Rich Tapestry (18 page)

“I
am
lucky. I know. Thanks to Tom.”

He slants her a quick glance before returning his attention to the road ahead. “We make our own luck, sweetheart. And you’ve worked hard to get where you have. I reckon we both got lucky. What about you, Summer? Ashley tells me you were in Bristol when she tracked you down. Are you still working at the library there?”

It sounds as though Ashley has told him all about her previous life. I’m relieved. I hadn’t been looking forward to walking on eggshells in case I gave away some secret she’d preferred to leave in the past. But if that was important to her, surely Ashley wouldn’t have been so desperate to drag me into her present. I decide to play it straight.

“No, not the library anymore. In fact, I moved from Bristol soon after Ashley left. I’m actually from Barrow, in Cumbria, and I went back there for a while. I only returned to Bristol temporarily, a few weeks ago. I’m on my way to Cumbria now, but when I got Ashley’s invitation, I decided to do a detour here first.”

“I’m so glad you did. I can’t tell you how glad I am to see you. My side of the church was going to be almost deserted tomorrow.” Ashley is grinning broadly, her head swiveling between me and her beloved Tom.

“No, it wasn’t.” Tom’s low chuckle is sexy and indulgent. “Nathan and Eva and their brood would have sat on your side, and the Appleyards too, if we asked them to. Not that any of that stuff matters in any case. And it’s not a church—it’s a barn.
Our
barn.”

Nathan? Eva? Appleyards?
I save those questions for later, homing in on the one thing that leaped out of Tom’s comment. “A barn! You’re getting married in a barn?” I can’t keep the astonishment from my tone.
A barn
!

“Yes. A barn.” Tom grins across at me as he maneuvers the Land Rover around a steep bend and drops down through the gears to climb a sharp incline. “We’re thinking of diversifying into the wedding venue business. Well, Ashley is, and she wanted to try out her ideas on our own wedding first. Sort of a dummy run.”

“Wedding venue? I thought you were into photography.” I’m feeling somewhat bemused. I don’t recall Sharon Spencer ever showing such entrepreneurial spirit or such a versatile approach—unless perhaps she’s thinking about adding wedding photography to her repertoire?

Ashley smiles serenely. “Yes. I’m a photographer first, but that doesn’t mean I can’t try other things too.”

“As long as you don’t take on too much. Not just at the moment.” This from Tom, his narrow gaze more serious now.

I get the impression he worries about her, and he hasn’t struck me as the fussy type. Is there cause for concern?

“I had a miscarriage. Back in Bristol, before I met you. Do you remember? I might have mentioned it. Anyway, Tom tends to be over protective…”

Ah, right. That explains Tom’s anxiety.

I do recall Sharon recently lost a baby. “Yes, I see. And I do remember. Of course.”

“I think what you mean is that Tom tends to want to take care of you—and our baby. Make sure nothing goes wrong this time.” Tom’s voice is low, even, but there’s more besides.

I’m not entirely sure, couldn’t swear to it, but his tone seems to harden. Just very slightly. But enough that Ashley catches the slight shift in nuance and responds.

“Yes, right. Of course. That
is
what I mean. And I appreciate it. Really I do.” She turns to him and rubs her cheek affectionately against his sleeve, earning herself a brief kiss to the top of her head.

This couple certainly love each other, but there’s a hint of…something else. I’m not sure. Something vaguely familiar, though I can’t place it.

“Is it to be a large wedding then?” I try to lighten the mood with what passes for small talk. Not my forte, but I do like to make an effort.

“No, just friends and family. They’re mostly Tom’s friends and family, though.”

“And yours now. And what about your dad? And two sisters?” Tom keeps his eye on the road as he reminds her of the guest list.

Sisters?
I don’t recall mention of any family in the past.

“I have two sisters. Can you imagine that?” Ashley must have caught my puzzled expression because she’s quick to fill in the gaps.

Well yes, actually, I can. I miss my sisters.

Ashley rushes on. “And a father. They live in Turkey. They’re Turkish. So am I. Well, half-Turkish. I only met them a few weeks ago, but they’re over here and staying for the wedding. My dad’s giving me away.”

Wow. Things have been changing fast. A new husband, a baby on the way, a father and two sisters. Ashley McAllister doesn’t do things by halves.

“I see.” I’m not entirely sure I do, but it seems like the right thing to say.

