Chapter Thirty-Four
“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly”
Chloe’s words fell into a profound silence. Then, Will took charge.
‘Into the orangery. You too, Alex.’
He led the way, Bella and Alex sinking onto the small sofa as Ellie encouraged Chloe to take a seat by the table containing her laptop and a scattered array of papers, notebooks, memory cards and charging leads.
Will brought in two chairs from the dining table, then closed the door to the main house.
‘Over to you, Ellie,’ he suggested, taking the seat beside her.
It didn’t take long to explain how she knew who had taken the photos, and Chloe made no effort to deny it.
Ellie, however, wanted to find out more, and with a little prodding, Chloe also confessed to all the other things she’d tried to chisel away at Ellie’s businesses, from the initial attempts of calling the shops to remove the cards, then leaving the anonymous negative comments and reviews and onwards to flooding socials claiming Ellie used AI rather than her own talent to create her images.
An awkward silence hung heavy in the air, mixed with a heady dose of puzzlement. Bella was the first to voice everyone’s immediate thought.
‘But why? What has Ellie ever done to you, that you wanted to harm her in this way?’
Chloe twisted in her chair to stare at Bella. ‘I told you, I did it for Alex.’ She sounded surprised anyone could think otherwise, but Alex’s flabbergasted countenance told another story.
‘What the hell are you talking about?’ he exploded, shooting out of his seat beside Bella. ‘I’d never do that.’ He paused. ‘Well, maybe years ago, but not now !’
‘But you did tell me, remember? When we bumped into each other last month? You bought me a drink.’
‘Alex is always buying drinks for people. It’s his way of breathing,’ Will chipped in.
‘We talked about nothing. I don’t remember anything. And I sure as hell didn’t ask you to do any harm to Ellie’s businesses.’
Alex looked around helplessly, but Chloe sent him a pleading look, and Ellie bit her lip. Was she yet another conquest Alex barely noticed?
‘You were feeling low,’ Chloe persisted. ‘There was something you’d done in the past, and you dreaded Will, or someone called Ellie finding out now their paths had re-crossed. You wished something would happen to drive her out of the cove, sooner rather than later.’
Alex slumped back into the sofa.
‘I had a good old moan. But I never asked her to do anything.’ His repentant gaze fastened on Ellie. ‘I promise.’
‘Did he, Chloe?’
She flicked a glance at Will, then reluctantly shook her head before turning pleading eyes on Alex. ‘You were used to me helping you. I thought we’d be together again, but we won’t, will we? Because of her.’
Chloe pointed a shaking finger at Bella.
‘Alex?’ Will spoke firmly. ‘Anything to add?’
Alex seemed flabbergasted, eyes flitting from Ellie to Will. ‘It’s true. I did say I was in fear of you both somehow finding out I’d done something. But I did not ask Chloe – or anyone else – to intervene.’
Chloe sniffed, raising her chin and glaring at Alex now before turning her attention to Ellie.
‘I’m sorry. I thought if your efforts to earn money here failed, you’d have to return more quickly to your old life, and Alex’s secret – whatever it was – would remain hidden.
’ Chloe dabbed at her eyes. ‘The photo thing wasn’t planned, but everything I’d done so far to hamper you hadn’t worked, and I’d seen you at the walk.
Both times you and Will talked, the chemistry was obvious.
I grabbed the chance. Took those snaps of a few images to send to the paper. You had no clue.’
‘This is what happens when you toy with people’s feelings, Alex.’ Bella spoke with sadness as she looked at him, slumped by her side.
‘I didn’t know,’ he repeated, his skin ashen now, hands shaking. ‘I promise. I didn’t know.’
‘He didn’t,’ Chloe interjected. ‘I’ve been stupid. I thought he loved me once, that if I did this, he’d renew his interest in me. I love him.’ Her voice became a wail as she buried her face in her hands.
‘Shouldn’t we report this? It’s malicious, if nothing else.
’ Will looked to Ellie, and she hesitated, then shook her head.
Chloe’s behaviour had been questionable at least, not just towards Ellie, but also Anna in the past, but her punishment – the irrefutable truth about her chances with Alex – would hopefully teach her a lesson.
‘I think this is something you need to discuss between you,’ Ellie said, getting to her feet. She looked over at Chloe. ‘I wish you hadn’t done it, and I can’t say I’m feeling particularly sympathetic after what you tried to do to my businesses, but that’s your problem, not mine.’
Bella nodded. ‘Come on, Alex. Let’s talk this out. Then you’re free to go.’
Alex shot her a startled look. ‘Not without you!’
‘That depends,’ she retorted. ‘On what you now say and do.’
The following morning, Ellie woke slowly, her eyelids opening and closing as she savoured the wisps of the most enchanting dream. Wrapped in a comfortable cocoon of bedding, she stretched her legs, eyes flicking wide open as her feet encountered firm, warm flesh.
‘Morning.’
Rolling over, her entangled legs dragging the sheets with her so that Will was barely covered at all, her heart swelled with sheer happiness.
Will’s head remained on his pillow, his gorgeous dark eyes smouldering as their gaze held.
