Always and Forever at Glendale Hall

by Victoria Walters

  ‘That means a lot to me,’ I said. She handed me a box, which I started filling with strawberries. ‘In fact, Chloe said I didn’t need to come back at all if I didn’t want to. And until I arrived in Glendale, I was still in two minds. But being back here just sealed it for me. Right now, this is where I want to be. It feels like where I’m meant to be, even.’

  She nodded as she packed up tomatoes. ‘I know exactly how you feel. When I came back at Christmas after being away, I couldn’t wait to escape back to London again but I really think this place gets under your skin. It worked its magic and I couldn’t leave. I had to stay. Dare I ask about Cameron?’ She gave me a sly look.

  ‘I’m still thinking about that. I might wait to see how I feel when I see him at the wedding. Then maybe I’ll know.’

  ‘God, Anna, we are so alike,’ she cried, shaking her head in wonder. ‘I thought the same about Drew when I saw him again after ten years. It was like no time had passed and I knew in that moment we were meant to be. It wasn’t quite that easy to make it all work but my heart knew what it wanted. You will definitely know when you see him. And at a wedding too, so romantic! I know you’re not a wedding fan but I promise you when you see Broomfield Castle, you will feel the magic in the air.’

  ‘I don’t know if I’ll ever feel the same about weddings as you do but I promise I’ll go with an open mind towards magic,’ I replied with a laugh. ‘I can’t believe Heather is getting married tomorrow. She, and Rory too, and you for that matter… you all seem so chilled about it.’ I couldn’t imagine being so comfortable with the idea of being with one person for the rest of my life as they all appeared to be.

  ‘To be fair you haven’t seen us the past few weeks, it has been pretty fraught because the photographer pulled out due to bereavement and then Heather changed her mind about which flowers she wanted but getting away to London to see you really helped us all just to have a break. Everything is on track now. We’ll be at the venue tomorrow morning and then hopefully we can just enjoy the day. The woman at the castle who organises the weddings there is such a pro. And even if things don’t quite run like clockwork it’s such a gorgeous place, I don’t think anyone will mind.’ She sealed up her box, and I did the same. ‘I think Heather and Rory have been through so much together already, this is a walk in the park. Great, let’s carry these to the house and Drew is going to drop them off for us. It’s so nice he’s got the weekend off from the hospital so we can all enjoy this wedding.’ The smile on her face was pure joy. I tried to think when someone had made me feel that happy as we went back to the house. I could only think of being in Cameron’s cabin, in his arms.

  My stomach danced a little. Tomorrow I would see him again. How would I feel? How would he feel? Did he still feel the same way as he did when he wrote me that letter? Did I?

  Chapter Forty-Eight

  If I was honest, I had put more thought and effort into my outfit than I usually would. I couldn’t help it. It would be the first time Cameron had seen me in four weeks and I wanted to look good. I also wanted to feel good for myself. It would give me confidence. And I couldn’t let the side down – the Hall gang had gone all out for this wedding.

  We met by the front door to wait for the car to pick us up and take us to the venue. Beth had left much earlier with Izzy as they were bridesmaids, and to make sure everything was okay. Drew had stayed with his brother last night – the rest of us followed on at lunchtime, ready in good time for the ceremony. I was wearing a dusky pink dress that reached just below my knees and had a silky top and pleated bottom. Over the top was my leather jacket as it was a cool day. Peep-toe black ankle boots completed the look. I carried a clutch bag and had curled my candy floss hair over my shoulders. I liked to think that Chloe would label my outfit as rock chic. John wore a kilt and Caroline was elegant in her camel-coloured suit. Sally had on a pretty floral blouse and skirt. We were picked up by a sleek black car and driven out to Broomfield Castle.

  The grey tower of the seventeenth-century castle rose up above sloping hills after we had wound around country lanes. The grounds we passed were perfectly manicured and then we drew up towards the iron door. The castle was open for the public to walk around but the chapel and the function room were sectioned off for weddings and there was a separate entrance that we could use too. Watery sunshine peeped through the clouds as we walked through to the chapel but I was glad I had a jacket on as it was cool in there.

