Starry Skies at Castle Court

by Holly Hepburn

  Cat cocked her head. ‘And you did exactly the same after the flood. We make a pretty good team, don’t we?’

  ‘We do,’ Sadie replied, squeezing her arm. ‘But that doesn’t mean you can’t move on. We can take on more staff here if we need to – I could even promote Clare. You do what’s right for you.’

  Cat placed her hand on top of Sadie’s and squeezed back. ‘Thanks.’

  ‘But you will have to decide what to do about Jaren.’

  ‘I know,’ Cat said, feeling the little buzz of happiness that came from bonding with Sadie start to ebb away. ‘I know.’

  Chapter Six

  The music was so loud that Sadie could barely hear what Cat was saying.

  ‘What?’ she shouted above Britney’s ‘Toxic’, sliding along one of the leatherette seats towards her friend. ‘I didn’t catch a word of that.’

  It was Saturday night and the Bus Stop was closed to the public in honour of Andrew and Earl’s joint stag party. The party was in full swing – everyone from the Court was there, along with plenty of the couple’s other friends, jammed into the diner’s booths and perched on tables. Part of the room had been turned into an impromptu dance floor, where Earl was demonstrating the caterpillar while Andrew cheered him on. Everywhere Sadie looked, she saw photos of the two grooms, often in costume and having the time of their lives. They’d been together a long time and it warmed her heart to see that their relationship seemed stronger than ever.

  ‘I said, it’s too hot in here,’ Cat bellowed, once Sadie was within shouting distance. ‘Want to go and get some fresh air?’

  Nodding, Sadie slid out of the booth and made for the door. They weren’t the first guests to think of it; quite a few people had spilled out into the starlit court, which was marginally cooler than inside the diner. They were sitting on the metal chairs outside the Bus Stop’s yellow exterior, drinking and laughing.

  ‘That’s better,’ Sadie said, relieved to be able to hear herself think once more. ‘I love a bit of Britney as much as the next woman but not when it feels as though she’s stomping around inside my head.’

  Cat stretched, tilting her head back to look at the stars, twinkling against the inky black sky. ‘If you could make a wish right now, what would it be?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Sadie said, pulling a face as she sipped her virgin piña colada. ‘Probably for some more ice in my drink.’

  ‘I’m being serious,’ Cat said, only slurring the words a little. ‘What do you want more than anything?’

  There was no point in wishing for that, Sadie thought, glancing across to where Adam sat chatting to Cherie. ‘For Daniel to stop being an idiot.’

  ‘Sorry, I’m afraid I’ll have to take your first answer,’ Cat said, following her gaze with a tipsy wink.

  ‘How about you?’ Sadie asked, relieved that her cheeks were already pink from the heat. ‘What do you want?’

  Cat waved her glass, splashing some of her pink cocktail onto the paving stones at her feet. ‘I want a fairy godmother to tell me what to do about that place.’ She pointed to La Clé d’Argent, which was shrouded in darkness. ‘Because I can’t make up my mind. Sometimes, I think it’s the perfect challenge and at other times, it looks like a mountain of hard work I don’t need.’

  Sadie cast a sideways look at her friend. ‘Have you discussed it with Jaren yet?’

  The expression in Cat’s eyes became hunted. ‘No. I keep thinking of all the ways it could go wrong and before I know it, another day has gone by and I’m no nearer to working out what to do.’ She sent a reproachful look skywards. ‘Which is why I need that fairy godmother.’

  She was right to be worried, Sadie thought. Relationships were hard enough without the added stress of a refurbishment project, although it was quite hard to imagine laid-back Jaren losing the plot about anything ‘And have you and Jaren had any more moments?’

  ‘No.’ Cat’s gaze didn’t quite meet Sadie’s. ‘I’ve – erm – been avoiding him a bit – it seems easier that way.’

  Sadie shook her head. ‘You can’t keep avoiding the poor guy – I bet he’s wondering what he’s done wrong. He’s looked over here at least twelve times already.’ Cat examined her drink silently for a moment, then took a long swig and sighed. ‘You’re right. I need to grow up, don’t I?’

  ‘At the very least go and say hi,’ Sadie said.

  ‘I’ll go on one condition,’ Cat replied, raising her chin. ‘That you go and talk to Adam at the same time.’

