Chapter Fourteen
Finlay lounged back on the giant four-poster bed. This place was unreal, so far above the kind of place he’d usually choose to stay. He was more likely to be in his one-man tent after a long bike ride or in a cheap BB close to his latest Munro. Being in Dubai was going to be a big culture shock and he hadn’t really prepared. Doing this kind of thing pushed him deeper into denial when he should be making plans. But he’d applied for the Dubai job when his life was in tatters… Now it was bizarre and he didn’t quite know what to make of it.
Genevieve’s muffled voice was still talking in the bathroom. Finlay’s hand hovered over his phone. Would it be weird to open her page and have a look? He kind of wanted to see what she was saying without opening the door and butting in.
As he decided to check, the doorhandle clicked, and she entered the room. He stupidly dropped his phone like he’d been caught doing something he shouldn’t.
Genevieve raised an eyebrow. ‘What are you up to?’
‘Nothing,’ he said, in what turned out to be a really guilty sounding tone.
‘Oh yeah?’ She looked completely unconvinced. ‘Watching something naughty.’
‘Excuse me?’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘I’m not sixteen.’
She smirked. ‘Do you want to come downstairs with me? I’m going to film those other rooms Flora showed us.’
‘Do I have to be utterly silent?’
‘Preferably.’
‘Then wouldn’t it be better if I stayed here?’
‘Suit yourself,’ she said. Her expression was nonchalant, but was that a hint of disappointment?
‘Actually, I’ll come. It’ll be boring sitting here.’
They made their way out of the room onto the spiral staircase. Genevieve led the way, taking the steps tentatively in her glittery trainers. The long cream jumpsuit she had on looked oddly like a wedding dress and Finlay swatted away all the thoughts of rings and marriage. Not to mention every reminder of what they were doing.
‘I genuinely think this place is haunted,’ he said. ‘I can almost feel the spirits of the dead.’
‘Are you having a laugh?’
‘You said it yourself; castles usually have ghosts.’
‘And you believe they’re real?’
‘Doesn’t everyone?’ he said, keeping his tone as serious as he could.
Genevieve stopped, turned around, and gave him a stern look. ‘You don’t actually believe in ghosts, do you?’
He gave a little shrug. ‘Not big marshmallow-type ones, no. But both my mum and Hayley are very into spiritual type stuff. They’ve both had strange occurrences happening.’
Genevieve frowned. ‘I remember Hayley telling me about that. Like they’ve messaged each other at exactly the same time or suddenly remembered something and a few seconds later had a call to remind them… like they read the other’s thoughts.’
‘Exactly. My mum said I used to be freaky as a kid. Apparently, I used to tell her all sorts of bizarre stories about places I used to work and my brother who died in the war and stuff like that.’
‘Are you serious?’
‘Yeah. I don’t remember any of it now. It was when I was really tiny, but she thought I was connected to a past life. I think I just had an overactive imagination, but who knows?’
‘So, should I pay attention to these spooky vibes you’re getting? Because I don’t fancy running into anything scary.’
‘Ah hello, I thought I heard voices,’ Flora said at the bottom of the stairs and they both jumped. ‘Didn’t mean to startle you,’ she said.
‘It’s ok.’ Genevieve massaged her chest. ‘Finlay was just telling me ghost stories and… Well…’
‘You thought I was a ghost?’ Flora chuckled.
‘Not really, but my brain was playing tricks on me.’
‘Is the castle haunted?’ Finlay asked and Genevieve threw him a look of disbelief. He winked at her.
‘Good question,’ Flora said. ‘There are definitely a lot of odd noises in the night, which is why I want to push ahead with renting out some of the rooms. It can be very lonely.’
‘I bet,’ Genevieve said. ‘Doesn’t the cook live here?’
‘No. She lives in a village a couple of miles away. I live here all alone.’
Perhaps it was because they’d been talking about supernatural things, but Finlay thought he caught an aura of sadness coming from Flora despite her cheery smile and jaunty outfit.
‘Now, is there anything I can do for you?’ she asked.
‘We were going to get some pictures and maybe films of the dining area.’ Genevieve glanced around the hallway. ‘Would that be ok?’
‘Of course,’ Flora said. ‘You’re very busy though. I want you to have a relaxing time, so don’t feel that you have to go over and above. Feel free to unwind, just take pictures as you go along.’
Finlay tried not to let his mind wander into thoughts of Flora spying on them again. Was she aware most couples would come here not only to relax but to jump each other’s bones as soon as they could? Perhaps something of his thoughts showed on his face because Flora cast him a knowing look.
‘I don’t mean that kind of picture.’ She cocked an eyebrow. ‘Nothing too personal needed, but you’re such a lovely couple. People will like to see you. In fact, I wonder if I could get a professional photographer to take some pictures of the two of you around the place. You’d be quite a poster couple.’
