Chapter 2 #2
June was an asset and a longstanding employee, which he appreciated. Not to mention a self-contained woman who never stirred up drama, never indulged in gossip, and was comfortable keeping conversation to a minimum.
Those were qualities Edward valued more than anything.
Like most of the staff employed by his late father, June had worked on the estate for a while and was indispensable to his groundskeeper.
Together, she and Andrzej kept the sprawling acres in pristine condition, upholding the high standards Edward’s father had always demanded.
The house itself needed far more attention than Edward had time to give, but at least the gardens were immaculate, which gave him some comfort.
He briefly wondered how old the daughter was, as he wasn’t entirely sure of June’s age. He found it strange to think she was someone’s mother, especially one old enough to be married and divorced, although for no reason he could put his finger on.
The older woman’s energy radiated a kind of wholesome vitality, likely because of her outdoor lifestyle, but she didn’t seem very maternal.
Still, what did he really know and, more importantly, it was none of his business– she and Andrzej had formed a partnership that pleased Edward, which was all he really needed to know or care about.
*
Switching on the light in the hallway, Edward shrugged off his coat and hung it over the easy chair as he entered the lounge of the apartment, which he used whenever he stayed in Edinburgh for business.
It wasn’t as pretty or luxurious as the house in Dean Village, which was currently being rented to some family friends visiting from mainland Europe, but it was functional, comfortable, and perfectly located overlooking St Andrew Square.
A spoilt kid’s party pad, basically– lots of sleek steel and glass surfaces with scattered leather seats and sofas.
Leonard used to spend a lot of time partying here when he still lived at home.
None of it was Edward’s style– he preferred the aesthetics of his own home.
Haddon House might be ancient and draughty, but it at least had some soul; this place simply served a purpose.
He’d recently considered selling or renting it out, but it was convenient– for several reasons– so he’d thought better of it.
Edward groaned, stretching out the stiffness in his back after his long drive, and then sighed. He just wanted to go to bed, but he needed to get this call out of the way first. Finding the number June sent earlier, he tapped on it and pressed the call option.
It only rang once before the call connected and he could immediately hear the faint hum of tyres on a wet road and intermittent cars whooshing by; she was obviously still driving. The relentless rain had started soon after Perth and he wondered how far up she was already.
“Hello?” The female voice in his ear sounded tired.
“Hi, Scarlett?”
It was always worth checking.
“Yes, hello?”
He kicked off his shoes and sat on the sofa, leaning his head back and closing his eyes.
Fuck, I’m knackered.
“Edward Cameron-Reid. Your mother gave me your number. Hope that’s okay?”
“Oh,” she said, pausing briefly. “Her boss?”
“That’s the one,” he replied. “I understand you’re coming to stay and are looking for work.”
“Err, yes. Yes, please.”
“Have you worked on an estate or done any housekeeping work before?” He pinched the bridge of his nose. He hated interviews.
There was a long pause.
“Hello? You still there?” he asked.
“I’m going to be honest, Edward, shit– sorry.”
He let out a soft laugh.
“I’m sorry. Can I call you Edward? Am I supposed to call you a lord or something?”
“Edward is fine.” He rubbed his forehead and temple with his free hand.
“I’ve not worked for anyone for a long time.” She paused again.
“Right …”
“I’ve obviously worked, though. Shit, sorry– none of this is coming out right. I’m exhausted. I’ve been driving a while. But yes, I mean– I’ve always worked.”
“Well, that’s something.”
“God, I’m sorry. I can clean, though– of course I can clean. I’ve spent a lifetime cleaning .”
Edward opened his eyes and shook his head.
Who is this woman?
“Please don’t think I’ll be any trouble– I can do whatever you need me to do. I’m honest and reliable, and I just really, really need to be occupied.”
“I think you may need to pull over at the next services and have a coffee and a nap first.”
“Err, yeah– that’s not a terrible idea.” Scarlett let out an exasperated groan. “Do I still have a job?”
