Page 76 of Under A Sicilian Sky
Ruby stopped and turned around to face her. ‘I’m aware there are still things being shared, yes. I may not be on social media just now, but I have people keeping me informed of anything I need to know. And, as a matter of fact, the hackingisalmost sorted. I’ve had my own people dealing with it.’
Shelby widened her eyes. ‘So you’ve gone behind Valerie’s back too?’
Ruby shook her head. ‘Don’t you dare insinuate that what I’ve done is anything like what you did.’
Shelby’s colour drained. ‘I wasn’t saying… I didn’t…’
‘Good. Now I think it’s best to drop it before either of us says something we might regret.’
‘You’re going to tell Valerie, aren’t you?’ Shelby asked with a curl of her lip.
Ruby didn’t answer. Instead, she passed Shelby and made her way upstairs to her room.
* * *
An hour later, there was a knock on the door and initially she ignored it until Mitch said, ‘Hey, Ruby, it’s only me. I’ve been at the pub with Reid for a drink. Are you going to show me your hair?’
She reluctantly opened the door and stared blankly at him.
His smile was warm and appeared to be heartfelt. ‘Oh… w-wow. I mean… you really are beautiful. I mean, yourhairis beautiful. Much better natural, in my opinion. After giving it some thought, I think you’re right. I don’t see why you should change your appearance. You’re not playing a part. Who you are isyours, no one else’s, so, you should own it, just as you are doing. And I have to say, I really admire you for it.’ He shoved his hands into his pockets, the way he seemed to do when he was trying to rein himself in.
Ruby was lost for words momentarily. His reaction wasn’t what she expected at all. After he’d spent so much time trying to hide her away and protect her, she had expected him to react much the same as Shelby. It was a huge relief that he hadn’t.
Her cheeks flushed. ‘Thank you, Mitch. I can’t tell you how much that means. And it feels good to look like me again.’
‘I must admit, though, seeing you like this makes me a little starstruck.’ His cheeks coloured pink, and his eyes crinkled at the corners.
She tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘I’m still me. That hasn’t changed.’
He nodded. ‘Aye, don’t ever change, eh?’ There was another one of those moments where things were clearly left unsaid and she considered telling him once and for all how she felt, let the chips fall where they may, but as she opened her mouth to speak, he said, ‘Look, I know it’s nine o’clock, but there’s a wee surprise for you downstairs.’ And with that he turned and walked away, leaving her to wonder what, if anything, she should read between the lines.
A few moments later, she descended the stairs and could hear chattering coming from the living room. She walked through the door and burst into tears as she was enveloped in a hug.
‘Mum! Dad! It’s so good to see you both!’
29
The day of the village hall opening arrived and when Ruby glanced out of the window, she could see there was lots of toing and froing down at the building. She watched a PA system arrive, she saw men walking into the hall with folding tables, chairs and flower arrangements. A flutter of nerves danced inside her and she tried to figure out if they were caused by excitement or worry over what could happen if the local press didn’t stick to their promise to make the day about the hall and not her.
Seeing her parents the night before had made everything feel good again, however, and she couldn’t wait to see them today too. She was gobsmacked to discover that Mitch had arranged it all. He had booked train tickets and had picked them up from the railway station without her knowledge. They were staying at the B&B and were getting on famously with Morag and Kenneth. She had sat up until the early hours catching up and just hugging them. Mitch had charmed them both, obviously, and later when her parents had gone back to the B&B, she’d pulled him to one side.
‘Thank you,’ she’d said with so much sincerity. ‘This was such a wonderful surprise and I’m so grateful.’
He’d nodded as his cheeks coloured pink. ‘Aye, well, I figured you might like to see them, and I knew it would be hard for you to go to them. It’s always good to have your family by you when you do something important.’
She’d hugged him. ‘You couldn’t have done anything more perfect.’ She’d kissed his cheek, and he’d leaned a little closer, his lips hovering close to hers. Her breathing rate had increased as did her heartbeat. This was it, he was going to kiss her.
‘Hi guys, just came to get a snack. Hope I’m not interrupting anything,’ Shelby had said in a bright sing-song voice, regardless of the hour.
Ruby had turned to see her standing there in skimpy shorts and vest pyjamas, her hair in a messy bun.
Mitch had stepped away from Ruby and cleared his throat. He clenched his jaw. ‘No, you weren’t.’
Ruby had seen a hint of a smile play on Shelby’s lips and knew immediately she had interrupted on purpose.So, this is how it’s going to be, she’d thought. She’d decided in that moment that she had been too lenient. Shelby clearly still had another agenda and it needed quashing.
* * *
The event was set to begin at 5 p.m. There would be the official opening ceremony, then food, music and drinks. Ruby was definitely looking forward to the latter and could only hope, at this stage, that the former was a success. The last thing she wanted to do was to bring negative press to such a peaceful place.
