Coming Home to the Highlands, page 10
They sat in companionable silence for a moment, surrounded only by birdsong, the gentle spring breeze rustling the leaves of the ash and beech trees behind them that made up a decent-sized copse, and Marley’s eager snuffling.
‘How are you coping since… you know, since the will reading?’
Olivia lowered her gaze and watched a spider scrambling over the mud. ‘So, you’ve heard all about it now then?’ Her question was rhetorical. It was obvious that everyone would know by now.
He cringed as he spoke. ‘Sorry, I don’t mean to pry. Mirren explained everything this morning and it’s just that it’s a pretty huge thing so…’
Olivia lifted her chin and smiled, hoping to put him at ease. ‘It is rather. I’m still coming to terms with it, to be honest.’
‘I can now see that’s why Kerr was so angry the other day. He didn’t take it that well.’
Olivia sighed and shook her head. ‘That’s a wee bit of an understatement. He’s certain in his mind that I’ve somehow conspired against him. But I love my life in New York and had no intention of being here permanently again. It’s thrown a huge spanner in the works. And all this talk of me being Lady Olivia doesn’t sit comfortably.’
‘Aye, I can imagine it’s been pretty hard for you. But you know you should do what’s right for you, don’t you? I know it’s easy for me to sit here and spout that, but life’s too short for you to be unhappy and trying to squeeze into a mould of someone else’s making.’
‘You sound like you’re speaking from experience.’
He smiled, but it was void of happiness. ‘Not really. Well not in the same way. I just know that you can’t force yourself to be happy in a life that doesn’t feel like it belongs to you.’
His words were somehow insightful. Olivia wondered what had caused him to be so introspective. Feeling a heaviness descend upon them, Olivia decided to change the subject. ‘So, what have you been up to since you left Inverness? The last thing I heard was that you’d moved to Edinburgh with your mum.’
He took a sip of his coffee before speaking. ‘I did. We lived in a rented house out by the Royal Infirmary. Can’t say it was easy or fun if I’m honest. It was okay at the start but then Mum met someone new, and he was a dick.’ He held up his hand. ‘Pardon my French.’
‘I’m sorry to hear that.’
He raised one shoulder and scrunched his nose. ‘It is what it is. I escaped, though. Went to uni and never returned.’
‘What did you study?’
He beamed. ‘History, specialising in Scottish history.’
Olivia widened her eyes. ‘Really? Oh, wow. Fascinating stuff.’
He glanced back towards the castle. ‘Aye, and all thanks to this place. I was always fascinated by it. So, I decided I’d try and make a career out of it.’ He seemed wistful. ‘I used to come back to visit, you know. I guess I loved this place so much I couldn’t stay away for long. So, I’d come and stay with my dad just to be near the castle again.’
This surprised her. ‘You visited? How come I never saw you?’
He smiled and picked at the grass. ‘I kept out the way. Our lives had taken such different paths. We’d become so… unlike each other. You were like this… like this medieval princess. In fact, you reminded me of Stevie Nicks in a way. I’d watch you dancing in the garden from behind one of the trees. Your hair all long and flowy. You were so graceful.’
Olivia felt her cheeks warming. ‘Me? Graceful? Are you taking the mick?’
He smiled and shook his head. ‘Not at all. I used to love to watch you dance. You’d have your headphones on and just move around like a ballerina. I imagined you were listening to Fleetwood Mac’s “Gypsy” or something kind of dreamy and all ethereal like that. It was as if that song had been written about you. I don’t know why you didn’t take up dancing.’
Olivia laughed. ‘Because I had my own left foot and one belonging to someone else.’
He shook his head. ‘Not from where I was watching.’
‘Stalker,’ she said, teasing him.
He held out his hands. ‘Guilty as charged.’
‘How often did you come back? I still can’t believe I never saw you. And your dad never said anything. But then again, I didn’t exactly converse much with your dad.’
‘A couple of times a year. It got less when I went to university.’
‘So, what were you doing before you returned here to Drumblair?’
