The Next Adventure

by Janice Horton

  ‘Well, yes. It is important. Saving the planet is the most important job in the world right now’ Ethan replied. ‘And, I hope you are as proud of your mum as she is proud of you, Lucas.’

  ‘I am. She’s an amazing mum. I miss her but I want her to do what makes her happy. I’ll be honest with you, at first, I thought she was doing wacky radical and wildly dangerous stuff on her own. But now I see she’s part of something much bigger and more organised: the GGF.’

  Lucas was being far more candid right now than I would have ever expected.

  ‘You know about the GGF?’ Ethan answered.

  ‘Yes. I looked it up. I looked you up too. You are actually a very cool guy, Ethan.’

  I heard Ethan laugh. He sounded delighted with the compliment.

  ‘Let’s get back to why you aren’t very happy at work, Lucas? Why is that?’

  Lucas sighed. ‘I was recently given a promotion, but it’s not turned out how I thought.’

  ‘That’s a shame. In what way exactly?’ I heard Ethan respond.

  ‘I moved from consumables to high end luxury goods and, to be honest. I’ve found dealing with my VIP clients all rather soul destroying. And, let’s face it, working in sales and marketing isn’t really saving the world is it? Nothing like the kind of thing you and mum are doing now.’

  ‘So what would you rather be doing, Lucas?’ I heard Ethan ask him.

  I might have broken the world record on holding my breath as I waited for his answer.

  ‘I’d like to do something more worthwhile. Something to do with helping the environment. I’d like to travel and make a difference in the world. Just like you and my mum are doing.’

  ‘Well, with your skills in marketing and communication and sales, Lucas, I know you would be highly capable of securing a position as an Organisational Operations Manager.’

  ‘Really? You think? And what kind of job is that, exactly?’ I heard Lucas ask.

  ‘All environmental organisations need dedicated individuals to run the business aspects of the company. It’s behind the scenes work but it’s also a crucial role in saving the environment.’

  ‘Wow. Yes. I can see how that might be the kind of thing to suit me better.’

  ‘Then, if you like, I’ll put you in touch with our London office of the GGF. We just happen to be looking for an OOP right now. Interviews are being held during the first week in January.’

  They both came back into the sitting room with a can of beer each, still chatting.

  ‘The biggest problem in Antarctica is the melting ice-sheets and rising sea levels.’ Ethan was now saying.

  ‘And what were your responsibilities out there, Ethan?’ Lucas enquired; his expression rapt with interest.

  ‘I was there to provide a study on how a loss of habitat will affect the Elephant Seals and the Emperor Penguins. And, to collect enough depressing data to help fuel the new GGF campaign, to make the waters off Antarctica into the world’s largest wildlife sanctuary.’

  ‘Wow. That sounds—really impressive.’ Lucas told him.

  Ethan laughed. ‘Only if we succeed.’

  ‘While you’ve been away, Lorraine’s been busy too.’ My mum boasted to Ethan.

  I immediately shot her a warning glance. Perhaps it was more of an irate glare.

  ‘Yeah, Mum’s been campaigning against one use plastics outside the supermarket, haven’t you Mum?’ Lucas divulged.

  Ethan smiled at me and looked incredibly proud.

  ‘And she’s been setting up a wild life sanctuary too.’ My mum spurted.

  My glare should have evaporated her on the very spot where she was primly sitting.

  But she was still there and ready to spill my news before I could explain it all to Ethan.

  ‘Sounds like you’ve been busy.’ Ethan remarked, raising his eyebrows at me and grinning.

  ‘I need to talk to you. Can we go to the pub? It’s only a two-minute walk.’ I urged.

  We grabbed our coats and walked down the street towards the local, our breath becoming clouds of steam in the freezing air. Inside, the pub was warm and welcoming and noisy with chatter. We were lucky to grab a table for two in the corner, just as another couple were leaving.

  Ethan then went to the bar and ordered a pint of draught beer and I had a glass of wine.

  I tried to relax. It felt good to have him all to myself even if we were in a crowded pub.

