Chapter 33
Archer
At some stage, he’d nodded off in the afternoon sun with Erica tucked into his side. The vicar would not be angry if they were late, but Archer was never late for anything. He’d shaken Erica awake and kissed her slowly until she was fully alert.
“We need to get moving to see the vicar,” he said, cupping her chin and kissing her nose.
It was so easy to be intimate with Erica. Her calming nature soothed his soul. Years of working in a loud, boisterous environment on the rigs had him yearning for something or someone quieter. He was about to lie to a man of God, which scared him more than his aunt reneging on their deal.
The cove where they landed after swimming with the seals was nearer to Turner Hall than the cove where they went out on the motor boat. He walked Erica to her door and told her he’d pick her up in an hour. That gave him enough time to hurry back to Maggie, iron his shirt, and change.
He drove the golf buggy to Erica’s cottage and then headed down into the town. Erica fidgeted next to him, looking in every direction but him. He couldn’t see her eyes as she wore oversized dark sunglasses.
“Are you okay?” he asked when they stopped at the top of the driveway to the vicarage. Like most of the older homes on the island, the vicarage was large, with land all around. All Saints Church stood majestically off to the right of the vicarage, looming tall above them.
“We’re going to lie to a man of God,” she whispered.
“Just think of all the couples who get married, thinking they’re in love and thinking they will spend the rest of their lives together only to get divorced six months later.”
“That’s depressing,” she commented.
Erica had removed her sunglasses and dropped them into her black handbag. Her trouser suit was perfect for an office worker. He’d never seen her so formally dressed, making him think of a chameleon. He never knew how she would appear each time he saw her.
“What can I do to ease your worry?” he asked.
“Tell me he isn’t going to grill us, and I don’t have to lie any more than necessary.”
“It’s going to be fine, don’t worry,” Archer said.
He was fully confident his aunt had fixed everything for them. Undoubtedly, a donation to the church had arrived in the last few days to ease the interview. They walked to the front door, and Archer rapped the brass knocker. When no one answered, he looked around to see if he could see Father Sheldon Chivers. The only thing he could hear was the birds chirping .
“I’ll go around the back. He might be in the garden,” Archer said, dropping her hand.
He rounded the corner of the house and walked across the grass to the back of the house. It was quiet there too. Archer was sure he’d made the appointment for today with the administrator for the church. Turning back to meet with Erica again, he stopped when he saw Erica talking to a woman wearing a dog collar. Ordinarily, a female vicar wouldn’t have alarmed him, except they were expecting an old family friend. Instead, Erica looked disturbed and uneasy as she made small talk with the other woman. As he neared, Erica stepped towards him.
“This is Reverend Wendy Sprite, the new vicar on Copper Island. Father Chivers retired a while ago.”
Stunned by the news and furious with his aunt for not telling him, Archer gritted his teeth, painted on a smile, and stuck his hand out to shake the vicar’s offered hand in greeting.
“It’s great to meet you. Have you been on the island long?” Archer asked.
“About a month. I came for my predecessor’s retirement party. Your aunt sure knows how to say thank you in style. The grounds at Turner Hall are gorgeous.”
Archer wanted to laugh and then howl at the turn of events. Murderous thoughts entered his head about his aunt and her manipulating ways.
“Thank you. It’s an amazing house to grow up in, with plenty of space to run around and climb trees.”
Making small talk was painful. Erica squeezed his hand with a look of sheer terror on her face.
“I’m sorry I was running late. Shall we go into the house, and I can make us some tea?” the vicar said .
“That would be lovely,” Erica replied, saving Archer from rescheduling after speaking to his aunt.
They entered the house and followed Reverend Sprite to the kitchen at the back. She flipped on the kettle while Archer felt lost in a place he’d spent many hours in as a choir boy along with his brothers.
“Did you know Father Chivers?” Reverend Sprite asked while she grabbed three mugs from the open shelving above the kettle.
“All my life,” Archer replied.
“It was a shame you couldn’t come to his retirement party,” she said.
