17
Willow
It was so exciting for Willow to see the canvas tent being set up on Silver Wish Farm. Lance was over the moon, in his laidback way. He’d summoned all the cast and stagehands to muck in, feeling it helped them build a closer bond.
The day was dry and crisp, the sky held clumps of white clouds blending into a grey-blue hue, and the air offered only the scent of the nearby stables, which after some grumbles, everyone got used to.
As soon as Willow could get Kip alone, she slipped away with him to her treehouse.
‘Why do you still have one?’ he asked, gazing up at the sturdy little house whilst smirking.
Willow shrugged. ‘What am I supposed to do with it?’
‘Tear it down. I mean, it’s all right when you’re a kid, but it doesn’t have a purpose now.’
It did to her. She had so many memories stored up in that tree. There was no way she would pull her treehouse down.
‘It means something to me.’ And she hoped it would mean something to him as well. After all, shouldn’t everything about her past interest him? ‘Tell me about your childhood.’
Kip sniffed as he sat on the ground. ‘Not much to tell. It was okay, I guess. I’m not really the sentimental type.’ He glanced up again. ‘Not like you obviously are.’
‘It’s not a bad thing.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean for it to sound that way. Each to their own.’ He slid his hand into hers and rested his head against the trunk.
Willow tried to relax as well. It was nice sitting beneath her favourite place with the man who had the potential to be her soulmate. He was smiling, looking happy, and holding her hand. It would be okay.
Kip sighed slowly and deeply, showing no signs of the tension she often had around him. ‘I’ll be off to America soon. I think we need to get closer before I go.’ He peeped at her with one eye and grinned.
It was hard to deny he had a killer smile, but there was something off in his eyes, no matter how gorgeous they were. Willow wasn’t sure if it was her gut talking or if she was overthinking things.
Kip shuffled to her side. ‘Come on, Willow. I know you hit me with all that no sex before marriage crap, but I know now you were just using that line to get me to calm down, which is fair enough, but still. I believe we’re soulmates, and I don’t know how this is going to work for us, but I know it will.’ He tugged her closer, kissing the tip of her nose. ‘You have to admit, it would be nice for us to connect on that spiritual level before I head off. Don’t you think it will bond us for life?’
It was a thought, and he made a good case, one that she believed in, but there had always been something so strong within her that kept her from sleeping with her boyfriends. Sure, she had made a pact with Cody when they were young about never having sex with anyone until married, but that wasn’t what had stopped her.
Willow had never been able to explain her feelings to herself, let alone attempt to talk about it with others. It felt private. Precious. Every fibre of her being told her she would know who to share that part of her with. She stared at Kip.
I’m not sure you’re the one .
Smiling softly, she slipped her hand from his. ‘I’ll think about it,’ was all she could think to say that wouldn’t hurt his feelings.
Kip stroked up her thigh and snuggled his mouth into her neck. ‘Don’t leave it too long, babe. I’m aching here for you.’ He leaned back and flashed her a heartfelt smile. ‘I guess it’s a soulmate thing. I’m glad I have you to talk to. I always wanted someone to love me the same amount I love them, and I do love you already, Willow. I can’t wait for our souls to join properly.’
‘Sex is important to you, isn’t it?’
Kip shrugged. ‘Not really. I’m fussy, just so you know. But it’s different with you. You’re special, and I just want to be with you so badly. I can’t bear the thought of being away from you for so long and not have that memory to keep me warm.’ He gestured to the treehouse. ‘We can pop up there right now and seal the deal, if you want.’
What a thought! She was sure Cody would have something to say about that, as neither of them had shared the place with a partner.
One part of her was tempted, as Kip sounded so sincere, and she could see where he was coming from, but she just didn’t feel ready to go any further with him.
What’s wrong with me? He’s my soulmate. Isn’t he? Oh, I wish I had a better sign .
Kip was busy slurping his way down her neck again, but Willow’s heart wasn’t joining in with whatever mood he was trying to create.
‘We should head back. The costumes will need hanging up. Can you believe we can finally do our first dress rehearsal once everything is in place?’ He wasn’t paying attention to her voice, just her body, and when his hand came close to groping her right breast, she jumped to a stand. ‘Right, let’s get going.’
The love Kip had shown in his face switched to annoyed, and Willow felt awful.