  Sadie looked over to where Adam sat. Cherie had vanished and he was now deep in conversation with an attractive brunette. Her heart sank; he was obviously chatting her up and the last thing he needed was for Sadie to blunder in and ruin his chances. ‘Okay, but not now. I’ll do it later.’

  ‘Now,’ Cat said firmly, draining her glass. ‘Before you conveniently forget, or he goes home early or something.’

  ‘But he’s talking to someone,’ Sadie objected. ‘A woman.’

  Cat glanced at Adam. ‘All the more reason to interrupt,’ she said meaningfully. ‘Go on. Go now.’

  Inwardly cringing, Sadie squared her shoulders and crossed the Court to where Adam stood chatting to the brunette. He broke off when he saw Sadie. ‘Hello.’

  ‘Hi,’ Sadie said. She smiled at the other woman. ‘I’m Sadie.’

  ‘And I’m Kirsty. Pleased to meet you.’

  ‘Kirsty was just telling me where she met Andrew and Earl,’ Adam said.

  The dark-haired woman grinned. ‘Oh, we go way back. They used to be a right pair of party animals back in the day, although they’ve calmed down now.’

  ‘It sounds like you might have some stories to share,’ Sadie said, intrigued in spite of the unpleasant coil of jealousy squeezing at her stomach.

  Kirsty held up a half-drunk cocktail. ‘I do. Ask me again after a few more of these and I might even tell you.’

  Adam smiled. ‘I wouldn’t expect anything less from the best woman. Although you might want to save your most embarrassing ones for your speech.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry,’ Kirsty said, a wicked gleam in her eye. ‘Between Lara and me, we have an almost inexhaustible supply.’

  ‘Lara?’ Sadie repeated, wondering whether Andrew or Earl had a sister who might have a tale or two to tell.

  ‘My girlfriend,’ Kirsty said, glancing over at a blonde woman by the entrance to the diner. ‘She’s their bridesmaid.’

  Sadie wasn’t proud of the flood of relief she felt upon hearing that Kirsty wasn’t single. ‘Oh! Then you’re going to meet Lissy, my daughter. She’s the flower girl.’

  ‘Although she might be greener than the average flower girl, if she gets her way,’ Adam said, with an affectionate grin.

  ‘She’s determined to come dressed as a triceratops,’ Sadie explained. ‘She doesn’t believe that it’s not a traditional flower girl outfit.’

  Kirsty laughed. ‘She sounds great. You don’t see enough dinosaurs at weddings.’

  The conversation went on for several more minutes, then Kirsty excused herself. ‘I can’t leave Lara unattended around the cocktails for long,’ she confided, with a mischievous grin. ‘No one wants a repeat of the Screaming Orgasm incident.’

  Sadie watched the other woman pick her way across the Court to Lara. ‘She seems nice.’

  ‘She does,’ Adam replied. ‘But you’re nicer.’

  The compliment caused a pleasurable blush to warm Sadie’s cheeks. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘It’s true,’ he said, and Sadie noticed the tips of his ears had turned pink, the way they always did when he was embarrassed. ‘How have you been, anyway?’

  ‘Fine,’ she replied briskly. ‘Busy, you know how it is.’

  He nodded. ‘I do. And how’s Lissy?’

  ‘She’s fine too,’ Sadie said, and this time her response was less brisk. ‘She was fascinated by my description of the hives. Now she wants to be a bee-keeping diplodocus when she grows up.’

  Adam laughed. ‘I ca
n’t see a problem with that.’ He paused and gave her a searching look. ‘Everything okay with you? Apart from being busy, I mean.’

  Sadie meant to give a glib answer, one that glossed over the turmoil she felt about the situation with Daniel, but Adam’s hazel eyes were so warm and inviting that somehow, she found herself pouring out the details of her argument with Daniel. Adam listened without interrupting, his expression hardening when she reached the part about her care of Lissy. When she’d finished, he looked angrier than she’d ever seen him.

  ‘I can’t believe the way he’s treating you,’ he said, his voice tight. ‘What kind of a man tries to undermine his wife like that? I think you’re an amazing mum – Lissy is happy and confident and a total joy, most of which is down to you.’

  Sadie shook her head. ‘Thank you. It’s a shame Daniel doesn’t see it like that.’

