‘Taylor,’ said her father, coming closer and speaking quietly, putting his shoulders between them and the growing crowd. ‘You need to get back to your room.’
She shook her head. ‘I’m leaving.’
‘Yes, so we heard,’ said Sammy. ‘That’s why I brought Skylar with me. I thought you’d try this.’
‘Try what?’
‘She said that’d be your next thing. Running off with this guy, pretending to be her. Well, you can see for yourself, you’ve failed.’ Sammy frowned at Magnus.
‘Failed?’
‘In your attempt to kidnap my daughter.’
Magnus put his hand to his forehead and ran his fingers across it. ‘Right. I’m not trying to kidnap anyone. I’m well aware this is Taylor.’
‘Are you?’ said Skylar, swirling a cocktail and sipping it slowly. ‘You weren’t the last time you were with her.’
A slight scuffle stopped her in her tracks, and Bianca pushed her way forward. ‘What is going on?’ she muttered.
‘I’m leaving,’ said Taylor.
Skylar stared; her lips formed into a thoughtful pout. ‘You know, handsome,’ she said, approaching Magnus and running her finger down his lapel. She leaned up and whispered in his ear, ‘You can have me right now. Let’s just get the hell out of here. Let Taylor go back to her room.’
‘Why would I do that? It was never you I liked.’
She narrowed her eyes and drew back, pure hatred glinting in her face. ‘Go to hell.’ She tossed the contents of the cocktail glass at him.
‘Seriously?’ He jumped back, holding out his arms. The front of his dress suit dripped with sticky liquid.
‘What are you doing?’ Taylor stepped forward.
‘That’s a bit childish,’ said Fenella.
Skylar’s mother squinted at her.
‘And you think Taylor is unstable?’ said Magnus, shaking out his jacket.
‘What is it with you?’ snapped Skylar. ‘And, Taylor, you’re…’ She seemed to be searching her repertoire for a suitable putdown.
‘Skylar,’ Sammy warned. ‘Let’s stay dignified.’
‘Taylor made an impression on me somewhere you never will,’ said Magnus.
‘Oh gross. Just gross. You make me sick.’
‘I’m talking about in here.’ He rapped his chest and looked at Taylor. She smiled back at him, her eyes watery. Behind her, lit up by the bright lights, stood Fenella and Per. What were they making of this? Was this the evening Fenella had imagined? It certainly wasn’t how Magnus had seen things playing out. And they weren’t out of the water yet.
Chapter 29
Taylor
Taylor straightened the front of her dress and blinked at the glaring faces surrounding her. Being with them was all she’d ever known, except that brief stint with Magnus. There were no guarantees. She could take off with him and he might grow tired of her in a week, but whatever the future held, she couldn’t sit back and do nothing. Opportunities had been ripped from her too often in the past and whether it had been through her own fault, bad luck or sabotage, she couldn’t let that affect her now.
She twisted her hands and looked at her father. ‘I’m leaving.’
‘Taylor, we’ve been through this. If you leave—’
‘Let me try,’ she said. ‘Instead of locking me up, give me a chance.’
Skylar and Bianca exchanged glances. They were so alike, blonde, bronzed skin, and impeccable dress sense.
‘Taylor,’ said Bianca. ‘You’ve had chances, lots of them.’
‘No. I haven’t. Not really.’
Skylar had her eye on Taylor and when Taylor glanced at her, she smirked. ‘Here we go with the accusations and the denial.’
‘Shut up and let her speak,’ said Magnus.
‘Magnus.’ Fenella half frowned at him.
Bianca pursed her lips. ‘I think Taylor should go back to her room and we can talk about it there. This is not appropriate.’
‘Yes, back you go,’ said Skylar. ‘You weren’t dreaming of a handsome prince riding up and rescuing you, I hope.’ The sparkle in her eye froze Taylor’s blood.
‘Come on, Taylor,’ said Bianca, stepping up, pinching both her cheeks and beaming as if Taylor was a newborn baby. ‘You be good. At least we’ll know you’re safe then.’
Skylar wiggled her eyebrows.
‘She’ll be perfectly safe with me,’ said Magnus.
‘And who are you?’ said Bianca Rousse. ‘Some mad abductor?’
