7. Chapter Seven
Chapter Seven
May huffed and puffed her way up the hill, cursing her lack of fitness.
She’d assumed all those nights spent dancing in clubs would have at least given her a bit of stamina.
But as she pushed through the last hundred metres towards Saffron Manor, it seemed dancing fuelled by tequila did not count as exercise.
She pushed at the gate to the long driveway.
It slid open easily on silent hinges, and May smiled, remembering a time when it had been near impossible to get in and out of the grand estate, much of which had been destroyed in a fire decades earlier.
These days, rather than the old recluse he’d been for so long, Grandpa Jack was, if not quite returned to his former glory, at least on the road to it.
He could be found at most village events and was slowly reclaiming his status as Saffron Bay’s wise elder.
Walking along the tree-lined drive brought May some peace.
The leaves were a rich green, dappled sunlight filtering through any gaps it could find, a gentle breeze rustling the branches around her.
It felt like stepping into one of the YouTube videos you put on at night when your worries are stealing your sleep.
May stopped and took a deep breath, closing her eyes as she enjoyed the way the sweet air filled her lungs. The squawk of a seagull overhead made her smile, the tranquillity shattered. She pressed on.
The old manor house came into view. Still effectively a ruin, it showed signs of renewal amid the burnt stone – a shining new set of ground-floor windows reflected the sun, and a bright red front door sat out of place beneath a roof whose charred rafters still showed.
May smiled, wishing she had even a fraction of her grandpa’s determination and sense of purpose.
Grandpa Jack’s cabin, built by Luke, Nick, and Daniel a few years ago, nestled beneath mature trees opposite the old house. With its long veranda and gentle plume of smoke curling from the chimney of the wood burner, the simple structure looked every inch the woodland idyll.
May shielded her eyes, pausing for a moment to take in the extraordinary view of the coastline glimpsed through the trees, before she marched to the door and knocked.
Jack must have been waiting for her, for the door opened almost instantly, and she was enveloped in a tight, gruff hug. He barked a welcome in her ear, then held her at arm’s length to look at her.
‘You’re too thin,’ he said. ‘And what’s that you’ve got stuck in your nose?’
‘You know very well it’s a nose piercing,’ said May. ‘And I’m too old now for you to tell me off for having piercings. And while we’re on the subject of body art, you can save your breath about my new tattoos, as I already know you’ll disapprove.’
She held up an arm to show a delicate vine interlaced with songbirds trailing up her inner arm.
Jack took hold of her arm and frowned. ‘I actually rather like it,’ he said, shocking May into silence. ‘Come in, tea’s brewing.’
May followed her grandpa into the cosy cabin and settled herself in a squishy armchair, perfectly positioned to make the most of the view.
For a moment, she pictured their first meeting, which had involved her trespassing and him calling her all the names under the sun.
They’d come a long way since those days.
‘How does it feel to have finished university?’ asked Jack, as he carried a tray holding a teapot and mugs over to her.
‘Fine.’ May’s fake smile filled her face.
Jack eyed her suspiciously. ‘Fine?’ he said. ‘Is that the best you can muster?’ He shook his head as he poured the tea. His lips worked as though conflicted over what to say next. In the end, he settled for, ‘So what are your plans now?’
‘Um, I’m not so sure.’ Relief flooded her at having gotten away so lightly. ‘I thought I’d get the wedding over with first, and then have a think about my future.’
‘Alice has got you planning it, I hear. Along with some pretty-boy pop star, if village gossip is to be believed.’ Jack eased himself into his favourite chair, placing his mug of tea on a side table piled with books.
May shook her head. ‘Yes. I’d rather be doing it on my own, truth be told.
But as it’s a double wedding, I suppose I have to go along with both brides’ desires.
’ She sighed. ‘Part of me wishes they’d hired a wedding planner and left me out of it.
But Alice has done so much for me, I could hardly refuse, could I? ’
‘Very true,’ said Jack. ‘Your sister has sacrificed a lot over the years.’
‘All right,’ said May. The comment hit home harder than Grandpa Jack knew. ‘No need to make me feel more guilty than I already do.’
Jack brushed away her concerns with a wave of his hand. ‘Don’t be so self-indulgent, May. We’re all responsible for the sacrifices your sister had to make, so don’t go singling yourself out as special.’
May couldn’t help smiling. That was Grandpa Jack in a nutshell – gruff, occasionally rude, and full of love he wasn’t yet comfortable expressing.
‘You don’t look like you’ve been eating properly,’ he said, studying May’s face over the top of his mug. ‘Or sleeping well, for that matter. And I hope you’re going to do something about your hair before you walk up the aisle as your sister’s bridesmaid.’
‘What’s wrong with my hair?’ May ran a hand through her short locks. She’d washed and brushed her hair that morning, and couldn’t see anything wrong with it.
‘It’s two colours,’ said Jack. ‘You remind me of a Cinnabar Moth, and not in a good way.’
Cinnabar Moth? May stood up and found a small mirror.
Where? ‘Oh, hardly,’ she said. ‘It’s a bit red at the ends, that’s all.
Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll be visiting the hairdresser before the wedding.
’ She went back to her seat and turned the conversation to Jack. ‘What about you? Have you got a suit?’
‘As one of the groomsmen,’ said Jack, his voice full of self-importance, ‘I shall be wearing the suit Luke has picked out for me.’
‘And very smart you’ll look too,’ said May. ‘Now, once we finish our tea, can you show me the gardens? I hear they’re looking wonderful this year.’
‘Of course.’ Jack stood, mug in hand. ‘No need to wait. Let’s take our tea with us.’
He paused in the doorway and glanced over his shoulder. ‘Oh and, May?’
‘Yeah?’
‘It’s very good to have you back.’