Chapter 19
19
The rehearsal that night flowed so much better. With only two to go before the event itself, everyone seemed to have acquired energy and enthusiasm from somewhere, and Sylvia was in her element. She was animated and smiling, her bright orange kaftan sleeves floating about as she gesticulated and applauded. Bryce had a new hairpiece, or rather a hair system as he called it, which was far better and more realistic than the original one. Esme admired his commitment to looking the part. And everyone was remembering their cues, marks and lines. Perhaps it’ll be okay after all , Esme thought, s urely something has to be .
After the rehearsal that night, Esme returned to the cottage to find it all in darkness again. She stood outside and looked up at the clear sky and recalled Judd’s hilarious attempts to name the constellations. Ever since that conversation she had gazed up at the stars, trying to remember which cluster he had called the tiny cactus. She had also recalled the way he had looked at her on that night and how she had longed to kiss him; to feel his lips on hers. But not because of some silly act they were putting on for Rhys, she had wanted him to kiss her because he felt something too. As she peered up into the inky blue, a glittering stream of light streaked across the sky just like it had on the night of the barbecue. She wished she could’ve shared the view of this shooting star with Judd too, but she felt like she had completely messed things up with him and was worried she might never get to feel that way again. She had overreacted over the kiss. He was right; he had done exactly what she had asked; or his interpretation of it, at least.
She walked into the empty cottage to find the only light was the little battery-operated dinosaur nightlight that they left on for Betty. Betty was excited to see her at least. Her little curly tail wagged frantically and she yipped her excitement as Esme flicked on the lounge lights.
She plonked herself down on the floor beside the sofa and Betty crawled into her lap. ‘Hello, my lovely, I’ve missed you,’ she told the little pug. ‘I’m so glad I have you to come home to. I think I’d be lost without you.’ Her eyes began to sting. ‘I think I’ve messed everything up, Betty, because I seem to be upsetting everyone and losing friends that I really care about. In fact, I think you might be the only friend I have left and I’m not sure what to do. I wish you could talk and advise me.’ Betty licked at her chin. ‘Come on, I’ll let you out and then we’ll head up to bed.’
In spite of feeling drained, sleep evaded Esme and she found herself getting up just after five in the morning. Betty had lifted her head briefly, stood and turned three times before flopping down again, choosing to stay snuggled up in her bed. Esme went down to the kitchen and made herself a cup of tea. There was, of course, no sign or sound of Judd and she wondered if he had stayed away for the night; perhaps with Selina. She sat there replaying recent events over and over, doing herself no good at all, until eventually she went to get ready for work.
* * *
‘Have you seen Judd today?’ Esme asked as she walked with Olivia across the castle grounds to see how the distillery fitting was going.
‘He’s gone with Kerr to visit a new supplier for the nursery. They went yesterday. Didn’t he tell you he was going?’
Not wishing to bother Olivia with her woes, she said, ‘Oh, yes, I think he did mention it. My head is full of Shakespeare so it must’ve slipped my mind.’
‘They’ve gone down to the Borders so decided it was best to stay overnight. They should be back later today though.’
They arrived at the new distillery where huge copper and chrome stills, mirror-like with their newness, were fixed down to the newly laid perfectly smooth concrete floor. Pipes led away at varying angles and numbered dials were fixed at various points. The high ceilings meant their voices echoed when they spoke.
‘The bottling station is all complete now,’ Olivia said with a beaming smile. ‘It’s so exciting. I never imagined we’d have our own whisky and gin. I think my dad would’ve definitely approved.’
‘He’d be so proud of all you’ve achieved, Olivia. You’ve created such an incredible business here at Drumblair. No one could fail to be impressed.’
‘Oh, hi, pet! What a nice surprise,’ came a familiar voice from behind them and Esme turned to see her dad walking towards them. ‘Lady Olivia,’ he added with a bob of his head that made Esme smile.
‘Hello, Colm. How is it going? It’s looking fantastic.’
‘Oh, aye, all the professional gear and only the best. I appreciate you taking us all on so fast. My team of guys from McIver’s are all very grateful for this opportunity, Lady Olivia.’
Olivia smiled. ‘It just made perfect sense, and there’s no time like the present. I’m so glad you’re all happy and I can’t wait to taste our first production of gin. I’m rather partial to a G and T.’ She laughed.
‘We’ll be up and running in no time and we’ll make sure you’re the first taste tester,’ Colm said with a wink and a tap to his nose.
‘That sounds grand,’ Olivia replied. ‘Right, come on, Esme, let’s leave your dad to carry on doing a fantastic job.’
‘See you both later. Thanks for stopping by,’ Esme’s dad said.
‘Bye, Dad.’
‘Erm, actually, Esme, can I have a quick word?’ Colm gestured to his daughter.
