Always and Forever at Glendale Hall

by Victoria Walters

  ‘No girlfriend to cook you a meal, then? Although in this day and age, you should be cooking for her, of course.’ I couldn’t resist the sly question. Not that I cared either way.

  ‘No girlfriend for either of us to do it,’ he said, looking away from me. I saw a flicker of something in his eyes. Pain maybe.

  I wasn’t surprised he was single with the attitude he’d shown me so far but it made it all the more interesting that he appeared to be so resistant to my charms. ‘Hey, don’t let that bacon burn!’

  Cameron spun around to check it, muttering something about me being as bossy as Gordon Ramsay. Cheeky.

  We managed to get through the rest of making brunch without incident or any conversation apart from cooking instructions. When it was all ready, I poked my head out of the French doors. ‘Do you all want to eat out there? I think we’re ready.’ They all agreed to that suggestion so we served up the food in dishes and carried everything outside, along with a pot of coffee, teapot, and a jug of juice. ‘You think you’ll be able to get through a breakfast now?’ I asked Cameron before we carried out the toast and pastries.

  ‘Honestly, I’m not sure but I definitely know what I’m aiming for now. I didn’t before.’ He turned to me and for the first time in the hour we’d been in the kitchen, looked me straight in the eyes. It was a little disconcerting. ‘Thanks then,’ he half-grunted.

  I supposed that was the best I was going to get. I gave a terse nod. ‘Sure,’ and then I pushed past him and went outside. I really couldn’t make him out at all.

  We sat down to brunch and everyone was complimentary. Cameron was quiet through the meal and at the end said he had to be off to the farm, legging it as quickly as he could get away with, I thought.

  ‘He’s not a big talker, is he?’ I asked Heather once he had gone.

  She was bouncing her toddler on her lap, passing him some toast, and turned to smile at me. ‘Just like his uncle. They don’t say much but when they do it seems to count more. I trust them like family. And that counts for a lot. Thank you for helping us today. I really don’t have the time to get to Hilltop every day to make the guests breakfast.’

  ‘I’m always happy to get into the kitchen.’

  ‘What will you do with the rest of your day off?’ Beth asked beside me.

  ‘Brodie and Emily have invited me over to the vicarage,’ I said. I’d planned to go to the pub afterwards by myself. It was always the best way to get to know people in a new place, I had found. I just hoped I’d find a better reception with the people there than I’d had with Cameron today, otherwise it was going to be a long summer.

  Chapter Eight

  The vicarage was at the end of the High Street, next to the church, and it was small but cosy, the scent of lavender and baking greeting me when Brodie opened the door. I had only been inside once before – when I had come for their wedding. Emily had asked me and my mum to join her and her bridesmaids to get ready before the wedding, and I’d felt awkward the whole time. The vicarage reminded me of my parents’ house in Inverness, so my feet felt almost itchy as soon as I crossed the threshold. It was a family home through and through. Something I had run from when I was eighteen, and was still running from now.

  ‘Hey, sis,’ Brodie said with a grin. Despite myself, I smiled back. When he called me that, I remembered happier times before my accident, times when he had just been my big brother. He’d changed out of the dog collar, thank goodness, and now wore a casual shirt and jeans. ‘Come on in. We thought we’d go in the garden, it’s such a lovely day.’ Brodie led me through the kitchen and out the back door into their square garden, which backed on to the church cemetery, although you couldn’t really see it as there were trees at the bottom of the garden. I could, however, see the church steeple rising up behind it. It was weird to live in the shadow of a church, surely? I felt like I’d always be anxious to be on my best behaviour or something. And that would not be something I would enjoy.

  ‘Lovely to see you again, Anna.’ Emily greeted me with a warm smile. She was at their white patio table, Iona on her lap. A picture of summer happiness was before me. Emily with her blonde hair and floaty floral dress. Iona with a cute hat and sundress on, colourful flowers in full bloom all around them, the sun shining down. On the table stood a vase of wild flowers, a jug of homemade lemonade with ice in glasses that had lemons on them, and a pretty lemon cake under a dome with plates all ready.