‘He’s definitely not the mad one around here,’ Fenella muttered.
‘That’s true,’ said Skylar with a wicked glance at Taylor.
‘Can everyone stop?’ Taylor held up her fists and screwed up her face. ‘I’m leaving right now. I’m going with Magnus, and I want you all to hear this. I am not running away because I’m unhinged. I am not dangerous, and I know exactly what I’m doing. So, don’t bother calling out the search parties or trying to make me and everybody else believe I’m insane.’
‘Taylor, we have never—’ began Bianca.
‘Let her finish,’ said Magnus and Bianca stepped back, placing her hand on her neck, looking horrified.
‘I’ll keep in touch,’ said Taylor. ‘But I’m not coming back unless it’s to visit.’
‘You think you’re so smart.’ Skylar tossed her hair.
‘Because she is,’ said Magnus. ‘She’s really smart, but she’s been trapped.’
‘Trapped?’ said Sammy. ‘Safe more like.’
‘You’ll never be as famous as me,’ muttered Skylar, stepping closer to Bianca.
‘Good,’ said Taylor. ‘I’m real glad. I don’t want that kind of fame. I just want to be free. I know what happened when we were fourteen.’
‘Taylor, not this again,’ said Bianca.
‘Yes. And for one last time, I’m going to say it. Skylar, dressed up as me, went to the producer of Girls Get Gritty in the City and claimed I didn’t want the part because of my anxieties. Then he upped and offered it to her. It was not me!’
Skylar looked away, picking her nail. ‘So you keep saying.’
‘All the lies you’ve told in between are irrelevant,’ Taylor added. ‘I don’t need to hear you defend yourself. We both know the truth and that’s all that matters. My therapist once told me just because I felt something, I didn’t have to act on it. But this time, I am. It feels right going with Magnus, and I’m going to give it a try.’
‘Well, whatever,’ said Skylar. ‘So what if I spoke to that producer? You were always a terrible actress. Really, you only got what you deserved.’
Taylor quirked a half smile and nodded. The truth at last. Maybe, in her own twisted way, Skylar was right. ‘Let’s hope that’s true,’ said Taylor. She’d got a whole new life – and Magnus. If that was what she deserved, she’d take it.
Skylar narrowed her eyes and opened her mouth, but before she could speak, Taylor pulled away from Magnus, stepped towards her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. She then turned to her mother and did the same. Bianca briefly took her arms while Skylar stood plank straight with her mouth hanging wide, clutching her cheek as though Taylor had given her the kiss of death. Inhaling deeply, Taylor turned to her father. He grimaced.
‘I know you’ve been trying to protect me, but I don’t need you anymore. I can fend for myself.’ She leaned up and kissed his cheek.
Magnus stretched out his hand. She took it and he led her through the front doors into the evening air outside. Fenella and Per were beside them as Taylor glanced around the street, an odd open sensation filling her chest. She could do anything, go anywhere, but she didn’t know how.
‘Well,’ said Fenella, placing her arm around Taylor’s shoulder. ‘That has been one of the strangest evenings of my life.’
‘I’m so glad you came,’ said Taylor.
‘Our pleasure.’ Fenella kissed her on the cheek.
‘Listen, Mum, can I have a minute with Taylor?’
‘Of course, D
ad and I should find the others. They won’t believe what’s happened.’
Magnus took Taylor by the hand and led her towards the alley where a couple of hours ago, she’d been apprehended. Taylor stopped and looked at him as soon as they turned the corner. Struggling to hold back the flood of emotions bubbling inside, she gazed into his ice-blue eyes, glinting in the dim light.
‘You did it.’ He smiled.
She let go of her case and flung her arms around his neck. He wrapped her in a tight embrace. ‘I just panicked it was all going to go wrong.’
‘Life has no guarantees.’ His fingers splayed on her back and he kissed her forehead, long and tender. Their bodies moulded together and Taylor slipped her hands under his arms, pulling him even closer. Their eyes met, and for a long time, they just looked. Then, as if it were slow motion, their faces edged closer and their lips met with the gentlest touch. Normal speed resumed as their mouths played catch-up, getting to know each other all over again. Taylor closed her eyes, welcoming his need for her and matching it with her desire.
