Coming Home to the Highlands, page 18
A thought struck Olivia. ‘Hey, when do you finish your work at the cathedral?’
‘Next month, as it happens. We got through the documents faster than we thought.’ Disappointment creased his brow. ‘I’ve been too bloody efficient for my own good.’ He gave a light laugh.
Excitement set butterflies fluttering about inside Olivia. ‘Look… and feel free to say no, because obviously you have a wife to go home to. But I was wondering how you would feel about making your research here official. I mean, going forward we need pamphlets, display boards and such making up for the castle tours. But they need to be researched and done properly by someone who knows what they’re doing. I think you would be perfect to put them together. You could really get your teeth into the Bonnie Prince Charlie connection.’
Brodie sat up straight, his eyes sparkling. ‘You’re offering me a job? That’s what you mean, right?’
She beamed. ‘It is. We need someone who can be in charge of the collections too once the castle opens, so it doesn’t have to be temporary. What do you think? I mean, obviously discuss it with Mags first because, well, Inverness is a fair distance from Edinburgh and she has her job there but…’ She didn’t bother to try to stop the smile that spread across her face. ‘Maybe some things can be done remotely? Anyway, chat to her about it.’
‘I’ll… I’ll do that. I’ll give her a call. But heck yeah! I’d bloody love to do it. It’s…’ he glanced down and fiddled with his bookmark; his cheeks tinged with pink. ‘This is going to sound so corny but doing that job, here… It’s a dream job to me.’
Olivia placed a hand over her heart. ‘Really?’
He lifted his chin and smiled, those dimples forming in his cheeks. ‘Really. Thank you for offering it to me, Olivia. It means a lot.’
‘That’s fantastic. You really are the perfect person for the job with your degree, your passion for this place and your connection.’
The doorbell chimed and Olivia stood. ‘That must be my date. I’d better get going.’
Brodie nodded. ‘Aye. Have a great night, Olivia.’
She found herself unable to think of anything to say. The way he looked in that moment melted her heart and she so wished it didn’t. She smiled and turned to leave.
Owain had arrived in a taxi, much to Olivia’s surprise after his comment about soft drinks. The taxi dropped them off at the edge of the precinct in Inverness and they walked up the hill to the Italian on Stephen’s Street. It was just as quaint as Olivia had expected; gingham tablecloths and candle holders made from old wine bottles. Olivia and Owain were seated at a cosy table in the corner of the room. The place was already quite busy and had a lovely warm and friendly atmosphere.
Owain looked handsome in a pair of dark blue jeans and a tan-coloured jumper that matched his boots. ‘I was really nervous about this evening,’ he admitted as they perused the menu.
Olivia narrowed her eyes. ‘Me too. But this place is lovely.’
A waiter arrived and Owain ordered a bottle of Rioja and then gestured to Olivia to place her meal order.
‘I’ll have the mushroom agnolotti with truffle oil,’ she said handing back her menu.
Owain’s eyes lit up. ‘Ooh, that sounds good. Make that two.’ The waiter left them to chat. ‘You seemed to be sure of what you wanted,’ he said with a warm smile.
‘Oh yes, well, Brodie has been here, and he recommended it so…’
‘Oh, right. You and he are quite close then?’ There was nothing accusatory or jealous about his tone.
‘I wouldn’t say that. We used to be very good friends as kids. His dad has been the castle’s groundskeeper and gardener for years now and he lives in a cottage in the grounds. Brodie and I grew up together until he relocated after his parents’ divorce. Then we lost touch. I’ve only reconnected with him since I returned home, really.’
‘And he’s married, I understand.’
Olivia wasn’t sure why he was asking questions about Brodie. Unless he was trying to figure out if she had feelings for him, so he didn’t waste his time on her. ‘Yes, that’s right. His wife is in Edinburgh while he works in Inverness for a while.’
‘That must be difficult. If and when I get married, I’m hoping we can’t bear to be apart.’
This comment rang an alarm bell. Was Owain one of those clingy types who needed to know where their partner was every minute of every day? Better to find out now. ‘Hmm, I think in this case it’s a needs must thing. It’s just for work. And every couple needs their own space some of the time.’
