Chapter 12
12
On Monday morning, Esme awoke after a fitful night, filled with a sense of dread. She needed to plan what she would say if Lucille had got to Olivia first. Although she hoped that Zach might stand up for her in that situation. But she hadn’t had a chance to speak to him.
She had spent an hour on the phone on Sunday evening talking to Parker about everything but unfortunately he had been unable to ease her mind.
‘She’s such a jealous bitch. She can see that Zach likes you and she’s determined to sabotage it. I wouldn’t mind but she clearly doesn’t even want him. I can’t stand people like that. I heard that they split up because she was always off having flings with other famous people and then turning it back on him and accusing him of doing that. You can see why he’d had enough. But she had the audacity to dump him for being a cheater. Ridiculous! And now he likes you she is back to her old ways. If she ever even changed. What is it they say about leopards?’
Esme was under no illusions about her friendship with Zach. It was farfetched, to say the least, to even consider he might be attracted to her. But if Lucille was as paranoid as she appeared to be, that fact wouldn’t help her at all. ‘I don’t think he likes me like that. But she clearly thinks something is going on, which puts me in a tricky situation. I feel like I should say something to Olivia first. Make sure she hears everything from me before Lucille gets to sensationalise everything.’
Parker had huffed. ‘I would ordinarily say you didn’t need to do that, but we can both see what Lucille is like. You might be best to cover yourself and make a pre-emptive strike.’
When the call had ended, she had gone downstairs to find Betty asleep in Judd’s lap. He was watching Monty Python on TV and chuckling to himself as the man on screen was waving around a fake parrot.
He lifted his chin, and his brow crumpled. ‘Oh, hey. Is everything okay? You seem out of sorts.’
She nodded and forced a smile. ‘Oh, yeah, I’m good, don’t worry. Just nervous about my rehearsals for the play.’ It wasn’t a complete lie. ‘I haven’t really had much time to practise my lines, and Sylvia is a stickler for that kind of thing, and to add to the stress the performance has been brought forward so I have even less time now.’
‘I’d be happy to run through them with you, if it’d help. Although I have to warn you I’m a bit lost when it comes to Shakespeare. Give me the Monty Python Parrot Sketch any day.’ He gestured at the screen. ‘But I’d be happy to help if you need me?’
‘That’s really kind, thank you. Maybe later.’
‘I’ve just made a fresh pot of coffee, want me to get you one?’ he asked as he stroked his hand down the sleeping dog.
‘Oh, no, it’s okay. I’ll get some. Betty looks far too peaceful on your lap to be disturbed.’
He grinned. ‘Yeah, sorry about that. I think she likes me.’
‘I think she does.’ She’s not the only one.
He laughed lightly. ‘Aye and I have to make the most of the female attention, it doesn’t happen to me often.’
He was so self-deprecating, unnecessarily so in Esme’s opinion. He was funny, handsome, had a pretty spectacular physique from what she had witnessed, so she couldn’t understand it at all. Perhaps she needed to enlist Parker’s matchmaking help to find him someone.
* * *
A short while later, when she had arrived at work, Esme paused outside Olivia’s office. Her palms were clammy and her heart racing. It was now or never. If Lucille had got to her first, no doubt there would have been embellishments to the story. Perhaps by now her story would be that she had walked in on Esme with Zach naked and in the throes of passion. She wouldn’t put anything past her. She swallowed hard and turned the handle. She walked in to find her boss sitting at her desk with Freya in her arms. ‘Oh, hi, Esme. I’ve been meaning to talk to you. Come and have a seat,’ she whispered so as not to wake the sleeping infant.
Esme’s heart flipped over in her chest. Was this it? Was she too late? Was this where she got fired for fraternising with the actors? She did as requested and sat in the chair opposite.
‘How is it going with you and Judd at the cottage?’ Olivia asked with a smile.
Esme beamed, more than a little relieved, although knowing it could be short-lived. ‘Oh, it’s wonderful. Thank you so much. I can’t tell you how good it feels to have my own place.’
‘And you and Judd are getting on okay?’
Esme grinned and nodded. ‘So far, so good. He’s really nice and Betty clearly adores him. She spends most of her time snuggled up in his lap.’
