Chapter 23
CHAPTER 23
JESSY
I could have stayed at the Pigeon Trail all day because Luke is so easy to talk to. We chatted about life, our childhoods and what we love. It struck me how many things we have in common. Our love of thrillers on the television, dining out and rock music. He told me of many concerts he’s been to of bands I would love to see live and movie premieres of films I can only catch up with when they reach the television. I loved hearing his tales of the club and the various places he has travelled to and how he made it so far.
One thing he doesn’t talk about is his girlfriend and neither do I because I prefer not to think of him having one. Especially one as sweet and beautiful as Morgana, because it only reinforces the fact it will never be me.
We head back to Granthaven and as soon as we step inside the door, the woman herself rushes to meet us.
“There you are.”
She smiles at us both. “Did you have a good lunch? Was the food good?”
“It was great.”
Luke slings his arm around her shoulder and gazes at her fondly and it causes a sudden drop to my heart. They look so happy as they gaze into one another’s eyes and I get the impression I’m very much in the way.
Then Morgana flicks her gaze at me and says apologetically, “I’m so sorry, hun, Jasper wants us to do another interview for the camera. You can sit in if you like.”
Luke nods. “You may enjoy it, Jessy. If we get this over with, we can make a start on the rooms afterwards.”
“The rooms?” I’m confused, and he rolls his eyes.
“The inventory. We need to fleece this mansion to pay to stay. I could use your help.”
Morgana shakes her head sadly. “I’m sorry you have to do that, hun. But needs must, I suppose.”
She takes his arm and offers me a sad smile. “Luke and I will do everything in our power to save this village. We have a year to try at least, so if we all work together, we can achieve great things.”
She whispers, “Leave it with me. I’ll give it my best shot.”
I watch as she pulls Luke away to the sitting room and as I follow them, I feel hollow inside. They make such a great couple and I can see why they fell in love. They are beautiful people inside and out, which somehow makes it worse. If she was entitled or full of her own self importance, I could happily hate her. The fact I like her boyfriend makes me the worst kind of human. I always considered myself a girl’s girl but I’m sure if Luke gave me the green light, I would cut her up at the lights to reach him first.
Then there’s the man himself.
What must it be like to be the main focus in his world? He makes me feel special just from a gentle look and soft smile in my direction. He acts interested in my life and listens when I speak. That is a powerful skill he possesses among several other ones and as I accept my place in their life, it doesn’t stop me wishing things could be different.
“What are your plans for Christmas?”
Jasper is reading questions from his phone as a camera man films the exquisite couple who look every inch the successful celebrities they are. Since we’ve been gone, the house has been filled with camera men, set designers, runners and production crew. It’s another world, a fascinating one and I note there’s even a make-up artist waiting nearby to add a touch of powder to their skin if the lights shine on them in the wrong way.
Morgana answers the question while smiling into the camera.
“Well, obviously, we spend it together. Usually at Luke’s house in Cheshire, but this will be special because it’s the first one in our new village.”
Luke nods, gazing at Morgana with a soft expression.
“I never appreciated how special Christmas could be because I’m always working, but obviously this year is different for many different reasons.”
He points to his boot and Morgana says sweetly, “It was a blessing in disguise for me because now I get him all to myself.”
“Will you be entertaining this Christmas?” Jasper asks and Morgana nods enthusiastically.
“Of course. Since coming to Granthaven we have been made aware of a legend that I am keen to resurrect.”
I lean forward as she says with a wistful expression. “Many years ago, the Lord and Lady threw a Christmas Eve party for all the villagers. It was back in the days before televisions and the modern age and women were expected to marry rather than have careers.”
She raises her eyes and grins. “Well, obviously things are different now but back then the house was decorated with mistletoe and if a young girl from the village was caught and kissed under the mistletoe, if she refused, she wouldn’t receive any marriage proposals for a year.”
She rolls her eyes. “Like that would work today, but back then it was the most important thing to a young woman of age. Then one night the lady of the manor died on Christmas Eve and all the mistletoe in Granthaven died with her and has never grown again.”
She pauses for theatrical effect and whispers, “The legend says that only when the lady of the house receives true love’s kiss will happiness return to Granthaven and the mistletoe will grow once again.”
She turns to Luke and kisses him softly on the cheek and says lightly, “I’m hoping to steal a kiss myself this Christmas Eve and I’m having some mistletoe shipped in for luck. My greatest wish is to bring the heart back to Granthaven and revive the fortunes of a village that has suffered from neglect over the years.”
I’m not sure if I agree with her description, but I can’t fault her intentions and my heart sinks when I picture Luke and Morgana kissing under the imported mistletoe on Christmas Eve with the world watching.
Will he propose? Will there be a wedding at the small church nearby that we will all be invited to attend? If so just kill me now because I already know if that happened, it would certainly be a miserable day for me.
The questions lasted for another hour, along with several takes of filming to get the perfect shot and as the crew wrap up the shoot, Luke heads my way with a grimace.
“I hate this circus, but it’s Morgana’s world. Hopefully, we will drum up some sponsorship with her shameless plugs peppered through the dialogue.”
“I must hand it to her. She knew what she was doing.” I admit as we walk into the hallway and Luke nods. “She is the most savvy woman I know. It’s why she’s so successful. Knowing her, she will have several offers of sponsorship by the end of the day and even more by Christmas Eve itself. Check the internet tomorrow because it will be full of stories of this place and her story.”
“Then you should strike while the iron’s hot.”
“I don’t understand.” He cocks his head to one side.
“Set up a crowd funding campaign, so if anyone wants to donate to saving Granthaven, they can.”
His eyes light up and I say with animation. “You could set it up for the restoration of the church, the village hall and some of the more dilapidated cottages. Perhaps to develop the farm shop, or one of the other things we have spoken about. Think about it, Luke.” I face him with more animation than I’ve had since I was a young girl waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve.
“This may work. It’s worth a try, at least.”
“I think you’ve hit on something, Jessy.”
To my surprise, he reaches out and lifts me up, spinning me around while I laugh out loud.
As we stop and he places my feet on the ground, I’m conscious that his arms are still firmly clasped around my waist. For a moment, we stare into one another’s eye and I detect a yearning in his that must be a reflection of my own. The silence is awkward between us as we say nothing at all and it’s as if time stands still.
A sudden movement makes us pull apart and I lower my eyes to disguise the guilt in them as Steven grumbles, “Bloody club. They want to send their doctor to check on your foot. He arrives tomorrow and needs a bed while he organises your physio regime.”
“But that’s good, though.” Luke says and I detect the hope in his voice as Steven sighs. “I suppose so, but it doesn’t leave you much time to rest. Once those guys get hold of you, you won’t have time for anything else.”
“It will be fine.”
Luke sounds sure of that, but it reminds me of who he is and his real job and my heart sinks. Luke is here on borrowed time and if I’m to protect my heart, I must admit to myself that whatever is happening between us is business and nothing more.