The Lake House

by Christie Barlow

  ‘At this rate you will be saving The Lakehouse single-handedly. For your birthday I’m going to buy you a superhero cape.’

  ‘Don’t be daft,’ replied Ella, waving off the compliment, ‘it’s all a team effort.’

  ‘With you leading the way, and we are all right behind you.’

  ‘And that’s down to you – you gave me a job and a place to stay. Everyone should have a friend like you.’ Ella meant every word; everyone should have a Callie in their life.

  ‘Ditto,’ replied Callie, leaning across the bed to give her best friend a huge heartfelt hug.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Two weeks later

  For the last forty-eight hours, even though Ella had been run off her feet, she’d had the best time. In seven hours’ time all of her hard work, with the help of Roman, would be showcased to everyone who attended The Lakehouse, and she couldn’t wait. Roman had spent the morning setting up all the sound equipment whilst Ella had organised the huge screen behind the stage which would project images from the past sent in by the villagers of Heartcross. The whole place looked beautiful, and reminded Ella of a magical winter wonderland. Dolores’ favourite white flowers filled the corners of every room and the top of the grand piano was dotted with tea lights. Fairy lights were draped over the bay trees which looked beautiful at each end of the stage, and bottles and bottles of champagne were chilling in the huge fridges in the wine room at the back of the restaurant. All of the special guests supporting Dolores with her ‘Trip Down Memory Lane’ were arriving late afternoon. Flynn had put them all in the finest deluxe suites up at Starcross Manor and they were to be ushered across to The Lakehouse with the utmost high security.

  ‘How are Dolores’ nerves holding up?’ asked Roman as he kicked off his shoes and draped his legs across the coffee table.

  Ella jokingly pointed at Roman’s feet. ‘Make yourself at home, why don’t you?’

  ‘Well, we have been dating for a couple of weeks now,’ he grinned, ‘so, you know…’

  Ella shook her head. ‘Dolores has no nerves whatsoever. I called in just before we sailed across to The Lakehouse this morning, and she is absolutely itching for the night to begin. However, she is feeling more anxious about this afternoon. She’d spent ten minutes deliberating about what to wear for her meeting with Charlie.’

  ‘I think I’d be nervous too. Fancy meeting your true love after all these years! I mean, what if Dolores is disappointed and thinks she wasted all those years hankering after someone she couldn’t have, and now she wishes she hadn’t?’

  ‘Aren’t you a true romantic? For your information, they have written to each other for years and kept in touch, but I’ve no idea why they were kept apart. Maybe we’ll find out this afternoon. I’m absolutely intrigued. Changing the subject… How’s Megan?’

  ‘So far so good, another two weeks to go, and fingers crossed she’s turned a corner. The hardest part about all this is, I can only support her from afar, there’s no outside contact allowed, no technology, no social media. She has to focus on learning to love herself again.’

  ‘And she will, I’ve got a good feeling about it all.’

  Hearing the letterbox clang, Ella picked up the mail that had landed on the mat. ‘Junk, junk. Even more junk and I’ve no idea what this one is.’ The envelope was addressed to her but she didn’t recognise the writing. She turned over the envelope in her hand and sat down next to Roman.

  ‘What have you got there?’ he asked.

  Ella shrugged. ‘I have no idea,’ she replied, hooking her finger under the envelope and opening up the letter.

  ‘Woah!’ Ella’s jaw dropped wide open. ‘Is this for actual real or some sort of cruel joke?’ She handed the cheque over to Roman.

  ‘It’s signed by Wayne Ridgeway.’

  Ella couldn’t believe her eyes as she stared at the letter. In her hand she held a cheque for seventy-five thousand pounds with what seemed like a sincere hand-written apology. Ella let out a long shuddering sigh. ‘I really wasn’t expecting this. I know it’s not the full amount he conned from me and it’s a year of my life I can’t get back, but it’s better than nothing. Why would he even give me some back?’

  Roman was re-reading the letter. ‘How do you feel about the last couple of sentences?’

  Ella stared at the words on the page: Just for the record, I never meant to hurt you and you will always have a place in my heart. I know it’s not all the money but it’s all I have and I am sorry. You were different from all the rest.

