Chapter 28
CHAPTER 28
LUKE
G eoffrey Knight gave me a lot to consider. It seems like a mammoth task – an impossible one because I don’t have time for this. If I’m honest, I just want to get better and return to the club where all my thinking is done for me.
I live a charmed life in Cheshire. I’m paid well – too much really and my life is spent between the training ground and the stadiums where I do my best to make my team proud.
I’m not a landowner. I don’t run country estates and am responsible for actual human beings. It scares the hell out of me – of making a decision that affects so many lives and I hate myself for even considering abandoning them in their hour of need.
Then there’s Jessy. She lives here – not in Cheshire; not even close. But how can I keep her in my life? I’m with Morgana. We are a partnership.
Steven soon returns from Dream Valley and heads my way with an irritated scowl. “It’s a good job you warned me about that guy. He stank of booze and if he had come across anything in the road, he could be up on a murder charge. Honestly, Luke, you should be more careful with your hospitality. The last thing we need is a court case naming you as responsible.”
He sighs heavily. “Colin, the physio, is arriving tomorrow lunchtime. At least you won’t have to wear your boot much longer.”
“Thank God.”
He peers at me with concern.
“Are you worried about your ankle?”
“A little. I haven’t given it much thought.”
“Because of this place?” He appears thoughtful, and I nod.
“It’s a problem that keeps getting, well, even more problematic.”
“Due to your responsibilities, or something else?”
He studies me carefully and I realise what he’s trying to ask. It’s Jessy. He senses my interest in her, and that doesn’t surprise me. Steven doesn’t say much, but he’s observant and definitely not a fool and I confess. “I like her.”
“I thought so.” He jerks his head towards the kitchen.
“Come and tell me all about it, but I need a strong coffee first after that journey from hell.”
As we walk through the dusty, decaying house, it only reinforces the huge mountain before me. It could be amazing given a few million thrown at it and it strikes me that a few million is what my house in Cheshire cost me. As I said, I get paid a lot and don’t have much to spend my money on and as we head inside the kitchen, I see it for what it could be and not what it is now.
Steven wastes no time in flicking on the kettle and nods toward the wooden chair in the corner.
“So, Jessy.”
He shakes his head and huffs out a breath, mirroring my own state of mind.
“We knew this was going to happen one day.” He says, running his fingers through his hair, which tells me he’s agitated and I nod, sharing his concern.
The kettle boils and as he makes the coffee, I stare out of the window at the view of the lake in the distance and picture this as a family home rather than one where ghosts patrol the building as a nod to happier times in the past.
Steven places the coffee before me and takes his seat, nursing the mug between his hands and shivering slightly. “Imagine the heating bill in this place when it does get one installed. It’s a lot, Luke, and as your agent and your friend, I want you to consider your decision extremely carefully.”
“You think this is the wrong one, don’t you?” I ask, peering at him closely, noticing for the first time the weary lines around his eyes.
“Not necessarily.”
He leans back and says thoughtfully, “You deserve to be happy, Luke, it’s all any of us want for you but your life isn’t here. It’s half way up the country and you must devote all your time to that. The life of a footballer can be a short one and you must capitalise on it while you can. Make solid investments for your future and yet above all else, remain grounded and don’t allow yourself to be caught up with the wrong people and then make the wrong decisions.”
“Thanks, man.”
I’m a little emotional because Steven, despite his role in my life, has always had my best interests at heart.
He raises his eyes, “But Jessy. That’s a problem I never saw coming.”
“And I did?”
He smiles briefly. “Does she like you?”
“I’m not sure. It’s hardly something I can ask her. Why would she think of me in that way, especially with Morgana living under the same roof?”
He chuckles softly. “She’s always been a problem.”
As if she heard us, the woman herself heads our way with Jasper in tow and says loudly, “Well, we’re finally getting somewhere.”
They pull up seats at the table and she beams at us.
“The production team has worked a small miracle already and Jasper and I have had a successful day filming some segments for the show. Tonight, the pantomime rehearsals will provide more footage and our plan to showcase the village will be on schedule.”
She turns to me and smiles sweetly, “So, with your permission, I would like to arrange the Christmas Eve party. It will take a lot of organising, so I must get on it right away.”
She turns to Jasper, already anticipating my agreement. “We will make lists, lots of glorious lists and research local caterers and event planners. I’m picturing a twelve foot tree in the entrance hall with lots of fairy lights everywhere. They are so magical, aren’t they?”
She doesn’t even stop for breath and continues with animation. “The theme must be festive red and green with some accents of white. We will raid the gardens and woods for foliage and I’ll do a vlog on decorating at Christmas. I’ll also prime my Instagram account and do several stories – possibly run a competition. We must have carols with lovely villagers in bobble hats and carrying lanterns. I can just picture the scene.”
I sip my coffee and let her words wash over me as I picture how cute Jessy looks in her red bobble hat. I can see her now singing like an angel as I stare at her in adoration.
“Luke!”
Morgana’s sharp use of my name brings me back to the conversation.
“What?”
“Do you agree?”
“To the party, of course.”
She rolls her eyes. “No, darling, you haven’t been listening, have you?”
“To what?” I notice Steven’s expression and wonder what I’ve missed because it appears the jokes on me as Jasper bites back a grin.
“The pantomime silly.”
Morgana rolls her eyes. “You must play the lord.”
“But they have a lord and a lady. We can’t take their roles. It would be wrong.”
“I’m not saying that. Honestly, Luke, keep up will you. No–” She pauses for breath and then smiles broadly. “Jasper says it will be so cool if I took over the production and they filmed me organising the entire thing. You will play the lord opposite Jessy’s lady and the previous lord can be let off the hook.”
“What hook?” I shrivel in my seat as Jasper adds, “He’s nervous about appearing on film as he plays a part he never wanted in the first place.”
“How do you know all of this?”
I’m stunned and Jasper adds, “He pulled me aside and had a word. He’s a good lad but would rather be down the pub rather than playing opposite someone he considers as a sister. He doesn’t want to be a laughingstock, his words not mine, and would prefer not to feature in any filming.”
“And you think I would?”
Morgana rolls her eyes. “You’re already participating in the filming, Luke and I don’t know what the problem is. You are kind of the lord for real, anyway. Not by title, but by default, and Jessy seems a nice girl, so how hard will it be?”
I catch Steven’s eye and we are both painfully aware exactly how hard it will be because, with Morgana watching, along with the entire world, it will be extremely difficult to hide the feelings that are developing fast for my intoxicating business advisor.