Starcross Manor: Feel-good summer 2020 romantic fiction from the bestselling author of Love Heart Lane (Love Heart Lane Series, Book 4)

by Christie Barlow

  ‘Watch this space,’ replied Eleni, closing the newspaper. ‘Right, shall we get this driving lesson underway? Then we can get to the pub and celebrate your good news.’

  ‘Absolutely,’ agreed Julia, still thinking about Flynn.

  ‘But you do know if he’s moved into the village, you are going to come across at him at some point?’

  It was like Eleni had just read her mind.

  ‘Yes, I know, and between you and me I’m not looking forward to it.’ Julia knew in such a small village that she was bound to bump into him, but she wasn’t sure if Flynn would even recognise her. Julia wished she knew the real reason why Flynn Carter had descended on their village. Maybe it was just because of the Boathouse. Only time would tell.

  Chapter Two

  Eleni’s mirrored aviator shades looked cool as she placed them on the bridge of her nose and pushed the key into the ignition. Julia had to admit the first couple of times she’d taken Eleni out that she’d thought she’d made a huge mistake offering to teach her to drive, but thankfully, as time went on, she’d started to improve. Julia watched as Eleni strapped herself in then checked the mirrors. She put the car in first gear and eased out of the driveway, and kangarooed a short distance before driving smoothly.

  ‘Sorry,’ she apologised. ‘That clutch thingy has a mind of its own sometimes.’

  ‘You don’t say,’ answered Julia, keeping her eyes fixed firmly ahead.

  Eleni indicated left and headed through the High Street. Outside the Grouse and Haggis there wasn’t a spare table in sight, everyone was out in full force taking advantage of the sunshine.

  ‘Turn right at the end of the road and concentrate, you’re driving too near to the kerb, you’ll end up clipping the wheels,’ Julia instructed.

  ‘Yes boss! And don’t look so terrified, this is about our tenth lesson you know.’ Eleni slowed down then turned right, thankfully pulling off from the junction smoothly this time. Teaching Eleni to drive reminded Julia of her own father teaching her to drive. It had ended in tears and countless arguments, and it finally came to a head when her father had insisted he drove the car out of the garage as it was rather a tight squeeze, but unfortunately ended up running over her mother’s bike. Julia hadn’t helped the matter by laughing so hard she nearly wet herself. Her father had slammed the door then immediately tripped over a watering can and twisted his ankle. He was heard muttering expletives as he’d shouted for Julia’s mother, who’d then spent the rest of the day sat in Accident & Emergency. After that, Julia had saved up for her own lessons with the money from her part-time job at the local bakery, and had passed her driving test first time.

  ‘Fifteenth to be precise, not that I’m counting or anything,’ stated Julia, still with her eyes fixed firmly on the road ahead. ‘It’s a good plan to head towards Starcross Manor, we might be able to practise some emergency stops, there’s plenty of space up there to drive around.’

  Eleni followed the winding lane through the woodlands and manoeuvred her way past the gatehouse and approached the tree-lined driveway where an impressive elegant manor house stood straight in front of them.

  ‘Starcross Manor. This place still takes my breath away, and just look at that lake,’ exclaimed Julia. The Georgian manor house standing in front of them was magnificent, set in a hundred acres of green lush grass which incorporated formal gardens, a deer park, woodlands and a wildflower meadow. The driveway leading to the entrance was grand, sweeping into a wide circle with an ornate fountain in the centre which wouldn’t look out of place in the grounds of a royal palace. Huge stone steps led to the large double oak doors within a broad porch of stone pillars. Ivy clung to the walls of the building. ‘It’s like something out of a romantic novel.’

  ‘I thought you wanted me to keep my eyes on the road.’ Eleni took a swift look over towards Julia and grinned.

  ‘I do!’ Julia wound down the window and stared out across the lake as they drove past. It teemed with life. A proud, plump mallard sailed across, followed by five baby hatchlings, frogs jumped from one lily pad to the other whilst flashing green and blue dragon flies hovered above. A weeping willow bejewelled the water and with the sporadic clouds sailing above, the scene reminded Julia of a Monet painting.

  ‘Have you seen the sign?’ Eleni nodded to the wooden sign hammered into the ground ‘Sold.’

