Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
After a tasty breakfast of porridge sprinkled with nutmeg, which Grandpa insisted on making, we stowed our cases in Marlene’s boot and set off for the half hour journey back to Forrest Bank.
I always tended to overpack anyway and had added to my suitcase a few spare T-shirts, shorts and a couple of pairs of jeans that had still been hanging up in my old bedroom. Grandpa had tossed in a couple more short sleeve shirts and polo shirts for good measure.
I’d assured him he didn’t have to stand on ceremony and dress up for Alison and Bennett, but he’d shaken his thick head of silvery blue hair.
‘I want to set a good impression, lass. Not let you down.’ His eyes creased with a sad smile.
‘If your grandma were here, you know she’d be telling me to do the same thing. ’
‘Yes, she would,’ I conceded. ‘But you’ve never let me down before.’
As we made our way along the sun-drizzled country lanes back to Forrest Bank, Grandpa kept slipping me charged looks from the passenger seat. ‘You look very pretty.’
‘Do I?’
He flicked one hand towards my pale pink sundress sprigged with roses. I’d left my hair down, so it was tumbling in loose waves.
‘Aye. You do. Any reason for the dress and the hair?’
‘Sorry?’
‘Evan?’
I tutted and clenched the steering wheel. ‘It’s a lovely day,’ I blabbed. ‘Just felt like making a bit more of an effort. Making the most of the weather.’
‘Aye. Aye.’
He always said that when he was cynical about something, but I let it drop.
‘You looking forward to going back then? To this big fancy house?’
‘Yes. Why?’
Grandpa straightened his tie under his jacket. ‘No reason.’
Now it was my turn to deliver him a look.
I clicked the indicator right, which led us further away from Strath Ross’s stippled cottages and rippling fields. ‘I don’t know how long we’ll end up having to stay at The Ramblings, Grandpa. Like I said to you before, it all depends on how fast we can get everything pulled together for the tour.’
Grandpa shrugged under his suit. ‘I’ve got nothing to rush back home for, lass. And anyway, that risk survey thing will take a few days to complete as it is.’
The hedge-lined lanes twisted and curled like emerald satin ribbons.
The few tufts of clouds sailed overhead as Grandpa nestled back in his passenger seat and sang ‘Caledonia’ to himself.
And even though I’d protested like crazy that I hadn’t been thinking about Evan, I was fighting not to register the fact that I’d made an extra effort with my outfit, hair and makeup today.
I glanced at my reflection in my rear-view mirror and saw my tousled hair and my floaty dress. From now on, I would be focusing on the tour.
I joined my grandpa in another rendition of ‘Caledonia’ and tried not to think about Evan for the time being.
* * *
The Ramblings opened out like a grand, sun-splashed image jumping out of a magical pop-up book.
‘Bloody hell,’ gasped Grandpa beside me. He sat up. ‘Not exactly a two up, two down, is it?’
‘It’s hoovering up money,’ I commented as Marlene’s wheels sent some gravel spinning. ‘That’s why I suggested Alison and Bennett stage a regular historical tour. They need the extra income.’
My voice vanished. Evan had appeared on the front steps, and I almost pushed my foot down on the accelerator by mistake.
I could feel Grandpa looking across at me with a knowing smile. I eased us to a stop down by the trees.
I was adamant I wasn’t going to look over at Evan as I jumped out and dashed round to the passenger side to help Grandpa out of the car. ‘You wait there, and I’ll collect our cases from the boot.’
Still avoiding catching Evan’s eye, I hurried to the back of Marlene and pressed the fob, and the boot opened with a noisy clunk. I’d only just stuck my head inside when a voice came up from behind me.
‘Hi.’
My heart jumped.
Flattening the buttons on the front of my dress, I spun round. I could feel the hem fluttering against my knees in the sunshine.
Evan looked down at me like he was seeing me for the first time. I put my hands in front of me and twisted my fingers together. This bloody man! I hated that he had this effect on me.
I yanked my case and Grandpa’s out of the boot and had just set them down on the gravel when Evan insisted on taking charge of them for me. Our eyes sought out the other’s. ‘Thanks for coming back here so quickly. I hope it wasn’t an inconvenience.’
I opened and closed my mouth. I wanted to tell him I wasn’t doing this for him.
But right now, captivated by his dark eyes, ringed with a tinge of amber, I knew I couldn’t.
I managed a curt, ‘No problem.’ I flicked my hair back.
‘Alison and I agreed that we should get things moving as fast as we can.’
He nodded. ‘Well, it’s appreciated, and not just by my parents.’ His eyes lingered. ‘You look amazing in that dress, by the way.’
There were more loaded looks between us, so much so that I almost forgot my important passenger until Grandpa performed a forced cough.
