Chapter 18
18
Pete and Jules were, appropriately, sitting in a cosy love seat by the fire in the pub we’d arranged to meet at. It was a few villages across and gave us all a chance to chat with less likelihood of everyone in the room scrutinising our every move.
‘They look good together.’ I nudged Jesse as he closed the heavy oak door behind us. Ned sat and rested against my leg. The two had been seeing each other a little longer than we had but still had that ‘new relationship’ glow.
He watched them for a moment before coming to a decision. A decision he didn’t share with me.
‘Don’t you agree?’
‘I do,’ he replied, his hand snaking around my waist and resting on the waistband of my Levi’s.
‘How come you took such a long time to think about it?’
‘I didn’t. I was just thinking that I hope he doesn’t mess up. I really like Pete but nobody hurts my sister.’
‘Aww, you’re a big softie really, aren’t you?’ I turned slightly so that I was resting against his chest, looking up at the defined jaw, now shaved clean, and those mesmerising grey eyes that now hooked onto mine.
‘If you continue to make slanderous accusations like that, I’m not going to help you on your house any more.’
‘Is that so?’
‘It is,’ he said, linking his hands behind me so that they rested at the top of my bum.
‘Then that just means you’re stuck with me using your place as an office for even longer.’
‘Hmm. That is true. Well, in that case, go ahead and tell anyone you like.’ His smile spread and mine mirrored it as he dipped his head and kissed me softly on the lips. ‘Come on, we’d better go and join Jules and Pete.’
Hugs were exchanged before we were ushered through to the dining area of the pub and settled at a table. The waitress took our drinks order and left us some menus to peruse. Ned immediately scooted underneath and curled up to doze.
‘What’s the latest news on the house, then?’ Pete asked.
‘It’s fixable. Coming along slowly. The roof’s done, complete with the alterations that Fliss wanted, like the extra skylight in the main bedroom. Personally, I don’t think it’s particularly habitable but what do I know?’
‘Dermot’s report was quite clear. It is entirely habitable, it’s just not ideal. Now the new boiler is in though, I’ve at least got heating and running water.’
‘Not that the heating is much good until the last few windows are replaced,’ Jesse countered.
I took a sip of my white wine that had now arrived, and rolled my eyes at my companions.
‘There’s a lot to do on it still. I just need to go through and make a plan.’
‘ We need to go through it and make a plan,’ I repeated, adjusting Jesse’s words.
‘Of course. You know what I mean.’
I did, but something inside forced me to clarify things. As much as I appreciated Jesse’s help, I wasn’t about to let anyone take control of my life again. I’d worked hard to get to where I was and, although I might have made a misstep of gigantic proportions buying the house, it was important that I knew exactly what was going on.
‘Someone came in to the café yesterday asking for you,’ Jules said as we clinked our glasses to friends, health and happiness.
I looked up from my wine. ‘Me?’
‘Yeah. Marion was in. Told me that woman who came in before with Magnus Montagu-Peak was back asking where she could find you.’
‘Araminta?’
‘So why did Marion feel the need to tell you?’ Jesse’s brow creased and his expression darkened.
Jules ignored him and continued. ‘So, are they friends of yours? Apparently she told her you’re close?’
‘You know better than to listen to gossip, Jules.’ I could feel Jesse’s tension. In fact, there had been a distinct shift in the atmosphere ever since his sister had brought up the subject of Araminta.
‘What? No. Definitely not close. I mean, I knew Araminta before…’ Jesse caught my eye, ‘…before I moved schools, but I hadn’t seen her since. I had no idea she was related to anyone down here.’
Had I known, that would have been enough to put me off buying in the area. But then I wouldn’t have met Jesse…
‘Apparently her cousin, Magnus, is very interested in meeting you, seeing as you two are such good friends.’
‘He’s interested in anyone he thinks might amuse him for a while,’ Jesse muttered.
‘Excuse me?’
Jesse sat up straighter. ‘Sorry. That… that didn’t come out how I meant it.’
‘How exactly did you mean it?’ I asked before turning back to Jules. ‘And as I already stated, contrary to whatever Araminta said, she and I are far from close. I haven’t seen her since school and have absolutely no interest in rekindling any acquaintance with her or any member of her family.’
Across the table, Pete downed the rest of his pint. ‘I’m just going to get us some more drinks. Jules, d’you want to give me a hand?’
Jules got up but I didn’t miss the dark look her brother shot her as she left. This was certainly not how I’d envisioned lunch going. We were barely five minutes in and the other couple were already making excuses to vacate the table. The mention of Araminta and her cousin had unsettled me and the usual warmth in Jules’ tone was distinctly absent.
‘This is going well.’
Jesse took a sip from his beer. ‘Yeah.’
‘So, as we’ve now apparently been given space, what was that comment about?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Jesse. I don’t have time for games.’ My words came out sharper than I meant them to but at least it got his attention.
His brows drew close as he turned to look at me, his normally calm expression now like a stormy sea.
‘You think all this is a game?’
‘Of course not! But I’m suddenly getting the cold shoulder from Jules and I don’t know what I’ve done and now you’re making insinuations that I’m likely to go and dally with some bloke just because his cousin is someone I used to know!’
Arguing was exhausting and definitely not something I’d planned on, especially after such a perfect, and emotional, morning. But arguing in a whisper while pretending to all around that everything was fine was even more tiring.
Jesse didn’t say anything. I glanced over at the bar and noticed Jules and Pete surreptitiously watching.