‘Always the tease,’ he mumbled, huffing as he passed her by.
‘I wasn’t teasing,’ she assured him. ‘We just can’t hang here for long. We’ll be missed soon.’
Kip abruptly turned, and Willow almost toppled into him. ‘I don’t like the mixed signals. I don’t know why you’re playing with me. I haven’t done anything to you except want our relationship to grow. You made me believe I was your soulmate, but you don’t act like it when I try to get closer to you.’
Willow had no idea how to respond to that. The last thing she wanted was to make him feel bad. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Prove it.’
She knitted her eyebrows. ‘What?’
‘You heard.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘If you’re truly sorry for messing me about, do something about it.’
She was still confused. ‘Like what?’
He stepped forward, pulling her into his body. ‘You know what I want from you.’ His eyes and tone were dark, intimidating.
Willow swallowed hard. ‘I’m not ready.’
‘It doesn’t matter. We’re soulmates, so you’ll feel okay once we get started.’ He lowered his voice to a whisper as he added, ‘I promise.’
Unsure how to feel, let alone what to say, Willow slipped out of his hold. ‘I’m heading back to the tent.’
‘Fine!’ he snapped, nudging her arm as he passed.
With shoulders slumped and head whirling, Willow followed slowly behind, not wanting to be at his side in case his mood switched again. She was starting to feel a tad dizzy trying to keep up with his personality changes.
Lance was herding everyone as they got back, stating a drink down the pub was due. There was a quick whip-round, and within minutes they headed off to Pepper Lane to take five.
The Ugly Duckling was busy with a lunch rush, so it was a bit of a squeeze and a struggle to snag a table. A group of rowdy men over by the unlit fireplace made more noise than anyone, and Lavender asked them to lower their voices, which only resulted in wolf whistles and rude gestures aimed her way.
Willow sat away from them, trying to have a conversation with Cody about going over lines when they got back, but she could hardly hear herself think.
Kip was on form, flirting with the bar staff, making the people closest to him laugh, and hanging off Lavender’s shoulder as soon as she approached.
Willow noticed his hand slip towards Lavender’s bum, then watched him glimpse her way with a smirk.
Is he trying to make me jealous?
She wasn’t sure how to feel. The more time she spent in his company, the more confused she felt. If it wasn’t for the psychic reading, there was no way she would give him any more of her time.
Cody was jabbering on about something to the man the other side of him, so she decided to let them all get on with it. The loo called, and she was sure she would get some respite in there.
One of the rowdy lot grabbed her arm as soon as she stood, taking her by surprise.
‘Have a drink with me, darling,’ he slurred in her face, suffocating her with beer fumes galore.
‘No, thanks.’ Willow tried to pull her arm back, but the man had a strong grip for someone so sloshed. ‘Do you mind?’
Kip was suddenly by her side, shoving the man. ‘Get your hands off, mate.’
Willow didn’t want any trouble. ‘It’s all right.’
Kip glared at her. ‘No one gets to touch you.’
Not sure how to take that, and quite fed up with both men, Willow attempted to slip away, but the drunk man spat out some obscenities to Kip, then Kip pushed him, which caused the rowdy group to join in, and before Willow knew what was happening, a full-on bar brawl was taking place, with her stuck in the middle.
From out of nowhere, Cody practically lifted Willow out of the scrum, then buried her under his body as a few flying beer bottles hit the air.
Willow’s heart was pumping so fast, she could barely breathe squashed between the heat of Cody’s chest and the hardness of a chair.
‘Stay down,’ he roared close to her ear.
She didn’t feel she had a choice.
‘It’s okay,’ reassured Cody, holding her head low.
She felt his body jolt, then heard the voices of Nate and Tessie Walker shouting. As Cody’s weight lightened, she managed to peer up to see the scuffle being pulled apart by the husband and wife team.
Nate’s huge arms held two men, dragging them towards the door, and Tessie, as petite as she was, had another two fellas under her control.
Willow pulled herself up as Cody straightened. ‘What the hell!’
He turned quickly, swiping back hair from her cheeks and checking her face. ‘You okay, Wills?’
She nodded. ‘I’m fine.’
Kip raised a glass in a toast to his mates, who cheered, then Elaine told them all to get out.
‘Who knew thespians could be so violent?’ said Molly, approaching with a broom. ‘You okay, Cody? I saw a bottle hit you.’
