by Carys Jones
‘Are you sure she’s your daughter?’ Aiden joked. ‘I’ve seen you sit for hours in the beauty parlour.’
Isla smiled at him before turning her attention to their daughter.
‘Weeeeeee!’ the little girl exclaimed as she ran around at full force. Isla grabbed her on her second lap around the kitchen table and picked her up.
‘You need to be careful your aeroplane doesn’t crash,’ she warned her, her voice kind.
‘I won’t crash!’ Meegan protested. ‘Put me down!’ She wriggled in her mother’s arms but struggled to get away.
‘You need a bath,’ Isla said, noticing the various sticky smudges all over both Meegan and her clothes.
‘Are you all right to bath her?’ Aiden asked. ‘I really need to get to bed.’ Then, as if proving his point, he raised his arms and let out a long yawn.
‘Yeah, I’ll be fine. You go up to bed and rest.’
‘Thanks, hon.’ Aiden kissed both Isla and Meegan before heading up the stairs. For a few moments there had been footsteps overhead and then silence as Aiden finally got to have the rest he so desired.
It was ten in the evening by the time Meegan finally settled down too. She crashed when the sugar finally wore off, falling asleep in her play pen, on top of her favourite teddy bear. Isla had carried her up, tucked her into her cot and then walked back downstairs to think some more.
At two in the morning she was satisfied with her plan. She went upstairs knowing that she needed to wake and speak with Aiden for the second part.
The bedroom was silent when she entered and the darkness was all-consuming. She put on her bedside light, both to aid her vision but also to wake her husband. Aiden stirred slightly as the light when on but didn’t wake. Isla was forced to gently nudge him. Though the nudges began gently and eventually she was all but shoving him.
‘Aid!’ she hissed at him. ‘Aid, wake up!’
Aiden woke up suddenly after receiving a particularly sharp shove. He sat bolt upright, his eyes wide and fearful.
‘I’m up, I’m up!’ he declared. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘Nothing is wrong; I just forgot to mention that I need the car tomorrow,’ Isla whispered.
‘Huh?’ Aiden rubbed at his eyes, still feeling sleepy.
‘For my hair appointment,’ Isla explained.
‘You woke me up about the car?’ Aiden was aggravated.
‘Only because you need to phone Edmond when you get up, to ask for a lift,’ Isla tried to sound as sweet and apologetic as possible.
‘Right, sure, okay. Have the car.’ Aiden lay back down and turned away from both Isla and the light, sighing in annoyance.
‘Thanks, honey,’ Isla smiled and switched off the light, plummeting the room into darkness once more.
‘I can’t believe you woke me up to ask about the car,’ Aiden lamented as he drank his morning coffee, keeping a vigilant eye on the window, waiting on his ride from Edmond.
‘Sorry, Aid, I couldn’t sleep so thought I’d ask.’
‘You’re a crazy woman sometimes, you know that?’
Edmond was five minutes late in collecting Aiden, pulling up in his cream Mercedes. Aiden dashed out of the door, forgetting to kiss the women in his life goodbye.
Normally Isla would have been offended by such an oversight, but not that day, she had her own important agenda to take care of.
At ten, Deena came and took Meegan off with her and her boys to the park. Ten minutes after Deena had left, Isla got into the car and rechecked the directions she had printed off the computer the night before. She was fairly certain she knew where she was going; the property was near Edmond’s home and she’d not long been there for the birthday party.
*
Thirty minutes later and Isla was sat in her car outside the mansion which belonged to Samuel Fern. She had found, after several minutes of searching, and pressed the intercom system in the rock and was waiting on a response. She took the time to take in the impressive structure looming behind the gate.
‘Can I help you?’ a voice suddenly crackled through the intercom.
‘Yes, I was hoping to see Samuel Fern,’ Isla raised her voice as she spoke to ensure she was heard.
There was a pause and then the voice crackled again.
‘Mr Fern isn’t expecting any guests today.’
‘No, I don’t have an appointment but I’m sure he will want to see me. I have information he should hear. Regarding the paternity of his son.’ Isla felt a thrill of excitement as she said the last part.