  ‘Is lemonade okay or would you like a coffee?’ Brodie asked behind me as I stared, wondering if I was going to destroy this scene with my presence. I felt uncomfortable. Out of my depth. I wanted alcohol, to be honest, but I murmured that lemonade was fine and sat down, Brodie joining us.

  ‘How are you settling in at the Hall?’ Emily asked me as she poured us all a drink. Brodie lifted the dome and cut up thick slices of cake for us all. I was glad I went on a run this morning. From what I’d seen so far, Glendale appeared to be determined to feed everyone up.

  ‘Fine, I think. I had to show Cameron how I make brunch so he can feed people who come to stay at Hilltop Farm. I’m not sure if he took it all in or not. He didn’t say very much. So I haven’t had much of a chance to look around. Beth took me on a tour when I arrived but that’s it. I feel like I’m going to get lost.’ I took a sip of the lemonade and it was refreshing, I had to admit.

  ‘The hall is so lovely,’ Emily said. ‘I lived there for a while when I first came to Glendale – I’m sure you’ll work out all the nooks and crannies quickly. It will soon feel like home like it did for me, I bet.’

  ‘Well, as long as I don’t have to give any more cooking lessons, I should be able to get on with my actual work tomorrow.’

  ‘I still can’t believe my little sister can cook,’ Brodie said with a shake of his head. ‘I’m not sure why you kept that quiet though.’

  I shrugged. ‘Usually when I come home I get a lot of lectures. There’s not much time to show off my skills.’ I said this lightly but it hurt to know that my family thought that my life was all wrong. It made me feel as if they wouldn’t care to know about things that I was enjoying in it.

  Brodie did look a little shamed by that. ‘I’m sorry you felt that way. We really didn’t mean to do that. I know Mum and Dad would love to know you had a passion. And it was kind of you to show Cameron the ropes. I’m sure he appreciated it. I know Rory and Heather will. They are keen to make a real success of Hilltop.’

  ‘He’s a bit hard to work out, to be honest.’ Reticent and reserved, I thought, most unlike his gorgeous exterior. I shrugged. ‘Hopefully that’s my first and only lesson with him.’ I couldn’t be bothered with people who didn’t make an effort. It was clear he had no interest in me so I would have no interest in him either.

  ‘I always thought he was a little shy,’ Emily commented, picking up her fork to have a bite of cake. ‘Probably used to spending loads of time alone outside on the farm, only having to deal with animals and not people, you know? I mean, Rory and Angus are similar, aren’t they? Heather brings them out of their shell, I’ve always thought.’

  Brodie nodded. ‘Not everyone is as outgoing as you,’ he added to me.

  That felt like more criticism. ‘I’d say he was rude, not shy, actually.’ I couldn’t help but snap at my brother. Like I wasn’t entitled to have an opinion of someone I’d spent time with trying to help, and who had treated it like he was the one doing me a favour just gracing me with his presence. ‘Anyway, how are you feeling, Emily?’ I swivelled to face her instead of Brodie. I saw a flicker of hurt in his expression but I ignored it.

  ‘I’m okay, I just get tired, which is frustrating as there’s always so much to do. But I know I need to let people help more.’ She smiled across at Brodie as if this was something he was always telling her. ‘Not something I’m naturally good at, I must be honest.’

  I knew what she meant. I was fiercely independent and hated relying on anyone. Which was why it had been so hard to accept the job here. And why I was
happy that I wouldn’t need to stick around for long. ‘I think you’re doing just fine. Don’t let people tell you that you can’t do things if you want to do them.’ I gave Brodie a pointed look.

  ‘There’s nothing wrong in letting people carry some of your load for you, Anna,’ he replied, mildly. He rarely rose to my cross tone. He was too calm for that. It was frustrating. ‘They’re just trying to show that they care.’

  I snorted.

  Emily looked between us and bit her lip. ‘Thank you for emailing me the garlic bread recipe,’ she said, quickly. ‘I can’t wait to make it. Is cooking something you’d like to do more? You really are a great chef.’

  Emily was definitely trying to be peace-maker but she was too nice for me to snap at.

  ‘I don’t like staying in one place long enough. I just take jobs that let me live. I’ve picked up bits from people I’ve worked for along the way, that’s all. I doubt I know enough to do it professionally.’

