‘Bearing in mind I haven’t asked him yet, but I remembered something and had a flash of inspiration.’ Alicia passed her phone across the table to Jimmy. He peered at the screen. Jamie wondered what he was looking at.
‘Handsome family,’ said Jimmy. ‘And I see from the bottle there that they drink Butlers.’
‘Well spotted,’ said Alicia. ‘That was what gave me the idea. That and my brother’s obsession with Scotland.’
Jimmy kept his gaze glued to Alicia as she explained her idea. Jamie rarely saw his father grant anyone such an audience.
‘I was thinking we could ask Connor to be the face of Butler’s whisky. And maybe we tie in hisClan Bràthairspersona, although that could involve the studio looking forroyalties. I had this idea, didn’t I, Jamie, when we were chatting at the hotel? For an ad. It starts with some rogue Highlanders of the past drinking Butlers, the atmosphere is cloaked in mystique with an edge of danger, but then, bam, we cut to reality where we see that Butler’s is a family-run business founded on centuries of hard work and family love. Alternatively, you simply have Connor drinking the stuff and dressed like his character fromClan Bràthairs. Either way, if you’re into the general idea I can call him. I can almost guarantee he’ll say yes.’
Jamie was dumbfounded by Alicia: by her creativity, her verve and the way she was unequivocally winning round his difficult to please father who was regarding her with curiosity and admiration. A look, despite being rolled out rarely, that Jamie knew to be positive.
‘Well,’ said Jimmy, ‘this idea I do like. I like it a lot. When can Connor Donoghue get here to chat about it? Let’s line up a meeting.’
‘I can call him this evening. He may not be up yet as it’s still early in LA.’
Jimmy nodded. ‘Aye, that sounds great. Thank you. I don’t suppose you’re after a job in marketing, are you?’
Alicia laughed and Jamie beamed with pride. This woman had changed his life immeasurably, in ways he couldn’t even have imagined two months ago. Her celebrity had passed him by, entirely, but to Jamie Butler, there could be no bigger star and nothing he worshipped more in the world than Alicia Jansen.
Epilogue
Sixteen months later
Alicia locked the door of the small art gallery and turned to face Kinshore High Street. Then she swung back and looked at the gallery again. Her art gallery. When would this feel real? She was the owner of a tiny little shop where she could sell her own art and that of other local artists. She could make connections, make customers happy and give to the Kintyre community – the community that had given so much to her.
A quick glance at the church clock reminded Alicia it was 6 pm. Three hours until the main event of this very special evening. Time for a walk on the beach and then home to make dinner and prepare for all the Butlers descending on the cottage.
The sound of another door being locked drew Alicia’s attention. A familiar figure was shutting up shop a couple of units down.
‘Hey, Katie.’ Alicia waved. ‘How are you settling back into work? How’s little Reuben?’
‘Oh, hi, Alicia. It’s been a mainly smooth transition, thanks. And he’s great. I’m off to pick him up from the childminder, then it’s home for the big event.’
‘You and Micky will be watching it too?’ Alicia was so pleased Katie had found a new partner in, and happiness with, the local butcher. Their blended family of Katie’s baby son, Reuben, and Micky’s daughter, Elspeth, was adorable. Frank still saw his son, but Katie’s heart was with Micky.
‘Of course,’ said Katie. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for anything. It’s so exciting. Like Hollywood coming to Kinshore.’
Alicia supposed it was. She was so glad that Katie didn’t consider Alicia living here as ‘Hollywood coming to Kinshore’. She was part of the furniture now, and that was how she liked it.
The spring wind buffeted Alicia as she strode to the beach, but there was still a subtle balm in the evening air from the April sun. This weather was perfect. And what warmed Alicia far more than any sunshine was the nature here: both the landscape and the character of the people.Who needs scorching heat when Kinshore brings light to your heart and soul?
Walking to the beach and sitting for a short time each evening had become part of Alicia’s routine, a pattern in her tapestry. She unrolled a small blanket and placed it on the sand, wrapped her chunky cardigan tight around her waist, sat and looked out to sea. The waves were pounding into shore, showing who was really in charge in Kintyre.
Alicia’s bag vibrated. She pulled out her phone to read a message from Della, her actress friend, who now rented Alicia’s LA home.
Hey Alicia. Got the job, so going to be out of town in October. Larry lemon tree might need some TLC for a month.
That was good news for Della and for her and Jamie. She texted back.
Congrats on the job, you star! Thanks for letting me know. Jamie and I might come and hang with Larry for a bit.
Jamie could work remotely, if need be, and she could take the time to paint, as well as catch up with Sunni and family. It was great having such a flexible arrangement for her apartment.
Alicia heard the rhythmic puff of Jamie’s breath before she saw him jogging towards her. Never would this man fail to make her gawp like a lovesick teen.
He reached her and leaned on his knees, respiring heavily after his run from the distillery.
‘Kiss for your fiancé?’ she asked.