  The chapel had been draped in wild flowers, providing gorgeous colour and scent, and there was a gold runner down the aisle. At the altar were two huge displays of flowers and standing there was Brodie, dressed for the occasion as he was conducting the ceremony, and Rory and Drew both in their family kilts. They were all chatting quietly and looked in good spirits. I wondered if Rory was nervous at all. I recognised most of the guests as I followed Caroline nearer to the front to take our seats. I told myself I was looking to see everyone who was here but I knew that really I was looking for one guest in particular.

  My eyes found him in one of the front pews next to his Uncle Angus, with Hattie, the lady who worked in Heather and Rory’s farm shop. Caroline led us to the front pew on the other side of the aisle. Cameron looked up as we filed in and our eyes met. His dark hair was slightly messy from the breeze outside. It was a jolt to see him again. And I was right. When his lips twitched into a smile, mine did the same. I knew exactly what I felt. My stomach danced and my pulse sped up. I couldn’t stand there staring though – Sally was behind me. So I sat down next to Caroline and John and moved my eyes to the front but I could feel him there. I waited a beat before I looked at him again. He was still watching me. I couldn’t stop my smile then and neither could he. Angus nodded in greeting at everyone and Sally gave them both a cheerful wave.

  Music started up then. A harpist, who was off to one side of the chapel, began to play soft, romantic music. The wedding so far was tasteful and elegant, which I had come to expect from Beth’s hand, with a nod to the Scottish countryside too with the flowers. I knew that Heather had chosen this venue because her mother had always wanted to get married here, and I could see why. It really was a beautiful place.

  The music changed then and Brodie ushered Rory and Drew to the front, gesturing for us to all rise. We stood up and turned to the door in anticipation. I definitely would never be a ‘wedding’ person but even I was stirred by seeing the people who I now felt so fond of walking down the aisle. First came Beth, Emily and Izzy – the three bridesmaids. I knew Beth and Emily felt slightly too old for the title but they had each been bridesmaids at their other weddings and Heather had wanted to continue the tradition. Beth and Emily wore long floral dresses, which matched the theme perfectly. Emily looked glowing with her bump and Beth looked like a model. I saw Drew beam with pride when he locked eyes on her. They both held bouquets of flowers matching the ones in the chapel, in shades of pink, purple and white. They were followed by Izzy in a shorter prom-style floral dress, her hair in a pretty bun. She held the hand of Harry, Heather and Rory’s toddler, who wore a little kilt and looked so adorable that everyone in the chapel murmured when they saw him.

  And then it was Heather’s turn. On the arm of her father, Don, resplendent in his kilt, she looked stunning. Her hair was in its natural curls, pinned up with a veil and a gold tiara. She wore a beautiful ivory lace dress that spread out across the ground with a small train, off the shoulders. I was used to seeing Heather on the farm in her outdoor-friendly clothes and not in such an elegant dress. I caught a glimpse of a pair of ivory heels as she walked up the aisle. She was smiling so widely, it was sweet to see. She looked radiant and happy.

  Heather and Don walked up to the altar as the bridesmaids and page boy stood off to the side and Rory grinned as he took his almost-wife’s hand in his. The look they gave one another could have melted the coldest heart. Even I felt a little chocked up to see the pure joy on their faces. As we were all told to be seated by Brodie, I looked again at Cameron. I coul
dn’t help it. I realised then that he, like most of the men here, was wearing a kilt. He was looking right back at me I was pleased to see. I was suddenly anxious for the ceremony to be over so I could talk to him. I still wasn’t sure what I was going to say but I didn’t really care, I just wanted to hear his voice again.

  My knee bounced with an eagerness I tried to hide as Brodie conducted the ceremony. My brother’s voice rang out deep and strong in the chapel as he talked through the importance of marriage, glancing occasionally to smile at Emily. He talked about how strong Heather and Rory were as a couple and the fact that they had both been through difficult times but had come out of them stronger together. Heather losing her mum and Rory losing his parents and how they had built both a strong family together and two thriving farms too. Rory and Heather kept their eyes on one another as they made their vows, both of them shaky and emotional when it came to that part. I looked at Heather’s dad and he was sobbing into his hanky bless him.