The rest of the journey passes without further revelations. I gather we’re not headed for the farm where Ashley and Tom actually live, but rather for a place called Black Combe, the home of their friends, Eva and Nathan. They who, along with me and ‘the Appleyards’, will be swelling the ranks on Ashley’s side of the barn. The wedding is to take place tomorrow, and this evening is to be Ashley’s hen night and Tom’s stag party. The ladies are commandeering Eva and Nathan’s home for the night’s merry-making while the men will all be banished to the farm, which I now know is called Greystones. Tom was pressed into service, driving Ashley down to Keighley to meet me. Now he intends to drop us at Black Combe then make himself scarce.

Maybe half an hour after I alighted from the train in Keighley, Tom turns the Land Rover up a single track lane. He follows the narrow road for about a mile, finally coming to a stop in front of a large metal gate barring the way. He winds down the window and leans out to tap a code into a keypad mounted on a post. Seconds later, the huge barrier starts to glide slowly and evenly aside. As the gate opens fully, Tom drives through, following the graveled track around a tree-lined bend.

The house comes into sight and a very imposing affair it is too. It’s a barn conversion, but with bells on. A barn, several cottages and other outbuildings have been crafted together, imaginatively linked by glass and dressed stone to create a tasteful, spacious country home. I’d estimate at least eight bedrooms, though it’s impossible to be sure at first glance. The front door is open, and as we drive up to park in front of it, a huge brown and black shaggy dog ambles out. He stands at the top of the three large stone steps, eying us calmly.

“Your welcoming committee, ladies. The only male allowed across the doors this evening.” Tom laughs as he climbs out, clicking cheerily to our four-legged escort, who makes no attempt to approach the Land Rover. Tom walks around to help me and Ashley out of the passenger side. He reaches into the back for my bag and carries it up the steps. By now, our reception line has swelled to three. A tall, dark-haired man and a small girl, aged around nine or ten I’d say, have materialized next to the dog.

“True. Except for baby Michael Junior. He’s only a few months old and is here with his mum. Abbie’s another friend of mine.”

“Sounds like your side of the barn could get pretty crowded.” I can’t help offering the observation.

Ashley shrugs. “You can never have too many friends, if you ask me. Where are you two going?” The last question is directed at the small girl, who is heading off across the gravel, the monster of a dog at her heels.

“Just out. For a walk. Barney wants to go rabbiting.”

“Back before dark, Rosie.” The dark-haired man calls to her as she skips off, buttoning up her jacket as she goes. He turns to us, his hand extended to me. “I’m Nathan Darke, Tom’s friend and best man for tomorrow’s proceedings. You must be Summer.”

I take his hand and shake. “Yes, Summer Jones.”

“Nice to meet you, Summer. Welcome to Black Combe. Did Ashley mention that you’ll be staying here tonight? Probably a bit crowded, but I’m sure you’ll find somewhere. Eva’s in charge of all that.” He turns to Ashley. “She’s inside, by the way. You ladies have taken over our lounge already.”

“Oh, right. Let’s go and join in then. No show without Punch and all that.” She smiles sweetly at Nathan. “Please try to keep Tom out of trouble tonight. I don’t want him turning up with a hangover tomorrow or worse still, not turning up at all because he’s been shipped off to Amsterdam or something.”

“Don’t worry, he’ll be there. Even if I have to carry him.” Nathan slips an arm across Ashley’s shoulders and squeezes her. “Looking forward to the Big Day?”

She smiles up at him. “Yes. No. To be honest, I’m looking forward to it all being over then we can get back to normal. This wedding thing was Tom’s idea, not mine. And my dad’s.”

“Ah yes, men of strong traditional values, both of them. Still, it’s a good excuse for a party.”

Ashley shakes her head at that. “Not that you two need much of an excuse to crack open the beers. Talking of which”—she turns to me—“I’m off the booze for the next few months, but I’m sure we can find you something nice to drink. Shall we go in and join the party?”

I don’t need any further encouragement, and we start up the steps. Nathan takes my bag from Tom.

“I’ll find somewhere for that. You’re not allowed in, my friend. Tradition and all that…” Nathan grins at Tom as he bars his way.

Tom chuckles. “Right, I’m off.” He follows us and catches up, slipping an arm around Ashley. “I need a kiss, to see me through until tomorrow.”

