He shot her a withering glance, then turned and shuffled out the door, his shoulders slumped, his head bowed. He slammed the door shut and was gone.
Her knees shaking, Megan sat down. The feeling of victory only lasted a few seconds. Then she put her head in her hands and wept.
Chapter 18
“Models,” Beata said on the phone ten days later. “They’re such a pain. In fact all the fashion people are. Except Alex. He’s a sweetie. But the rest are nothing but trouble.”
The phone to her ear, Megan walked out the door toward the tower, where a tent had been erected for the photo shoot and all the paraphernalia that was needed. “What’s the problem? I thought they said they would eat very little, so you wouldn’t have to cook those big breakfasts for them.”
“Oh, they have tiny breakfasts. But quinoa? And omelettes made out of egg whites? And two slices of apples and half a grapefruit… Shit, Megan, tiny breakfasts, but more trouble than a truckload of fried egg and bacon.”
Megan giggled. “I see what you mean.”
“And they all smoke like chimneys to keep themselves so skinny, and one of the girls wants boiled water with a slice of lemon before going to bed. Which is two in the morning.” Beata sighed heavily.
“I know. It’s hard work for you. But they’ll spend the day here for the shoot. And if all goes well, they’ll be gone by tomorrow.”
“Why couldn’t they stay with Diana?”
“I told you. Diana’s children are home from their summer in Cape Cod and are staying with their parents before university starts in a couple of weeks. She has her hands full, with Alex and his partner staying there as well.”
“Yeah, I know. I suppose I’ll just have to put up with it. Great to get more guests now that there’s a lull.”
“And if this works, you’ll have them regularly. So you might as well get used to it.”
“Yeah, right. I’ll have to get some more help though. There’s still no sign of Boris, and you’re busy with your new website, so…”
Megan felt a dart of guilt. “I’m sorry about that. I’ll come and help out when the shoot is over.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll survive.” Beata hung up.
Megan was on her way to check the tent when she heard a car at the gate. She looked round the corner and discovered Paudie’s jeep with a trailer full of bleating sheep. She gave a yelp of dismay and ran towards him.
“Hey! Don’t unload the sheep. I have a photo shoot here, and we need the field to be empty. You can’t use it until we’re finished. I told you about this a few days ago.”
Paudie glared at her from the driver’s seat. “Yeah. So you did. But I forgot what days you said. I’ve finished dipping them, and now I need a field for them. I’ve nowhere else to put them, and the grass is still good.”
“What about the paddock behind your house? Couldn’t you keep them there for a while?”
Paudie drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. “No. Bunny doesn’t like animals so near the house. Flies. And bad smells.” He sighed.
“Oh. That’s a bit unrealistic though, isn’t it? I mean, in the country, that’s what you get. Flies and smelly stuff. She’ll get used to it in time. I did.”
He turned his head and looked at her. “Yes. But she isn’t like you. Not the least bit.”
“I suppose not. Is she going back to America soon?”
“No. We’re making plans.”
“Plans?” Megan asked, puzzled by the flat tone on his voice.
“Yes.” Without another word, he got out of the jeep and walked to the trailer. “Look, I have no choice. ”
“No,” Megan said, pulling at his arm. “You can’t. Please, Paudie, you know I have this contract with the fashion people. It’s the very first shoot, and it has to be perfect, or they won’t come back.”
He stopped. “Why are Diana’s horses allowed in the other field, then?”
Megan sighed. “Because they make a beautiful backdrop to the photos. I told you about that.”
Paudie frowned. “Big deal. I have to earn a living here, can’t you understand that? And these animals need feeding. The last few weeks of summer in good grass can save me a lot of hassle and money.”
Megan backed away. His eyes were so cold, his voice so clipped and hostile. What happened to their friendship? The close contact they had all this summer? “Okay,” she said. “I realise all that. But you have to understand that this is my land, and this contract with the fashion shoot is my way of earning a living, my chance to hang on to my house and keep the land with it.”
They looked at each other in silence. Paudie’s jaw tightened. Megan clenched and unclenched her fists.
