Chapter 41
Six months later
A ndrzej straightened the canvas and took a step back to take a last look.
“I think this is good, yes?” He looked across at Scarlett, who was standing with her hands on her hips, beaming from ear to ear.
“It’s perfect. It’s all perfect!” Scarlett turned and hugged him tightly.
Andrzej laughed. “You’re welcome, but careful you don’t mess up your hair and makeup! I saw firsthand how much time was spent on that!”
Scarlett stepped back and carefully touched her updo. “Does it still look okay?”
“You look wonderful, not a strand out of place.” Andrzej smiled down kindly at her. “What time do your guests arrive?”
“Not for ages, but I’ve sent plenty of clear directions as well as instructions for the key safe, so there won’t be any issues with their check-in.”
“How long are they staying for?”
“Just four days for a long weekend.”
Andrzej nodded with approval. “You have done a good job here, Scarlett. You should be very proud.”
Scarlett beamed again. “Thanks. Couldn’t have done it without you and Mum. The garden looks spectacular!”
They stood for a moment to take in all their combined efforts.
The open-plan kitchen and lounge were compact, but with the freshly plastered walls in the lounge, white paint, and cleaned exposed brick in the kitchen, it felt light and airy.
The kitchen was sleek and practical, fitted with refurbished light oak units and worktops, with antique brass knobs and handles that she and Edward had found at a clearance sale at a nearby estate being sold off for redevelopment.
The first floor contained two small double bedrooms, newly plastered and painted like the downstairs rooms, with exposed ceiling beams. The master bedroom had a beautiful brass bed they’d also sourced from the clearance sale, and she’d placed two single beds in the second bedroom.
They’d also done a full refurb of the bathrooms in all three cottages, with Andrzej and Edward fitting each one with a beautiful three-piece suite, including freestanding baths.
Feeling content, Scarlett inhaled the scent of fresh herbs and flowers that she’d placed on the windowsills, gathered from the garden, and combined with the faint smell of the fresh bread she’d collected from Mrs Wilson’s kitchen that morning, the whole place smelled and looked like a dreamlike country escape– which was exactly what she’d been busy marketing across social media these past few months.
When Edward had first shown her the three identical cottages on the edge of the estate, they were empty and barely habitable.
Nonetheless, she’d instantly fallen in love with them, convinced that the bones were there and they were full of potential, so, with some of her divorce money, she bought them from him, converting them into three beautiful little holiday lets.
The money had taken its time to come through but as it turned out, during Jason’s time at Haddon House, somewhere between being sat amongst the throngs of random wedding guests and watching his mother fawn over a rich American for an entire evening, he’d realised that he was never getting Scarlett back.
Desperate to leave, he didn’t even try to find her and press her for the ring, and wasting little time, he returned home, solemn and very single.
A couple of weeks later, she received an email from him:
Dearest Scarlett,
There are so many things I want to say to you, but where to even start?
I have acted and behaved appallingly and have spent far too many years taking you for granted.
I’ve been selfish in chasing my dreams, expecting your constant love and support, whilst disregarding all of yours– and worse still, I betrayed you past the point of ever expecting your forgiveness.
I’d love to be able to provide reasons for my infidelity, but honestly, they’re all inadequate and if I were to be entirely truthful, an uncomfortable reflection of my shallow desires.
I’m ashamed to say, ultimately, I did it because I could.
Fame has never and probably will never suit me, not with my ego, something I feel at my age probably won’t ever change.
I imagine it makes no difference to you now, but I did love you—from the first moment I saw you in that lecture hall during my visit to the uni, watching you debate gender inequality in literary fiction.
That feisty redhead will live in my heart forever.
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t immensely jealous of your Scottish bloke, because you haven’t looked at me the way you looked at him for several years, that’s if you ever did, which I’ve come to realise over the last couple of weeks is entirely my own fault.
I built houses and walls around you, giving you an existence, but little to no sun to flourish under.
Ha– look at me becoming all poetic and soft in my old age!
In all seriousness, though, I am deeply sorry for everything.
I will, of course, take care of the divorce and my solicitor will soon be in touch with a financial proposal so you are taken care of.
Judging by your current abode, your new fellow doesn’t seem too strapped for cash, but it’s beside the point.
