The Skye Collection, page 32
But the thing she hated most of all was that, when she had looked up into his eyes, there had been something more there; something more powerful than lust and desire and need; something that outshone the way he made her insides quiver with the ecstatic joy of climax. And she felt it too, right down to her soul. She couldn’t call it love, but it was a deep bond, perhaps borne out of their commonalities. But whatever it was, it had left its mark on her heart and now she was going away and would have to forget about it; move forward and get on with her life.
The only problem was, she didn’t know how.
She’d showered and dressed and then scoured the kitchen and living room for signs of a note from Reid. She checked her phone; perhaps he’d messaged instead?
Still nothing.
She made coffee and sat in the garden. There was a distinct chill to the air, but she was still warmed from memories of the night before. A realisation hit as she listened to the birdsong around her; she had no regrets. For once there was no feeling of guilt. Just a sense of calm. Perhaps she was finally moving on? Not forgetting but feeling whole again.
She guessed this serenity wouldn’t last, however, there were only two days left of her stay and she’d have to pack her belongings into her suitcase at some point. But for now she wouldn’t think about that.
Unlocking the museum door, Juliette stepped inside. It hit her like a ton of bricks that this would be the last time she would stand behind the desk; the last time she’d smile at people as they walked through the door; the last time she’d be able to see the photos of Hamish’s wife and her own mother. A lump of emotion tightened her throat and tears spilled over, leaving damp trails down her cheeks. She would probably be the very last museum guardian at the Lifeboat House Museum too, which compounded her sadness. Such an incredible place that no one had the time to invest in any more.
Her mobile rang and, grateful that her best friend had forgone the video-call option for once, she answered Millie, quickly trying to disguise her despondency. ‘Hey, Millie! How are you, lovely?’
‘Erm, why is your voice all wobbly? What’s happened?’
Bloody hell. She’s telepathic, I’m sure. ‘Nothing, I’m fine. Everything’s fine.’
‘Nope. Not convinced. Truth please.’
‘It’s just because this is my last day in the museum, that’s all. Feeling quite emotional about leaving.’
‘Hmm. I buy that that’s a part of it, but what else? You forget how well I know you.’
Juliette huffed and sat on the chair behind the cash register, her head in her free hand. ‘I slept with Reid.’
‘Oh my god!’ Millie squealed, almost rupturing Juliette’s eardrum. ‘I knew it! I knew it would happen! I said to Harry that you felt something real for him.’
Juliette feigned amusement. ‘Pfft. It was just sex, Millie. A one-off.’
‘Who are you trying to convince? You don’t do things like that. And you don’t cry over someone if it’s just sex. So, what really happened? Was it awful? Is he crap in bed?’
‘Good grief, Millie. That’s all very personal.’
‘Says the woman who I’ve shared a bathroom with. Spill it, Fairhurst.’
‘Okay! He was incredible. I didn’t want it to end. And I wanted more of him. Is that better?’
‘Definitely. So, what’s the problem?’
‘He left without saying goodbye. Didn’t leave a note or anything. I don’t know if he saw it as a one-time thing and I’d feel stupid and needy asking him. In fact, it’s out of the question. I absolutely can’t ask him. I’m supposed to be heading home tomorrow and I have no clue how to feel. Apart from guilty.’ She closed her eyes when she realised the feeling had returned with a vengeance.
‘Guilty? No, no. Stop that. Laurie isn’t here, sweetheart. He’s gone. But you have to live. You must go on and enjoy your life. And eventually it would be wonderful if you let yourself love again.’
‘I just feel like I was already betraying Laurie with my attraction to Reid, and now we’ve had sex I just… God, I’m a mess.’
‘Oh, sweetie. You have nothing to feel guilty about. You haven’t betrayed Laurie and you must stop thinking like that. But I can tell you really like Reid.’
‘I do. And now I feel like he used me. Or like I read the whole thing wrong.’
