‘I will.’ He gave her another squeeze. ‘Now off you go and have a wonderful time travelling.’ He planted a hard kiss on her lips, then turned and walked away, only glancing round once. She’d gone, locked inside the camper van, leaning against the door in tears.
Chapter 26
Jasper watched the raindrops dribble down the airplane window. The weather had changed, matching his mood. He closed his eyes. He was tired, not having slept a wink last night. No matter how hard he tried, Adira’s face constantly flashed before him. It was unnerving how much she was affecting him and he was beginning to worry about concentrating on his work, at a time when he really needed to. Now more than ever, he had to stay focused; it was imperative he completed his latest project and gave word on the future ones lined up for him so he could return to Lilacwell as soon as possible.
Since making his decision and knowing where he was heading, the impending meeting with Abbas didn’t faze him. He was going, and that was that. He did, however, want to uphold his good name and complete all that was needed of him, professionally as well as speedily. Although he’d enjoyed his time in Dubai, he’d always known it wasn’t forever. It wasn’t the place to set down real roots. Deep down, Lilacwell had been ingrained in him and from childhood he had grown up knowing that The Laurels would one day be his home, his responsibility. In a way, he relished the idea of being master of all he surveyed, so to speak. After years of company regulations, deadlines, laborious meetings and tight schedules, it was almost time to close the door and re-emerge as his own boss. He would comply to his own timetables, set his own rules, and the notion pleased him.
A part of him wondered why he hadn’t thought this way before, and then he dully realised it was because Fletcher hadn’t needed him as badly. He dreaded to think how it would have all panned out, had he not made that phone call. What if Lilly hadn’t warned him of Fletcher’s health? He sank further into his seat, imagining his poor, elderly uncle sat all alone in The Laurels. Then he snapped himself out of it. Hedidmake the call, Lillyhadwarned him and he’d responded. He had come to the rescue and taken over, and he was going back for good. But would Adira be there when he returned?
‘Drink, sir?’ asked the stewardess politely.
‘A large gin and tonic,’ he smiled back. So what if it was only ten in the morning? He needed a drink.
Adira languidly made her way up the stairs to complete the last task of her cleaning The Laurels – Jasper’s bedroom. She opened the door to the small attic room tucked in the eaves. For a moment, she wondered why he chose to stay in this, the smallest of the bedrooms. It must be for sentimental reasons, she concluded, taking in the tiny, cast-iron fireplace, the quaint leaded window in the rooftop and the window seat beyond, with an old teddy bear sitting there. There was even a wooden train set on top of the bookcase.
She turned to the bed, perfectly made, and pictured Jasper as a little boy sleeping there. Adira gave a deep sigh and got on with the job in hand.
Fletcher was in the kitchen endeavouring to make sense of the coffee machine.
‘Bloody thing,’ he grumbled, then flinched as it let out a loud hiss. ‘Oh, blow it.’ He switched it off and filled the kettle. He’d make do with plain old instant instead.
When sat at the table sipping from his mug, the silence smacked into him. How depressing; no banter with Jasper, Lilly was still asleep and Adira was on the verge of leaving. The only sound was the distant tick of the grandfather clock in the hall.
Just get through this month, he told himself firmly. In a few weeks, Jasper would be back for good and all would be well, wouldn’t it?
Lilly emerged from her slumber, slightly bleary-eyed. Yawning, she flicked the coffee machine on.
‘Good luck with that blasted thing,’ he muttered.
‘It’s easy when you get the hang of it,’ she replied, delving in heaped spoons of dark ground beans.
‘Hmm,’ he grunted back.
Lilly turned and looked at his scowling face. ‘Is this how you’re going to be until Jasper gets back?’ she asked, tight-lipped.
Fletcher looked up surprised. It was most unlike Lilly to be so sharp.
‘Because if it is, I’m not coming here again.’
Fletcher’s eyebrows shot up. ‘What?’
‘I said,’ Lilly said calmly, ‘you buck up, or I’ll go.’
His jaw dropped. Stunned, he gaped at her in disbelief.
Lilly was rather enjoying his reaction and realised this is what he was short of – straight talking. She stared directly at him. ‘So, what will it be, Fletcher?’
Fletcher blinked, still not quite believing his ears. No Lilly? It was inconceivable. Lilly was always here, bobbing about in the background, pleasantly chirping away, keeping him company. Where would he be without her? He gulped and, after a few seconds, cleared his throat.
‘I… I’ll buck up,’ he said faintly, like a naughty schoolboy in the headmistress’ office.
‘Good,’ she nodded. ‘Now get up from that table, stop feeling sorry for yourself and I’ll show you how to work this machine.’
Fletcher put down his mug and did as he was told.
If only she’d been this assertive years ago, she cursed herself.
It was dusk by the time the airplane started its descent. Gradually swooping down, Jasper’s anticipation refused to spark as it normally would at seeing the whole of Dubai lit up, looking exotic and inviting. Instead, a flat sensation loomed, as though he was merely going through the motions on autopilot. He heard one or two gasps of relief at the safe landing from overexcited holidaymakers, understanding their enthusiasm even if he couldn’t match it. Hadn’t he once reacted in the same way? Now Dubai was a workplace, a tie that he needed to unknot and release.
