‘Exactly.’
‘He must have thought a lot of you, I suppose, to ask you in the first place. So, I’m guessing he was upset.’ It was clear that Archie was trying to put a positive spin on things for her.
‘Hmm, I think it was the rejection that pushed him over the edge. But, suffice it to say, he wasn’t pleasant after that. And I don’t need that kind of negativity in my life. Plus, I don’t want to leave Glentorrin. Neither does Grace. So, it was an easy decision in the end.’
Archie twiddled his mug on the table and watched as the liquid sloshed around it. ‘Aye, well, purely for my own selfish reasons, I’m glad you don’t want to go.’
She smiled. ‘I’m sure you’d find plenty of volunteers to help you with Sophie.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s not just that though. Now that I feel like I know you properly, I’d… I’d miss you.’ He fixed his gaze on her.
‘Thanks. I’d miss you too.’ Her voice came out in a whisper and there was a pause in the conversation where the air crackled with something Caitlin couldn’t quite decipher. Perhaps it was the nervous energy coming off Archie in waves. His life had just been catapulted into the unknown after all. Realising the atmosphere had changed, Caitlin asked, ‘So, when do you think you’ll talk to Rosabeth about things?’ She took a sip from her spotty mug.
‘Probably when I know what’s happening for certain. She’s great, you know? No kids of her own, so we could kind of do this together. Once we’ve been together for a while longer of course. Things are still in the very early stages and I’m not going to expect her to dive right in after a couple of dates.’
Caitlin smirked. ‘So, you won’t be asking her to move to Canada then?’
‘Shit, no, I won’t. I can’t believe he put you on the spot like that. And in front of the girls too.’
‘Neither can I. Well, I wish you every happiness. And I hope things go smoothly. Let me know how you get on with your solicitor, won’t you?’
‘Of course. I can’t imagine how much my life is going to change. But I hope she likes the outdoors. Camping, hiking, kayaking maybe.’
Caitlin laughed. ‘I think maybe give her a chance to settle in first.’
He laughed along with her. ‘Oh aye, I suppose I should.’
Caitlin smiled. ‘You have so many fine qualities to offer Sophie, she’s going to be so lucky to have you in her life and to grow up in Glentorrin.’
There was a loud, heavy knock on the door that made Caitlin jump. ‘Oh god.’
Archie stood. ‘Do you think that’s Lyle?’
Caitlin cringed. ‘It might be. He’s been texting me and I haven’t replied.’
‘Right, you go answer the door and I’ll go with you. If he starts anything, he’ll have me to contend with.’
Grateful that Archie was there, she stood and walked to the door, held her hand on the handle for a moment as she inhaled a calming breath and opened it.
‘Why the hell are you ignoring me? Is this what you do? One fight and you just give in?’ He spotted Archie. ‘Oh, now I get it. You came running home to your fancy man. Not satisfied with one bloke after all these years, eh? Is that it?’
She glanced over his shoulder and saw a wide-eyed Cora sitting in the front seat of the car. Poor girl. ‘Not that it’s any of your business, but Archie and I are just friends, like I’ve told you all along. The reason I haven’t replied is because you’re behaving like a teenager. Just go home, Lyle, we’re over before we really began. I thought that much was clear.’
Lyle’s nostrils flared and he glared at Archie, jabbing his index finger towards his apparent rival. ‘You’re the reason this has all gone tits up, Sutherland.’
Archie stepped forward, and evidently unwilling to stoop to Lyle’s level, he kept his voice calm and even. ‘You’ve got it wrong, mate. You need to calm down and go home.’
Grace appeared at the bottom of the stairs. ‘Mum? Archie? What’s going on?’ Cleo was standing just in front of her at a diagonal as if creating a barrier between Grace and the brewing trouble.
‘What’s going on, Grace, is that your mother is sleeping with Archie behind my back,’ Lyle bellowed loud enough for the whole of Glentorrin to hear.
Archie stepped over the threshold; his hands held up as if Lyle was armed. ‘Right, that’s it. You need to leave, now! You’re behaving inappropriately and irrationally. What’s more, you’re scaring Grace and no doubt, Cora too. Look at your poor wee bairn’s face. She’s terrified. That doesn’t make you a great man in my book.’
‘Mum?’ Grace said, her voice wobbling.
Caitlin turned to face her bleary-eyed daughter. ‘It’s okay, sweetheart. Please go into the living room and wait there. Everything is fine, I promise.’
Grace nodded and backed away.
