Chapter 22
‘Honestly, Oliver.’ Halston comes over to shake both our hands for a second time.
‘This whole week is making me reconsider how we’ve been doing our Christmases in recent years.
This is exactly the balm my family needed, and the cooking was vastly better than food we’ve had from Michelin-starred chefs at the resorts we usually go to. ’
He nods to Nancy, where she and Hamish are standing beside the Christmas tree with my mum and dad and Maisie and Rory to see everyone off.
‘Even decorating the tree in our room,’ Dand adds.
‘I can’t remember the last time I did something as simple as decorating a tree with my wife and daughter, but we relived some happy memories while doing so, and you know it’s special if even a teenager gets involved without complaint.
I don’t know when we last simply spent time together, as a family. It’s exactly what we needed too.’
‘And on that note…’ Dand and Halston nod to each other.
‘Oliver, we’re delighted to formally offer you the position in London.
CEO of our new London offshoot, Galligan, Brenton, and Bracewell.
We’d decided anyway, but spending this time with you has alleviated any doubts and we have every confidence in you, especially knowing what a strong family unit you’ve got.
Congratulations, your father would be very proud. ’
‘Oh, thank you, sir. Thank you.’ Ollie is flustered when he goes to shake their hands and both bosses pull him into a hug instead.
I paste on a smile, even though it’s the last thing I feel like doing. I didn’t want this to happen. I was still hoping they’d surprise us all and give it to Clint instead.
Surely he’s not going to agree. After everything we said last night, he’ll at least ask for time to think it over… Time to give us a chance to discuss last night’s conversation, to work out details, financials, plans. The sensible stuff that turns dreams and fantasies into a tangible possibility.
‘I assume you’re happy to accept?’ Dand asks because Ollie hasn’t actually answered yet.
He glances at me and the doubt on his face makes my stomach sink, especially when he turns back to the two men and says, ‘Yes, of course. It’s everything my father would’ve wanted, and you know how hard I’ve been working towards it. Thank you, I won’t let you down.’
It’s like a punch to the gut, so hard that I feel it almost physically and have to hold back a grunt of pain, followed by an ache of trepidation that fills me entirely.
It can’t be that simple. He can’t just say yes and that’s it.
I didn’t think he’d go through with it. Not so cleanly, so easily, with barely a second thought.
The hours I’ve spent daydreaming about everything the castle could become, and he has too.
The days between him breaking up from work and the guests’ arrival where Ollie physically did things around the castle, and came back looking exhausted and elated and satisfied…
this is an end to those dreams for both of us.
After everything this month, I thought he might be willing to take a chance on something he loves, even when it isn’t the safe, sensible option.
‘Congratulations, Luce. Although we’re sad to lose you, having only just got to know you.’ Orla embraces me. ‘We’ll have to meet up if you guys ever come home again!’
‘Don’t be silly, they’ll be far too busy living their glamorous city lives to give us a second thought.’ Michelle hugs me too. ‘You enjoy every minute of it, you deserve only good things!’
Gisela comes over to hug me as well. ‘Congratulations. Rather you than me!’
I should be happy. It’s exactly what Ollie wanted out of this December and he’s got it. Between us and our family – fake and real – we’ve fooled them well enough to believe every lie. We’ve done exactly what we set out to do. And yet, it feels… wrong.
Everyone in this entrance hall believes I’m married to him and the mother of two children.
These women have welcomed me in to their inner circle and shared their deepest secrets with me because they believe I’m someone I’m not.
It felt like a harmless little white lie at first, but now I’ve got to know the people we’re lying to, it feels sordidly two-faced and distasteful in a way that doesn’t sit right.
They leave here feeling like they’ve had a real family Christmas, with people who are being bribed or paid to make them feel exactly that.
Just as the guilt is setting in, Clint steps forward and claps his hands together. ‘Oh, come on! You’re not actually believing this crock, are you? He’s fooling you all!’
