This Could Change Everything(79)

Jude nodded. ‘I think you should. How will you get there?’

‘I’ll drive. I’ve already checked the trains. They’re no good.’

‘Is that wise?’ Jude looked pointedly at Lucas as his coffee cup rattled in its saucer.

He shook his head. ‘There are track repairs and rail replacement buses. I can’t cope with that.’

‘OK, but you need to take someone with you. You can’t drive all the way to Skye on your own.’

‘I’ve already thought of that.’ Lucas dismissed the order. ‘There isn’t anyone I could ask. Everyone has jobs they can’t leave at short notice.’

‘One of us could do it,’ said Jude. She raised her eyebrows at Essie. ‘How about you?’

Essie experienced a jolt of alarm. ‘Me? What about my shifts?’

‘OK, is your friend Scarlett free?’

This was an even more alarming prospect. ‘Scarlett can’t drive – she doesn’t even have a provisional licence!’

‘I meant she could take your place here.’

‘Or you could go with Lucas,’ said Essie.

‘I would, but it’s my niece’s school concert tomorrow and I promised I’d go. I can’t miss it.’ Jude shook her head. ‘How about Billy?’

Young Billy, who was busy getting the bar ready for opening time, looked utterly terrified. ‘Not me, no way, my mum says I’m a liability on the road. And I’ve never driven on a motorway neither.’ He turned to Lucas. ‘There must be someone else who can drive you up to Scotland . . . Honestly, anyone would be better than me.’

‘Hey hey, what’s all this about?’ The booming voice behind her made Essie jump a mile. ‘Someone in need of a chauffeur? Beautiful place, Scotland – I’d be up for a jaunt!’

Oh God, not Brendan. Really, no.

Now it was Lucas’s turn to look appalled. Jude, leaping into the breach, said firmly, ‘Brendan, it’s really kind of you to offer, but Essie’s going to do it.’

Essie’s heart broke into a Grand National gallop.

Nodding with evident relief, Lucas looked at her. ‘Thanks.’

Back at the house, Essie threw clothes and toiletries into a small case and went downstairs to tell Zillah what was happening.

‘Are you sure you’ll be OK? Is there anything you need doing before I go?’

‘Well if you could just wallpaper the drawing room and give the house a spring clean, that’d be great.’ Having applied a second coat of her favourite Ruby Woo lipstick, Zillah snapped shut the mirrored compact in her left hand, adjusted the angle of her new ivory hat and flashed a brilliant smile. ‘Darling, believe it or not, I’m perfectly capable of surviving without you for a couple of days. I’m really not that decrepit! Off you go now, and give my love to Lucas. He must be worried sick.’

Essie nodded. ‘He is.’

‘Well, whatever happens, I hope everything works out for the best for him and Giselle.’

Essie stood on the doorstep and waved as Zillah drove off. Less than two minutes later, Lucas pulled up in his own car. He swung her small case into the boot, then stood and faced her.

‘Look, I’m sorry about this. I know it isn’t ideal.’ His expression was taut. ‘You don’t have to come. I can go on my own.’

‘Would you prefer to be on your own?’

His dark eyes were haunted. ‘No.’

‘Well then. You’ve got me to keep you company and share the driving. Otherwise it’s Brendan.’

A flicker of a smile. ‘I’d rather it was you.’

‘Come on, let’s go.’ Essie jumped into the passenger seat. ‘And don’t worry about Giselle doing something stupid. She just wouldn’t, OK? She’s too sensible for that.’

As they pulled away, Lucas said soberly, ‘I never thought she’d disappear, either.’





Chapter 38


Zillah had been invited along to St Mark’s to help celebrate Elspeth’s seventy-fifth birthday. She had bought her a peony-pink pashmina and a matching Chanel lipstick, because Elspeth had confided the other week that the only lipstick she possessed, made by Rimmel and won in a raffle five years ago, had almost run out.

Zillah, who owned dozens of lipsticks – OK, probably hundreds – had loved visiting Jolly’s and choosing a shade of pink that would suit Elspeth’s English-rose colouring, rather than the deep red one she’d been enthusiastically applying on special occasions for as long as they’d known each other.

Everyone had gathered in the sunny conservatory for the little party. ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung with gusto, tea and home-made cakes were passed around and Elspeth opened the many cards and presents she’d been given. She then shed a little tear as she thanked everyone for their kindness to her over the years since the loss of her husband.

‘I love it here,’ she told them. ‘It’s my favourite place to be. Keeping myself busy and helping other people . . . it just means the world to me. Thank you so much for letting me work here and giving me my life back.’

Then one of the doctors presented her with a bouquet of roses and told her that they couldn’t imagine the place without her; she was one of the family. More hugs ensued. Zillah, her own eyes suddenly brimming, dabbed at them discreetly with a tissue and wondered what it must be like to be as truly good and selfless a person as Elspeth.