‘As awe-inspiring as ever,’ Niall replied. ‘I think Jess enjoyed it, although the journey here was a little bit fraught.’
Merry glanced across at the door of the croft, where Jess had just reappeared looking a lot happier. ‘Jess mentioned a hold up. What was the problem?’
‘A coachload of tourists arrived just as we were leaving, so the queue for the ladies was longer than usual,’ Niall explained. ‘And then we ran into the aftermath of an accident on the road – nothing serious but enough to cause a delay. Which had an – erm – knock-on effect on Jessie.’
Right on cue, Jess opened the car and swung herself into the passenger seat. ‘That’s better. I can honestly say I’ve never been so happy to see you, Mer.’
Merry couldn’t help laughing. ‘Thanks. I think.’
Jess grinned over her shoulder. ‘Any time. What do you want to eat? I’m starving – who knew travelling back in time thousands of years gave you such an appetite?’
‘Me,’ Niall said. ‘How about the Aurora, just along from the harbour in Kirkwall?’
‘Yes, please,’ Merry replied. ‘You have to try the Orkney crab, Jess.’
‘Sold,’ Jess said promptly. ‘Let’s hope that busload of tourists hasn’t had the same idea.’
Kirkwall was busy, its streets thronging with the usual crowds of summer visitors, and Merry was secretly wondering whether they’d be able to get a table at Aurora. But she should have known Niall would have everything under control; they were greeted at the door by the owner himself.
‘Hullo, Niall,’ Rory said, clapping him warmly on the shoulder. ‘It’s always good to see you. Especially when you bring my favourite author.’
Merry smiled. She’d met the restaurant owner several times now and he seemed to up the charm with each meeting. ‘Hello, Rory. How are you?’
‘All the better for seeing you,’ Rory replied, his dark eyes twinkling. His gaze moved to Jess. ‘And you must be Jessie Edwards. My wife went to your event last night and she’s had her nose in one of your books ever since.’ He shook his head and sighed. ‘I had to get my own breakfast this morning.’
Jess’s delight was evident. ‘I wish I could say I’m sorry but I’m not.’
Niall laughed. ‘Rory used to be head chef at the Savoy. He’s perfectly capable of making a bit of toast.’
‘Just about,’ Rory conceded cheerfully. ‘Now, I saved you one of the window tables. It’s not often we have celebrity diners and I want to make sure everyone gets a good look at you.’
‘Merry’s the superstar, not me,’ Jess said. ‘I’m just hanging onto her coat-tails and basking in the reflected glory.’
‘I’m not the most stolen author in Orkney Library,’ Merry pointed out. ‘You are.’
‘Really?’ Jess said, her jaw dropping in astonishment.
‘Really,’ Niall confirmed with a sigh. ‘I’ve had to replace Ball Boys three times in the last few months. Gorgeous is also proving very popular with our more light-fingered readers.’
‘I don’t know whether to feel flattered or furious,’ Jess said, although Merry thought she looked pleased.
‘If it helps, it’s a distinction you share with Ian Rankin and Diana Gabaldon,’ Niall told her.
‘There you go, then,’ Rory said with a wink. ‘Definitely a celebrity.’
He led them over to a table that was bang in the centre of a large floor to ceiling window. Merry exchanged a wry look with Jess – Rory hadn’t been kidding about making sure they were seen. But it did at least give them a panoramic view of the harbour, and of the sunshine sparkling on the water beyond.
‘Now, what can I get you to drink?’ Rory asked once they were all seated. ‘This round is on the house.’
Merry eyed the wine list wistfully. ‘Just a sparkling water for me,’ she said, turning to the page of non-alcoholic drinks. ‘I’m driving.’
‘A glass of prosecco, please,’ Jess said, without hesitation.
‘I think I might join you,’ Niall said.
Jess grinned. ‘Thank god for that – I hate drinking alone.’
‘Me too,’ Rory said. ‘I’ll bring you a bottle and then you can keep each other company throughout lunch.’
Jess cast a moderately apologetic look Merry’s way. ‘Sorry, babes. Next time.’
