‘Yes, for now,’ conceded Adira. ‘So give me a hug.’ She held out her arms.
Lilly was first in, her tiny, fragile frame clinging to her. ‘Take care, my dear,’ she sniffed.
Then came Fletcher, and she felt safe in his firm embrace.
‘Safe trip, lass,’ he said with a gruff voice.
‘Thanks,’ she replied on the verge of tears again. ‘And, Fletcher,’ she pointed playfully at him, ‘I’m giving you strict instructions to hire a cleaner to help Lilly. Do you hear?’
‘Aye, loud and clear,’ he laughed, then he took something from his pocket. ‘Here, I want you to take this.’ He handed her a small, silver coin. ‘It’s a Saint Christopher medal. The patron saint of travellers, to keep you safe.’
‘Oh… thank you, Fletcher,’ her voice cracked and the tears came tumbling down.
Fletcher watched thoughtfully. Something told her he’d got the reaction he wanted.
‘So, you’ll be back in a month then?’ he coaxed gently.
Adira was unable to speak. Fletcher was naturally assuming she’d be returning when Jasper did. But would it be that simple? A whole month stretched out before her; it seemed an age, which instead of filling her with anticipation and excitement as it should, just didn’t. The whole point of buying Sheila was to take off and explore, relish every moment of the unknown. But her emotions wouldn’t allow this. The crux of it was she had bonded effortlessly with Lilacwell – and those that lived here. More importantly, she had fallen deeply for Jasper. Despite all the rationalising her head had instructed, her heart had won. She felt defenceless, helpless almost, but there it was. And now she had to go, alone, in the desolate hope that itcouldbe that simple, that she’d return in a month, along with Jasper, and all would be well.
But would it? Jasper was returning to Dubai, albeit temporarily, where there was a lot to distract him. Dubai was a playground for the rich, with many temptations. Jasper was attractive, he undoubtedly received a lot of attention… and they were miles apart. A heavy, sick sensation lodged in the pit of Adira’s stomach. Never had she been in a situation where sentiment wreaked such havoc.
An hour later, the rain had stopped and Adira was sat behind the wheel of the camper van ready to set off. It was unbelievable to think she had only parked here a few weeks ago; it seemed a lifetime since pulling onto the field through the open entrance. How much had happened in such a short space of time. Still, onwards and upwards, she told herself as she turned the ignition and chugged Sheila into life. Time to move on. There was a big, bold world out there, and she needed to explore it. She was determined to make the most of the time she had sacrificed her career for.
Chapter 29
Fletcher sat comfortably in his armchair staring out of the open patio doors. The showers had cleared and a soft, mellow glow filled the lawns outside. It was early evening and the dew from the rain and now the warm rays of sunshine brought the garden to fresh life. Fletcher breathed in the sweet fragrance of honeysuckle and instantly a memory was triggered. A treasured, precious memory from years back, when he was at his happiest…
It was the summer of 1988 and the midsummer ball at The Laurels. Fletcher had taken extra care in arranging the party – for him, it was to be a game changer. All their lives could change irrevocably: his, Rufus’s and Alice’s. Subconsciously, way deep down, both him and Alice knew the score. For years, ever since first clapping eyes on each other, the attraction had been immediate, undeniable. For them, the pull was such a magnetic force, it was incredulous Rufus had never picked up on it. But then, Rufus was always so wrapped up in himself, Fletcher had thought, he never paid Alice the attention she so deserved.
Fletcher certainly did. He’d been at pains to seek her company out at every opportunity, that first weekend she had stayed at The Laurels. He remembered how Rufus had assuredly introduced his new girlfriend to the family, gloating at his parents’ response. They had been delighted by the dainty beauty on his arm. Alice was charm personified, totally enrapturing all of the Hendricks, and most of all the older brother, Fletcher. He simply couldn’t take his eyes off her. The way her brunette hair curled smoothly, how her green eyes shone like emeralds and the elegant way in which she held herself, with such poise, a real lady.
