This Other Eden (Skimmerdale Book 1)

by Sharon Booth

  Libby eyed her warily over the Weetabix.

  Seeing the anxiety in her eyes, Eden tried to smile. 'You okay, Libby?'

  Libby nodded, saying nothing.

  Ophelia, ever helpful, sprinkled sugar over her cereal and said, 'She's worried 'cos Dad's being right mean to you. Don't worry, I told him it was my fault. He'll calm down in time. He always does.'

  Was the child really only eight? Eden reached over and ruffled her hair. 'You're very kind to take the blame, but honestly, it was my fault, not yours. I should have been responsible. I'm the adult, after all.'

  'But we should have done as we were told,' said Libby, her voice heavy with guilt she should never be feeling. 'I'm ever so sorry, Honey.'

  'Dad's okay now,' Ophelia assured her and grinned at Eden. 'We were talking about the Skimmerdale Show earlier. We're going to enter the gymkhana games. Dad said we could. He's going to be taking part, of course.'

  Eden's eyes opened wide. 'Your dad's entered the gymkhana?'

  The girls collapsed into giggles. Libby shook her head, dark curls bouncing. 'Don't be silly! He enters the sheep classes. The Skimmerdale Show is very important, you know. If his sheep do well, they sell better at auction.'

  'Oh, I see.' Eden grinned. 'Thought he'd look a bit daft on Flora. So, it matters, then? The show, I mean. Getting a good price.'

  Libby and Ophelia looked at her as if she was crazy. 'Of course it matters. Dad's selling our best tup, Gideon, and if he can win at the show, people will pay so much more for him.' She nudged her sister. 'Do you remember Roger?'

  Ophelia screwed up her face. 'I think so. Was he the goldmine?'

  Libby nodded.

  'Who's Roger?' Eden asked. 'And what do you mean, goldmine?'

  'Oh, Dad calls him that. He was our best tup a few years ago, but Dad says he thinks Gideon's even better. It will be wonderful if he can beat the price he got for Roger. Dad sold him for twenty-five thousand pounds.'

  Eden nearly choked on her tea. 'Twenty-five thousand pounds! For a sheep! I think you may have got that wrong, Libby.'

  Libby shook her head. 'No, I didn't. I remember it well, because Mummy and Dad, and Adey and Mickey, and Mr and Mrs Fuller had a party when we went to bed, and they thought I was asleep, but I wasn't, and I crept downstairs and peeped through the door. They were all on the beer, and there was a lot of laughing and singing going on, and ...' She stopped suddenly.

  Eden looked at her, surprised. 'And?'

  'It doesn't matter.'

  Ophelia tutted. 'What doesn't matter? Tell us.'

  Libby blushed. 'I saw Mrs Fuller kissing Dad.'

  Eden's heart thudded.

  Ophelia shrieked. 'You never said!'

  'You were only a kid,' said Libby.

  'But what about Mummy?' Ophelia whispered. 'And Mr Fuller?'

  'They were both in the kitchen,' said Libby. 'Dad and Mrs Fuller were outside, in the garden.'

  'But they kissed? You're sure? How could you see them, if they were outside?'

  Libby bit her lip. 'Because I was going back up to bed, and I saw them from the landing window.'

  'I'm sure they were just celebrating,' Eden said, trying to sound matter-of-fact.

  There was something not right about it all. Eliot's behaviour at the open day had been suspicious enough. The way he'd been talking to Beth, the things they'd said ... Had they been having an affair? Was that why he felt so guilty?

  'Sometimes, grownups kiss people they shouldn't when they've been drinking. It doesn't mean anything.'

  'I know.' Libby stared at her cereal for a moment. 'Dad really loved Mummy, you know. He cried and cried after she — after the accident.'

  Ophelia's eyes filled with tears. 'I remember.'

  Eden decided the conversation had turned gloomy enough. 'Right, well, do you know what we're going to do today?'

  The girls shook their heads. 'What?'

  'We're going into Kirkby Skimmer. I think it's time you two got your winter coats sorted for the new term, don't you? And I'm fairly willing to bet that you also need new shoes, and pens, pencils, rulers ... I think we'll be there a while, so we should have lunch there, too. What do you say?'