Edward let out a small laugh. “Aye, I’m sure we’ll work it out. Mrs Wilson, my housekeeper, will get you sorted after you settle in.”
“Oh my God, thank you– I promise you won’t regret it.” Scarlett’s voice cracked.
Fuck’s sake– is she crying?
“I’m not usually emotional, I’m just a bit—”
“Tired. I know, me too. Let’s catch up when you get here.”
“Okay. Thank you again.” She sniffed.
“No problem– and Scarlett?” Edward felt a sudden sense of responsibility for her, and the idea of her driving through the night made him uncomfortable.
“Yes?”
“Please pull over and get a room somewhere, so you get here in one piece.”
It was her turn to laugh. “Yes, boss.”
“See you soon.”
“See you soon.”
Edward ended the call and continued to sit a while longer, looking up at the ceiling, wondering what on earth he’d let himself in for.
*
The next day, after hours of meetings, Edward returned to Haddon House, eager to get on with the rest of the jobs he needed to close off. But he slowed as he spotted June climbing into an SUV parked outside the house.
She made it then.
He slowed down even further, hoping to delay his arrival long enough for the two women to leave and drive to the back of the house where the stables were located.
June was pleasant but never imposed herself– another reason he appreciated her– but the idea of meeting her daughter felt like an intrusion he wasn’t ready to deal with.
Safe in the knowledge the women didn’t see him, Edward eventually parked up and, noticing Andrzej working on some shrubbery at the far bottom side of the front lawn, he walked down to meet him.
“Afternoon, sir.” Andrzej stabbed his spade into the soil and shielded his eyes with his hand from the low setting sun.
“Afternoon. I see the daughter has arrived.” Edward looked at the shrubs going in. “Bit late in the day to be planting, isn’t it?”
“The heat’s been turning up again, so I don’t want the roots drying out, and June has been busy getting ready for the new arrival.
” Andrzej removed his handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped the sweat from his thick neck, deeply tanned from the summer months spent outside.
“She’s been feeling a bit nervous, I think. ”
“Not like her. She’s usually quite composed.” Edward looked back up in the direction they’d disappeared in.
“Yes, she is.” Andrzej shrugged and smiled. “The wonderful mystery of women, they’re always surprising us.”
Edward nodded, lacking the humour that came so easily to Andrzej, whose wide grin disarmed many of Edward’s more irritable moods.
“June tells me she will help Mrs Wilson with housekeeping, yes?”
Edward nodded again, his eyes focused on the shrubs. “Aye. They all seem happy about it, and it makes sense rather than paying the agency to come in. I’ll redirect the work for them to something else for the time being. They’re an unreliable lot, anyway.”
The two men remained silent for a moment.
“June was telling me she doesn’t particularly share her affection for the outdoors. Hay fever or allergies, so that should be interesting.” Edward looked back at Andrzej’s work. “Are these the blackthorns we discussed?”
“Yes, they should be in the ground in good time, so they’ll flower in early spring.” Andrzej inspected the plants by his feet. “Mrs Wilson will be glad of the help, no doubt.”
Edward shrugged and placed his hands in his pockets. “We’ll see how much help she’ll be– I got the impression she’s had quite a privileged lifestyle. But she’s keen to get started, so who knows, it may work out.”
Andrzej continued to observe the plants and the soil, apparently deep in thought.
“Privilege is relative, sir,” he said eventually and then shrugged, returning his attention to his employer. “We are all privileged to live in this part of the country, wherever we come from, and maybe this lady will feel the same.”
Edward scoffed. “We’ve yet to see if she’s any kind of lady, Andrzej.” Edward patted the groundsman’s shoulder. “Keep up the good work and don’t stay out too late. No doubt you’ll have the extra workload whilst June helps her daughter learn the ropes around here.”
Andrzej nodded and smiled in agreement. “Goodnight to you, sir.”
“Goodnight, Andrzej.” Edward walked away with a backwards wave.