He frowned but nodded his agreement. ‘Oh yes, of course. I think so too. I just mean that if you’re married, you should at least live together.’
He had a point. ‘I suppose so. But it must work for Brodie and Mags.’ Time for a change of topic, she thought. ‘Anyway, tell me about your artwork. What do you paint?’
‘Landscapes mostly and some abstracts. But I love to try new things. Art is such a vast spectrum of mediums that I want to at least try everything once, except portraits. I’m not good at portraits.’
A waiter arrived and placed their wine and two glasses on the table. ‘Owain. Good to see you, amico,’ the tall, dark-haired man said in an Italian accent. Olivia guessed he was in his late twenties to early thirties.
Owain stood and embraced the man. ‘Stesso, stesso, Niccolò. Come va?’
Niccolò grinned. ‘Bene, grazie.’
‘Niccolò, this is my friend Olivia. Olivia, this is Niccolò. I met him during an artists’ retreat in San Niccolò, Florence, believe it or not. We had some great times, didn’t we, Nic?’
Niccolò from San Niccolò slapped Owain on the back. ‘We sure did. And when I told him I wanted to open my own restaurant, Owain convinced me to come to Scotland because he loves the place so much and so, here I am, years later. Turns out I love it too.’
‘Niccolò owns this place,’ Owain told Olivia. ‘He has such a creative flair for food.’
Niccolò placed his hand on his forehead. ‘Stop it before my head explode with embarrassment. Anyway, here is your wine, Owain, your favourite Rioja and it’s on the house. Enjoy your evening.’ Owain and Niccolò hugged again and then Niccolò left to go back to work.
Olivia raised her eyebrows. ‘So, an artists’ retreat in Florence, eh?’
Owain shrugged. ‘Sometimes you have to take advantage of your parents’ wealth and willingness to get shot of you for a few months.’ He laughed. ‘Seriously though, I learned a great deal from some really talented people. Niccolò’s parents owned the house where we stayed, and he was the chef. We just… hit it off, I guess.’ He seemed to drift off for a few moments but then shook his head. ‘Anyway, your turn. Tell me about New York.’
The rest of the evening went by quickly and was filled with laughter. Brodie had been right about the agnolotti too. It was mouth-wateringly good. But every mouthful made her think of him when she was in the company of a perfectly lovely, attractive man.
Life was so unfair sometimes.
17
Over the next few weeks, Olivia spent more and more time with Owain. She grew to really like him. They had such a fun relationship based on common interests and it felt good and easy to be with him. It was also nice that he hadn’t tried to rush things with her. There had been several kisses and lots of snuggling on the sofa in his apartment but there had been no pressure for them to take things to the next level, which suited Olivia just fine. She wasn’t ready to be intimate with anyone just yet.
Brodie had accepted the role Olivia had offered him but had returned to Edinburgh to work on the research for Drumblair, and to prepare the map of the grounds, the guidebook and the signposting for the interior. Olivia understood why he’d returned to the capital but missed seeing him. She missed their chats and how he always seemed to know the right thing to say when she needed to hear it. Their brief meetings over Zoom weren’t quite the same and had taken on more of an employer/employee tone.
Plans for the castle opening were coming along a lot faster than any of them had anticipated. Uncle Innes was still recovering from his surgery but managing to hobble around with his wrist strapped up and attend meetings.
During one such meeting at the beginning of November, they had been discussing the prospect of holding some trial events. Olivia was keen to get the ball rolling, but winter had well and truly arrived, and she was a little stumped. However, after a thoughtful pause, Bella said, ‘You know what we need, don’t you?’
‘What?’ Innes and Olivia asked simultaneously.
‘A Christmas gift fayre. Lots of stately homes hold them these days. You get a load of craft makers as stall holders, rope in the local school choir, put on mince pies and mulled wine, alcoholic and non-alcoholic, of course, and you decorate the place for Christmas.’ She held out her hands as if it was the easiest thing to arrange.
‘Bella, I don’t mean to be negative, but we are already at the start of November. Most craft creators who do these kinds of fayres will already be sorted for such events. I don’t think we have time. But next year definitely.’
Bella shook her head and grinned. ‘You know there was supposed to be one at the village school that had to be cancelled, don’t you?’
