13
Heath
Heath was heading towards his workshop to pick up some tools needed for his next job on Rhett’s place when Vivien came running past, crying her eyes out. He watched her enter the house she shared with Finn and quickly followed her inside, where he found her gathered up in his brother’s arms.
‘What’s happened?’ he asked them both, unsure if Finn even knew.
Finn pulled Vivien back, wiping the damp wispy bits of her long dark hair from her eyes. ‘Hey, hey, are you hurt?’ He scanned her body as she sniffed and rolled back her tears.
‘Rhett was so horrible.’ Vivien’s voice hitched.
‘What did she do?’ asked Heath, worried about both sisters.
‘She said…’ Vivien stopped talking, making Heath paranoid all of a sudden.
‘She said what?’
Vivien shook her head and wiped her nose with the tissue Finn offered from his pocket. ‘It doesn’t matter. Take no notice of me. We just had a row, that’s all.’
Heath watched her exchange glances with his brother, knowing full well Finn would find out sooner than him, if he were to ever know. ‘I’ll leave you to it.’ He closed the door on his way out and marched across the field to see what Rhett had to say.
Florence gave him a small wave as she headed down the porch steps as he was going up.
‘I’ve just seen Vivien crying her eyes out.’ He examined Florence for any tell-tale signs, but nothing came. ‘Where’s Rhett?’
‘Upstairs. Cleaning out her closet.’ She smiled sweetly and headed off, leaving Heath pondering over his next move.
A loud bang made him jump back to the bottom step, where he looked over at the skip just in time to see something else come flying out of an upstairs window to land inside the metal bin.
He glanced up, saw an arm, knew it didn’t belong to a builder, then made his way upstairs to confront Rhett about the state of Vivien. Something was going on, and he had a funny feeling his name was involved.
A smashing sound came from the bedroom Heath knew belonged to Rhett’s parents. He poked his head inside and widened his eyes at the mess. The bedsheets were scrunched on the floor, the mattress turned on its side, and Rhett was sitting at the base, unscrewing the metal structure, one screw at a time.
‘You all right in here, Rhett?’ he asked gently.
‘Just fine, thanks,’ she replied flatly.
He took a long stride over a cream lampshade, a pile of tops, and a broken picture frame. Sitting on the floor at the other end of the bed to her, he held the frame in place. ‘What’s brought this on?’
‘Needs doing, doesn’t it?’ Her gaze stayed firmly on the task at hand, and he knew she was avoiding eye contact.
‘This bed can be used for guests.’
‘You can build a new one.’
‘Guess I’m doing that then.’
Her hand slipped, her knuckles catching the side of the screw. She yelped and threw the screwdriver across the room.
‘Why was Vivien crying?’ Heath knew his voice sounded demanding but he was way past caring. There were unspoken words. Questions needing answers, and so much more that he couldn’t quite put his finger on.
Rhett started to unravel the screw by hand, as it was almost out. ‘Best to ask her.’
‘I’m asking you.’
‘Mind your business.’
‘Oh, well, that’s charming.’
She looked up, and he could see all sorts going on, but rage seemed to take top spot. ‘Haven’t you got your own jobs to be getting on with?’
‘I’m helping you.’
‘No, you’re here to interrogate me.’
He glanced at the window. ‘Your sister just ran to my brother in tears.’
‘So you thought you’d bother me with that?’
‘You’re the one who made her cry.’
‘It’s not my fault she can’t handle the truth.’
‘What truth?’
Rhett met his eyes and made a show of lowering her shoulders and sighing loudly. ‘It’s family business.’
‘She is my family. She’s my daughter’s aunt and my brother’s partner.’
‘Then go ask her.’
‘You’re my family too, whether you like it or not. So, I’m asking you.’
‘And I’m telling you to mind your own. This has nothing to do with you.’
Heath pretty much tossed the frame to one side as soon as it came loose in their hands. It banged into the radiator, causing a yellow glass vase to topple off the windowsill, chipping its rim as it fell.
Rhett waved at the empty container. ‘It was going to the charity shop, now it can go in the skip. Feel free to break more stuff. The whole lot is going.’
He watched her stand, open the window as wide as it could go, then attempt to squeeze the bedframe through the gap, cursing with every movement. Shaking his head, he fought with her to let it go, knowing it wouldn’t fit, but she tugged back. ‘Leave it, Rhett. I’ll take it downstairs.’
She dropped her side in a strop, eyeballing him as though they were about to enter a boxing ring. ‘Fine!’
He let the stupid thing fall back to the radiator and grabbed her arm as she turned to leave. ‘Hey, wait.’
‘Let go, Heath. I can’t breathe in here.’
He loosened his light grip and followed her out to the landing, where she crouched to the top step of the wide stairway. ‘Feeling better yet?’
Her breathing was shaky, her brow held a slight sheen, and her right hand kept tapping the banister. ‘I’m just taking five.’
He sat beside her and took her hand. ‘Take ten. You need it.’
