The door banged behind them, and every eye in the room turned towards them. Olivia fought a nervous urge to laugh out loud.
‘Come on Olivia love, pay them no mind,’ Jackson smiled encouragingly. ‘The novelty will wear thin soon enough.’
She limped over to the bar; she had abandoned holding Theo’s hand and was hanging onto his arm as if her life depended on it. Whether it was from nerves, or the fact her ankle was now hurting like a bitch she couldn’t say.
‘What the hell is she doing here?’ a hysterical female voice screeched.
Olivia turned in the direction of the voice to see the familiar attractive red-haired barmaid come slamming through the door from the kitchen.
‘Kaitlin,’ Jackson warned.
‘She has no right to be here!’
‘She has every right, she has done nothing wrong,’ Jackson replied calmly.
‘You don’t know that,’ Kaitlin hissed. ‘You know what they’re saying about her, what that sick bitch did to Adam!’
‘That’s enough!’ Jackson snapped, ‘we do not cast stones under my roof!’
‘I can’t believe you’re taking her side!’
‘Kaitlin,’ he sighed in exasperation.
‘No!’ she yanked off her apron, ‘there’s no way I’m staying in the same room with her. You can stick your God damn job!’
She threw her apron in his face, and spun around, storming back out of the door she came from.
‘I’ll deal with her,’ Shelley appeared next to Jackson squeezing his arm reassuringly, and sending a sympathetic look at Olivia.
Jackson turned to look at Olivia, watching the color drain from her face. Her shoulders were set rigidly, and her spine looked as if it had been set in steel. Theo gazed down at her in concern.
‘Jackson,’ she murmured uncomfortably, ‘I don’t think this is a good idea.’
The silence in the pub was almost deafening as Jackson turned to the rest of the patrons making sure he had their attention.
‘Right, now that I seem to have everyone’s attention, let me make one thing clear. Olivia had nothing to do with what happened to Adam or Brody, nor was she involved in Lucas Campbell’s disappearance. There is no evidence against her, and frankly the way she has been treated by the police is nothing short of disgusting. As for those of you who have been gossiping about her behind her back, you should be ashamed of yourselves. So let me be blunt so there can be no mistake. Olivia is more than welcome here and if any of you have a problem with it you can leave.’
When no one moved, and a few even had the good grace to look slightly guilty, Jackson nodded and turned back to Theo and Olivia.
‘Come on, let’s get you settled at a table.’
Olivia hobbled after Jackson, closely followed by Theo, as he led them to a cozy little booth next to the fire.
‘Just the thing for a cold November eve,’ Jackson smiled, ‘now what can I get you to drink?’
‘A beer please.’
‘The same,’ Theo nodded as Jackson’s gaze fell on him.
‘And to eat? Would you like to see the menu or hear the specials?’
‘Actually,’ Theo replied, ‘the Steak and Guinness pie sounded good.’
‘Excellent choice,’ Jackson smiled widely, ‘that’ll be served with colcannon, and I must say Owen has a fair hand with it. It’s the best I’ve ever had, and for you Olivia darlin’?’
‘I’m not in the mood for pie, what’s the special for tonight?’
‘That’ll be Dublin Coddle.’
‘What’s a coddle?’
‘Dublin Coddle,’ Jackson laughed easily, ‘is a simple but hearty dish. It’s basically a bacon, sausage, potato, and onion hotpot.’
‘That sounds good,’ Olivia nodded.
‘Lovely, I’ll be back with your drinks in a moment.’
‘Are you alright?’ Theo asked once they were alone.
‘Yeah I guess,’ Olivia exhaled as she shrugged out of her jacket. ‘It was really nice of Jackson to stand up for me.’
‘I suppose,’ Theo murmured.
‘What?’ Olivia eyes narrowed suspiciously, ‘what’s that look for?’
‘Nothing,’ he shrugged as Jackson dropped their drinks onto the table and disappeared again.
Olivia took a sip of her beer, and lifted her foot under the table to rest it on the seat next to Theo. She sighed in relief as the pressure eased.
‘How is your ankle feeling?’
‘It's not too bad now,’ she leaned back into her seat, ‘I just need to rest it a bit.’
