A Jersey Affair

by Georgina Troy

  Paige couldn’t miss the determination in his voice, and decided she needed to hurry up and start sorting things out between Olly and her sister. He needed something to keep him from getting involved in her problems. She’d have to come up with something before he drove her mad.

  Chapter Twenty-five

  ‘Sebastian, baby, calm down.’ Lucinda soothed.

  He could feel her cool hands stroking his back and moved away from her. ‘That’s enough,’ he snapped. ‘Please leave me alone.’

  ‘Why can’t we be friends? I know I hurt you, but I’ve regretted my stupidity every day since I left you.’

  She looked so sincere, he almost suspected she was telling the truth. The Lucinda he’d fallen for was always a little hot-headed and many times had acted without thinking, but she’d been gentle most of the time. ‘We can’t go back. I’ve moved on,’ he added guiltily, aware that the depths of his feelings for Paige far exceeded those he’d ever held for Lucinda.

  Paige’s beautiful face, now bruised. What the hell was she doing larking about with that Jake bloke anyway? Lucinda’s nasal voice broke his train of thought. ‘What is it?’ he said brushing her hand away as she attempted to dab at his face with a damp napkin.

  ‘Your lip is swollen,’ she said, pouting and trying again.

  He gently took hold of her wrist and moved it away. ‘It’s nothing, don’t fuss.’

  ‘You were spectacular over there,’ she said, indicating the dance floor where the barmen were sweeping up broken glass.

  ‘There’s nothing spectacular about tonight. I should have stopped the fight, not got involved in it. I need to go and apologise to those chaps who are cleaning up my mess.’

  ‘You were only looking out for Paige,’ Sara said. ‘It’s typical of you, to rescue a damsel in distress.’

  ‘Yes, I noticed her flaunting herself over those two men,’ Lucinda sneered, flicking her long hair over her shoulder. ‘It’s not surprising she ended up with a smack in the eye.’

  Sebastian rounded on her with a fury that he had to work hard to contain. ‘When did you get to be so nasty?’ She flinched, her mouth dropping open in shock. ‘You have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about, so why don’t you go and find someone else to irritate?’

  ‘Fine, I’m going.’

  He watched with satisfaction as she marched off towards a group of her cronies. ‘What happened to her?’

  Sara pulled a face and shrugged. ‘No idea, but I’ll give you a lift home if you like. Protect you from any more female-related dramas.’

  Sebastian groaned. ‘I think that’s the best suggestion I’ve heard all night.’

  ‘So, any plans for tomorrow, or is it more meetings, as usual?’ she asked, as they walked over to her car.

  ‘I have someone I need to see in the morning.’

  ‘Paige?’ Sara asked, unlocking her car and getting inside.

  ‘No. I’ll call on her at some point, but first I’m going to visit a young chap who’s in hospital.’

  ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to be flippant. Who are you helping out this time?’

  ‘He was a promising young boxer until a few weeks ago when some drunk driver smashed into him. They flew him to Southampton and kept in a drug-induced coma until recently.’

  ‘Oh that’s horrible. Will he be OK?’ she asked.

  Sebastian sighed. ‘I hope so. They flew him back to the island today, and his mother has asked me to visit him to try and give him some hope that he may fight again.’

  ‘And will he?’

  ‘No.’

  Sara gasped. ‘What will you tell him then?’

  Sebastian wished he knew. ‘I haven’t come up with anything yet, but I need to find a way to stop him from thinking his life is over. The one he expected to have certainly is, but I must to think of something to engage him that he can put his energies into that will take the place of his boxing.’

  ‘That’s so sad. Poor boy,’ she said miserably. ‘I hope you come up with something.’

  ‘Me, too.’ He pressed the button to open the passenger window. ‘I think it’s time to call in some favours from the amateur boxing fraternity, but first I thought I’d arrange for him and his mum to go on a trip to the Galapagos Islands. It’s the only thing she could think of that he might enjoy, and something he’s always wanted to do since he was tiny. It’s not ideal, but it’s a start. It’s also something for him to look forward to over the next few months while he heals. It’ll give me time to come up with a decent plan to help him move on.’

  Chapter Twenty-six

  ‘I never thought my sister would be sporting a black eye,’ Clem giggled.

