needing to put on a good show. She couldn’t afford to do anything that might upset his kids and force him not to make this official.
‘Are you ok?’ Brann stepped up behind her, massaging her shoulders.
Ophelia sighed. The tension eased slightly under his gentle touch. She turned to him with a vague smile. ‘I’m just nervous. I want everything to go smoothly today. I don’t want to mess up. Look at what Jacinta did to me. Now I’m in the same position and I haven’t got a clue what to do. Maybe I was hard on her all these years.’
‘No. It’s different.’ He turned her around, took her face in his hands, and kissed her. When he drew back, he smiled. ‘You aren’t Jacinta. You’re a totally different person. You’ve already met my kids and they like you. Sure, you freaked them both out at first, especially Harrison, but now they see the funny side.’
She took a deep breath. ‘But this’ll be a big change. It won’t be like Caitlin can just nip over here whenever she wants. It’s miles out of town.’
‘When she wants to come out, I’ll pick her up, or her mum can bring her. She’s taking lessons. Caitlin likes spending time with Francesca and volunteering at the horses, so this’ll be ideal for that. It won’t be the same as what she’s used to, but it’ll be just as good. I’ve spoken to her and she’s ok with it.’
‘I hope so.’
‘Believe me, and stop worrying.’ Brann wrapped his arms around her, drawing her close. ‘You’re an amazing woman. You’re strong and determined. I know you’ll never harm my children the way Jacinta hurt you. I trust you.’
That, more than anything, gave her strength. She nodded and breathed deeply. ‘Ok. I can do this.’
‘I know you can.’ He winked.
The doorbell rang.
‘I’ll get it,’ he said.
Ophelia waited, listening to the happy voices. Caitlin came in first, gawping around with wide eyes. ‘Wow. This place is sick. I can’t believe how it’s turned out. Wait until I get photos.’
‘Hey.’ Harrison followed Caitlin in. He was hand in hand with Colette, who looked equally as awestruck as Caitlin.
‘Hi,’ Ophelia said. ‘How are you?’
‘Good.’ He grinned. ‘Better, now I know you and Dad are together and I was right all along.’
‘Stop,’ Colette said.
‘Ahem, Dad.’ Harrison raised his eyebrows. ‘Was I or was I not right from the start?’
‘You were right. Yes, son. And if you keep on being right, I’ll make sure you get a sticker and the class-star award at the end of the week.’
Caitlin sniggered.
‘I’d love to live here,’ Colette said. ‘Hayley told me it was awesome, but it’s so much more amazing than I imagined.’
‘Well, you’ve got the right boyfriend to make that happen,’ Ophelia said. ‘He knows how this place was put together.’
‘Not sure I’ve got the cash,’ Harrison said.
‘You’ll make it,’ Ophelia said. ‘You work hard, and your dad has a thriving business.’
He nodded. ‘Yeah.’
A lot of the work on the estate Brann was carrying out himself. He scoffed at the idea of ever owning this much property or being ‘lord of the manor’, but he took the business side of things more seriously than her father ever had. She knew her grandparents would be smiling down on her. They would definitely approve or Brann and what he brought to Glenvorneth. And she had faith that together they could bash this place into better shape and get it ticking over to the point where it made a steady income. So far, her father and Jacinta were playing ball and keeping a low profile. If they were shocked about Ophelia’s relationship with Brann, they kept it to themselves. She was pretty sure neither of them would dare say anything to his face.
‘Oh, we have something for you,’ Colette said. ‘It’s from all of us.’ She pulled out a bottle of champagne.
‘To celebrate the royal wedding,’ Harrison said.
‘Who’s getting married?’ Brann asked.
‘You two.’ Harrison winked. ‘Remember, I’m always right.’
‘Thank you.’ Ophelia took the bottle from him and put it on the sideboard. ‘Shall we drink it now?’
‘Am I allowed it?’ Caitlin asked.
‘Maybe a tiny bit if you don’t tell anyone,’ Brann said.
‘Yeah, because we know you never drank before you were seventeen,’ Harrison muttered.
‘Don’t do as I do, do as I say.’ Brann pointed at him. ‘Dad’s privilege.’
Ophelia popped the cork and poured the fizz into five glasses. Beside her, her phone lit up, and she saw Hayley’s face on the screen with a message. She flipped it open and read.
HAYLEY: would you and Brann like to come for dinner one night? I still can hardly believe the two of you are together. It’s so amazing. I’d really love to have you here. Xx
Ophelia smiled. She’d reply later, and of course they’d go. She’d also love to have Hayley back here. Hayley’s only visit had been one Sunday afternoon when Ophelia had still been on her own, and that seemed like a different world now.
‘Thank you,’ Caitlin said as Ophelia handed her a half-full glass. She handed the full ones to everyone else.
‘Here, I meant to say before,’ Brann said. ‘I emailed the homeless shelter we took old Donald to, and they got back, saying his family found him. He’s gone into care, but it’s better than trying to survive out here.’
‘Certainly is. I’m glad he’s ok.’ Ophelia took a seat next to Brann and smiled. ‘This has been one crazy year. When I came back last winter, I would never have predicted anything that’s happened here. The day I met you’ – she looked at Brann – ‘it was surreal.’
‘The day you thought I was the moped thief and tried to attack me with the antlers?’
‘The very same. Who’d have thought we’d have gone from that to this?’
Harrison raised his hand.
‘Except Harrison, of course.’
He gave her the thumbs up.
‘Well, I’d just like to say. Here’s to us all and to many more crazy years.’ She raised her glass.
‘And no more antler attacks.’ Brann clinked his glass on the side of hers.
‘Or you two sneaking off round the back to do whatever,’ Harrison muttered.
‘Sorry, can’t guarantee that.’ Brann grinned at Ophelia, and she smiled back until it broke into a laugh.
‘We’ll never guarantee that.’ Leaning forward, her lips met Brann’s. She closed her eyes and ignored Harrison’s groan. When she pulled back, she kept her eyes on Brann. ‘The only thing I can guarantee is how much I love you.’
Brann reached out and stroked her cheek. ‘It’s all I ever wanted.’
‘Aw, guys,’ Caitlin said. ‘You’re making us all a bit emosh.’
‘Or wanting to vomit,’ Harrison said. Colette slapped his thigh.
Brann put his arm around Ophelia’s shoulder, and she took a sip of champagne. While the others chatted and took photos on their phones, Ophelia whispered to Brann, ‘It’s been quite a ride, hasn’t it? But we’re good, aren’t we?’
He squeezed her gently. ‘Never better. Sometimes, the most unexpected people turn out to be exactly the ones we need.’
She nodded. Yes. He was right. In so many ways. She’d never have put a relationship with Brann the Builder down as an item on her life plan, but here it was, and now it was the only plan that really mattered. As long as they were together, everything else would fall into place. Silently, she raised her glass to that thought, clinked it against Brann’s and they both took a sip. She kept her eyes on his, safe in the knowledge that together they were strong, loved, and finally whole.
The End