‘Thanks,’ she said, huffing.
Heath glanced around at the dark walls and stained ceiling. The carpet on which they sat had seen better days, and a musty smell was coming from an opened door close by. ‘We’ll soon get there. Just a lot to clear.’
‘I know, which is why I don’t need you getting under my feet.’ She pulled her hand away, leaving him feeling the cold chill she offered with her gesture.
They sat in silence for a while, neither bothering to make small talk or acknowledge each other. The builders could be heard in the near distance, chatting, then the sound of an electric saw filled the air.
Rhett went to stand. ‘Best get on.’
Heath pulled her back down. ‘Best not.’
‘What is with you?’
‘I want you to talk to me.’
‘About?’
‘You know what.’
She shook her head and faced the wall.
‘Rhett, look at me.’
‘I don’t have to.’
‘Really?’
She quickly turned back, all glares and fireballs. ‘I don’t want a conversation, Heath. I just want to get rid of my parents,’ she said through clenched teeth. She cleared her throat as the fire in her gaze doused somewhat. ‘I mean their stuff.’
‘No, you meant them. And I get it. I really do.’
‘Oh, what would you know?’
‘I know it’s about time you got angry. I know it’s about time you cleared out their things, and I know it’s about time you found yourself in among all this chaos.’
Rhett breathed out a quiet laugh. ‘Misery is the word I’d use.’
‘Whatever the word is, I see you finally facing your life. Having nearly lost this place, watching it being transformed before your very eyes, and knowing how great your future could be has rattled something inside you. Even I can see that much. Rhett, your whole life has been about existing, rather than living. I think the thought alone is bringing out a side to you that’s scared.’
Wide eyes and a half-grin greeted him. ‘When you’re done, Doc.’
‘I’m not trying to analyse you.’
‘But you did.’
Heath reached for her hand again, pleased she didn’t pull away. ‘Just let me help you.’
‘You are. With your carpentry skills and bank account.’
‘Rhett.’
She lowered her head and sighed.
‘Look, I know you and Viv are hiding something from me, but putting that to one side, I—’
‘She drowned.’
All thoughts of her stubbornness and independent ways left his brain immediately, and he found himself speechless for a moment at the unexpected announcement.
‘Who?’ he managed.
‘My mum.’
He was pretty sure her heart gave out in the end. That was what his dad had told him after Dianna had died.
As though reading his mind, Rhett added, ‘On our wedding day. She took a load of pills and got into the bath. The water was left running and it dripped down through the floorboards, hitting me on my way out to meet you.’
Oh my God!
Rhett swallowed hard and continued. ‘I believe my dad somehow discovered our plan, so he made sure he ruined my mum good and proper that morning before he headed out to a buyer’s market with Vivien. He knew how to push her to her limit, you see.’ She paused for a moment, and Heath wasn’t sure if she was done talking or struggling for words.
‘You should have told me,’ he said quietly. ‘I could have helped you both.’
‘Mum swore me to secrecy. She was so afraid after I resuscitated her. She even swore at me. Told me she wished I was dead too. Then she begged me not to leave. I was terrified and so lost. I didn’t know what to do for the best. I couldn’t even call the doctor.’
‘I wouldn’t have told anyone, Rhett. I would have helped.’
She lightly squeezed his hand, looking only at his lap on which it rested. ‘I’m sorry I never told you. I’m sorry I left you sitting there alone.’
‘I don’t care about that now. Bloody hell, Rhett, you were home alone trying to rescue your mum.’
‘I wanted to tell you, but she begged me not to tell anyone. You didn’t see her. She was shaking and crying. It took hours to calm her. I had to make her vomit and keep her awake.’ She met his eyes and all he saw was sorrow. ‘It wasn’t my first rodeo with her. That was round three. There were two more in my twenties. I’ve only just told Viv. I don’t even know why I’m talking about this now.’
Heath placed his arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer to him, wishing he could do more to fix her past. Their past. ‘These things have a habit of coming to light at some point.’
‘I got so used to not talking about my mum, or my life, it became second nature. I could have told you years ago. I could have told Willow after Mum passed away, but it was buried deep. It wasn’t a box I wanted to open.’
‘I understand.’
Rhett burst out crying, slapping her hands over her face, shutting him out once more.
He placed his hand over her shaking back, slowly rubbing in circles. ‘Let it out, Rhett. Just let it all out.’
Her hunched shoulders and weary body wasn’t something he’d witnessed often, as Rhett Smithson always seemed so sturdy. So tough. He rested his head on hers, wishing he could take her pain, even though he had his own to deal with, but after finding out the real reason she gave him up, something changed instantly within his soul.
‘Sorry,’ she mumbled, sniffing and straightening.
‘It’s okay.’
She stood, turning her back on him. ‘No, it’s not.’
He joined her side, holding his breath as though under water. All he wanted was her happiness. She deserved that much. They both did, but his could take a back seat. Rhett was the priority. Slowly, he circled his arms around her and rested his head against the back of hers. ‘It’s going to be okay,’ he whispered into her hair, stuck on his lips.
