Page 49 of The Beekeeper's Cottage
She closed her eyes and swallowed. ‘No.’ She faltered. ‘Do I…? Do I look all right?’ She hadn’t wanted to ask him, but her nerves got the better of her.
He smiled, soft and slow. ‘You do,’ he said simply, holding her look.
The hairs on the back of her neck were beginning to prickle and she realised she was holding her breath. The pressure on her fingers increased slightly.
‘And if you need me, I’ll be here,’ added Amos, leaning in towards her.
Grace closed her eyes in anticipation just as the sound of a key turning in a lock came from the hallway.
‘Amos, wait, I—’ But he was already pulling away.
She turned towards the front door and took a couple of steps, looking back to smile at Amos one last time, but he was already gone, slipping silently back out into the evening. She touched a hand to her lips as if she could feel him there and, blinking back sudden tears, went to greet her husband.
Grace could hear the burble of voices from behind the door as she plastered a smile on her face. Then, suddenly filling the hallway, was Paul, even bigger than she remembered, the flash of his suave good looks and expensive cologne sending her stomach into freefall.
She faltered for a moment, memories assailing her – good times, when all she wanted was to lie in his arms amazed that this intelligent, handsome and captivating man was hers. But then she pushed her thoughts away. It was all wrong; his bulk was too huge, domineering, even his bearing looked arrogant and overly confident. The charm was flowing as he ushered in their guests but all she could think was that his vulgar familiarity had shattered the calm equilibrium that was her home.
‘Ah Grace, there you are,’ he said, swooping forward and wrapping his arms around her. He kissed her full on the lips. ‘Let me introduce you to everyone.’ He stood back to allow them all to find a space. ‘Firstly, this is Zac, who you’ve heard so much about.’
She had. Dominic had made sure he had sent her potted biographies of all three guests, together with photographs, although Zac was considerably shorter than she had imagined.
‘It’s so lovely to meet you,’ she said stepping forward to receive the obligatory air-kiss to both cheeks. ‘And I understand you hail not far from here originally. Do you get much opportunity to come home?’
He smiled and dipped his head in acknowledgement that she had done her homework. ‘Not half as much as I’d like. My folks still live in Herefordshire, in the same house I grew up in actually, but I rarely get the time to visit, you know how it is. I’ve lived in the States for fifteen years now, but home is still home, so coming here this weekend is a real treat for me. A little slice of the England I always try to keep in my mind, and that’s not always easy in the middle of New York, let me tell you.’
Tinkly laughter echoed around the hall and the tall man by Zac’s side stepped forward, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
‘This is my second in command,’ said Zac. ‘Riley Schwarz… far too young to be so incredibly talented, but there you go.’
Grace shook his hand. They were all impossibly young and good-looking, tanned, smooth-skinned, and with an air of money about them that couldn’t be faked. Even the incredibly skinny chap standing tucked a little behind Riley was wearing top-to-toe designer wear. As Zac’s assistant, Grace had no doubt he was required to look the part but she also had no doubt that his entire wardrobe consisted of similar clothes.
‘You must be Scott,’ she said, smiling again and moving forward. They all made Grace feel as if she were one hundred and two, on a good day.
Finally, introductions made, she was able to greet Dominic, bringing up the rear, who stared deep into her eyes with a look that left her in no doubt how grateful he was.
From her side, Paul opened his arms in an expansive gesture. ‘Welcome to our home,’ he said. ‘Come through, everyone, and let’s get some hospitality going, shall we? It’s been a long journey for you all.’
Smiling at her cue, Grace led the way into the living room, which she knew would look stunning in the evening light. It was the perfect antidote to long stressful days.
‘Please, sit wherever you would like and I’ll organise some drinks.’ She was pleased to hear collective noises of appreciation as they entered the room and even Paul had the grace to nod his thanks in her direction. ‘Dominic, would you mind giving me a hand with the trays please?’
Everything was laid out ready; tea, a pot of the finest coffee she could find, and a jug of Hannah’s homemade lemonade. All that was required was hot water and, within moments, they were carrying the drinks back through to the others. Paul was already deep in conversation, having pounced on the plate of sugary biscuits that she had baked earlier. The evening had begun.
‘Well, well, well, someone has been busy…’
The voice, oily and snide, in marked contrast to how it had sounded earlier, cut straight through Grace. Startled, she whirled around in the dim light of the kitchen, trying to find its source, only just spotting Paul by the glow of his cigarette as he leaned up against the open patio door. He straightened once he saw that she had seen him.
‘That didn’t take you long,’ he added. ‘Had help, did you?’
She ignored his comment.
‘I’m just getting a drink, Paul,’ she replied. ‘And then I’m going to bed.’
He moved forward into the room and she frowned at the smoke which wafted after him.
‘Ah yes, your bed… which no longer seems to be my bed. Or indeed my bedroom. You could have told me, Grace.’
He was goading her, she knew that; he’d had too much to drink and even now, with three guests sleeping upstairs, was spoiling for a fight. She tried to distance herself from the memories of the last weekend she had hosted. It wasn’t the same at all,shewasn’t the same, and she lifted her head a little, feeling stronger.