‘Hey, stranger.’ Ellie’s mouth curved. ‘It’s a while since I’ve woken to your handsome face.’
‘I bet you say that to all the boys. Before you steal their bedding.’ He tugged at the duvet, which had become scrambled by the sheets, effectively pulling Ellie towards him. ‘I think you need to apologise.’
Ellie hefted the covers over his all but naked body, then closed the final gap to snuggle next to him, resting her head on his chest.
‘I’m sorry, I don’t think I heard you.’ Will’s words reverberated through Ellie’s cheek, and she smiled, keeping her eyes closed. That way, she could almost see again the most precious moments from the previous night.
‘There’s this loud thumping in my ear. It’s affecting my hearing.’
A rumble in Will’s chest indicated his amusement, but then—
‘Aargh,’ Ellie squeaked, as he flipped her onto her back, burying his face in her neck, then began showering kisses along her throat until he reached her chin, but as he raised his head to claim her mouth, she ducked under his arm and rolled off the bed.
Laughing, Will flopped back onto his pillow, but as she became aware of his gaze travelling the length of her exposed body, she snatched up his shirt from the floor and headed for the bathroom.
Staring at her reflection, Ellie rubbed at a smudge under her eye, then ran her hands through her mussed-up hair, adjusting Will’s white shirt. She had an inner glow, as though someone had lit something within her.
After hastily brushing her teeth, she peered round the bathroom door, then frowned. Will was no longer in the bed.
‘Will?’ She stepped out, shrieking when he scooped her up in his arms.
‘Every day should start with some timely ablutions, but I fear it’s a little chilly for a dip in the sea.’
Reaching up, Ellie clasped her hands around his neck as he carried her back into the bathroom, kicking the door shut with his foot, and as his mouth claimed hers, she slid to the ground and began unbuttoning the shirt.
After all, Will was right. One should start the day with a shower, and this one looked like it had plenty of room for two.
Will cobbled together a breakfast of toast and orange juice and, afterwards, they took their mugs of coffee out onto the small terrace facing the sea.
Sinking onto the bench beside each other, they stared out over the azure water. It was a sheltered spot, and despite the weakness of the early winter sun, Ellie could feel its touch through the thick throw Will had placed around her shoulders.
A fishing boat could be seen in the distance, cresting the undulating water as gulls wheeled and cawed overhead, the smell of woodsmoke from the newly lit log burner drifting up into the sky, and Ellie sighed with contentment.
‘I wish I could live here. In the cove, I mean.’
Will leaned forward, elbows on his knees as he cradled his mug. ‘It’s inspiring, isn’t it?’ Ellie rested her hand on Will’s leg, and he sat back, placing his own hand on top. ‘So, why can’t you?’
Ellie peered up into Will’s face. ‘Here? With you?’
Putting his mug aside, Will shifted in his seat. ‘You did say your email promised you’d follow me anywhere.’
Ellie rolled her eyes, laughing. ‘Don’t tell me you’re going to quote an email you never read.’
‘Probably. For the rest of our lives.’ He combed his fingers through Ellie’s hair, then held her chin. ‘I don’t intend to let you go a second time.’ He kissed her thoroughly, then turned back to look at the view.
Her heart almost too full to bear, Ellie couldn’t stop smiling. She slipped her hand into Will’s and he squeezed it.
‘I’d love to live here, at Peaches, but…’
‘Your life is in Oxford.’
‘Well, yes. And no. Will—’ Ellie tugged on his hand, and he turned fully to face her.
‘It’s a place, that’s all. I ended up there by default, not design.
I’ve worked hard to build up my business, but I can do it again.
’ Ideas were coursing through Ellie’s mind, followed by the buzz of anticipation, opportunity.
‘I mean, I’ve already made a start. And it’s not so far away that I can’t still do the odd job for existing clients, is it?
Besides, Cornwall’s a smallish county. I can work farther afield than just the cove and this could still be home. But what about you, your work?’
She held Will’s intense gaze as he studied her thoughtfully. Then the edges of his mouth began to curve upwards.
‘I’m lucky I can pick and choose, and if I don’t mess up in my first foray into producing, there’s always the chance of a follow-up, focusing on Jamaica Inn and Bodmin Moor.
’ He grinned at Ellie. ‘Anna says Matt has quite taken to life down here. He’s about as publicity averse as I am.
He’s got his hidden creek, we’ve got our hilltop idyll. ’
It was true. Gemma had told Ellie how Matt loved the way the locals just accepted him as Anna’s brother and left him in peace.
If that was what Will wanted, then they were in accord.
‘Then I’ll start making plans as soon as I go back.’
Will kissed her swiftly. ‘Which is when?’
‘I’ve got a week until I have to be there, but I can come down as often as work permits.’
‘Perfect.’
They had seven wonderful days ahead of just Ellie and Will…
Resting back against the bench, the hazy sun’s rays caressing her face and Will’s hand firmly holding hers, his thumb stroking her palm, Ellie willed away the sudden pressure behind her eyes.
This was no time for tears, happy or otherwise. This was their time. Hers and Will’s. And nothing would persuade her otherwise.