When he’s got everyone’s attention, he continues.
‘All you have to do is check the statutory register of marriages! He isn’t married!
There’s no record of him ever having been married!
And no one even knows who she is.’ He jabs a finger in my direction.
‘She can’t have his surname because they’re not married, so she could be anyone.
My guess is that he’s got himself a girlfriend and persuaded her to step into this pretend role.
’ Next he turns to where Rory and Maisie are standing.
‘And God knows who these kids are because there aren’t any birth records for a Maisie or a Rory Bracewell either.
So, come on, Ollie, tell us. Tell us who these people you’ve been passing off as your family are.
I’m sure everyone would be delighted to hear, I certainly would. ’
Ollie’s hand finds mine and I can feel the panic shoot through him.
‘Of course he’s married.’ Halston looks at Clint. ‘We’ve just spent the week with his wife and kids, you eejit! What are you playing at?’
‘You’ve all suspected it,’ Clint snaps. ‘We’ve taken flamin’ bets on what excuse he’ll come up with next for why his wife isn’t available yet again.
We’ve joked about her not existing. And now, conveniently, she appears only when there’s a big promotion on the line.
They’ve got some explaining to do because this is a sham, and I can’t believe I’m the only one seeing it! ’
I’m quite surprised that neither Dand nor Halston throw us even so much as a questioning look. They both frown at Clint instead. ‘We know you wanted the job too, but Oliver is a better fit and he’s never displayed this unbecoming jealously that you seem to be struggling with.’
‘It has nothing to do with the promotion! There isn’t a single wedding photo anywhere in this house!
There isn’t any photo of them, anywhere, except the one her mum showed me and tried to pass off as being taken years ago, despite the fact that from their clothes and ages, it was taken on the very same day!
Their “how we met” story sounded like they’d been rehearsing it for weeks, and their over-acting is sickening.
No one is still that enamoured with their wife when they really have been married for years! ’
Gisela smacks Clint, hard. ‘Shut up! You’re embarrassing yourself! They’re the nicest couple I’ve ever met. They’re clearly crazy about each other and have two well-behaved children, unlike us. Maybe ours would be better behaved if you ever helped me with them rather than working all the time!’
Finally, Orla looks at us. She openly admitted that they didn’t know if I was real or not. No wonder she wants to follow up. ‘There’s no truth in this, of course?’
Ollie hates his job. He doesn’t want this promotion.
The thought crosses my mind that I could stop this now.
I could tell them the truth. I could stop Ollie making what will surely be a huge mistake.
He’d never forgive me, but if I exposed his lie, the job offer would soon be rescinded.
He’d still have a chance at being happy here then.
If I told the truth, I could save him from taking a job that’s going to make him even more miserable than it does already…
even though it would surely mean losing him too.
I look up at him, and I think about it, I really do, but I can’t do it.
This has to be his choice. It’s not up to me to undermine him because I’ve decided what he wants.
It would do nothing but end everything between us.
He’d never trust me again. On the very first day, I promised I’d see this through with him.
I can’t back out now and ruin it in the worst way possible just because I think I know what’s best.
Ollie speaks before I can give it any more thought.
‘All right, he’s not wrong about the marriage record.
The wedding celebrant we used, he was… a bit dodgy, you know?
We thought it was completely legit, but we only found out months later that he didn’t have the right licences after all.
We always intended to do it again properly, but life gets in the way.
After so many years together, it wasn’t a priority when we found out that the certificate wasn’t completely official after all.
It didn’t make any difference to how we feel about each other. ’
Ollie’s hand tightens around mine, and no matter how many emotions are swirling inside me, the loudest one is the desire to back him up. It’s what any wife would do, even a fake one.
‘And the children… Well, I assure you, they’re ours.
Maybe your skills at snooping into people’s private records need a bit of work, because my pelvic floor knows exactly where they came from.
’ I think of Ollie’s words from the day I arrived.
