‘You’d never do that, though,’ I point out, grinning. ‘Because you’re a good man, too, Hunter Stuart. Even though you do your best to hide it.’
He pulls a face at me, and I respond by sticking out my tongue, like a child.
‘Does this mean you’ve forgiven me?’ he asks, his expression suddenly serious. ‘For not telling you sooner thatIwas the Nuckelavee, whatever that is? I did try, Rosie, when we were in the maze. I should have said something sooner, though.’
‘You were in a difficult position,’ I reply, having had a lot of time to think about this over the last few hours. ‘You didn’t really know me; and I don’t suppose I made it easy for you, with all of the things I said about you, before I knew it wasyouI was talking about.’
‘You’re forgiven,’ he says instantly. ‘And you were right – Iwasbeing a bit of an arsehole by trying to change the way things worked without speaking to anyone about it first. I didn’t really consider the effect it would have on the village. I was just trying to figure out how to make sure the castle didn’t have to be sold.’
My heart gives an uncomfortable little lurch at the reminder that it still might be.
I still have so much to do if we’re going to make sure the launch goes well.
‘Um, I should go and help Luna,’ I say, looking away before this conversation can go any further. ‘There’s still tons to sort out before tonight.’
Hunter eyes flicker with disappointment, but he just nods, and gives me a sad smile as he turns to walk away, me following a few steps behind.
I’m glad he managed to find some common ground with Ian. I really hope it helps him figure out what to do about the hotel, and this deal he’s been so hell-bent on pursuing. But as I follow the sound of voices along to the ballroom, where the hotel staff are busy setting up for tonight’s party, my feet feel as heavy as my heart, and I have to force a smile as I join the other volunteers.
Because, assuming the trains are running again by morning, I’ll be going home tomorrow, along with everyone else. Which means tonight is my very last chance to turn myself into a butterfly.
I think it’s time to break out my magic sweater.
Chapter 37
It’s only been underway for a couple of hours, but I can already tell the launch party at the Chrysalis is going to go down in history as one of the best parties the village has ever seen.
As I’d asked, the tables from the restaurant have been arranged in two long lines at one end of the room, with an area at the top left free for dancing. Izzie and the kitchen staff have outdone themselves with the food (it’s surprising just how many dishes you can make with potatoes and veg .?.?.), and delicious scents waft up from the heaped plates and serving bowls which have been set out on each table, so the diners can help themselves.
Hunter, meanwhile, has, somewhat reluctantly, given up the keys to the wine cellar, and the result of that is a raucous, festive atmosphere that’s only slightly marred by Callum and Izzie’s terrible singing, as they stand by the grand piano and treat us to their rendition of ‘Super Trouper’.
(‘You’d have thought they’d be better, really,’ says Millie thoughtfully. ‘What with all the albums they’ve released.’)
After dinner, though, the woman who’d told Luna she’d been a backup singer takes over, and turns out to be pretty good; especially once Hunter’s been talked into fetching his guitars from the apartment and offering them to the musicians among the crowd.
‘First wine, now musical instruments,’ I say teasingly, as we watch two men from the village strike up a jaunty little folk tune. ‘You’re going to lose your reputation as a complete bawbag if you’re not careful.’
‘That sounds really weird in an English accent,’ Hunter comments, taking a large swig of his beer. But when I glance back over at him, he’s watching the people on the dance floor with a smile on his face which does nothing to disprove my comment.
‘It’s OK,’ I say, leaning over so I can shout into his ear above the sound of the music. ‘Your secret’s safe with me. I won’t tell them you’re a teddy bear, deep down. You can continue pretending to be the aloof laird.’
‘I’m neither aloof nor a laird,’ he points out, his face very close to mine as he turns to grin at me, looking more relaxed than I’ve seen him since I got here. ‘That title definitely belongs to Dougie, and Dougie alone.’
I tear my eyes away from his face and follow his gaze to where Lord Glenmuir is seated at the head of one of the tables, barking orders at everyone who happens to be within earshot. He seems to be enjoying himself; everyone does, actually. Well, everyone except me.
I’ve been so wrapped up with the goings-on in the hotel that my own problems have been pushed to the back of my mind. Now, though, as it gets closer to midnight, and the day I’ll be leaving this place, those problems are back again, all jostling for position at the very front of my mind.
The credit card debt.
The job I hate.
The fact that I still have nowhere to live when I leave here, and no real prospect of being able to afford anything better than a shabby room in a flat-share somewhere on the outskirts of town.
Hunter.
It’s always Hunter.
It’s funny how a man I’ve only just met has somehow managed to worm his way into my head, until there are moments when he’s all I can think about.