Breathing heavily, they pulled back and Magnus clamped his hands on either side of her head. ‘Let’s go home.’ He winked.
‘Where’s that?’
‘Wherever we like.’ He smiled like a shrewd wolf. ‘We’ve got each other. The world’s our oyster.’
Chapter 30
Magnus
A week after Taylor’s ‘escape’, Magnus arrived in Glasgow in the early evening. His apartment was freshly cleaned and, as always, had the air of a holiday home. His chest tingled as he smiled at Taylor. She beamed and Magnus realised they’d spent the last few days doing exactly that, grinning and making eyes at each other.
Essentials such as organising a food shop hadn’t occurred to him. His brain had been on a detour, trying to function in the bizarre world of Hollywood. Things like going to the supermarket seemed to be part of a completely different world. Now he had to reconcile himself to some semblance of normality – almost.
‘This feels a bit surreal,’ said Taylor.
‘It does, doesn’t it?’
‘I’ve never lived with anyone other than my family, and here I am about to move in with a guy I hardly know, in a different country.’
Magnus dropped his bags and locked the door. ‘I’ve never lived with anyone either. Except that week with you.’
‘Everything in my heart was real. I just wish I’d gone about it in a better way.’
‘It was partly my ego. If you’d told me who you were at the start, we’d probably have had the same outcome. I couldn’t stand the idea I’d been played, and I couldn’t make myself see the bigger picture. Thank goodness for my mum.’
There might always be cracks between Taylor and her family, but Fenella had hatched a plan which even Taylor’s parents had agreed to – once they’d realised Taylor was set on leaving. A reporter was due the following day for a shoot and short interview. Sammy was arranging to have it incorporated into a press release about the sisters. Fenella’s logic seemed sensible: if Taylor’s story – a glossed over press-friendly version – was known, she couldn’t be caught so easily impersonating Skylar, which appealed to her family, but it would also give her a chance to say her piece and take some credit for her achievements.
Taylor bit her lip and blinked. ‘Oh, god.’ She held her chest. ‘What will I say to them? I haven’t got much to be proud about.’
‘Hey.’ Magnus took her hands. ‘You do. Talk about your early career if you like, just keep the bits about Skylar vague. Tell them how you struggled with fame. It’s ok to admit to it. People will admire your bravery for speaking out.’
Taylor’s breathing was short and raspy.
‘Talk about your plans. Tell them you’ve had training in PR and you’re going to make it a career here.’
‘But that’s just it. What if we go through with this, then you and I split up?’
Magnus took Taylor in his arms, remembering the curves of her body and how well she fitted with him. ‘I wanted to prove to my family I could have a normal relationship, but at the same time telling myself I didn’t want one.’ He smoothed his palm down her back, stroking her until she became putty, yielding to his touch. ‘But now I know I did. And I do. I don’t want to be alone anymore and it’s you that made me realise that. Who knows where we’ll go in the long run, nobody can make predictions like that, but I want to give it our best shot.’
‘I loved you almost from the start. That day you crashed into me, you were so nice.’
‘And you were so surprising, but even if we hadn’t met in LA five years ago, I’d still have liked you.’ Magnus kissed her forehead. ‘You belong with me and me with you.’
Taylor looked up and smiled.
‘Let’s go bag some kip so we’re ready for tomorrow.’
‘You want to sleep?’ she said.
‘Don’t you?’
‘Well.’ Taylor stepped back and slipped her jacket off. ‘I’m still on US time and as far as I’m concerned, we’ve got hours before bedtime.’
Magnus raised an eyebrow. ‘Really? I’ve been looking forward to bedtime all day.’
‘Ok, a compromise. Bed, first. Sleep… after.’
‘Deal.’ Magnus pulled off his jacket, tossed it aside, and pulled Taylor close.
Epilogue
Taylor
Taylor nipped up the ferry’s internal stairs behind Magnus, excitement bursting from every pore. The chill she’d experienced on her previous journey was no more. Sun split the sky, dazzling them as its reflection bounced off the sea.