Theo stroked her ankle gently underneath the hem of her jeans.
‘It's swelling again,’ he frowned.
‘I thought it was,’ she groaned. ‘My sneaker’s starting to feel a bit tight. I probably shouldn’t have walked on it so much today.’
‘You know, you could’ve just called Jake, and let him speak with Mrs Talbot.’
‘Is that what you would’ve done?’ she raised one brow questioningly.
‘That’s not the point,’ he replied stiffly.
‘Yes it is,’ she answered crossly in return. ‘You know Theo, I appreciate people care, but I will not be kept in the dark, and I will not be coddled. Jake’s most basic instinct is to protect me, even from myself, and I won’t have that. I won’t have people making my decisions for me.’
‘Stubborn woman,’ Theo muttered.
‘Yes I am,’ a small smile curved her lips. ‘You have to understand Theo, I love Jake like a brother, but he doesn’t know what this feels like. It’s one thing knowing that your father killed your mother in a crazy fit of passion, or whatever the hell it was, but it’s another thing entirely to think he is a cold blooded serial killer. I need to know the truth.’
‘Even if it puts you in harm’s way?’
‘Even then,’ Olivia picked up the paper napkin from the table, absently twisting it, and tearing off little strips. ‘I remember my father being such a loving man. He was so tall and strong, he’d sweep me off my feet, and carry me on his shoulders. He’d spend hours curled up on my bed with me, delighting me with stories of English kings, and Queens, Joan of Arc, of Rome, Pompeii, and the Ottoman Empire. Places of enchantment, and mystery. He made history come alive for me, and I treasured those moments we spent together. Up until the night my mother died, I would never have thought for a moment he would have such violence in him. The man I knew was the kindest, gentlest, most loving man, and they want me to believe he’s a psychopath? I have to find out what really happened, not just to those men who were murdered, but what happened the night my mother died, and I can’t just sit back, and let others find the answers for me. This…all of this, is too personal. Can you understand that?’
‘I can understand that, but I don’t have to like it,’ Theo replied honestly. ‘I can’t help wanting to protect you.’
‘And I don’t have a problem with that,’ she took his hand gently, ‘but I will not be shielded from the truth, and I will not be told what to do, by anyone.’
‘Believe me, I’m beginning to see that,’ Theo muttered shaking his head.
A shadow suddenly fell over the table, and Olivia found herself looking up into the permanently dissatisfied expression of Mrs Eustacia Bailey, her lips pursed, and her hands folded tightly in front of her. Her dear little husband, Jonathan Bailey stood behind her wearing a slightly resigned, and apologetic look.
‘Good evening Mrs Bailey,’ Olivia spoke politely before peering around the austere woman, ‘Mr Bailey.’
‘Good evening Olivia dear.’ Mr Bailey smiled warmly.
‘This is my friend Theodore Beckett,’ Olivia introduced them, ‘Theo this is Mr & Mrs Bailey, they own the grocery store.’
‘We’ve met,’ Theo nodded. ‘Mr & Mrs Bailey, I hope that you are well.’
Mrs Bailey threw a slightly conciliatory look at Theo before turning her full attention back to Olivia.
‘I hav
e something to say to you Olivia, and as you know I am a woman who speaks her mind. I won’t say anything behind your back that I wouldn’t say to your face.’
‘I’ve always appreciated that about you Mrs Bailey,’ Olivia replied dryly.
‘Fact is, I don’t believe you had anything to do with those murders.’
Olivia opened her mouth, and then abruptly shut it again; that certainly wasn’t what she was expecting.
‘Despite what your daddy did to your mama,’ she continued on with all the eloquence, and delicacy of a freight train, ‘you were always a good girl, had a good nature, and I just don’t believe the little girl I knew would do such a horrible thing, and anyone who says different is an idiot.’
‘Um thank you,’ Olivia replied quietly, ‘that means a lot.’
‘Yes well,’ she puffed herself up to her full height of five foot two. ‘I may be a gossip, I won’t deny it, but no one can ever accuse me of being a fool.’
‘That’s true,’ she murmured.
‘Liddy Mayberry has just started baking,’ she switched subjects so fast Olivia almost got whiplash.