She cleared her throat and put her hand on his arm again. “How about this—if the shoot goes as planned, they’ll wrap up tonight. Then you can come back with the sheep and put them in the field.”
Paudie looked at her hand on his arm. Then back at her. His eyes were veiled, but she thought she saw resentment there. “Right. Call me to give me the all clear.” He jumped into the driver’s seat, started up the jeep and backed into the road.
***
The photo shoot went as planned. The sun came out as if on cue. A light breeze played with the models’ hair and made the summer dresses flow around their long limbs exactly the way Alex wanted. The horses grazed and flicked their tails, positioning themselves without prompting just so for the perfect composition. Alex beamed, his assistant giggled and the whole cast exuded contentment.
The perfection continued on the beach for the swimwear shots, with a flat calm sea and waves washing up on the sand, lapping romantically at the girls’ bare feet. They had to shoot in long focus to hide the models’ goosebumps in the chill of the late afternoon, but even that turned out perfectly, with just the right golden light and blue skies.
Alex smiled at Megan as he packed his cameras in the tent. “Absolutely amazing, darling. Couldn’t have been more perfect if we said a million prayers to the gods of fashion.”
Megan sighed and stretched. “I’m exhausted. Never knew doing make-up on three models would be so tiring. But there were so many different outfits to match and so many different looks. And I’m a bit rusty. Styles have changed since last summer. Make-up too.”
“You did very well. I’m sure the pictures will be great. The light here’s fantastic. We’ll be back in late October for next year’s fall and winter collections. And I might even manage to do some advertising in the meantime. This is a unique place both for scenery and light.”
“When it’s not raining.”
Alex smiled and shrugged. “I know. But if you check the weather forecast you can usually hit a good few hours.”
“If you’re lucky.”
“Don’t be so negative.” He closed the case and took out his smartphone. “You did great with the make-up, but if you’re interested in learning a bit more, I’ll try to organise a two-month apprenticeship with one of the top make-up artists in New York.”
“That’d be fantastic, Alex.”
“And you could stay with Trevor and me in our apartment on the Upper East side.”
“Sounds great.” Megan stifled a yawn. “Sorry. I’m really tired.”
“Hey, we’re going to that quaint pub to celebrate. Why don’t you come with us?”
Megan shook her head. “Thanks, but I’m exhausted. I’ll just tidy up and have something to eat. Then I’ll flop on the couch and read a book.”
Alex looked up from his phone. “You seem a little sad. Is your boyfriend away?”
Megan folded one of the director’s chairs and put it on top of the pile to go into Alex’s rented Land Rover. “Boyfriend? I haven’t got one. We broke up about two weeks ago. Just after the party.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. Maybe he wasn’t right for you?”
“No, he wasn’t. I was fooled by a pretty face and some sweet talking. Never mind. I’m kind of over that now,” Megan said, suddenly discovering she really was. This realisa
tion gave her an immediate lift. “You know what? I really don’t care. I just felt it right now, this moment when you asked me. I don’t give a shit about Daniel Nolan.” She hugged Alex. “This is so great! All thanks to you.”
He laughed and hugged her back. “I’m happy for you. I hope you’ll enjoy this new freedom.”
“Freedom?” Megan mused. “Yes, that’s what it is. Freedom from being hurt and taking it all to heart. I don’t even think much about my ex-husband anymore or what he did to me.” She looked thoughtfully at Alex. “It’s the house and then this little business I feel is just starting. It’s doing things for me without having to consider anyone else. You know what? I think I’ll give singledom a go. Maybe I’ll discover I’m ‘the one’?”
“That will make you both strong and dangerous,” Alex said.
Megan let go of Alex and took a step back. “Yes. I like that.” She flexed her arm muscles. “I’m strong. And dangerous. There’ll only be one person’s terms from now on. Mine.”
***
After calling Paudie to tell him the field was now available, Megan lit a fire and settled on the couch with a plate of pasta and a glass of wine. She stacked cushions behind her back and put her feet up. Finally a moment to herself.
