“You are a dope,” she decided. “You can accomplish all the things in the world, but it won’t mean anything if it doesn’t make you happy. It sounds like perhaps you were starting to see that in Scotland.”
“But he doesn’t love me, Mum. Not the way I love him.” And Harper did. She loved him. It was a rock-solid certainty, one that wouldn’t budge no matter how hard she willed it.He wouldn’t leave her alone. He hadn’t since the moment they’d met.
“So blooming what?” Mum burst out. “It sounds like you made lots of friends there. It sounds like everybody else saw just how lovely you are. If he doesn’t love you, it’s his loss.”
“And it wouldn’t make me look pathetic if I went back there?”
Mum shook her head. “It would make you look as strong as I know you are. If it’s what you need, then do it. Don’t think about anybody else. For once, Harper, just do it for yourself – because you want to, not because you feel like you should.” She sniffed. “Besides, that laptop cost a fortune. If you don’t go and get it, your dad will march there himself just to make sure he doesn’t have to buy you a new one.”
She choked on her tea. That was true. Dad hated frivolous spending.
“Thank you, Mum. I love you.”
“I love you, too, darling. More than anything.” Mum nudged her gently. “Now go and show him what a fool he is for letting you go.”
33
After two weeks of consecutive ten-hour shifts, Flockhart’s B&B looked like something out of a storybook. Fraser hadn’t been certain they would fix it up in time for the launch party, but somehow, they’d managed. It helped that he’d been burying his head in work to avoid thoughts of Harper, but mostly, he’d wanted this. For Andy, of course, but also for himself. He was excited to launch his new business tonight. In ten minutes or so, the town would arrive for Andy’s reopening.
He placed the last of his carved fairies on one of his handmade tables. Andy had convinced him to “soft launch” his furniture, and the gilded vines etched on the oak legs matched the fairy figurines perfectly.
Flockhart’s dining room had been entirely designed to reflect the community’s love of Belbarrow’s greenery, with leafy garlands and string lights twisting over almost every surface. The dining tables were lit with softly scented candles and dotted with seasonal foliage: berries, holly, and a few dahlias saved from the garden out back. A local photographer had provided prints of the woods and loch,bringing life to walls that had once been covered in ancient paper and faded memories. In place of the old worn couch, a pair of armchairs that Fraser had created with recycled tartan and oak now looked over the brand-new brick fireplace, ready to warm guests through the coming winter months.
He couldn’t help but imagine said guests were Harper. He could see her so clearly, socked feet curled underneath her as she balanced her laptop on the arm of the chair, face aglow in the firelight.
Shaking his head, he tore his gaze away. Better not to think of things that would never happen. He hadn’t heard from her once, though he’d lugged that laptop with him everywhere. Just in case. Did she really hate him so much that she wouldn’t come back for it?
Rubbing the ache in his chest, he stood back and tried to admire his handiwork instead of torturing himself. He’d done enough of that recently.
“Not bad, eh?” Andy asked, eyes sparkling. They were happy in a way Fraser hadn’t seen in a while as they scanned the space proudly.
“Not bad at all.” That was an understatement.
Despite it only being ten minutes to six, the place was filling with locals who looked around approvingly at the new decor. But as Eiley, Cam, Mum, and Sorcha entered, Fraser tamped down a wave of nerves.
Andy nudged him now. “Have you heard from her?”
He shook his head, working hard to keep his features neutral. He couldn’t imagine it worked. “Let’s just not talk about that tonight, eh? We’re celebrating.”
They gave him a placating pat on the back. “Fine, but only because I owe you one. You’ve really helped me out, Fraser, even when I was an absolute stress demon about it. Thank you so much. I hope you know I’d do the same. If you need someone to stand in the pouring rain for your wee craft markets and whatnot, I’ll be there.”
Gratitude welled inside him. Since their little heart-to-heart, the stress demon had retired... Mostly. Andy was learning the art of patience, or trying to at least, and he appreciated how careful they’d been not to take out their own problems on him and Jack. “Cheers. It means a lot.”
He’d learned this week that Andy’s advice had been right, though he would never admit it for fear of their ego ballooning to intolerable proportions. His role in life wasn’t just to support everybody. And since his revelation at the autumn festival, they’d all rallied to support him, too – both his friends and the local community. Some of his figurines already decorated the tavern’s bar, and after discovering his hidden talent, the forest reservation team had set up a donations box on the Fairy Trail so that children could take some figurines home and the money could go back towards him making more. Eiley had also taken him out for a beer to get him to open up about Harper, which had ended with him slightly tipsy and very, very sad – but he didn’t like to think about that.
“Here he is. The man of the hour.” Cam rushed over and suffocated Fraser in a tight hug. “Proud of you.”
“Me, too!” said Sorcha, wrapping her arms around them both.
“Me three.” Eiley joined in, then Mum.
He chuckled despite the ever-present, Harper-shaped hole in his chest. “Thank you. I’m glad I decided to take the plunge, in the end.”
Cam gasped, eyeing the drinks and food table. “Are those pigs in blankets?” She dashed away quickly, dragging Sorcha with her.
Fraser rolled his eyes fondly. “How could I compete with party food?”
“You can’t.” Mum poked his chest. “But you come close. It’s their first night without the kids for a while, so you’ll cut them some slack.”