‘OK.’ I put my napkin on the table. ‘I don’t know what the hell is going on, but I thought we were coming here to have a nice meal. I’m not sure what the point of that toast to friendship and happiness was, but I guess it didn’t include me because ever since Araminta’s name came up, I seem to have become public enemy number one.’
‘It’s not her.’
‘What?’
‘Your friend. It’s not her. It’s him. Magnus.’
‘So what the fuck has that got to do with me and, I’m sorry, but did you miss the bit when I poured my heart out to you and told you just how shitty everyone at that school was when they found out I wasn’t rich any more?’
‘No.’
‘Then I’d appreciate it if everyone would stop calling Araminta my friend. As I just told you all, she most certainly isn’t and I have no interest in changing that situation or beginning any sort of acquaintance with her cousin. Do you really think I’d have anything to do with someone who’d been party to causing you pain, not to mention I thought we were seeing each other, but maybe I’ve got that wrong too?’
I let out a breath, took in another slowly and then let it out again.
‘I think it’s best if I leave you to have your meal with your sister and friend in peace. Perhaps you could explain the situation to her too.’ I heard my voice catch on the last word and wanted to kick myself.
‘No.’ Jesse caught my hand. ‘Stay. Please. I’m sorry.’ His fingers curled around mine. ‘I’ll speak to Jules too. Now. I’ll tell her. She’s just being protective.’
‘Then she should have asked me directly rather than ambush me at what I thought was going to be a pleasant meal.’
‘I know. I’m sorry. I didn’t realise she was going to do that.’
‘I thought we were friends.’ I did my best to keep the crushing sadness out of my tone but I knew there was no fooling Jesse.
‘So did she. But then she heard about that woman coming in, calling you a close friend…’
‘So, what? Because we sound similar, it means we must be close? She’d rather take the word of a complete stranger over someone who’s supposed to be an actual friend?’
‘I know! Look, let’s start again.’
‘Is it worth it? To be honest, right now I just want to go home.’
He looked down at the table then back at me. ‘I can understand that and, if that’s what you want, I’ll take you.’
‘I don’t mean your house. I mean home.’
His eyes narrowed just a little. ‘Your house?’
‘Yes.’
‘I thought you were staying tonight.’
‘I know. I’ve changed my mind.’
He took in a deep breath before speaking. ‘You know what, maybe you’re right. This has been a disaster and we’ve only been here ten minutes. Maybe it’s safest just to cut our losses now.’ I wasn’t sure if Jesse was referring just to the meal or our fledgling relationship and my pride wasn’t about to let me check.
‘I agree.’ I kept my voice even and my back straight, just as Nanny had taught me all those years ago.
Don’t let them see they’ve hurt you, love. They don’t deserve to know.
I felt Jesse’s eyes on me but I refused to meet them.
‘Can you give me a minute to talk to the others?’
‘Of course.’
How had everything gone so wrong in such a short space of time? When we’d come in the door, Jesse and I had been almost as one and now we were conversing like over-polite strangers.
He stood from the table and headed for the bar and I took a sip of my wine more for something to do than because I wanted it. It tasted sour in my mouth now, along with what had once promised to be a wonderful day.
I kept my head turned away from the direction that Jesse had strode off in and pretended to take an interest in the polished brasses tacked to the beams above me.
‘Fliss?’ Jules’ voice was soft and I turned as she sat beside me. I kept my expression neutral. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to come across so hostile.’
‘It’s fine.’ I gave her a smile but even I knew it hadn’t reached my eyes. ‘It’s perfectly understandable you’d be protective of your brother, just as he is of you.’
‘Yes.’ She rolled her eyes but no one could mistake the love in them for her sibling. ‘He’s already told Pete if he hurts me, he’ll be in the foundations of the next house he builds. Good job he’s joking. I think.’
I did the smile again and hers slid from her face.
‘Oh God, I’m really sorry about being snippy. I just thought…’ She looked down at her nails, painted a vivid peacock green that went wonderfully with her dark looks. ‘I don’t know what I thought, if I’m honest. But I do know I should have spoken to you first before I said anything. That’s what friends do.’
I’d begun to let my attention drift but at her words, I met her eyes.
‘I’m a shitty friend, aren’t I?’
‘Not at all.’
‘Obviously, I am, because you’re doing that “being terribly polite” thing that people do when what they actually want to say or do is frowned upon in public. But go ahead. I deserve it.’
I felt a chink in my defence and the palest hint of light shine through.
‘No, Jules, you don’t. You were looking out for your brother. That’s all.’
‘I know, but I judged you in a way that I wouldn’t someone I’d known for longer, or that grew up around here. That wasn’t fair and I’m really sorry.’ She tentatively laid a hand over mine, which had been clasped together neatly on the table in front of me the whole time. ‘Can we start again?’
‘Funny, your brother suggested the same thing.’
‘I’m assuming you said no to him, bearing in mind he came over with a face like thunder to tell us you were leaving and that he’s spitting mad with me because of it.’
‘What? No, he shouldn’t be. The last thing I want is for you to fall out because of me!’
‘He should be angry. If it had been the other way around, I’d have given him a hefty kick by now.’
I gave a weak smile, knowing that much at least was true.
‘I told him I’d fix things. I’m really sorry, Fliss.’
I nodded before looking back up at her.
‘I’m starving.’ A smile edged onto her face and this time mine reached my eyes.
‘Me too,’ I replied, moving my menu across so that we could both share it, our tummies rumbling as we scanned the delicious selections.