Page 92 of Under A Sicilian Sky
Stunned, Ruby shook her head. ‘No. I’m sorry, I can’t do that. I won’t do that. Not after this. I don’t believe for a minute that you were unsure about what she’d done. You’re an intelligent woman, Valerie. You chose not to believe, and you chose not to take action. And as far as I’m concerned, that’s it. I had made the decision to leave the business whilst I was away, and any wobbles I may have been having are completely gone now. I’m more certain about this than I have ever been about anything. After the vitriol I’ve experienced over the past few months, all at your granddaughter’s hands I now discover, I’ve had enough. Valerie… You’re fired.’
35
Ruby sobbed as she sat on Philippe’s couch with him on one side and Jessica on the other. After everything that had happened, this had been the ultimate betrayal. She couldn’t begin to imagine why that young woman, fresh out of college, had taken it upon herself to bring her to her knees; take away her friends, cause her to have to go into hiding and come to hate the career she had worked hard for. On top of that, she had no doubt ruined her grandmother’s business. All for what? She was determined to find out why. But with all that said, Ruby couldn’t let go of the thought that Valerie, the woman who had been by her side for the last nine years, who had cared for and protected her, had been the one to betray her.
Brienne came into the room, followed by her sister, and handed Ruby a glass of what smelled like brandy.
‘Is she going to be okay?’ Bayleigh asked, her voice tinged with concern.
‘She is, honey. This is just such an awful situation that has been made so much worse. It’s a lot for anyone to handle,’ Jessica replied.
Ruby had contacted Kitty and her parents on the way home from Montez and Spark before the weight of everything had really hit. And although they insisted she should come home, she knew that doing so would cause too much publicity for them, or worse still, if Shelby was still out to get her, she didn’t want to be tracked back to her hometown. She would need to wait until Shelby was apprehended and the world finally knew the truth.
Ruby was once again feeling adrift. Like a nomad with no real tangible place to rest. One thing she was sure of, however, was that she no longer wanted to be in New York. Apart from the Brodeur family, the place held nothing for her now. The shine and glitter that had once surrounded the exciting, vibrant city was tarnished with betrayal. It wasn’t the city’s fault, of course, but she wanted to get away. This time, she wanted to escape on her own terms. She had decisions to make about her life, but New York was somewhere she could no longer compile her thoughts into anything like coherent. And she had to get used to the new life she had chosen for herself. A life where people may still recognise her, only now it would be as Ruby Lockethat actress who used to be famous. It was a relief though.
And there was no time like the present to begin her future.
Ruby wiped her eyes and sipped at the alcohol. Feeling calmer, she took a deep, shaking breath. ‘I think I’ll go lie down, if that’s okay?’
‘Absolument. Please shout if you need anything, oui?’ Philippe said with a squeeze of her hand.
She nodded before standing to face them where they sat. ‘You are the most amazing friends. I have no clue how I will ever thank you properly. But please know that I love you all. And I will forever be grateful.’
* * *
Ruby lay on her bed trying not to think about everything but, of course, her mind whirred regardless. Her phone pinged and, at first, she didn’t pick it up. But after a few moments, she reached to her nightstand and lifted it so she could see the screen. It was a text from Caitlin.
Hey lovely. How are you doing? Any news? Mitch returned to Edinburgh yesterday with his tail between his legs. Nothing keeping him here, I suppose. Anyway, if you wanted to return to the island at any time, you’d be more than welcome to stay with me. Love Cait xx
She reread the message and her stomach flipped. The pull to Glentorrin was still there. She would love to return, but she wondered if there were too many difficult memories now. Was the place tainted like Palermo and New York had become? She hit reply.
Hi Cait. Great to hear from you. I’m not doing so well, to be honest. Long story. I would love to come back as I really don’t want to be in New York. But I’m not sure what to do. I’ve told my agent I’m quitting acting. I need to escape (again) but not sure Skye is the best place. Ruby xx
Moments later a text came through from Jules.
Am with Cait. Please come back! We miss you! Mitch has gone. Nothing to worry about. Chewie misses you too. ? Jules xx
The mention of her canine bestie clinched the deal and she smiled. Now that Mitch was gone, and Shelby was on the run, there was nothing to stop her returning. After all, she had more good memories than bad and, in addition, she’d begun to forge some strong friendships there too; genuine, real friendships. It would mean she was closer to her parents when she was able to visit, and it would give her time to think, away from the place that sparked all the misery in the first place.
She resolved to book a flight and tell Philippe, Jessica and the girls at dinner. Coming back to New York had been a mistake; but nevertheless, a necessary one.
* * *
The following couple of weeks were spent enjoying the company of Philippe and his wonderful family. The girls took great delight in doing her hair and make-up and asking myriad questions about the actors she’d kissed on screen. It was good to look back on the fond memories she’d collected.
Philippe had accompanied her to her apartment to collect her belongings and Cuthbert the doorman had hugged her, which made her cry. He told her that he had defended her wholeheartedly during the protests, and she thanked him through a flood of tears. She knew she would miss the friendly old guy and the mutual affection and respect they shared. She packed up her belongings and put into storage the things she couldn’t easily take on her travels, then said a goodbye filled with mixed emotions to the place she had called home for years.
The end of April had arrived and the flight back to Scotland took a different route this time. She wasn’t on a chartered jet that could land anywhere it required. Instead, she left JFK, stopping off at Schiphol to meet with the connecting flight that would take her to Glasgow. She had no security to accompany her, and people recognised her, asked for selfies and autographs. Although, thanks to the story breaking, via Veronica’s newspaper, about her innocence and departure from acting, the reception was much friendlier. This time she was greeted with comments like, ‘We knew it wasn’t you all along,’ and, ‘We’re so glad the truth came out for you, Miss Locke, we believed in you.’
It was nerve-wracking but exhilarating at the same time. She did it. She survived the first major journey as her new self. She was relieved, however, that Jules and Caitlin had arranged to pick her up from the airport; she couldn’t wait to see them.
The airport staff had been kind, giving her the privacy she needed. People took photos of her as she exited the airport arrivals, but she did so with a smile on her face and her head held high. She wasn’t hiding her identity any more. Her hair was back to its titian origins and she felt like herself again.
Jules and Caitlin grappled her into a group hug and the three jumped up and down like teenagers at a reunion. Her friends slipped back into chatting and giggling as soon as Ruby was strapped into her seat. Ruby loved the fact that Glasgow was amidst a spring shower and that as they drove on the outskirts of the city, people dashed around with colourful umbrellas, and the rain soaked the pretty flowers in the hedgerows that lined the roads. It all felt normal and natural and she smiled and laughed along with them all five hours of the journey back to Skye.
It was early evening when they crossed the Skye bridge and even though she had only been away a matter of weeks, being back in Glentorrin felt like the closest thing to home. It was a pleasant feeling, if a little unexpected. Ruby knew she liked the place, but the sense of belonging she felt with her two friends and the way they included her, treating her like one of the girls, filled her with the type of warmth that only true friendship could; something she now realised that, aside from Kitty of course, she had been missing since entering the competitive world of movies.
Daffodils and snowdrops were blooming outside the churchyard and most houses had hanging baskets on wall brackets, filled with bright, cheery, spring flowers that were attracting bees and butterflies. She opened her window just a crack and inhaled the familiar scent of the sea air.
