Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Rain Man”
The weather had turned, with a storm forecast. Dark skies and sudden bursts of wind greeted Ellie as she loaded Fifi, grateful for Mrs Tremayne’s agreement to the second mini-session taking place indoors at the manor stables.
Before Ellie went there, however, she parked in town to pick up a sandwich, then spotted some familiar faces gathered in the lane by the former gatehouse – one of the properties now in Oliver’s portfolio, along with the adjacent run of almshouses.
Heading over, she waved a greeting. ‘Morning.’
‘Alright, my lover? ’Tis a proper job they’m about.’ Old Patrick gestured at the scaffolding erected around both buildings.
‘Master Oliver must have plans,’ Mrs Clegg announced from her chair.
‘Talking of plans,’ Ellie mused, as her eye scanned the bulging bag on the lady’s lap and a second in Pat’s hand, ‘are you off somewhere?’
‘Ah.’ Ryther – who’d been talking to one of the scaffolders – walked over to join Ellie. ‘These reprobates are off to catch the village bus over to Fowey. There’s an open call for extras on this production. All ages welcome. Pat.’
He addressed the elderly man, who had begun ushering Mrs Lovelace and Mrs Clegg along the path.
‘Wasson?’
‘Why the bags?’
Mrs Lovelace stopped beside Ryther. ‘They’s changes of clothes. Bring some along, the sheet said. Come on, Cleggie. Best get on dreckly or we’m missing that bus.’
Ellie eyed them all with curiosity. ‘But why are you wearing those?’
All three had weathered leather camera cases slung around their necks.
Mrs Lovelace tapped her nose. ‘Come camera ready, they says.’
‘Aye,’ Pat grunted as he pushed the wheelchair towards the bus stop. ‘Reckons we stand a gurt chance with these bewdies.’
‘Oh, but I don’t think it means…’ Ellie’s voice trailed away as it fell on their backs as they moved along the lane, and she exchanged a worried look with an amused Ryther.
‘You have to wish the casting director luck,’ he mused before following slowly behind the others.
Once up at the manor for the mini-shoot, there were ample features for backdrops, with stone walls, arched windows and wooden trugs of flowers still containing the last rose blooms. All Ellie needed to do was set up her lighting and she was ready to go.
She completed the sessions on a high, despite being exhausted, relieved to finally load her equipment into the car and head back to Westerleigh.
Once she’d completed her routine with the batteries, hard drive and memory cards, Ellie firmly closed the door on the orangery to ensure Heathcliff didn’t try to help and headed upstairs for a soak in the beautiful, claw-foot bath in the main bathroom.
Warmed through, Ellie left her hair to dry naturally, donning some soft trousers and a favourite but well-worn T-shirt before being enticed down to the kitchen by the tempting smells drifting up the stairs.
‘Dinner will be a few hours yet,’ Anna called as Ellie entered the kitchen. ‘Fancy a drink to warm you up? I’m just doing a coffee for Oliver.’
‘I could do with some water, to be honest.’ Ellie added several lumps of ice to the glass, then took a seat at the table, scrolling through her inbox on her phone. ‘Where are the babies?’
Anna pointed to the ceiling. ‘Wore themselves out at baby and toddler group today, so both decided to have a pre-dinner nap. How was the shoot?’
‘Wet, but thankfully, we were inside.’
They both looked over at a firm knock on the boot room door, and as Oliver was passing, he opened it to reveal Will.
Raindrops sparkled on his shoulders and the leather cap, which he removed, brushing a hand through his hair.
‘Come on in.’ Oliver stepped back.
Her heartbeat picking up a notch, Ellie made to stand, but Anna placed a surprisingly firm hand on her arm.
‘It will look like you still care,’ she said quietly. ‘Act as if it’s the most normal thing.’
Anna had a point, so Ellie took a hefty swig of water. The cooling liquid shot down her throat, and she coughed, putting a hand to her mouth as Anna turned a warm smile on the visitor.
‘Come and join us, Will. We’re just making coffee.’
‘I… er…’ Will’s gaze found Ellie’s. ‘It’s Ellie I came to see. If that’s alright?’
‘How lovely,’ Anna said brightly. ‘I’ll make you a coffee first, then you can have her all to yourself.’
To Ellie’s alarm, Anna headed for the machine, casting Oliver a meaningful look. He narrowed his eyes, looking from Will to Ellie, then back to his wife, who suggested he get the mugs out.
Will took a seat opposite, his attention fixed on the window, down which the rain continued to pour.
His fascination with the weather was both a blessing and a curse, as it meant Ellie could admire his profile at leisure, with no fear of being caught out.