Ashley apparently has no objection to that, and reaches up to loop her arms around his neck. He leans in, place his mouth over hers. Seconds later, the kiss deepens.

Nathan and I share a wry smile as he carries my bag inside. “Please don’t you two be making an exhibition of yourselves on my doorstep. Save it for tomorrow.”

Tom breaks the kiss, nuzzles Ashley’s nose with his. “Till tomorrow, sweetheart. Enjoy your party.” He turns to Nathan. “Do you need a ride over to the farm?”

“No. Nick’s not arrived yet so I’m going to wait for him and we’ll come over together. Eva says I can stay here for a while longer, but I’m banished to the kitchen. I daresay Dan’d like a lift, though.”

Tom sprints across the gravel and gets back into the Land Rover just as a third man appears in the doorway, directly ahead of me. I plaster another polite smile of greeting on my face, a smile which dies instantly as I look up and see who has just emerged from Nathan Darke’s lovely house.

Dan. Daniel Riche.

Chapter Ten

What the…?

“What are
you
doing here? How did you find me?” I blurt out the first thing that comes into my head, glaring at Daniel as I back away.

His answering smile is a mix of surprise and wicked promise. It’s possible I’m imagining the last, but although I get the impression my sudden appearance is as much a mystery to him as his is to me, he certainly doesn’t seem averse to seeing me here. A sentiment
not
reciprocated.

“Find you? I wasn’t looking for you, Summer, though it is delightful to see you again. How have you been?” His tone is low, amused even.

He makes no move to follow me as I step slowly away from him. How have I been? How have I
been
? I’ve been fucking going out of my head, that’s how I’ve been. He messed me up with his spanking and kissing and orgasms and that bloody Jacuzzi, and topped it all off by refusing to finish the job properly. Messed me up so much, so demoralized me, so wrecked my confidence that I’ve even been reduced to faking climaxes in a desperate attempt to appear ‘normal’. A pathetic ruse just so that I might be acceptable to a nice, safe, boring man. All because of him. Because of Daniel Riche.

How have I been indeed! I’m dimly aware of the confused hush among the group clustered around the doorway, a crowd that seems to be swelling with the arrival of another small, red-haired woman, and an older lady. I ignore them all, my glare riveted on Daniel Riche. My nemesis. And, without warning, I lose it. Totally, completely lose it. My anger, I suppose, is more at myself than at him but even so, Dan gets the full brunt of it as I fly at him.

“You bastard!” Those are the only words I manage to get out before my palm connects with his cheek.

The resounding crack reverberates around, there’s a stunned silence as five pairs of eyes are transfixed. No one moves. Except for me. The floodgates on my pent-up fury and self-loathing have been opened and he’s getting all of it. I fling myself at him, my fists flying as I pummel his chest. I might as well have been laying into Nathan Darke’s eighteen-inch thick solid stone walls for all the impact I’m making. Dan doesn’t even step back under the onslaught, just hesitates a moment before he closes his arms around me, effectively pinning me to his chest.

“Whoa, Summer, what’s all this about?” His words are murmured into my ear, his breath feathering across my cheek.

“Let go of me, you bastard.” I start to fight again, desperate to get my arms free and resume my assault. He’s having none of it.

“You’ve landed all the punches you’re going to. Stop this now.” He’s started to adopt
that tone,
but I’m determined not to be drawn in again. He has no power over me, no authority. I won’t allow it, don’t accept it.

“You don’t get to order me about, you bully. I’m finished doing as you tell me.”

“Yeah? Somehow I doubt that. But now’s not the time to discuss your thwarted submissive tendencies, Summer.”

I’m too livid to even formulate a response to that, settling instead for a determined attempt to kick his shins. Dan shifts his stance slightly to frustrate that plan.

“Well, I’d offer to do the introductions, but it seems you two know each other already. Care to enlighten us, bro?” Nathan’s voice breaks the silence which had descended on our companions.

“Fuck off, I’ll handle this.”

“You will not!” This from Ashley. “Summer’s
my
friend,
my
guest. What have you done to upset her? And let go of her, you big goon.”

“Not unless she promises not to try to deck me again.”

Despite his refusal to release me, Dan has the temerity to chuckle, and his arms around me do relax slightly. It’s enough. I manage to wriggle free, to find Ashley’s arm promptly wrapped around my shoulders.