  ‘Yes, it sold at auction last month. It’ll make a lovely retirement home. I wouldn’t mind ending my days in a place like this.’

  ‘What’s that over there?’ Eleni took her hand off the wheel and pointed to a freshly cut lawn at the side of the property.

  ‘A hot air balloon, well I never. I’m not sure if it’s landed or just about to take off. Can you see anyone around?’

  Eleni was still staring across the fields when Julia screamed out and pulled at the steering wheel.

  Time slowed.

  Thud.

  Eleni’s eyes darted forward as she hit her foot hard on the brake causing the seatbelts to tighten and the car to screech along the gravel until eventually it stopped.

  Julia squeezed her eyes shut, her chest tightened, her breath quick and shallow. She grasped the side of her seat to try and regain control. ‘Shit.’

  ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry.’ Eleni’s voice was shaky, barely catching her breath. ‘What have I hit?’

  Instantly, Julia felt all the colour drain from her face, her heart was hammering so hard against her ribcage she thought it was going to burst out of her chest at any given second.

  ‘Are you okay?’ asked Eleni, her knuckles white as they gripped the steering wheel.

  ‘I think so, are you?’

  Eleni could only manage a nod.

  For a moment, they both sat still.

  ‘Please take a look,’ Eleni’s voice was earnest.

  Julia, still trying to calm her beating heart as she unclipped her seatbelt, flung open the car door. Tripping up over her own feet she hurried to the front of the car and breathed a sigh of relief. ‘It’s okay, we’ve… you’ve… just hit a cardboard box full of papers.’

  Eleni exhaled. ‘Thank God for that,’ she said, resting her head back on the seat rest. ‘I need a moment. I think I’m in shock.’

  ‘What the hell do you think you are doing? It’s not Knockhill Racing Circuit. You nearly smashed my car into smithereens,’ bellowed a voice from behind them.

  Taking a sharp intake of breath, Julia’s eyes widened and for a moment she was frozen to the spot, unable to move. Walking towards them was an angry-looking Flynn Carter throwing his hands up into the air. She watched as he loosened the top button of his shirt, and stared at the battered cardboard box, the papers inside now strewn all over the ground. Flynn was shaking his head in disbelief.

  A petrified-looking Eleni slowly climbed out from behind the wheel, she fumbled to answer then blurted, ‘I’m so sorry, it was my fault. I wasn’t looking where I was going…’ She bent down and began scooping up the papers in her arms. She was physically shaking as she handed Flynn a pile of crumpled documents. ‘I’m learning to drive, but it seems I’m not doing very well.’ Eleni attempted to lighten the mood but looked like she was about to burst into tears.

  Lifting a single eyebrow, Flynn’s face softened, he looked between them both. ‘No, I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to shout, forgive me. And where are my manners – are you both okay? You must be feeling a little shook up.’

  Julia knew he had every right to raise his voice and stepped in. ‘Honestly, we’re fine, just relieved we’ve not actually run over a human being, an animal, or hit your car,’ she said, reaching down and picking up the rest of the papers that were flapping lightly in the slight breeze. ‘I hope these aren’t anything too important.’

  ‘Only my accounts,’ he replied, taking the papers from Julia and holding her gaze.

  Turning slightly pink, she felt herself tingle as his hand brushed against hers. ‘Do I know you?’ he asked, as his gaze intensified. Julia felt her heart skip
a beat as she stood there for a second in an awkward silence. Her thoughts were racing all over the place before she decided to come clean.

  ‘We met a while back now.’

  ‘Did we? I can’t place it… when and where?’ he asked, his eyes still firmly fixed on Julia.

  ‘Well, actually, I was a bridesmaid at your wedding.’

  Flynn frowned in concentration then took a cautious step back as his eyes swept over her entire body. Then he locked eyes with her once more. ‘Bridesmaid?’

  She was momentarily thrown by the strength of his gaze causing her heart to thump a little faster. ‘Well actually that’s not quite true because the wedding didn’t take place… Anais Brown?’

  Flynn raised an eyebrow and seemed to bristle at the sound of Anais’s name.

  ‘Julia…’ she said.

  ‘Julia…’ he repeated.

  ‘Julia Coleman.’