‘Look, honey, just get through today. That’s all you need to do. If he comes to see you, then great, you can talk. But don’t chase him if it’s going to hurt you more. If he doesn’t come, then… well, you’re coming home tomorrow anyway, so you can try to put it all behind you. Are you heading to your folks for the night?’
‘Yes, I think I need to see them.’
‘Great, well, I’ll come up on Sunday morning, so I’m here when you get back to Mistford. I’ve still got the spare key. Harry has gone to New York on business, lucky sod, so I’m free to look after you. And you can tell me everything.’
‘Okay. I’ll see you soon. Love you.’
‘Love you too. Be strong.’
Juliette hung up, composed herself, took a deep breath and prepared herself for her final day in the museum.
Thankfully, the day was busy once again. Juliette wondered what any new owners might do with the place once a sale had completed. Would Reid’s imaginings of coffee bean posters come true? She hoped it would be something that at least kept the character of the building, but she sincerely doubted it. And maybe it was a good thing she wouldn’t be here to see it.
At the end of the day, she closed up for the very last time and walked around the museum in the quiet absence of the day’s visitors. She let her fingertips trail along the glass cases and inhaled the smell of the place, trying to commit it to memory. The old Lifeboat House had been put to wonderful use as a museum and she felt privileged to have been a small part of it. The sad thing was it would make such a wonderful quirky coffee shop for some huge chain. But what a shame that would be. The Lifeboat House had gone from saving lives to giving people a chance to learn about lives they could only see in such a place.
There was a knock on the locked door. Juliette wiped her damp cheeks and walked across to see who was there. Could it be Reid? She hoped so.
‘Oh, hi, Caitlin. I’ve just closed up for the last time,’ she said with a quiver of her chin.
‘Oh, honey, c’mere.’ Caitlin enveloped her in a warm hug. ‘I had a feeling you’d be sad. I know I am. I can’t believe you’re going back south. It’s always felt like you were supposed to stay.’
‘Ah, it’s just not meant to be. And I’m a great believer in if it’s meant to be, it will be.’
‘Aye, my granny used to say, “If it’s for you, it’ll no pass you by.” But I hoped this was for you. I really did.’ She let go of Juliette and stood back. ‘Anyway, pub tonight. A wee farewell drink. How about it?’
‘That’d be lovely. Thank you. Have you seen Reid, by any chance?’
She frowned and chewed her lip as if realising for the first time that she hadn’t. ‘Actually, no, which is odd. You must’ve heard from him though?’
‘No. I haven’t seen him since… well, since just after Evin left.’
Caitlin frowned. ‘I haven’t seen anyone walking Chewie either.’
‘Do you think they’ve gone away or something?’
Caitlin shrugged. ‘Your guess is as good as mine. Anyway, I’ll let you go home and get sorted. I’ll call for you around seven? We can grab a bite at the pub.’
Juliette nodded. ‘That’d be great. See you then.’
When she stepped inside the cottage, she checked the answering machine. Along with a message from her mum, there was the one she’d hoped for. Although the content wasn’t what she wanted to hear.
‘Hey, Jules, it’s… it’s me. It’s Reid… Look, I wanted to explain why I dashed off like that. Kate had been trying to get hold of me while you and I were… Anyway, Evin ran away. I had to take Chewie and leave to help her find him. I didn’t want you to think I left because of… (a deep sigh) The good news is we found Evin. He’s had a rough time and I need to focus on him now. What happened between you and I was…’ He sighed again, clearly struggling to find the words. ‘I’ll never forget it. I’ll never forget you. But in a way, it’s probably a good thing I was called away. I’m useless at goodbyes. Especially when I really don’t want to say them. And I didn’t want to say goodbye to you, Juliette. But I understand that the other night was something you won’t want to repeat. A once in a lifetime thing. And I’ll treasure it because of that. I understand that your heart still belongs to Laurie. I really do. And I understand that your life isn’t here. It’s in Mistford. And my life has to be wherever Evin is. So, I’m letting you go.’ His voice broke and he cleared his throat. ‘I’ve left you a gift at the pub with Stella and Joren. Please don’t open it until you get back home. It’s not for anyone else to see but you. I wish you happiness, Jules. You deserve happiness, more than anyone I know. Take care.’
