Chapter 6
CHAPTER 6
LUKE
N ot many things stun me, but my mysterious visitor has. When I saw her frozen smile at my door, a flicker of warmth melted a piece of my jaded heart. Her big blue luminous eyes stared at me with curiosity, the long dark lashes dusting her cheeks as she blinked in surprise. Her face was pale due to the cold, like porcelain, and her soft full lips were as red as the berries on the nearby holly bush.
She is wearing a bright red bobble hat and what appears to be a hand knitted scarf and the padded coat she is wearing is only just adequate against the elements. She is adorable and definitely the brightest star in this dismal night sky, and inviting her in was as easy as breathing.
“I’m Luke.”
I offer her my hand, more as an excuse to touch hers and she says awkwardly, “Jessy.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Jessy.”
I hold her frozen hand in my slightly warmer one and smile into her eyes, noting the spark of interest in return, giving me hope that all is not lost.
“Do you live nearby?” I groan at my stupid question because it’s doubtful she would just be passing as we’re miles away from anywhere.
“Yes. All my life, regrettably.”
“Why regrettably?”
It hasn’t escaped either of our attention that I am still holding onto her hand and her breath hitches as she laughs with apprehension.
“I’m guessing you are wondering about this place. I expect your usual home is in the city, or at least has central heating.”
She withdraws her hand with an embarrassed smile and glances around her.
“This is a beautiful room.”
“Is it?”
I’m surprised, and she smiles dreamily.
“I can sense the history of this place.” It’s all around us and I imagine many ghosts are circling us now.”
“I sincerely hope not.” I laugh and she blushes furiously.
“I suppose, but don’t you love the fact it’s remained in the past? Untouched by modern living. I mean, there aren’t many places these days that transport you back to the past, a virtual time machine if you like.”
I shrug and with a sigh take my seat, the heavy surgical boot on my foot making me clumsy. I note her peering at it with interest and say with a deep sigh, “I broke my ankle. I’m recuperating.”
“Did it hurt?”
Her eyes widen with concern, and I nod. “A little, but it could have been worse.”
“Could it?”
“It might have been my leg, which would require a longer recovery time.”
She shivers and I note the logs burning to nothing and lean across and attempt to throw a nearby one on the fire. It falls into the grate and she rolls her eyes.
“It’s a good job you’re not a cricketer.”
She kneels down, expertly stacking the logs from a basket by the side and says, “I was sorry to hear of your injury, but even sorrier to hear of your aunt’s passing.”
Well, that’s put things into perspective and I feel bad.
“Thank you.”
She glances in my direction and then blushes as she looks away and I ask, “Tell me about yourself, Jessy.”
She rocks back on her heels and holds her hands up in front of the gentle flame to try to warm them.
“I’ve lived in Granthaven my entire life, only leaving to attend university in Newcastle.”
“Why there?”
“Why not?” She fixes me with a frown.
“I’ve never been north before and was interested. It has a rich history, and the university offered an amazing course on business.”
“Is that what you graduated with, a business degree?”
“Yes.”
She sits back in her seat and smiles. “It fascinates me. It’s so complicated, like picking up a thread and seeing where it leads. Decisions may make millions or cost millions, depending on how things pan out.”
“So, you’re a gambler then?”
“Not in the usual sense.”
She shrugs and peers around and I watch the nerves return.
“I’m sorry, I’m taking up your time. Perhaps I should retrieve my phone and leave you to settle in.”
“Stay.” The word falls out of my mouth before I can stop it and she raises her eyes.
“Stay?”
I shrug in a stupid attempt to regain some kind of cool.
“I mean, this is my first night and I have many questions. You’re a local and likely able to answer most of them.
“What do you want to know?”
The fire is now doing its job and I note the healthier glow to her skin, a pink tinge that offsets the sparkle in her beautiful eyes.
“I’ve seen the house. Not all of it but what I’ve seen doesn’t fill me with confidence.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, it’s hardly, um, comfortable, wouldn’t you agree?”
She smiles. “It must have been a shock.”
“What, the décor or the fact it’s mine at all?”
“Both I’m guessing.”
“It was.”
I glance at the photograph of Aunt Christabel that sits on a dusty piano.
“I never really knew my aunt, which is why it was a surprise.”
“She was an amazing woman.”
I note the softening in her expression as she smiles sadly.
“I didn’t know her very well, but she was kind and wanted the best for the village. She was a lovely landlady, despite the fact she didn’t have a clue on how to run the estate.”
“In what way?”
She blushes and says quickly, “I’m sorry, that was disrespectful.”
“No, tell me.”
She heaves a deep breath and sighs. “This house is no different from any other in Granthaven, although they have fewer rooms. I mean–” She waves her hand at the dusty décor. “They are all in need of repair, have no central heating, just old fireplaces and the roofs need re-tiling. The grounds were left to nature, and the church is in dire need of restoration along with the village hall. Granthaven was once a thriving village but is seriously now in danger of extinction.”
“Wow, tell me how it is. Don’t spare my feelings.” I stare at her in shock and for some reason she laughs out loud.
“Well, you did ask.”
It strikes me that there is something so incredibly enticing about Jessy. From the moment I opened the door, I felt it. She is definitely attractive, pretty and sweet, but I detect an underlying steel inside her that tells me she’s smarter than most people would give her credit for.
She regards me curiously. “You have a mammoth task ahead of you if you want this place to continue.”
“Not really.”
I shrug, dismissing the problem out of hand.
“Why not?”
“Because I’m selling up as soon as the year is up. I’m only here to see what I inherited, and I have absolutely no intention of making it my home.”
Silence falls like a judge’s gavel and she stares at me with disappointment that, for some reason, is like a blow to my heart.
“I see.” She stands and her eyes flash as she says firmly, “Then I’ll bid you good evening and retrieve my phone. Thank you for your hospitality, but I should be heading home.”
“Wait.”
She heads to the door and as she wrenches it open, a blast of cold air causes the fire to flicker in the grate.
She doesn’t even wait and slams the door closed behind her and I can’t even hurry after her because my stupid boot tips the side table over.
By the time I reach the door, she is nowhere to be seen and I’m guessing she went to get her phone. However, the slamming of the front door tells me she either left it where it was, or found it on her way out.
I’m not sure why, but I feel like Prince Charming watching Cinderella run off and it’s as if something important has happened. I don’t know what I said that was so bad. I mean, surely nobody really believes I’m going to live here. Why would they? I live in Manchester. My job and my life are there. It makes perfect sense to sell this place and let whoever buys it turn it around.
Not me.
Definitely not me and if Jessy what’s her name thought any different, then she is sadly mistaken.