Chapter 16 #2
Nancy and Hamish have heard the noise and come to see what’s going on, and after another round of introductions, Nancy insists on making up two more rooms.
‘Do we even have that many rooms?’ I ask.
‘Just about. Any more guests and you’ll have to bunk up with me.’ Ollie waggles his eyebrows in a way that leaves no one in any doubt that there might’ve been a bit of bunking up going on already.
He insists on carrying suitcases up the stairs and helping Nancy with the rooms, leaving me to give my entire family a tour of the castle.
I think Mum might actually faint when she sees the library. ‘No wonder you married him!’
‘I didn’t…’ I make a noise of frustration, and she laughs because she’s winding me up.
‘This really is impressive,’ Mira says approvingly. I’ve sent her photos of the view from the window, but seeing it in person is something else.
I go over and whisper to her while Mum is distracted by books.
‘Don’t mess this up for Ollie, okay? I know you have your doubts, but he’s the loveliest man I’ve ever met and he’s put so much thought, and expense, and time and effort into this pretence, he deserves it to go the way he wants it to.’
‘So, what, fake wives can’t have families?
We came because… you’re clearly smitten with him and this place, and you know how much Mum loves the Mull of Kintyre song.
She was upset about not seeing you for Christmas, and Brian vaguely suggested that we could see if there were any vacancies in nearby hotels, and before we knew it, we were packing our bags.
We’re not here to mess anything up for either of you. ’
‘Rocco is four years old! He’s never going to understand about sticking to the story!’
‘Even if he does say something he shouldn’t, he’ll be banging on about seeing a unicorn swimming in the fountain a minute later. He’s vastly more interested in Paw Patrol than in your pseudo-boyfriend’s promotion. No one’s going to take a four-year-old seriously.’
‘He knows my name isn’t Lucy! He knows I live with you and not in a castle in Scotland! And I’m not smitten with anyone or anything,’ I add to address her earlier comment that has taken this long to filter through to my jumbled brain.
‘Smitten or not, you seem happy.’ My older sister has always been able to see right through my lies. She tugs at the cream cardigan I’m wearing again over my own clothes. ‘And this strangely large cardi suits you. This whole place suits you, you look happier than you’ve been in London for years.’
I nod because it’s impossible to deny, especially to her.
Mira nudges me, making me look at her. ‘I know you feel like you’re in the way, but you’re not.
Brian and I love having you there. Rocco loves having his aunt around.
You’re more than welcome to stay in our spare room for as long as you need to, but you aren’t happy, and it’s not just the job or the living situation, is it? ’
I shake my head, feeling like I’ll start crying if I try to speak.
I believe her reassurance when I usually wouldn’t, and I know she’s right, but I’m trying not to think about it.
Every single moment of this month has made me happier than I can ever remember feeling before, but what difference does happy make when we all know how it’s going to end?
The tour is full of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ and compliments on the decorations, and when we get back to the living room, Dad is quick to tell Ollie that he should be charging people to stay here.
‘It’s like coming to an isolated island. I’d pay just for the peace and quiet.’ They get into a discussion about local wildlife while Mum spots the rolls of gift wrap and unwrapped presents and pulls up a chair. ‘Ooh, my favourite part of Christmas. You don’t mind if I get involved, do you?’
I volunteer to make everyone tea, and quick-thinking Nancy has already thrown a batch of mince pies into the oven. We all sit in the living room, laughing, talking, and going over the stories about our relationship that Ollie and I have concocted.
‘I can’t believe you’ve given me grandkids! At last!’ Mum really is far too overexcited about the prospect of being a grandma for a second time.
‘They’re not real, Mum.’
‘They bloody well are for the time being, and I shall spoil them accordingly.’
‘Oh, good,’ Ollie says with a laugh. ‘Rory wants a Lamborghini and Maisie wants a horse. Good luck with that.’
‘They’re coming tomorrow morning, before the guests arrive in the afternoon. And no one’s getting a pony!’ I add, because you genuinely never know with my mum.
Before the mid-afternoon darkness falls, I take everyone on a wander around the grounds behind the castle, through the trees strung with fairy lights and illuminated reindeer silhouettes on the grassy verges.
‘So, what’s going on between you two then?’ Dad asks with dancing eyebrows and a cheeky tone.
Images of kissing Ollie, lying in bed with Ollie, and the best hugs of my life flash through my mind. ‘Nothing.’
‘I think you’ve managed to get involved with the loveliest human in the world.’ Dad sounds like he believes my answer about as much as I do.
‘Are you sleeping with him?’ Mum demands.
‘Of course not!’