  Smiles were immediately restored, and Eden heaved a sigh of relief as they began chattering excitedly about the things they needed.

  When Eliot walked in, an hour later, the girls practically mobbed him, telling him all about their forthcoming adventure.

  Eden held her breath, waiting for the inevitable refusal. She really should have run things by him first, she mused. She had meant to, but she'd wanted to distract the children from their sad memories. 'Is it okay?' she asked anxiously. 'I know I should have asked you, but you're always so busy, and they really do need the things for school. Time's getting on.' Wasn't it just, she thought sadly. It was midway through August already. She'd be going home before she knew it.

  Eliot surveyed her for a moment, making her nervous, but then he nodded. 'It's fine. But, look, I'd rather you didn't take George, if you don't mind.'

  'Oh? Why not?'

  He sat down at the table and ran a hand through his curls. Watching him, Eden tried not to gulp. She hoped her pupils hadn't dilated. It was a dead giveaway, apparently.

  'I've been that busy, these last few months, I've hardly spent any time with him. I reckon I've earned a few hours off. I'm going to sit in this afternoon and mind him, while you take the lasses to town.'

  'Oh, right.' Eden couldn't help wishing she was staying in with him. James bloody Fuller could wait. Too late now, though. 'Fair enough.'

  'I'll give you my debit card,' he added. 'It's in the kitchen drawer. Just get what they need.'

  'I can pay,' she began, but he scowled at her.

  'They're my kids, and I'll pay.'

  'Sorry.' Eden felt her cheeks warm and turned away, opening the drawer and seeing his debit card dumped in there for anyone to pick up. How trusting.

  'No. I'm sorry.' He was suddenly behind her, and she tried to suppress a shiver as she felt his breath on her neck. 'I'm being rude. No need for it. Look, do me a favour, will you? The girls are entering the Skimmerdale Show. Could you take them to Hunter and Brockett's and get them some new riding clothes? Their old stuff is a disgrace, and they need to look as good as the other kids. Reckon they've earned it, the time they've had lately.'

  The girls whooped with joy, and Eden's skin scorched when he smiled at her. His eyes were so beautiful—brown and sparkling and delicious. Her gaze dropped to his mouth, which curved upwards, for once, and she thought how soft and inviting his lips looked.

  It took her a moment to be aware that his mouth had changed shape. He was no longer smiling. When her eyes met his, there was a different look in them, and she caught her breath. She could no longer hear the girls shrieking in the background, but she could have sworn she heard two heartbeats pounding in perfect synchronisation.

  Eliot pushed away and headed to the highchair, where George happily banged his spoon in his bowl of cereal. 'Never mind splattering it all around the kitchen, me lad,' he said, gently squeezing the little boy's cheek. 'How about you try actually eating some of it, eh?' He sat down beside him and guided the spoon into George's mouth.

  Eden tried to sound normal as she said, 'Right, girls, let's get ready for our day out, eh?'

  Whatever that look had meant, it had passed. She'd probably read far too much into it, anyway. Eliot had no interest in her, and between Jemima, Beth and Daisy, it seemed he'd already had more than his fair share of women. She wished she could fathom out exactly what had gone on where Beth was concerned, because it was certain there was more to the whole set-up than she'd realised.

  There had to be.

  ****

  Eden didn't think she'd ever spent so much money in one go. She felt sick thinking about it and wondered how Eliot would feel when he learnt how much it had cost to equip the girls with everything they needed. New shoes, bags, winter coats, pencil cases, pens, pencils, as well as various other
items that they insisted they needed had already ensured that his debit card had taken a battering. When they got to Hunter and Brockett's, however, the bill had been bumped up by a further two hundred pounds.

  'Get them whatever they need,' he'd murmured to her through the open car window, as she fastened her seatbelt. 'I mean it. They've had nowt new for as long as I can remember. Make sure they've got everything for school, and that they can hold their heads high when they go to the show, an' all.'

  'You know, Eliot, I had a thought a while ago, and I meant to talk to you about it. I know now's not really the time, but have you considered converting one or two of the barns?'

  'The barns?' He frowned. 'What do you mean? Like into a house, or something?'