‘I’ll wait outside and make the most of the sunshine,’ Olivia said, and she left them to talk.
‘I’ve seen him,’ he said when they were alone. ‘Rhys, I mean. What the heck is he doing all the way over here in Scotland?’
Esme felt bad for not letting her parents know that her Australian ex had turned up unexpectedly. But she knew they would’ve only worried if she’d mentioned him. ‘He’s working on the film. But please don’t worry, I’m not planning on spending any time with him.’
He reached out and pulled his daughter into a hug. ‘He’ll be best to stay out of my way or I might rearrange his face.’
‘No, don’t go doing, or saying, anything that will ruin things for you here, Dad. He’s not worth it and I’m fine, honestly. I’d better go.’ She tiptoed and kissed her dad on the cheek. ‘See you later.’
Drumblair was a hive of enterprise and it excited Esme to see the place buzzing with the worker bees from each arm of the business. She was happy to be a part of something that was thriving and in a place she had always loved. The café was doing a roaring trade feeding the film crew and the accommodation was all full. Thanks to where the kids’ play area was situated, families were still able to make the most of it without disrupting the film set. The gift shop was having to restock regularly and, of course, the art space was incredibly popular. Whenever Olivia talked about the changes she had seen at Drumblair, she oozed happiness and there was a glow about her that was unmistakable. Having Brodie close by meant they got to see each other whenever they wished; something that many couples would tire of, but not Olivia and Brodie. Their love for each other was evident for all to see, and Esme hoped that one day she would find that for herself.
* * *
The weather had started off rainy but by the time Esme had reached the office that day the sky had been a vivid cerulean with white candyfloss wisps of cloud. It was still pleasant at lunchtime, so she took herself for a walk around the grounds, hoping to bump into Judd on his return from the Borders, but he’d become like the elusive pimpernel. She decided it would be best to let him calm down and hoped that, eventually, he would forgive her, and they could get back to being good friends.
After her walk, she wandered down to her favourite spot on the bench by the chapel and sat overlooking the loch. She watched as an osprey dove headfirst into the water and came up seconds later with a wriggling fish in its mouth.
She closed her eyes for a moment, tilting her head back to feel the warmth of the spring sun on her face.
‘It’s a stunning location. I can see why you stuck around.’
Rhys.
Esme opened her eyes and gave a deep sigh. ‘Aren’t you supposed to be working?’
He chuckled. ‘Nice to see you too. Mind if I join you?’
Do I have any choice? ‘Actually, I’m heading back to work in a minute.’
He sat down beside her. ‘Come on, Esme, can we just talk, please?’
That familiar knotting began in her stomach again. ‘What is there to talk about? It’s not as if you came here specifically to see me. You came across me purely by accident and now you think we have things to say to each other. But I have nothing to say to you, Rhys. You broke my heart, and I’ve spent the year since that happened working on mending it. I was doing great until you turned up here.’
He leaned closer. ‘So that means seeing me has affected you.’ Why was his voice filled with hope?
She scowled. ‘You’re engaged. Or was that a ploy to try and make me jealous?’
He rubbed his hands over his face. ‘No, I am engaged. Kim is… she’s lovely. She’s everything I thought I wanted.’
Esme was shocked at how little his words bothered her. ‘So, what’s the problem? Go home, marry Kim and be happy.’
He slid closer still and took her hand. ‘The problem is she’s not you, Esme.’
Esme opened and closed her mouth, completely taken back by this revelation. ‘You broke up with me. You had a litany of reasons for doing so, so forgive me if I’m not doing a happy dance or flinging my arms around you.’
He swallowed hard and nodded. ‘I understand that but I’ve regretted my decision ever since. I sent that letter hoping that it’d help me to move on, but I would’ve reached back into the post box and retrieved it if I could’ve. I wanted to call you so many times, Esme. I’ve missed you so, so much.’
Her Taylor Swift ringtone sprang to mind, and she tried not to smile. ‘You haven’t missed me so much that it stopped you from asking someone else to marry you though,’ she replied with an indignant shrug.
He closed his eyes for a moment. ‘Fair point. I know. And the awful thing is Kim is perfect for me. She’s only three years younger than me, she’s beautiful, she’s intelligent, she’s… just not you.’ He sighed.
‘So you’ve said. I’m sure she’d love to hear you talking to me like this and betraying her trust just like you betrayed mine.’
He clenched his fists in his lap. ‘I know. I do know how shitty this is of me. But the heart wants what it wants.’
Esme curled her lip involuntarily. ‘Until it doesn’t.’
‘What can I do to prove to you that I’ve changed and that I’m serious about us?’ He reached forward and stroked her cheek and for a moment she forgot herself. She closed her eyes and relished the familiarity of his touch.
