by Sharon Booth
'It's not about me,' Cain protested. 'You're a gifted guitarist, a cracking songwriter, and you're in a good band. I don't get why you'd quit now! All those years of trying and you finally get the right line-up, a bloody good record deal, and you cut a brilliant album that's selling by the shedload, and you decide that's enough, you're out. I don't understand, and I think you're making a massive mistake.'
'I don't want to be in a band. Honestly, I don't think I ever did. I wanted to get your approval, and I thought that was the way to go. All those years of striving to make it work kind of fed the illusion, somehow. But when it happened, when I finally got what I thought I wanted, I realised it meant zilch to me. It's not the life I want. It doesn't matter.'
'Doesn't matter!' Cain was bewildered.
'Your soup will be ready in a minute,' Eden interrupted, laying a hand on Eliot's shoulder. 'And I've got some scones for you all to try afterwards. Thought I'd better get some practice in.'
Cain saw Eliot grasp her hand, but he didn't look as if even the prospect of grub had cheered him up. Miserable bleeder. Like he had anything to be miserable about! He ought to try living Cain's life. 'Doesn't matter?' he repeated, focusing again on Jed. 'What do you mean, it doesn't matter?'
'You see? That's the difference between us! You can't see how I could think that, because it means the world to you. To me, it was something to do because I didn't know what else I wanted.'
'So, what do you want?' Cain demanded.
'I have no idea,' Jed admitted, sounding tired. 'All I know for sure is, I had to get out of that life. I had to get away and start again. I'm still looking, but I'm sure I'll find it.'
'Huh. If you say so. Left it a bit late, haven't you? You're thirty-four, for God's sake. You should have found it by now.'
'Yeah, well, the thing is, Emerald's only in her twenties, and she wants to stand on her own two feet, not rely on you, but you're not listening to her. I would have thought you'd be happy that she wants to make her own way in the world and would want to help her do it.'
'Make her own way in the world?' Cain snorted. 'Oh, yeah. After I fork out a barrow-load of cash first to set her up. And, anyway, she don't even know how to run a retreat. It's all airy-fairy arty-farty crap. When she's got a proper idea, then I'll listen to her.'
'Or you could listen to her first, while she explains what she's hoping to achieve, and then you could help her come up with a real plan.'
Cain's eyes narrowed. 'Got it all worked out, ain't ya?'
'Absolutely. You don't want to repeat the mistakes you made with Honey, and I get that, but I'll bet your bottom dollar you didn't have any say in her business. Bet you left it entirely to her, right?'
'So?'
'So, Emerald's not just asking you for money. Can't you see that? She's bored, she wants something to do. She's got a vague notion of what she could do but she doesn't know how to go about it. She wants your input, your guidance. She wants you to be her father, for Christ's sake.'
Cain bristled. What the hell did he mean by that? His kids would be the death of him, no doubt about it. He turned his head as he suddenly registered that Eden and Eliot were staring at him. 'No more nagging at me, okay?' he said, holding up his hand as Emerald started to say something, 'I ain't rushing into anything. As for you,' he said to Jed as his son sank into a chair, 'you're gunna need a job. I ain't keeping you for nothing, either, and since you seem determined to stay in England for the time being, you'd better figure out what it is you want to do with your life pretty damn sharpish. Right?'
Jed nodded. 'Right.'
'Jeez, what a pair you are.' Cain sighed. 'So, you'll stay? Both of you, I mean? And you'll come back home with me tomorrow?'
He watched as Emerald and Jed exchanged glances. As they nodded, he felt a strange surge of relief. He would feel bad if they parted on such bad terms. He supposed he was being over-emotional because Honey was still on honeymoon and he missed her. Probably.
'Them scones sound good to me, Eden,' he said, sniffing the air hungrily as she dished out soup for Eliot. 'And who are you when you're at home?' he added, noticing for the first time that a stranger was in their midst. The young woman was sitting at the table, opposite Jed, watching the scene before her with evident bemusement.
'Beth! I'm sorry, I couldn't get a word in edgeways.' Eden put the pan in the sink and took another mug from the cupboard. 'Cup of tea for everyone, and a bit of peace and quiet. You must think you've walked into a madhouse.'
'Just a bit. What on earth's going on?'