Olivia had been so busy with the castle that she hadn’t a clue what had been going on in the village. ‘I didn’t.’
‘Well, their roof collapsed. Luckily it happened at the weekend so no one was hurt but they won’t get it repaired in time, so I think we could offer Drumblair Castle as an alternative venue. We could also put the feelers out and see if we could get a few more vendors.’
Innes chewed the inside of his cheek for a moment, his brow crumpled. ‘And you think we have time to pull this off? I mean, we have a matter of a few weeks, that’s all.’
Bella straightened her spine. ‘Leave it with me. I think the Drumblair Christmas Countdown Fayre will be a great success.’
Olivia grinned. ‘Ooh, I’m quite excited about it now. I just wonder if people will come.’
Innes tapped his nose. ‘Host it and they will come.’ He chuckled.
Olivia snickered. ‘All right, Kevin Costner. Okay, Bells, go for it.’
Bella clapped her hands excitedly. ‘Yay! I love Christmas!’
The date was set for the second weekend in December and, true to her word, Bella worked her magic. By mid-November, almost all the stalls had been booked.
It was a Saturday in mid-November when Olivia next saw Brodie in person. She had been to an afternoon screening at the cinema with Owain to see the new Ryan Reynolds movie and they had arrived back just before five.
‘Do you want to come in for hot chocolate?’ she asked Owain as she gazed up into his deep brown eyes under the newly lit archway.
He kissed her nose. ‘I think I’d better go get my beauty sleep. I’m heading to Edinburgh tomorrow, remember. I still wish you could come with me.’
She smiled. ‘I know, but I have so much to do. The Christmas Countdown is in just over two weeks and I’m still trying to make sure we have everything we need. You won’t be back until Wednesday and that would mean four days where I don’t get anything done.’
He stuck out his bottom lip like a petulant child. ‘But I might be wonewy.’
Olivia giggled. ‘I’m sure you’ll be just fine. You have your friends to keep you company and you’ll be too busy with the Christmas market and afternoon drinking to think about me.’
‘I’m going to get you the best Christmas surprise ever,’ he informed her with a glint in his eyes.
‘Oh? Well, I’ll certainly look forward to that.’ She tiptoed up to kiss him lightly on the lips before opening the door to the foyer and waving goodbye as he returned to his sports car and drove away. As she watched his headlights disappear down the long driveway, she sighed. There still was no spark when he kissed her, and she hated that fact. They had such fun together and he was so easy to talk to. Maybe her expectations of the butterflies whenever they kissed, and the desire to rip his clothes off at every given moment, were unrealistic? She hadn’t chatted to Bella and Skye about it yet as she wanted to let things breathe for a while. He seemed to like her. He always complimented her and was kind and thoughtful. She was desperate for the thunderbolt to hit so she suddenly fell head over heels in love with him. Because he really was perfect. He was attractive, talented, funny… so what was the problem?
Once inside the dimly lit entrance way, Olivia glanced around to see several bulbs missing from light fixtures. The old bulbs in the chandelier and wall sconces were being replaced by energy efficient ones but it had meant making some adaptations to the old fittings. It was like stepping into a cave just now, however, and she made a mental note to speak to the electrician on Monday. Suddenly she heard barking and there was the usual streak of white before Wilf and Marley appeared in tandem. Wilf jumped up at her, almost knocking her off her feet again. His tail was frantically wagging and his tongue lolling out at one side of his mouth. Typical Wilf. Marley was hanging back a little to let Wilf get his exuberance out of the way. Such a polite boy.
She scratched the dogs behind their ears. ‘Hey, Wilfy, hey, Marley, you’re both always so happy to see me! Where’s—’
‘Shit, I’m so sorry, Olivia,’ Brodie said, jogging up from the direction of the kitchen. ‘I really am trying to improve his recall, but he just won’t listen.’
‘It’s fine, I’ve learned to brace myself whenever I hear his claws hitting the floor at speed.’
He gave an apologetic smile. ‘That’s a good thing. Anyway, I was just dropping some logs off in the drawing room for my dad and now I’m about to wander down to his place, so I’ll be out of your hair. Don’t want to be a third wheel to the loved-up couple,’ he said, glancing behind her and scratching his head.