But she took his hand and removed it from her face. ‘You don’t need to prove anything, Rhys, because I’m not interested. You’re engaged to be married to someone else and what you did to me at the airport was the worst kind of betrayal. There’s no coming back from that. Just let it go, please. I’m finally happy.’
Rhys scoffed. ‘With that lanky doofus who would’ve happily pissed on you to mark his territory?’
‘How dare you talk about Judd that way? You know nothing about him. He’s kind, funny, intelligent and considerate. None of which are traits I can say you have in common.’
Rhys gave a humourless laugh. ‘You’re joking, aren’t you? He’s weird and scruffy. You and me have history. Our feelings are deep, not just some fleeting bullshit crush.’
‘And now you’re becoming a cheater too. Pardon me for not jumping at the chance.’ Esme stood. ‘My break is over. Goodbye, Rhys. Please don’t waste your time bothering me again. We’re never getting back together.’
He stood and grabbed her arm, pulling her to him and pushed her back into the stonework of the chapel, banging her head. He held her tightly so she couldn’t move. ‘I’ll change your mind. I’ll make you see how you feel about me.’ She could smell the distinct odour of alcohol on his breath before he crushed his mouth into hers. She pushed against his chest as she struggled to breathe. As she wriggled and hit out at him, she managed to force out a muffled squeal, and then there was a sharp breeze before Rhys went flying backwards.
‘That’s called assault, pal,’ Judd growled. ‘And you’ll not be doing it again.’ He dragged Rhys back until he fell onto his bottom on the ground.
‘Who the hell do you think you are? You utter moron.’ Rhys scrambled to his feet and swung for Judd with his clenched fist.
Luckily Judd dodged, grabbed his assailant’s arm and twisted it up his back. ‘I’d think very carefully about adding more problems to your current list,’ he told Rhys through gritted teeth. ‘As it is you’ll no doubt be fired for this behaviour.’
‘Need a hand, Judd?’ Zach asked as he came jogging around the corner of the chapel. ‘I heard a commotion and thought I heard a woman scream.’
‘Aye, you did. This arsehole has just assaulted Esme.’
‘Oh, really? Right, you shithead, let’s be having you.’
Between them they tugged a swearing and flailing Rhys back towards the castle. Neither of them had hit him, just restrained him, and Esme had never been more grateful to see either of them.
* * *
Parker, Noah and Paisley had been to Olivia’s office to check on Esme, all angry and upset on her behalf. But when things quietened down again, she sat with Olivia on the sofa with a glass of untouched brandy in her hand.
‘Are you sure you’re okay? And are you sure you don’t want to call the police?’ Olivia asked as she sat beside Esme on the sofa in her office.
‘No, no, I’m fine, honestly. He didn’t really hurt me. I was just shocked because I’ve never known him to be like that. The look in his eyes… It wasn’t him.’ She shuddered as she remembered the way he had glowered at her before forcing her back against the chapel wall. ‘I’m just glad my dad wasn’t around to witness it. Rhys may not have survived that.’
‘Dads are very protective of their daughters. You’ll need to tell your parents though as word has a tendency to get around.’
‘I know. That won’t be fun.’
Olivia chewed her lip for a moment as if she had something to say but was hesitant. ‘Just so that you know, I’ve spoken to Rhys’s boss at Gadigal and he’s definitely going to be disciplined, and probably even fired. It turns out he was here under his own steam. He wasn’t here with his employer’s permission or blessing. He must have found out that you worked here, somehow, and took it upon himself to come over and try to get you back, using the film as his excuse. They were all quite surprised to see him when he turned up but he told them he was on holiday and it just happened to coincide with the shoot.’
Esme shook her head. ‘Oh, wow. I still can’t quite believe it all to be honest. He could’ve called me and saved himself the air fare. I can’t believe he behaved like that. So aggressive. And he’s engaged too. What was he thinking?’
‘I know. Apparently his fiancée thought he was going on a work trip to Melbourne for a conference. She had no idea he was over in the UK. She’s been contacting his employer for the last few days because he’s been avoiding her calls. It seems he’s been lying to everyone. Nice guy.’
Esme didn’t have the words to express how bizarre she felt the whole situation was. ‘I should get back to work. I have things to still check off my list.’
Olivia frowned. ‘You’ll do no such thing. Go home and have a rest before your final rehearsal. There’s nothing on the list that can’t wait.’
Esme shook her head. ‘Honestly, I’m absolutely fine.’
‘Boss’s orders, I’m afraid.’ There was a knock on the door. ‘Come in!’
‘Erm, hey, hi. Sorry to interrupt,’ Judd said as he stepped into the room, fidgeting with a ring he always wore on his right hand.
Olivia stood. ‘I’ll leave you two to talk. Be back soon.’ She left and closed the door behind her.