She finished the pasta and poured another glass of wine. Staring into the fire, she went over the previous few weeks, sorting everything into the right order of importance and filing it away. She was truly over Dan and found she couldn’t care less about what had happened. He had tried to use her, but she had won that particular battle. It had been painful, but as it was behind her, she felt no pain, no need for revenge. Time to move on. A new life and a new way of living. On her own terms. That was exciting, and it had happened by accident. It felt as if it was meant to be, waiting for her around the corner all this time.
Megan yawned and put the glass on the coffee table. Time to go to bed. But she stayed there, reluctant to leave the cosy spot, looking at the flickering flames in the grate, her mind far away.
The door opened. Megan looked up. Paudie. She yawned and stretched. “Hi. I’m nearly asleep. How did you get in?”
“The ghost of the O’Farrell chieftain let me in,” he said with a flicker of a smile.
Megan laughed. “That silly story. Can’t believe I fell for that even for a second.”
“Maybe you hoped it was true? Your very own ghost.”
“Yeah, that would have been fun. But come in. Have some wine. There are glasses in the cupboard over there.”
He walked into the room, poured himself some wine and sat on the edge of the sofa, looking into the fire. “Funny how there are two things you can look at forever. A fire and waves rolling onto a beach.”
“That’s true. Sheep all settled in the field?”
“Yes. Thanks. Sorry about the aggro earlier. I’m a little stressed. Lots of things to consider. Plans, you know?”
Megan nodded. “I know. Plans are good, though. Changes are good. As long as everyone agrees and is happy.”
Paudie sipped his wine. “That’s the crux. Everyone has to be happy.”
Startled by his morose look, Megan studied him for a moment. “So ... are you saying that the person not happy is you?”
He sighed deeply and turned his head to look at her. “I suppose I shouldn’t bore you with this. But I’ve nobody else to talk to. And we’re still friends, right?”
“Of course.” Megan pulled her legs under her and patted the sofa cushions. “Come on, get comfortable. I’ll listen.”
Paudie sank back against the cushions. Staring into the fire, he told Megan the whole story. “Bunny and I… we kind of found each other again. We’ve had a great few weeks. Like a honeymoon. Bunny is such a homemaker. Cooks, cleans, organises. Makes the house into a very pretty place, a real show house. I liked that. I got used to a clean and tidy house and gourmet meals. And in bed, she’s so—” He glanced at Megan. “Okay, let’s skip that bit. Not that there’s been a lot of that lately”
“I get the picture.”
“Yeah. Well, all would be fine and dandy if it wasn’t for this idea of Bunny’s. Or, more than an idea, a real scheme.” He frowned. “She wants to go into organic farming.”
“But what’s wrong with that?” Megan asked, confused. “Doesn’t that mean just changing things around a little? Feeding the cattle organic stuff and not using antibiotics and—”
“It would if it involved cattle. But she wants to get rid of all the animals and grow things instead.”
Megan was horrified. “What? Get rid of the cattle and sheep? But that’s the love of your life. That’s why you’ve stuck to farming all these years.”
“That’s true.” He sighed and pushed his hand through his hair. “She says they’re hard work. And they are. But hell, Megan, it’s the animals I love the most. I don’t care much for tillage or growing things. A farm without animals is a dead place.”
“Of course it is.” Megan thought of Paudie up in the mountains, checking his flock. So happy. So at one with animals and hills and fields. Was that going to disappear? The wild, mountainy man aspect of him she liked so much? “That’s so much part of you, Paudie. Without it, you’d be—”
“What?”
“Emasculated,” she whispered.
His gaze met hers. He put his hand on her knee and moved closer. “Yes. That’s exactly how I feel. I knew you’d understand, Megs. You always do.”
She put her hand over his. “Yes. Of course. You’re my best friend. I’ve missed you, you know. But I didn’t want to intrude—” She stopped when he moved closer still. What was that look in his eyes? Friendship? No, more than that. Much more.