She wrapped her arms around him as the ship sailed out, powering west through Oban Bay towards the open sea and Mull. Somewhere waiting was Fenella, and Taylor couldn’t wait to see her again. Since the stress of leaving LA and the shock of arriving in a foreign country, Taylor had spent the previous three months pulling the strands of her life together, analysing her priorities and putting together a plan of how to get herself on track and make a new start. With work permits in place, she’d taken a job in PR and was getting there slowly. Tuning into the Glaswegian accent was a skill in itself.
The interview had gone well, and though Skylar would never be happy with Taylor getting any attention, she was far enough away for Taylor not to care. Taylor had no intention of returning to that world anytime soon. Skylar was welcome to it. But Taylor missed family interactions. Weird relationships aside, they’d always been there. Now, she was adjusting to more time alone, days in the office, and the best days – when Magnus was home and they could spend time together.
‘I wish you’d let me book a hotel,’ said Magnus. ‘Do you remember what it was like staying with them?’ The corner of his mouth quirked up.
She prodded him in the midriff. ‘I liked it there. Your family are kind, and that room was—’
‘Tiny?’
‘Small but cosy.’
‘And Aunt Jean?’
‘She was funny. Now stop being a killjoy.’
He laughed and held her close. ‘Ok.’
*
Fenella burst out the door, waving as they pulled up. Taylor leapt from the car and hugged her before Magnus had stopped the engine.
‘You’re back,’ said Fenella, crushing her with a hug.
‘And it’s really me this time.’
‘Oh, Taylor.’ Fenella pulled back, anchoring her hands on either side of Taylor. ‘You’re always welcome here. Now, in we come.’ Fenella hugged Magnus before the three of them trooped inside. ‘I’ll make some tea. In you go, I think Jean’s asleep. Give her a poke if you like.’
‘Or not,’ said Magnus.
Taylor crossed the room and sat at the table by the window, admiring the sea view and smiling. After a few minutes, Fenella came in with a tea tray and placed it on the table. ‘So, how are things with your family?’ she asked.
Taylor let out a sigh. ‘They haven’t much choice but to accept it. And the interview cleared the air.’
‘Wonderful,’ said Fen
ella. ‘It looked super. I told all my friends to buy the magazine. You two are so gorgeous together. Magnus has always been a handsome boy, not that I’m biased, of course.’
‘Not at all. You’re right.’ Taylor smirked.
‘Will you two get a grip,’ said Magnus.
‘I think they’re right too,’ said Jean. Taylor jumped, not realising she’d woken. ‘But you shouldn’t puff him up like that.’
‘For once, I agree with you,’ Magnus muttered.
Fenella winked at Taylor. ‘And you’re settling down in Glasgow ok? Not too much of a shock to the system?’
‘Maybe a little but I’m enjoying it. I’ve got some new friends, I love the apartment, and I’m getting used to Magnus’s weird hours.’
‘At least I’m not on long haul anymore, that really messed with my circadian rhythm.’
‘He keeps trying to explain this to me,’ Fenella said. ‘I’m not much of a traveller, so it doesn’t mean much to me. I’m just so glad you’re settling in. I knew you were good news for each other.’ She glanced between the two of them, with her eyebrow sitting high in a know-it-all expression.
‘I should know by now to listen to my mother,’ said Magnus, lifting Taylor’s hand and squeezing it. She beamed at him.
*
With the sun high in the sky and not a cloud to be seen, Taylor and Magnus walked to the shore later in the afternoon. Per’s little boat was moored close by and they strolled towards it.
‘Champagne aboard the Clunie Lass?’ asked Magnus, pulling a bottle from the cool bag he was carrying.
‘How can I refuse… Are you going to drive the boat?’
‘Sure, it’s a doddle compared to the plane. That leaves the whole bottle of champers to you. I don’t want to be under the influence.’
Taylor stepped in front of him and held up her hand. She brushed it slowly from side to side in mid-air.
‘What are you doing?’
‘You’re already under the influence.’ She flicked him a little grin. ‘My influence.’
He chuckled. ‘Yeah, I know that and I don’t need the wonky hand signals to prove it.’ He placed the bag on the pier, walked forward, and threaded his fingers into Taylor’s hair, melting into her for a warm, slow kiss. ‘Now let’s have some fun.’
A Flight of Fancy (Scottish Island Escapes Book 6) Page 21