  Adam looked even more incensed. ‘Seriously, what is going on with him? You’re brilliant, Sadie – a successful businesswoman, a dedicated mother and you’re really kind and generous. Daniel should be thanking his lucky stars he has you at all, not criticising you or making you feel bad about yourself.’

  Tears gathered in Sadie’s eyes. She tried to blink them away. ‘You sound like Cat. She’s not his biggest fan either.’

  Adam’s forehead creased in concern. ‘You deserve so much better. Honestly, I’d never presume to tell anyone how to live their life, but I care too much about you and Lissy to stand by while Daniel treats you like this.’ He paused and reached for her hand. ‘I can’t stand to see you unhappy.’

  It was too much for Sadie; big fat teardrops spilled down her face. ‘I don’t know what to do. Lissy loves having him in her life.’

  Fumbling in his pocket, Adam pulled out a tissue and handed it to her. ‘But that doesn’t mean you have to stay together,’ he said gently. ‘My parents split up when I was young and it was hard for a while but I eventually came to understand that they were much happier apart. Lissy’s a smart kid – she’ll see that too.’

  It wasn’t just Lissy, Sadie thought, dabbing at the tears that refused to stop falling. It was the horrible sense that she was giving up, that she’d failed at being married. The last time she and Daniel had split up, there’d been a reason. This time, there was no catalyst driving her towards the end of her marriage, only the increasing sense that she was making a mistake. And she wasn’t sure it was enough to put her daughter through the upheaval of another acrimonious break-up.

  ‘What a mess,’ she mumbled.

  Adam was silent for a moment, studying Sadie with such compassion that she felt she might start crying all over again. ‘I suppose what it comes down to is this – do you love Daniel?’

  It was a question Sadie hadn’t dared to ask herself. She had, once upon a time, and she’d thought she might love him again. But it had proved harder than she’d expected to get back to where she’d once been. ‘I – I don’t know.’

  ‘That’s what you need to work out,’ he said with a pensive smile. ‘Once you know the answer to that, you’ll know what to do about everything else.’

  He was right, Sadie realised. She glanced up at him gratefully. ‘Thanks for listening, Adam. Sorry to blub all over you.’

  He pressed his fingers against hers. ‘Any time.’

  *

  Cat watched Adam and Sadie chatting, her eyes narrowing as she observed the obvious chemistry between them. Adam said something that made Sadie blush; she responded in a way that made him turn red. They were so perfect for each other, Cat decided with some satisfaction – if only Sadie would let go of her stubborn insistence that staying with Daniel was the right thing. Then again, who was she to be giving relationship advice, Cat thought wryly. She’d spent the best part of the last few days avoiding Jaren so that she wouldn’t have to make any difficult decisions. But not any more; Sadie had kept her side of the deal, now it was time for Cat to step up to hers.

  She spied his dark curly head among a cluster of others at the rear of the yellow bus and was halfway across the Court when Seb appeared out of nowhere to intercept her.

  ‘Hello, Cat,’ he said, his green eyes wary. ‘Long time no speak.’

  She stared at him, taking in his mussed-up brown hair and golden stubble trimmed to just the right thickness to frame his tanned jaw. He was as charming and handsome as ever, but then good looks had never been the problem with Seb. It was the way he treated women that was the issue.

  ‘Hi,’ she said stiffly. ‘How are you?’

  ‘I’ve been better,’ he admitted. ‘Look, I know this probably isn’t a great time but have you got a minute to talk?’

  Cat eyed him doubtfully. ‘I don’t think there’s anything left to say, is there?’

  ‘Come on, Cat, don’t be like that,’ Seb said, and Cat thought she detected a familiar hint of impatience behind the words. ‘I just want to talk, that’s all. You know, like adults?’

  She was tempted to toss the remains of her cocktail in his face; it would be immensely satisfying to watch the sticky pink liquid dripping from his chin. But the comment about being an adult touched a nerve and she took a steadying breath instead.

  ‘Okay. You’ve got exactly one minute.’

  ‘Not here,’ he said, scouting around for somewhere more private. ‘How about under the tree?’

  Cat glanced over at the shadowy branches of the oak tree. There was no one else near the vast trunk but it was still within easy sight of the other party-goers. ‘Fine.’

  ‘You’re looking good,’ he said, once they were standing under the leafy canopy.