There was a longer pause before the crackled voice returned. The answer they gave was succinct but the one Isla had been hoping for.
‘Come on through.’
The giant gates parted with surprising ease and Isla drove into the complex. She could now see the mansion in its full, breath-taking glory. Her pulse began to race as she began collecting her thoughts and trying to decide what to say to Samuel Fern.
Nervously, she got out of her car and headed towards the main entrance of the mansion. A uniformed maid opened the doors as she approached and nodded towards a room just beyond the sumptuous marble hallway.
‘Mr Fern is in the library.’ She pointed then to a door, her voice curt.
‘Okay, thank you.’ Isla headed anxiously towards the door, her footsteps echoing in the vastness of the space. The hallway itself could easily house her entire home. She’d never realized that such wealth could exist so close to somewhere like Avalon. It both intrigued and scared her. She had always assumed that the wealthy congregated to metropolises, like cities, rather than extraditing themselves to small towns in the middle of nowhere. Perhaps Samuel Fern had illusions of a quiet country life just as Aiden once did. Though Isla would be much more receptive to such a life if she were able to reside within such a sumptuous manner.
She questioned how Deena Fern could ever risk jeopardizing such a privileged life by cheating on her husband?
Isla opened the door to the library and tried to keep her jaw shut. The walls were easily ten feet high and were lined floor to ceiling with custom-made bookcases, each of which was full of probably every title that had ever been in print. It was utterly amazing to behold. A treasure trove of literature, hidden out in the wilderness beyond a small town that didn’t even boast a library of its own.
‘Can I help you?’ an elderly man was sat within a leather chair by a fire. Despite the warmth of the day the fire was on and he wore trousers and a golfing jumper.
‘Mr Fern?’ Isla clarified.
‘Yes, can I help you?’ Mr Fern was clearly in no mood to receive guests.
‘My name is Isla Connelly.’ Isla introduced herself politely.
‘My lawyer’s wife?’ Samuel snapped.
‘Yes, sir.’ Isla had never called anyone sir in her whole life, not even her own father although he had tried to insist upon it. There was something about Samuel Fern, maybe it was the grandiose home or the way he held himself, but she just felt that he deserved her unequivocal respect.
‘What can I do for you, Mrs Connelly?’ Samuel Fern sounded bored when he spoke and didn’t bother to even make eye contact with Isla, who hovered by the door to the library, having not been invited in and not wanting to appear rude by drawing closer to the old man.
‘I’ve come here to strike a deal,’ she told him conspiratorially.
‘Oh?’ Samuel Fern now looked directly at her, his interest piqued.
‘I have some information which I feel you deserve to know about,’ Isla began. Her heart danced to a mental beat within her chest. She thought of little Davis Fern, the little boy who was becoming Meegan’s friend, and she felt a pang of guilt. But the guilt soon gave way to spite when her mind conjured up an image of Brandy and Aiden in Chicago together, laughing about how naïve she was to believe he was merely there on a work trip.
Both Isla and Samuel Fern deserved justice.
‘Information is only of use when it is shared fresh,’ Samuel prompted her to continue,
his wizened old eyes regarding her with cautious suspicion.
‘Well, Mr. Fern,’ Isla cleared her throat, trying to suppress her rising nerves. ‘I happen to know who the real father of your youngest son is. And I’ll share such information in return for a promise on your behalf.’
Chapter Eleven
When It All Falls Down
Samuel Fern straightened in his leather chair by the fire and scrutinized Isla with his sharp steel eyes.
‘And how would you be privy to such information?’ he asked, watching her intently.
‘Well,’ Isla twisted her fingers together in uncertainty. ‘Since my husband is working on your case I overheard him talking with your wife, Deena. She came by our house last night.’
‘Go on,’ Samuel prompted, his voice resonating with authority as though he were a school teacher instructing a student.
‘So I overheard them talking and Deena, Mrs Fern, was thanking my husband for keeping her secret. He told her that he felt it was the best for everyone involved that no one find out who Davis’ real father is. And then he disclosed the name.’