When he leaned over and took her in his arms, she knew what was going to happen next. What she had been waiting for ever since he stepped into the room. “Oh, Paudie,” she whispered, but was silenced by his mouth on hers in a kiss hotter than the fire flickering in the grate.
His tongue pushed gently into her eager mouth. She responded with fervour and hunger, wanting more, pressing her body against his, her skin burning. His hands slipped from her shoulders to her breasts. Forgetting Dan, Bunny, the organic farming and all the other harassments, she moaned softly as his fingers played with her nipples through the thin fabric of her shirt. His warm lips moved down her neck to the little hollow where she liked to be kissed. How did he know? As he pressed her closer, she could feel he was aroused. A dart of fear shot into her muddled brain.
She broke away. “Please… No… I can’t.”
“Why not?” he whispered into her neck.
“Bunny. You and she are—”
“So over,” he muttered. “What about you and Nolan, then?”
“That’s over too,” she mumbled into his chest.
“I heard he’s moving to Dublin.”
“Good riddance.”
“Yeah.” He started to unbutton her shirt. “Forget them. Forget everything.”
“Okay,” she murmured, feeling all her reservations and fears floating away through the half-open window into the black, still night. His rough, calloused hands were gentle on her skin, his lips soft and velvety. He smelled of soap and something earthy and pungent which mingled into a heady mix she couldn’t resist.
“Oh, yes, right there,” she mumbled, as he instinctively found all her erogenous zones.
Before she could gather her wits, he had taken her shirt off and zipped open her jeans. A few seconds later, they were both naked, their clothes in a pile on the floor. How did he do it? she wondered. How could he strip her so easily and so expertly, touching her most sensitive spots as he went, flicking her nipples with his tongue, then cupping both her breasts in his hands before his slid them down her stomach to her groin, where his fingers did a little dance that excited her beyond control.
He pulled back and looked at her, his eyes scanning her body. “You’re beautiful.”
She blushed. Suddenly shy, she tried to shield herself with the blanket, but he pulled it away.
“Don’t be shy. I’ve seen you naked before.”
She froze. “You have? When?”
“The morning after Diana’s party. I saw you swimming. It was five o’clock in the morning, and the sun was just rising.”
“You spied on me?”
Paudie laughed. “No. I’m not a peeping Tom. I was walking on the beach. Couldn’t sleep. There was a bit of an argument, and then I needed to clear my head. So I took Denis and went for a stroll. I go down to the beach sometimes when I need to think. Or say a prayer. It’s better than any church. God’s creation instead of a building. And there you were, coming out of the waves like Venus. Naked. Wearing the old necklace. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone so beautiful.”
“Oh God. I saw Denis afterwards but thought nothing of it. I guessed he was out hunting rabbits or something. It was such a bright, beautiful morning and very warm.”
He ran his hands over her hips, grasped her waist and kissed her chest. “I couldn’t get you out of my mind since then.” He lowered himself onto her body.
She closed her eyes as she felt his flat, hairy chest on hers and his erection push between her legs. She grasped his buttocks and arched herself against him. Unlike Dan, he was very well endowed, and she flinched for a moment, wondering how he would fit. But when he slid inside, he filled a void in both her body and heart. They fit together perfectly. It was amazing, she thought as they moved in sublime rhythm, so amazing she thought it was a dream.
But it was real. They came at the same time, something that had never happened to her before. His eyes looked into hers as the combined force of their climax exploded with stars and comets.
They breathed out in unison and smiled benignly, looking into each other’s eyes. They didn’t speak, didn’t say the clichéd ‘wow’ or ‘this was amazing’, but exchanged a glance that said what words could not express.
Megan closed her eyes and drifted off. As if in a dream, she felt Paudie moving away and cover her with a blanket. She heard him tiptoe out of the room, but she was so tired she couldn’t move or think. She knew he was leaving. She wanted to protest, call him back, tell him to stay but found she couldn’t. She let sleep overtake her. What had happened was too much to take in, too much to worry about. Maybe it was a dream in some kind of twilight zone she had accidentally wandered into? Paudie, she thought, who are you? What do you want with me?
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