Evan dragged his attention away from me to stare at my grandfather across the car roof. ‘Oh, let me help you there, sir.’
Evan transferred our cases inside, and he and my grandpa swapped pleasantries.
When they’d finished talking, and Louise was chatting to Grandpa, I sidled up to Evan. ‘I got the impression you weren’t keen on the Florence Menzies tour idea.’
He shrugged his sculpted shoulders under his navy V-neck T-shirt. ‘It’s like you said before. How passionate you were about it. Your enthusiasm is infectious.’ He zipped a hand over the top of his hair.
Wait a minute. No. I must be imagining it. Was that a hint of a blush on his cheekbones?
Louise escorted Grandpa into the drawing room while Evan lingered. ‘Mum told me all about your student and how you’ve tried to help her get her acting mojo back again. How much you’ve tried to help this girl.’
Now it was my turn to flush raspberry. ‘I’m sure anyone else would’ve done the same thing.’
Evan regarded me. ‘No, Daisy. I don’t think they would. And even though you’ve only been gone from here a night, this place wasn’t the same without you.’
The birds skipped through the treetops in the garden, but Evan and I were oblivious to everything else swirling around us as we walked together into the drawing room.
Bennett was laughing and joking with Grandpa, Alison was asking after Strath Ross and Louise was addressing everyone to see if they wanted a slice of her freshly baked lemon sponge.
It was only when Alison called Evan over to ask him something about her mobile phone that Grandpa materialised at my elbow. ‘Handsome young fella. Your grandma would approve.’
‘Sssh! He’ll hear you. Not that there’s nothing to approve anyway.’
‘Hey.’
I looked around to see Dane strolling towards my grandpa and me.
His hair was gleaming blond down his back.
My eyes popped with surprise. But wait, where were the faded rock T-shirts and patched up jeans?
Instead of his usual garb, he was wearing a smart, slim-fitting, black and white shirt, teamed with light trousers.
He drew up beside me, blatantly checking out my summer dress.
‘Mum and Dad said you were coming back today.’ He gave a soft smile. ‘You look lovely.’
I blushed at him. ‘Thank you. And you look very suave.’
Grandpa coughed under his breath, and I did the introductions. Dane shook Grandpa’s hand, calling him Sir like Evan had just done, and then meandered further into the drawing room.
‘Who’s he?’ whispered Grandpa with interest.
‘That’s Dane, Evan’s younger brother. Bit of a wild child. He has his own rock band, who are trying to break into the big time.’
‘He’s a good-looking boy, too,’ murmured Grandpa. ‘Would look even more handsome with a haircut though.’
I tutted. ‘Don’t you dare go round upsetting anyone.’
‘Who? Me?’
‘No, Brad Pitt. Of course you!’
Grandpa looked affronted. ‘I’m the personification of tact.’
He leant in towards me as Louise clattered the tea set behind us and prepared to come back out to go and collect her cake. Grandpa gave me a wink. ‘Seems like you’ve made an impression on brother number two as well.’
Luckily I hadn’t been drinking my tea yet, as I would’ve spluttered it everywhere otherwise. ‘What? Don’t be daft, Gramps.’
Grandpa arched his brows. ‘Didn’t you notice the way he was looking at you?’
I shuffled on the spot. Dane had been staring at me for a little longer than usual. And I had to admit, I did wonder why he’d made an effort with his clothes. I brushed it off. ‘Oh, Grandpa, your imagination is in overdrive again.’
‘I may be old, but there’s nothing wrong with my eyesight.’
At that moment, Louise edged past us. ‘You two go and make yourselves comfortable. I’ll just bring the baking in from the kitchen.’
We did as we were told.
The Lords were sat in the squashy, pale armchairs, with Evan and Dane on the sofa. When Dane spotted us approaching, he leapt up. ‘Come and sit over here, Daisy.’
Evan scowled at his brother.
‘Do you think Cayla will agree to be Florence?’ asked Alison, stretching over to the glass coffee table where the cups and teapot were set out.
Bennett insisted on guiding Grandpa over to the other vacant armchair, and I found myself sandwiched between Dane and Evan. ‘I hope so,’ I sighed. ‘I’ll do everything I can to persuade her.’
‘If anyone can talk her round, you can,’ grinned Dane.
Evan threw a dismissive look along the sofa at his brother. ‘I thought you had rehearsals to go to?’
Dane looked unfazed. ‘I’m sure the guys can manage without me for a little while longer.’
Louise re-entered with a huge tray, laden not just with red velvet cake but also fruit, plain, treacle and cinnamon scones.
‘How many people have we got coming?’ joked Dane, flashing Louise a charming smile.
She took a playful swipe at his arm.