‘And the name is?’ Samuel made circling motions with his hand, urging her to reach the conclusion of her story sooner.
Isla was sweating both from the heat being delivered by the fire and also her growing nerves.
‘My husband didn’t tell me anything, he had no idea I was listening,’ she suddenly felt compelled to protect Aiden for fear of his professional integrity being called into question.
‘I care not for the origins of the information, only the information itself,’ Samuel told her coolly.
‘And in return for sharing this information, you’ll make me a promise.’ Isla held him in a steely gaze.
‘What sort of a promise?’ Samuel frowned.
‘A promise that your brother will leave me and my family alone. Don’t pretend to not know what I mean.’
Samuel thought on this for a moment and then smiled.
‘You’re a sassy one!’ he remarked.
‘I have to be, to protect my family.’
‘Very well then,’ Samuel nodded, his smile broadening. ‘What we’ve arranged here is what is commonly known as a gentleman’s agreement and the standard protocol is to shake on it.’
Samuel extended his hand and Isla took it in her own and shook it. His skin was as thin and fragile as worn out paper.
‘I can uphold my end of the bargain,’ Samuel continued. ‘But what about yours?’
Isla took a moment. Images of the spiteful notes danced through her mind. She knew what she had to do to protect her family from Buck Fern.
‘Davis’ father was Brandon White.’ Isla breathed life into the secret by speaking it aloud.
Samuel Fern was silent. His gaze fell away from Isla and be began to stare intently into the fire before him, suddenly entranced by the orange flames which danced to unheard music.
‘I believe he was the local football hero who was recently murdered,’ Isla added, thinking his silence might be because he’d never heard the name before.
‘I know who he is,’ Samuel’s voice was low and thoughtful.
‘Oh.’ Isla suddenly felt obsolete and awkward. Her presence was suddenly surplus to the situation. She had said what she needed to, delivered the truth to Samuel Fern and now there was nothing left for her to do but leave.
‘So we have an agreement? Buck Fern won’t bother my family any more?’ Samuel’s head remained bent and he was silent.
‘I should go,’ she reached backwards for the door, still facing Samuel. She assumed he would want time alone to collect his thoughts.
‘I think that you too know the pain of betrayal,’ he suddenly observed. Lifting his head to look to the fire.
‘Don’t think I don’t appreciate you coming here to tell me what you did. I do. You’ve solved the riddle which has stolen sleep from me for many months. In return I shall ensure that my brother doesn’t trouble your family any more. That is what this is all about, isn’t it? Or are you seeking some revenge of your own?’
‘I’m not here for revenge,’ Isla stuttered out the words, unable to offer them any conviction.
‘You can’t kid a kidder,’ Samuel Fern smiled to himself as he said this. ‘You should go,’ he added.
‘Are you all right?’ Isla asked unsteadily, he had taken the news about Brandon White much better than she had anticipated.
‘My housekeeper will see you out.’ He ignored the question.
As if on cue the uniformed maid who had originally opened the grand front doors reappeared. She didn’t speak but gestured for Isla to follow her out.
The hallway was pleasantly cool compared to the stuffy warmth of the library. In the open space Isla felt she could exhale and release some of the tension which had been building up within her. The maid walked purposefully across the marbled floor and opened the front doors. She didn’t even say goodbye to Isla as she stepped through, instead firmly sealing the doors behind her.
Walking back to her car Isla suddenly felt the urge to cry but managed to suppress it. Samuel Fern’s accusations of revenge had been a little too astute for her liking. It crossed her mind that the old man knew more than she credited him for.
She got into her car and checked her watch, she’d need to get home soon to ensure she was there for when Deena returned with Meegan. Knowing that her plan was fully acted out, Isla had hoped she’d feel relief or jubilation, but she just felt a hollow emptiness opening up within her, like a black hole which absorbed all other feelings.
*
Buck Fern’s eyes watered as he was suddenly hit by a wall of heat as he opened the door and stepped in to the grand room.
‘Samuel?’ he called to his brother, who was sat before the fire intently observing the flickering flames.
