by Wendy Hudson
Just then, Neal appeared scooping up one of the Caipirinha cocktails Alex had finished adding crushed ice to. “Sounds like a great idea. He’s currently lecturing Susie on the importance of a pension.”
“I’m up for it.” Chris agreed, taking a cocktail of his own and looking Neal up and down. “But only if you take your shirt off while you play.”
Danny groaned. “You know what? I’m just going to stay here. You guys go for it.”
Giggling, Chris and Neal headed off like naughty school boys to the music room.
Lori filled a tray with four of the Brazilian cocktails. “I’ll take these out to the others and say hello. Give you two some time to catch up.”
Before Alex could protest she was already heading out onto the patio, leaving her and Danny at the bar. She walked around and took Chris’s vacated stool, sliding the last two cocktails toward them.
“C’mon, then. I know you’re itching to grill me about what just happened.”
“What did just happen? Is something going on with you two? I thought she was just a new climbing buddy. And what was that about a break up? With a guy I might add.”
“There isn’t. She is. She has. She was. But I still think there’s something there, Danny.”
“Oh, there’s definitely something there, but whether she knows it, is another matter.”
“I know, I know. We’re friends and I’m happy if that’s all it is. We’ve talked a bit already on the phone. She got the wrong idea about me inviting her here. Well, actually she got the right idea but, ultimately, I’d rather she was here as a friend than not at all, so I put her at ease.”
“And are you really happy if that’s all it is?”
Alex took a sip of her drink, giving herself a second to think. Danny was the most honest person she had ever known. He was an all-round good guy who she had never hesitated to tell the truth. He had a way of listening and giving it to you straight that had helped her through some very dark moments in the past. Since then, she had never skirted a question from him.
She took another sip and looked past his floppy brown hair to eyes hooded with thick brows and a concerned forehead. It was also impossible to lie to him. “No, I don’t think I am. I think she’s amazing, Danny. She’s beautiful and smart. We talk really easily and she’s so funny and genuine. I feel comfortable around her and have this urge to be near her all the time, to touch her, to protect her. We’ve probably spent a total of three days together and she’s got me hooked already. What I don’t know is if it’s just an infatuation? I mean, look at her.”
Danny looked out at the patio, watching Lori laugh with Jess. “I can’t deny it, she is stunning, and seems pretty genuine like you said. What does Jess say?”
“She’s worried she’s straight and on the rebound, looking for a bit of excitement after a seven-year snore-fest.”
“Seven years. Wow. She could be right.”
Alex’s shoulders slumped. “I know, but, I mean, it’s not as if she’s tried anything. Surely, if it was just a fling she was looking for, she’d have maybe tried something at the bothy and we never would have had to see each other again. We had a bit to drink and it’s safe to say my guard was down.”
“I guess. Or maybe it’s just because she’s straight and she sees you as nothing more than a friend.”
Alex rested her face in her hands, thinking back to Lori’s comment in the library she wondered if it was only meant innocently. It had surprised her at first, given her hope maybe. She didn’t know. Scrubbing her face she looked up, dejected. “You’re probably right. Who am I kidding? Do you think that’s all it is?”
Danny shrugged. “Listen, all I know, Alex, is I haven’t heard you speak like this about anyone in a long while, in fact, not even about Rachel. And the way Lori got all, I don’t know, flustered maybe, when I suggested she was eyeing up Mike says she feels something too. It’s maybe just not computing yet and she’ll need time.”
“Or maybe it’s just all in my head and I’ve inflated the entire thing. I’m worried it’s been so long since I felt anything like this, I’m letting all the good things cloud my judgement without seeing past them to the bad.”
“Why do you always do that?” Danny’s face was suddenly stern, his eyes boring into her.
“Do what?” She sat back, away from him, not used to the look being pointed in her direction.
“Why are you always looking for the bad? It’s as if you’re determined never to be happy. Jess is right when she says you sabotage any potential for a relationship.”
“What? I do not sabotage. I just don’t waste my time, that’s all.”
“You barely give anything time. And if you go in with the attitude of already seeing it end, it’ll never get started.”
“My point is, I’m not seeing it starting. I don’t even know if she’s thinking this way, never mind if she’s ready to dive straight into something new right now.”
Danny’s face softened and he squeezed her shoulder with his big hand. “Well, you know it doesn’t all have to be up to you. How about trying something new for you and don’t worry so much. Let things take their natural course.”
“You think I should wait? Let her make the first move if she wants more?”
“Well, it’s that or try talking to the woman.”
“What…but…I can’t…”
Danny laughed. “You look like a goldfish.”
“Bastard.”
He squeezed her shoulder again and smothered his laughter. “You love me anyway.”
“Don’t know why.”
“Because I give you the best advice.”
“Which is what?”
“Continue to be your charming, lovely, beautiful self, and she will quickly see what the rest of us do and not be able to resist.”
Her cheeks burned. “Thanks, Danny. I can always count on you for an ego boost. That’s why you’re my favourite.”
He laughed at that, leaning in for a hug. “Don’t let Jess hear you say that or she’ll have me on the barbeque. Now come on, let’s go party.”