He munched on a mouthful of cake as if buying time and made a show of swallowing, holding up his finger in a pausing motion. Eventually he took a sip of his coffee and said, ‘After I graduated, I was working in the archives at the university. Then I got a job working with Edinburgh Castle. It was brilliant being surrounded by so much history.’ His smile disappeared. ‘But… things didn’t quite work out.’
With her interest piqued, Olivia tilted her head. ‘Oh? How come?’
Brodie’s face flushed and he laughed. ‘Bloody hell, I feel like I’m being interviewed. Have you got a tape recorder stashed away in your pocket? Because I can assure you my life isn’t that exciting.’
Olivia cringed. ‘Oh heck, sorry I didn’t mean to interrogate you. I’m just fascinated, that’s all.’
‘Aye, well, I should probably get back to what I was doing. Plenty to keep me busy.’
‘Yes, I can imagine, although rest assured the first thing I’ll be doing is reinstating the gardeners who want to come back, so you’ll be able to return to your own life.’
He smiled. ‘That’s great. Dad will be pleased. Speaking of whom, he’ll be wondering where I’ve got to. And why his cake and coffee are missing.’ He gave a small laugh.
She gasped and lifted her hand to her mouth, her eyes wide. ‘I’ve eaten your dad’s cake?’
Brodie leaned closer and whispered. ‘I won’t tell if you don’t. Anyway, better dash. Nice chatting to you, Lady Olivia.’ And there it was again, that name that separated her from people, like she was somehow special. Trouble was she didn’t feel it and didn’t want to be.
8
Uncle Innes was checking in regularly to make sure Olivia was okay after the events at the will reading, and of course to ask after Marley. She was grateful for his support and glad to know there were people on her side, even if one of them wasn’t her elusive, crabby brother. Kerr had apparently made comments within earshot of staff that he was looking into challenging the will, although he hadn’t had the guts to say this directly to Olivia. Uncle Innes had assured her that he didn’t have a leg to stand on as tradition wasn’t considered in legal matters and claiming such a thing was the only real weapon he had in his arsenal.
She had called him a couple of days after the reading to check that he was okay, as the words he had blurted about his life being in danger had really scared her. They didn’t get on, but she certainly wouldn’t wish any harm to him.
The conversation had been brief, and ended with him informing her, ‘I’m fine now, no thanks to you and your cronies. My darling Adaira has helped me. It’s good to know I have someone who actually cares whether I live or die.’ Olivia hoped he was simply being overdramatic but was relieved nonetheless to hear that he was now safe. But knowing his past reputation, for how long would that be the case?
Knowing that the local rumour mill would begin turning soon, if it hadn’t already, Olivia made a group video call to Bella and Skye and informed them of the results of the will reading. They were both shocked and excited for her whilst a little cautious and concerned about what it would mean for her life going forward.
‘What do we call you now?’ Bella asked.
‘You call me Olivia. I’m still just me. I don’t want anyone to think of me differently now. That’s my biggest fear, that you’ll all start treating me like some kind of aristocrat. I’ve never wanted that. I didn’t want this either—’
In Bella’s true no-filter style, she informed her, ‘But technically you are an aristocrat.’ Then she added thoughtfully, ‘You know, I never realised that was a word that was linked to humans. I thought it was just from that Disney film with the cats.’
Skye rolled her eyes and shook her head at the screen before turning her attention to Olivia. ‘But your mum trusted you to do the right thing, honey. She wouldn’t have done this if she hadn’t felt it absolutely necessary. She knew why you left for New York, and she knew what your dreams were. That’s why I feel that she had no choice.’
Olivia sighed. ‘I know. But… I feel under so much pressure right now. The grief of losing her plus what she’s asked me to do… It’s just so much.’
‘Do you know what you need?’ Bella said.
Hoping for some pearl of wisdom, Olivia asked, ‘What do I need, Bells?’
Bella brought the camera close so that just one eye could be seen. ‘A night out with the girlssss.’ Skye and Olivia giggled. ‘And you’ll be happy to know I have a job interview first thing in the morning, so I’m driving.’
‘Fantastic! What’s the job?’ Olivia asked.
