Chapter 17
U pon entering the apartment, it wasn’t just the comforting heat and delicious aroma of the red wine and beef stew that washed over her, there was also the warm presence of soft laughter and gentle voices coming from the kitchen– they had a guest.
“Sorry I’m late,” Scarlett called to June from the hallway, leaning against the wall to untie the laces of her Converse trainers. “Got held up by the gods.”
“Hello, don’t worry, it’s keeping warm.” June popped her head around the doorway. “Andrzej’s here for dinner too. Hope you don’t mind?”
“Of course not.” Scarlett smiled. “More the merrier. I’m just going to change quickly, if I’ve got time?”
“We’ve just opened a bottle of Malbec. I’ll pour you a glass.”
“Thanks, Mum.” Scarlett was still smiling as she walked into her bedroom, not oblivious to the fact that the word mum was also beginning to feel more natural to her.
Something felt as if it was shifting, and it wasn’t just with June– although that in itself was significant.
She felt lighter, especially after her call with Jason earlier, and despite the tears and gut-wrenching pain he caused her, which still ached somewhere deep in her stomach and chest, a sense of peace was settling over her– further boosted by the prospect of spending an evening in the company of June and Andrzej.
For the first time in as long as she could remember, Scarlett felt as if she was home , and she sat on her bed for a moment to register this.
She let out a contented sigh, and choosing not to overanalyse, as was usually her way, she began pulling off her jeans and top, throwing them both near the washing basket in the corner– into which nothing ever quite made it.
Opening her drawer, she took out a comfy pair of thick purple socks, wide-legged yoga pants, and the green hole-riddled jumper she’d first arrived wearing that she still loved. Dressing herself quickly, she left the room to join the impromptu gathering in the kitchen.
“Oh, my days,” Scarlett exclaimed, walking in. “I can’t tell you how ready I am for this!”
“Scarlett.” Andrzej welcomed her with a big grin and handed her an enormous glass of wine. “I was starting to think you’d never arrive, and I’d be left to starve.”
Scarlett offered a sheepish smile as an apology. “It’s nuts over there at the moment. In fact, they’re all pretty nuts, if I’m honest.”
“Yes, the guests are certainly settling in.” He stood and pulled out a chair so Scarlett could join them at the table. “Please.” He gestured for her to sit. “Happy to see you even more than usual, so we can finally eat this feast your mother has prepared.”
Andrzej returned to his own seat and Scarlett observed the spread on the dining room table. He wasn’t joking. On display was a steaming cast-iron pot full of the rich stew she could smell on entering the apartment, with swollen golden dumplings on its surface.
Sat beside the pot was a hunk of Mrs Wilson’s homemade bread, sliced with thickly spread butter and piled high on a plate, all complemented with a dish full of vibrant greens on the side for good measure– no doubt from the garden.
“This all looks amazing, thank you.” Scarlett felt a little overwhelmed and must’ve looked it, as her mother gently touched her hand.
“Let’s eat.” June smiled at Scarlett and Andrzej in turn. “Before it all gets cold.”
Except for some appreciative murmurings, the trio ate in companionable silence, tired from a long day.
When they were all finished, Scarlett stopped June and Andrzej from getting up to clear the table. “Please, let me.” Scarlett gave Andrzej a warning look as he tried to resist. “I mean it. You’ve both been busy working outside all day, so let me do this as a thank you.”
Andrzej raised his hands in defeat. “Okay, if you insist.”
Scarlett smiled and, within a handful of trips, cleared the table of its dirty plates and dishes and finally closed the kitchen door behind her, leaving June and Andrzej talking quietly about their plans for the next day.
She was now firmly of the belief there was more than just friendly working camaraderie between the two, even if they themselves weren’t aware of it yet.
There was nothing overtly obvious either of them had said or done, but the two shared a connection and understanding that felt far beyond a platonic work relationship– even that of a close friendship.
In all her years of marriage to Jason, the synergy between them was nothing like this, and although Scarlett wasn’t spiritual, she thought it was a bit like watching two twin flames meeting and merging into a magical dance. The chemistry felt tangible and the romance of it took her breath away.
She and June didn’t have the intimate friendship that some mothers and daughters shared, and there was no way she’d be able to find the words to say anything to her, but Scarlett hoped that her mother might consider the idea that there was someone for her out there after all, and if anyone was perfect for her, it was most definitely Andrzej.
Scarlett sighed, putting away the cast-iron pot, part of a set which her mother had owned since the beginning of time– or at least the beginning of Scarlett’s.