‘It’s fine,’ Merry said, trying hard to ignore a niggle of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on. ‘I’ll have to drive later, anyway.’
‘Oh, where are we going?’ Jess asked, her eyes gleaming. ‘Is it the whisky distillery? Please say yes!’
Too late, Merry realized she should have kept her thoughts to herself. Now she’d have to explain that her plans didn’t involve Jess, or a visit to Highland Park. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘Alex wants to meet for a drink.’
Jess eyed her in silence for a moment, then sighed. ‘I suppose it’s too much to hope that you told him to shove it?’
‘Well, I haven’t said yes yet—’
‘But you’re going to,’ Jess cut in bluntly. She sighed again. ‘I know you said you can’t just ignore him but I still don’t really understand why. He had his chance, he blew it and now he needs to move on.’
Across the table, Niall cleared his throat. ‘I’ve just remembered there’s something I need to sort out. Will you excuse me?’
He stood up. Merry’s cheeks burned as he made his way across the restaurant but she kept her gaze fixed on her best friend. ‘It’s one drink, Jess. And I’m planning to tell him there’s no hope of us getting back together.’
The news seemed to mollify Jess. ‘Good,’ she said, sitting back. ‘In that case, I might forgive you for abandoning me.’
‘It’s only for an hour or so,’ Merry replied. ‘And I’ll pick us up a takeaway on the way back – how about that?’
‘Okay,’ Jess conceded. ‘As long as you promise you won’t let Alex talk you into anything else. Like a wedding.’
Merry laughed. ‘I think I can safely say there’s no chance of that.’
A few moments later, Niall reappeared. He glanced at Jess as he retook his seat. ‘Were you serious about visiting Highland Park? I gave them a call and they’d be happy to offer you an informal, after-hours tour this evening if you’d like. It won’t be as grand as the one they laid on for Merry but you’ll get to see how things work and taste a few of their whiskies.’
Jess blinked. ‘Sounds amazing – where do I sign?’
He laughed. ‘They close at five so it would mean hanging around Kirkwall until then. Does that sound okay?’
‘No worries at all,’ Jess said. ‘It’ll give me a chance to check out the shops.’
‘Great,’ Niall said warmly. He nodded at Merry. ‘We’ll sort out a taxi back to the croft, so you can enjoy your evening out.’
Merry fought to keep her expression neutral as she felt her stomach twist. ‘It’s hardly an evening out.’
Niall tipped his head. ‘It means you can keep your options open. If you need to.’
‘Unless you’d rather come and drink whisky with us,’ Jess said innocently. ‘I know which I’d choose.’
In other circumstances, Merry would have loved to visit the distillery again, especially with Jess and Niall. But the shadow of Alex was looming over her and she knew she had to deal with him, for both their sakes. Besides, Niall’s invitation hadn’t extended to her – he’d only asked Jess. And why should he have invited Merry? She’d just revealed she was thinking of meeting Alex, after all, and Niall was simply being his usual professional self in making sure Jess wasn’t left at a loose end. Just like he had that morning, Merry reminded herself. Which was part of the problem, if she was honest; the idea of Jess and Niall hanging out together made her uneasy. It shouldn’t but it did.
‘No,’ she said slowly, fighting an irrational desire to say she would join them. ‘I really ought to meet Alex.’
‘I’ll still be up for a takeaway later,’ Jess said. ‘Unless Niall gets me too drunk to sta
nd up.’
Niall grinned. ‘It’s not me you have to worry about – it’s Andrew. He could drink Valhalla dry and still navigate his way home. Isn’t that right, Merry?’
Merry forced herself to smile. ‘So the legends say.’
‘Sounds like my kind of man,’ Jess said with approval and reached for the menu. ‘I think I’m going to need a bigger lunch.’
* * *
‘So, this is where the magic happens.’
Alex was standing in the middle of Merry’s living room, gazing around with an expression she couldn’t quite decipher.
‘I suppose you could say that,’ she replied. ‘It’s where I write, anyway.’
‘You weren’t kidding when you said it was small.’
