Chapter 22
When Jade woke up the next day, she saw to her horror that she’d slept right through the alarm, which went off just before six. And also that the bed was empty. She leaned across to touch the sheets beside her, and found they were cool. How long had Finn been up and where was he now?
Hastily, she tugged on her jeans and a tee-shirt and shot downstairs and saw to her great relief that Finn and Ben were tucking into toast and strawberry jam at the kitchen table. The air was full of the scents of coffee and toast.
She grabbed a piece but didn’t sit down. ‘We’re really late for the animals. How are you feeling, Finn?’
‘We’re not. We’ve already been out, and I’m fine. Don’t worry.’ He shot her a warning glance and she knew he didn’t want her to say anything about last night’s events in front of Ben.
‘You’re the only one that’s a lazy bones,’ Ben chimed in. ‘I’ve collected seventeen eggs already. Mickey and Chocko helped me, and Dorrie and Dad have been helping with the dog walks.’
‘Blimey, have they.’ Jade felt guilty. ‘So I’m the only one who slept in.’
‘You’re forgiven.’ Finn blew her a kiss. ‘You hardly ever sleep in.’
‘And you don’t have, um – a hangover…?’ She looked at him keenly.
‘Nope. I’m good as new.’
He did look fine to her great relief. What had happened last night still felt like a dark shadow, and she knew that neither of them would be forgetting about it in a hurry, but maybe he was right and the best thing was to have their wedding in peace and then disconnect from Declan after that.
Sarah was horrified when Jade told her what had happened, later in the day when she came to collect Ben.
Jade filled her in while they were alone in the kitchen and Ben was upstairs gathering his stuff. Even after a one-night sleepover he’d spread himself and Chocko’s things everywhere.
‘Callum didn’t say a word to me. That’s odd.’
‘That’s because he didn’t know about it. Finn decided to keep schtum. He didn’t want to break up the party.’
‘Yes, I can see why he’d do that. Callum would have definitely had something to say about it if he’d known what was going on.’ She shrugged her shoulders. ‘Honestly, what is wrong with that guy? What has he got against Finn anyway?’
‘Well, that’s not so hard to work out. He’s been the apple of his mother’s eye all his life and then this prodigal son he didn’t even know existed turns up. He’s jealous, isn’t he?’ She hesitated. ‘And then there was that thing with me.’
‘Of course there was. He tried it on with you, didn’t he, and got a knock back in no uncertain terms. And that was before he and Finn even knew they were related. I wonder if he’s still smarting over that.’
‘Hopefully not, but he does strike me as the sort of person who might hold a grudge.’
‘Yes, I suppose you’re right.’ Sarah shook her head. ‘I’ll fill Callum in and I’ll have a word with Angus and Hamish too. They can keep an eye on him at the wedding. He won’t want to pick a fight with either of them, that’s for sure.’
She broke off as Ben came back into the kitchen. ‘Right then, young man. Are you ready? Where’s that dog of yours?’
‘She’s playing in the garden with Buddy. She gets on really well with him.’ He stood at the back door and whistled. And a few seconds later, Chocko came skidding into the kitchen, followed by a more sedate Buddy.
From his basket in the corner, Mickey gave Buddy the side-eye and Jade looked at him thoughtfully. Jealousy wasn’t a trait that was exclusive to humans. It appeared that Mickey might be as territorial over his friends as he was his possessions. She’d have to keep an eye on that.
‘Have you said goodbye to your dad?’ Sarah asked Ben.
‘Yep, I just went in to see him. He had paint all over his hands. So we didn’t hug.’
‘I’ve washed them.’ The sound of Finn’s feet on the stairs heralded his appearance. ‘Come on, give your old dad a hug. The next time we meet I’ll be getting married.’
‘And doing kissing and soppy stuff.’ Ben rolled his eyes. ‘I know. But after that we can all get back to normal, can’t we?’
‘Charming,’ Sarah remarked. ‘Just you wait till you’re older, Ben. I’ll be reminding you that you called kissing soppy stuff.’
‘It is. It’s yuck. It’s…’ Ben hesitated, clearly racking his brains for a suitably insulting description. ‘It’s for morosophs,’ he finished triumphantly.
‘Oh, my goodness, not that again.’ Sarah shook her head. ‘I thought we’d forgotten all about those words.’
‘Hissy-missy-missy-mus,’ Ben yelled, running towards his father and sniffing the air beneath his armpits.
‘Hey, mate, that’s not fair. I had a shower this morning.’ Finn ducked out of his way.
‘And on that note, I’ll take this troublemaker out of your hair,’ Sarah said, making a grab towards Ben’s arm. ‘Come on, let’s get going. Jade and Finn have got work to do.’
They all went outside to the yard to do their usual waving-off routine and Sarah said in a quiet aside to Jade just before she got in the car, ‘Are you excited about the wedding? Bar what we were talking about earlier.’
‘I’m so excited,’ Jade said. ‘I can’t wait for us to walk down the aisle together. And I can’t wait to marry Finn. It’s going to be the best day of my life.’
‘Me too.’ Sarah’s eyes shone with excitement.
‘And don’t worry. The boys will make sure there are no Declan-shaped dark clouds on the horizon to spoil it.
Which reminds me – the weather app on my phone says it’s going to be a fantastically blue sky, sunshiney, perfectly cloudless day up on the Dorset cliffs for our wedding. ’
‘Was that the official description?’
‘Yep!’
Finn phoned Declan on Monday morning on his work number.
‘I know you spiked my drink,’ he began, his voice icy cold, ‘and the only reason I haven’t come round there to personally deck you is because I don’t want to upset Bridie.’
There was a small silence before Declan started to bluster.
‘It was just a couple of vodkas, bro, to get the party going. I didn’t even—’
Finn cut across him. ‘Don’t insult my intelligence. Ray saw you near my drink more than once. You’re lucky I haven’t reported you to the police. They don’t take kindly to spikers. It’s assault and it can land you a ten-year prison sentence.’
That shut him up. Finn could hear his ragged breathing. He wondered where he was. Hopefully in his office talking to someone important.
He waited but there was no apology coming. Somehow Finn wasn’t surprised. He clenched his fists, surprised at how difficult it was to resist the temptation to go round and flatten Declan there and then.
‘If you put so much as a foot out of place at my wedding you’ll be forcibly removed. I hope that’s clear.’
Declan didn’t reply but Finn decided he’d probably got the message. He disconnected before he lost the battle with himself to go and see Declan face to face and make sure.
Later on, he told Jade a slightly modified version of this conversation because he didn’t want her to worry. He toned down Declan’s denial and the threats he’d subsequently made about what he would do if Declan caused any trouble at their wedding. And fortunately she seemed reassured.
The last thing he wanted was for Jade to have anything else to worry about. The days before their wedding were going to be stressful enough without adding any more worries into the mix.