Erica gave Archer a side glance, and he understood why. There was an undercurrent to her tone.
“What reason did my aunt give for us not attending?”
“She said none of you likes the island. I can’t see why that would be. It’s lovely here. Everyone is so friendly, and the views are to die for.”
“I’m an electrician. My three younger siblings, Jason, Luke, and Daisy, are a chef, medic, and crane operator. Until recently, we all worked on the same oil rig. We wouldn’t be granted permission to leave during our three-week stint for a retirement party.”
“Ah, understood. Your aunt didn’t explain about your jobs.”
Archer had a whole ream of points he wanted to make about her assumption of why he hadn’t come to say goodbye to a man who had helped him through his mother leaving. His faith had wavered, and Father Sheldon Chivers was there for him.
Reverend Sprite brought the tray of tea mugs across to the table with a plate of plain biscuits. Fully aware of Erica’s agitation at the change of events, he rested his hand on her bouncing knee. To his relief, she stilled immediately.
“Tell me how you two met?” the reverend asked.
“We met on the island,” Erica replied before lifting the mug to her lips.
“Was that a few years ago? Your aunt said you haven’t been back for some time, Archer.”
“This year,” Archer replied.
“But you’ve only been back a few weeks if you couldn’t come to the retirement party.”
Archer felt like MI5 was interrogating him. He turned to face Erica and waited for her to look at him. When she did, he was rewarded with a megawatt smile lighting up her whole face. It was the first time she hadn’t looked terrified in the last half an hour.
“It’s been recent. But when you know, you know,” Archer said, looking directly at Erica.
He lifted her hand and kissed where the pearl ring rested at the bottom of her finger. His lips were pressed against her hand, but he still managed to swipe the tip of his tongue between her fingers. Watching Erica’s cheeks pinken made him grin. He was further delighted when her eyes widened.
“Don’t you young people want to live together first? Divorce rates are on the increase.”
Erica coughed on her mouthful of tea at the remark.
“My aunt wouldn’t entertain the idea of me living in sin under her roof.”
“That’s not the only reason you’re getting married, is it? To appease your aunt?”
“Have you ever been in love, Reverend Sprite?” Archer asked.
“No. ”
“My father died in front of my youngest brother. He just dropped dead, and there was nothing anyone could do for him. No one is promised tomorrow, so what reason is there to wait if you know you’ve found the woman you want to marry?”
Archer heard Erica’s sharp intake of breath but didn’t look at her, holding her hand tighter.
“Ah yes, I was told about Luke. He’s the medic, isn’t he?”
“That’s right.”
“I’m sure that was a difficult time for him.”
“For all of us. We were all there on the platform that day.”
“I’m sorry for your loss Archer,” Reverend Sprite said, sincerity lacing her words.
“Thanks. Shall we get back to why we’re here?”
“Of course, I’m going to grab my notebook to ask you a few questions.”
As soon as she left, Erica sagged on her chair. “I nearly had a heart attack when the reverend approached me while you were around the back of the house. I swear my life flashed before my eyes. This is a car crash,” she said.
“We’ll be fine, honey.”
“I’m sorry to hear Luke had to witness your dad dying.”
“It was a bad time, made worse.” Archer stayed silent for a few beats. “This isn’t so bad with a new vicar. I will be having a conversation with my aunt in the morning. It’s almost like she doesn’t want me to get married.”
“She wants you to get married, trust me.”
“Is that what she said to you in the grand foyer.”
“Yes.”
“Then what game is she playing?” Archer said more to himself than Erica .
Before they could talk more, the reverend returned with a leather-bound notebook and sat back down. Wendy took a long sip of her tea and opened the book to a blank page.
“So, Erica, what’s your full legal name?”
“Erica Taylor.”
“Spelled like the actress?” the reverend said, keeping her eyes on the paper.
“Yes,” Erica said quietly.
“And your profession?”
Erica let out a long exhale and then cleared her throat. “Actress.”