‘Oh, no, you’re fine. Owain is setting off for Edinburgh early tomorrow with some friends so he’s having an early night.’
Brodie glanced at his watch. ‘It’s 5 p.m.. How early does he need to be in bed?’ He laughed.
Olivia shook her head and rolled her eyes. ‘I know. Crazy, right?’
‘Things seem to be going well for you two. I’m really happy for you,’ he told her with a handsome smile that she wished she hadn’t noticed.
Deciding not to dwell on it, she said, ‘Thanks, hey, I was going to make hot chocolate with marshmallows if you fancy some?’
Brodie glanced at his watch again and his face contorted a little, seemingly he was weighing things up for some reason. ‘Oh, sod it, why not.’ They headed for the kitchen with Wilf and Marley trotting along behind.
Once in the light of the kitchen, Olivia grabbed some mugs and scooped five heaped spoonsful of powder into each as Wilf lay beside her feet and Marley took to his usual spot. ‘So, what have you been up to today?’ she asked as she poured boiling water into each of the large mugs.
‘I’ve been finishing up some of the wording for the signage that’s going in the costume gallery.’
Without turning, she said, ‘Brodie, it’s Saturday. You’re allowed a day off, you know.’
‘Aye, but I was a wee bit behind, so I just thought I’d try and catch up.’
Olivia turned with the two mugs in her hands and stopped in her tracks with a gasp. ‘Brodie! What the hell has happened to your face?’ Wilf hurried over to sit by his master as if he needed defend him. He laid down with a whine.
Brodie lifted his hand to his cheek. ‘Oh, this? It’s nothing. I’m a clumsy wee dobber.’ He laughed. ‘Tripping over this wee rascal.’ He reached down to scratch Wilf’s head.
Olivia placed the mugs on the table and slid into the chair opposite him. ‘Come on, what really happened? It looks like someone’s hit you.’
He reached for his mug and stared at the contents. ‘You should see the other guy.’ He forced another laugh.
Olivia narrowed her eyes in concern. ‘Was there just one other guy?’
Brodie swirled the liquid around in his mug and nodded towards it. ‘You won’t laugh if I get a marshmallow ’tache, will you?’ he asked with a smile. ‘’Cause there’s a lot of them in here.’
‘Brodie?’ Olivia said, reaching with her hand on the table but not touching him.
He sighed defeatedly. ‘I’m fine, honestly. I’ve just been a bit off my game. Walking into stuff, you know? I probably just need more sleep. Anyway, was the film any good? Mirren said you were going to see the new Ryan Reynolds one. He’s brilliant, isn’t he? Such fantastic comedy timing. Would you recommend it?’
‘The film was great but… Brodie, are you in trouble? This isn’t the first time you’ve had a black eye.’
He shook his head but didn’t make eye contact. ‘Trouble? Me? Pfft, nah. Like I said, I’m just accident prone.’
‘You do know you can talk to me, don’t you? If you owe someone money, I—’
He quickly lifted his head and glared at her. ‘You’ll throw money at my problems and fix them? Thanks, Olivia, but I don’t need or want your money.’ She was taken aback by the harshness of his tone and lost for words for a moment. He swallowed hard. ‘Look, I’d better be getting back to Dad’s. I’m setting off back to Edinburgh after dinner.’ He pushed his chair back and stood. ‘Thanks for the hot chocolate but if I wait for it to cool, it’ll take too long. I’d better go. Come on, Wilf.’ He patted his leg and Wilf dutifully jumped to his paws before they walked out of the room.
Olivia rushed to follow. ‘Brodie, please, I didn’t mean to offend you! I’m—’ The main entrance slammed. ‘—Sorry.’ She stared at the closed door, worry niggling at her mind and knotting her insides.
She glanced down to find Marley had followed her and she scratched his head. ‘Oh, Marley, I think there’s more to Brodie’s situation than he’s letting on.’ Whatever it was he was dealing with, he wasn’t prepared to ask for help, so she would just have to step back until he did.
Monday morning was bustling at the castle. It was just over two weeks to the Christmas Countdown and there were so many people wandering around the place, she wondered if this was similar to what it would be like having the general public walking around her home. Her phone buzzed and she glanced at the screen to find an email from Brodie.