  'No, no. I was thinking about a bed and breakfast business. You have loads of spare outbuildings. You could perhaps set up a sort of hostel, with lots of single beds for walkers, or perhaps make a few decent en suite rooms and have fewer guests but charge more. There are so many hikers passing by this place, it's a missed opportunity.'

  'Right.'

  'You could even do cream teas for the people who pass by and want to sit down for half an hour. I could look into it, if you like.'

  'Dunno about that. I'd have to think.'

  'Yes, of course. No rush. Just, well, it would certainly help with your finances,' she said.

  He gave her a look that clearly said he didn't want her worrying about his finances, thank you very much.

  She flushed. 'Well, anyway, I'll get off. Is there a limit you want to spend?'

  He shook his head. 'I trust you not to be daft.'

  'Do you?' Her eyes widened at that revelation, and he held her gaze for a moment before turning away.

  'Aye. Now get off with you, before I change my mind.'

  She wondered if he'd regret that when she presented him with the numerous receipts later that day. For then, though, there was no point worrying. She was laden with bags, her feet were aching, and Ophelia and Libby were demanding to be fed.

  She glanced at her watch. James Fuller would be there any moment. Time to find The Daffodil Café.

  'What about here?' she asked, pausing outside the pretty little teashop, which she'd found, eventually, tucked away down a little side street. She peered at the menu fastened to the inside of the window, gratified to see that they had children's specials at reasonable prices.

  The girls seemed glad to finally be allowed to stop walking. They hadn't understood why they couldn't go back to The Teapot Café, and Eden couldn't justify her refusal.

  They all shuffled inside, trying not to knock other customers with their bags. Eden found them a table, and they shoved the shopping on the spare chair and eagerly perused the menu. The children were in agreement, they wanted fishcakes and chips and banana milkshakes, so she left them scanning the list of desserts and headed to the counter to order. Adding a coffee to their list of requirements, she took some money from her purse, and was about to hand over a twenty-pound note, when a voice behind her said smoothly, 'Let me pay for those.'

  Startled, she spun round, swallowing when she saw James Fuller standing there, smiling at her. It was on the tip of her tongue to say she'd pay for the meals herself, but then she thought, why shouldn't he? He was the one who'd insisted she bring the children to meet him, after all.

  'Thanks.'

  'No problem.' He handed a credit card to the girl behind the counter, who watched them both with keen interest. He gave her a charming smile. 'Add two espressos to that order, please.'

  She nodded. 'I'll bring it all over. Table fourteen, right?'

  He glanced at Eden for confirmation. She nodded, wondering how she'd got herself into this. She felt most uncomfortable speaking to James Fuller. He may be charm itself, but he was also a blackmailer, after all. Given that she suspected Eliot had been up to no good with Beth, it should be James she felt sorry for, but she didn't. She knew she was letting Eliot down, just by talking to him, and she was pretty certain he wouldn't want his daughters sitting with the man.

  'You found the place all right?' he asked, tapping his pin number into the card machine.

  'Eventually. Why couldn't we have met in The Teapot Café?'

  'Because Beth loves this place and always comes here for tea and cake. It would have looked suspicious if we'd accidentally met you in a place we don't usually go into. We only popped in last time because this place was closed that afternoon, due to a private function.'

  'Beth's here?'

  'Well, of course she's here. I told you, this is all for Beth. She misses those children. So be careful what you say, because I don't want her to know this is all behind Eliot's back.'

  Eden turned away and spotted Beth chatting to an animated Ophelia and a suspicious looking Libby.

  'Where's George?' James demanded, as they headed back to the table.

  'Eliot wanted to spend time with him,' she murmured. 'He's hardly seen him lately and wanted to make it up to him.'

  'I said we wanted to see all of the children,' he said. 'Couldn't you have come up with some excuse?'

  'What excuse? He's perfectly entitled to spend time with his son, and it's better not to have George on a shopping trip. It would have looked very odd if I'd insisted.'

  James scowled and pulled up an extra seat. Libby and Ophelia seemed delighted to see him, at any rate. She suspected that he brought back memories of happier times — times when they had their mother in their lives. He and Beth had been good friends to Eliot and Jemima, though Beth, perhaps, had been rather too good a friend to Eliot. She wondered if James knew what — if anything — had gone on between the two of them.

