Chapter 30
brOOKE
‘Doesn’t The Quicken Tree look beautiful?’ Polly said with a happy sigh. She hooked her arm around Brooke’s shoulders. ‘All these lovely lights and the banners! They’ve done a grand job.’
‘It’s looking swell,’ Harmony agreed. ‘I always did love fairy lights.’
‘You know what I love about you?’ Polly told her.
‘You’re this big Hollywood star and you must have been to all these fancy places, but you never seem to look down on Rowan Vale.
Sometimes I think our little village must feel like a film set to you.
Not real. Hollywood was your real life, and it must feel like a million miles from here. ’
Harmony smiled. ‘Believe me, there was nothing “real life” about Hollywood. And never underestimate the value of a small town and a close community. I wish I’d realised how much they were worth before it was too late.’
‘Except it’s not too late, love, because you have all those things here and now,’ Polly told her. ‘Don’t Callie and Brodie look happy?’ She nodded over to where the engaged couple were chatting with Lawrie and Walter. ‘There’s a good turnout, too, even if it has started raining.’
She was right. Many of the villagers had made their way to the inn, intent on celebrating with the happy couple. Brooke had never seen The Quicken Tree so busy, even on the odd occasion when she’d dropped into the Thursday night pub quiz.
The ghosts were out in force, too. Ronnie and Bill were standing nearby, clearly on their best behaviour. Quintus Severus was standing a few feet away from them, his eyes roaming the room, which explained their meekness.
Isaac was acting the part of the jovial landlord, even though he couldn’t actually serve drinks or – well anything, really. The ghosts never pointed that out, though, giving their friend due respect for all the world as if he was still in charge of The Quicken Tree.
Shona had baked the most beautiful cake which everyone had admired, and the table was groaning with delicious looking food from the Blitz Bakery.
The ghosts had all hovered around the table inhaling the scent of the most divine salads, nibbles, sandwiches, pastries and sweets that looked far too good to eat, even though they’d all admitted they’d like to give it a jolly good go.
All in all, everyone was having a very good time. Well, almost everyone.
Polly gave Brooke a thoughtful look. ‘You’re very quiet. Is it nerves?’
‘Aw, honey, have you got stage fright?’ Harmony asked. ‘I know all about that. But hey, you don’t have to worry. It’s us guys who are singing the lead parts that should be scared. Speaking of which, where’s that cute guy of yours?’
‘That’s a point,’ Polly said, looking around. ‘Where is Danny?’
‘I don’t think he’s here yet,’ Brooke said. ‘I’m sure he will be soon though, don’t worry. I’ll just go outside and see if he’s on his way.’
Polly and Harmony nodded and started walking towards a very nervous-looking Aubrey, who was being reassured and soothed by Agnes and a clearly overexcited Florence.
Brooke headed out of the function room, deep in thought.
She had tried to catch up with Danny earlier, but he’d been nowhere in sight.
She’d searched high and low and had asked around but no one had seen him.
Eventually, she’d had to admit defeat and had gone back to the flat to wait for him.
He hadn’t shown. And now the party was in full swing and in a few minutes High Spirits would be performing their song, and he still wasn’t here.
Would he really let everyone down by not turning up?
He wasn’t the only one who hadn’t showed either. Rory and Kirsty weren’t there. Maybe they’d decided against attending, given what had happened earlier. She knew she should go up to their room and tell them that she’d failed to find Danny, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
She stood at the entrance to the drive and scanned the area for any signs of him, but he was nowhere to be seen.
He’s not coming, is he? What do I tell everyone?
It wasn’t just about that, though. If push came to shove someone else could sing Danny’s part.
Maybe Aubrey could sing two verses instead of one.
It really wouldn’t matter, would it? What would matter was that she and Danny might never be friends again.
She’d kept the biggest secret possible from him, and by doing so she’d inadvertently killed them both.
She wasn’t sure he’d ever forgive her for that.
Thoroughly dejected she turned and walked back into the inn. If Danny wasn’t going to be here then she, at least, couldn’t let them down.
‘Brooke?’
She looked up to see Kirsty coming down the stairs, her face pale and drawn.
Even so she looked stunning, which only reminded Brooke of her own embarrassing appearance.
Kirsty had made a real effort tonight, fastening her hair up and wearing a beautiful red dress and heels.
It didn’t hide the sadness in her eyes, though.
‘You haven’t made up with Rory,’ Brooke said flatly.
Kirsty shook her head. ‘I can’t even find him,’ she said heavily, her eyes shimmering with tears. ‘I haven’t seen him since he dashed after Danny so I think I can take it that our marriage is over.’