‘Have you heard from Rhys again at all?’ Olivia asked with a concerned tilt of her head.
Esme straightened her spine. ‘Nothing at all. Although that’s a good thing. The letter hurt and I can do without more reminders of him. It’s not like we can be friends because that’s definitely not something I could cope with. A clean break was what I needed and even though I can’t say it was clean, it was definitely a break. Anyway, I need to talk to you about something if you have the time?’
Olivia winced. ‘Oh, heck, can it wait? I really need to head out. I have a meeting with Eilidh from the film crew, they are wanting to rummage in the attic space for more Georgian pieces and I don’t want them to go unsupervised.’
As much as Esme knew time was of the essence, she nodded. ‘Sure, it can wait. Don’t worry.’
* * *
For the rest of the day, Esme walked around as if on eggshells. Paranoia had whipped her up into a frenzy and with every task she completed she was reminded that she hadn’t come clean to Olivia. Surely it was only a matter of time now before she was called back in and handed her P45. She had tried to own up to her misdemeanour, but Olivia had bombarded her with a list of jobs for the day, meaning she hadn’t had a chance. Then Brodie had arrived to take Freya for a few hours while Olivia and her Uncle Innes met with someone who was allegedly very important that couldn’t be rescheduled. She was being decidedly cagey and hadn’t imparted any information to Esme about the meeting, which was odd. By the end of the day, she resolved to go visit her parents and ask for their advice. It would mean admitting to them that she had been secretly meeting with the actor, but she had to do something.
* * *
After work Esme disembarked the bus and walked along the road towards her family home. She was surprised to find her dad’s car already in the driveway.
As she walked through the front door, she called out, ‘Hey, it’s only me!’
‘We’re in the kitchen, pet,’ came her dad’s voice. He sounded different. Low.
She hugged them both and realised her mum had been crying. ‘What’s happened? What’s going on?’
‘Your dad’s had some bad news, love,’ her mum replied, dabbing at her nose.
Esme filled with dread and slumped into chair. ‘Dad? What is it?’
Her dad sighed deeply. ‘McIver has been diagnosed with cancer. He’s really quite poorly so I’m, erm… I’m being made redundant. The distillery is closing down.’ He shook his head. ‘I’m heartbroken for him and his poor wife but I’m also worried about our future. When I was younger you got a job, and you stuck with it until retirement. Now here I am, fifty-five years old. Who’s going to employ me? I’m no graduate. I’m unskilled. I’ve worked at the distillery since I met your mum.’ He ran his hands through his hair and his shoulders rounded. ‘I know this is incredibly selfish and I’m racked with guilt for feeling this way but I’m worried we may have to sell the house.’
Esme’s stomach plunged. ‘Oh, no, Dad, I’m so sorry. Poor Mr and Mrs McIver. But surely they can sell it on as a going concern? It’s a successful business and part of Inverness’s heritage.’
He shook his head. ‘Unfortunately, he’s been trying that route behind the scenes for months since his diagnosis but there was no interest. He and his wife have been going through this alone for fear of worrying us all. It’s sold now but the new owner is turning the distillery into a swanky place full of independent shops. McIver’s just started really intense chemotherapy, bless him, so he needs to just draw a line under it all. I do understand it all but we had a union rep in today and a guy from the employment service talking about retraining.’ He laughed without a single ounce of humour. ‘Bloody retraining at my age. Absolutely ridiculous.’
Esme’s insides knotted. She had never seen her dad like this; so despondent. ‘Would it help if I move back home? I could contribute to the mortgage, help with bills?—’
Her dad shook his head vehemently. ‘Absolutely not. This isn’t your mess to clear up, pet. You’re settled in your new place, and I refuse to stop you from living your own life. I have so many regrets about doing that before, so I won’t do it again.’
* * *
The next few days were a blur of rehearsals and work but in the back of Esme’s mind was the worry over her dad’s redundancy. By Friday she had plucked up enough courage to speak to Olivia about it all.
‘How long will it be before the distillery is licensed and up and running?’ she asked as casually as possible.