‘Oh, it’s just an admin position in the city. Nothing flash. Anyway, Skye and I will pick you up at seven in Fifi.’
Olivia grinned at the mention of Fifi. ‘I can’t believe you’ve still got that bloody car! It’s ancient.’
Bella scoffed and feigned anger. ‘Hey, don’t you dare dis Fifi! She’s vintage, thank you very much. And she drives like a dream. So… what do you say?’
‘Oh, what the heck. I’m in!’ Skye replied.
Olivia sighed but followed this with a smile. ‘I suppose I could do with cheering up.’
Later that same evening, Olivia got ready for her girls’ night at the Drumblair Arms. She slipped on jeans and a plain teal sweater, determined to blend in rather than stand out. She curled her highlighted hair and applied minimal make-up. She didn’t really feel like socialising. It felt quite wrong to do so, seeing as she had only just laid her mother to rest. But on the other hand, she wanted to show the world that she was still herself and that no airs and graces had suddenly descended upon her since the will reading. And Mirren fervently insisted that her mother wouldn’t want her to put her life on hold.
At 7 p.m., the girls arrived and waited for Olivia outside on the gravel driveway. Mirren appeared in the drawing room to let her know and she grabbed her leather jacket, scarf and purse and made her way outside where her two friends waved excitedly from the car. The sky was darkening and there was a chill to the air, so, under a little duress, she hurriedly climbed into one of the rear passenger seats of Bella’s ancient… sorry, vintage… Citroen 2CV and off they went.
The short drive once again reminded Olivia how picturesque the village of Drumblair was with its old-fashioned lantern design streetlights and whitewashed cottages, interspersed with stone villas. Most of the buildings faced onto an expanse of green at the village centre and most windows glowed a warm amber from within. The village green had a children’s play area at one end and a monument dedicated to local fallen soldiers in the centre. Beyond that was the village kirk that she had attended as a child with her classmates for Easter, Christmas and harvest festival services.
The Drumblair Arms was a huge whitewashed building on the main road just past the village green, dating back to the 1700s. It had once been a carriage stop on the route north for travellers. It still held much of its charm and that’s what Olivia liked the most about the place. The small windows meant that draughts were kept at bay, and many were the original rippled and bubbled glass. The archway that had once led coaches and horses through to the yard now led people through to the beer garden.
When Bella had parked the car, the three friends climbed out, walked around the front of the pub and pushed through the main entrance door. The place was bustling with lively chat and laughter and the atmosphere was light and welcoming. According to an A-frame Olivia had noticed by the door, there was to be a local band playing later on and Olivia was looking forward to having a relaxing drink and forgetting about her predicament, even if only for a short while. She had made a condition of coming out for the evening that the castle, the inheritance and her newly acquired title should not be discussed. At all. Olivia wanted a simple, quiet night out with her friends where she could enjoy some live music and still feel like a normal human being who hadn’t just inherited a grand country estate, and whose deceased parents weren’t hoping for her to continue their legacy.
Once they had purchased their first round of drinks, the three friends sat at the only free table left, by the bar. Many long-term locals stopped by the table to pass on their condolences and chat about what a lovely woman Olivia’s mother had been, and she found herself welling up on more than one occasion. She was deeply touched by their kind words, which only served to reiterate how loved the family were, despite their enviable wealth and supposed station. It was both reassuring and comforting but, in some ways, contributed to the pressure she was feeling to stay in Scotland.
When the last of the visitors to their table had gone, Olivia turned to Skye. ‘So, come on, missy, what’s going on with Ben and the proposal? It seems to have all gone quiet. Have there been any further developments?’
Skye sighed deeply. ‘We had to cancel our dinner at River House. Ben got a horrible stomach bug so… well, you know.’
Olivia was disappointed for her friend. ‘Oh, no. So has anything else been said?’
Skye’s expression was despondent. ‘Not yet. He’s only just getting over it so I’m guessing he might rearrange or—’
‘Or what?’ Bella and Olivia asked in unison.
‘Or he’s changed his mind.’
Olivia scoffed. ‘Don’t be daft, Skye. Like I said before, he adores you, it’s so obvious. Just give him some time. I’m sure he’ll rearrange things when he’s better.’
