Chapter 8
8
For the next two days, Esme waited at the bench as Zach had requested but he didn’t show up. She felt rather foolish and wondered if it had been a joke when he had asked for her help. She was, after all, only a PA, not an award-winning actress like Lucille Delgado. Maybe he was watching her from a distance with his cast mates and having a good giggle at her expense as she hung around the wooden bench in the cold. He probably remembered her from that incident when he arrived and decided to play a joke on a silly squealing fangirl.
Even though she didn’t see Zach for the next couple of weeks, Esme repeatedly replayed their short conversation over and over in her mind. He had seemed genuine but then again so had Rhys. And add to that the fact Zach was also an award-winning actor and you had the perfect recipe for a great prank. Maybe she had expected a little too much from someone she had literally just met.
Luckily she was rather busy at work and with planning the décor for her new home. Her mum had agreed to help her with the wallpapering, but this had been delayed due to an urgent edit she’d received, so Esme dragged Parker on trips to B she could only hope she didn’t.
It was the end of March now and there had been a slight improvement in the weather. The sun was out, and Esme loved the fact that snowdrops were in full bloom around the entrance to the castle. When she arrived in the grounds of Drumblair with her mum it was as if spring had arrived in an uncharacteristically warm and sunny outfit adorned with a rainbow of spring flowers leading along the driveway towards the castle.
They turned off onto the lane and parked outside Garden Cottage. Once out of the car, her mum peered up at the building. ‘It’s very pretty, darling. I can see why you like it. I’m looking forward to seeing inside.’ This was progress and Esme relaxed a little.
‘Why don’t we have a walk up to the castle first and say hello? I messaged Olivia to say we would.’
Her mum nodded and her face lit up. ‘Ooh, yes, I’d love to see baby Freya.’
They walked in silence, listening to the birdsong and enjoying the fresh air. The outside was bustling when they arrived and everyone on site seemed to be smiling. Esme almost expected people to burst into song and dance routines, but the film wasn’t actually a musical; rather a serious period romance story about a woman who had, also uncharacteristically, inherited a castle; something virtually unheard of in the Georgian era in which the movie was set. The similarity of the main character’s story arc hadn’t been lost on anyone, and even though the author of the original book on which the film was based had never met Lady Olivia MacLeod nor did she know the Clan MacBain story, people still gossiped about the parallels and wondered if the writer had some insider information.
Kerr’s old Land Rover was parked outside, meaning he was there too, probably with his teenage son Will and Charlotte, the boy’s mother and Olivia’s former PA, as it was the weekend. The pair were coparenting and from the Drumblair rumour mill Esme had heard that they were dancing around each other romantically, neither really daring to make that big step of turning it into something more. Esme hoped that after all they had been through they might make a go of their little family. She loved a happy ever after.
Once inside they passed the usual people with clipboards, walkie talkies and equipment but thankfully Zach was nowhere to be seen, so that was one less thing to worry about.
Olivia and Brodie were in the drawing room with Kerr, Charlotte and Will. Will was holding baby Freya in his arms, clearly besotted by his baby cousin.
‘We won’t stay long,’ Esme insisted. ‘We’ve got decorating to do and I’m excited to get stuck in but like I said when I messaged you, Mum wanted to come and meet Freya.’
‘Of course, hi, Mrs Cassidy, lovely to see you again,’ Olivia said with a smile.
‘Oh, please, it’s Sally.’
Freya snuffled and rubbed her face before letting out a single cry. Will’s eyes widened and he looked over to Olivia. ‘Do you want to take her?’
Olivia laughed lightly. ‘Of course, Will. She’s only cranky because she’s just woken up. She adores her cousin though, don’t you, Freya?’ she said as she scooped up the infant and walked across to where Esme and her mum stood.
‘Oh, my word, she’s absolutely precious,’ Sally gushed, stroking the wispy curls on the baby’s head. ‘She’s the image of you both. Her dad’s hair colour and your eyes, Lady Olivia. Just beautiful.’
Olivia’s cheeks coloured pink, and she smiled. ‘Thank you, I think so too. And it’s just Olivia .’
* * *
True to Esme’s word, they left the family to their day after a short visit and her mum linked arms with her as they walked back to Garden Cottage.
As they reached the cottage, Judd was leaving. ‘Morning, guys.’ He wore a tight t-shirt that was covered in mud where he had wiped his dirty hands down himself.
‘Hi, Judd,’ Esme said. ‘This is my mum, Sally. We’re here to make a start on my room.’
Judd wiped his hand down a clean spot on his t-shirt and held out his hand. ‘Good to meet you. I promise to be a good housemate so you’ve nothing to worry about.’
Her mum beamed. ‘That’s good to know. Nice to meet you, Judd.’
Esme pointed at his t-shirt. ‘Are you working today?’
Judd nodded and gestured in the direction of the castle. ‘Just helping out with some planting for the film set. They’re a friendly bunch, aren’t they? Can’t believe the actors are so down to earth.’
Esme’s heart tumbled. ‘Which actors have you been chatting to?’ she asked with intrigue whilst trying to appear nonchalant.
Judd cringed and scratched his head. ‘I’m not really a movie buff but mainly the woman with the red hair who’s playing the main character. She’s really sweet. And the guy who plays the younger brother of the main guy. Zach, I think he said his name was. He seems really nice. There’s a pretty blonde woman too but she hasn’t spoken to me. I think she seems a bit shy.’
Esme had a feeling the blonde he mentioned was Lucille Delgado, Zach’s ex, and from rumours she’d heard she was aloof rather than shy. She smiled. ‘Ah, yes, you’ve been chatting to Ruby Locke and Zachary Marchand,’ Esme informed him.