‘It’s perfect for me.’ Merry resisted the urge to fold her arms defensively across her chest. She was already regretting allowing him to come to the croft but his obvious curiosity had been hard to deflect as they’d discussed the plan for that evening.
‘I just want to see where you’ve been hiding away all these months,’ he’d said down the phone. ‘That’s not too much to ask, is it?’
He had sounded so reasonable that she hadn’t felt able to say no. And naturally that had led to his suggestion that he pick her up in his hire car, rather than her drive to meet him. But now that Alex was here, in the refuge she’d fled to in the aftermath of their break-up, she wished she’d stuck to her original plan and met him at the pub.
He glanced at her now and smiled. ‘It’s not a criticism – I can see it suits you.’
The genuine warmth behind his words surprised Merry. ‘Oh. Well, thanks.’
‘In fact, I understand why you’re tempted to stay,’ he continued and gestured towards the window, with the bay beyond it. ‘Who wouldn’t be, waking up to that view?’
Here comes the part where he reminds me where I really belong, Merry thought, just as Sheila predicted. But Alex surprised her again. ‘What I’m trying to say is that I think you did the right thing, coming here. But since that’s a conversation we should probably have over a glass of wine, let’s save it until we’re in the pub. Are you ready to go?’
His comments were so unexpected that she nearly forgot her resolve to take her own car. But the thought of Alex driving her home once she’d told him there was no hope of a reconciliation was enough to make her draw in a deep breath. ‘I was thinking I might take my own car, actually. It seems silly to make you drive all the way out here again later – you might as well stay in Kirkwall.’
‘I don’t mind bringing you home,’ he said. ‘You must have to drive most of the time – why don’t you give yourself the night off?’
‘I’m supposed to pick Jess up later,’ Merry fibbed.
‘I’m sure she can get a taxi.’ He fixed a steady-eyed gaze on Merry. ‘Unless the issue here is you can’t bear to be in a car with me.’
Merry felt warmth begin to rise in her cheeks and she fought to keep herself from blushing. ‘No, of course not,’ she said, crossing her fingers where Alex couldn’t see. ‘It’s just less hassle for everyone if I take my car.’
‘Everyone except you,’ he said, frowning. ‘But I don’t want to make you uncomfortable. The offer is there if you want it.’
His gaze remained level but she knew him well enough to know he must be growing impatient. The trouble was, she could see it made sense from his point of view – why take two cars when one would do? And the pub they were going to was in Kirkwall, at least; she could ring Jess when she left Alex and maybe they could share a cab back to the croft. Assuming Jess was ready to come home by the time Merry had finished breaking the bad news to Alex, that was…
‘Okay,’ she said, aware she’d been silent for too long. ‘I’ll leave my car here.’
A wide smile appeared Alex’s face, as though he’d never doubted his ability to talk her round. ‘Great. You can explain those big stones by the side of the road – I assume they’re Orkney’s answer to Stonehenge.’
‘Something like that,’ Merry said, recalling Niall’s detailed description of what archaeologists thought the Stones of Stenness might have represented. ‘They’re pretty amazing, aren’t they?’
Alex looked at her, shaking his head in obvious admiration. ‘Not as amazing as you.’
‘Ha ha,’ Merry said, hiding her discomfort behind an awkward smile. ‘We should probably get going. I’ll grab my coat.’
She couldn’t tell whether it was because Alex was making a concerted effort, or whether she’d simply forgotten how charming he could be, but Merry found herself reluctantly enjoying his company on the journey to Kirkwall. He kept the conversation light, filling her in on various things he’d been doing in the months following the break-up. She was amazed to hear he’d booked on the National Three Peaks Challenge in September.
‘I know,’ he said when he caught her looking at him in open astonishment. ‘I surprised myself, to be honest. But Georgie from Accounts has raised over a thousand pounds for charity and I thought why not join her?’
‘But you’ve always hated walking,’ Merry pointed out. ‘Even when there was a pub at the end.’
‘And you’ve always hated running,’ Alex countered. ‘Yet here you are doing marathons.’
Merry shook her head. ‘Half-marathons.’
