Stephen laughs, slurring his words as he replies, ‘Come on now! Can’t handle the truth, can ya? Her mother was a liar and a thief… everyone knows it… but she comes back here thinking she’s welcome with open arms. We don’t want that kind around here.’
‘Go home, Stephen. I don’t ever want to hear such vicious lies coming out of your mouth again, do you hear me?’ shouts James as Stephen lies on the ground in a heap.
His friends are too stunned to move, and I just stand there holding my hand over my mouth in shock.
James walks back to me and takes my hand. What’s just happened?
CHAPTER 43
THE NIGHT
The night sky sprinkles a constellation of stars above The Lake House, their light reflecting softly off the surface of the lake. Unlocking the door, I step into the dimly lit house and flick on the lights, accompanied by James, who cradles his swollen hand. His injured knuckles are testimony to his recent altercation. Jonathan won’t be happy when he hears of it in the morning; he’ll not appreciate James brawling in the street right under the office that bears the family name. And it’s all because of me.
I hurry to the freezer, fetching ice, my thoughts racing.
‘Why does Stephen have such an issue with me?’ I ask, suppressing my frustration as I gingerly wrap the ice in a towel and hand it to James.
He shrugs, his eyes conveying a sense of vulnerability unfamiliar to me. ‘A few old families around here think they can decide what’s best for everyone,’ he says, a slight edge in his voice. ‘Maybe they had their sights set on buying this place themselves. Maybe Stephen fancies you and we’ve just seen the clumsiest mating dance in history.’ He laughs and shrugs. ‘I gave up trying to work people out a long time ago.’
I can’t help but feel a stinging pang of guilt. As much as I wanted to learn all I could about my own past, I couldn’tfathom the thought of being entangled in other people’s affairs or upsetting them to this extent.
Dressing James’ hand with gentle care, my mood shifts from frustration to gratitude. Despite everything that’s transpired, our connection has only deepened, and this tender moment in the quiet calm of The Lake House is an echo of the hope that remains.
‘I’ll sleep downstairs, on the couch,’ James announces, breaking the silence. ‘So you feel safer. The market fair can be raucous at night, as you’ve seen. Better safe than sorry.’
‘Thanks, I do feel safer now.’
He smiles and leans in to kiss me one last time, his lips brushing mine with understated passion. ‘Goodnight, Daisy,’ he murmurs as he retreats to the living room. His gaze catches mine, and for a moment I can feel an energy passing between us, a silent question of what might be if he stayed in my bedroom instead. I force myself to take a breath and look away; I don’t want to rush this fragile thing that we’re building together.
Retiring to my bedroom, my thoughts continue to drift towards our uncertain future. In the quiet darkness, I sit down heavily on the bed, my body still trembling. How did things get so out of control? I wonder, my hands twisting in my lap. It all seemed like such a storm, with Stephen’s drunken accusation and James’ fierce defence of my family’s honour.
As I sit there, lost in my thoughts, I remember the feeling of James’ lips on mine, the way his arms encircled me as if I were the most precious thing in the world. I can’t help but smile through my tears, warmed by the knowledge that he cares for me that deeply. The thought of James sleeping on the couch downstairs ignites a yearning within me that I can’t seem to shake. I want to be with him, in his comforting embrace, but I don’t want to move too fast, not after all the emotional mayhem of earlier.
But the thought of spending this night apart is too much to bear. My heart aches as the battle between my desires and fears rages on. As the clock ticks, each second feels like an eternity. The suffocating silence of my room weighs heavy on my shoulders and magnifies my loneliness.
Frustrated and overwhelmed, I take a deep breath and step out of my mind for a moment. Sorting through my emotions, I consider my options. If I stay in bed, I’ll carry the anguish of tonight’s drama, potentially losing the chance of kindling the bond I’ve begun to form with James. On the other hand, if I give in to my heart’s calling and reach out to him, I might be risking our newly sown connection.
I recall every little detail of our time together, and my heart stutters with the happy moments we’ve shared. It’s been a wild ride, and at every turn, James has filled my life with a new shade of wonder. How can I let this energy between us slip away when we have no idea what lies around the corner?
Gathering the courage to face my fears, I decide. Though I don’t know what awaits us in the future, the here and now feels like all that matters.
Shuffling quietly to the door, I find my way downstairs to the couch, where he sleeps peacefully. I hesitate for a moment, watching his chest rise and fall with each steady breath. Even in his slumber, James emits an aura of calm warmth that draws me closer.
Ever so gently, I slip in beside him, my body fitting perfectly against his. Slowly, he awakens, and I feel his breathing change as he realises I’m there. Our lips meet in tender kisses, and we explore our connection – cautiously and lovingly. Eventually, we make love, cherishing one another and our unique bond.
As I lie in his arms, basking in the afterglow, I feel a strange peace wash over me. It’s as if healing is possible, even after the roller coaster of emotions. And as the night gives way tomorning, the weight of the turmoil from earlier dissolves. In this moment, the future is uncertain, but our hearts beat as one, and for now, that’s more than I ever dared to dream.
CHAPTER 44
THE VISIT
This morning, the air is still and crisp, and the sun just barely peeking over the horizon paints the sky a fiery orange. James left in the early hours, leaving a very sweet note to explain he had to return to work but would be back soon. The letter was finished with a kiss. I held it up close to my lips and gave it a quick peck just like a giddy teenager. My bare feet crunch softly against the ground as I make my way to Moya’s caravan, my breath creating puffs of mist in front of me. I knock on her door, the sound of my knuckles echoes in the stillness of the early morning.
She takes one look at my tear-streaked face and her expression softens. Sighing, she opens the door wider and gestures for me to come in. The lines around her eyes deepen as she speaks.‘The theft?’ Her voice is gentle, but she looks concerned.
I nod, unable to meet her gaze, my bottom lip quivering as I try to hold back sobs. Closing the door to the caravan behind me, I take in the quiet stillness of the space. The morning light filtering in through the windows is soft and comforting, and Moya’s presence helps soothe my trembling heart.
We sit down together, and a silence grows between us, punctuated only by the distant chirp of birds in the trees beyond.Moya looks at me with an understanding gaze, and her steady calm allows me to feel safe enough to unload everything that’s happened. I tell her about Stephen, the horrid things he said, how James punched him…
