“Who’s to say she won’t be happier with him?” I ask bitterly.
“Who, indeed.”
27
Entwined
Lily-Anne
The car passes through the brick gatehouse and onto Tower Hill Road, lush trees sliding past us as we wind our way towards the castle.
I’m in the back seat with Willoughby, who—true to form—is in a good mood. Conversation flows easily, mostly because he’s the one carrying it. Ellenor keeps goading him from the front passenger seat, but he responds to all her jabs with good cheer.
Brandon, at the wheel, has hardly said a word. I wish I could speak to him. But say what?
I feel so unsettled, and I keep wanting to apologise. I wish Jack hadn’t shown up this morning. I wasn’t sure how to turn him away.
I didn’t think a night at the movies would lead to this.
He texted me a couple of days ago to ask me out. I’m glad he didn’t call, because I spent a good hour trying to think of what to answer, all the time wishing Ellenor were home so we could hash out the pros and cons. Finally, I texted back.
Lily-Anne:Yes,I’d love to
Because I thought it was worth taking a chance.
Willoughby:Thursday night? I’ll pick you up
We had a nice time. No hand-holding, no kiss. Just popcorn, laughter, and making fun of the slightly corny CGI in the action film we chose.
Afterwards, he’d invited me to a boating trip with his uncle today. As excited as I was at the prospect of meeting Dustin Willoughby, I told him I couldn’t go.
“I’m spending the day at Whitstable Castle with Brandon and Ellenor.”
I hadn’t meant it as an invitation.
Yet this morning, as I stared at Brandon’s espresso machine, wishingI could unlock its mysteries and waiting for Ellenor to come down and make me a cup, the doorbell rang. I was reluctant to answer it while Brandon wasn’t home, but when it rang a second time, and I recognised Willoughby’s voice calling, “anyone home?” I answered it.
For once, he wasn’t smiling, his expression glum. “Hi, Lil. The boating trip fell through.”
“Oh? What happened?” I knew he’d been looking forward to seeing his uncle.
He gave a disappointed shrug. “Something came up. My uncle couldn’t make it.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah. Anyway.” He sighed heavily before offering a hopeful smile. “I thought I might tag along with you guys today. Would help take my mind off things. You don’t mind, do you?”
“Err, no…” I replied, because technically, I didn’t. “But I should check with the others.”
“Yeah, of course.” He surprised me with a peck on the cheek, and before I knew it, he’d stepped past me into the hall. “So, are we heading off soon?”
“Not yet,” I said, shutting the door and mulling over the word ‘we’. “Ellenor’s still getting ready, and I haven’t seen Brandon.”
“Is he out?”
“I think so.” The cottage always felt hollow in his absence. I realised then how wrong it felt to be standing with another man in Brandon’s hallway while he was out. Not even Ellenor knew where he’d gone. “Does he know you’re here?”
“Nah, but he won’t mind. We’re old mates, you know. Actually feels like we’ve been getting along better than ever lately.”