  ‘Julia… of course, please forgive me. How are you? You look great… It’s great to see you.’ He stepped forward and kissed her on both cheeks taking Julia completely by surprise, the aroma of his aftershave not going unnoticed.

  ‘What are you doing here in Heartcross?’ he asked, clicking his car key and placing the squashed box of papers in the boot of his car.

  ‘I live here, I own the B&B in the village.’

  ‘Really? You live here? Such a small world,’ he turned back towards them with a warm smile. ‘I just don’t believe this. How long have you been here?’

  ‘A good few years now,’ she replied.

  ‘The local B&B you say?’

  Julia watched as he rolled the sleeves of his shirt up over his forearms. He raked his hand through his fringe and pushed it to one side, his eyes still looking down on her.

  ‘You must be busy this time of year, especially with the gorgeous weather we are having.’

  ‘Very,’ she replied, knowing she was still staring at Flynn.

  ‘Are you in a rush?’ Flynn looked between the two of them. ‘And do forgive me,’ he stretched out his hand towards Eleni, ‘I’m Flynn.’

  ‘Eleni,’ she replied, warmly.

  ‘Let me show you around the grounds. Would you like to take a look?’

  For a second, Julia hesitated. This was the man she had numerous reservations about, but she was dying to take a look around Starcross Manor.

  Flynn smiled and acknowledged her hesitation. ‘Come on, I’ll show you the deer park, it’s a place of outstanding beauty,’ he suggested, still staring at Julia.

  They began to walk and followed Flynn through a tiny stone archway which led through to a courtyard with twisted vines of coloured roses entwined in the wooden-built lattice roof above their heads. ‘It’s beautiful,’ exclaimed Julia looking up. In that split second, she tripped up the step and clutched the back of Flynn’s shirt to steady herself.

  He looked over his shoulder and gave her a lopsided grin. ‘You okay?’

  ‘Sorry, I was too busy looking at the roses instead of watching where I was going.’

  Julia knew she was clumsy, but this was embarrassing. Flynn led them through a paved garden that was enchanted, littered with potted blooms, the whole place was colourful. Just up ahead was a wooden door which let them onto the winding side of the valley and around a quiet millpond, into a wilderness garden.

  ‘This place, it’s like a maze,’ remarked Eleni, taking in her surroundings, ‘the history of the place is intriguing.’

  Julia was in awe, her eyes wide. ‘These gardens will have taken many years to nurture and cultivate into such gorgeous places of beauty.’

  ‘They are amazing, I fell in love with this place the second I visited,’ admitted Flynn, once again catching Julia’s eye and causing her stomach to give a little flip. ‘This is the wilderness garden.’ Flowers and plants in a multitude of colours danced up to their waists as they walked the hexagon paving stones, and once they were on the other side Julia and Eleni stood and stared.

  ‘Wow, just wow!’ Julia gave a little gasp. ‘Can this place get any more magical?’ The secluded woodland and ancient trees were the perfect sanctuary for the herd of sixteen fallow and red deer lolloping in front of their eyes.

  ‘It’s just something isn’t it?’ said Flynn. ‘This undisturbed land provides refuge for birds, roosting bats, foxes, etc. I could sit out here and watch the wildlife all day.’ He pointed over to numerous oak treehouses scattered around. ‘Up there, such fantastic views.’

  ‘I would have never known all this was even here,’ exclaimed Eleni, watching the herd of deer. ‘They are mesmerising.’

  ‘There’s something special about this place,’ remarked Flynn, taking a glance at his watch. ‘We can head back around the side of the lake.’

  Julia turned and as her foot hit the tree stump in front of her, she tripped for the second time today. ‘For God’s sake,’ she muttered. Bewildered and feeling a fool she was yanked to her feet by Flynn’s strapping arms.

  ‘I’ve never had a woman fall at my feet twice in less than five minutes.’ His eyes sparkled and Julia wanted the ground to swallow her up, but she couldn’t help thinking he was flirting with her a little.

  She smiled and brushed herself down, yet was conscious her face was burning a deep red colour. They began walking again and Julia caught Eleni watching her with amusement.

  ‘Did you go weak at the knees?’ Eleni whispered to Julia, who shot her a warning glance which Eleni knew only too well meant behave yourself.