Willow shot up to turn him around. ‘You got hit?’
‘I’m fine.’ Cody rubbed his shoulder. ‘It’s nothing.’
Willow turned to Molly, who was assessing the mess made by the fight. ‘It was those drunk men who started it. Kip was just sticking up for me.’
‘He didn’t have to start a fight,’ said Cody, rolling his neck to each side.
That much was true, but what else could she say? Kip was stepping up for her, being her knight in shining armour. Surely that was a good sign.
Half the pub had cleared out, and the drunks had headed for the beach whilst the theatre group made their way up the lane in the direction of the farm.
Willow felt a little lighter on her journey home. Kip showed real strength and courage protecting her like that. She couldn’t help but feel a touch honoured. He had fought for her, looked after her, made sure she was safe. That was worth giving him another shot, right?
Lance was fuming once back inside the tent, mostly because a few of the cast had bruising on their faces, and that would never do. ‘The show starts soon. Makeup better hide that,’ he roared, which was highly unusual, seeing how his tone was often slow and sedated. It appeared the only thing to rattle his chains was anything that dared mess with his beloved show.
Willow busied herself by helping to set up changing areas, putting up curtains and setting out rails. Her stomach was rumbling from lack of food, as the two sips of lemonade at the pub had hardly hit the sides.
Cody must have read her mind. ‘You know, no one’s had any lunch.’
‘I’ll go home and rustle up a load of sarnies. That’ll cheer everyone up. Well, Lance, at least.’
‘Good idea. Come on, I’ll help.’
Willow told Lance her lunch idea, then set off to get on with the task, glad to have more to keep her mind occupied. It really was getting too much.
‘What a flipping day,’ she said, shaking her head at Cody as they trotted across the field. ‘Do you think we’ve been barred from The Ugly Duckling now?’
‘No. It wasn’t our fault.’
Willow glanced at his shoulder. ‘Are you bruised?’
‘I’m okay. Stop worrying.’
She brought him to a halt, searching for his eyes under those long lashes of his she adored. ‘Sully, what’s wrong? You seem… Whoa!’
‘What?’ Cody turned to where she was looking.
Pointing towards the treehouse, Willow’s mouth gaped.
‘What we looking at?’ he asked.
‘I just… I could have sworn I just saw… Why would…’ Her voice trailed off along with her thoughts.
‘Wills, what’s wrong?’
I couldn’t have. I’m seeing things. Why would…
‘Lavender,’ she blurted.
‘What about her?’
Willow was still wriggling a finger towards the treehouse. ‘I’m sure I just saw the ankles of Lavender on the last rungs of the ladder.’
Cody cupped her shaking hand with his own. ‘Why would Lavender be in the treehouse? Hardly her style.’
‘Oh, maybe it was Vivien. She likes to go up there sometimes. That or I’m seeing things.’
‘One way to find out.’ He tugged her arm, gesturing towards the tree.
Willow stopped at the bottom of the ladder, as giggling and shushing were heard coming from up above. Heat crept to her cheeks at the thought of catching her aunt and uncle in an intimate embrace. ‘What if it’s Viv and Finn?’ she whispered, biting her lip.
Cody clenched his teeth as he grinned, placing his index finger to his lips.
‘Faster, Kip,’ came Lavender’s voice.
Willow only stared at Cody for a split second before racing up the ladder to swing open the door.
Even though she had heard what she heard, seeing Lavender with her skirt hitched up, straddling Kip, who looked breathless and sweaty, she couldn’t quite compute what was happening.
Cody leaning on her back to peer over her shoulder woke her out of her trance.
‘Oi!’ she yelled, making Lavender jump. ‘Get out!’
Cody climbed down and she quickly followed, folding her arms in a huff whilst waiting for the intruders to make an appearance.
Kip exited first. ‘Yeah, all right, Willow. Don’t get your knickers in a twist. It was just a bit of fun.’
Willow was gobsmacked at his audacity. She went to speak but then Lavender slowly made her way down, sorting her creases as she hit the bottom.
‘Erm, sorry about that. Not many places to go around here.’ Lavender offered some sort of sympathetic smile, then toddled off towards the stage still being set up.
Kip’s hand rested on Willow’s forearm, but she pushed him away.
‘How bloody dare you,’ she spat, glancing between him and the treehouse.
