by KM Lowe
I take in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I don’t want to break his heart and tell him that person could be gone forever.
Gavin has always been able to get me to say yes to anything. That’s probably why he got the short straw and is gracing my classroom with his presence.
“Okay.” I sigh. “Just nowhere over the top.”
His smile lights up the room. “I promise. You’ll love it.”
Gavin jumps off the table and leans over to kiss my cheek. He looks like one of my excited pupils after lunch.
“I love you, Harleigh. I just want to see my happy, vibrant sister again. I hate seeing the pain in your eyes.”
“I know. I love you, too.”
Gavin winks at me and leaves my classroom behind. He’s always been the best big brother ever. Even when he’s being a pain in my backside, which is regularly.
I just can’t bear to see the hurt and pain I’m causing my family. Maybe a holiday will do us all good.
Chapter 2
Six weeks later
Harleigh
My cases are packed, my passport is in my bag, and I’m ready to see where my brother has booked for me. I’m determined not to let any memories or voices in my head spoil this holiday. I’m going away… alone. I can do this. I will do this.
Gavin, my parents, and my other brother, Sebastian, are all hovering around my kitchen. I approach them slowly, plastering a smile on my face; something I’m getting really good at. I had to be a good actress when I lived with Martin. It’s just hard to break old habits, because I’m aware my family can see through my act. They know I’m still hurting from my time with him, and nothing they do or say will change that. I need to move at my own pace, and I realise it isn’t fast enough for my family.
“There’s my girl.” My dad stands up from his stool and takes me into his arms. “All packed?”
“I sure am. Who’s going to put me out of my misery and tell me where I’m going?” I pull back from my dad. “I can’t believe I’ve let you talk me into this.”
“It will do you the world of good, sweetheart.” Dad pats my cheek.
“I believe I’m the one to tell you where you’re off to, baby sis.” Gavin walks towards me with an envelope outstretched. “Four weeks, all paid for, private transportation is waiting at the airport to take you to your hotel.”
“Four weeks. I said a break, Gavin. Jesus Christ.” I chastise my brother and shake my head.
The nerves are picking up; my palms are sweaty, my heart is racing, and my vision is blurred. All classic signs of a panic attack. All signs that I’m so used to.
A few deep breaths and I try to calm myself down. I will not break. I will not break. I will not break.
“You’ll love it, sis.” Seb wraps his arms around my shoulders and kisses my head. “Tell her where she’s going, Gav.”
“You’ll be flying into Bourgas Airport, where you’ll be taken to your hotel in Old Nessebar. I’ve organised transport so you don’t need to worry about a thing.”
I look at my brother like he just spoke in another language. That airport and place rings no bells to me.
“Bulgaria. You’re going to Bulgaria, Harl. It’s a good mix of culture and nightlife,” says Gavin. “I thought it would be perfect for you, especially Old Nessebar.”
I want to groan and protest. Bulgaria has never been high on my list of places to visit. In fact, it wasn’t on my list at all. I know absolutely nothing about Bulgaria. At least if it was Spain or France, I’d have a little knowledge of the language and culture. But, oh no, my brother must go completely over the top.
“I’ve been there several times.” Gavin tilts his head and lifts my chin. “Old Nessebar is the most beautiful village ever. You’ll thank me when you come home.”
I roll my eyes. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. None of this impromptu holiday thing is me. I need a break, I know I do, but flying to God knows where, alone, is maybe a little step too far for me.
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I pull the envelope out of his hand and put it into my hand luggage.
“This is some Bulgarian lev to tide you over for a few days.” Seb hands me another envelope.
I open the envelope and gasp. “A few days.”
“It’s just a little something from all of us, sweetheart. We want you to go and have some fun,” says my dad.
I know I’ve put my family through hell lately, and I don’t want to see that look of pity anymore, but I don’t want them to mollycoddle me either. Maybe this trip will be the making of me. They can live their lives for a few weeks without worrying about me, and I can get away from here without looking over my shoulder, wondering which one is going to stage an intervention next.
“Okay then. Let’s get this holiday started,” I state, more for my family than myself.
All I can do now is go away for four weeks and try to enjoy this break away from reality. Maybe some sun, sea, and whatever they drink in Bulgaria will be the making of me.
School’s out for summer.
Chapter 3
Harleigh
The moment I step out of the aeroplane; the heat hits me in the face. I take a few moments to relish that feeling. It’s like that little bit of sun melts a small amount of ice from around my heart and I feel like I can breathe easier. The freedom to do whatever I want is like winning a million pounds.
I was a kind, caring person before Martin got his claws into me, but now, I feel like I’ll never trust and enjoy the company of another man again. If I’m out with my family for a meal, I look down at my hands and feet all the time, because I hate making eye contact with strangers. I hate that I feel so weak and small. I hate the insecurities that follow me around now.