  Cat threw him an impatient glare. ‘One minute, Seb. Please don’t tell me you brought me over here to hit on me.’

  His expression sobered. ‘Of course I didn’t. But you do look good. And I don’t think I appreciated that enough while we were together, so I’m saying it now. Okay?’

  ‘Not really,’ Cat said, wondering what on earth he was playing at. Where was Elin? Did she have any idea Seb was trying to charm his way back into Cat’s good books? ‘Get to the point, please.’

  Seb’s jaw tightened, which gave Cat a small flicker of satisfaction. ‘Fine, if that’s how you want to be. It’s about Jaren.’

  ‘What about him?’ Cat said, frowning.

  ‘I’ve been watching you around him—’

  Her eyebrows shot up. ‘Really?’

  Seb sighed. ‘Not in a creepy way. In an – I don’t know – let’s call it a friendly way. As in, a looking-out-for-you kind of way.’

  Maintaining her expression of disbelief, Cat tilted her head. ‘O-kay.’

  ‘And I can see there’s something between you.’ He shrugged. ‘Maybe you always liked him, I don’t know. But I see it now and I wanted to warn you not to get too involved. Not yet, anyway.’

  Cat’s jaw dropped. ‘What?’

  He raised his hands. ‘Just hear me out. I’m worried that it’s too soon after his split with Elin – I think he’s on the rebound. And I’d hate to see you get hurt.’

  ‘I think that’s a bit rich coming from you,’ Cat said, letting out a small huff of incredulity. ‘Jaren has never shown any sign of wanting to hurt me – in fact, he’s been there for me ever since I met him. Whereas you—’

  ‘I know, I know,’ Seb cut in, his expression a mixture of resignation and regret. ‘I’m a dick. But there are things Elin told me – stuff I can’t repeat, but trust me, you’d see Jaren differently if you knew. So I’m warning you now, before you get in too deep. He’s still in love with Elin.’

  The words cut at Cat’s heart. Could it be true? Could Jaren still be holding a torch for beautiful, blonde, Swiss Elin? It hadn’t felt as though he was when he’d kissed Cat after they’d cooked together but then Seb hadn’t shown any sign of his duplicity in the weeks after sleeping with Elin; in fact, he’d been as attentive to Cat as ever, although she knew the signs were there, in hindsight. Could she have missed something similar in Jaren?

  ‘You’re lying,’ she
said.

  ‘Am I?’ Seb said softly. ‘You know how hard he chased her – he even got you to make his Valentine’s Day gift to her. Did you get any kind of sense that he wasn’t really into her then?’

  ‘No,’ Cat said reluctantly, thinking of all the times she and Jaren had talked about how much he liked Elin. ‘But that was before she cheated on him with you.’

  Seb shook his head. ‘She didn’t cheat, though – they weren’t a couple then. What if Jaren didn’t really want to break up with Elin but did it out of loyalty to you?’

  It did sound like the kind of thing he might do, Cat realised with a sinking heart. He’d been furious with Seb, too; what if that fury had actually been fuelled by jealousy?

  Maybe Seb was right. Maybe Jaren was still in love with his ex-girlfriend.

  Her shoulders slumped. ‘I don’t know what to say.’

  Seb gave her a half-smile. ‘You’ll thank me one day. Regardless of how you feel about me, I still care about you. And I hope – sometime in the future – we can be friends again. I miss you, Cat.’

  She shook her head distractedly. ‘Sure, maybe.’

  ‘I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news,’ Seb went on. ‘But better to hear it now than a few months down the line, right?’

  ‘Right,’ she echoed. ‘Look, will you excuse me? I think I need a drink.’

  Seb stepped back, his gaze concerned. ‘Are you going to be okay? Do you want me to take you home?’

  With a huge effort, Cat pulled her scattered thoughts together. ‘I’ll be fine. Like I said, I need a drink.’

  She walked away, replaying Seb’s revelation in her head, struggling to process how it made her feel. On the one hand, she was hurt and upset to think she’d failed to suspect how Jaren really felt; she had begun to hope that their friendship was about to bloom into more and the idea that he was still in love with Elin hurt more than she was prepared to admit. But on the other hand, Seb’s assertions might make her decision about La Clé d’Argent much simpler. If she couldn’t have Jaren as a boyfriend, then at least she could have him as a business partner.