Olivia sighed. ‘Not too long at all if my uncle has anything to say about it. But in reality a couple of months because Brodie is determined to make sure it’s done right. He’s having to curb my uncle’s enthusiasm but we feel that after the shoot has finished will be best for the launch. Why do you ask?’
Esme frowned and picked at a hangnail she had caught when taking Betty out for a walk the night before. ‘Oh, it’s just that the McIver distillery in Inverness is closing down so I suppose the competition will be reduced.’ She forced a smile.
‘Oh, yes, Innes did mention that he’d heard whisperings about that. Doesn’t your dad work there?’ she asked with a crumple of her brow.
Esme nodded. ‘He does.’
Olivia leaned forward. ‘I’m so sorry, Esme. It must be a very worrying time for your parents. I’d say tell him not to worry but of course that won’t help.’
‘When will you be advertising for staff? Not that I’m asking for any special treatment or anything. I just want to make sure he doesn’t miss out on applying.’
‘I’m sure it’ll be quite soon. Brodie and Innes are dealing with most things connected to the new distillery but I’ll definitely keep you posted.’ She gave an encouraging smile, but it dissipated all too soon. ‘Look, now that I’ve got you, there’s something important I want to talk to you about,’ Olivia said, fixing her with a stern gaze.
‘Oh, yes?’
Olivia nodded. ‘Yes. Not great news or an easy topic I’m afraid.’ Esme’s mouth was quickly sapped of moisture and her heart rate picked up. Olivia sighed. ‘I’ve been made aware of who the culprit was in the whole Zach being bothered situation.’
Esme’s eyes widened. ‘Oh. Right. I see. But perhaps can I explain and maybe give my side of the?—’
Olivia’s brow crumpled. ‘There’s no need, Esme. You don’t have anything to explain. I know you and Judd are housemates now and you’ve clearly become friends but that doesn’t mean you’re responsible for him, nor do you need to make excuses for his behaviour.’
Esme opened and closed her mouth a few times as confusion washed over her brain. ‘I’m sorry, what?’
Olivia straightened her spine. ‘Judd is a great guy, and he’s so knowledgeable about the plants on site, so he’s incredibly valuable to my team. And I’ve recently discovered there’s a high possibility that he’s on the spectrum, but that doesn’t excuse him for defying the rules. He has to realise that the actors aren’t here to make friends. They’re here to work and to get a job done. Just as he is. So, I wanted to let you know he’s now on a warning.’
Esme shook her head. ‘A warning? But?—’
Olivia held up a hand to halt her reply, something Esme had never seen her do before. ‘I’m aware that you may want to defend him which is very noble, and I do understand that. You’re a very loyal person so it’s just what I would expect from you. But my advice is that if you get the impression he’s going to try and talk to the actors while they’re on the set again, remind him he shouldn’t. I don’t want to fire him, Esme. He’s such a good worker, but I can’t have employees that completely contradict the instructions they’re given. As you know, everyone was made aware of the importance of keeping their distance from the actors and crew while the film is in production, and everyone else seems to be managing to follow that rule.’
Esme’s heart thumped at her ribs and her stomach churned around what little breakfast she had managed to eat like a faulty washing machine on an erratic spin cycle. ‘Olivia, can I just say something, please?’
There was a knock on the door. ‘One second, Esme. Yes? Come in!’
Uncle Innes walked into the room. ‘Ah, hello, Esme, lovely to see you. Sorry to intrude but I need to speak to my niece on an urgent matter. Olivia darling, can I have a word?’
‘I’m sorry, Esme, we can continue this later,’ Olivia said. ‘But there’s nothing for you, personally, to worry about.’
Esme nodded and stood but before she left she tried once more. ‘But it won’t take a moment, if I can just?—’
Uncle Innes interjected. ‘I’m so sorry, dear, but time really is of the essence.’
Esme chewed her cheek as tears threatened. ‘Okay, no worries. I’ll leave you to it.’ She left the office and closed the door just as tears spilled over and a sob escaped her chest. Judd was on a warning, and it was all her fault. She had to speak to him and explain. She didn’t want to be the reason he lost his job, and then in turn his home.