A wistful expression came over his ageing features. ‘Isobel and I were together first. I was deeply in love with her.’
What?!‘My mother wasyourfiancée?’
‘She was, Finlay. And your father took her away from me.’
Things weren’t adding up. ‘But... So why doeshehateyou? Shouldn’t it be the other way around?’
‘The difference between your father and me is that I know when to let go. I saw how easily he charmed her. And yes, it broke my heart. But if she was taken with so little reluctance, she was never mine to begin with. The issue now is that your father is still looking over his shoulder, awaiting my revenge. I suppose when you treat people so despicably, you live in fear of reprisal.’
I raised my eyebrows. ‘That would explain a lot. Heisvery paranoid.’ I was speaking more to myself than to Alasdair.
He paused for a moment and disappeared into his own thoughts. ‘Do you know, Finlay, I will be honest with you. Now I think about it, perhaps on some subconscious level, my employing youwouldbe a kind of revenge. Because it would be my intention that yousucceed. And that would be something that would never have occurred for you, had you remained in your father’s employ. But, as unlikely as this may sound, it was not my conscious intention to use you to seek revenge. My employees are treated with the utmost respect and that would be the same for you. We are a team. No one individual is placed under undue pressure. What I’m getting at, Mr Hunter, is that you would be treated fairly. Not used as a scapegoat for your father’s misdemeanours.’
As I listened to Alasdair McKendrick speak, I began to see him in a whole new light. His honesty deserved the respect he had mentionedIwould receive should I accept his offer. And, let’s face it, the offer of employment couldn’t have come at a better time.
I took a deep breath. ‘Okay... I’m in.’
Alasdair’s eyes widened. ‘You don’t want time to think it through? We haven’t discussed pay... conditions and whatnot.’
I shrugged. ‘Earning a wage is much better than earning nothing. And from the research I’ve done this morning on your firm, it appears you’re an advocate for those who find it difficult to find good representation. To me, that speaks volumes about the kind of man you are, Alasdair. And I respect you for that.’
A wide smile spread across McKendrick’s face, and he stood, holding his hand out towards me. ‘Well... welcome aboard, son.’
His use of the word ‘son’ would otherwise have felt condescending, but coming from him, it warmed my heart. It was as if I had done something to make him proud, and the feeling was both alien and gratifying.
This felt right.
This felt good.
I just hoped my gut feeling wouldn’t steer me wrong.
All I wanted to do was call Star and tell her the good news.
19
Star
Hearing the excitement in Fin’s voice did strange things to my insides. His enthusiasm was contagious. I listened patiently as he regaled me with the news of his new job, and all worries about him further aggravating his father faded into nothingness. Above all, I was touched he had mademethe first one he called to share his great news with.
I waited for him to take a breath. ‘So when do you start?’
‘That’s the great part, Star. I start next Monday. God knows what Daddy dearest’ll think, but I don’t really care to be honest. This job sounds like something I can really get my teeth into, and after seeing what my dad did to those poor people at Inveresk today, I can’t think of a better way to stick two fingers up at him.’
I had seen the story on the news and seen briefly the type of man Campbell Hunter was. It was clear Fin was nothing like him, and that was a huge sense of relief. I couldn’t help but laugh at his overzealous manner.
I’d never heard him so psyched, so enthused, and I liked it. ‘I think we should celebrate.’
‘Yeah? And how would we do that?’ His voice dropped to a deep, husky whisper, and I could almost hear the cogs in his brain whirring over the airwaves. My insides turned to jelly at the mere thought of what he wasn’t saying, but we both knew he was inferring.
Gather your wits, Star. Gather them right on up. ‘I was thinking we could go singing.’
He huffed. ‘Seriously? Wouldn’t you rather go for a romantic meal somewhere and then back to my place, maybe?’ My silence must have spoken volumes as he cleared his throat and carried on. ‘Not that I mean anything other than we should spend a nice evening together, you understand. I know I’m still on your shit list and I don’t blame you. I just—’
‘Fin. Shut up. You’re no longer on my shit list, okay? I just... I need to not rush into this. Let’s just have a fun night out as friends, okay?’
‘Yeah. Sounds great.’ I could sense the disappointment in his voice, regardless of the words he had spoken, but I had to stick to my guns this time. Or at least, I had to try.
* * *