  ‘There’s rocky ground up here. I’m just pointing it out in case you fancy falling for me for a third time,’ joked Flynn, with a look of mischief on his face, leaving a tingling pulse racing through Julia’s body which she couldn’t control.

  Julia gave a sarcastic smile while Eleni came to her rescue and began asking questions about the history of Starcross Manor. Flynn chatted amiably as they walked around the lake back towards the entrance and Julia took the opportunity to steal a sideward glance at him. He was probably in a relationship, men as handsome as him were never single. Julia bet he had settled down with a beautiful wife and no doubt had equally stunning children. Taking another look towards his wedding finger there was no evidence of a ring, not even a ring mark. She had to admit she was intrigued by him, even though a little wary. Here he was being the perfect host showing them around as though nothing had ever happened all those years ago.

  They arrived back at the front of the manor house. ‘This place is magnificent,’ gushed Eleni. ‘How’s the inside coming on?’

  Julia was curious to see what was going on inside too, and she put a foot on the stone steps leading to the grand entrance.

  ‘I’m sorry ladies, inside isn’t ready yet.’

  Julia thought she’d noticed Flynn stiffen, but maybe she was mistaken.

  ‘We don’t mind,’ pushed Eleni.

  ‘Health and safety and all that, plus…’ Flynn’s tone now seemed a little matter of fact, he took another glance at his watch. ‘I am waiting for a call around about now.’

  Suddenly Julia felt disappointed, she was intrigued to take a look inside the manor house and took a last fleeting glance towards the entrance.

  ‘But we must catch up again soon. Julia, it’s been lovely to see you again after all this time,’ Flynn seemed to soften again.

  ‘You too,’ she replied, looking straight into his eyes. ‘Thank you for showing us around.’

  Before Flynn could say any more his phone began to ring out. ‘I must take this,’ he said, looking towards Julia then back towards his phone, his eyes batting between the two like a slow game of tennis before he bounded up the steps and waved above his head.

  The second he was out of sight Julia turned towards Eleni who was grinning like a Cheshire cat. ‘What are you smirking at?’

  ‘As if you didn’t know.’

  Julia knew exactly what she was going to say but ignored her and held out her hand. ‘I’ll drive back,’ she said taking the keys off Eleni. ‘I think it’s safer that
way.’

  As Julia climbed behind the wheel Eleni slipped into the passenger seat and was still smirking. ‘Spit it out. I’m not having you look like that all afternoon.’

  ‘I’ve only got one thing to say,’ replied Eleni, pulling on her seatbelt. ‘S-e-x-u-a-l c-h-e-m-i-s-t-r-y.’ She strung out the words. ‘Talk about electricity – you pair could light up the whole of Scotland with those sparks!’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous,’ argued Julia, but knowing there was some sort of feeling fizzing inside her. ‘I know the kind of man he is.’

  ‘He seemed genuinely lovely to me and you can’t deny he is drop-dead gorgeous with the perkiest bum and that shirt clinging to every muscle! Not to mention that aftershave oozes class,’ added Eleni, taking a swift glance towards Julia, who started the engine.

  Still ignoring Eleni’s comments, Julia turned the car around on the gravel carpark and gave a sideward glance back towards the entrance of Starcross Manor. Flynn was standing at the top of the stone steps with his phone to his ear. He saluted with an air of confidence and a twinkle in his eye that caused Julia’s heart to race.

  Damn, he’d caught her looking. She gave a little awkward salute back, leaving Eleni chuckling away. Ignoring the laughter coming from the passenger seat, Julia drove towards the entrance then headed back along the road towards the pub.

  ‘He has got everything hasn’t he?’ Eleni continued. ‘The looks, the money…’

  Julia was fully aware how handsome Flynn was, and of his financial status. ‘He has, but there’s right ways of making money instead of ripping people off,’ she replied, thinking back to her grandad’s house.

  It only took a couple of minutes to reach the Grouse and Haggis, and Julia steered the car into the carpark and switched off the engine.

  ‘Retirement home did you say?’ asked Eleni, unclipping her seatbelt and opening the car door.

  ‘Yes, apparently so,’ replied Julia, climbing out of the car. Flynn was still very much on her mind.