The Jersey Scene series box set

by Georgina Troy

  ‘Maybe he might not come back to Jersey at all.’

  Paige chewed her lower lip. Watching as Sebastian waited for the crowds to become silent before speaking and knew that however much he had hurt her, she still couldn’t bear the thought of never seeing him again.

  ‘Shush, he’s going to speak,’ she said leaning towards the television.

  ‘As you’re already aware, my uncle, Sir Edmund Blake, died sometime during last night. He was a well-respected man and loved by those close to him. Although this death comes as a shock to his family, it is also something that he had prepared for and, as such, I will be carrying on in his place with immediate effect. I would hope that you can allow us, as a family and workforce, the dignity of mourning this enterprising, spirited man in peace. Thank you.’

  Paige watched, choked, as he held up his hand to signify that he wouldn’t be adding anything further to his statement, and then walking towards his waiting car and being driven off.

  ‘That was Sebastian Fielding, godson and assumed heir to Sir Edmund Blake’s impressive empire, Gloucestershire estate, and business dealings in Jersey. We understand that Mr Fielding is single and has a home in London as well as his apartment in Jersey where he’s patron of a children’s charity that he set up some years ago.’

  Paige listened in silence unable to come to terms with the fact that this person on the news was Sebastian. ‘He lives in another world to us, doesn’t he?’ she said, half to herself.

  ‘Blimey, you’re not kidding,’ said Olly. ‘Who knew he had all this? What the hell did you two find to talk about? Or are you some secret finance wizard?’

  ‘Stop teasing me. I had no idea when I met him that he was so well-known,’ she said, emotionally exhausted. ‘I can’t watch this anymore, I’m going to bed.’ Paige turned off the television. ‘Why don’t you do the same, and go home?’

  Olly ignored her and stared at the set in the corner.

  ‘Now, Ol,’ she said, straightening cushions, picking up their mugs, but unable to banish the picture of Sebastian’s calm expression from her mind.

  Olly raked his hands through his unruly blond hair. ‘This is so bloody exciting. I can’t wait to go to work tomorrow and find out more info on him.’

  Paige sighed. ‘I’m sure it’ll be the main topic of conversation for some time.’

  Chapter Twenty-one

  It had been several weeks since Sir Edmund’s death and despite promising that she wouldn’t, Paige couldn’t help picking up and reading through the newspapers scattered around the staff room at De Greys. She couldn’t believe that the papers were still printing gossip about Sebastian’s private life in July.

  ‘If I read any more intimate exposés from impossibly glamorous ex-girlfriends, I think I’ll scream,’ Paige said fanning herself with one of them and resolving to stop torturing herself. ‘There are so many sensational stories about him wherever you look at the moment,’ she said. ‘Even I’m getting bored of seeing him in the gossip mags.’

  ‘You’re not the only one,’ Olly groaned when, yet another story came on the television. ‘When are they going to stop all this speculation? It’s been weeks now.’

  ‘I know,’ Paige agreed. ‘I change the channel whenever the news comes on, and rarely bother to go to the staff room anymore.’

  ‘How’s the packing going?’ Olly asked. ‘I’ve hired a van for you for Sunday, to help move all the stock, but by the sounds of it your sale is going so well you shouldn’t have too much to move.’

  Paige smiled, relieved that in the heat she would have fewer boxes to lift. Sebastian being kept away in England, while she signed the necessary paperwork for the new premises, had been a blessing in disguise. ‘The sale has been brilliant,’ she said looking around at the half-empty space.

  Olly put his arm around her shoulders. ‘Any regrets about leaving here?’

  ‘No, I’m used to the idea now. In fact, it’ll be a new beginning for me. It’s going to be exciting to walk down the street and see “Heaven in Heels” above a shop for the first time.’ She realized he was waiting for her to add something. ‘I’ll miss having you working upstairs like you do here, but I’m sure I’ll see you most lunch times. My new shop is only a few minutes’ walk away.’

  ‘Thankfully. I’m glad we can still meet up for lunch.’ He stared at his feet briefly. ‘Clem still won’t speak to me, Paige, not properly anyway.’

  Paige touched the side of his face. ‘She will, Ol, I promise. Give her time.’

  Sebastian watched the intimate exchange between Paige and Olly wishing she felt as relaxed and close to him as she did with that guy. He’d missed her and although he’d kept up to date on her move, he’d been too caught up with executors, business, and family demands to be able to visit her before now. He cleared his throat to let them know he was there.

  Paige looked across at the doorway and instantly dropped her hand from Olly’s face. ‘Sebastian?’ She looked astonished to see him. ‘I didn’t realise you were back in Jersey.’

  ‘Er, I’d better be getting on then,’ Olly grimaced behind Sebastian’s back to Paige unaware that Sebastian had seen him through a large mirror opposite. ‘Um, sorry to hear your news, sir, I mean, um.’