  ‘Well, I would say you do based on that meal,’ Emily replied. ‘If it’s something you love, you shouldn’t let the idea of staying somewhere for a while put you off. Life is about finding what you’re passionate about, I think. And if you’ve found it, that’s what you should do. Have some cake, Anna. I’ll put on double my baby weight if I eat any more of it.’

  I took a bit to keep her happy. It was amazing. She was such a good baker. And was clearly passionate about it. I knew what she meant – I loved nothing more than creating something in the kitchen. I thought back to how sometimes I would sneak into the kitchen of a restaurant I worked in to make something at night when no one could stop me. But the idea of doing it as my job seemed just too unrealistic to even consider.

  * * *

  It was still sunny when I left the vicarage to walk to the pub in the village – the Glendale Arms. There was nothing I enjoyed more on a summer evening than having a drink in a beer garden. I maybe once would have been nervous rocking up somewhere new alone, but I’d worked in so many pubs and bars and had travelled abroad alone so it didn’t bother me now. There was always someone to talk to if you were open to talking to them.

  Pushing open the door, I walked up to the bar. I’d put on my ragged denim shorts, a faded t-shirt and sandals, my pink hair was loose over my shoulders and my arms jangled with bangles. ‘Hi,’ I greeted the man behind the bar. ‘Can I have a Jack and Coke?’

  ‘Sure. I haven’t seen you here before,’ he said, reaching behind him for the bottle. ‘I’m Malcolm, the landlord.’ He was in his fifties, slightly portly with fair hair but he had a friendly smile.

  I leaned against the bar as he mixed my drink, and smiled. ‘I am new. I’m Anna and I’m working at Glendale Hall for a bit.’

  ‘I know the family well,’ he said with a nod, passing me my drink. ‘Tell you what, first one is on the house to welcome you to Glendale. Hey, Adam!’ He called out to someone leaving the loos. ‘This is Anna, introduce her around, hey? She’s new.’

  The tall, stocky guy who looked nearer my age than Malcolm stopped and grinned. ‘Your wish is my command. Hey, Anna, come out in the beer garden with us.’

  I didn’t need asking twice.

  Outside, the garden was small and sloping, the church again could be seen behind it. There were a few picnic-style benches and it was fairly busy with families but Adam led me right to the back to two tables that had been pushed together full of men, with empty beer glasses alongside ones they were drinking, looking as if they’d been out here most of the afternoon.

  ‘We play football every Sunday and come here for drinks afterwards,’ Adam explained. He whistled to get his mates’ attention. ‘Guys, this is Anna. She’s new to Glendale and needs someone to have a drink with. What do you think?’

  I laughed when feet stamping and cheers followed his question. Adam pointed to each of the seven-a-side who waved and said hi to me when he called out their names. ‘So, this is Glen, Steve, Mark, Alastair, Mick and Cameron on the end.’

  My heart sank as my eyes found Cameron. I hadn’t noticed him there, and he looked equally startled to see me. He managed to lift one finger in a wave before turning back to his beer. I almost walked away but I wasn’t going to let him scare me off. I planted myself down in the spare seat opposite him. ‘Hi, boys,’ I said. ‘Looks like I have some catching up to do,’ I said, gesturing to their drinks.

  ‘Cheers to that,’ Adam said, sitting beside me. ‘What brings you to our tiny village then?’

  ‘I’m working at the Hall for the summer. In fact, this morning I was teaching Cameron how to cook.’ They all guffawed at that and I grinned.

  ‘Wear an apron and everything, did you, mate?’ Adam asked.

  ‘It was very fetching,’ I replied.

  ‘I bet it was,’ Adam said, laughing.

  Cameron shrugged. ‘Real men wear aprons.’

  I was surprised by a glimpse of humour from him. And impressed too. He lifted his eyes finally, looked at me, and smiled. It displayed one dimple on his right cheek. I hadn’t seen that before. I crossed my legs, and accidentally brushed my foot against his leg as I did so. I felt him flinch. What was it with this guy?

  ‘So, is he going to be a domestic goddess?’ Glen asked me from the end of the table.

