‘I set up my own fashion label about ten years ago and it’s gone from strength to strength.’ Not wanting to seem like she was boasting, Libby kept the news to herself that she’d just landed a job with one of the biggest fashion houses in New York.
‘Even more impressive.’
‘It sounds grander than it is. I’ve worked out of the back bedroom of my own home for most of the time but it’s saved on costs and I’ve managed to create a recognisable brand with a pretty good following. I’m doing all right.’
‘Sounds like you’re doing more than all right. A ten-year successful business sounds good to me.’
Libby knew she was doing more than all right. She hadn’t been an overnight success; she’d worked hard to create her brand, and with her new life waiting for her in New York it was something to be incredibly proud of.
She took a bite of flapjack. ‘It is and I’m happy.’
‘What makes your life a happy one?’
Now there was a question that Libby hadn’t anticipated being asked when she woke up that morning. ‘I’m happy because I like myself. I spend a lot of time with me and I think I’m actually okay.’ She smiled. ‘I also have a job I enjoy and a great family. Flynn, Julia and my dad mean the world to me. My mum passed away when I was a young girl and I don’t have many memories of her, just photographs from my dad, but my dad did everything he could to fill the gap. He’s just an amazing man—selfless and full of love for his children—and having a brother who looks out for me the way Flynn does…’ Libby thought for a second. ‘It makes me feel safe and loved.’ As the words left her mouth, two things happened. First, she realised she’d meant every word, acknowledging also for the first time that she felt a little scared about moving thousands of miles away from the people who were always there for her. Secondly, the smile slipped from Guy’s face.
‘And how’s being single for you? Isn’t romance meant to be the key to happiness?’ he asked.
‘That’s a deep question,’ she replied, thinking about it. ‘Maybe one day there will be a person who complements my life, not complicates it, and wants me just for me, but in the meantime I’m more than content being on my own.’
Libby had once thought she was indeed with the man she’d just described, thought they had each other’s backs and would stick by each other no matter what. But she’d been wrong. He hadn’t loved her just for being her, and it had broken her heart to discover that. Everyone told her there would be someone else out there who would love her unconditionally and would understand her situation, but even now there was tiny part of her that didn’t know if she could ever let herself be vulnerable like that again.
‘And, for the record, I think you hold the key to your own happiness. Being in a relationship shouldn’t be society’s default expectation of us. Being happy and secure within ourselves is what we should all aspire to.’
‘And if someone special comes along?’
‘Then I’d reconsider. But they would have to be damn special.’ Libby gave him a warm smile.
Guy looked deep in thought and Libby wondered what his story was. He was handsome, easy to talk to, funny, and very successful. She knew she hadn’t shared with him her full story but they had only just met. Apart from her immediate family, Libby had found it difficult to open up about her situation to anyone. Feeling a lump in her throat, she swallowed and stared fixedly at the window, not daring to look in Guy’s direction in case he noticed the tears in her eyes.
‘Look!’ He pointed towards the clearing through the trees.
Libby couldn’t see anything but had the camera poised and ready just in case.
‘I can’t see anything,’ she whispered. ‘And why am I whispering?’
Guy gave her a sideward glance and smiled. ‘Just behind the trees on the far left.’
All of a sudden, a herd of wondrous dappled deer with impressive antlers that looked like the bare branches of trees bounded across the snowy ground. They moved with such grace, it was the most beautiful sight Libby had ever seen.
‘They’re all legs! Oh my, look at that one.’ Libby quickly brought the camera up to her eye to capture the moment and began to click. The baby of the pack followed at the tail end of the herd. ‘It looks like it’s dancing,’ observed Libby, watching as it skipped and jumped across the ground. ‘It looks like Bambi.’
‘My guess is that the fawn is around six months old.’
‘This place feels like a million miles from real life,’ Libby murmured.
‘This is my real life. The wildlife programmes are the best to make. Animals are majestic and simple.’
‘You have a wonderful job,’ she said, her eyes still firmly fixed on the field as the herd disappeared into the woods.
‘I do. Do you think you got some good photos?’
‘I hope so, but how do I look back at them?’ she asked, looking down at the camera in her hand.
Guy grinned. ‘It’s not like your phone. You can’t swipe back through the digital photos. And that’s what I love about this type of photography. You don’t know what magic you’ve captured until you develop the film. Hopefully, I’ve captured some magical moments on my phone and after a little bit of editing the slideshow could be a breathtaking introduction to Starcross Manor and what it can offer, if Flynn decides to use it for promotional purposes. I still can’t quite believe you’re his sister.’
Libby smiled and placed the camera on the table. ‘I think the next few weeks are going to fly by.’ She couldn’t wait to spend the days with Guy, but she also didn’t want them to go too quickly. Finishing off her drink, she pointed to the camera. ‘I’d like to see how you put it all together,’ she said.
‘Of course you can. I’d like that,’ he said, smiling at her and reaching for his phone, which had begun to ring. He looked pensive as he stared at the screen before declining the call. The phone pinged again a moment later with a text message.