  'They've been on a grand spending spree,' Beth informed him, smiling at the girls.

  James nodded towards the shopping bags, which they'd had to squash under the table to free up the fourth chair. 'Been spending your father's money, eh?'

  'We've been buying our things for school,' Ophelia told him.

  'And new riding clothes for the Skimmerdale Show,' added Libby.

  Beth raised an eyebrow. 'So, you're competing, then? I wasn't sure you would.'

  Eden felt a compulsion to defend their father. 'Eliot was very keen for them to take part. He told me to get them whatever they needed.'

  'Really?' James smirked. 'He must be feeling flush, for once. Perhaps he's expecting to do well at the auctions this year.' He looked at the girls expectantly.

  Libby said nothing, but Ophelia gushed, 'Oh, yes. He thinks Gideon will do even better than Roger. Reckon, if he does, we'll be quids in.'

  Eden hid a smile. She sounded just like her dad for a moment. She wondered how Jemima had felt, hearing her children developing broad Yorkshire accents. Somehow, she doubted their mother had ever adopted one. Realising James was asking her a question, she turned to him. 'Sorry. What did you say?'

  'I said, are you going to the show, too? It seems like it's going to be a special event, if the girls are competing in the gymkhana and Eliot is parading his sheep for the world to see. It would be a shame if you missed it. I expect George would like to be there, too. I'm sure he'd enjoy it.'

  'I don't know,' said Eden. 'Is it a big event?'

  'For this part of the world, it is,' said Beth. 'All sorts going on. Not just animal shows, either. There are fairground rides and exhibitions, and classes for vegetables, baking, jams, preserves — you name it. There are sheepdog demonstrations and —'

  'Yeah, okay, I get it.' Eden laughed. 'It's a big event. I should think I'll be able to go. If Eliot's busy with the sheep, I'll need to be there to help the girls.'

  'Or, perhaps, Daisy will do that?' suggested James.

  Something in his tone made her wary. What was he trying to say? 'I'm sure she'd be willing to help,' she said carefully. 'Eliot has lots of friends.'

  'He does,' James agreed. He beamed at the waitress as she brought their drinks to them. 'Thank you,' he said, then turned back to Eden, still wearing the dazzling smile. For a moment, she felt a pric
kle of unease, of something nagging away at her, but she just couldn't think what it was. He handed the girls their milkshakes, and the moment was gone.

  The waitress returned with the food, and for the next twenty minutes, they concentrated on eating, making occasional remarks about the forthcoming show.

  'Honey, why don't you enter the cake show?' said Libby. 'Then we'd all be taking part. I bet you'd win. Your cakes are scrummy.'

  'Only if Mrs Edwards is ill and can't take part,' said Ophelia.

  'Mrs Edwards?'

  Beth put a hand over her mouth in a feeble attempt to stem her laughter. 'You shouldn't say things like that! Although, to be fair, you're probably right. Mrs Edwards is the wife of the vicar. She wins every year. She's far too scary, and no one dares take the prize away from her.'

  'I bloody would if I was judging,' said James. 'Old bat. No wonder her husband turned to God. Still, good idea about the cake. Why not enter, anyway? You never know, and it would be good to be part of it all, rather than just watching, don't you think?'

  'I'll think about it,' Eden said.

  As the waitress collected the empty plates and cups, James asked the girls what they'd like for pudding. As they'd been perusing the menu the whole time they were eating their main course, they had a pretty good idea. He rummaged in his pocket and handed Beth a twenty-pound note.

  'Darling, shall we treat them? Why don't you take them to the counter and let them choose something delicious and gooey?' he suggested.

  'Would you like that?' said Beth, smiling at them.

  They shot a look at Eden, who shrugged. 'It's okay. You can go if you like.'

  They thanked James and, highly delighted, scrambled out of their seats and headed to the front of the café, Ophelia holding Beth's hand.

  Eden waited. James, no doubt, had something he wanted to say out of the girls' — and Beth's — earshot.

  'He was okay with you?' he asked. 'Eliot, I mean. When you got back from the open day, he was okay?'