When the message ended, Juliette’s face was wet with tears that had fallen silently as she’d listened to the pain in Reid’s voice. Her shoulders juddered and her heart ached. She wanted to have the opportunity to tell him he was wrong. That she did want to be with him. That it wasn’t a ‘once in a lifetime thing’ for her, regardless of what he had presumed. She hoped Evin was unharmed and that Reid would be able to mend himself and be happy. But the pain she felt was too reminiscent of the loss she’d experienced before.
Caitlin arrived at seven, and after she held Juliette and let her cry without needing explanation, Juliette washed her face, applied some make-up and they made their way to the pub.
‘It’s hard to believe that tomorrow is the last morning I’ll wake up here. This past three months has gone by in a blur.’
‘Yeah, it doesn’t seem like two minutes since I was meeting you and now, I feel like I’ve known you a lifetime.’
‘Well, a hell of a lot has happened, that’s for sure.’
‘You could say that. Poor Grace is devastated that Evin has gone.’
‘I bet. They’d become fast friends, bless them.’
When they arrived at the pub, Caitlin held open the door and Juliette walked through. Suddenly, there was a cacophony of party poppers, blowers and applause. A sign hung above the bar which said,
So Long Jules, Haste Ye Back!
Juliette brought her hands to cover her mouth and widened her eyes as the shock of it all grabbed hold of her. The Toilichte Hens began to play The Dashing White Sergeant as everyone clapped along, and she was hugged from every which way.
Stella and Joren had put on quite a spread of food and there was a huge cake in the middle of the buffet table with the words Sparkly Jules in edible glitter – she had to fight the tears at that point. Greg McBradden showed up and played a few of her favourite songs and, as before, his demands for no one to join in were lost as everyone was in such good voice. The place was alive with music, laughter and singing. Juliette was grateful to everyone for making such an effort, but, in reality, she would’ve preferred to slope off without the fuss. This was too hard; too emotional.
Morag found her and pulled her into her arms. ‘Oh, lassie, I’m going to miss you so much, my dear, dear friend. Promise you’ll come and visit. You’d be more than welcome to stay with Kenneth and me. We’d love to have you.’
Even though Juliette adored the couple, she was unable to tell Morag that it would break her heart to return, so she smiled and said, ‘I would love to, thank you.’
‘It won’t be the same around here once you’re gone. Too many changes for my liking, and I’m quite adaptable.’
‘Any news about Donny and Leanna?’ Juliette asked, on the subject of changes.
‘Oh, therein lies a drama. Donny has told her to leave. He’s decided to turn the café into something else. Everyone is reckoning the new owners of the museum will be a coffee shop chain. Goodness knows what he’ll do though. He hasn’t been into the village for a few days. Probably too ashamed to show his face, and rightly so, if you ask me. But, apparently, Reid refused to bring assault charges.’
The mention of Reid caused her stomach to flip. ‘That sounds exactly like something he’d do. I hope he’s okay.’ Juliette’s heart sank; for Reid, for herself and for Evin. There was even a tinge of pity for poor, disillusioned Donny. But one thing was certain. She’d be heading home without a proper goodbye from the man and little boy who’d stolen her heart.
37
Juliette was swung and swayed by Archie, Kenneth and even Joren. She tried to enjoy the night for what it was; tried to put Reid out of her mind. Of course, she didn’t succeed. However, she was touched that so many villagers made the point of coming to say goodbye. Hamish popped in but didn’t stay long. Clearly, the fact that the co-op were forging ahead with the sale was breaking his heart.
He handed her a gift. ‘My grandson works in graphics,’ he explained,’ So I had him do this for you. It was a bit sneaky and I’m surprised you didn’t catch me out.’ She opened the gift and burst into tears.
In her hand, she held a framed copy of the photo of her mum and her grandparents beside their beloved croft house. She couldn’t speak, she simply hugged the kind old man and whispered thank you when the words would come.
