Page 101 of A Colourful Country Escape
Lexie lifted her hands to his face, wanting to hold him, to take the agony away. His mother seemed so strong, and yet … yes. Now she thought about it, she’d seen moments of fragility. And that turban. Perhaps it was obvious in hindsight. No wonder his mother was clinging on to him, being so defensive.
Ben’s eyes were welling with tears, but she could see he was fighting them.
‘It’s OK to be sad,’ she said, touching his cheek.
‘I know.’ He blinked hard and looked away for a moment.
Lexie rewound her thoughts to that night in Marrakech and her own telephone call with Ben’s mother. She’d been evil, although in the circumstances Lexie could sort of understand. Who knew what she must have been going through for all this time. But Mrs Carrington-Noble had said she’d told Ben about Lexie’s lies. The fabricated CV and the Inkie drugs fiasco. She’d said Ben didn’t want Lexie around anymore. Was now really the time to drag all that up? But wherever this conversation was going, Lexie knew it was time to be honest. To own her past; to feel worthy no matter what.
‘I’m so sorry I blocked you out, Lexie. I’ll never forgive myself for not confiding in you or for not turning up to our date. I can be hopeless at sharing my feelings. I guess I had a stiff upbringing with Mum’s fake airs and graces, and I was too old to be mothered by Mrs Moon like Cory. I’ve never let people in. Never believed anyone would even be interested enough. This is all new to me. But I’m learning, Lexie. I’m trying.’
‘Urgh, I feel dreadful.’ Lexie shook her head. ‘You’ve suffered for weeks and you hadn’t even done anything wrong. I was too scared to hear the truth in case I hated it. And I felt so guilty about the lies I’d told. I thought you’d had enough of me.’
‘Lies?’
Oh God. Had his mother not told him? Was she about to break his heart again? ‘I … er … ’ She let her hands fall from his face and slumped onto the kissing seat, her head drooping. ‘I haven’t always been truthful with you. I was ashamed of my past. I thought I wasn’t good enough to get the job, so I lied on my CV. I pretended I had a degree when I haven’t even been to uni.’
Ben dropped down so he was kneeling at her feet, his suit trousers sinking into the moss. ‘So? You think I care about where you did or didn’t go to school? You could do the job with your eyes closed. Not all skills come from lectures and books.’
‘But I wasn’t honest with you.’
‘Then maybe I should have been a more approachable employer.’ He squeezed her knee.
‘Your mum didn’t … tell you anything about me? The CV thing, or anything else?’
He shrugged and lifted her chin so her gaze met his. ‘Not that I recall. Why would she know that?’
‘Long story.’ She didn’t feel this was any time to be trashing his sickly mother for snooping. Mrs Carrington-Noble hadn’t told tales on her in the end. Perhaps the woman had just been lashing out on the phone, after her difficult conversation with Ben.
‘We’ve got plenty of time to talk about long stories.’ He picked up one of the fortune cookie packets and handed it to her. ‘Open it.’ He beamed at her for the first time since she’d arrived. A full, happy smile that shone from his lips right up to his eyes. He was pleased about something.
Lexie’s heart broke a little. ‘Ben. I still have another secret.’
His mirth faded slightly. ‘OK. I’ve dealt with most things lately. One more thing won’t kill me,’ he said cautiously.
‘I … had some trouble with the police once. A misunderstanding, really. Over drugs. My ex tried to set me up, but the charges were quickly dropped. I was able to prove I had no idea. I should have sorted the paperwork sooner but I couldn’t face it, so it stayed on my record. I’ve fixed it now, though. I promise. I don’t even like drugs.’ She gave a feeble chuckle to cover the nerves that were gnawing her belly.
To her surprise, Ben laughed. ‘That? That’s what you’re worried about? Lex, I knew that already. Your mum told me at your sister’s ceremony. She’s quite a jabberer when she gets going, although I’m sure she means well. She thought the very idea of you being a drug mule was hilarious. In fact, in the time it took you to go to the bathroom and top up our drinks, I had your whole life history. From your favouriteRugratspyjamas to the time you first bought tampons. She didn’t hold back!’
Lexie felt her cheeks colour. ‘Jeez, really? I need to have words with that woman. Zero filter. Wow, and I’d forgotten about those pyjamas. I loved poor geeky Chuckie.’
‘I probably was Chuckie, if I would have had red hair and glasses. You’d be fearless Tommy.’
‘Tommy was a baby boy with about five hairs and no teeth!’
‘Sorry. I’m ruining the moment, aren’t I?’
Somewhere in the distance, a peacock squawked its agreement.
‘So … what next?’ asked Lexie.
‘Next, Chuckie asks Tommy never to leave him again. No matter what Angelica Pickles tries to say.’
‘Wait. Your mum is the cruel girl with pigtails?’ Lexie gawped.
‘Argh, I know she doesn’t mean to be. But if there’s one thing this whole situation has taught me, it’s that life is not ours for the keeping. All of this …’ He waved his arms around him. ‘Nutgrass Hall, Carrington Paints, even my mother’s favour. I’d give it all up for happiness. For you, Lexie. I would and I am giving it all up for a chance at being with you. I’ve told Mum already.’
Lexie blinked. ‘What? You would give up your home? The business that you worked so hard to build with your father?’