'Looks like you and me have walked into some family drama, Beth.' Eliot scowled and lifted his spoon. 'Like bloody Piccadilly Circus in here lately, what with the workmen and building inspectors and everyone else.'
'Meaning us, I suppose,' Cain said. 'Bleeding ungrateful. We're only here to sort out your wedding, which, by the way we don't seem to have got very far with. We need a proper meeting or it's gunna be a fiasco.'
'Goodness, and we wouldn't want that, would we?' Emerald muttered.
'Cup of tea,' Eden said, handing Cain a large mug.
'Bit rude, if you ask me.' Cain continued.
'I'm sure Eliot didn't mean to be rude,' Eden said, flashing her partner a meaningful look. Eliot appeared suspiciously unrepentant to Cain. 'Cherry scone anyone?'
'I think Eliot has every right to be annoyed,' Emerald said, picking up Bella and cuddling her tightly. 'Have you got any plain scones? I hate cherry scones.'
'You would.' Cain tutted. 'Anything to be awkward.'
'Sorry. I'm afraid you'll have to do without,' Eden said.
'Oh, I'll have to make do then,' Emerald replied. 'I'll pick the cherries out.'
'What's he got to be annoyed about?' Cain demanded. 'Eliot, I mean? Seems to me he's got it made, what with me forking out for his wedding. And he doesn't even have to lift a finger to organise it, which is a good job, seeing as he clearly couldn't give a shit what goes on.'
Eliot slammed his spoon in the bowl and soup splashed onto the table. 'I never said that!'
'You didn't have to, mate. Every discussion we've tried to have, you've been conspicuous by your absence. Always sumfink wants doing somewhere, ain't there?'
'Of course there is. I work on a bloody farm. You think the place grinds to a halt 'cos you want to talk about which bloody flowers we should have?'
'Quite right, Eliot,' Emerald soothed.
'Let's calm this down,' Eden said, hurrying to the cupboard and taking out a tin which, no doubt, contained the scones. 'We're all clearly stressed, so it's not a good time to talk about this.'
'And when will be a good time?' Cain queried. 'Sorry, Eden, but it's got to be said. You deserve a decent wedding and you're gunna get one, and that means organisation. But we're getting nowhere fast 'cos miladdo here is always otherwise engaged. I know, I know,' he held up his hand, 'he's a farmer and farmers are busy. I get it. But it don't solve our problem, does it? I have to go back to Upper Bourbury soon, and things are still completely up in the air.'
'I'm sure me an' Eden can organise our own wedding,' Eliot grumbled.
'I'm sure you can, mate,' Cain said, 'but what sort of wedding, eh? 'Cos it seems to me that Eden's got enough on her plate, what with the house and the kiddies to see to, not to mention this new business to get ready and then run, and we all know how busy you are 'cos you've just told us.'
'Dad, I really think —'
'I don't much care what you think, Jed. This needs doing properly, and we've got a matter of days to sort it out. Bleeding July. Have you ever heard the like? Next spring would've made more sense, but no.'
Beth took a deep breath. 'Wow! All this tension! I came here because it's pretty miserable at home and I wanted to be among friendly faces,' She flicked her long, dark hair over her shoulder. 'I think I'd have been better off at Thwaite Park.'
'Sorry, Beth.' Eden gave her a feeble smile. 'One of those days.'
'It's always one of them days round here lately,' Eliot muttered,
dipping bread into his soup. 'Never a minute's peace.'
'If it's any consolation,' Beth replied, 'no one rows at home; it's all stony silences or sarcastic comments. You have to really care about someone to bother to argue, don't you?'
They all looked at each other, as if considering her words. Cain supposed she was right. 'Reckon you're onto something there, although it has to be said, Emerald would start a war with the Dalai Lama if she couldn't get her own way.'
Emerald gasped. 'I might have known it would come back to me!'
'You can't deny it. Sick of hearing about these business plans of yours.'
'It clearly means a lot to her,' Beth said. 'Sorry,' she added, as they all turned to stare at her. 'I don't want to interfere.'
'Then don't,' Emerald said coldly, stroking the cat like some Bond villain.
Cain wanted to tell her to shut her cakehole, but she had a point. Who was this interfering bird, anyway? Like he didn't have enough women telling him what to do.
