Chapter 8
EIGHT
Why isn’t he here?
Elizabeth’s question resounded in Heather’s mind.
It was a completely fair question, but it was the question that she couldn’t answer. And that was making Heather horribly anxious.
‘Matty hadn’t told me anything about all of you.
I didn’t know… you were the Campbells. I thought he was just…
a normal person,’ Heather stammered, realising how silly she sounded.
Technically, she wasn’t exactly a ‘normal’ person.
The five of them were at present sitting in the drawing room of her uncle’s castle.
But Heather didn’t live here; she lived at the Inn, and her mum and dad worked hard in the hospitality business. The life that the Campbells led was alien to her.
What Elizabeth had said had really hurt: Heather didn’t want her future mother-in-law to think that Matty shouldn’t marry her.
She didn’t want there to be bad blood between them at all.
In her mind, they would be a whole new part of her own family, who she loved.
For Heather, the idea that she might not like Matty’s family very much had never even crossed her mind.
She was also really worried about Matty’s disappearance, and Elizabeth’s words had taken something she was trying to stay positive about and made her panic even more.
‘I see. And the fact that we are a wealthy and successful family was a problem for you, because…?’ Elizabeth drawled.
‘It’s not a problem. I was just asking him why he didn’t tell me. I felt it was… dishonest.’
‘Matthew would have his reasons for not telling you, I’m sure.
’ Elizabeth sighed. ‘He never wanted to be in the television show, for one thing. He is quite private, although he’s never had a problem accepting the family money.
He didn’t argue when our money sent him to the best schools and universities. He’s a good boy.’
‘Well, perhaps we shouldn’t talk about Matty when he’s not here to defend himself,’ Sorrel interjected sensibly.
Heather gave Sorrel a look that she hoped her sister would understand as please help. Sorrel gave her an imperceptible nod.
‘Well, I know that Heather has an appointment with the hairdresser, don’t you, babe?’ she asked, giving Heather a look that meant, I’ve got you, now play along.
‘Oh. Yes, I do.’ Heather stood up. ‘I should get going.’
It was a relief not to sit at the table with Elizabeth and her relentless list of demands any longer.
‘Right you are, dear. I suppose we need you to look your best for the big day…’ Elizabeth frowned. ‘But we need to get through my list, and time is ticking,’ she added, watching her go.
‘That’s okay, Elizabeth. I can go through it all with you,’ Sorrel was saying as Heather left. ‘Think of me as Heather’s consigliere.’
‘Consigli – what?’ Elizabeth replied.
‘It’s a mafia reference. It seemed appropriate. Now. What’s next on the list?’ Sorrel replied sparkily. Heather, leaving the room, had to chuckle. She mouthed thank you to her sister as she closed the door.
Nothing that had happened so far fitted inside the carefully curated vision of a wedding Heather had made for herself.
Her mother-in-law was horrible. Her husband-to-be had lied to her and then disappeared.
People were fighting. Everything she had planned so carefully with her mother – something they’d loved doing together – was in danger of being set alight and burned to the ground.
Matty owes me the honeymoon of a lifetime for putting up with this, Heather thought as she walked away from the closed door. If there aren’t diamond-encrusted egg cups at breakfast and my own personal swim-up pool bar staffed by a shirtless Henry Cavill, I’m out.
Outside the drawing room, Heather took out her phone and pressed Matty’s number. She waited as the phone rang and rang.
Slowly, Heather walked to the end of the corridor and let herself into the study; a cosy room full of ancient, leather-bound books.
A cinnamon- and clove-scented oil diffuser stood on a table, filling the room with a festive and welcoming smell.
The fireplace looked like it had been lit earlier, and still smouldered; for a moment, she watched the glow of the red coals.
Matty didn’t answer.
Heather let the phone ring out and then pressed the call button again.
Nothing.
She turned away from the fireplace, going to the long patio doors that led out to the castle gardens, opening one of the doors and stepping outside into the frigid air.
As she stood there, she watched the midwinter sun dapple the trees at the edge of the beautifully manicured castle lawns.
The gardens had been designed by a famous Victorian garden designer; people came from all over the world to see them.
She’d been looking forward to having some of her wedding photos taken out there.
The photographer she’d organised had said that the natural light would be perfect, with her white dress against the dark green of the fir trees.
Listening to Matty’s phone ring and ring, Heather had the gut-wrenching realisation that the wedding she had been planning so carefully for the past six months might not happen at all.
She went to the messaging app where the sisters kept a group chat open, needing some reassurance. Had she made an error of judgement somewhere along the line with Matty? Maybe. But her judgement was at least good enough to know that she could always go to her sisters for support.
Heather’s sisters were a constant; she knew they would always be honest and prioritise her.
Heather: Hey @everyone. Having a bit of a crappy day here.
The chat lit up.
Blossom: Hey @Heather. How are the in-laws? Sorry I’m not there yet. Packing up, be with you soon.
Bluebell: @Blossom they are legit terrible. Have terrorised Heather for not skiing.
Blossom: Oh no! @Heather I’m so sorry. Teething troubles, I’m sure.
Violet: Oh, hell no @Heather so sorry.
Heather: @everyone They’re the Campbells of Glenorchy. From the TV show.
Blossom: @everyone WHAT
Bluebell: @Blossom YEP
Violet: Are you serious??! @Heather
Sorrel: Hey @everyone Matty’s mum is like some kind of mafia dictator. I am sitting with her now can’t really chat but she is mad as a box of frogs
Heather: @Violet Sadly yes. I had no idea
Violet: @Bluebell @Sorrel Is Heather OK?
Bluebell: @Violet Me, Sorrel and Prim are here. We’ll look after her.
Heather: @Bluebell I’m hiding in the study. I ducked out of a meeting with El Generalissimo and left @Sorrel there holding things together for me
Violet: It’s OK @Heather, we’ve got you. I’m going to get there as soon as I can. Tomorrow or the next day.
Heather: I miss you @Violet. I don’t know if I can cope with all of this. And Matty’s disappeared.
Violet: @Heather He’s WHAT?!?
Primrose: @everyone Yeah we had like ten minutes to get to the castle for the welcome drinks because they arrived early, and then Matty didn’t come in. @Heather is he really working?
Heather: @Primrose I don’t know. We had a row and then he left. I just want to curl up in a ball and weep
Violet: That BASTARD, @Heather I cannot believe he would do this to you. I’m gonna break his legs
Heather: @Violet I don’t want you to do that but I appreciate the outrage… I was thinking for a short while that I was overreacting. I’m not, right?
Bluebell: @Heather No
Primrose: @Heather Hell no
Blossom: No @Heather you aren’t.
Violet: @Heather the only appropriate response is rage. Please do not waste tears on this “man”
Sorrel: @Heather, we love you. I’m keeping Elizabeth busy for now. Will update you later.
Heather: @everyone I’m going to check in on Aunt Chrissie. I’ll be back in a while.
Heather stood in the study, feeling unmoored and bereft. But she was grateful for her sisters’ support.
Two tears rolled slowly down her cheeks. Matty. Please come back, she begged him, in her mind. Please don’t leave me twelve days before our wedding.