Cherry nodded her understanding. ‘I get it. But do you wantmeto go? It’s a lot of money.’
‘You know the answer to that question.’ She knew. She had to know.
‘Alright, good.’ Cherry visibly loosened. ‘I’m actuallyquite relieved. If you’d said you were happy for me to do it, I would have gone, but it wouldn’t feel right.’
Sean went to her, still recovering from the half heart attack he’d had for nothing. ‘Cherry, if you don’t want to do a thing like that, then you don’t do it, end of story.’ He tipped her chin up to meet him. ‘The tournament is enough. Duff Campbell can find another dinner date or cry into his expensive soup alone.’
‘Campbell Duff.’
‘Aye, I know.’ He examined her. ‘Let him spend as much money as he likes on the tourney and the raffle and whatever, but don’t do something you’re not comfortable with. It’s not what my dad would have wanted, and it’s definitely not what I want.’
The main function room in the distillery, where Sean had often thought his wedding reception would be held, was doubling as the casino. If his dad’s presence was powerful in the house, it was cask strength here –in the business he fortified and gave the oak-solid reputation it boasted today.
Round tables draped in green baize were arranged across the polished wooden floor as if for a function with an edge. Stacks of coloured poker chips sat in neat towers next to illuminated brass lamps, and decks of cards still in cellophane lay ready to be unwrapped. Locals Sean had known all his life were dressed in the customary white shirts, waistcoats and bow ties of croupiers. Cherry had outdone herself here.
And there was no casino in the world with a backdrop like this one. Ceiling-to-floor windows proudly framed the craggy Kintyre coastline. The churning waters of the soundstretched out to where smokey clouds hung perilously low, bruising the horizon.
A storm was on the way.
By mid-morning, people were filtering in and filling the space. Locals arrived bubbling with excitement. The most action this wee village got was when someone got married. There had never been a poker tournament where members of the public would mingle with celebrities.
Two Hollywood stars, no less.
Less recognisable were the poker players, whom Sean identified by the way they greeted Cherry. Hugs were shared, handshakes given, laughs filling the air. Gone was the vulnerable Cherry he’d embraced this morning. She was back to the glittering, vibrant scene-stealer. The worst was over. She was settling and letting herself be happy in Kinshore.
Some familiar faces arrived: snooker players, reality TV personalities, DJs, Scottish TV presenters and soap stars. The latter were courtesy of his actress sister, Cara, who was now getting smaller roles in movies. She lived between Edinburgh and her latest filming location, but came home to Kinshore as often as possible.
‘Did I do well?’ Cara swept her hand out as if to present the band of players to her brother.
‘Of course, Car’. You did incredible. You’re playing, right?’
‘Absolutely. Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Can you remind me what’s better, a straight flush or four of a kind?’
Sean grinned. ‘Straight flush. Want me to sit with you and keep you right? It’s a free service.’
‘No, thank you. I’d rather lose than be that lame. Who else is coming?’ Cara scanned the room like security detail,not anything out of the ordinary for someone who liked to keep her finger on the gossip pulse. But Sean had his suspicions about what was on her mind.
‘He’s been staying with Jamie and Alicia, so he’ll be here.’ He eyed his sister with amusement. She and Alicia’s brother, Connor, had met at family occasions a handful of times. The energy between them was tangible.
Cara was sharp, and she caught her brother’s undertone straight away.
‘I’m sureMambo Number Fivecan get here fine. Don’t go making drama where there is none, little brother.’
‘Mambo Number Five? And I think you’ll find I’m your big brother.’
‘What fiancé number is he on now? Four? And you’re older by a mere scraping of days, therefore the eldest is whoever acts more mature, and that’s definitely not you.’
Sean laughed. ‘If you say so. I never actually mentioned Connor’s name, but I believe he’s single and bringing his pal, Campbell Duff, with him.’
‘So there’s going to be two massive egos cutting about the place.’
‘I’m sure you can put them in their place – wherever you decide that might be. Take it easy on Connor, though.’ Sean gave his sister a playful nudge. ‘I think he likes you.’
Cara’s mouth dropped open. ‘What? He does not?’ She looked away and then back on a beat. ‘Does he?’
He laughed. ‘Dunno, but made you look. Actually, I think he does.’
‘Oh.’ Shock muted Cara as she processed this idea, drinking it in, letting it settle. ‘Oh.’
