Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
Evan instructed me to park Marlene round the back of the property.
Once I’d driven into a space and killed the engine, Evan jumped out and fetched our bags from the boot of the car.
While he was doing that, I pulled my phone from next to the handbrake and called my grandpa to tell him about the bomb discovery in case he didn’t know about it already or hadn’t heard it on the news, and also to reassure him I was ok and to tell him where I was staying.
‘Hopefully they’ll have it all sorted in a day or two, Gramps.
But as soon as it is, I’ll be on my way to you, ok? ’
‘Och. Don’t you fret, sweetheart. As long as you’re safe and sound, that’s all that I’m bothered about.
Hold on a second and I’ll switch on the news.
I had no idea all this was going on.’ I heard him rattling the TV remote control and the volume rising.
There was the sound of a live broadcast from the area.
Grandpa fell silent while he listened to what the TV reporter was saying.
Then he jumped back on the phone. ‘But I think you’re being a wee bit optimistic about it all being sorted in a day or two, if this reporter is right.
This isn’t a stray firework they’re dealing with. ’
I groaned. So much for escaping quickly from Evan.
‘So, a fancy place you’re staying, is it?’
I gazed up at the swirling detail of The Ramblings, its pointed roof and beams shooting upwards. ‘It’s lovely. I’ll take a photo of it and send it to you.’
‘And it’s this Evan’s house?’
‘It’s his parents’.’
‘Oh, I see. Right. Well, no disgracing the family name and creeping over to his bedroom in the wee small hours.’
My spine stiffened. ‘Grandpa! No. No! It’s not like that.
I mean, I’m staying as a guest. Evan wanted to thank me for driving him all the way up here after the airplane issues.
’ I took a quick breath before I rambled on again.
‘It’s nothing like that whatsoever.’ I could hear my voice picking up speed. I sounded like I was inhaling helium.
‘You’re a grown woman, darling. You don’t have to explain yourself to me. As long as he treats you proper, otherwise he’ll have me to answer to.’
Around me, the abundance of trees sashayed in the sunshine. I gripped my mobile. Evan was lingering with our two bags several feet away, looking at his phone. ‘I appreciate that Grandpa, but there really is nothing to explain.’
There came a deep chuckle down the line. ‘Alright sweetheart. If you say so.’
My eyes locked on Evan again, who glanced up from his phone screen. I spun away from him. I hoped he hadn’t heard any of that. ‘I’ll call you tomorrow, ok Grandpa? I’m so sorry about this.’
‘It’s not your fault, chicken. You just behave yourself, send me a photo of this posh house when you get a moment and we’ll speak tomorrow.’ His crumbly voice softened even more. ‘Love you.’
‘Love you, too.’
I slipped my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and walked over to Evan.
He pushed his mobile into his jeans pocket, and I reached for the handle of my case.
‘Your grandfather ok?’
‘Yes, thanks. Disappointed at not seeing me today, but he’s good.’ I pulled a disgruntled face. ‘I was so looking forward to seeing him, too.’
Evan squinted down at me against the sun. His sunglasses were dangling from the top of his T-shirt. ‘You’re close, aren’t you?’
‘Like two coats of paint.’
He grinned at me. It was the first time since I’d met him that he’d smiled like that; a big, genuine one that made his eyes crease. It lit up his entire face. ‘Is he retired?’
I found myself appreciating that smile for longer than was necessary. I gave myself a mental check. ‘Yes, he used to work for the local council, maintaining their parks and gardens. Very green-fingered.’
Evan pulled a wry expression. ‘I wish I was. I’ve just got to look at a rose and it withers.’
I buried a smile. ‘That doesn’t come as any great surprise.’
Oh no. There was that killer grin again. ‘Come on then, Miss Daisy. Let’s introduce you to The Addams Family.’
‘I thought they were The Munsters?’
‘Yeah. On a good day.’
Evan gave me a wink that made my stomach do a weird flip-flop thing.
I gritted my teeth. Was he doing this deliberately? Probably his usual charm offensive, I reminded myself.
‘Something tells me you’re easy to tease.’
I could feel my neck turning blotchy, but I stuck my chin out. ‘That’s where you’re wrong.’
I began to follow Evan through a side door that looked like it would lead into the hall, when I remembered something. ‘Oh. Sorry. Hold on a second. I’ve left my handbag on the backseat. I’ll just go and get it.’
I darted out of the back door and headed towards Marlene. I fished my car key from my jeans pocket and aimed the fob at my car. I tugged open one of the rear passenger doors, bent forwards and reached along the back seat to collect my bag.
I was still bent forwards, my bottom up in the air as I dragged my bag towards me, when a male voice startled me. ‘Need any help over there?’