  ‘Thank you,’ Sebastian said holding back his amusement as he interrupted Olly’s awkwardness.

  Paige stepped forward. ‘Yes, I also wanted to say …’ she began.

  Sebastian shook his head. ‘Please don’t. I’m starting to think if one more person gives me a pitying look, I might take drastic action.’

  Paige narrowed her eyes and smiled. ‘Nice to see you?’

  She visibly relaxed when he smiled back at her. It felt good not to be fighting for once. ‘It’s good to see you, too.’ He looked around the bare space. ‘Nearly ready to go, I see?’

  She nodded. ‘Almost there.’

  ‘I was concerned you’d be more resentful with me, but you appear to be fine,’ he teased, studying her face.

  ‘What’s the point?’ Paige shrugged. ‘It’s done now. No going back.’

  He considered her words carefully. Was she referring to leaving De Greys, or to what had once been between them? Whatever it was, it made him feel as if he wasn’t the only one to miss what they’d once shared. ‘It doesn’t have to be this way between us, you know,’ he said, the atmosphere turning heavy between them.

  She turned away from him and began dusting one of the glass shelves. ‘I think it does. We’ve both got a lot to deal with right now without getting involved with each other’s private lives.’

  He couldn’t mistake the tone of finality in her voice. Maybe he should leave her to get on with her move. After all, he did have a lot to sort out. However, if she thinks this was how it’s going to end between us, she doesn’t know me at all, he thought. ‘I’ll leave you to get on. Best of luck, Paige,’ he said, not taking his eyes off her and deciding to give her space to deal with her issues. ‘And don’t forget, if you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.’

  She stopped what she was doing and looked at him once more, her mouth moving very slightly up at the corners. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘I’m fed up of you acting like a recluse.’ Olly said that weekend, interrupting Paige sketching a new idea for next winter’s boots. ‘Tonight, you’re coming to a party with me.’

  ‘I don’t want to,’ she groaned, unable to think of anything she would enjoy less. ‘Anyway, I have a mountain of paperwork to get through, and I’m a bit stuck with ideas for a couple of my boot designs. My Spanish supplier has sent a few samples of new materials he’s sourced. What do you think?’ She held up three swatches for him to consider.

  ‘They’re great but stop trying to distract me. I’m not taking no for an answer. I’ll collect you tonight after seven. Be ready.’

  ‘Olly, I’m not in the mood for parties. I still have to finish setting up the new shop.’

  He shook his head. ‘You’re not using that as an excuse, I know it’s all in han
d. There’s someone I think you should meet.’

  ‘I’m not interested, and still have another four designs to work on. This move has come at the worst possible time and I can’t afford to miss my deadline.’

  Olly waved his hand in front of his face. ‘Not listening. You’ve spent too long thinking about nothing but work.’ He pulled a face at her. ‘Or people related to it,’ he added sarcastically. ‘Tonight, you’ll do as you’re told.’

  Olly rarely put his foot down. Paige knew he must be determined. Not having the energy for a debate, she relented. ‘All right, but I’m not going to enjoy myself.’

  ‘I’ve heard that one before, I seem to recall,’ he raised an eyebrow. ‘You’ll be going though, so don’t think I’ll let you change your mind.’

  Paige placed her swatches back onto her desk. ‘Fine, I’ll go and get ready.’

  ‘I’m around the back,’ she shouted from her sun lounger when he arrived at the cottage half an hour before they were due to leave. ‘To wake you up a bit,’ he said holding up a bottle of Merlot and winking at her. ‘What a relief to see your legs for a change.’

  ‘It’s so hot and this is the coolest dress I could find in my wardrobe.’

  ‘You look great,’ he said, giving her a quick hug. ‘As soon as you get back here you change into your tracksuit and scrape your hair up into a pigtail.’

  She pushed him away, unable to keep a grin from spreading across her face. ‘Cheeky bugger, anyway it’s a ponytail, not a pigtail.’

  ‘Whatever. All I’m saying is, it’s good to see you looking less like you’re on a mission and more like the young woman you’re supposed to be.’

  ‘Charming,’ she laughed, knowing he was right. ‘Now, can we please get going, or I’ll start to flag and need to go to bed.’

  Olly rolled his eyes. ‘Don’t even think about it.’ He grabbed her bag in one hand and took her by the wrist with the other. ‘We can stop at The Anchorage first and have a drink there, then go on to the party. You’ll have a ball, whether you like it or not,’ he assured her. ‘You know something? You really do look pretty cute in that little cotton dress.’

  Paige smiled, enjoying his compliments. ‘Thanks.’

  They arrived at the pub and Olly held the door open for her. ‘Come along, let’s go and mingle.’