‘Still bloody impressive,’ he said. ‘And my point is that people change. As evidenced by the fact that I’m going to be climbing three mountains in twenty-four hours when the nearest I’ve ever been to one in the past is Space Mountain on our Year 10 trip to Disneyland Paris.’
Merry couldn’t repress a smile at the memory. ‘And you threw up immediately afterwards.’
‘Too much Cherry Tango,’ he replied solemnly. ‘I won’t make that mistake again.’
The pub they’d agreed on was the Fisherman’s Rest, tucked away behind the busier main streets. Merry had suggested it partly because it wasn’t one of her regular haunts and partly because she knew there was no live music, unlike a number of other pubs in Kirkwall, so there would be no temptation to stay longer than necessary. She and Alex would also be able to hear each other speak, which was important. She didn’t want the horror of having to repeat herself when she told Alex he’d had a wasted trip in coming to Orkney.
For all his enthusiasm to meet up and talk things through, Alex seemed in no hurry to raise the subject of their relationship, however. After getting drinks at the bar, he asked after Merry’s brother in Australia, and answered her questions about his own family, who still lived in the same Surrey town where he and Merry had grown up. That led to more reminiscences of their school days and, almost inevitably, memories of how they’d got together.
‘I fancied you for ages,’ Alex said with a rueful smile. ‘But you always had your nose in a book – I had to join Mr Tumelty’s book club to make you notice me.’
He was wrong, Merry thought wistfully; she’d been aware of Alex in the same way that a moth noticed a flame. But, unlike the moth, she’d had a sense of self-preservation and had known better than to give in to the attraction. She had been bookish and quiet, while Alex had been cool and funny. She’d thought they had nothing in common at all, apart from being in the same year, and had admired him from afar for a long time. Then he’d materialized in the book club and her world had been turned upside down. At the time, she’d had no idea he was a reader and had expected him to stick around for one session and then get bored. But he’d returned, week after week, and had surprised everyone with his perceptive comments. Merry had fallen head over heels almost from the moment he walked into the library after school and had scarcely believed her ears when he’d asked her out. It had taken him three attempts to convince her he was serious; she’d felt like the heroine of a teen novel as he refused to give up. But there was no point in reminding him of any of that, she told herself sternly. It hadn’t stopped him from ending their relationship, sixteen years later, and it wasn’t enough to bring them back together now.
�
�I never understood what you saw in me,’ she said, as briskly as she could. ‘But it’s all water under the bridge now.’
‘You were mysterious,’ Alex replied. ‘And you loved reading. Sometimes, I’d see you with a book I’d already read and I really wanted to ask what you thought of it.’ He paused and sighed. ‘With you, I didn’t have to be funny or loud. I could just be myself.’
It was true that the Alex she’d got to know was different to the one he displayed in class. No one had expected them to last more than a few weeks but they’d surprised them all. And no one had been more surprised than Merry herself; she and Alex had been more alike than she’d dreamed possible. The weeks had turned into months, then years, and books had been the cornerstone of everything, especially when she got her first publishing deal. Alex had been thrilled to meet some of his favourite authors and loved being part of the literary scene, although he’d never wanted to write anything himself. She couldn’t pinpoint the exact moment things had begun to change but she guessed it was when she’d started to struggle with writing. When she’d actually needed him, as Jess had often pointed out.
Merry took a long sip of her gin and tonic and reminded herself that the past was the past. Straightening her shoulders, she mentally prepared to let Alex down but before she could speak, he leaned across the table. ‘Do you remember the first book we read after I joined the book club?’
‘Wuthering Heights,’ Merry replied before she could stop the words from tumbling out. ‘Mr Tumelty almost threw you out of the library for calling Heathcliff an arsehole.’
‘I stand by that opinion,’ Alex said. ‘In fact, I’m pretty sure he’d be considered a psychopath these days. But you didn’t agree.’
Merry was embarrassed to recall that her teenage self had thought Heathcliff’s brooding desire was the pinnacle of romance and she’d defended him furiously against Alex’s outrageous accusation. It wasn’t until she’d re-read the novel, years later, that she’d realized he’d been absolutely right. ‘I agree now.’
Coming Home to Brightwater Bay Page 26