She was ten years younger than Rufus, making her much younger than Fletcher, yet he admired the way she handled his family, confidently in her own skin, refusing to be intimidated by the grandeur of The Laurels. She was fun. She was witty and had the most amazing sense of humour. For the life of him, Fletcher was utterly baffled as to how Rufus had managed to capture such a creature. What on God’s earth did someone so special as Alice see in his little brother? Rufus was the steady, reliable, boring one.Hewas the gregarious, fun-loving one. Rufus was rather plain to look at and a touch chubby, whereashewas good-looking and athletically built. As cruel as it really was, Fletcher had often been referred to as ‘the handsome brother’. And yet it seemed Rufus was Alice’s choice.
At first, Fletcher thought, quite arrogantly, that nature would take its course, that Alice would be so drawn to him, she would have to come clean with Rufus and declare her true feelings.
Not so.
No matter how much Fletcher encouraged this, Alice would not give up Rufus. But, oh, how he had tried. He lavished her with compliments, gifts, promises of his undying love and finally his hand in marriage. But still Alice wouldn’t budge. Whilst she was flattered and enjoyed the attention, it appeared Rufus, for all his dowdiness, was what Alice wanted.
Truth be told, Rufus was what Aliceneeded. Because the key attraction for her was stability. Alice had grown up in a family similar to the Hendricks, which was why she’d felt so at home at The Laurels. She had had a father who was the life and soul of the party, who cut quite a dashing figure, with his dark, good looks and roving eye. True, Alice had been attracted to Fletcher, but alarm bells had also rung – knowing full well how someone so handsome and confident couldn’t be trusted. Men like her father and Fletcher were attractive to all women and this left them with carte blanche. She’d seen first-hand how her mother had paid the price. So, Alice, rightly or wrongly, stuck with Rufus. He was a decent man, he was honourable, but most of all he was trustworthy. This couldn’t, however, stop her strong pull towards Fletcher.
Of course, he never made it easy for her; his gut intuition told him she wanted him as badly as he wanted her, even when stood in the church next to Rufus as best man, watching the love of his life marry his own brother.
As the years tumbled on, Fletcher still waited patiently for Alice to come to her senses. Once or twice, he’d thought he’d come close; he was sure she wasn’t happy with Rufus. The light had gone out of her eyes, replaced with a sad, empty reflection. Instincts led him to believe that the time was right to make a final move at the midsummer ball. He sensed this was the ideal opportunity to finally win her over. He’d seen how despondent she’d become, almost like life had been sucked out from her, hardly surprising living with boring Rufus. It killed Fletcher to see how Alice had gradually withered over time. Well, now he was going to change the tide, he was going to do what he should have done years ago and take matters into his own hands.
He’d carefully chosen the music, all Alice’s favourites. She had a fondness for swing and nostalgic tunes, so Glenn Miller’s ‘In the Mood’ would get the party started, followed by various other big band and ragtime melodies. It was when the partying slowed down that he intended to strike, then he’d take her in his arms and dance on the lawn, under a starlit sky.
The weather had obliged, giving a still, peaceful evening with a warm, comforting breeze. His housekeeper, Lilly, and her sister, Ruby, had helped decorate the gardens with bright coloured bunting and candles. They’d set up a drinks area in the orangery, along with a trestle table covered in a pink gingham tablecloth for the buffet, while Fletcher’s record player would blast music across the lawns.
All was set as Fletcher waited to greet his guests. He stood by the patio doors in the drawing room, breathing in the honeysuckle. Alice and Rufus arrived late, much to his agitation. It was evident by the look on Alice’s face and Rufus’s tight, thin lips that they’d argued. Fletcher welcomed them with glasses of champagne and waited for Rufus to circulate with the other guests. As soon as they were alone, he looked into Alice’s eyes. She avoided his gaze and turned her head. He gently took her chin and moved her to face him.
‘He doesn’t make you happy, Alice,’ he stated flatly.
She didn’t answer, but he noticed the first sign of tears. This spurred him on.
‘Leave him. Come and live here with me,’ he urged. ‘I… I love you.’ He stared at her intently, waiting for her to melt.
Slowly the tears came – she couldn’t pretend anymore.