Finlay smiled, hoping it would cover the terror inside. No way could they be photographed. He didn’t want a lasting memory of his third failed engagement. Not when he needed to sweep it under the carpet and make it go away.
‘Sounds like a lovely idea,’ Genevieve said. Her acting was more convincing and Finlay only heard the note of uncertainty because he was looking for it. ‘Though I’m sure you could find better models than us.’
‘It’s hard to find people with the right look,’ Flora said. ‘The two of you have exactly what I want. You’re both good looking, you’re newly in love, so you have that sparkle in your eyes, and you’re real. I don’t want models who don’t even know each other rocking up and posing. It’s fake and doesn’t give off the right vibes.’
Finlay’s insides cringed. She had to be kidding, right? They looked real! Nothing could be further from the truth. He wanted to catch Genevieve’s eye but at the same time didn’t think it was a good idea to give away his discomfort.
‘I…’ Genevieve started. ‘Finlay’s a teacher. I’m not sure modelling fits with the code of conduct.’
‘Oh, don’t worry,’ Flora said. ‘It would all be very tasteful. I wonder if I could persuade my friend Louis to do it. He’s very skilled with a camera and he might be free.’
‘You want to do it this weekend?’ Finlay said.
‘No time like the present. And the two of you are perfectly dressed for it.’
Finlay’s neutral outfit of black trousers and a white shirt now looked like dressed-down groom’s attire next to Genevieve’s dress. They were going to look like a couple straight from a wedding. He internally groaned.
‘I…um… Well, I’ll get the dining room pictures,’ Genevieve said.
‘Go right ahead,’ Flora said. ‘I’ll go and give Louis a call.’
Genevieve almost dragged Finlay into the dining room.
‘Oh hell,’ she muttered. ‘How can we get out of this?’
Finlay folded his arms. ‘This is all your fault, so you better think of something.’
She moaned and fake cried. ‘This is a bloody nightmare and I have no idea what to do.’
‘Still haven’t learned that little word, have you?’
‘You heard her. I tried.’
‘You did.’ He let out a sigh. ‘Then let’s hope Louis isn’t available at such short notice. Surely, he won’t be.’
‘That is a bit ridiculous but maybe they’re close and he’ll do anything for her.’
‘Don’t say that.’
‘Ok, let’s keep our fingers crossed he’s busy.’ Genevieve opened her phone. ‘Now, you be quiet for a bit and let me get this film.’
‘Yes, Miss.’ He saluted her and drew back into the shadow around the heavy, dark oak door. When had his life taken such a surreal turn? Things hadn’t been easy the past few months, years even, but this was ridiculous. Maybe he should just embrace it in the spirit of fun. The last hurrah before he left the country. If pictures of him appeared in a brochure for this place, then so what? All it would be was a lasting monument to a completely insane phase of his life. Maybe in decades to come, his grandchildren would find the photos and speculate about who Grandpa’s mysterious friend was and why they’d been snapped posing like that. None of them would ever guess the truth. Far too absurd.
When Genevieve was done chatting to her phone about the dining room, they went back into the hallway.
‘I don’t know how you do that,’ Finlay said. ‘When I had to record lessons during the lockdown, it was a nightmare. I always sounded like someone else or a robot. You sound so natural.’
‘If you imagine you’re talking to a friend, it’s easier. I try not to think about how many people might be watching and just focus on chatting to one imaginary person.’
‘I still don’t think it would work that well for me.’
‘When I was little, I always pretended I was on camera. My mum used to laugh because she was always walking in in the middle of docu-dramas about my dolls and their life issues.’
‘I remember you and Hayley doing stuff like that.’ Finlay let out a laugh. ‘You’ve been training for a long time. You used to always be narrating stuff in her bedroom. I could hear you through the wall.’
‘You could?’
‘Not what you were saying exactly, but it always sounded like you were pretending to be on TV.’
‘We were.’ Genevieve laughed. ‘Hayley would do my hair and pretend she was a famous stylist, then I’d do her make-up. We used to spend hours at it. If Elise was there too, she’d pretend to be cabin crew and we’d play we were going on holiday.’
‘Those were the days, huh?’ Now, he’d messed up the friendships good and proper.
Flora emerged from a side room and both Finlay and Genevieve fell silent, waiting for her to drop the bomb.
‘Louis isn’t answering. I’ll try again later.’
Their collective relief made them sag against each other and Finlay put a bracing arm around Genevieve. Flora smiled indulgently.
‘Why not have a quick drink with me?’ Flora asked. ‘While you’re here. We can sit in the conservatory.’
It wasn’t like they could refuse. The rain had stopped and blue sky was appearing through the clouds. Genevieve and Finlay sat beside each other on a wicker sofa, while Flora opened a drinks cabinet and read out various labels.
They both decided on a small port liqueur while Flora took a rather large glass of sherry.