‘Uh, good for her?’ Olivia replied in confusion.
‘Her youngest has left the nest, and she’s finding herself at a bit of a loose end; taken to baking pastries, and cakes. She has a fair hand with it, if I do say so myself. Jonathan and I have been selling them for her in the store.’
‘That’s kind of you.’
‘I am rather partial to her brownies,’ Mr Bailey winked.
‘Her strawberry tart is especially good,’ Mrs Bailey continued, as if he hadn’t spoken.
‘I’m sure it is,’ Olivia replied, a bit confused as to how she’d ended up in the middle of this crazy conversation. Glancing across, she saw Theo sitting back, sipping his beer, and smiling in amusement.
‘I’ll save you one,’ Mrs Bailey told her brusquely, ‘you be sure and stop by the store tomorrow to pick it up. You can share it with your young man here.’
Olivia’s expression softened, genuinely touched at the stern matriarchal woman’s obvious support of her, and her acceptance of Theo. After all, Eustacia Bailey was not known for tolerating strangers in her town.
‘Thank you,’ Olivia answered sincerely.
Mrs Bailey nodded curtly, but as she turned to leave she paused.
‘And I’m sure Jonathan will sneak you a tootsie roll before you leave,’ a ghost of a smile whispered at the stern woman’s mouth.
Olivia blinked back the glaze of sentimental tears as Mr Bailey threw her a cheeky wink and a warm smile, before following in the wake of his formidable wife.
‘Did I really just hear that?’ Shelley stepped up to their table, and slid their meals in front of them. ‘Was Mrs Bailey actually being nice to someone?’
‘I guess miracles really do happen,’ Olivia chuckled lightly, shaking her head in disbelief.
‘Listen Olivia,’ Shelley spoke quietly, ‘I’m really sorry about what Kaitlin said earlier. She didn’t really mean it; she’s just going through a lot of stuff right now.’
‘Uh-huh,’ she replied non-committedly.
‘Look, I shouldn’t be telling you this, and please don’t say anything to anyone else,’ Shelley leaned in closer. ‘The truth is, Adam and Kaitlin were seeing each other.’
‘Yeah, I kinda got that impression,’ Olivia sighed.
‘And she’s pregnant.’
‘Shit,’ Olivia blew out a breath.
‘Yeah,’ Shelley agreed, ‘she had it confirmed the same morning she found out Adam had been murdered.’
‘Oh God,’ Olivia closed her eyes.
‘She’s not coping real well at the moment. Her hormones are all over the place, and she doesn’t really have any family, so she’ll be on her own with the baby.’
‘It’s okay Shelley,’ Olivia nodded, ‘don’t worry, I won’t say anything.’
‘Thanks,’ she breathed in relief. ‘Can I get you guys anything else?’
‘No,’ Olivia smiled, ‘we’re good.’
‘Oh, and Olivia,’ Shelley added, ‘I really do think all that crap Chief Walcott has been spouting about you is a load of shit. I never thought you’d hurt anyone.’
Olivia watched quietly as the other woman walked away.
‘Seems you have more people on your side than you thought,’ Theo smiled as he scooped up a forkful of pie. ‘This is really good.’
‘I suppose I do; I have to say Mrs Bailey was a surprise. I guess, if she’s on my side I could do a lot worse,’ she shrugged. ‘Let me try some of your pie.’
He scooped up another forkful and held it out to her.
‘Are you going to tell Jake about the file and Mrs Talbot?’ he asked as she took a bite.
‘That is good, I don’t normally like Guinness,’ she chewed thoughtfully, and swallowed. ‘I am going to tell Jake. I’ll call him later, and get him to come by the house in the morning after his shift finishes.’
‘I see the Chief still has him on the worst shifts.’
‘Of course he has,’ she took a bite of her Dublin coddle, ‘he’s punishing him for being my friend. Here, try this.’
She scooped up a spoonful, and held it out.
‘That is good,’ he mumbled, ‘Jackson’s cook seems to be a man of talent.’
‘Anyway,’ Olivia tucked into her meal enthusiastically, ‘let's not talk about it anymore. I feel like that’s all I do nowadays, talk about the murders and the Chief of Police.’
