Page 50 of Coming Home to Roseford Villas
‘No,’ Vi replied. ‘We don’t book it out in the off season as it takes a lot to heat. It’s mothballed until April. Why?’
Leo paused, then took a deep breath. ‘I, er, do you think I could use it for an evening? I’ve got something in mind, and the chalet is kind of central to it.’
‘Of course,’ Vi replied. ‘Technically, it’s yours now, anyway. But wouldn’t you be warmer in the dining room?’
Leo blushed. ‘I want to recreate something, for someone I really need to make an effort for.’
‘This wouldn’t be the young lady who was in the chalet over the summer, would it?’ Vi’s eyes twinkled.
‘Possibly.’ Leo grinned. ‘The only problem is, I’m not sure she’ll want to hear from me, on the evidence of the conversation we’ve just had, but I’m going to give it my best shot!’
‘I’m sure she’ll hear you out, love,’ Vi replied. ‘And it sounds like you’ve nothing to lose, anyway.’
‘I hope you’re right, Aunt Vi,’ Leo replied. He put the other package to one side and began the agonising process of composing a text.
Text sent, to keep his mind off the possibility of a negative reply, Leo began sorting out the chalet. If Rory refused his invitation, he’d lock himself in there and have a good cry, so the effort wouldn’t go to waste. It took a while to get it feeling warm in there, but after a couple of hours, it had reached a half-decent temperature, and he’d given the place a bit of a freshen up, airing it out and ensuring everything was in place. He’d borrowed some candles and decent wine glasses from the dining room of Roseford Villas, as well as a tablecloth. As far as dinner was concerned, he was cheating a bit and planned to use the kitchen in the main house, but having filled Aunt Vi in on his plan, she’d offered to whip him up something lovely. A bottle of wine on the table, and his preparations were complete.
A ping from his phone made his heart start to race. Grabbing it from where he’d been charging it up on the counter of the chalet, it raced faster as he saw the name. The signal from the Wi-Fi wasn’t great this far down the garden, and his data wasn’t marvellous either, so the message hadn’t previewed on his Home Screen. Swiping quickly, the few seconds before the message appeared felt agonising.
Yes, that’s fine. I’m at home this afternoon. Pop over when you’re ready.
It was a start, Leo thought. Now, all he had to do was get through the next few hours without losing his mind with nerves.
Sometime later, everything was ready. With a shaking hand, he sealed the envelope and then picked up the package he’d be taking with him. Locking the door of the chalet, but keepingthe heating on, he headed back down the hill towards his destination.
‘I really appreciate this, Stella,’ Leo said as he was invited through into the impressive hallway of Halstead House. ‘I’m sorry to put you in the middle but hopefully things will work out.’
Stella regarded him carefully. ‘I hope so, Leo. But she was very hurt about the way things ended between you. Try not to mess it up this time.’
‘I’m going to do my best,’ Leo laughed nervously. ‘And, as I said, I’m really thankful that you’ve agreed to do this.’ He handed over the tissue paper-wrapped package and the envelope. It had taken him a long time to think about the precise wording of what was inside, but he really hoped what he’d written would at least persuade Rory to come to the chalet.
‘Are you sure it wouldn’t just be easier to go over and deliver these yourself?’ Stella asked. ‘I mean, you’ve literally just walked past her front door…’
‘Have I?’ Leo’s heart leapt.
‘Yep.’ Stella smiled at him. ‘She’s my tenant in the gatehouse.’
Leo’s hands started to shake. With a supreme effort of will, he shook his head, gathering his thoughts as he did so. ‘I want to give her the option to do what she feels is right for her. If I just rock up there on the doorstep, it’s crossing a boundary. I was angry with her for what I perceived to be a similar thing back in the summer – I don’t want to put her in the same position.’
‘For what it’s worth,’ Stella said, ‘I’ve read the current draft of Rory’s novel, and I don’t think you need to worry. She’s a great writer, and she’s done justice to what you used to have.’
‘I know, and I feel like such an idiot for reacting in the way I did.’ Leo felt the urge to level with Stella about the thinking he’d been doing over the past few months but decided that it was Rory who needed to know first, if he got that opportunity.
‘Good luck,’ Stella said as Leo turned to leave. ‘I hope it works out for you, Leo.’
‘Thank you,’ Leo replied. ‘Me too.’
As he headed back to Roseford Villas, he tried to breathe away the nerves. His fate was in Rory’s hands now. All he could do was hope she’d give him a chance to explain.
58
The chime of the doorbell cut into Rory’s thoughts, and she jumped. She’d been so deeply into extending the first draft of her next novel that she’d lost track of everything else around her. She leapt up from her desk chair and hurried to the door.
When she got there, she smiled to see it was Stella on the other side.
‘Hey,’ she said. ‘Have you come to serve me notice?’ It had become a standing joke between the friends, and Stella grinned.
‘Not today, but if you could learn to type a little more quietly, the neighbours would appreciate it!’