She hung up the damp tea towel and listened out for June and Andrzej’s voices, which were low but still animated.
Smiling, Scarlett closed the cutlery drawer and the cupboard below it and opened the adjoining door to the living room, noticing the pair had settled on the sofa with the TV on in the background.
Neither seemed to be watching whatever drama adaptation was showing and Scarlett bit back her usual sarcasm, resisting the urge to point out that June had probably watched it a hundred times over. Instead, she cleared her throat, drawing their attention to her.
“That’s me finished– I’m done in and ready for bed. I’ll leave you to it.”
Andrzej’s smile was broad, but his grey-blue eyes appeared heavy from a long day working outside and most likely the two or three glasses of red wine he’d consumed with June this evening.
“I shall head off shortly too. Thank you for your company this evening. Sleep well.”
Scarlett smiled at them both and nodded in response, taking a step towards her bedroom before turning back and peering around the doorway.
“And thanks for the lovely dinner. It was fab.”
Scarlett cringed at herself.
Fab?
What was it about living with her mother again that made her feel, act, and talk like a teenager?
“You’re very welcome, Scarlett. Goodnight.” June smiled in response, looking a little flushed from the wine and no doubt her amiable companion.
They really did suit each other.
In her bedroom, the door closed quietly behind her, Scarlett removed and discarded her clothes on the floor, realising too late she hadn’t yet closed the shutters of her window, potentially flaunting herself to anyone looking in.
Not that she imagined anyone would be, and even if they were still up, it would be unlikely they’d be paying any attention to the stables. All the excitement would be taking place inside the main house, especially if the recent amount of alcohol was anything to go by.
Feeling full, tired, and content, she padded into the bathroom and turned on the shower.
The steam enveloped her in a warm hug as she stepped in, and she felt instant comfort from the rainfall showerhead above her, washing away any remnants of negativity or doubts that had been clinging to her these past few days and weeks.
For the first time in an age, she felt relief and an overwhelming sense of peace and wellbeing surged through her.
She felt safe and at home. The idea of leaving and finding somewhere to live was never far from her thoughts.
But at this exact moment in time, she was content and enjoying what she was doing and where she was.
Haddon House and its inhabitants were far from perfect, but they were doing a good job in keeping her here, and despite having bigger, more independent plans, Scarlett couldn’t deny it felt good.
The feeling stayed with her through the night and despite the following morning being a Sunday, and potentially the only lie-in she’d get that week, Scarlett was wide awake.
She wanted to seize the moment and make full use of it; her head was spinning with ideas for the wedding, the bedrooms to accommodate all the guests, and the positioning of the gazebo on the grounds.
There were so many questions still unanswered and although she’d been repeatedly told by Leonard that money was absolutely no object, some idea of a budget would better equip her to plan, especially with the wedding being less than two months away.
The big day would be on the twenty-first of December, just days before Christmas, so they could have plenty of time to get settled in and celebrate Christmas in the Alps for their honeymoon.
She knew who she had to speak to– the only person qualified and grounded enough to sign off on her ideas, and, hopefully, who could offer some insight into a realistic budget.
Edward.
Scarlett hadn’t seen him since their last encounter and somewhat brusque exchange after the incident , but the thought of speaking to him didn’t fill her with the angst she felt yesterday– in fact, if she was being completely honest with herself, she wanted to see him.
Throwing back the covers, she got out of bed, walked to her drawers, and surveyed her sparse but clean selection of clothes, making a mental note to thank her mother for washing and putting them away. Scarlett never asked June to do this, but she always appreciated it when she did.
Impatient to get moving, she removed a pair of jeans, a t-shirt, and a jumper and quickly dressed.
Walking into the bathroom, she ran her fingers through her hair, tugging some knots loose.
She huffed and scrunched her nose up at her reflection in the mirror and lost her patience, instead bunching her hair up into a messy bun, curls springing loose from every angle.
Scarlett shrugged. She wasn’t dressing to impress. Just eager to get started with the day.
After brushing her teeth and giving her face a quick wash, she grabbed a rolled-up towel from the side to dry herself off, her face looking fresh from the cold water.
Scarlett paused, recognising something resembling a sparkle returning to her eyes, which made her smile, and then laugh. If anyone saw her, they would think she had gone mad, but smiling and being kind to herself felt like the most refreshing and sane thing she had done for herself in a while.
Today, life felt good. She felt good. And she wasn’t ashamed to enjoy it.