Page 19

As was often the case when I was nervous about something, the time flew right by. Before I knew it, it was time to return to Harrington House.
As I drove, a tiny seed of hope and excitement started to grow.
Could this actually be happening?
I was the girl whose dreams were held just out of reach, not the girl whose dreams were handed to her on a silver platter.
I took a deep steadying breath as Harrington House came into view.
It was almost seven by the time I pulled into the deserted car park. It was a warm evening and as summer was right around the corner, there was still a lot of light despite the hour. Still, I hoped the plot wouldn't be too far from the house. I didn't fancy traipsing around the woodlands with a man I barely knew once the night started closing in.
I parked up and, like yesterday, I couldn't see Riley anywhere. I checked my appearance in the mirror and neatened my ponytail. I hadn't bothered to change, and my shorts and bardot top were probably too casual, but it beat wearing my sister’s clothes again. I hopped out of the van with a confidenceI hadn't felt yesterday; I was in my own clothes and this subject matter was a little more in my element.
Elliot descended the steps as I approached.
"Hi Elliot." I gave him a little wave. "How are you? Has the car been fixed? Are you sure I can’t pay for it?"
"Miss O'Connell." He didn't extend a hand to greet me, instead keeping them clasped in front of him like a security guard. "Mr Tell had the car replaced so there's no need to pay for the damages."
I had no idea how much a car like that cost but I imagined it was at least twice what I made in a year.
Before I could ask him where Riley was or why he was here without Mr Tell, Angie exited the house, a Chanel handbag on her arm and her car keys in hand. Her eyes narrowed when she saw me.
"Hello again." She smiled that same I'm-the-world’s-nicest-bitch smile.
"Hi Angie, it’s nice to see you," I lied, wondering where the hell Riley was.
"What are you doing here?" she asked, her sharp eyes raking my appearance from my cheap shoes to my DIY haircut.
"I was invited." I smiled. If she thought she could rattle me she was an idiot.
Her eyes narrowed further. I could have sworn she was trying to melt me with her gaze. "Well, make the most of it," she sneered before gliding off to her sleek BMW. That had to be a company car. How could a PA possibly afford a BMW and Chanel?
"I don't think she likes me very much," I whispered to Elliot. He had remained impassive throughout mychatwith Angie. I was pretty sure the man was made out of stone, but at my comment I saw just the tiniest hint of amusement behind his hard gaze.
"I don't think you help the cause, Miss."
I grinned and followed him as he ushered me up the steps towards the house.
He led me through the tangled labyrinth of half-finished rooms before exiting onto the back patio. Decorative stone walls lined the edge until they were separated in the middle by wide stone steps leading down to the grounds.
"So, how come you're here tonight?" I asked as we crossed the patio. “I mean, I didn't think Mr Tell would be here," I amended, realising how rude that question sounded.
"I just go where I'm told," was all I got in reply. "That's where the plot is that Mr Tell mentioned." He pointed down the sloped lawn towards a second set of steps I could barely make out, almost completely hidden by a cluster of old oaks that stood there.
"Thank you," I answered but he was already walking away, giving me no time to ask if Riley was already down there.
Alright, he was a man of few words. I could respect that.
I trod carefully as I made my way down the slope. It had rained two days previously and the grass was a little damp and slippery. Still, the air smelled sweet, like coconut milk, and as the sun set a little further, the world began to take on a slightly orange hue.
The steps were old, cracked in places and broken off entirely in others. They led me down through the trees and I felt like Alice falling down the rabbit hole, or Mary stepping through the ivy-covered door into the secret garden.
I emerged through the trees and found myself in a secluded spot, completely hidden from the house. It was a large stretch of space that curved around to the right and rounded itself off.
Mr Tell couldn't truly want to give me this much land to work with, could he? I'd expected something much smaller.
My toes started to tingle with excitement as I was flooded with ideas. Maybe a pond over in the corner? I could create a reading nook out of the natural slope in that hill there. I looked at the blank space and envisioned the haven I could create.