‘Hmm, butter wouldn’t melt, eh? Help yourself to more tea while I shower and get ready. There’s bread in the crock if you fancy some toast. Toaster’s by the kettle.’ She headed upstairs, showered quickly and dressed. Excitement danced in her belly at showing her big brother the museum. She knew he’d get it; he’d understand why she’d fallen in love with the place so quickly.
* * *
Half an hour later, they stood in the museum. Dexter gazed around his new surroundings and whistled. ‘Flippin’ heck. It’s incredible.’
She showed him the photo of their mother as a child, and the one of their grandfather by the lifeboat, and she could’ve sworn she saw tears in his eyes.
He cleared his throat as he gazed at the photo of his mum and shook his head. ‘Look at that cute face. Now I see where I gotmycuteness from. You must take after Dad.’ She whacked him playfully and he guffawed loudly. ‘Seriously though, Jettie, this place isawesome. The history, the family connection… And Glentorrin is so…you. You fit right in. There’s no wonder you don’t want to come home.’
She nudged him with her shoulder. ‘Oi! I never said I don’t want to come home.’ She paused as she pondered her feelings. ‘I just don’t want to leave here either.’ She crumpled her top lip. ‘I wish I could afford to buy it. Although it’s not a realistic option, is it? Anyway, my home is Mistford.’ She shrugged.
‘Who are you trying to convince? Look, you have the money that Laurie left. And the house is paid off. You could sell that or maybe rent it out and get a small mortgage to make up the difference.’ He made it sound so easy, but she doubted she would get a mortgage, let alone the fact that she didn’t really want one.
She dismissed his comments. ‘There’s no time for all that. It’ll go long before the house sells. It’ll be some chain coffee shop or something.’
He stepped in front of her and placed a hand on each shoulder. ‘Isn’t it worth trying though? If you love it here so much. Laurie told you to go for your dream, andthisis clearly your dream even if you didn’t know it before.’
Ugh! Not him as well.
She shook her head and laughed. ‘No, it’s a sillypipedream, that’s what it is. Anyway, I have my job at the uni, I haveyoudown there too, and Millie.’
‘But you know Millie’s moving to London, Jettie. And you don’t need to stay down south for me. To be honest, I’m thinking of moving back to Mum and Dad’s, anyway.’
Juliette gasped. ‘What? Why?’
‘I need a fresh start. I need to leave Brid and all her crap behind.’ He walked away and began browsing the displays, or at least pretending to. ‘I’ve had enough. I want to be somewhere wheresheisn’t.’
‘I get that, but you can’t let her force you from the place you call home,’ Juliette insisted.
He turned and smiled sadly. ‘I don’t think of the Cotswolds as home any more. Not since Brid cheated. My best pal is gone, Millie’s moving away, you’re getting thoughts to move too, admit it. It all makes me feel like I want to start over. I can stay at Mum and Dad’s until I decide what to do with myself.’
Juliette sighed. Laurie’s death had affected Dexter badly. They’d not only been best friends but like brothers. She understood fully how he felt about the Cotswolds too, because in the depths of her heart she knew she felt the same. The prospect of going ‘home’ to a place where she had no one to go hometofilled her with a deep sadness. But she knew full well she hadn’t got the capital to buy the museum, and even if shehadthe money, she was seriously lacking the courage to make such a massive change in her life all over again. So, the sooner she got used to the fact she’d be returning to Mistford, the better.
* * *
After work, Juliette linked her arm through Dexter’s as they walked around Glentorrin. The early-evening sun was pleasantly warm as they headed towards The Coxswain. She had waxed lyrical about the haggis, neeps and tatties, and Dexter was eager to try them. As they walked, she pointed out Caitlin’s bakery, Morag and Kenneth’s shop, Archie’s outdoor gear place and her brother grinned at her.
‘Why are you looking at me like that?’ she asked.
‘Because you’re talking about these people as if you’ve known them forever. As if you belong here. As if you’re settled.’
She felt a little defensive by what he was insinuating. ‘No, like I’ve said, home is Mistford. I wouldn’t want to leave my memories of Laurie behind.’
Dexter stopped and turned to her. ‘Hey, look, I’m not having a go. I think it’s brilliant that you’re so happy here. You deserve happiness after what you’ve been through. And remember, sis, memories live in your mind and your heart. Places are just reminders. But you take your memories with you wherever you go.’
He was right, of course, but she wasn’t ready to admit the fact, so she didn’t want to pursue the conversation. Luckily, she spotted Reid and Chewie off in the distance. ‘I’ll have to introduce you,’ she told her brother and she waved to catch Reid’s attention.
He seemed to stare right through her. He looked a little dishevelled and she wondered if he was having a bad day or if perhaps it was something worse. Kendric’s comments about Kate sprang to mind again and she shivered.
As they got closer, Reid turned and called to Chewie, despite her calling out to him.
‘Hmm. He can’t have seen me,’ she said as she watched him hurrying towards his home. ‘We can call round tomorrow, maybe.’
Dexter pursed his lips and frowned. ‘Erm, sorry, sis, but I think hedidsee you. It looked to me like he was hell-bent on avoiding you.’
Juliette laughed nervously. ‘No, that won’t be it. I’m sure he was just in a rush to get home. He’s had… erm…visitorstoday; important ones.’ She remembered he’d had his meeting with Social Care and hoped it hadn’t gone badly. She had to stop herself from running after him.
As if sensing a problem, Dexter tugged on her arm. ‘Well, leave him be just now. He looks like he’s in a rush. We’ll go see him tomorrow, but right now I’m bloody starving, so let’s go and eat, eh?’