‘What do you want to talk about then?’ Theo took a sip of his beer.
‘I don’t know, tell me something fun.’
‘Something fun?’ he frowned in confusion.
‘You know, something happy from your childhood.’
‘Uh,’ he stared up at the ceiling thoughtfully, as he cast his mind back, ‘I used to braid my sister’s hair.’
‘Sorry?’ Olivia replied in amusement.
‘My mother died giving birth to Temperance, so as the youngest, it fell largely to me to care for her,’ he answered ruefully. ‘She had seen some of the other girls in the village with their hair braided and she wanted hers done, so she pestered me and pestered me until I did it. It was a disaster. The first time I made such a mess of it my fingers got caught up in her hair, and after I got them loose it took me hours to brush the tangles from her hair. She looked like a haystack.’
Olivia laughed.
‘But I hated disappointing her,’ he looked down at his plate, smiling fondly in remembrance. ‘So I used to practice on our horses, brushing and braiding their manes. Eventually I got really good at it. Tempy would make me sit for hours in front of the fire, tending her hair for her.’
‘Awww,’ Olivia smiled, imagining a sweet little dark haired boy braiding his baby sister’s hair. ‘You’re so cute.’
‘It's not funny,’ Theo shook his head. ‘When my brother Logan found out he teased me mercilessly.’
‘Well if it makes you feel manlier, the Vikings used to braid their hair, and their beards all the time. In fact, the more complicated the braid the more important the man.’
‘You’re making that up!’ his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
‘I’m not,’ she chuckled.
‘Fine,’ Theo resumed eating, ‘so you tell me something from your childhood.’
‘I loved swimming,’ she said after a moment, ‘still do. Even though my element is fire I love being in the water. I was so good I was on the swim team in high school, and college.’
‘Swimming?’ Theo repeated blankly.
‘Yes swimming,’ she replied. ‘You know, when you jump in deep water and move your arms and legs, so you’re moving through the water and not drowning.’
‘Why would anyone want to do that?’ his forehead creased in confusion.
‘Because it’s fun.’
‘It doesn’t sound like fun.’
‘It is.’
‘Water is fun?�
� he repeated skeptically.
‘Yes, water is fun.’
‘No, water is for bathing.’
‘I guess you’ve never been swimming then.’
‘Olivia, I grew up on a seventeenth century farm,’ he replied blandly.
‘That’s true,’ she laughed in delight. ‘Well, when the weather gets warmer I’ll teach you in the lake. That’s where I learned.’
‘You want me to throw myself in the lake... voluntarily?’
‘Uh-huh,’ she grinned.
‘May God save me,’ he sighed.
She threw her head back and laughed, and it was one of the most beautiful sounds he’d ever heard. She didn’t laugh nearly enough in the past weeks; she seemed to carry with her such a deep sorrowful burden. But he knew in that moment, hearing her carefree laughter and seeing her beautiful smile, that he would do anything to make her happy, even if it meant throwing himself into the damn lake.
They spent a pleasurable few hours, eating and laughing, and telling ridiculous stories from their childhoods. Olivia felt lighter than she had since she’d first returned to Mercy, and for a brief moment, she felt what it would be like to be part of something instead of always being alone. After a while Theo excused himself to use the restroom, and Olivia beckoned Jackson over.
‘Well now you look happy,’ Jackson grinned as he walked over, and scooped up their empty glasses.
‘I feel happy,’ she replied, a bit surprised that it was actually true. ‘I’ve had a really good evening, thank you Jackson.’
‘Oh think nothing of it, though I have a feelin’ twas not I that put that smile on your face,’ he glanced in the direction of the restrooms.
‘Still, you stood up for me, and made me feel welcome, and I didn’t realize how much I needed that,’ she answered seriously.
‘Well then Olivia love, its glad I am to have been of service,’ he chuckled.
‘Anyway, we’re going to make a move, so could you call us a cab and bring the bill.’
‘I’ll certainly call you a cab, but there’s no bill. This one’s on the house.’
‘You seem to be making a habit of giving me free meals,’ she frowned.
The Guardians Complete Series 1 Box Set: Contains Mercy, The Ferryman, Crossroads, Witchfinder, Infernum Page 27