‘I’m here,’ Samuel called lightly from his chair. Buck ventured further into the room, already sweating. He was forced to remove his beloved Stetson and run a hand through his thinning hair.
‘So?’ Buck asked, his sharp assessing his brother. ‘Did she come?’
‘She came,’ Samuel nodded. ‘You rattled her cage good and proper.’
Buck gave a small smile of satisfaction.
‘And you were right about the Connelly fella. He’s been lying to me.’
‘I knew it,’ Buck seethed, running his hands over his Stetson. As his agitation increased, Buck began to pace around the room, trying his best to ignore the oppressive heat.
‘We should have him disbarred for this!’ Buck raged, sending spittle in to the air. ‘How dare he conduct himself in such an unprofessional manner!’
‘Just a second there, Buck,’ Samuel glanced up at his brother. ‘Pot and kettle and everything.’
‘But still!’
‘I think Mr Connelly is just beginning to learn the Avalon way of doing things. That sometimes you have to blur the lines a little bit.’
‘So you’re okay with what he did?’ Buck raged. ‘He helped her instead of you! Just like with the damn White woman!’
‘I’m not okay with it.’ Samuel remained composed as he spoke even though he shared his brother’s sense of indignation.
‘But now we have something on Mr Connelly. Something which might prove useful when we eventually drive him out of town. I want him gone,’ Buck growled, his voice low. ‘He’s a poison in this town!’
‘Patience,’ Samuel advised. ‘We’ll get what we want.’
‘And what about Miss September?’ Buck asked as Samuel scowled slightly.
‘I always knew the child wasn’t mine,’ Samuel replied. ‘But, like we said all along, this was a test for our Mr Connelly. A test he didn’t pass.’
‘So you’ll forgive her?’
‘That’s none of your business,’ Samuel said tersely. ‘My marriage is my own to deal with. You’ve been more than helpful with things. We’ll let the dust settle and then we’ll plan our next move.’
‘Okay then,’ Buck put his Stetson back on a
nd moved towards the door, eager to escape the heat as beads of sweat were already dropping down his forehead.
‘I’ll make sure he leaves,’ Samuel promised. ‘Avalon is our town.’
‘Don’t I know it!’ Buck winked as he tapped his sheriff’s badge.
*
Isla had barely been back home ten minutes when Deena Fern’s black SUV pulled up into the driveway. Isla was about to go to the door when it suddenly dawned on her that her hair didn’t look any different than it had that morning which would surely made Deena suspicious. Glancing around, she quickly grabbed a hand towel and wrapped it around her head.
‘Hi!’ Isla opened the door and Meegan came running into the house, though with considerable less verve than the previous night. Clearly sugar had not been involved in the outing.
‘Did the kids have fun?’ Isla asked, forcing a smile, concerned that she looked troubled which was the default expression she’d had since her encounter with Samuel Fern.
‘Yeah, they climbed over everything, had a go on the swings. Meegan liked it.’ Deena looked past Isla at Meegan, who yawned sleepily.
‘I tired them out, that’s always a good thing,’ Deena smiled kindly at Isla and Isla struggled not to shrivel up in shame.
‘What happened with your hair?’ Deena asked suddenly, shooting a concerned glance at Isla’s head which had been pulled up in to make shift towel turban.
‘Oh, I hated it,’ Isla rolled her eyes in annoyance. ‘They did the colour good but the blow dry was just horrific. I need to sort it out myself.’
‘That’s a shame,’ Deena sympathized. ‘Did you go to the salon round here?’
‘Uh huh.’ Isla nodded.
‘I swear, they don’t have a clue about hair around here. Or nails, or any facet of beauty for that matter! Whenever I want anything done I head to the next town over or even venture into the city. I know a great place for hair if you need somewhere to go?’
‘Oh?’ Isla feigned interest though she just wanted the conversation to end, she was struggling to maintain her friendly façade, knowing that she had deceived Deena and delivered the sharpest, longest dagger in to her back and now the ex-Playmate was being nothing but friendly and amicable. Aiden had been right when he had suggested that they’d get along and that just made Isla feel even more wretched.