'The thing is, as a completely impartial outsider, it seems to me that the answer to all your problems is staring you in the face.'
She took a sip of her tea and Cain wanted to scream. What the hell was she talking about? Luckily for him, Emerald was already demanding answers.
'Well, isn't it obvious? Emerald wants a business to run but doesn't have any experience that leads you to trust her with an investment. Eliot and Eden want to get married but haven't got time to organise a wedding. You, Cain, want to be able to head home, knowing the wedding is in good hands and plans are progressing nicely. So, why doesn't Emerald stay here, and take over as wedding planner? I'm sure she's been to enough of these events to know what's good and bad, and she would be on hand to liaise with both Eden and Eliot as and when they're available. Wedding planners are worth their weight in gold. We paid ours a fortune. If Emerald can pull this off, then I'm sure you'll have more faith in her ability to make a plan and stick to it, organise things and balance a budget. Of course, it's just a suggestion. Feel free to ignore me.' She leaned back in her chair and smiled at them all.
The entire kitchen fell silent as everyone digested her suggestion. Cain considered the matter. The girl had a point. He supposed it would get Emerald off his back, which was something, and it would shut Jed up, too. And, of course, it would ease the tension between Eliot and Eden, while making sure they had a proper decent do. He had a feeling that, left to themselves, Eliot would settle for the smallest, quietest wedding possible, and Eden would go for the cheapest so as not to waste his money. If only his own kids were so thoughtful, he mused.
'I suppose it's one solution,' he conceded. 'If you're really set on making your own living, Emerald, then here's as good a place as any to start. And you had enough to say about Honey's wedding and all that was wrong with it, so I reckon you must know sumfink about them.'
Emerald looked as if she didn't know what to say, which was unusual for her.
'Emerald?' Jed's tone was gentle.
She turned to him, looking stricken. 'But it would mean staying up here, in Yorkshire!'
'And?' Cain's face darkened. You couldn't win with some people.
'It's — well, it's so far away from — from everything.'
'Ungrateful little bleeder,' Cain muttered. 'I can't win with you, can I?'
'Happen she was hoping to be a bit nearer her dad,' Eliot muttered. 'Can't blame her for that, can you?'
What did he mean by that? Was he saying Cain was exiling her, or something? As if Emerald would care! All she wanted was to get her eager mitts on his money, like every other woman he'd ever known. If she wasn't so keen on Yorkshire there must be another reason, and if she was anything like Honey he could guess what it was. 'I know what you're thinking, Emerald, but you can keep your 'air on. I know it feels like the back of beyond, but it ain't that far from the shops really,' he said. 'There's a Harvey Nicholls in Leeds, you know. I'm sure you'll find plenty of places to buy your clothes and whatnots.'
Eliot tutted. 'I don't think —'
'It's a great opportunity, Emmy,' Jed murmured, squeezing her hand. 'And you're grateful. Right?'
Emerald looked at Bella as if asking for help, and Bella stared back at her as if giving her opinion. Evidently, the cat had more common sense than his daughter, because Emerald sighed and said, 'Yes. Yes, of course. Thanks, Dad.'
Jed nodded. 'Good call, Dad.'
'Hang on a minute.' Cain held up his hand. 'I ain't finished yet. I've been burned before by Honey. It was a big mistake, leaving her to get on with doing things the way she wanted. And I know you and your streak of mischief. Put it this way, this wedding will be a test. Do it right and I'll seriously consider investing in business premises for you. Get you all the equipment, everything you need to make a real go of this retreat lark. Screw it up and you can forget it, right?'
Emerald frowned. 'But the premises won't be in Yorkshire?'
Cain hesitated. Yorkshire seemed like a pretty good idea to him. It was far enough away to get some peace and quiet from his daughter, for a start. Still, he'd better give her some reason to make an effort, he supposed. 'Wherever you like,' he conceded. 'Although, I ain't paying fancy London prices, so you can forget that.'
'I don't want to be in London,' she assured him. 'I want somewhere rural and peaceful.'
'Good. So that's sumfink we agree on then. Do we have a deal?'
Emerald bit her lip, then nodded. 'Okay. Deal.'
'That's great news,' said Jed, beaming at them both.
'I'm very glad you think so, because you're going to be staying up here to help her.'