  ‘I’m an excellent teacher but no one is that good,’ I called back to him. ‘Besides, I’m the only goddess around here.’ When I glanced back, Cameron was looking down at his glass again.

  ‘You need another drink, Anna,’ Adam said then, noticing my empty glass.

  ‘My round!’ Alastair jumped up to head to the bar.

  ‘Not for me,’ Cameron said, standing up. ‘Got some things to do at the farm. I’ll see you next week.’ They tried to get him to stay but he laughed off their pleas and walked out of the side gates, striding out towards his truck parked nearby. I couldn’t help but feel his hasty exit had more to do with me than any chores that needed doing.

  But once I’d finished my second Jack and Coke, I really didn’t care.

  Chapter Nine

  I had no idea what time it was. The sun had set and the stars were starting to sparkle in the clear sky. I looked up at it and decided I had never seen anything more beautiful in my whole life.

  And then I walked straight into a wheelie bin.

  I let out a surprised yelp and rubbed my shin as I stumbled backwards and wondered why the hell there was a bin in the road. I realised then I wasn’t in a road but was by a gate, the bin positioned outside it.

  There was a noise and then a stream of light appeared. ‘Anna?’

  I looked behind me, confused, to see Brodie in the doorway. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘You’re outside my house!’

  ‘Why do you have a wheelie bin here?’

  ‘Because the dustbins are collected in the morning.’ He called something out over his shoulder, then stepped into the path, closing the door behind him. ‘Have you been at the pub?’

  I giggled. ‘Yep. Just heading home.’ I wobbled and tried to grab the wheelie bin but it appeared to have moved so I stumbled again.

  ‘In the wrong direction,’ he said, coming over and taking my arm, steadying me. ‘Do you want to stay here?’

  I clamped a hand across my mouth. ‘It’s my first day of work tomorrow.’

  ‘I know,’ he snapped then sighed. ‘I’ll drive you back to Hall. Hopefully, no one will be up to see you like this. Not exactly a great first impression, Anna.’

  ‘I made some new friends,’ I said as he pulled me towards his car.

  ‘Great friends leaving you like this.’

  ‘Well, I wanted to walk and then I forgot the way. Then I remembered you live here!’

  ‘At least you had the sense to come here. I was just heading to bed. Right, get in.’ He helped me into the car and we set off towards the Hall. I leaned back in the seat. The whole evening was a haze but I felt giddy from the drink and the fun company. I had been the centre of attention all evening, and there was nothing I
enjoyed better. Well, apart from free drinks, which I had also had all evening too. I felt on top of the world until I looked at Brodie as he drove, his face set in a grim line.

  ‘So serious,’ I quipped, kicking off my shoes to get comfy.

  ‘It’s not great to be drunk your first night in your new job, is it? Are you going to be able to get up and do your work tomorrow?’

  ‘Of course! I have had plenty of practice.’ I thought that was funny but my brother didn’t. ‘Give me a break, Brodie. I just wanted to meet some new people. Get to know the village.’

  ‘But you always take it too far.’

  ‘I had a few drinks, it’s not the crime of the century!’

  We pulled into Glendale Hall. The house was dark and quiet and Brodie stopped the car just inside the gates. ‘The gravel will wake everyone up if I drive on it. Shall I walk you to the door?’

  ‘I’m perfectly capable of walking,’ I declared but I wasn’t a hundred percent sure. I picked up my shoes and bag. ‘Thanks for the lift then.’

  ‘Please don’t take this for granted,’ he said. ‘They don’t have to give you a job and a place to live. You may be planning to move on as soon as you can, but I live here. This is my home, and these are my friends. Please consider that.’

  I hated being lectured by him. Even more when he was right. ‘Chill out, Brodie,’ I replied, rolling my eyes.

  ‘And be quiet when you go in. Believe me, you do not want to wake Caroline up.’

  ‘Like this is my first time sneaking in.’ I thought back to all the times I had climbed into my bedroom without my parents noticing. Brodie always had though. ‘That Caroline does seem scary. How come Beth owns the house?’ I asked, opening the door.

  ‘Her grandmother left it to her. To make up for things that had happened in the past. To ask for forgiveness. The house is important to the family, to the community. I hope you will treat it with more respect than you show yourself sometimes.’