‘But he seemed fine with you earlier,’ Brooke pointed out. ‘He even reminded us that it was your anniversary.’
‘That was for Danny’s sake,’ Kirsty said. ‘Truth is, when I told him what I’d done he couldn’t find a single word to say to me.’ Her voice cracked and she shrugged. ‘And who can blame him? It seems I’ve messed things up all round.’
‘I’m sorry.’ Despite it all, Brooke genuinely meant it. ‘I can’t find Danny either. Looks like we’re both in the doghouse.’
Kirsty bit her lip. ‘This is all my fault. I should have listened to you and kept my mouth shut.’
‘No, no you shouldn’t. You were right to tell him. He had every right to know. There have been too many secrets in this family. Whatever happens now, at least we all know where we stand.’ She smiled sadly. ‘I think I always did, to be honest.’
‘And I think, deep down, I always knew I was on borrowed time with Rory,’ Kirsty admitted. ‘But at least I found you again, and I’m so glad I did, Brooke. Now come on, we’ve got a party to attend.’
‘I didn’t think you’d want to go. I didn’t think you’d be in the mood for a party,’ Brooke said, surprised.
‘I’m not really, but I want to see my cousin do her stuff. You’ve got a song to perform, remember?’ She was clearly devastated but she gave Brooke an encouraging smile just the same. Not so selfish any more.
‘But Danny isn’t here and he’s one of the lead artists.’
‘Well, if he isn’t here someone else will sing his part. Stop worrying. You’ve worried enough for many lifetimes. Just this once, can you relax and enjoy yourself?’
She led the way to the function room and pushed open the door. Brooke followed her, nibbling her thumbnail in dread.
‘Oh, there you are!’ Immi rushed over to her. ‘We were looking for you. Polly said if it’s not one of you goes missing it’s the other one. Are you ready?’
‘We’re doing this now?’ Brooke asked.
‘Yes!’
‘But who’s singing Danny’s part?’
Immi looked puzzled. ‘What do you mean? Danny is, of course.’
She waved a hand to the platform where the DJ’s equipment was, and where the ghosts were gathering to perform their song. Three people stood at the front: Aubrey, Harmony and—
‘Danny!’ She spun round, her eyes bright. ‘He’s here,’ she told Kirsty, who nodded, her eyes large in her pale face.
‘So is Rory.’
‘I guess that means they’ve made up.’
‘It seems so,’ Kirsty said flatly. ‘Well, at least something good has come out of today, right? Now go and do your stuff. And Brooke?’
Brooke, who had been walking away, turned back. ‘Yes?’
‘I love you.’
Brooke blinked tears away. ‘Love you, too,’ she said, not entirely sure what on earth was going on but so overwhelmed with relief to see Danny that she was willing to forgive and forget anything.
Brodie and Callie looked completely bewildered as Amelia took her place at the piano which had been delivered to the pub earlier that afternoon. Lawrie took up position next to it, sitting on a padded chair, and Sam stood to the side of the ghosts.
As Brooke stepped onto the platform, she heard Brodie say, ‘What’s going on?’
‘The ghosts are doing something,’ Callie told him. ‘I think they’re going to sing for us! And look, Immi’s with them.’
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Sam said, as the DJ’s music died away.
Brooke stood behind the three lead singers.
Danny glanced round at her, and she gave him an encouraging smile as she could see he was terrified.
Bad enough singing the lead in rehearsals, but now he was about to do it to a room full of living people, including the engaged couple themselves.
She knew all too well how nervous he’d be, even though most wouldn’t see or hear him, and that was without all the emotional upheaval he’d gone through earlier in the day.
This was, after all, for Callie. He wouldn’t want to let her – or the other ghosts – down.
‘You can do this,’ she told him and he nodded and turned back to face the front.
‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Sam repeated and the chatter stopped as everyone looked round.
‘We have a very special performance tonight. As a gift to Callie and Brodie, the ghosts of Rowan Vale would like to sing them a song. Now, we appreciate that some of you won’t be able to hear any of the ghosts and some of you who have a relative in the group might only hear one of them, but you will be able to hear the music, and also we have our guest singer, Imogen Chase, who will help you all to keep up with the song.
Brodie, apologies for this, but please be assured that the ghosts wish you to know that this is as much for you as for Callie, and that they wish you both every happiness in the world. ’
Brodie smiled and raised his glass, while Callie clasped her hands under her chin, her eyes shining with excitement.