‘What are you implying, Clint? That we’ve taken someone else’s kids and passed them off as our own?
And over Christmas too? Does that sound realistic to you? ’
‘Yes!’ Clint barks.
‘He’s lost the plot. I’m so sorry.’ Gisela smacks him again.
‘They’ve just given us the best Christmas we’ve had in years and this is how you thank them!
Talk about ungrateful. You’re embarrassing all of us.
’ She tries to cover both the twins’ ears with her hands.
‘What I wouldn’t give for a husband who looks at me the way Oliver looks at Lucy, and vice versa! ’
Ollie squeezes my hand and drops a kiss onto my head, his lips miming a ‘thank you’ against my hair.
‘They’re head over heels for each other – anyone can see that from a mile away!’ Michelle sticks up for us as well. ‘An official piece of paper means nothing when you’re as besotted as these two are!’
It makes me feel weirdly nice. Nothing has felt pretend with Ollie since the day I got here, and I didn’t realise that would come across so effortlessly.
All we’ve done this week is… be ourselves.
I feel guilty that Clint is right, but buoyed by the fact they think we’re a real couple, even in the face of evidence that we aren’t.
‘Trying to discredit your colleagues doesn’t make you look better, Clint.
’ Dand is not even trying to hide his disappointment.
‘In fact, I think we’ll need to discuss this at a team meeting in January.
I can’t abide such behaviour. You’re supposed to be part of a team, not trying to undermine each other, and don’t even get me started on snooping around in personal records and searching for private information.
I would never have expected such scheming from you. ’
Clint realises this hasn’t gone the way he wanted it to, but instead of back-tracking, he doubles-down. ‘He’s the one scheming, I swear!’
Gisela finally has enough and shoves him towards the door, trying to herd him, the two boys, and three suitcases outside, and Hamish dashes to help her, leaving pin-drop silence in the hall.
The bosses look at their feet, the wives at their nails, and no one knows what to say.
‘Well, that was awkward,’ Rory pipes up after a moment. ‘Poor guy must’ve really wanted that job.’
Dand and Halston nod in agreement, looking grateful for someone breaking the tension. ‘Nothing but proof we chose the right person.’
Ollie swallows hard, his body tense next to mine. I can feel the guilt whirling through him. ‘I can explain…’
I’m not sure if he intends to tell them the truth, but both bosses wave him away.
‘No need. This has been such a wonderful Christmas, and your family are a credit to each other. I almost don’t want to give you the promotion because I selfishly want you all to stay in Scotland so we can see more of each other, but at the same time, you’re exactly what our up-and-coming London branch needs.
Your family values will set you in good stead there, and our clients love nothing more than a man who loves his family and understands how important making money is so you can take care of them. The very lifeblood of our firm.’
‘Congratulations again, Oliver.’ Halston claps Ollie on the shoulder. ‘Enjoy the rest of your Christmas break, and we’ll look forward to seeing you in January with the contracts. In the meantime, you’d all better start packing!’
The teenagers are already at their respective cars, and the bosses and wives leave in a flurry of suitcases and bags and congratulatory hugs. We stand at the top of the castle steps – me, Ollie, Maisie, and Rory, and wave them off like a real little family.
‘That didn’t feel good,’ I say as the last car pulls out and Hamish locks up the gates behind them.
‘Clint’s a bit of a tit but he was spot on.
He’s the only one who saw through us, and we made him feel like he was in the wrong for it.
We should have…’ I trail off because I don’t know what we should have done in that situation, only that we didn’t do it.
‘What?’ Ollie snaps. ‘Given up the whole charade because of his hunch? What would that have achieved? We knew we’d be questioned – that was the whole point of practising so much. I can’t believe I didn’t even think about official records. Anyone could’ve checked at any time…’
‘And yet, they didn’t because they trust you.’
‘Aye,’ he mutters. It doesn’t sound like a good thing.