You’ve been by my side at every turn, and you deserve to be compensated appropriately so you never need to feel trapped or stuck again, especially if it doesn’t happen to work out with him.
He’s a bit of an intimidating character, isn’t he?
I can’t say it was a particularly comfortable conversation after everyone else left and only us two men remained.
He seems to be very protective of you though, and appears to care about you, and says he wants to look after you.
Something he was quite forthright in saying I’d failed to do.
Not that you need or want that, but you deserve it.
And he’s right, of course, I have been a total shit; I know that, but I also mean it. You deserve the world, Scarlett Hope.
There’s not much more I can say about it all, other than take care, my darling, and I hope you find the happiness you deserve.
All my love, always.
Jason xx
P.S. Mother is a bit distracted by that American guy at the moment, all very scandalous. But when you get the chance, if you could courier that ring down, as per your man’s suggestion, it would be greatly appreciated.
Scarlett felt little emotion reading the email, perhaps only some sadness and love for that feisty young redhead who had dreams bigger than the moon, who was dazzled and starstruck by a charming and good-looking author who whisked her away to a life full of excitement and literary promise.
She wasn’t heartless, also feeling a pinch of pity for Jason.
His moment of touching reflection was all very well, but she knew him well enough to realise that he would quickly snap out of his malaise when the next piece of hot ass, amazed by his authorly talent and success, fluttered her pretty eyelashes at him.
Still, she wished him well, feeling no anger or bitterness towards him.
When she’d looked across at Edward on the other end of his long leather sofa, their legs tangled, she’d smiled at his scruffy hair, furrowed brow, and silently moving lips as he lay engrossed reading some tome of a book.
The estate’s two new labrador puppies, Daisy and Duke, slept on the floor, gently snoring beside them.
In that moment, her heart felt full to bursting and she couldn’t have been more content.
Nothing in the world would make her miss her old life.
She’d returned her attention to her laptop and briefly touched Edward’s hand, which was stroking her calf.
She didn’t reply to Jason. There was nothing left to say.
Andrzej brought her back to the present.
“We must go now before we both get in trouble for making you late!”
“Yes, let’s go! Christ, is that the time? I need to get dressed!” Scarlett screeched.
“Indeed, let’s go.” Andrzej left the cottage, car keys in hand.
Scarlett took one last look, smiled, and followed him, locking the door behind her.
*
Approaching the doors of the small church, both women appeared hesitant, nervous energy radiating between them.
It was a glorious early summer’s afternoon, not a cloud to be seen, which was unusual for Scotland in Scarlett’s opinion– even though she was slowly acclimatising to its moody and changeable weather; not dissimilar to Edward’s disposition, she often thought.
“Right, then.” June smiled at Scarlett, who was still feeling and probably looking a bit like a flight risk– she didn’t do well with a crowd’s attention on her, and everyone involved knew this. “Shall we get this bit over and done with, so we can get to the fun bit of alcohol and food?”
Scarlett laughed. “I suppose, when you put it like that.”
June kissed her cheek. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you. So do you.” Scarlett smiled and took a deep breath.
“Come on then, he’ll be getting restless in there.” June squeezed her daughter’s hand as they linked arms and entered the church.
Scarlett couldn’t focus on any of the faces that turned to look at them.
Instead, she searched for, found, and locked onto the deep blue eyes of the man standing and waiting for her– eyes that now felt like home.
A smile twitched at the corner of his mouth, which made her relax.
He was there, and she had the comforting feeling that he always would be.
Her mother squeezed her hand again when they reached the top of the aisle and Scarlett smiled warmly at her.
June mouthed the words thank you as she handed Scarlett her bouquet, turning her attention to Andrzej, who took June’s hand and kissed it.
Scarlett’s heart felt full to bursting with pride and happiness for them both as she moved across to stand beside Edward, who nudged her and winked.
“Well done,” he whispered, so only she could hear.
Her mother and Andrzej stood beaming at each other throughout the entire service, and Scarlett was pretty sure the two of them were oblivious to everyone else in the church, even when they all cheered as the vicar finally said, “And now you may kiss the bride.” Something Andrzej wasted no time in doing.