  She swallowed down a lump in her throat. ‘Numb, indifferent. Call me cynical, but maybe he’s after a shorter prison sentence.’ She shrugged. ‘If anything, the last year has taught me not to look backwards but just to keep going forwards, because that’s when incredible things happen.’ Ella snuggled into Roman’s chest then looked upwards and placed a soft kiss to his lips. ‘That may not be all my inheritance back, but it will pay off the debts and allow me to sail forward, hopefully not in a storm.’

  Roman laughed. ‘Ella Johnson, you are an amazing woman.’

  ‘I know,’ she said, nudging his elbow playfully. She looked down at the letter one last time then pushed it aside. ‘Are we ready to take Dolores to meet Charlie?’

  ‘I’ll tell you something, my life isn’t dull with you around.’ He gently slapped her thigh with his hand and jumped up. ‘You go and see Dolores, I’ll fill Bette up with petrol and I’ll meet you out the front in say… twenty minutes?’

  ‘Perfect,’ replied Ella.

  Ella rapped on Dolores’ front door, but there was no answer. She put her ear to the door and couldn’t hear a sound. Knocking again, she pulled down the handle and walked inside.

  ‘It’s only me,’ she shouted as she walked into the living room.

  Ella stopped dead in her tracks and stared at Dolores who was standing in front of her. She didn’t recognise her at all and had to look twice, she looked so beautiful. Dolores looked down to the floor then back up towards Ella, looking like a frightened rabbit in the headlights. Immediately Ella recognised her vulnerability, and understood that this was an important moment in her personal life. After all these years, and everything she had accomplished in her career, Dolores was still in love.

  She was beautifully dressed, in a long flowing polka-dot dress with ruffles around the collar and wrists. Her flamboyant make-up had been toned down and her brunette hair hung straight down her back – there wasn’t a long blonde curl in sight. Ella’s mouth had dropped wide open as she looked between Dolores and the wig that was hanging over the arm of the chair. Ella gasped. ‘Dolores, you look… stunning.’ Ella stepped forward and kissed Dolores on the cheek. ‘You look ten years younger.’

  ‘I thought I’d ditch the bright-blue eye-shadow and the lashes. This is how I used to look: elegant, long flowing dresses, and I’ve hidden behind false eyelashes for years, when look…’ Dolores fluttered her eyelashes. ‘I covered myself up for years, hiding behind the façade that I’m an eccentric old lady, which was a good show, because I could usually get away with anything, but that was because I wasn’t happy. Today I feel happy again.’

  ‘Because you’re meeting Charlie?’

  ‘Yes, because I am meeting Charlie. I’ve loved Charlie with all my heart for all these years, and if it wasn’t for you Ella, this would never be happening.’

  Ella held out her hands. ‘I’m so excited for you. What’s the plan? Where are we meeting Charlie?’

  ‘At The Boathouse, and then we are sailing across to The Lakehouse for lunch. I’ve booked our old favourite table, the one we always sat at, and Flynn has seen to it that we have our favourite cocktails waiting. I have to admit, in the whole of my career, singing in front of royalty, performing in front of thousands of people… I have never felt… so nervous – it’s terrifying!’

  ‘Don’t be nervous, enjoy your time, and Roman and I are right behind you, all the way.’

  Ella picked up Dolores’ small suitcase. ‘Come o
n, let’s go and meet Charlie, and drop you both off at The Boathouse. This is where your real trip down memory lane begins.’

  Dolores gently cupped her hands around Ella’s face. ‘You deserve every bit of happiness in your lifetime. My career was amazing, but I didn’t get my happiness in my personal life until now. Just seeing Charlie for one last time is all I ever wished for, and now my heart is thumping so fast, it had better not bloody give way before I get there!’ Dolores laughed.

  ‘Don’t say that!’ Ella was close to tears, but seeing how happy Dolores was at this moment in time made her heart swell. ‘Roman’s waiting downstairs, are you ready?’

  ‘I’ve been ready for years, but it’s times like this I bloody wished I had dabbled in Botox.’

  Ella laughed. ‘Dolores, you should be bottled.’

  ‘Please don’t pickle me when my time is up.’