When she pulled away, his eyes were glistening with tears. ‘It’s been a pleasure to know you, Juliette Fairhurst. You remind me so much of my darling Mary Ann.’ He dabbed at his eyes. ‘I must be going. My grandson is waiting outside. You take care now. And be happy.’ He cupped her cheek in his wizened hand, and she placed hers over it.
Towards the end of the party, Kenneth and Morag presented Juliette with a framed photograph of her group of friends that was taken on the day of the Highland games. It would be taking pride of place on the mantelpiece when she got home, along with the gift from Hamish, and she would look at both with such fond memories.
Caitlin gave her a little photo album with selfies taken on their various shopping trips, walks and nights at the pub, and Archie presented her with a tartan blanket from his outdoor shop. Along with these, she received a variety of cards, chocolates, shortbread, single malt and even a vacuum-packed haggis from Stella and Joren.
They were such a wonderful group of people for accepting her into their community and making her feel a part of it. Their generosity and warmth had helped her to heal and to finally feel able to move forward. She knew she would always be welcome to visit and would be greeted fondly if she did, and that meant the world to her.
After all the dramatic changes in her life over recent years, this was the most positive one, and she would be forever grateful to the community of Glentorrin. The fact that she had fulfilled a dream of visiting Skye and she’d been able to run the museum were the icing on a most beautiful cake. Add to all this that she had used her own experience to help someone in need meant that something good had finally come from losing Laurie. Things with Reid may not have ended how she expected or hoped, but knowing she had gone a little way to do some good made her smile.
Before she left the pub at the end of the night, Joren handed her another wrapped gift. It was a large, flat box wrapped in brown paper and tied with a bright red ribbon. He kissed her cheek and said. ‘This one is the most special. You’re not to open it until you get home to Mistford. Not my rules, Reid’s.’ He held up his hands.
She nodded, unable to speak due to the emotion clogging up her vocal cords, and she hugged him tight, in lieu of hugging the man she wished was there.
Saturday morning arrived too soon, and with a heavy heart, Juliette climbed from the bed and looked out of the window. The sky was dull, and the breeze was kicking up leaves and other detritus. She had arrived at the height of summer, but it was the cusp of autumn now; the weather was changing, the leaves were already losing their verdancy and beginning to carpet the ground; the air was nipping at ears and noses, breath was becoming visible as it condensed in the air and soon, coloured lights would replace the bunting. She knew the place would still be beautiful in the cold and it tugged at her heart that she wouldn’t get to see it.
Today the lacklustre sky, with its grey hues and rain-filled clouds, matched her mood. Overhead, seagulls were fighting against the gusts and for once there was no sign of Gus, the fisherman. The prospect of fighting the increasing wind was not a good one.
A man she’d seen around but didn’t know walked, head down, determinedly into the oncoming, prevailing wind, and on the end of the lead he held was his little dog, whose expression told Juliette that he’d rather be tucked up in his basket with a juicy bone than walking in such inclement weather. The darkening clouds moved rapidly inland as if they too were trying to evade the worsening weather.
She gazed over towards Caitlin’s shop, where the lights were on, and beside it, Reid’s former café, where they were not. She wondered what he was doing. She hoped he was having a positive day, wherever he was.
Juliette took in every little detail, committing it to memory and wondering if she should have done more to secure her dream, instead of giving up so easily. There were ways and means – if she’d had the guts to take a risk.
Once she had brought her case and bags of gifts downstairs, she hovered at the door to the museum, her hand resting on the handle. She wanted one last look but knew it would only serve to darken her mood further. So instead, she turned away and left the cottage to load up her four-wheel drive and slammed the door.
She had one last walk around the house to check everything was in order and said a bizarre goodbye to Florence the Philodendron, whose blooms were apparently a sign of a contented plant. At least she hadn’t killed it/her. With one last glance, Juliette stepped outside and locked the door behind her. She took a final stroll along the street to Morag’s shop to drop off the keys and, as she arrived, she was greeted at the door by Kenneth, who hugged her tightly.
