Chapter 30
30
It’s even worse than I feared. After a brief stop so Alasdair could buy emergency toiletries, we arrive home to find Mum, Phil, Saffy, Rebecca and Ben all in the sitting room. Rollo and Louis are focused on a PlayStation game, but everyone else is looking at Alasdair with eyes as wide as saucers.
‘This is my friend Alasdair,’ I tell them, emphasising the word ‘friend’. ‘We used to work at Morton Lansdowne together. It’s a funny story actually, we had a bit too much to drink last night and ended up camping at the mill.’
Nobody says anything; they’re all just staring at him as if I’ve brought home an extra-terrestrial or something.
‘Mum,’ I continue, trying to coax someone into life. ‘Is it all right if Alasdair borrows a towel and has a shower?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Mum replies distractedly, still staring at Alasdair.
‘That’s very kind of you,’ he says smoothly, and I swear Mum is batting her eyelashes at him.
‘Let me show you where everything is,’ I tell him, ushering him out and away from their gaze. Having furnished him with a towel, I head back down to face the inquisition.
‘What the hell was that?’ I say, deciding to go in on the offensive. ‘Why were you all staring at him?’
‘He was with you at John’s memorial service,’ Rebecca says softly. ‘I remember thinking you seemed very close then. You’re a dark horse, Thea, I’ll give you that. Does that mean you’ve moved on from George?’
‘He’s just a friend ,’ I say firmly.
‘A friend you spent the night with,’ Mum counters.
‘Nothing happened. It was platonic.’
‘Shame. I think he’s lovely,’ she continues softly.
‘He’s obviously doing all right for himself if he’s driving a Porsche,’ Phil observes.
‘I used to have one of those! You weren’t so impressed then,’ I exclaim crossly.
‘Did you? I don’t remember.’
‘Everybody just stop, all right? I knew this would happen. Alasdair is a very good friend of mine, nothing more.’
‘If he’s such a good friend, how come we’ve never seen or heard of him before?’ Saffy demands accusingly.
‘Because he was a friend when I lived in London, and we weren’t allowed to contact each other while I was officially on gardening leave. However, that’s over, so he got in touch and came down to see me yesterday.’
‘Does he know about George?’ Rebecca asks, seemingly fixated on my non-existent love triangle.
‘He does. He’s taking me over there in a minute, actually.’
‘Who’s George?’ Phil asks, looking nonplussed.
‘George is the man from the trust that Thea’s taken a shine to,’ Rebecca explains. ‘They had a bit of a kiss but then he freaked out and he’s been avoiding her ever since.’
‘I was having a vulnerable moment when I kissed him,’ I mumble. Even though I’m a fully functioning adult, I’m not comfortable talking to my parents about this kind of thing. ‘Now he’s convinced himself he took advantage of me.’
To my surprise, Phil guffaws with laughter. ‘What’s so funny?’ I ask him, annoyed.
‘Two things. The first is that you were vulnerable. Apart from that brief period when you first left your job, I’ve never known you to be vulnerable, Thea. And the second is the notion that anyone could take advantage of you. What were you vulnerable about, anyway?’
‘Something to do with the mill, which reminds me. Rebecca, Ben, can I borrow you?’
I’m grateful for the change of subject and the opportunity to get away from the inquisition as they follow me to the kitchen.
‘What’s up?’ Ben asks once we’re alone.
‘I’ve made a decision. I’m all in for the family farm idea and you investing, Ben. I just have one condition.’
‘Which is?’ Rebecca asks.
‘One of my biggest concerns is that three is an awkward number. Two could turn against one at any point. So, and I’ll write this into the contract if you’re happy, we only go ahead with something if all three of us agree on it. Each of us has the power of veto, OK?’
‘I’m happy with that,’ Ben says.
‘Me too,’ Rebecca agrees.
‘Great. That’s sorted then.’
‘While we have you, there is one other thing, actually,’ Rebecca says, putting her hand on my arm to stop me leaving the room.
‘What?’
‘Ben’s invited Rollo and me to move in with him.’
I’m caught off guard.
‘I know it seems quick,’ she continues hurriedly. ‘But if we’re committing to the farm together, it does make sense, and you’ll be able to have the cottage to yourself without us getting under your feet.’
‘It doesn’t have to happen straight away,’ Ben says, evidently trying to reassure me. ‘We just thought it would make things easier for you.’
Before I have a chance to consider any further, we’re interrupted by the arrival of Alasdair, looking much better for his shower.
‘I’m sure it’ll be fine,’ I tell them. ‘Let’s look at the practicalities tomorrow, yeah?’
‘That was intense,’ Alasdair remarks as we pull off the drive and head for the centre of town in search of breakfast. ‘Your stepfather was practically asking my intentions while you were in the shower.’
‘I did warn you,’ I tell him with a smile. ‘I don’t think I’ve brought a boy home since I was in sixth form, so you were a bit of a novelty.’
‘Mm. Anyway, I had a thought about you and George while I was in the shower. It’s bad news, I’m afraid.’
His voice is serious and my heart sinks. Is he going to pull out of helping me? I know I’m perfectly capable of sorting this out on my own, especially as I know where George is, but I am enjoying having Alasdair as my wingman.
‘What is it?’ I ask.
‘You can’t marry him, sorry.’
‘I think you’re jumping the gun a little, but why not?’
‘The consonant thing.’
‘What consonant thing?’
