Chapter Thirty
Having showered, Henry got dry and put on his jeans and a shirt, leaving it open at the collar.
His mind was whirring. When he’d returned home the previous evening, he had been confused.
He’d been convinced Ava felt the same for him as he did for her, but hearing Mary’s words and Ava’s confession that she loved Gino, hurt.
Ensuring All Critters Great and Small was safe had always been a priority.
She didn’t need to pretend to have feelings for him to secure its future.
He hoped she knew him better than that, and he certainly thought he knew her better than that.
How it felt when they’d kissed along with her words “I love Gino” had caused juxtaposing thoughts to echo through his mind for much of the night.
And now . . . now, she was in his bedroom.
Seeing her at Dapplebury House was a surprise that had taken him off guard.
In truth, he wasn’t sure how to react. He looked at himself in the mirror.
Focus on the charity. That’s why she’s here.
He hated the thought of her with Gino. But he hated the thought of his life in Dapplebury without her in it even more.
He had to play it carefully and not overthink the fact that she had come to Dapplebury House.
He also had to try not to wonder why she needed to see his mother; he sincerely hoped she’d not heard anything about the affairs of the estate, and his father’s poor financial state.
Steeling himself, he opened the door.
‘What the hell are you doing?’ Henry looked in Ava’s direction, taking in the sight of Granger attempting to be a lapdog, and making a large seat for one look like a very small seat for two in the process.
Ava giggled from under the dog. ‘He’s keeping me company. I hope you don’t mind.’
Looking at Henry with doleful eyes, Granger clambered to the floor and sat on Ava’s feet.
Ava stroked his head. ‘I thought I could hide behind him if anyone came in.’
Henry couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Why would you need to do that?’
Ava cocked an eyebrow. ‘Let’s just say when I heard a noise at the door, I was about ready to . . .’ Henry saw Ava’s eyes move to the bed and her cheeks coloured. ‘I was about ready to leap in your wardrobe. The fact it was your wayward dog and not Mrs Jenkins or Lady Bramlington was a big relief.’
‘Ha, well they’ll both have to get used to you being here.’
‘Wh-what?’
Henry walked to the other side of the room. What did you say that for? ‘Would you like a drink? I’ve tried to make myself as self-sufficient up here as possible. It’s my sanctuary from . . . well from everything else.’
‘A mini fridge? You have a mini fridge in your . . . Would you call this a bedroom or a suite?’ Ava looked at him, her eyebrows raised.
‘Technically it’s a suite if you count the lounge and reading room next door, but this is my bedroom.’
Ava turned to where Henry had gestured. ‘There’s a door! I didn’t see it hidden amongst the panelling. I could have waited through there.’
‘I know, I wanted to keep you close.’ Henry spoke the words matter-of-factly.
No matter what, he was determined that his mother wouldn’t treat her as she had in the past. He’d promised Ava that when he saw her at the lake, and he intended to honour that promise.
Besides, the other rooms had their original décor and furnishings, and he wanted Ava to see the place that reflected more of him, his tastes and belongings.
It felt more fitting. Seeing that she was trying to take it all in, he felt the need to explain.
‘I didn’t alter this room with money from the estate. The furniture and gym equipment are my own. I got them after the sale of my place in Los Angeles.’
‘You don’t need to explain to me.’ Ava shifted in her seat.
But Henry wanted to explain. He wanted her to know; he wished he could tell her why it was so important that she knew he wasn’t squandering the estate’s money, but knew he couldn’t. ‘Sorry.’ Henry pushed his hand through his still-wet hair. ‘Did you want a drink?’
‘Here?’
‘Well, we could go for a walk in the grounds and I could show you my plans, but with your ankle, I thought . . . And in my office Mrs Jenkins—’
‘Then, yes, please, a drink here would be great.’
As Henry went to fetch them both a drink, he felt Ava watching him.
‘What did you do, while you were in LA? You’ve never mentioned it?’
Henry fetched them both a sparkling water and pulled a chair up next to Ava. Granger moved, looking between the bed and Henry, before slumping down on the rug.
‘Do you promise not to laugh?’
‘Yes.’ Ava smiled.
‘I was a wellbeing coach, a personal trainer, and I studied hypnotherapy.’
‘Oh blimey, you’re not going to hypnotise me, are you?’ Ava giggled.
‘No. I knew you’d laugh.’ Henry leaned back in his chair.
‘Henry, really, I’m not laughing. Health and happiness are hugely important. Along with success, they’re the holy trinity of the twenty-first century. I think it’s great.’
‘They’re all subjective. People have to realise their own needs and potential to be productive — in whatever way that means for them, but I can help with that. It’s an amazing thing to guide someone on their journey.’
Ava screwed up her nose. ‘You’re not going to get crystals out and start chanting are you?’
Henry saw the hint of a smile in her eyes and laughed.
‘No, don’t worry. You’re safe. I much prefer getting out in nature.’
‘Now that I knew about you.’ Ava thought of the times they had spent in the grounds together, often exploring, but sometimes just sitting or laying together, listening to the sounds of the woods, watching the clouds go by, the two of them lost in the moment and their world.
It was calming, grounding and thoroughly intimate.
‘Maybe I should have been a lumberjack.’
‘I can see that.’ Ava giggled.
Henry put his elbows on his thighs and leaned forwards. ‘Thanks. At least I could have been more useful around here.’
‘You’re doing a great job. I saw how you spoke to the crowd at the village meeting. From what I remember, it was an amazing turnaround. Wait, you didn’t hypnotise them, did you?’
Henry sat back. The sun was shining in through the window, warming them, and causing red and auburn streaks to shine in Ava’s ponytail. He wished her hair was loose. Granger sprawled out, bathed in sunlight, while he dozed.
‘No, I just read the room. I told them what they wanted to hear.’
‘You lied?’
‘No, definitely not! I just phrased things in a way that appeased, opposed to angered them. Understanding people’s fears, hopes and motivations are key. That and listening. Reading body language helps, even micro-expressions can reveal how someone is feeling.’
‘And do you do that when you’re speaking to me? Read my body language.’
Henry saw Ava shift in her seat; she crossed her ankles and laced her fingers in her lap. He didn’t like the reaction; he never wanted her to feel anything but relaxed around him.
‘It’s a habit, but to be honest you’re not that easy to read.
I think I know how you’re feeling, but then you surprise me.
’ Or in the case of yesterday’s revelation, bloody shock me.
Henry had always felt Ava was the one person he could trust; the one person who knew and liked him for who he really was.
His absolute belief in that being undermined by what he had heard, caused the hurt and confusion that kept him awake the previous night.
Ava smiled and relaxed her stance. ‘Good.’
‘Not always for me. Yesterday, I thought—’
‘Henry, I do want to talk about yesterday. I don’t know what you heard but there are things I want to say. But before I do that, I really do want to hear what you wanted to tell me about Critters’ Lodge.’
Henry wondered if, like he had heard Mary say, Ava’s feelings for him were dependent on the fate of the lodge.
He knew he would have to reassure her it was safe, no matter what.
As much as he’d hoped there would be more between them, he wanted Ava to feel for him as he did for her.
Henry pushed his hand through his hair and sat up a little straighter, in readiness to speak.
‘Ava, you’re going to need to keep an open mind.’