  I watched and smiled as he returned to sit and sup through the creamy head of his pint.

  ‘Oh, that’s so good. It’s years since I had a proper pint of English beer.’

  ‘Isn’t it just the same as Scottish beer? I asked, attempting to steer the conversation.

  ‘Scottish beer is even better.’ He remarked adamantly.

  ‘Then perhaps we should stay for two nights in Edinburgh?’ I suggested.

  He looked pleased at this idea. ‘Sounds great. I’ll arrange it.’

  ‘Good. I’m glad. Because you’ll know Edinburgh better than me. I’ve only been there once and it was a long time ago.’

  ‘Well, Edinburgh isn’t a place that ever changes much.’

  ‘I remember you saying that you were born in Edinburgh.’

  ‘Aye. Well, just outside the city.’

  ‘Do you still have a family home there?’

  ‘I do. It might be a good idea to pay it a visit while we’re there to sort out a few problems.’

  ‘What kind of problems?’

  ‘Maintenance. Glencorrie, that’s the name of the house, has been rented out for years. It was being used as a care home facility. But for the past two years it’s been empty and, from what I’m told, the old pile sounds like it might actually fall down this winter if I don’t do something about it.’

  ‘And have you ever thought of living there yourself?’

  Ethan looked at me curiously as he supped on his beer again then he shook his head.

  ‘Nah, I prefer a palm thatched hut over a drafty old place in Scotland.’

  ‘So, do you think you might want to sell it?’ I asked him.

  ‘Oh no. Never. I’ll never sell it. Not at any price. It’s been in the family a long time.’

  I took a deep breath and steeled myself to get this over with now I’d broached the subject.

  ‘I have something I need to ask you and I want you to promise me you’ll stay calm.’

  He looked at me intently and wore an expression of concern. ‘Okay. Ask away.’

  ‘Would you consider not selling but swapping your family home in Edinburgh for Waterfall Cay?’

  Ethan stuck out his lower lip as he considered his answer carefully.

  ‘Is this one of those truth and dare games like we used to play on Koh Phi Tao?’ he asked.

  ‘No. It’s actually something that could be an option. If you wanted to pursue it?’

  He looked completely surprised as soon as my words hit home.

  ‘What have you done Lori? What have you been up to while I’ve been away?’

  ‘I’ve been trying to get the island back for us. I’ve been in the Bahamas. I’ve been in the Caribbean. I’ve been back to the BVIs. I’ve tried – and believe me I have tried very hard indeed to take back the island from Damion – but all my plans and my efforts have failed. You were right about him. He is ruthless. But I’m in touch with Gloria and we’ve become friends.’

  ‘Gloria!’ He repeated her name and slopped half his beer onto the table.

  ‘Yes. She’s become an unexpected ally. Unbeknown to your brother, she’s come up with an idea to help us get the island back and I said that I’d talk to you about it.’

  He narrowed his eyes in confusion. ‘And Damion doesn’t know anything about this?’

  ‘No. Not yet. But you must promise me that whatever happens you won’t implement Gloria. The information she’s given to us is in the upmost confidence. You have to understand; she’s not doing this to go against Damion. She loves him. Like me, she just wants you both to get what
you most want in life. And, Gloria and I would like to see you both reunited as brothers.’

  He laughed. ‘I’m sure that’s the last thing Damion wants!’

  ‘Gloria has told me that the one thing that Damion really wants – what he’s always wanted in fact – is the Goldman family home. The one left to you when your parents passed on.’

  ‘And what else did Gloria tell you?’

  ‘She told me you were once together. Long before she met your brother. And, what a shock it was to everyone, when she introduced you to each other unknowingly.’

  Ethan sighed as he recalled it. ‘Yes. It was a bit awkward to say the least.’

  ‘Well, what you might not know, is that it almost ended their marriage.’

  ‘Oh, no I didn’t know. I’m sorry to hear it.’

  ‘It was apparently during their marriage counselling sessions that they got to talk things through and she found out about how Damion felt about you and your ongoing sibling rivalry.’

