Hearing the quadbike in the distance broke the spell. “Rufus, you bloody mongrel. Come back here.”
Rufus had found us and was all over me, seeking pats and cuddles.
“Oh Miss, I’m so sorry.” Tom had appeared by this stage. “He got out and ran off. Nancy said she’d sent you up here for a picnic. At least let me take the basket back and save you carrying it?”
“It’s fine! He’s a beautiful boy, aren’t you, Rufus?” Rufus knew he was the bestest boy around, even though he also knew he was in trouble for running off.
Tom apologised profusely for interrupting us. I was glad he had as I felt I was living in an alternate reality. I was not the girl who attracted the sexy Scotts of this world. The happiness I’d seen in the photo had to be an illusion, an act of the camera to capture what really wasn’t there and really didn’t reflect my reality.
Scott was a friend of my brother, and there was no way Daniel would approve of Scott and me spending time together.
“We should head back.” I went to stand from the blanket after Tom and Rufus had left.
“Look!” Scott grabbed my hand and pointed at the sky, “Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have this wish I wish tonight.” I wasn’t familiar with what Scott was on about and must have looked confused. “It’s an old poem where you make a wish upon the first star you see each night. It was one of my mum’s things to do.”
“Do you get on well with your parents?” I asked, again lying on the blanket staring at the sky.
“We don’t have the best relationship, no.” Scott seemed pensive. He told me about how they were disappointed he didn’t enter the family business or follow in their footsteps and how he wanted to escape the lifestyle they had.
“You don’t have brothers or sisters, do you?”
“No.” Scott had sat up on the blanket and was playing with a blade of grass, slowly twirling it between his fingers. “I was, well, sort of, adopted.”
Scott explained the story of his conception and his parents struggles with infertility and how this had ultimately shaped him when he was told of his conception when he was older. There was a vulnerability in his words, and he told me he’d never told anyone else this story.
It was strange. We were now both sitting on our blanket as dusk made way for night. Even though we had the lantern with us, I liked the idea of sitting in near darkness.
“You came to the wedding alone?” Scott asked, again playing with blades of grass.
“Yep. I mean, it’s not like I had anyone to bring, but I was never even extended the option of bringing a plus one.”
“There aren’t many things I agree with your parents about, but I’m glad you’re here alone.
I’m almost certain it wasn’t Scott’s words, but rather the cooling temperatures that led to a chill coming over me. Scott noticed and held my hand as we both stood. He shook out the blanket and wrapped it around my shoulders. Part of me wanted to lean up and kiss him, but I had never been that forward.
The lantern lit, we started to make our way back towards the cottages. Without a word, Scott slipped his hand into mine. There was no concern that I might trip over my feet, even though that was always a possibility with me, but more of a desire to be close. Well, that’s how it felt to me, at least.
Every few steps, Scott would squeeze my hand, and I’d squeeze back. It was the only communication we shared, and I had to wonder if indeed Scott fancied me, or if this was indeed an elaborate prank.
~*~*~*~*~
Scott
Bless you, Nancy, for suggesting a picnic, but damn you, Tom, for showing up just as I was about to lean in and kiss my beautiful companion. We’d spent hours at the garden area. The picnic spread was amazing, as was the bottle of wine we’d shared, but it was the company and the conversation that made it all that much better.
Davina was quick-witted and seemed surprised at first when I kept asking her questions about what she had done since we lost touch. I tried to ignore what Daniel and I had done to her growing up. We’d been pricks. I’d always followed Dan’s lead and never suggested that what we were doing was wrong. I was ashamed of my teenage self.
Walking back to the cottages, I simply reached out and took her hand in mine. I think we were all talked out, but the silence was lovely too. Simply being with someone and walking alongside rows of grapevines under a starry sky was pretty special.
Our steps slowed the closer we got to the cottage, recognising we didn’t want the evening to be over.
“I’ve really enjoyed getting to know you again, well, better, perhaps. Fuck. Sorry, I’ve been trying to work out a speech on the walk back. The, um, elephant…Yeah, well, I’m not proud of how teenage Scott acted towards you. In fact, I’m pretty embarrassed because you are a beautiful and smart woman. I was, um, hoping we could perhaps grab dinner this week, or see a movie or something?” Real smooth. I wanted to kick myself and walk back along the path and try again.
“I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop and for Daniel to pop out from somewhere and for you both to laugh at me.” Davina looked at her feet as I stood in front of her cottage.
“Shit, no. I never wanted to be his best man. I suspect there was no one else, but even if he goes ahead with the wedding when Debbie’s feeling better, whatever that may mean, I won’t be part of it. I’ve left that part of my life behind.” I hated she felt this way and that her family had done such a number on her.
“I’m busy this week. You know, work and stuff…”
“It’s not late, why not come in for a cup of tea or something?”
I couldn’t let her go. There was just something about her that drew me to her. I wanted to get to know her better. I won’t lie. I knew already that a kiss would not be enough with her.
“Okay.” A wary half-smile crossed her lips as we walked under the wisteria vines that separated our cottages.
My hands were almost shaking as I tried to get the key in the lock. I could see how Davina had fumbled with hers.
“Your cottage is the mirror image of mine.” She said as I held the door for her and led her inside.
“It’s amazing design. I mean, I’d love to meet the architect who came up with it. Have a seat. I’ll pop the kettle on. Tea?”
“Yes please. Mint if you have it.”
I did and made us both a mug. Davina had sat on one of the couches and I felt bold and brave and sat next to her instead of taking the other one.
“I was dreading this weekend, you know. I’m so glad though that I got to spend this time with you. You really are a beautiful woman.”
Davina scoffed and attempted to take a sip of the hot tea. “Look, Scott. I don’t know what’s going on, or what your plan is, but–”
“My plan? Jesus. I knew I was out of practice. My plan is to get to know you and spend some more time with you. I want to…”
Instead of telling her, I decided to show. I took the mug of tea from her hands and placed it on the table in front of us. Tucking a hair behind her ear. I drew her face towards mine, stroking my fingers along her cheek. Her eyes showed a fear that I longed to dampen.