Skye shrugged, seemingly not convinced. ‘Maybe. But the ring box isn’t in his pocket any more. I’m worried he’s returned it to the shop.’
Bella reached and squeezed her arm. ‘Well, if he has, I’m sure you’ll find someone even better.’
Olivia glared at Bella. ‘Really? Those are your wise words of encouragement?’
Bella shrugged. ‘I just mean that if he has changed his mind, he’s more of an Alan Rickman than we thought.’
At this comment, Skye laughed. ‘You can’t just use that poor actor’s name as the general term for cheater. It was a character he played and he’s dead now, so it feels a bit mean.’
Bella’s eyes grew wide. ‘Alan Rickman’s dead?’
Olivia and Skye gave a collective groan and then both giggled. For a few minutes, it felt just like old times for Olivia; the banter with her friends, Bella making some innocently inappropriate comment that had them in hysterics…
Bella’s expression changed to one of annoyance. ‘What? I don’t like watching the news; it’s depressing so I don’t always keep up with current affairs.’
Skye reached and patted her arm. ‘Not that current, babe. He passed away in 2016.’
Bella’s brow crumpled. ‘Oh… right.’
There was a long pause before Bella spoke again. ‘What will Kerr do now he hasn’t inherited the castle, do you think?’ Her question came completely out of left field – nothing new for Bella, really. She was promptly whacked on the arm by Skye and turned to her friend, rubbing her arm. ‘Ow! What was that for?’
As if Olivia might not hear, Skye spoke in a loud theatrical whisper. ‘We’re not meant to talk about any of that stuff, remember?’
Olivia smiled, knowing it was ridiculous of her to ask them not to talk about it. They were her closest friends, after all. She sighed, almost in defeat. ‘It’s fine. Don’t worry.’ She paused and thought of her brother. She imagined him sprawled dramatically on the Chesterfield at Drumblair Villa in the city with his head in Adaira’s lap, sobbing about his lost opportunity to cash in on her mother’s death, all woe is me. Her stomach churned and she wished that things were better between them. That they could share their grief like normal siblings, instead of being locked in some kind of fictional combat of her brother’s making.
Eventually she replied, ‘Honestly, I’m not sure. I think he’s very hurt and I know he’s angry with me. He’s under some misguided illusion that I had a say in all this, so he’s keeping his distance, for now, at least. Licking his wounds, I suppose. I mean… this wasn’t exactly what I expected either. And it’s not like I asked for any of this. Believe me, it kind of changes my future in a way that I didn’t want or need.’
Realising that the topic was back on the table again, Skye tentatively asked, ‘Aren’t you a tiny bit excited, though? I mean, it’s a castle. A huge, beautiful fairy-tale-esque castle and it’s going to be all yours.’
Olivia rolled her eyes. ‘It’s only like you inheriting your family home.’
Bella scoffed. ‘Yeah, right, only our family homes are a detached 1970s box on a housing estate with a postage stamp garden, and a terraced cottage on a main road with a bus stop right outside the lounge window.’
Skye added, ‘Aye and the only wildlife we get are sparrows or, in my case, Roger from next door when he’s pished and tries to get into the wrong hoose on a Saturday night!’ They all laughed as Skye mimicked her middle-aged drunken neighbour trying to get his key in the door.
Olivia tapped her arm playfully. ‘Hey, you know what I mean. It’s just home to me. Well, it was. Now it’s a bit of an albatross around my neck.’ Realising she sounded ungrateful, she added, ‘A huge, beautiful, fairy-tale-esque albatross obviously. But it’s all rather terrifying, to be honest.’
‘What will you do about New York? Things were going so well for you there,’ Skye asked with a tilt of her head and pity in her eyes.
‘Aye and there was going to be a promotion for you, wasn’t there?’ Bella added.
Olivia nodded. ‘Yes. I think so, anyway. I’ll go back for a while. Until I’ve decided what to do in the long term. I have six months until it’s all official, so I want to make the most of it. I don’t want to let Nina down when she’s given me so many amazing opportunities. And I do love New York.’