Walking through the airport, claiming my baggage, and then finally finding my driver holding my name plaque, it was all done in a bit of a blur. I was nervous and excited about being here alone, but now I want to explore and see what Bulgaria has to offer. I want to hide in my own little bubble while I’m here and just enjoy my time without trying to please everyone around me. This is very much out of my comfort zone, but I can be anything I want while I’m here, because no one knows me, and no one knows what I’ve been through. I can swim, walk, sunbathe, and read as many books as I can. I have four weeks of me time, something I’ve not had a lot of lately. Well, I had a lot of time alone when I was with Martin, but I wasn’t allowed to do anything I liked.
“You visit here before, Miss?” asks Frank, my driver, breaking through the thoughts running through my head.
I shake my head, looking out at the magnificent views over the sea.
“No. My brother thought I’d love it here.” I roll my eyes under my sunglasses, because as much as I want to disagree with Gavin, I know I’ll really enjoy staying here. It has a nice feel to it already.
“Nessebar is a fantastic place. And The Ranch is the best hotel to stay in.” He speaks in broken English, but I can understand him well.
“Is it a new hotel?”
“New owner. Refurbished. Beautiful.” He kisses his fingers and makes me smile.
Frank manoeuvres us along the waterfront up a hill. The old buildings are magnificent. It reminds me of an old western style village. My heart rate picks up again, but this time, not because of any impending panic attacks.
“Here we are.” Frank turns off the car and gets out to help me.
I don’t know how much my brother paid for Frank’s services, but he has treated me like a queen since he picked me up thirty minutes ago. It certainly beats the coach transfer I’m used to taking on holiday.
I step out onto the cobbled street and look up to the hotel I’m staying in. Again, it’s a beautiful old building. It takes my breath away. It’s indescribable.
“Have a good trip, Miss.”
“Thank you, Frank.” I reach into my purse and hand him over a twenty lev note. I read in the tour guide that Gavin had inside the envelope with my tickets that Bulgarians live from their
tips. I’ll take great pleasure in tipping people like Frank.
“No need. Your brother did all the tipping necessary.”
I take his hand and close his fingers around the note. “I am not my brother. Thank you for all your help, Frank.”
“My pleasure, Miss Harleigh.”
I walk into the hotel and head straight over to the receptionist. It seems like a calm hotel. Everything is still and beautiful. The perfect getaway for me to rest and relax.
“Hello. I have a room booked. My name is Harleigh Harrison.”
“Yes. Welcome, Mrs Harrison.”
“Miss. It’s Miss Harrison,” I correct the young woman.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t assume everyone is married when they come here. I apologise.”
I shake my head. “An honest mistake. Please, don’t worry about it. I’m looking forward to exploring everything there is on offer here.”
“I hope you enjoy your stay. If I can get you anything, or assist with anything, please, just ask. You’re in room 12. Oliver here will help you to your room. There is a welcome pack in your room. It will tell you everything you need to know about the hotel.”
“Thank you.” I take my key card and turn to walk away when I bang into a solid, muscular chest. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t…”
I bend down to pick up my key card at the same time as the man I just walked into.
“Here we go. No harm done,” comes a charming Scottish accent.
I take my key card from him and smile. “Thank you. I’m not having the greatest start to this trip. I seem to have acquired a clumsy tendency.”
“Well, we can’t be having that now. What part of Scotland are you joining us from?”
“Stirling. Central belt.”
“I know it well. Welcome to The Ranch. Manuela, can you please have a bottle of prosecco taken up to the lady’s room?”
“Oh, I couldn’t possibly accept your generous offer.”
I finally look at the man in front of me instead of diverting my eyes anywhere other than at him. The man in front of me is an Adonis. His short-ish brown hair is messed up stylishly. His dark brown eyes are sparkling at me. His lightly tanned skin just sets off the whole package.
“Please, I insist. It’s on management.”
“Oh…” I look down at the man’s dress shorts and open white shirt. He doesn’t scream management, but I’ve made a big enough fool of myself. “Well, thank you…” I pause because we haven’t exchanged names.
“You’re welcome. And the name is Giovani.”
“Thank you, Giovani. My name is Harleigh.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”
I feel the heat rise through my cheeks and I look down at the key card in my hand. It’s only now that I realise Oliver is waiting to escort me to my room.
“I should be going.”
I point over my shoulder and scurry off like a little lost mouse. Taking compliments has never been a strong point for me, but since my ex, I struggle to hear anything nice about myself.
Oliver pushes the button for the lift, and moments later, we walk inside. I dare to look out into the reception area and Giovani is smiling brightly at me. His smile would brighten up the darkest of storms. I’ve never been so affected by a man before. My heart is racing, my skin prickles, and my head is spinning. This is ludicrous. I just said not too long ago that I’d never look at another man again.
Why the hell am I acting like a lovesick puppy?
Get a grip, Harleigh.
Chapter 4
Giovani
“Boss…” Manuela breaks through the haze.
“Yes?” I clear my throat.
“Prosecco. Any particular kind?”
I smile at Harleigh through the closing lift doors. Her beautiful long light brown hair is cascading down around her shoulders in ringlets. She’s a beauty.
“Just the best. Nothing but the best for Miss…”
“Miss Harrison, boss.”
Miss Harrison.
