Chapter 17
Jasper stared out of the coffee shop window. He’d been busy working all morning and had been in need of a break and change of scenery. Deciding against the pub this time, he’d opted to go for a coffee in the village cafe. At least there he wouldn’t have any distractions. The Inn at Lilacwell was always filled with locals who were keen to catch up with him. His sudden presence in the village had created attention – busybodies wanting to know his business. And they weren’t discreet either. One old farmer had outright asked him if he’d ‘come to take over?’ Jasper had simply laughed the question away, avoiding a direct answer.
He had been reminded what life was like in Lilacwell – in any village, really, living in such close proximity. Was he ready for it? He’d lived an almost anonymous existence in Dubai. Apart from work colleagues, he’d never had a close network of friends out there. Jasper had chosen to live on the sidelines, not in the hub of action, forming bonds with people. He knew his time in Dubai was temporary, that he was never going to settle there, so he never felt the need to grow real friendships. While he liked most of his colleagues, that’s exactly what they remained – just people he happened to work with. He had established one or two acquaintances at his golf club, enjoying a round of golf and a few drinks in the clubhouse, but that was about all. In Lilacwell, it was the polar opposite. Here,everybodykneweverything.
He smiled to himself at the current whispers in the village. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one causing a stir at the moment. Tales of Fletcher’s new guest had been circulating thick and fast: the ‘new-age traveller’ in the camper van with her potions. Some had dubbed her a white witch, others an opportunist, some had even labelled her as Fletcher’s long-lost lovechild. At this, Jasper had chuckled to himself. Then again, hadn’t his thoughts taken a similar route? One thing was for certain, Adira Summers had most definitely caught the attention of Lilacwell. She’d certainly caught his attention too.
It had slightly unsettled him the way people had taken to her. Jasper had to know a person well before allowing them to befriend him. It was his instinct to suss a new acquaintance out thoroughly, looking for any cracks in their armour, or any signs at all that he didn’t like. Yet, try as he might, he couldn’t find anything negative at all about Adira, apart from how her popularity niggled him slightly. Was he jealous? No, he concluded, he was just cautious. After all, Fletcher really had taken to her, and all too quickly for his liking.
Jasper laughed into his coffee cup again at the rumours of Adira being Fletcher’s lovechild. Then he abruptly stopped. His gaze homed in like a radar, pinpointing the figure walking along the pavement opposite the road. There she was, the very lady on everyone’s lips. Adira.
He noticed her slow, composed walk; shoulders back, head held high, occasionally nodding and smiling to those she passed. A beaded bag was slung over her shoulder. She wore a long, tie-died dress with tassels at the hem. Not hard to guess how the ‘new-age traveller’ label had sprung up. She had poise, he’d give her that. That’s not all Jasper wanted to give her, truth be told, but he hated admitting this. It irked him to think she had some kind of power over him, whether she knew it or not. He admired her confidence, her natural self-ease, the way she seemed happy in her own skin. Then suddenly, as if she’d become aware of being watched, Adira turned to face him.
He froze as her eyes looked straight into his. He put his cup down and forced out a smile, trying to look as natural as possible, when inside he was embarrassed to be caught staring.
Was that a playful twitch of her lips? As though knowing exactly what he’d been up to?
Not liking the thought of her having the upper hand, he waved nonchalantly, in a non-committal, fancy-seeing-you-here manner. To which, she openly smirked and mimicked the same cheery wave back. The little minx. Was she laughing at him?
He paused, then a car passed between them, breaking the connection. He watched the back of her as she carried on down the road. Adira Summers, the talk of Lilacwell.
The Inn at Lilacwell was heaving. The bar inside was full and the gardens and marquee outside flowed with both locals and people travelling from further afield. All potential customers for the new treatment room, Cassie had reminded the staff at the briefing that morning ahead of the hog roast. Adira had been there, stood in her new uniform of black trousers and The Bath House tunic. She felt a surge of excitement, it was hard not to get swept along with the charged atmosphere. She had been given the job of handing out the spa leaflets and booking as many appointments as possible. It certainly beat having to sit through boring meetings, she thought.
The hog roast was a brilliant success, as queues gathered round and filtered into the marquee, and the folk band were doing a sterling job, having set up at eleven thirty that morning, playing non-stop to an enthusiastic crowd. Adira had also shown off The Bath House to all those wishing to see it. It had been met with such high praise that she couldn’t wait to feed back to Cassie.
It was late afternoon. Adira was stood by the stairs leading up to the treatment room feeling a little tired now. She was looking to see if there was anyone else waiting to view The Bath House when she spotted Lilly entering the Inn along with another similar-looking lady. Lilly saw Adira and the two women came over to her.
‘Adira! Meet Ruby, my twin sister.’
Adira turned her smile to Lilly’s sister, stretching out her hand. ‘Hello, Ruby, pleased to meet you.’
‘And you too.’ The old lady shook her hand and Adira noticed it was gnarled, just like her sister’s. Then Ruby leant forward. ‘I get the most terrible headaches. What can you do for me?’ she asked, looking directly at her. How like Lilly she was.
‘Well, Ruby, lavender is good for headaches. Try sprinkling a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow. Or, failing that,’ she handed her a leaflet, ‘you could book an Indian head massage, I’m sure that would help.’
Ruby examined the price list on the pamphlet.
‘At a reduced rate. We’re offering discounts for the first week of opening,’ Adira informed her.
Ruby smiled. ‘Go on then. Book me in for one.’ Her eyes sparkled, again just like Lilly’s.
While Adira was busy arranging Ruby’s appointment, Fletcher and Jasper walked in together, heading straight to the bar. Cassie served them.
‘So, Fletcher, will you be booking an all-over body massage?’ she teased, exchanging grins with Jasper.
‘I don’t think so,’ he chortled. Then, pointing to Jasper, added, ‘This chap could do with one though.’
‘Could I?’ he replied, his eyebrow raising. Cassie laughed.
‘Only the other day, I was telling him to chill out.’ Fletcher took a long drink of his pint.
Cassie, never one to miss an opportunity, saw Adira enter the bar.
‘Adira!’ she called her over.
Adira made her way to them.
‘Jasper could do with an all-over body massage.’