I closed the car door, locked it with the fob and turned around. ‘No. I’m fine, thanks.’
A tall man with long, flowing, dark blond hair like a Viking warrior was standing there. He was sporting a tight, olive green, sleeveless vest top, dark jeans and heavy walking boots. He had a smattering of blond stubble.
‘You ok there, Daisy? Oh.’
Evan had reappeared and was frowning from me to the Viking warrior and back again.
‘Yes, thanks Evan. I’m fine. This kind gentleman was just asking if I needed any help.’
Evan’s expression twisted. ‘I bet he did.’
Was it my imagination, or was there some tension swirling around all of a sudden? Nope, not my imagination.
I noticed that a green garden trowel was dangling from the Viking’s grasp. I also picked up on his light, sky blue eyes appraising me. Who was this man with the rock star looks and the swagger to match? Whoever he was, Evan was in no rush to introduce him.
The silence continued.
Well, this wasn’t awkward – much.
I clapped both my hands together for something to do, to fill the void and then wished I hadn’t. I must’ve looked like a performing seal. Around us, there was the fizzing of blackbirds singing in the trees.
‘So,’ I said brightly to the Viking, pointing at the trowel in his hands, ‘are you the only gardener who tends to the grounds here? You must be kept busy if you are.’
Viking threw his head back, making his hair stream out behind him and laughed.
Had I said something funny?
‘Gardener? Seriously?’ He looked over at Evan. ‘Didn’t this one tell you he has a handsome baby brother?’
Evan pushed both his hands into the pockets of his jeans. His body tensed. ‘Haven’t had time yet. We only just arrived.’ He slid a sarcastic smile over at his younger brother. ‘Still, I don’t have to introduce you to Daisy now. You’ve just done it.’ There was an odd, alien inflection in his voice.
Something was telling me I’d really put my foot in it, whatever ‘it’ was.
I felt like a prize idiot. ‘Oh, I’m so sorry. Evan didn’t tell me he had a brother.’
Viking’s mouth carried the ghost of a smirk. ‘I gathered that.’
‘And I just saw you holding the trowel, and I put two and two together and made five.’ I extended a hand. ‘I’m Daisy. Daisy Madden.’
Viking reached for my hand and shook it. His ornate dress rings sparkled on his fingers. ‘I’m Dane. Dane Lord.’ He held my eyes for a few moments. ‘Very nice to meet you, Daisy.’ His attention lingered on me for a few more seconds.
‘What with all the hoo-ha at the airports and flights cancelled, I gave your brother a lift back up to Scotland.’
Dane’s fair brows lifted. ‘That was very generous of you.’
‘I was coming back up to Scotland myself anyway.’
‘Ah.’ Dane bathed me in a toothy grin. ‘Where are you from?’
‘Strath Ross.’
His blond hair lifted in the light breeze. ‘Really? We’re practically neighbours.’
‘Hardly,’ remarked Evan. ‘You’re living in Glasgow now.’
Dane gave his older brother a mischievous look. ‘I’m not at the moment though, am I?’ He refocused on me. ‘Me and my rock band have got some gigs here in the local area, which is why I’m back home at the moment.’
Evan stepped in, taking me by surprise and cutting the conversation short. ‘Now that the formal introductions are over, Daisy, let’s take you inside and you can meet Mum and Dad.’
‘You’re a fast mover,’ said Dane with a twinkle. ‘You’ve only just met the girl.’
Evan’s soft, brown eyes grew hard. ‘Daisy’s staying here for the time being. Don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but two unexploded bombs have been found up by Loch Crawe, so she can’t make it home.’
Evan started to accompany me back towards the rear door of the house, our cases trundling behind us, when Dane’s gravelly voice rang out. ‘Welcome to The Ramblings, Daisy. Maybe I can show you around while you’re here?’ There was another charming smile.
But I didn’t have time to answer, as Evan was already steering me inside.
He guided me through the side entrance and into the hall, which was huge, with a butterscotch and white tiled floor. On the opposite wall was stationed a gold, oval mirror which looked like something out of Game of Thrones.
Greek-style vases sat in all four corners sprouting dry reeds and rushes.
A white, marble, Cinderella-style staircase on the left spiralled to the upper floor. To the right was what looked like a massive sitting room, which consisted of polished maple furniture and a thick, pillar box-red carpet. It looked out onto the gardens through a set of double doors.
Trees lined up like soldiers on the far side, and the lawns sloped and glided downwards.
From out of nowhere, an older, smartly dressed couple appeared, making me start. ‘Evan! Darling!’
The woman’s cream heels clicked on the tiled hall floor. She bundled Evan into her arms.
‘Hey, Mum.’
She planted a big kiss on his cheek and took a step back to admire her eldest son.