“As you were. I’ll be in my office for a little while.” I walk away from the check-in desk feeling like I’m floating on a cloud.
No woman has ever turned my head like Harleigh. I can see something in her, but I don’t know what it is. She’s bright and quiet, just like my hotel. Its tranquillity is its best asset. There’s a story behind the walls, but on the outside, it’s masked by beauty.
Life has never been dull for me, but visiting Nessebar made my life complete. It made me the person I am today. It made me forget about the pain and embarrassment of a broken relationship. It healed me piece by piece and made me realise that life is for living. Who couldn’t live in this beautiful country and be happy?
“You fancy a night out tonight, bro?” asks Lucca, my younger brother, who is visiting from Scotland. I say visiting, but he’s a permanent fixture lately.
“Sure. What do you have in mind?”
“What about a trip over to Sunny Beach, or just a few drinks around here? I need to let off some steam.”
“I don’t fancy Sunny Beach tonight, but I’m up for a few drinks around here. What’s up?”
“Dad.”
I roll my eyes at that one word. Lucca and our father have a love/hate relationship. Since our parents moved back to Italy three years ago, they expected Lucca to go back with them. But he’s young, independent, and looking to see the world. He isn’t a child anymore, and I don’t blame him. I can’t imagine being tied to the one place. I like my freedom too much.
“Dad only wants what’s best for you.”
“And Italy isn’t that. Maybe one day I’ll settle down there, but not now.”
“Okay then. Do you want to have dinner here before we hit the bars?”
I need to change the subject, because I won’t have Lucas on a downward spiral. It has taken me months to get him to where he is now. He walked out of his life in Glasgow and showed up on my doorstep one morning at four a.m. We got drunk and put the world to rights. The rest, as they say, is history.
“Sure. I’ll meet you in the restaurant at eight and we can decide what to do. Are you okay? You looked far away when you entered the office.”
“I’m good. Just busy. Lots of new arrivals today and tomorrow.”
Which is only half of the truth. I can’t be dealing with being taunted by my brother, now or ever. He will mean well, but he will only drive me up the wall. My family know my history and they’ve all been on my case about settling down, but after everything I faced at the hands of a woman, I’m lucky to be standing here today with everything I have. I vowed after that living nightmare, I would never let a woman get her claws stuck into me again… ever.
That’s why I made this life here. I love my job. I love my life. I’m never going back to the dark place I once was.
Chapter 5
Harleigh
When I arrived at my room this afternoon, I contemplated whether to hide away or face the world. Instead of doing the only thing I know how to do – hide – I did the next best thing. I grabbed a book from my hand luggage, changed into lighter clothes, threw a beach bag over my shoulder, and exited my hotel room with my head held high, or as high as my timid self would allow. My sunglasses give me a little safety net as I hide behind them, and I feel more confident than I have in such a long time.
“Miss Harrison…” I look over my shoulder to see Manuela walking towards me. “Shall I ask Oliver to place your bottle of prosecco in your fridge?”
“Oh, please, don’t worry about it.” I stutter over my words.
You wouldn’t think I was an English teacher with the way I’ve been speaking since I touched down in Bulgaria. I feel like I’m learning to talk to people all over again.
“Miss, our boss won’t be happy if I tell him I didn’t deliver your bottle, compliments of the management.”
“Okay.” I smile warmly. “The fridge will be grand.”
“Enjoy your day, Miss Harrison.”
“Thank you. You
too, Manuela.”
I walk out of the hotel and take in a deep breath. I look around myself for the first time and I’m in the middle of a square. I don’t know why I didn’t notice before, but the area is bustling with tourists. The small play park across the road has children of all ages playing, laughing, yelling in many different languages, and having fun. There is nothing more satisfying than seeing children enjoy life. It’s one thing I love about teaching.
Walking closer to the park, I notice a restaurant/bar that looks out over the sea, set upon a cliff. It looks beautiful and peaceful. The front of house guy waves to me, and I smile brightly at him.
“Hello. Would you like to come inside?”
I nod. “I would. Thank you.”
He shows me to a table overlooking the sea. I’m glad he picked this table, because it’s gorgeous. It’s like he read my mind. It wasn’t the delicious smell of food drawing me in here, it was the sight of the glorious, calm Black Sea.
“A beautiful table for a beautiful lady.”
I blush.
“Thank you.”
It looks like I need to get used to accepting compliments here. Everyone is very friendly and approachable. I’ve probably received more compliments since arriving in Bulgaria than I have in the last year back at home.
“What would m’lady like to drink?”
“Oh.” I look behind him at the stocked bar. “Do you have pink gin?”
“Absolutely.”
“I’ll have a pink gin and lemonade, thank you.”
“Coming right up.”
I give the sea my full attention. The black waves crashing against the rocks below me is calming for the soul. It’s no wonder everyone here is happy. The sun is shining brightly, the atmosphere is euphoric, and the whole place is beautiful.
My phone ringing distracts me, and I see Gavin’s name flashing on the screen. I wondered when he would check in. I’m surprised it took him so long, especially since I touched down a couple of hours ago.
“Hello, Gavin.”