  And when Brodie pronounced them to be husband and wife, the whole chapel erupted into claps and cheers, which I had never experienced before. I saw Harry jumping up and down with excitement too.

  ‘That was so lovely,’ Sally said beside me, her eyes glistening. ‘I just love a good happy ending, don’t you?’

  ‘They’re a lovely couple,’ I replied diplomatically. I still wasn’t sure I believed in happy endings. I glanced at Cameron, who was enthusiastically shaking Rory’s hand as the couple made their way down the aisle hand-in-hand as husband and wife. Harry bounded over to them and Heather scooped him up in her arms. Her eyes were full of tears too as she smiled at everyone, holding her son close, Rory looking at them both with so much love I admit my eyes did well up. There was so much joy around me. Maybe Beth was right about the magic of Glendale because I could feel it in the air in this chapel, there was no denying it.

  ‘Look at my make-up,’ Emily said to Beth as they trailed behind the couple. ‘Ruined! Why didn’t I use waterproof mascara?’

  ‘That really was a schoolgirl error,’ Beth deadpanned in response.

  ‘Hey, I’m a schoolgirl and I’m wearing waterproof mascara,’ Izzy told them.

  ‘Come on, dear,’ Sally said to me, walking into the aisle after the wedding party. I followed her, my eyes on Cameron as I passed his pew. He smiled at me and I nodded with my head towards the side door. I slipped out through it and found myself at the side of the castle, the cool breeze whipping through my hair as I breathed in the air, hoping it would clear the pinkness in my cheeks.

  Seconds later, Cameron was out there with me.

  Chapter Forty-Nine

  ‘You came,’ he said simply. I tried not to look down at his muscly legs on show under his kilt but it was hard not to. I wasn’t sure what was worse – the legs or looking up to meet his piercing gaze and seeing the small smile on his lips. The way he was looking at me made it hard to speak.

  ‘I came,’ I agreed, rather stupidly. He stepped closer to me. ‘Thank you for your letter.’

  ‘When I didn’t hear anything…’

  ‘I know, I’m sorry. I had to think about it. I had to think about a lot of things, I suppose. And then I thought maybe I’d know what to say when I saw you again here.’

  He took another step closer and I hitched a breath. I could smell his musky aftershave around me. ‘And do you?’ he asked, gruffly.

  I saw his gaze flick to my lips. And then it was really hard to think coherently. ‘I think… I think…’ I started, stepping closer so now there were just inches between us.

  ‘Anna?’

  I really didn’t want to think at all once he said my name. I wrapped my arms around him and just caught his smile before our lips met. His hands found my waist, drawing me to him, and I really didn’t want him to let go.

  Our kiss deepened and my fingers threaded into his hair. His hands slid up to the small of my back and, for a second, I wished we weren’t outside a castle at a wedding. Pulling back before I wouldn’t be able to, we both looked at each other sheepishly. ‘Well, that’s what I thought,’ I said, and I started laughing. Cameron took my hand in his as he chuckled.

  ‘I enjoyed that thought,’ he replied, drawing my hand up and kissing the back of it.

  I smiled. ‘I have other thoughts, I promise, but the wedding fever just got to me.’

  ‘Anna! Come on, we need you for photos!’ Izzy suddenly appeared around the corner calling for me. She stopped when she saw us. ‘Oh, errr…’ She stepped back, embarrassed.

  ‘We’re coming!’ I called, giving her a wave. I looked at Cameron as she fled as quickly as she had arrived. ‘Busted, wouldn’t you say?’

  ‘Anna,’ he said as I started to pull away. ‘I meant every word in that letter, I just want you to know that.’

  ‘I know,’ I said, forcing myself to push through my fear. ‘Can I stay with you tonight? At the cabin? There’s so much to say. You know I don’t find it easy though.’

  He grinned. ‘You want to stay with me. That’s more than enough for me right now. Yesterday I wasn’t sure I’d even see you again. Come on, we’d better do our wedding guest duty or we’ll never hear the end of it,’ he said.

  We walked around the castle hand-in-hand and joined in with the photos, the castle providing a stunning backdrop to the shots. Heather looked happier than I’d ever seen anyone. But I felt like I was almost as happy. I kept glancing at Cameron and he would be looking at me, both of us smiling when our eyes met. It was so hard to stop smiling. I felt kind of giddy. If this was what it felt like to really like someone then it wasn’t so bad really, was it?