  ‘Don’t,’ Paige checked her reflection discreetly on a wall mirror. ‘I thought I’d covered it well this morning.’

  ‘Sis, all the make-up in the world isn’t going to hide the swelling.’

  Paige straightened a pair of boots in the window display. ‘Stupid party, I was having fun until that happened.’

  ‘Olly told me Sebastian Fielding was very attentive.’

  ‘He wasn’t,’ she said, wondering when the two of them had spoken.

  ‘Hey, don’t feel bad. I’m not saying this to cause a row, but he told me it was pretty hard to miss the vibes between you both.’

  Paige forced a laugh. ‘Hardly.’

  Clem raised her eyebrow, and folded her arms over her slightly rounded stomach. ‘Say what you like. You probably haven’t even admitted it to yourself, but there’s definitely something going on. Even I know that much.’ She put her finger up to her lips and winked. ‘Or would be, if you’d let it.’

  ‘Clem …’

  Clem laughed. ‘Don’t fret about it. You two have something that needs to be dealt with, before it drives you, or at least him, nuts.’ She nudged Paige’s side. ‘Stop looking so worried. I don’t know what it is that is holding you back, apart from all that guff Dad was waffling on about him having to deal with constant press attention. He’s only being protective, and I don’t care what Sebastian Fielding does, or where he lives, it doesn’t make him a crappy person. You should know that.’

  ‘Can we stop going on about him?’ Paige asked. ‘I think there are more pressing matters to deal with,’ she said glancing pointedly at Clem’s stomach.

  ‘Forget it. I’m not ready to talk about this baby yet.’

  ‘Too bad, it’s time you two sorted things out. Never mind worrying about me and Sebastian, you and Olly need to deal with this and the sooner the better, if you ask me.’

  ‘I’m not asking you.’ Clem sat down on the stool behind the counter and sulked.

  There was a knock at the door.

  ‘Good morning,’ the postman said. She loved that he always seemed to have a beaming smile on his face, regardless of the weather he had to work in.

  ‘Hello,’ Paige said, going over to greet him. ‘More bills, I suppose?’ She took the stash of envelopes and waved to him as he left the shop humming to himself.

  ‘I don’t know what he has to be so bloody happy about.’ Clem grumbled. ‘I hate it when people are so cheerful in the morning.’

  Paige ignored her and skimmed through the assortment of brown and white envelopes in her hand until she reached a larger one at the back. ‘Interesting,’ she said, opening the expensive-looking envelope hurriedly and drawing out the invitation from Society. ‘This is from that new glossy magazine where I advertised the opening of Heaven in Heels a few weeks ago.’ Her thumb grazed across the top of the embossed wording instantly lifting her mood. ‘It’s an invitation to their annual corporate evening at Les Landes Racecourse. I’ve always wanted to go to that. It says I can invite a plus one.’

  ‘Don’t bother asking me, I hate horse racing.’

  As soon as she arrived home after work, Paige sent Olly a text. He seemed to beam himself up into her kitchen within seconds.

  ‘Well?’ he asked, spotting the white card leaning against the windowsill and picking it up. ‘Yes,’ he said,
punching the air. ‘You can bring a plus one, brilliant.’

  ‘You’re sure it’ll be you, I notice,’ she shook her head, taking the invitation from his fingers and tapping him on the back of the head with it before replacing it on the sill.

  Olly frowned and then sidled up to her. ‘Who else were you thinking of inviting?’

  She wagged a finger at him. ‘You can come if you promise to behave yourself,’ she said, taking out her lipstick and applying it quickly.

  ‘Clem not interested?’ he asked quietly, trying to look bored.

  Paige smiled. She had been rumbled. ‘No, doesn’t agree with horse-racing apparently.’

  ‘So, where are you going now then? Seeing Jake?’ Olly asked, tilting his head to one side studying her through narrowed eyes.

  Paige shook her head. ‘I’m not interested, Ol, so give up.’

  ‘Well, where then?’

  ‘You’re so nosey.’ She shook her head and pulled on her coat. ‘If you must know, I’m off to meet a bride-to-be. We only met for the first time at the party the other night. It’s a relief that after all the drama of the fight that she still wants me to design her and her mother’s shoes for her wedding later in the year.’ She checked her watch. ‘I mustn’t keep them waiting.’

