Orla stared out of the window. They’d gone twenty whole miles and had seen places she hadn’t known existed before. And here was this kind man willing to take her anywhere she wanted to go.
‘Home,’ she said at last.
‘Yeah?’
Orla nodded. ‘Yes.’
‘No problem.’
She wrapped her hands protectively around the pot and a little smile began to play around the corners of her mouth. She had left the castle. She had been out into the big, wide world. And now she was going back home.
The slow summer days turned into weeks and June became July. Luke continued his work on the castle, repointing, replastering and repainting, and, each week, he and Orla would venture out in the van, driving a little further and walking a greater distance. Orla’s confidence was building and she’d even ventured into the garden centre with Luke one time, glasses and hat firmly in place, and had bought a large heather to plant in her garden and remind her of the heath and of her first walk with Luke.
Luke was delighted with her progress. So much so that he dared to broach the subject he’d been skirting around for some time now. It was one evening, when they were sitting in the great hall, having walked for two hours across the heath, which was now wearing its magenta blooms so prettily. He cleared his throat.
‘There’s another horticultural club meeting at Bill’s on Friday.’
‘Oh?’
‘Yes. Thought I’d pop along.’
‘Right.’
Luke waited, hoping Orla might surprise him and volunteer to go with him. But her eyes remained fixed on the book she was reading.
‘I was wondering . . . now that you’re going out more . . . now that you’re more confident around people . . .’
Orla closed her book and gave him her full attention. ‘Luke, I only went into a garden centre.’
‘Yes, but you bought that plant and took it to the till and everything. You didn’t so much as flinch, let alone start hyperventilating!’
‘Are you making fun of me?’
‘God, no! I’d never do that. I’m really proud of you, and I don’t mean that to sound condescending or anything. I really admire what you’ve done, but I can’t help wanting to see you do more. You’ve got so much to give, Orla, and I think the people in the horticultural club would love to meet you.’
‘Well, I’m not going.’
Luke watched in exasperation as she opened her book up again. ‘But it’s just a little get-together at Bill’s home, and you know him already, and his wife’s great. The rest of the group are really friendly too.’
‘I don’t need any friends.’
‘We all need friends, Orla.’
‘You go, if you need friends.’
‘I will. I am. But I’d like you to come with me.’
Orla sighed. ‘Why?’
‘Because I think it will do you good. How long have you been here on your own now? How many people do you know in the village you’ve chosen to live in? You have to admit that it’s not normal.’
Orla sighed, clearly exasperated. ‘Not everybody needs to be around people all the time.’
‘I know that, and I’m not suggesting that you should be all the time. But once in a while might be nice, don’t you think?’ Luke realised that his voice had raised a little with the passion behind his words and so he made a conscious effort to tone it down a little. ‘You can’t live in these little boxes you create for Galleria. It just doesn’t seem healthy to me. I think you need to reach beyond those boxes and stop talking to people online and start talking to them in real life.’
‘But my online friends are very real. It’s how I met Helen.’
Luke swallowed. ‘I know. But it’s a different kind of friendship, isn’t it? It’s all at a distance. I think you need to meet people – in reality. In the flesh!’
‘You’re in the flesh.’
‘Yes, I am, but I’m only one person and I’m not going to be here for ever, am I?’ His question hung in the air between them.
‘But I don’t feel I need—’
‘You didn’t want to leave the castle and come out with me in the van a few weeks ago, but look at how much you enjoy that now.’
‘That’s different – I’m with you.’
‘And you’ll be with me at this meeting at Bill’s. Come on, Orla – come with me. If you don’t like it, we don’t have to stay long.’
‘They’ll stare at me.’
‘They won’t stare at you. I’ll make sure of it, okay?’
‘They won’t know what to say. Either that or they’ll start asking questions I don’t want to answer.’
‘Do you want me to tell them what happened before we go?’
‘No!’
‘Okay,’ Luke said, amazed that she was even considering his suggestion.
‘One single question – or one odd look – and I’ll leave,’ Orla vowed.
‘Understood.’
Orla glared at him from across the room. ‘I don’t know how I let you talk me into these things, I really don’t.’
‘It must have something to do with my innate charm,’ Luke said with a grin.
Orla shook her head slowly and sighed out a huge sigh. ‘If it all goes horribly wrong, I’m locking you in the dungeon.’
‘Fair enough,’ Luke said. ‘I’m actually growing quite fond of it.’
Chapter 13
Orla didn’t quite know how she was feeling as they arrived at Oyster Cottage. She was nervous, of course, and could feel a whole meadow of butterflies fluttering inside her, but it was more than that – she felt like she was on the edge of a panic attack and that she was only just keeping it in check because of the calming presence of Luke by her side.
They’d walked through the village together, which was a feat in itself as Orla had never actually done that before. As always, she’d popped a big hat on her head and wore a pair of oversized sunglasses, looking like a fifties movie star who was trying to hide from the press. The outfit might well have masked her scars but, in a