‘What made you want to open a couples’ retreat?’ Genevieve asked as Flora handed her a small glass full of the deep burgundy liquid.
‘Good question.’ Flora passed Finlay his glass, then raised her own. ‘Slainte.’
Finlay and Genevieve mirrored the move, then took sips. Port liqueur wasn’t a familiar drink to Finlay, and it was a little sweet, though quite pleasant.
‘You know I’m a strange lady,’ Flora said, taking a seat.
Finlay furrowed his brow at her unlikely self-assessment, even though he didn’t doubt she’d been called that many times behind her back.
‘I’m under no illusions about what names people have for me. I embrace it rather than get upset by it.’ She smiled at him. ‘I’m utterly fascinated by romance. I read way too many romance books and I’ve probably seen every romantic movie there is to watch, but with all that said, I’m not romantic in myself. It’s not something I’ve wished for. That’s not to say I don’t value friends and companionship, but I’ve never sought a romantic relationship.’ She sipped on her sherry. ‘Growing up, I was often ridiculed and name called. Even latterly, people call me all sorts of names and cast barely veiled insults at me. I’m not deaf or stupid, but like I said, I don’t let it bother me. These days there are all sorts of labels for young people who feel like I did. They’re allowed to choose any or all of these things and if it saves them from going through what I’ve been through, then I’m happy for them. For my part, I don’t feel like I want to assign a label to myself. I’ve grown into my own skin and I’m happy to be here. The couples’ retreat, I suppose, sprung from my fascination with romance for others. When I started thinking about letting rooms, I kept coming back to that. So I decided to do it. It’s the same with anything in life. If you want to do it, go for it. Don’t wait until tomorrow. There may not be a tomorrow or tomorrow might be too late. Do it now. As you get older, you realise the importance of that.’
Finlay had almost finished the little glass of port liqueur when Flora stopped talking. He hadn’t expected quite so much personal information, and it seemed Genevieve hadn’t either, as she looked strangely lost for words. Flora simply smiled, however, and took another sip of sherry before continuing.
‘I think because people have always found me a little eccentric, it’s made me cautious. I don’t care what they think of me, but I don’t like it when they assume eccentric equals stupid. I’m actually very intelligent, even if I say so myself. I’ve been blessed with a lot of money in my life and I know how to make it work for me. I always like to get to know people before I enter into business with them. Your father is one such example.’
Finlay glanced at Genevieve. His heart hurt seeing her looking so uncomfortable. Why did she have to do the dirty work for her father?
‘I’m sure my father doesn’t think badly of you. He always talks highly of you and invites you to his parties.’
Flora laughed a little. ‘Yes, he does. And he’s a generous man in that respect, though many people butter me up in an attempt to part me from my cash.’
‘I hope you don’t think I did that,’ Finlay said.
‘Not at all. You didn’t even know who I was when we spoke about the rugby club, did you?’
‘No, I didn’t.’
Genevieve put her glass on a side table with a sigh. ‘I’m sorry if my dad has done that. I’m not a businessperson as everyone knows, so a lot of his dealings are lost on me.’
‘You are a businessperson, Genevieve,’ Finlay said, surprising even himself. ‘You just do a different kind of business. Don’t undervalue what you do.’
‘I couldn’t agree more,’ Flora said. ‘I know a lot of people look down on what you do, especially people of my generation who think it isn’t a real job, but it’s very shortsighted. Jobs and business evolve daily.’
‘That’s so true,’ Finlay said. ‘We discuss this at school all the time. We’re training and preparing kids for the world of work, but the jobs a lot of them will go into don’t even exist yet.’
‘Yes, exactly that.’ Flora pointed at him then turned to Genevieve. ‘It wouldn’t surprise me if you get some lucrative sponsorship deals in the future. I’ll even invest in return for the publicity here, so don’t put yourself down. And if your father dismisses your job, that’s very shortsighted of him because you and people in your industry are very well placed to promote businesses like his.’
Genevieve smiled and gave a little headshake. ‘I’m not sure he sees it like that, but I appreciate you saying it.’
‘Not at all. I’m just delighted to see you here enjoying yourself. Call me an old fool, but I’m always suspicious and I couldn’t help but wonder if Geoff had pushed me towards you in an attempt to win my backing. You wouldn’t believe the elaborate schemes people have come up with in the past.’
Uh-oh… Just how elaborate?
Had anyone ever faked an engagement before? Finlay suspected not. His sixth sense had kicked into operation again and he felt waves of discomfort flowing from Genevieve. He didn’t feel much better himself. They were here under false pretence and not only that; it was a ruse to get her to bend to Geoff’s wishes. Now Flora was talking about sponsorships and she was funding his rugby club. Could it get much more awkward?
Finlay put his hand over hers and gently pressured it. The gesture meant solidarity. But there was no getting away from the fact they were sitting in a very precarious place and all the escape routes were blocked.