  Ethan frowned. ‘Damion was always one to take things personally. As the eldest son, he always thought that he should have been left Glencorrie.’

  ‘And did your parents have a reason for excluding him from any inheritance?’ I asked tentatively.

  ‘Yes. It’s a piece of history and he doesn’t appreciate anything until it’s value can be measured in money. And, I have to correct you here, but they didn’t exclude him. He got an equal share of their Estate. He got exactly the same as I did except for the house. My parents considered themselves guardians of Glencorrie. They knew if they left the family pile to both Damion and I jointly, then we’d have been forever fighting over it. I’m sure they thought he’d sell it. Whereas I never would!’

  ‘Well, maybe they were wrong about Damion? He seems emotionally attached after all.’

  Ethan gaffed. ‘Damion? Emotionally attached? Never. Not in a million years.’

  ‘Well, I trust Gloria on this. I think you should trust her too.’

  He looked rather blown away by all of this and his eyes were wide and incredulous.

  ‘Really? Damion wants Glencorrie House?’

  I nodded my head slowly and sat quietly while he processed this information.

  ‘Wow. Lori, you certainly have been busy while I’ve been away.’

  I wasn’t sure it was meant as a compliment.

  I considered for a moment if I was being naive in recommending that Ethan trust his brother?

  After all, he hadn’t thought twice about murdering all the small creatures on Waterfall Cay.

  He didn’t care a jot about the pristine reef or pouring concrete into the sand either.

  ‘Erm, perhaps just to be on the safe side, might it be possible to transfer ownership to him on the proviso that it can never be sold?’ I suggested as tactfully as I could muster.

  To my relief, he nodded his head and shrugged. ‘Yes. It’s possible.’

  ‘Then perhaps we should arrange to meet up with Damion and Gloria in Edinburgh.’

  Chapter 18

  We drove up to Edinburgh on 30th December in a hire car. While Ethan was at the wheel, concentrating on joining the motorway on the long journey north in the cold and icy weather, I was on my phone talking to Josh and Zoey in snowy Cornwall. They told me they’d been invited to a New Year’s Eve party with Zoey’s extended family and they looked forward to meeting Ethan when they got back. Lucas had already told them he was impressed with Ethan and really liked him a lot. When I spoke to Lucas, he said he was including his Gran in his end of year celebrations, by taking her into the city to watch the fireworks at midnight.

  I relaxed after being told all this. My kids and my mum were fine and this only reaffirmed my belief that everything and everyone in my family, as long as they were in possession of their health and happiness, didn’t need me tending and fretting about them after all.

  The drive was a pleasure because we were riding high in a top Range Rover with big comfortable heated leather seats that felt soft and wonderful on my derriere. Ethan said we’d need a four-wheel drive vehicle to be able to get up to Glencorrie House. I was really looking forward to the next few days. Although, I would also admit to feeling nervous about meeting with Damion and Gloria again. If Ethan was nervous, he certainly didn’t show it.

  We headed up the motorway chatting. I wanted to know how his Antarctica trip had gone.

  He obliged me with a few details but then continued to press me to tell him more about my own adventures while he’d been away. I told him about how I’d gone from the Bahamas to St Lucia after meeting with Gloria and about meeting up with Tom at the butterfly exhibition and how we’d both gone together to Luminaire to collect the Green Morpho and how he’d helped me with the butterfly repatriation. It was quite an adventurous story after all.

  Despite me relating it all as lightly as I could, Ethan drove with a tense expression on his handsome face and he drove with what looked to be an overly firm grip on the steering wheel.

  Then with an element of hesitation, in case it muddied up our next move to negotiate with Damion over Glencorrie, I regaled him with the news that Damion had fumigated the island.

  After I’d told him this, he didn’t speak for such a long time, that it felt like forever.

  ‘I don’t know if to be flattered or furious with you, Lori. This is an awful lot to take in.’

  I nodded and decided to be quiet until he decided on which one he would conclude.

  I braced myself for the worst as we approached the motorway service station turn off.