  ‘I knew I’d make a wedding fan out of you in the end,’ Beth said into my ear as she came over to me.

  ‘I might be enjoying this wedding but let’s not get carried away.’ I ruined it though by grinning rather stupidly.

  She squeezed my arm. ‘It’s so good to see you smiling, seriously.’

  ‘Right,’ her mother said, joining us. ‘Time to get everyone inside, I think.’

  ‘Who’s the wedding planner, Mum?’ Beth tutted but she checked the time and agreed, hurrying off to nudge the castle wedding planner.

  ‘Are you doing okay?’ Brodie asked from behind me then.

  ‘It was a lovely service,’ I said. ‘You really do weddings well.’

  Brodie smiled. ‘It helps when you know the couple as well as I know Heather and Rory. Now I just need to find my wife…’ I watched him go off in search of Emily and I turned to follow everyone as we made our way through into the reception, which was to take place in the large function room next to the chapel. I glanced back to see Heather and Rory having a last couple of pictures together. Rory leaned down to whisper something to her and she gazed back at him adoringly.

  The reception room was as stunning as I had imagined it would be. Flowers stood everywhere again and in dramatic centrepieces on each table with large candles, and there was a board featuring pictures of Heather and Rory through the years as we walked in.

  I glanced at the table plan and I looked around for Beth. She was by the top table talking to a waiter. I shook my head even though she couldn’t see. I had never met such a meddler in all my life and what was more annoying was that I was pleased by her meddling. I would never tell her that though. She certainly didn’t need any encouragement.

  I walked over to my table, where Cameron was already hovering, waiting for me. We had been placed next to one another on the round table with Caroline and John, Sally, Hattie, her husband Hamish, and Angus. My brother was on the top table, of course, with the bridesmaids and their partners, and Heather’s dad. Waiters came over to pour wine and water and give out crusty, freshly baked bread. Off to the side, a pianist provided an elegant accompaniment to the meal.

  ‘What a beautiful service. I do love a wedding,’ Hattie said to us. ‘And they are so dear to me.’

  ‘It was lovely,’ Sally agreed. ‘And not a dry eye in the house. They did so well the both of them, it can’t have bee
n easy with so many loved ones missing. As we know…’ she trailed off and glanced at Angus.

  Seeing me confused, Cameron spoke low in my ear. ‘Sally lost her husband and my uncle lost the love of his life so they know what it’s like to miss people today,’ he explained. I knew, of course, that Rory’s parents had died when he was younger and Heather had lost her mother. I thought about how much I felt I had lost after my accident but I knew I needed to count my blessings more. I still had all my family. Under the table, Cameron gave my knee a gentle squeeze, which made me smile.

  The food was delicious. As if I had expected anything else. We started with bruschetta with caramelised onions and a rocket salad followed by chicken in a wine sauce with mash for the meat eaters, and for me a goat cheese tart with roasted vegetables, and then there were chocolate brownies for dessert. I loved listening to the others talking through the dinner, telling stories about Glendale over the years. All of them had lived in Glendale all their lives and for Sally, Angus, Hattie and Hamish that was over seventy years.

  I laughed a lot when I heard about how the village was scandalised at the thought of such a young minister coming after their previous one had died and the idea that because Brodie was good-looking he wouldn’t be a good minister. The women who threw themselves at him at first, and how there was some bitterness when he chose Emily, although her kind and sunny personality mixed with her delicious cakes had won everyone around in the end. How Beth had saved the shops in the village from being sold off by the council and turned into flats, which I already knew something of. How Heather and Rory’s farm had featured on Countryside Watch to the thrill of the village, although they were annoyed that the High Street hadn’t been filmed for it.

  And before anyone I knew had come to Glendale, the story of Caroline’s relatives building Glendale Hall with their whisky fortune and how the family had basically founded the village. It was so interesting that the meal flew by. I kept asking them all questions. I was eager to learn more about the place I would now be living in for a while and they were all so animated when they spoke about the past, their love for the place clearly deep rooted.