  Walking out on to the High Street, Dolores looked like a movie star. Her dress floated behind her whilst her natural hair bounced lightly above her shoulders. She looked the picture of happiness. Hamish appeared in the shop doorway. ‘I’m glad to see that wig has finally disappeared.’ Dolores spun round and gave Hamish a huge beam. ‘Thank you for being the best son.’ She held his hands.

  ‘Don’t go going all gushy on me now.’ He kissed his mother on her cheek. ‘No go and get Charlie – it’s been a long time coming.’

  ‘Thank you, son.’

  Ella fanned her face with her hands then stepped forward and hugged Roman, who was waiting by Bette. ‘What’s that for?’

  ‘Just because I feel like I’ve found my prince and now Dolores is about to get hers.’

  ‘You daft bugger,’ he said, tilting her face towards his and kissing her on the lips before turning towards Dolores. ‘Your carriage awaits.’

  He swung open his arm and Dolores wrinkled her forehead. ‘I think it’s about time to treat yourself to a new car. Bette looks older than me,’ she joked, accepting Roman’s hand as he helped her into the front seat.

  He laughed. ‘Yes, it may be about time.’

  Ella strapped herself in the back seat but shuffled to the edge and leant forward, with her elbows resting on their head rests. Roman set off up the road and headed towards the bumpy track along the side of the river.

  Ella was feeling nervous for Dolores. She had no clue what had kept Dolores and Charlie apart for all these years, but at long last they were going to have their own trip down memory lane. ‘What’s the first thing you are going to say?’ asked Ella, feeling the nervous tension in the air.

  ‘I’ve no idea,’ replied Dolores. ‘I’ve rehearsed this moment over and over in my head but now my brain decides to go to mush.’

  ‘Here we are.’ Roman glanced over his shoulder at Ella and parked Bette at the side of The Boathouse.

  ‘Do you want to get out of the car, or shall we stay inside until we see another car?’ asked Roman, switching off the engine, but Ella interrupted before Dolores could answer.

  ‘Here we go.’

  Driving towards them was an electric-blue Bentley. ‘Now that’s posh – and we’ve arrived in Bette.’ Ella was staring at the car out of the windscreen.

  ‘Charlie wouldn’t be bothered if I turned up on the back of a donkey,’ replied Dolores, who looked over her shoulder and touched Ella’s hand with hers.

  ‘This is it. Good luck, Dolores.’

  ‘Thank you, dear girl. I’m more nervous now than when I met the Queen.’

  ‘You’ve got this.’

  Roman and Ella held their breaths as Dolores got out of the car and shut the door behind her.

  ‘It’s like a love scene out of a movie.’ Ella slid into the front seat next to Roman and placed her hand on his knee. He leant across and kissed her on her cheek.

  ‘I have to say, I’m as nervous as hell and have everything crossed for a happy ending,’ he said. ‘It’s all happening today, isn’t it? How are you feeling about tonight?’

  ‘I’m so excited to see it all come together, but I think I’m most excited about watching Dolores light up every face inside The Lakehouse when she sings.’

  ‘It’s going to be a magical night.’

  In silence, they watched as Dolores walked forward but stopped halfway between Bette and the Bentley. Ella’s heart was beating so fast, goodness knows how Dolores was holding up, meeting the love of her life after all these years. ‘I wonder what he looks like?’ asked Ella, her eyes fixed forward.

  Roman put his hand up to his shoulder and took hold of Ella’s hand. ‘We are about to find out.’ They watched in anticipation for the first glimpse of Charlie Love. The Bentley’s car door was opened by the chauffeur and Ellie let out a sigh. ‘He’s not come, he’s sent someone else, she must be his assistant.’ Feeling the crushing disappointment, Ella was about to climb out of the car and rush to Dolores’ side, but Roman stopped her.

  ‘Look.’

  Ella saw a tall, slim Indian woman dressed in an exquisitely cut blue trouser suit with red ballet shoes, walking towards Dolores, who was smiling. They began to walk faster towards each other and within seconds their arms were flung open and they fell into each other’s embrace.

  ‘What’s going on?’ asked Roman, looking at Ella, then back towards Dolores. They watched from afar as the two women hugged and kissed.

  ‘My guess is, Charlie Love is not a man.’ Wide-eyed, she looked towards Roman.

  For a second, they watched the women embrace, before Dolores turned around and waved her hand in Ella’s direction.