  I expected he might pull over and then do a U-turn to take me back to my mother’s house.

  And indeed, he did indicate for the turn and pull into the service lane.

  I felt my heart beating in sync with the rhythm of the indicator and the windscreen wipers.

  When he swung into the service station car park and turned off the engine, to turn his body in the seat and give me the benefit of his full attention, I felt physically sick.

  ‘What on earth made you think of doing this? I mean, what on earth possessed you?’

  ‘You did!’ I interrupted him. ‘You did, Ethan. First of all, you instilled in me a belief that one person really can make a difference in this world. Then you showed me how it is possible, should it be necessary, to travel great distances across the world in order to pursue what is right and decent. And, you convinced me that dreams do matter. I really want you to have that island. Your dream has become my dream!’ My tears were rolling down my face as I spoke. My words became shuddering sobs. ‘You also told me that you loved me and you showed me a special place, a paradise, where you wanted to build our dreams together and where you wanted to build our very own home. And, you asked me to marry you and—’

  ‘And, will you? Will you marry me, Lori?’

  His voice was softer now but still urgent and his eyes were full of emotion.

  ‘Yes. My answer is yes. I love you. I want to marry you, Ethan.’

  And before I even finished saying his name, he swept me up into his arms and held onto me, squeezing and hugging me so tightly for a moment, before he released me enough to tenderly kiss my wet eyelids and then my trembling lips.

  ‘Lori, what you’ve done over these past weeks is extreme to say the least, I can hardly contemplate it.’ His voice was deep and unsteady. His face was also wet with tears.

  Then he started to laugh but I’m guessing it’s more from incredulity than humour.

  ‘And, I’ll admit that it’s hard for me to remain angry with you, when I’m so incredibly flattered by all of this. What you’ve just told me about the island and Damion and Gloria, it’s well—it’s incredible. It’s beyond astonishing. It’s crazy. It’s also the bravest and the most foolish and yet the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard in my life. So, I’ve decided to be grateful to you, Lori. Thank you so much, my darling, for all your efforts and for your love.’

  As we drove on through the Scottish Borders and into open rolling countrys
ide, the weather worsened and the sideways icy sleet turned into heavy snow. Ethan was leaning forward and peering intently through the windscreen into the blizzard.

  ‘Is Glencorrie House in a remote place?’ I asked him. I was a nervous passenger. I might have sailed on a ship through a storm, but I was still worried about driving in blinding snow.

  ‘Aye, the house stands in its own grounds. I was going to say gardens, but then I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.’

  I was now imagining a cold grey ruin of a house at the end of a long barren driveway on a Scottish moorland, like the one in Skyfall. Probably because the road we were travelling on now resembled the one James Bond and M had taken in the Bond movie of the same name.

  ‘We’re not too far from Edinburgh. I’m thinking, because of this weather, we should go straight to our hotel and leave Glencorrie until the morning. Besides, I believe we have other, far more urgent business to attend to involving soft lights, chilled champagne and a large comfortable bed.’

  He gave me a sideways smirk and I got instantly lustful butterflies in my stomach.

  We’d shared a bed in my mum’s house, but we’d only spooned and snuggled.

  The walls between bedrooms were far too thin to allow for our unfettered intimacy.

  ‘I agree. And I suspect our urgent business could take all night long.’

  I’m now wondering where he’d managed to book for us to stay in the city.

  I’m guessing it’s not easy to get a last-minute room over Hogmanay.

  We’d been originally booked at The Balmoral. Always his first choice, Ethan told me, when he stayed in Edinburgh. But then, when I’d let Gloria know of our plans and confirmed our arrangements to meet up with her and Damion by ‘pure coincidence’ in a restaurant the following evening, she’d informed me they were staying at The Balmoral too.

  So Ethan had hastily arranged for us to stay elsewhere instead.

  ‘Ah, it’s a secret. I think you’ll love it. Spookily, I managed to get in after a cancellation.’

  I could tell he was making a game of it. Ethan particularly liked guessing games.

  The clues were always in his emphasised words and I so guessed it was ‘spooky’.