‘I did tell you I wanted sex.’
Willow widened her eyes in amazement. ‘So you thought you’d get it somewhere else because I said no.’
‘Actually, you said you’d think about it, but I won’t go into that. Look, babe, it’s just Lavender. We’ve shagged before. It’s not a big deal. You and me aren’t exactly exclusive yet. Don’t make this out to be more than it is.’
Willow scoffed. ‘You told me you loved me.’
‘I do. You know, soulmate love and all that. That’s why I know this isn’t a biggie. What we’ve got is special. Things like this won’t have an impact on us.’
Cody scoffed, gaining Kip’s attention.
‘Mate, private convo, yeah.’ Kip waved him away, but Cody didn’t budge.
‘Never mind him,’ snapped Willow. ‘You know my treehouse is sentimental to me, and what do you do? Go and take some girl up there for sex.’
‘It’s Lavender.’
‘Stop saying that like it doesn’t matter.’
Kip shrugged. ‘It’s Lavender. It doesn’t. Oh, come on, Willow. Don’t count her. You’re acting like I cheated on you.’
‘You just did!’
Kip wasn’t having any of it. He brushed off her words, grinning as he walked away. ‘You’re high maintenance, babe, you know that?’
She went to respond but he turned back.
‘All you had to do was get your knickers off, so don’t blame me.’ He stroked down her cheek, making her pull back. ‘Let me know when you want your turn, yeah?’ He grabbed her bum, squeezing hard.
‘Get off me, you pig.’
Kip’s laugh disappeared as Cody’s fist slammed into his face, causing Willow to gasp in shock. She had never seen Cody hit anyone. Ever.
Kip stumbled, then came at Cody, but Heath appeared, tearing them apart.
‘What the hell’s going on?’ Heath yelled, looking at Willow.
Lance jogged over. ‘More fighting?’ He showed full-on disgust in his expression. ‘The next person I see hitting someone is out of the show. Do I make myself clear?’
Kip laughed off the comment. ‘No trouble from me, Lance.’ He smirked and walked off.
Lance glared at Willow.
‘There won’t be any trouble from us, will there, Sully?’ She turned his way to see nothing but anger.
Cody scoffed. ‘I’ve had enough of this crap. Stick your show.’ He went to storm off, but Willow blocked his path.
‘Since when have we ever let anyone down. I know you’re mad, but it’s not Lance’s fault,’ she said quietly, hoping to get through to him.
‘Willow, is everything okay?’ asked Heath.
‘Yes, Dad. Just got a bit heated, but we’re good now. Right, Sully?’
Cody showed his false smile, which seemed to ease Lance, at least. ‘Yeah, we’re good. Sorry, Lance. I won’t let you or the others down.’
Lance smiled softly. ‘That’s good to know. Now, how about that lunch you promised, Willow?’
She nodded, tugging Cody away. ‘On it.’
‘Just so you know, I don’t want to do this stupid show anymore.’
‘I know, but we made a commitment, and it’s almost over.’ Willow stopped walking and took a deep, calming breath.
‘You okay?’ asked Cody, his expression softening.
‘Not really. Honestly, I don’t care that he slept with Lavender. He never felt right to me anyway, and as for that silly reading, I’m so over that.’
‘Tell that to your face.’
Willow shook her head. ‘It’s not that.’ Motioning towards the treehouse, she sighed. ‘I feel like he’s tainted it. He’s ruined our place, Sully.’
‘No, he hasn’t. Don’t let him, okay.’
‘It’s not that simple. It’s how I feel.’
‘So we’ll send Josephine up there with some sage.’
Even though she didn’t feel like laughing, she chuckled at his comment.
‘About time the old place saw a lick of paint anyway.’ Cody nudged her arm. ‘Sound like a plan?’
‘What, blow out the demons and lighten the walls?’
‘There has been a lot of changes lately, Wills. Maybe the treehouse is due a fresh start.’
‘I don’t want it to have a fresh start. All our memories are in there. And now we’ve got that crappy one to add to it.’
Cody held her hands low. ‘No, we haven’t. That place is what we make it, and from this moment on, we banish all traces of Kippers and his sidekick. We’re going to spruce it up, clear out the cobwebs, and do what we’ve always done.’
‘What’s that?’
‘Enjoy life.’