Today, he wore a linen shirt under a designer zipper, the neckline turned up and caressing his jawline, damp tendrils resting on his collar.
Her heart had begun its habitual silly prance, but before anything could be said, Anna brought Will a steaming mug of coffee and a plate of home-made shortbread.
‘Ellie says she got some great photos on the walk to Polridmouth. I wish I could’ve come with you. It’s one of my favourite places in Cornwall.’
Oliver eyed Anna with affection. ‘Everywhere is your favourite place in Cornwall.’
His wife merely smiled, taking his hand. ‘Excuse us. Oliver needs to get back to work and I’d best go up and check on the twins.’
Left alone, the silence between them swelled, but as Will had said he’d wanted to see her, Ellie decided to wait, reaching for her glass, unprepared for him turning suddenly in his seat.
Rocked by the tortured expression which flashed across his features, she sank back into her chair, the glass of water all but forgotten.
He cleared his throat, and the despair in his dark eyes faded as swiftly as it had come.
‘I… er, when will you have some of the photos for me? I’m working on my pieces to camera, so could do with a feel for the best spots. I’d heard you might be leaving soon.’
‘Oh.’ Not sure who’d shared that little gem, Ellie drew in a shallow breath. ‘They’re done. I wasn’t sure…’
After our last conversation about photos, I didn’t feel like rushing into another one…
If Will’s unsettled air was anything to go by, he was thinking the same thing.
‘Well, I won’t go until I’ve completed the job,’ she continued.
‘I mean, jobs. I have to edit today’s shoot, and I’m finishing up the photography for Tremayne Manor.
Umm—’ Ellie felt awkward, keen to end the moment.
‘Hold on.’ She pushed her chair back and shot into the orangery to check the download, relieved to see it was complete.
‘Okay.’ She popped her head back around the door.
‘Do you have time to do it now? You might want to bring a chair,’ Ellie suggested, heading back to her own and selecting the necessary folder.
Placing a chair next to hers, Ellie caught her breath as Will’s arm connected with hers.
Grabbing the mouse, she opened the folder.
‘So—’ Why did her voice sound so high? ‘Which would you like to see first?’ She indicated the labels on each icon.
‘Scenery, please.’
Ellie clamped her knees together, wary her leg might accidentally brush against Will’s, he was seated so close to her.
The images loaded, and she moved the keyboard and mouse across. ‘Just tap on the arrows there to go forward and back. See what you think.’
Silence fell as Will did as instructed, and Ellie’s gaze sank to her lap where her hands appeared to be twisting her poor old T-shirt into a ball.
Setting it free, she put her right hand on the table, but instantly became aware of Will’s left – still bearing the remnants of a summer tan – resting beside it.
He had long fingers – a sign of creativity, she’d always teased him.
Those hands had lovingly held hers as they’d walked the cliff path, lain on the secluded beach or strolled to the pub at the end of a beautiful day on that long-lost summer.
Will’s hands had pressed her close as he’d kissed her the first time, stroked her skin as he’d made love to her, touched her in a way she’d never forgotten.
Heat spread throughout Ellie’s body, and she swallowed hard, finding it impossible to stop staring at Will’s hands as he closed the folder and opened the one saved as ‘Possible PtoC’.
‘I’m sorry.’
Ellie’s startled eyes flew to meet Will’s as he shot her a quick glance before resuming his study of the screen.
‘I meant what I said outside Harbourwatch. I shouldn’t have said what I did about those photos.
I do believe you, Ellie, even though we can’t explain it.
Seems to be a theme with us.’ He huffed slightly on a laugh.
‘I’m as in the dark as you about why anyone would either wish to damage your work or steal from you, but we’re far more likely to create a full picture with two heads, not one. Just tell me what you need.’
Focusing on regaining a regular breathing pattern, Ellie took in Will’s words, expressed with genuine warmth, and she could have wept at how much she wished she could turn her head into his chest, have his arms come around her, comfort her properly.
But this lifeline would have to suffice, and she’d gladly take hold of it.
‘I want a friend,’ she whispered, her breath then catching in her throat as Will’s head turned towards her again.
Ellie summoned a wobbly smile. ‘I just need a friend to help me sort this out.’
Will held her tremulous gaze for a moment, then he nodded.
‘Deal.’
He reached out his hand. Ellie stalled, then tentatively offered her own, and he clasped it firmly. Heat shot through her body, and she tried to will away the colour she knew would follow. Will said nothing, but nor did he release Ellie’s hand.
Was he drawing her closer? No, he couldn’t be… could he?
A sudden sound caused them both to start as Anna opened the door to the orangery.
‘Sorry to disturb. Ellie, Marcus is here.’