Page 56 of The Beekeeper's Cottage
She fixed her gaze on Paul’s. He was still leaning nonchalantly up against the door and his fake indifference was beginning to annoy her intensely.
‘Shall we make something absolutely clear,’ she began. ‘First of all, Paul, youhavegone… and you’ve gone because you have lied and cheated your way through the last few years of our marriage. So don’t you dare question my actions or, worse, judge me by your own appallingly low standards. Amos is a friend, the same as Ned, or Flora, Hannah, or Fraser. He came to the farm just a few weeks ago, looking for work in return for his board and lodging, and that’s what he’s been doing ever since; working. And he may not have any money or fancy clothes but he’s got more honesty and integrity in his little finger than you have in your entire body.’
Paul took a slow swallow from his glass, regarding her coolly as he did so. He was silent for a few seconds and then levered himself upright, away from the door. At first she thought he was about to turn and leave but then he took a few steps into the room.
‘So where did he come from then, this Amos?’
‘I’m honestly not sure. Like I said, he came to work on the farm. If you’re that interested I’m sure Hannah can show you a copy of his references.’
‘But from what you’ve said he didn’t come invited, he just turned up, out of the blue, from nowhere in particular… Doesn’t sound like something that stick-in-the-mud, Hannah, would allow. Or did he work his charm on her too?’
Carrying the fruit over to the work surface, Grace placed it on a chopping board. ‘You know, you really are a pig,’ she said, turning her back on Paul and slicing an apple in two.
She felt rather than heard the movement, realising that Paul had come to stand behind her. His breath was hot on the side of her neck, laden with wine fumes and casual threat. Every part of her stilled, waiting for his next move, wanting to recoil, to shrink from the touch that was surely coming. She felt his lips graze her skin and a wave of revulsion swept over her. She could barely even stand to be in the same room as him these days.
An arm stretched past her as he placed his glass down beside the chopping board, leaning in even closer. His lips moved along her shoulder, up her neck, until they just touched her earlobe.
‘Well, when you want to know where Amos really came from, be sure to let me know, won’t you?’
The words were a whisper, barely even a breath, but Grace heard them loud and clear. She froze, trying desperately not to give Paul the reaction he was waiting for. He pushed himself away from her and gave a low laugh as he turned and headed for the door. She turned too, at the last minute, fighting her impulse to know more. Staring at his back, the seconds ticked by and, despite herself, the question was on her lips when Dominic came through the door. He sensed the atmosphere in a second.
‘Everything all right in here?’ He looked straight at Paul, a challenging enquiry on his face.
Grace gave a vague smile. ‘Fine,’ she replied.
‘Well, I hope so. We were just discussing one or two things which could do with your input, Paul, in case you’ve forgotten what this weekend is in aid of. Perhaps you could come back and join us? If you’re done here, of course…’
‘We’re done,’ said Grace and she turned back to the chopping board, heart pounding and ears roaring with the thoughts that were assailing her. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply, feeling the eddies begin to settle. She knew that Paul was trying to rile her, and she knew why. The supposed jealousy he was displaying wasn’t jealousy at all; she hadn’t been the object of his affections for a long time and she knew the touches and kisses were designed only to make her feel uncomfortable, to remind her who held the power in their relationship. Paul didn’t want her, but he couldn’t stand being made to feel like he could ever be replaced either.
She stared at the fruit on the board, willing his words to stop their constant march through her head.When you want to know where Amos really came from;that’s what he had said.When you want to know… but did she? And more importantly,whatdid Paul know?Howdid he know? Or was that just a ruse too, designed to make her question a man she trusted far more than her husband?
In reality Paul probably didn’t know anything at all, but all the same his words touched a chord because Grace was only too well aware that she didn’t actually know where Amoshadcome from, aside from the vaguest of details. And in all the time he had been at the farm, she and everyone else had respected his privacy, had accepted his way of life, because what else did you do with a man like Amos? Someone who was as kind and thoughtful as he was, generous and caring, and with a wisdom that went far beyond his years, must surely deserve not to have his very integrity questioned. But Paul had sown the seed of doubt and, just as he’d known it would, it had begun to grow.
Grace scooped up the fruit from the board and added it to a large glass pitcher which she then topped up with cold water from the fridge. Some slices of cucumber and sprigs of fresh mint finished it off and, placing the jug on a tray together with some clean glasses, she carried the whole lot through into the living room. Dominic’s words rang in her ears; she too had to remember what this weekend was about, there was a lot at stake for them all. She felt as if she were on a runaway train, as if some process had been put into motion that she was powerless to stop, and she had no idea where any of them would end up when it did. But, for now, she would smile, and chat, refill glasses, offer tempting morsels of food and somehow make it through the rest of the evening.
She almost managed it. Zac and Riley were engaging company and even Scott who, much younger than the others, had been extremely shy to start with, had found his level and contributed as much to the conversation. It made the task of trying to keep Amos out of her head that bit easier and she made sure that Paul had no opportunity to catch her on her own and put him back there. Except that now, the evening was drawing to a close and Grace knew that in a short while she would be left with nothing but her own thoughts for company.
Dominic had been the first to retire to bed, followed by Scott and Paul. It was a political move, giving Zac and Riley some time to talk together on their own. She smiled as she carried the last of the glasses through into the kitchen and saw them sneak out the patio doors for one final cigarette and a sharing of thoughts. The candles all around the patio had been lit earlier in the evening, but with the lights on in the kitchen, Grace could see little of the outside. Every now and again a few words or the odd laugh would reach her, but that was all. She would have given anything to know what Zac and Riley were discussing. Tomorrow a leisurely breakfast would bring the weekend to an end and, if they hadn’t made up their minds who they were going to award their contract to by now, she doubted very much that anything which happened tomorrow would change it. And, as far as she was concerned, she had done what she could.
She loaded the last few cups into the dishwasher and tidied away the stray bits and pieces that had found their way into the kitchen, leaving it neat and tidy for the morning. Then, having filled a glass with cool water to take upstairs to bed, she was about to go and say goodnight to Zac and Riley when the patio doors slid open and both men walked back into the room.
‘Grace,’ said Zac softly. ‘I’m glad you’re still up…’
She smiled a little nervously. His words didn’t sound like the polite goodnight she was expecting.
Zac indicated the table. ‘I know you’re probably desperate to get some sleep, but we wondered if we might beg just a couple more minutes of your time.’
‘And don’t look so worried,’ quipped Riley. ‘We only want to heap praise and adoration on you, in case we don’t get the opportunity tomorrow.’
She grinned at Riley’s sense of humour, still very evident, and took a seat.
‘We also wanted to make sure that you were alone when we did. We’re under no illusion as to who has made this weekend possible, Grace, and we wanted to make sure that the right person received the credit.’
‘Oh…’ She didn’t know what to say to that. It was extremely generous, but… She looked up and caught Zac’s eye. He smiled.
‘And yes, you’re right, that’snotwhat you were expecting to hear and itisn’tespecially complimentary as far as your husband goes. No doubthe’llbe expecting nothing but compliments from us tomorrow, and we’re not harsh people, Grace, he’ll get them, but what he won’t be getting is our contract.’
She stared at him in horror.