  ‘Who’s he?’ asked Paige, indicating a tall, sandy-haired man watching her from across the main room.

  Olly spotted him immediately and tapped the side of his nose at Paige. She looked up, and much to her surprise saw him striding purposefully towards them.

  ‘Jake, hi,’ Olly said. ‘I wondered where you’d be hiding.’

  So, this was Jake. Paige agreed with Olly, he certainly looked as if he would be most at home on a surfboard. Jake took her hand in his, raising it to his lips. His casual, confident air put her immediately at ease. Paige smiled, liking him instantly.

  ‘Hi, so you two had the same idea to have a couple here first?’ He bowed his head slightly. ‘This is the famous Paige. Olly’s told me all about you.’

  Paige raised her eyebrows at his unexpected comment. She looked at Olly out of the corner of her eye.

  ‘This chap never stops talking about you. It’s always “Paige this and Paige that”, so I thought I must come and meet this gorgeous vision, find out what exactly it is that fascinates him so much about you.’

  She narrowed her eyes at Olly. ‘I daren’t ask what you’ve been saying,’ she teased.

  ‘What’s wrong with me talking about you?’ he said, looking as innocent as possible. ‘I didn’t say anything I shouldn’t have.’

  ‘It’s what you did say that worries me.’ She glanced back at Jake, who was giving them a lop-sided grin.

  ‘Hah,’ he patted Olly on the back. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure he hasn’t said anything you’d disapprove of. No indiscretions divulged, unfortunately. How do you fancy coming surfing with me one of these days?’

  Paige grimaced; she hadn’t expected such an invitation. ‘I doubt I’d be any good,’ she said. Then unable to ignore Jake’s infectious humour immediately rethought her decision and added, ‘I’d love to tell you I need to consult my diary first, but I know there’s very little in it.’

  ‘I’m here, remember.’ Olly nudged her. ‘You could do with having some fun, otherwise all you’ll be doing this summer will be working on spreadsheets and your sketches.’

  ‘Maybe in a few weeks,’ Paige relented. ‘Olly, you know how much work I have to contend with right now.’ She turned her attention back to Jake. ‘I can’t take time off to go surfing at the moment.’

  ‘No worries,’ Jake said. ‘If you change your mind let me know.’

  Paige watched him walk away and join his friends.

  ‘At least you have your own projects and do what you love best,’ Olly said.

  ‘You enjoy what you do, too.’ She knew Olly’s change of mood was down to Clem not opening up to him about the baby.

  ‘I know, but I’ve never had the guts to start up on my own yet, have I?’

  ‘I’m sure you will when the time is right. Anyway, you’re going to set up a site for me, so I can be your first client.’

  ‘Hey, you two,’ Jake said, striding over towards them. ‘We’re going on to the party now. Do you want to join us?’

  ‘We’ll follow you,’ Olly said.

  Olly drove up Gorey Hill, turning left and following for a short distance, until Jake's car disappeared through two enormous granite pillars. Driving slowly up the curved driveway lined with pink hydrangeas in full bloom, they rounded the bend and were confronted by a vast white marquee erected in the front garden.

  ‘This is going to be a bit more extravagant than we were expecting,’ Paige said, unable to get over the magnificence of the setting. ‘Jake never told us his friend’s party was going to be this huge.’

  ‘He probably didn’t realise,’ Olly said. ‘I think the birthday girl is someone he met surfing a while ago.’ He laughed. ‘My twenty-first was never like this.’

  ‘Nor mine,’ Paige said, recalling the beach party Jeremy had arranged for her after his mother had refused to allow him to hold Paige’s twenty-first celebrations at their family home. ‘This place must be fairly near to Jeremy’s parents’ place,’ he said, as if he could read her thoughts.

  ‘Probably,’ Paige said. ‘It’s bigger though,’ Paige said, trying to keep her voice level. She gazed at the expanse of greenery all around them as Olly parked the car. Then stepping out, unable to resist, she walked as quickly as she could manage in her heels along a gravel pathway to the edge of the garden. ‘Look at that,’ she shouted, staring down at the imposing medieval fortification of Mont Orgeuil Castle looming majestically above Gorey village and the small harbour below. ‘Now that’s a view.’

  Olly came and stood next to her. ‘It’s awesome, isn’t it? I wouldn’t mind owning a place like this.’

  They stared at the granite bastion to the left. ‘Wow,’ Paige said, unable to contain her excitement as she pointed to the rolling waves breaking on the golden sand of the wide arc-shaped beach to the right. ‘I’ve never seen Grouville Bay from this angle before, it’s incredible.’

  ‘We’d better make the most of this, I can’t imagine we’ll ever be lucky enough to come here again.’

  ‘That’s right,’ she teased. ‘Spoil the mood.’

  ‘Come on, we’d better go and find Jake, or he’ll be wondering where we are.’