Ha! That wiped the smile off his face. Serves him right.
'What? But I don't —'
'Look, you're her big brother, and I know you'll keep an eye on her. Plus, you ain't got anything better to do right now, have you? Given that you've quit the band and you're refusing to go back to the States. Besides,' he gave Eden and Eliot a sympathetic look, 'these two have got enough on their plates, and they're going to need a hand with this new business of theirs. So, the least you can do is help them out while this venture gets off the ground. Eden, you'll be glad of the help, yeah?'
Eden swallowed, not looking at Eliot. 'Of course.'
'Great. So, Jed, it's up to you but I ain't keen on Emerald staying here without you to watch her. Are we agreed?'
He watched Jed glance at Emerald, who was staring up at her brother, an undisguised appeal in her eyes. Cain knew that Jed couldn't disappoint her, and sure enough he didn't. 'Fine. Agreed.'
'That's that sorted then.' Cain leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
Cain saw Eden and Eliot exchange nervous glances. He knew they wouldn't be so keen on having Emerald around, and he couldn't blame them, but frankly, he was past caring. With one fell stroke, he'd found a home and a job for his troublesome son and daughter, and best of all, he could go back home with a clear conscience, knowing he'd done his best for them and that they'd parted friends. All in all, Cain considered today a good one. He only hoped Marcus wouldn't be on the phone next, demanding Cain set him up in his own venture. Knowing his offspring, he wouldn't be in the slightest bit surprised.
****
'I'm simply saying that you're spending too much time round there. How do you think that looks?'
Beth could hardly believe what she was hearing. Was James serious? 'I don't care how it looks! And looks to whom? Who else cares? Why should I stop seeing them just because —'
'Them? Don't you mean him? You always did have a soft spot for him, didn't you? Don't think I hadn't noticed. All that gushing about what a perfect father he is, how hard he works, how decent he is. Pass me the sick bucket.'
His scornful expression enraged her. 'How dare you! How can you say that to me, of all people! A soft spot for him? Well, you had more than a soft spot for his wife, as I recall.'
James's eyes sparked with fury. 'Don't you dare bring that up. It's ancient history.'
'Ancient history? Maybe t
o you! I have to live with it every day. I've had to try to forgive and forget, haven't I? Move on. Pretend it never happened, that you never betrayed me with that woman.'
'Beth, I'm warning you, shut up. We agreed when we were in New York that we'd never discuss this again.'
Shut up! Who the hell did he think he was talking to? 'And it's as easy as that, is it? Sorry, am I making you uncomfortable? How inconsiderate of me.'
'I've told you, if you're going to keep on about it, there's no point in our being together. We can never make it work if you're going to keep throwing it back in my face.'
'But —'
'I'm not listening to this any longer. We had an agreement that we'd let it go and move on with our lives. If you can't do that then we may as well call it a day. Your choice.'
As James pulled open the door, Beth flinched inwardly at the sight of her mother-in-law hovering in the hallway.
'Good morning!' Deborah's smile dropped as James pushed past her without so much as a muttered apology. Beth was still quivering with rage. Deborah turned slowly to look at her and raised an eyebrow in enquiry.
Beth crumbled inside. 'I'm so sorry, Deborah. I'll — I'll go after him.'
Deborah's lip curled. 'Very well. If you must.' She turned and headed into the kitchen, where, just seconds later, Beth heard her slamming cupboard doors and banging crockery with an alarming lack of control.
She hurried after her, anxious to appease. 'I'll try to calm him down. It was my fault. I'm sorry.'
Deborah grabbed her bowl and pushed past her, heading into the dining room without a word. Evidently, she couldn't stand to look at Beth another moment.
****
James was nowhere to be found. As Beth wandered along the footpath, hands in her coat pockets, she wondered why she was even bothering to look. In fact, she wasn't sure she was looking. It was an excuse to get out of the house, away from her mother-in-law's clear disapproval. She came to a fence and climbed the stile, barely registering the fact. Jumping down, she continued to walk along the track, her thoughts swirling in her mind, unclear and unformed — as if someone had stirred up a pond with a big stick and left mud clouding the water. She couldn't make sense of anything. It felt as if she had the weight of the world pressing upon her, and she didn't know what to do about it.