‘You always used to say that you hated your name because there weren’t any hard consonants in it. George Jones is no better. How on earth are your children going to learn to speak properly if neither of their parents have any hard consonants?’
‘I don’t think that’s a valid objection,’ I tell him with a smile.
‘I disagree.’
‘OK, I’ll play along. So there we are, at the church, and the minister asks if anyone knows of any lawful reason why George and I can’t marry. Would you put your hand up and make that argument?’
‘Someone’s got to look out for you. Can I be your best man?’
‘No. Brides don’t have a best man.’
‘Matron of honour then. Chief bridesmaid, whatever.’
‘I think Saffy and Rebecca are probably in the queue in front of you for that one. You could be a page boy if you like?’
‘Can I wear a velvet suit?’
‘Do you want to?’
‘I was a page boy for one of my cousins’ weddings when I was little. I had to wear a red velvet suit. I hated it at the time, but I reckon I could carry it off now.’
I try to picture him in a velvet suit. ‘Do you know what,’ I tell him. ‘I reckon you could too. But let’s cross that bridge when we come to it, shall we?’
‘Fair enough. Ah, this looks promising.’ He points to a pub with a big sign advertising its all-day menu and pulls into the car park.
‘So, what’s the plan?’ he asks once we’re settled at a table and have placed our orders. ‘Let’s role play. I’m George and you can be Thea.’ He raises his arm and swings it down, thumping the table before repeating the movement.
‘What on earth are you doing?’ I ask incredulously.
‘Hammering something. I don’t know. Whatever it is you do to traction engines. I’m improvising here, OK? Come on, join in.’
I sigh. ‘George, we need to talk.’
He stops the hammering movement and looks at me. ‘What about, Thea?’
‘About what happened in the barn.’
He gives off a big theatrical sigh. ‘I don’t want to talk about that. I’ve said everything I need to in the letter.’
‘But your letter was wrong, George. If anyone took advantage, it was me. I was the one that kissed you, remember?’
‘You were upset. I should have maintained the boundaries.’
‘Alasdair, this isn’t working,’ I tell him crossly.
‘Why not? Is it me? Do I need to do something different?’
‘No, it’s just this isn’t how I want it to go. It feels like I’m having to justify myself.’
‘You could just march in there and snog his face off.’
‘Yeah, that didn’t turn out so well last time though, did it?’
‘OK, look,’ he tells me, fixing me under his gaze, which has suddenly turned very serious. ‘I don’t know George, but I do know you. If this relationship is going to have any chance of going anywhere, he’s going to need to earn your respect. It’s not about you justifying yourself to him; if anything, it’s the other way around. You are the complete package, Thea. He needs to show you he means business. If he can’t do that, you’re better off walking away now, because he’ll only let you down later.’
‘Wow. When did you become such a relationship expert?’ I ask him.
‘Ha! I’m no relationship expert, but I like to flatter myself that I’m a Thea expert. The recluse act may fool some people, but I can see your Thearless heart is still beating underneath it.’
I smile at him. ‘What?’ he asks.
‘You,’ I laugh. ‘I’d forgotten what a confusing set of contradictions you are.’
‘What does that mean?’
‘You’re funny, exasperating, clever, insightful, and somehow relentlessly optimistic. You’re a hugely talented lawyer who can dissect a contract and pull out the loopholes as accurately as a surgeon with a scalpel, but you also care enough about your friend to set a reminder on your phone to pitch up outside her house the day her gardening leave ends. Oh, and then you make it your personal mission to help said friend sort out her relationship issues, even though there’s absolutely nothing in it for you except an extremely uncomfortable night on the floor of an unfurnished cottage.’
‘That’s what friends do though, isn’t it?’
‘It’s what you do. I’m not sure everyone would. Thank you.’
He lowers his gaze to the table and mumbles, ‘It’s nothing, honestly.’
‘Is that a hint of a blush I can see on your cheeks?’ I ask, laughing again. ‘Have I embarrassed you?’
‘A little,’ he admits.
‘Goodness me. I thought you were made of stronger stuff.’
‘Do you want my help or not?’
‘Relax,’ I tell him with a grin. ‘Your secret is safe with me.’
As we pull up outside the industrial unit once more, the breakfast I consumed so happily while exchanging banter with Alasdair feels like it’s turning to concrete in my stomach. Alasdair evidently senses my nervousness because he reaches across and squeezes my knee encouragingly.
‘You’ve got this,’ he tells me. ‘Thearless, remember?’
‘I don’t feel very Thearless,’ I reply.
‘He’s just a man. Remind me, what does Thea mean in Greek?’
‘Goddess,’ I tell him automatically.
‘Exactly. Go in there and channel your inner goddess.’
‘What are you going to do?’ I ask.
‘I will wait here for exactly thirty minutes. If you don’t come out within that time, I’ll assume all is well and go home. I take it you still have my address?’
‘Of course. Why?’
‘For the wedding invitation. I’ll be online this afternoon, researching velvet suits.’
Instinctively, I lean across and place a kiss on his cheek.
‘You’re the best, has anyone ever told you that?’
‘I know,’ he says simply. ‘Now, go and meet your fate. Good luck.’
I reach for the handle, open the door and climb out of the car. I’m trying to take his advice and channel my inner goddess as I walk across to the unit, but my legs feel shaky so it’s not coming across very convincingly. More worryingly, I still have absolutely no idea what I’m going to say when I get in there.