Juliette frowned. ‘Advice? I don’t know who’s said that, but they’ve got it totally wrong. I’ve been chatting to the visitors about the area, that’s about it. There’s nothing wrong with recommending places to see and eat, is there?’ She tilted her head.
Blatantly ignoring what Juliette had said, Leanna mirrored her tilted head and looked her up and down again. ‘Also, I hear you’ve been visiting Reid. Trying to be all sharing and caring, like he needs a bloody counsellor or something. Well, I can assure you, he’snotmental. And he doesn’t need the likes ofyouswanning in here with your new-age hippy shit, your mind-trickery and your know-it-all attitude. You knownothingabout himorhis struggles. You don’t have a clue what’s best for him.Ion the other handdo. I’ve known him my whole life. He doesn’t need advice from a miss goody two shoes like you. He has enough friends. I suggest you leave him alone.’
Juliette’s nostrils flared. ‘I can assure you I have never once considered Reid to be mental. That’s an obscene word to use. And, as an adult, I think it’s up to Reid to decide who he would like to be friends with, don’t you? And, quite honestly, I have no idea why you have such a problem with me. You haven’t taken the time to get to know me so how can you even begin to judge me?’
Leanna gritted her teeth and glared at her. ‘Oh, I know you, right enough. Got no man in your life, no one down south is interested in you, so you’ve come up here looking to find someone to replace your dead husband with. And you might think you can play two brothers off against each other, but we all know your game.’ Her words were spat and laced with venom.
Juliette had never witnessed such uncalled-for animosity from another woman, and it sickened her. Leanna clearly wanted Reid for herself, so was it her who was responsible for feeding lies back to Kate? She certainly had the motive.
Leanna stepped closer and leaned over the counter. ‘Look, yous are not local. You don’t belong here. You dinnae know any of us. Even though you act like you’reinwith everyone. I can’t believe they even encouraged you to stay by letting you run this old place. They must be desperate is alls I’m thinking. It might be okay where you’re from to be allin your faceabout stuff, but here we keep our private shit private. And we don’t need someone from down south coming in to try and make us all hippies, running around naked and talking about ourfeelings.’
Her tone was mocking, and Juliette had to really bite her tongue. But she let the woman rant, unwilling to get into a verbal sparring match. Trying to be the bigger person.
‘It seems to me that you’re just an interfering, smart-arsed bitch who needs to go back down south where that kind of mumbo-jumbo is accepted. But no worries, eh?’ Her expression turned to one of smugness and Juliette had a sudden urge to slap her. Leanna, oblivious to Juliette’s inner dialogue, continued, ‘My guess is that the museum will be sold in no time, so you’ll be away before the month is up and it’ll be bye bye smart-arsedJanet.’ She waggled her fingers. ‘In the meantime, stay away from Reid and keep your well-being and mental crap to yourself. It’s not wanted,norneeded around here.’ And with that, she flung her blonde curly hair over her shoulders with a swipe of her hand – reminiscent of Miss Piggy – and stormed out of the museum.
Juliette stared after her in utter bewilderment. ‘It’sJulietteby the way! If you’re going to insult me, you could at least get my name right!’ she hollered at the empty doorway.
Her heart was hammering at her ribs. So, Leanna knew about whatever was going on with the museum. Was there no end to this woman’s finagling of information? Now, she was struck with another thought: should she tell Reid of her suspicions about the gossip getting back to Kate? Would he believe her? He’d known Leanna for so long, perhaps he’d be angry hearing such an awful thing from a virtual stranger? And anyway, if Leanna loved Reid, why would she be so desperate to sabotage his life like that? No… it couldn’t be her… could it?
Juliette shook her head to dislodge the ridiculous notion.But then again, love does make people do crazy things.She had learned her lesson as far as getting involved in other people’s business though, so decided it was probably in her best interests to remain silent on the matter.
A few moments later Evin arrived, no Chewie but a brown paper bag in hand. ‘Hi Sparkly Jules. What was up with Leannna? She looked raging when she just walked by me.’
‘Oh, nothing, she’s just having a bad day, I think,’ Juliette replied, determined not to discuss what had actually happened.
Evin made a snorting noise. ‘Aye, well, don’t be upset by her. Every day’s a bad day wi’ her.’ He glanced around and leaned in conspiratorially. ‘She’s a mean and grumpy radge.’
Juliette hadn’t a clue what aradgewas but from his turned up nose and crumpled brow it can’t have been pleasant. She tried not to smile at his turn of phrase but couldn’t help it. ‘You’re not a fan, then?’
His eyes widened. ‘Nah! No way. She always complains about Chewie pooping outside the café but it’s not him. I’ve telt her, I don’t know how many times, that I clean up after him. I’m a very responsible dog owner.’ He straightened his back and Juliette’s affinity with the boy strengthened knowing they had a dislike of Leanna in common.
‘You certainly are. Now what can I do for you? Where is Chewie?’
‘He’s at home. I wanted to bring you a snack as I thought it might be busy today and I wasn’t sure if you’d have time for lunch.’ He held the brown bag towards her.
Such a thoughtful boy, her throat tightened and she had to clear her throat before she could speak. ‘Oh Evin, that’s so kind.’ She opened the bag and found a cheese and tomato sandwich inside. ‘Ooh yum, my favourite.’
Evin’s cheeks coloured. ‘I just thought it might be nice for someone to look after you, seeing as you’re always looking after other folks. That’s what my dad says anyway. I know you’ve looked after him.’ He lowered his gaze. ‘And I wanted to say thank you.’
Juliette chewed the inside of her cheek and walked around the counter to where Evin stood. ‘Would it be ok if I give you a hug?’ she asked.
He didn’t reply, instead he flung his arms around her. She gave him a squeeze. He pulled away and looked up at her. ‘I think you should be a mum one day. I think you’d be brilliant at it.’ And with those words he dashed out of the shop and out of sight.
Juliette was grateful that the museum was empty at that moment as a small sob escaped her as she clutched the sandwich to her chest.
* * *
After work, she phoned Morag and asked if they could meet for a chat. Morag suggested The Coxswain and they agreed to meet at seven. When Juliette arrived, Morag was already waiting at a corner table with a chilled bottle of white wine.
‘Evening, hen. Pull up a pew and I’ll pour you a glass.’
Juliette sighed. ‘Thank you. It’s been quite a day.’
‘Oh dear, that sounds ominous.’
Juliette glanced around them to make sure there was no sign of Leanna, and then with a little hesitation, she said, ‘Morag, I know this is absolutely none of my business, but can I ask you about the sale of the museum?’
Morag’s smile faded. ‘Ah, yes, I was going to chat with you about it out of courtesy. I’m afraid the co-operative is going to be selling it at the end of the season. People feel the upkeep of the building is just too much. Too time-consuming. It’s an old building and it’s listed, so every repair costs crazy amounts. It’s such a shame. In fact, there’s now talk of it being put on the market sooner than the end of the season.Certainmembers of the co-operative are pushing things forward a bit faster.’ She raised her eyebrows and Juliette wondered if Leanna was actually on the board.