Chapter 23
The rest of the day flew by for Lori, with everyone taking their turn to grill her on everything from boarding school and politicians to her favourite Elton John song, Crystal.
There were comparisons with Mike and Neal about being a twin, laughter at her love of all things Lady Gaga, approval that her favourite eggs were poached, but also dismay that she’d never done a Sambuca shot or stayed out in a casino until breakfast time. Both of which seemed to have been a regular occurrence for Jess and Alex at university.
A couple more friends from uni, Lola and Gail, had arrived in time for steaks and the second round of cocktails.
Jules and Katy, a local couple, arrived soon after. Alex told her it was them who kept an eye on the farm when she was away. They told her about their own farm a few miles down the road. There they had built yurts and cabins on their land, renting them out as holiday accommodations, mostly to walkers, but also young couples looking to escape the city for a weekend.
While inside getting more drinks, Lori had watched them wobble down the bumpy lane on a tandem bicycle and had quickly called the others inside to witness the funniest thing she had seen in a long time. That was, until Chris and Neal attempted to ride it around the garden.
Curled up on one of the outdoor sofas, her glass and plate were never empty as she was regaled with many a funny story, starting with the first time Lola and Alex had met.
Jess had challenged them to play a game of shot chess which Alex had spectacularly lost before promptly disappearing to bed in a cloud of tequila. It had apparently endeared her to Lola though, who asked her out on a date the next day.
Lori looked between Lola and Alex, trying to picture them as a couple. She felt a pang of jealously at a look that had passed between them as the story was being told. It was one of knowing what had gone before and having secrets kept only by them. She wondered how long they had been together a
nd if any residual feelings remained.
A game of ‘Who can tell Lori the funniest or most embarrassing story about Alex’ then ensued, despite protests from Alex. She heard tales of partying all night and sleeping in bouncy castles for entire weekends. There were numerous anecdotes of music festival mischief, as well as all the times Alex had managed to get herself thrown out of gigs. She didn’t know whether to crack up or feel bad when Neal told her how Alex and Danny had accidentally crashed a wake in a gay bar.
Their fancy dress nights sounded epic and she couldn’t help but wish she had been to them. She laughed hearing about their embarrassing failures at a French surf camp, along with ill-fated dinghy adventures on Loch Tay. There was of course also a round of who had kissed who in the group over the many years of partying together.
It was clear everyone adored Alex and loved spending time in her home. They were a tight group who’d experienced it all together and it warmed Lori that she had met someone so obviously special to a lot of people and been invited in to join the group. She had been made to feel as if she belonged, even if it was just for one weekend.
The food was amazing. Jess had truly outdone herself and Chris had kept the cocktails coming, giving each one a progressively filthier name until his final one had resembled mud, and he’d called it a night after naming it as such.
He was definitely the joker of the group, along with Jess. They had come to her rescue on more than one occasion where Susie was concerned, as she seemed careful not to try to bait Lori when Alex was around. In a group with ten of Alex’s friends, she could handle one nippy person.
They’d hung out in the music room where it turned out that behind Mike’s sensible accountant exterior, was a rocker bursting to get out. He and Neal had thrashed a few tracks out, tearing off their shirts to finish, much to everyone’s amusement and Chris’s delight.
Danny had plucked out a few chilled tracks on the guitar accompanied by Jules on the piano. She managed to lull them momentarily quiet as she sang Caledonia, while the rest of them listened and played poker. True to her word, Lori fleeced them all for Alex.
As the evening came in and the air chilled, they were drawn out to the patio with leftovers, wine, and a roaring bonfire. Frank had spent most of his day out having adventures on the farm but once the bonfire was lit, he curled himself contently at Lori’s feet and she cemented his new found loyalty to her by sneaking him pieces of sausage.
The boys had overindulged and, once the fire had died down, it wasn’t long before they headed to bed. Lori hadn’t managed any time on her own with Alex since their quad ride that morning so she had planned to be the last one standing with her at the end of the night.
But after Jess and the other girls had followed the boys to bed, Susie was unsurprisingly reluctant to leave. Despite her head periodically bobbing as her eyes closed in drunken exhaustion, she just sunk lower in the chair, getting comfortable and seemed to have no plan to allow them time alone.
It hadn’t taken long for Lori to realise that Susie’s problem with not only her but Jess as well, was that Susie clearly had long standing feelings for Alex and simply didn’t like her having other women in her life. Lori consoled herself with the information that Susie worked offshore as an engineer so spent the majority of her time on oil rigs. That meant if Lori and Alex remained friends, at least she would only have to deal with her once or twice a year.
The night became still and the three women quiet with it. Lori looked from Susie to Alex, who sipped her red wine, as she stared from the dying embers of the bonfire up to the starry sky. Lori rested her chin in her hand and leaned an elbow on the arm of the chair, she felt content, serene even.
She looked away from the fire and caught Alex staring her way, she held her gaze. “I love it here, Alex.”
Alex smiled lazily back at her. “I love having you here.”
Lori felt the warmth of the smile and the statement from the tips of her ears to her toes.