Judd grinned and shrugged. ‘Oh, well, I talk to everyone. We’re all human,’ he said very matter-of-factly. He had a point but clearly wasn’t fazed by their fame at all, unlike Esme.
‘Esme used to have a huge crush on Zachary Marchand, didn’t you, Esme? She still has a poster on the inside of her wardrobe door,’ Sally said. ‘Ooh, maybe Judd can put in a good word and get you an autograph.’
‘Muuum,’ Esme hissed as she felt her face blazing into colour, and all at once she was back to that shy, gawky teenager with braces.
‘I can ask him for a signed photo or something if you like but you could just ask him yourself. He’s really nice,’ Judd said.
Esme shook her head vehemently. ‘Och, no. Don’t be daft. I was a teenager when I had a crush on him. I’m over that now. Just forgot to take the poster down, that’s all.’ She knew very well her furnace of a face was giving her away.
‘Away with you,’ her mum said, giving her a nudge. ‘I saw your face when you told us he was going to be in the film. All starry eyed again you were.’ Esme wanted the ground to open up and swallow her whole.
Judd seemed oblivious to her embarrassment. ‘Why don’t you just come and say hi at lunch time? They usually all just sit around out the back. I have to say, it looks really boring being an actor. I thought it’d be all action and excitement, but they seem to do a lot of sitting around waiting in silly costumes,’ he said with a laugh. ‘You wouldn’t catch me wearing those white tights and fancy shoes.’
‘We might just pop along,’ Esme’s mum said.
‘Great! Well, I’d better be off. Those plants won’t bury themselves. See yous later,’ Judd replied as he walked away, raising his hand in a wave.
Once he was out of earshot, her mum said, ‘He seems nice. If a bit blunt. Handsome though.’
‘Is he? I hadn’t noticed,’ Esme lied. He was a very attractive man on the surface, but she had learned that meant very little in the great scheme of things. She was yet to get to know him properly and she certainly didn’t need her mum trying to set her up with her soon-to-be housemate; how awkward would that be?
‘And I didn’t think you’d be allowed to approach the stars, but Judd seems to be doing that and hasn’t been told off so there’s nothing stopping you.’
Esme crumpled her brow. ‘Honestly, Mum, you didn’t have to say all that about my poster. He’ll think I’m a total silly fangirl. And anyway, I’m not sure the actors will want to be bothered by hordes of people on their lunch break.’ She hadn’t mentioned her accidental meeting with Zach to her parents.
Her mum snorted. ‘Pfft, you heard what Judd said. They’re sitting around bored in between takes. Look, all we can do is go and see. If we get sent away then… well, so be it.’
Esme tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. ‘Anyone would think it was you with the crush.’
‘Don’t be daft, you bampot. I’m very happy with your father, thank you. And Zachary is young enough to be my son. I’m thinking of you. He might be able to offer you some acting tips for your play, that’s all. Or he might fall head over heels in love with you and sweep you off your feet.’
Esme shook her head. ‘That only happens in movies, Mum. And talking of sweeping, we’d better crack on with this decorating.’
‘So, we’re not going up at lunchtime?’ her mum asked with a disappointed pout.
Esme sighed. ‘I don’t think we’ll have time. And I don’t want us to make a nuisance of ourselves. I could get fired and I need this job if I’m going to be independent.’ Ready for the conversation to be over, Esme turned and walked into the cottage.
‘Ugh, spoilsport,’ her mum said as she followed her.
* * *
Judd had kindly cleared the old bed out of the room and had moved the wardrobe and rocking chair into the middle so they could access all the walls, and so they cracked on right away. Luckily the old wallpaper peeled off easily and after they had cleaned away the cobwebs, Sally began to put up the new paper while Esme washed down the fireplace, the chair and the wardrobe. The paper went up relatively quickly and already the room was looking brighter. They had paused for a couple of drinks and a lunch break but hadn’t left to go see the movie actors after all. Thankfully her mum had dropped the subject, and they had happily sung along to Esme’s Spotify playlist as they worked.
At around six that evening, Esme and her mum stood peering around at the almost completed walls of Esme’s soon-to-be bedroom. They only had a few pieces of the pretty sage-green and cream ‘leaf trail’ wallpaper to apply but had decided to call it a day and finish off on Sunday. Her dad had picked up a Chinese takeaway and had messaged their family WhatsApp group to say he was on his way home with it.
‘It’s going to be so beautiful,’ Esme said dreamily. ‘I’m having gold-coloured accessories and I’ve seen some gorgeous sage-green textured bedding and curtains that will go really well.’
Her mum wiped her hands on a towel. ‘It’s very grown up. Unlike your room at home. What are you going to do about a bed? You can bring your one from home if you like.’
‘Thanks, Mum, but I think I’m going to get a double bed from one of the charity shops in Inverness. I have a day booked off on Tuesday, so I’ll go and have a look.’
Her mum nodded. ‘Ah, yes, of course you’ll want a double bed. And you’ve always loved charity shopping. But what will you do about a mattress? And a rug? Floorboards will be cold in winter and?—’
‘Mum, stop worrying. I’ll get it all sorted. I’ll be fine.’
Her mum slipped her arm around Esme and kissed the side of her head. ‘I know you will, darling. I just want to help as much as possible to make this transition easy for you.’
‘And I just want you to trust me, Mum. Trust that I know what I’m doing.’
Her mum nodded and her eyes welled with tears. ‘I do, sweetheart. I do.’