  ‘That’s brilliant, well done you.’ He gave her a hug. ‘We could add the designs under a separate tab on the website to indicate that you’ll take on bespoke designs for clients.’

  Paige nodded, ‘Great idea. Why don’t you go and work on the site now?’ She didn’t like to add, that Clem had already gone out, so there was no point in him waiting in the cottage for her.

  Olly put his shoulders back and saluted. ‘Right, I’ll go and do that now.’ They both started for the front door. Olly stopped suddenly, turning back to her just as she raced out to the hall. He caught her just before she crashed into him.

  ‘Hey, careful,’ she said, wondering what was wrong.

  ‘You’ve inspired me, you know?’ he said, a wide grin on his handsome face.

  ‘I have?’ she asked, not knowing how, but relieved to have done so. ‘Good, now bugger off and let me get going to this meeting.’

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Paige slid her Society initiation into her evening bag, closing the crystal covered clasp with a satisfying clunk, and pulled the slim gold chain over her shoulder. She breathed in the rose scented air by her living room French doors, relieved the August weather was warm enough for everyone to be able to make the most of what promised to be a perfect evening.

  ‘I’m glad you settled on the powder blue satin jacket,’ Clem said coming into the room behind her. ‘It goes far better with that black dress and those gorgeous shoes.’

  ‘Are you sure you didn’t want to come along tonight?’ Paige asked, concerned that her sister might want to join her after all.

  ‘Of course, anyway knowing Olly he’ll be really looking forward to tonight.’ Clem popped two pieces of toast into the toaster. ‘How is he by the way?’

  ‘Who, Ol?’

  Clem nodded, her back to Paige.

  Making the most of the opportunity to discuss him, Paige bent to take a plate from the cupboard nearby and passed it to her sister. ‘Don’t you think you should give some thought to making things up with him?’

  Clem groaned, and Paige could feel her defences going up. ‘I know you’re right,’ Clem said, gently stroking her rounded stomach. ‘I’m not quite sure what to say though.’

  Heartened by her sister’s encouraging response, Paige continued. ‘I don’t know either, but you need to speak to him soon.’ She faced her sister. ‘He loves you, Clem, and you’re having his baby. You at least owe him a chance to figure out a way forward that’s mutually agreeable to you both.’ She placed a hand on her sister’s stomach, flinching when the baby kicked. ‘Did you feel that?’ Paige asked. ‘Wow, does it hurt when he does that?’

  ‘Not yet, but I’m told it does further along in the pregnancy.’ Clem smiled. ‘I like the way we’re both sure it’s a boy.’ Her rosy cheeks reddening even more. ‘He’s a brute, don’t you think?’

  Paige nodded. ‘I didn’t realise they kicked quite so hard.’

  ‘Ha, you should feel it from where I’m standing.’

  ‘Olly is missing out on all of this excitement, Clem,’ she said quietly.

  The sisters looked at each other in silence for a moment. Paige suspected both Clem and Olly wanted nothing more than to get back together again, but for some reason her sister was making things as awkward as possible between them and she wished she knew why.

  ‘Are you sure you’ll be OK looking after the place while I’m away?’ Paige asked, referring to her impending Spanish trip and doing her best to change tactics. She was determined to get her sister and Olly to communicate before leaving, but was rapidly running out of time.

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘Fine, then tomorrow night the two of you can eat here. It’ll give you a chance to chat to each other and try to sort everything out.’

  ‘Tomorrow?’ Clem grimaced.

  ‘Yes,’ Paige said, before her sister could think of another excuse not to. ‘I love you both and I won’t leave until I know you’ve resolved your differences.’ She watched Clem sulking. ‘I’m going to have to work closely with Olly over the next few months to get the site launched, and it would be much easier for everyone involved if the two of you made up.’ She had an idea. ‘Why don’t you become a part of it too?’

  ‘Me? How?’

  ‘You’re better with computers than I am.’

  ‘That’s not difficult, and it’s only because I have more patience than you do.’