  ‘That’s our cue. Come on, let’s go and meet Charlie.’

  Hand in hand, Ella and Roman walked over towards them, and Ella noticed Dolores was physically shaking. ‘Ella, Roman – let me introduce you to Charlie… Charlotte Love.’

  Chapter Seventeen

  Ella had to admit, discovering Charlie was Charlotte had totally knocked her socks off. She was never expecting that in a million years. Dolores was looking radiant and her whole face was lit up with happiness. The moment Ella had set eyes on Charlie, she was even more intrigued by their story.

  ‘We are going to sail you across to The Lakehouse and get you settled, then Roman and I have a few last-minute preparations to take care of, ready for this evening.’

  Ella noticed Charlie slip her hands into Dolores’ as they ambled along the jetty towards the boat. Roman held out his hand and helped them step on board. ‘If you would like to take a seat at the table over there.’ Roman had laid a white crisp cloth over the table with an ice bucket in the middle with a bottle of champagne chilling. ‘You ladies relax and enjoy yourselves.’

  ‘I can’t believe we are going back to The Lakehouse.’ Charlie placed her hands on her heart. ‘It really is a trip down memory lane.’

  Roman and Ella hugged as the ladies made their way over to the table. Roman gently pulled away and held Ella’s hands in his. ‘All this, it’s made me think, that life is too short.’ He took a breath and looked lovingly at Ella. ‘After what happened to me and to you, Ella, I never thought I’d find happiness again but…’ He took Ella’s hand. ‘I have, and this,’ he nodded towards Dolores and Charlie, ‘makes me so happy seeing them here, finally together. My only assumption is, they couldn’t be together because of the times they lived in back then?’

  ‘I’m not sure, but I’m going to go and find out.’ Ella stood on her tiptoes and kissed Roman softly on the lips. ‘And just for the record, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been.’ She hugged him again before turning to look at Dolores and Charlie, who were in deep conversation. For a second Ella watched them; they were so at ease with each other, it was like they’d never been apart. Ella knew that they’d written to each other for all those years, but they still had a whole lifetime to catch up on.

  As the boat set off across the water, Dolores popped the cork on the champagne bottle and poured everyone a glass. ‘I feel like I’m in the middle of the most romantic love story ever. Tell me everything, I want to know everything!’ E
lla said.

  Dolores looked towards Charlie and squeezed her hand.

  Charlie took a sip from the champagne flute and Ella could see her eyes were filling up, just thinking about it all. ‘Back in our times things weren’t quite like today, the love we shared would have been frowned upon, but even more so by my family. You see, my father had already arranged my marriage. It killed us that we couldn’t be together.’ Charlie looked adoringly towards Dolores. ‘And my real name isn’t Charlie Love. Every time Dolores said my name, she used to say “love” after it, so it just became a joke.’

  Ella was taken back. ‘What is your name?’

  ‘My real name is Shehrnaz, but I always pretended I was a Charlotte, because I liked the name and I fitted in more with my friends. But then Dolores changed it to Charlie in case we were ever talking about each other and we ever slipped up. But these days you can call me anything.’ Charlie smiled. ‘I’m too long in the tooth to care.’

  ‘You will always be Charlie to me. The Lakehouse was where it all began, we met here on a Thursday night when I was singing, and from then on this place was our safe haven.’

  ‘I always had to sneak out of home, I wasn’t allowed out and I was a little bit of a rebel.’

  ‘A little bit?’ joked Dolores.

  Charlie continued. ‘Back then, your parents’ word was law, you respected them, we had to do what other people said and what was expected of us, even if it wasn’t what we wanted…’ Charlie’s voice faltered. ‘And it’s not that I’ve ever wanted for anything in my life… except you.’ Charlie was tearful. ‘But I’m not thinking about that now.’

  Ella could feel their pain.

  Charlie continued. ‘My mum Navela was led by my father, she worked hard sewing clothes all day, every day, and we helped her after school. The more she sewed, the more money we had. My father had numerous prospects in mind for me and, if I’m honest,’ she looked towards Dolores, ‘they chose well for me. I married a good, decent man and lived a very good lifestyle. But for all those years, I was hiding the truth of who I was, in here.’ Charlie pressed a hand on to her heart.