Archer turned to look at Erica, startled by what she’d said. He thought she was a writer, had even commented that she was a writer, and Erica hadn’t denied it. All along, he thought she was genuine, but she was playing a role.
“I thought I recognised your face. You look so different without all the makeup and glitz. Congratulations on your Oscar.”
An award-winning actress, Archer thought. He didn’t need to watch movies to know about Academy Awards and how notable they were. Archer hadn’t met just any actress. He’d unwittingly enlisted the help of a professional. Boy, did she play her part well.
“Thank you,” Erica said in a quiet voice, head bowed.
“But aren’t you still married? Your husband is with the other woman?”
“I divorced my husband months ago. I wouldn’t believe what you read in the press who only want to sell copies. I keep my private life out of the public eye, and no one knew we’d separated and then divorced. I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Of course, I am the keeper of all secrets.” The vicar shifted in her seat, moving to look at Archer. “And you, Archer, you said you’re an electrician. Is that what you want me to put on the marriage certificate?”
“Yes. My middle name is Edward, Archer Edward Turner.”
“Oh, isn’t that marvellous? All your names are six letters. And Erica, you won’t have to change your initials.”
The reverend was being cute, and he wanted to punch something. The rest of the get-together passed in a blur. Archer knew he answered the questions with his hands wrapped around a cold mug of tea. By the time they left, Erica was silent, and Archer was ticking like a bomb. He drove like his arse was on fire as fast as the golf buggy would go and came to a screeching halt outside Erica’s front door. He sat still, not trusting what would come out of his mouth.
“Are you coming in? We have a lot to plan now she’s confirmed we can marry in a month.”
Archer still couldn’t form any words.
“You lied to me,” he said eventually.
“I have always told you the truth,” she replied, picking up her handbag and sliding off her seat from the buggy. “Goodnight, Archer.”
Archer watched dumbfounded as she walked away. He was expecting her to defend herself, but she was right. She had never said what she did for a living, and he had never asked her. It didn’t help his heart knowing this. His heart thought he’d been betrayed that his feelings weren’t reciprocated. But then, he’d never asked how she felt about him beyond their agreement either.
Pocketing the buggy keys, he jogged to catch up with Erica. She didn’t use the front door. Instead, Erica strode around the side of the house to the rear. He was hot on her heels, and he knew, she knew, he was there. Erica tossed her handbag on the couch and opened the back door to the kitchen. This time Archer didn’t follow. She needed to invite him in. He wasn’t that much of a caveman invading her home if he wasn’t welcome.
While she was gone, Archer googled her name and read the first three news articles. They were all about the Oscars and what followed afterwards with her husband and the other woman. He was more confused than ever and wished he’d never looked. She was clearly on the rebound.
He saw the grim expression when she came back out in a sundress and bare feet.
“You’re an actress,” Archer said.
“Yep,” she answered, banging the two beer bottles onto the coffee table.
She tossed the handbag on the floor and stretched out on the sofa. Archer inched forward and then took a seat on the chair opposite her. Erica had closed her eyes, taking deep breaths in and then out.
“You should’ve told me.”
Erica turned her head his way, narrowing her eyes. “Why?”
“Don’t you think it was important to tell me?”
“Again, why? What’s wrong with me being an actress, too lowly for a rich boy like you?”
Enraged by her accusation, Archer stood but stayed rooted to the spot. “The problem is, I’m in love with you, and you’re acting. You were using me to save face from your husband.”
Erica swung her legs to put her feet flat on the floor, and then Erica yelled.
“You’re using me to get your inheritance.” Her breathing was heavy again.
As her chest rose and fell, Archer couldn’t take his eyes off her breasts because her nipples were clearly defined against the cotton fabric of her dress.
“Wait, what? You’re in love with me?” Erica asked.
“Forget it,” Archer replied and took off across the lawn into the darkness.
He’d collect the golf buggy later once he’d calmed down.
All he could think about was the way she kissed him. Surely she couldn’t fake that, could she?