  Paige ignored her, determined to make the most of Clem’s attention. ‘I need to focus on these sales, so maybe you could keep an eye on any orders. You could deal with settlement of the payments and keep track of the stock, where to send it, that sort of thing.’

  Clem leant back against the worktop in silence only moving when the toast popped up to begin buttering it. ‘I’m not sure I want to spend time working from your cottage.’

  ‘It’s up to you.’ Paige wondered why she hadn’t thought of it before. ‘You’ll soon be too heavily pregnant to want to stand in a shop all day, and when the baby comes, you can’t leave it behind. I think working from here will probably really suit you.’

  ‘If you say so yourself?’ Clem laughed, taking a bite of toast. ‘I think you could be right though.’

  ‘So?’ Paige waited for her to reply. ‘Is that a “yes”?’

  Clem thought for a moment, and smiled. ‘It sounds perfect to me.’

  ‘Good.’ Paige was relieved that now her sister had even more of an incentive to sort out her differences with Olly. She sighed, and checked her lipstick in the hall mirror.

  ‘Don’t think I haven’t worked out what you’re doing.’ Clem poked her head out of the kitchen and shook her head.

  ‘You shouldn’t be so suspicious.’ It never ceased to amaze Paige how her sister’s immaculate auburn bob settled down as soon as she’d shaken her head, looking as if it had been freshly brushed.

  ‘To be honest, I’ll be happy to clear things up with Olly. I’ll admit I’m a little embarrassed it’s taken me so long. It’ll be a relief.’

  ‘I’m glad to hear it,’ Paige said honestly. ‘Now, I’d better go and meet up with him. The magazine has arranged coaches to collect everyone from various car parks around the island to get us to the racecourse. I haven’t been on a coach in years, it should be fun.’

  ‘Don’t go flirting with strangers on the back seat, will you.’ Clem laughed, giving her pouting sister a quick hug, before pushing Paige towards the door.

  ‘I hope you’ve bought enough money to do some serious betting,’ Olly said, as he waited for Paige to show her invitation to the security guard at the entrance to the impressive marquee.

  She glanced around the vast space, instantly spotting several clients of hers, mostly sporting, she was
delighted to note, her latest collection as they made small talk to other guests.

  ‘Blimey,’ Olly said, leading the way to the free bar where a line was already forming. ‘This is the life.’ He turned to face her, eyebrows raised. ‘Have you seen this lot? They’re certainly making the most of what’s on offer. And,’ he moved closer to Paige, lowering his voice. ‘There’s even a Tote in here, so we don’t have to queue with the hoi polloi outside.’

  Paige giggled. ‘Don’t get too used to this treatment, it’ll be back to real life later tonight, Cinderella. And I’ll have a champagne cocktail, please.’

  ‘Yes, madam,’ he said, leaving her to join the other revellers as he walked over to the bar.

  Paige was just about to take a seat at one of the circular tables, when she noticed an enclosure through the back of the marquee overlooking the racecourse. She motioned to Olly that she would wait for him there. Stepping out from the laughter and constant chatter to the warm evening air, she breathed in the sweet scent of the freshly mown grass. Paige made her way to the white post and rails next to the edge of the track, unable to suppress a gasp at the magnificence of the view in front of her.

  ‘Impressive, isn’t it?’ Sebastian said, stepping out of the marquee and coming to stand next to her. ‘I never get tired of coming here.’

  Paige daren’t turn to look at him, she wanted to gather her thoughts first, so simply continued taking in the picturesque scene.

  They stared in silence, passed the curve of the track in front of them to the ruins of Grosnez Castle, where the purple gorse was beginning to flower. The sun lowered imperceptibly, its orange glow glistening on the Channel between where they were standing and the islands of Sark, Herm, and Guernsey as they lined up neatly in the distance.

  ‘It’s not much of a castle, but it’s one hell of a view. It makes me wonder why we pay to go anywhere else when we live on such a pretty island,’ she said, allowing herself to simply enjoy being near him.

  ‘I don’t know,’ he said. ‘There are other places reminiscent of this one,’ he added, his soothing voice taking her back to the magical warm evenings in Sorrento, when they looked out from the terrace over the Bay of Naples with Vesuvius as their focal point across the cerulean water.