Susie’s head bobbed again and Alex was blunt. “Susie, don’t feel you have to stay up to help tidy. Lori and I will clear the empties and the rest can be left for the morning.”
Coming to, Susie shook her head to protest but thankfully clocked the brush off and realised she had no choice but to take the hint. She made a point of giving Alex a long hug before huffing inside with only a nod in Lori’s direction.
Alex sighed and Lori took it as relief. “Stuff the empties. I need more wine and a comfy chair. How about you? Going to stay up a bit longer with me?”
Lori smiled, happy Alex wanted some time just the two of them as well. “After all of today’s excitement, I could use a bit of quiet time before bed.”
They took their glasses into the living area and Alex headed for the large, curved love seat. Handing her glass to Lori, she pulled a small lever on the side of the seat. “Check this out.” Gently, she spun it around until it faced the middle of the room and the wood burner whose embers were barely hanging on.
“Once again, I’m impressed. You really have thought of everything with this place.”
Alex beamed. “I’m so pleased you’re enjoying being on the farm.” She added another log to the burner and opened a vent to get it going before curling up on the chair next to Lori. “So you survived my friends okay then? No one gave you any more trouble? And by that, I mean Susie?”
“Nothing I couldn’t handle. It’s easy to see that they all love you very much and want to make sure I’m not here to corrupt you.”
“Did you get the best friend lecture from Jess last night?”
“She went surprisingly easy on me, but there was definitely a hint of warning from her. I’d expected it anyway and you haven’t met Stella yet remember. I guarantee you’ll get pretty much the same from her.”
“Interrogated by a female Police Detective? That could be kind of hot.”
“Oi,” Lori slapped her arm. “I’m going to tell her to be extra hard on you for that!”
“Oh, please do,” Alex teased.
“That’s enough of that chat,” Lori scowled at her. “I mean it, you’re not funny.”
“Ah, see you know that’s not true, but okay, I’m sorry. Forgive me?”
“I suppose this once. As long as you promise not to try it on with my best friend when you meet her.”
“So, you want me to meet your friends, eh? I must be doing something right.”
“Don’t get smug. I’m a posh bird who went to boarding school with a princess remember. I’m just being polite and returning the invitation to visit. Feel free to be polite also and gracefully decline.”
Alex laughed at that and Lori joined in. “Well played, point to you.”
“I think that point puts me ahead, you know.”
“You also know the weekend isn’t over. There’s time.”
“True. I’ll save my smugness.” Lori took a sip of wine and decided on directness. “So can I ask what Susie’s problem is anyway? I can’t say she went as easy on me as Jess did.”
“Ah, Susie is a long story. Like I told you, we have some history that goes all the way back to high school that she can’t seem to let drop. We were both confused and vulnerable, not realising yet we were gay, or what it was going to mean for us being different from our friends. All we knew was we were the same and so stuck together. When we were fourteen, I made the mistake of kissing her and she developed a crush that didn’t materialise into anything. We’ve been friends so long now, I can’t just cut her out, and besides, underneath she has a good heart.”
“Well, obviously you know her best but are you sure about that? People change. Things happen that change them.”
Alex shrugged. “Aye I know. She takes an instant disliking to anyone new, particularly women. You should have seen her when I started seeing Lola back in uni, and then with Rachel… Bitch doesn’t even cover it. But I know the other side of her so you’ll just have to trust me and not pay any attention to her.”
“I have to say I was a
little relieved to see her treat Jess, and then Lola, the same. At least then I knew it wasn’t just me.”
“Oh, don’t worry, it’s not just you. I mean, me and Lola were eighteen years old and it only lasted a year, but Susie acted as if we were about to get married or something. At the time I said yes to Lola, I’d just turned Susie down again, saying I was too busy with study to get involved with someone. I was trying to let her down gently but then I met Lola and she was raging. She’s never quite gotten over it.”
“But she must realise by now that it’s never going to happen with you two.”
“Yeah, of course she does. One day she’ll finally settle and get a job onshore and meet the girl that will change it all.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am. And until then, she’s around so little it’s not worth worrying about. But I’m sorry about her, and Jess too, if she was a little in your face.”
“Honestly, Jess was fine. She’s quite intense when it comes to you but, like I said, I expected that from a best friend. She’s actually been a sweetheart and made me feel very welcome.”
“Aye, she is a sweetheart, and she has kind of assigned herself as my protector ever since, well, ever since stuff happened a long time ago and I found myself needing someone.”
“Are you talking about Beth? Or other family stuff? Is what happened to her why they aren’t around?”
“Let’s just say Jess stuck it out with me through the worst time of my life. I owe her a lot.”
Lori saw the same shadow cross Alex’s face as she’d seen in the bothy. She decided to at least offer an opening this time. “Want to talk about it?”
Alex turned away from the fire and looked intently into Lori’s eyes.
Lori wasn’t sure what she was looking for, but she hoped whatever it was, Alex would find it. She wanted her to open up, to trust her.
Instead Alex found Lori’s hand and linked their fingers. “Another time?”
Lori squeezed her hand in understanding and smiled. “Sure.”
“So, tell me more about your dad. Do you see him often?”