‘It’s all so much,’ came her croaky reply.
‘I know, but it’s different now. The truth’s out, and soon their stuff won’t be here to haunt you, and I’m going to transform this house just like my dad did when he moved us back into the main house.’
She raised her head and turned in his arms. ‘He had a rotten dad too.’
‘Yeah, but he changed Silver Wish Farm. Made it what it is today, and you’re going to follow in his footsteps and breathe new life into this place. He showed us it’s doable.’
Rhett smiled softly. ‘He taught us a lot.’
‘He did, and right about now he’d tell us to put the kettle on, as everything feels better after a strong cuppa.’ He gestured to the stairs. ‘So, come on. Let’s have a drink, then get back to decluttering.’
‘Thank you,’ she said quietly.
‘You don’t have to thank me for anything.’
‘I do. You’re being so understanding when you could be angry.’
Heath shook his head. ‘I’m just concerned about you, that’s all. How are you feeling now?’
‘I’m not sure. As shocked as you and Viv, I guess.’
‘Do you want to talk some more?’
‘No. Let’s have that tea.’
They walked down the stairs, side by side, and stopped abruptly when they saw Fran in the hallway.
‘So, what’s the story up here?’ she asked. ‘I knew something was going on.’
‘Heath thinks this house would make a great BB for people who want a getaway involving horses and peace and quiet,’ said Rhett, nudging his arm.
Fran’s soft features alone brought some warmth and friendliness to the building. ‘That’s a great idea, son.’
Rhett waved them towards the kitchen. ‘I’m not too sure about the breakfast part. I don’t exactly have time to make fry-ups.’
‘Oh, I can do that,’ said Fran casually. ‘Eight till half-nine, that should do it. Have a bowl of cereal bars on the side for any latecomers.’ She thumbed back at the hallway. ‘A small reception desk with some maps and local info, and you’re good to go.’
Florence walked in the back door at that moment. ‘I said that, Fran. And I’m setting Rhett up with a better website and socials for the stables. Did you know she hardly has any connection to the outside world?’
‘Word of mouth,’ said Rhett, putting the kettle on. ‘That’s how things are around here.’
Heath sat next to his mum at the table. ‘There are a few flyers at hotels around the island as well. So not completely in the dark over here.’
Florence giggled as she joined him. ‘Good to know, but we’ll update them. Ooh, it’s a shame this isn’t all Silver Wish Farm. It would be one big attraction to draw visitors in.’
Fran shrugged, reaching for the unopened packet of biscuits sitting in a brown glass bowl on the table. ‘We help each other just by existing. It’s always been that way. Once the café is back up and running, we’ll all be better off. Having the BB will help no end. So, you can definitely put me down for brekkie duties, Rhett.’ She turned to Florence to offer a biscuit. ‘It’s my favourite meal of the day.’
Heath got up to fetch the teapot. ‘That would be great, Mum.’
‘Would it?’ asked Rhett. ‘I don’t mean that in a horrible way. It’s just, you have extra work at the farm now. I don’t want you over here stressing yourself.’
‘Pfft!’ Fran waggled a finger. ‘It would give me great pleasure, lovely.’
Florence nodded. ‘At least you won’t have to worry about that chore, Rhett.’
‘I don’t even know how much to pay you, Fran, I—’
‘Whoa, you won’t be paying me, my lovely girl. We’re family. We help each other. Just like my son is helping build a BB here.’
Rhett placed a carton of milk in front of her as she sat by Fran’s side. ‘Heath’s investing, not just building. The BB will be half his.’
Heath glanced her way.
Not that I’ll be taking money, but I’m not telling you that yet.
He smiled and filled the pink teapot.
‘Even better,’ said Fran. ‘See, family.’ She linked her arm with Rhett’s and pulled her closer for a snuggle.
‘Oh, I just love this place,’ said Florence, snaffling a digestive biscuit. ‘I’ll look for a job at the end of my time here, but I’d be happy to chip in with some desk duty or something in my spare time.’
Fran turned her way. ‘You’ve decided to stay on the island, Florence?’
‘Yes. I feel myself here. But I will need paid work by autumn, so I’ll have a look around town soon.’
‘Well, if you don’t find anything straight away, I’ll squeeze you in some hours at the garden centre, lovely,’ said Fran.
Florence placed a hand over her heart and pulled in her lips. ‘Oh, that’s so kind.’
Heath started to pour the tea as his mum explained a few things about their business to Florence. He could see Rhett was listening as well, and he just wished she was as easy as Florence when it came to taking help offered. A quick wink was offered Rhett’s way when she glanced up at him, and the soft smile she fought back warmed his heart even more than his mother walking in and lightening the load.
If there was one thing his family could do, it was make life easier just by being around. He only hoped he could do the same for Rhett. She had poured her heart out to him. So much pain finally being released. He could see her relief and exhaustion, and he truly believed things would be better from now on.