A Winter Wedding at Primrose Hall (Primrose Woods #6)

Chapter 21

21

‘Thanks, bro,’ said Jackson with a sidewards grin. ‘This has been great, just what I would have organised for myself. I really appreciate all your efforts.’

‘Ah, it’s been a pleasure,’ Tom said, nodding. ‘I’m stoked that I could be a part of this, with you and Dad, and your friends. It’s been a real privilege. When I think how I could have so easily missed out on all of this if I hadn’t come searching for Dad and found you guys.’

‘Well, I for one am really glad you did.’

They were sitting in a cocktail bar in town, waiting for the minibus, which would take them home after a full-on day of events. They’d started with early-morning clay-pigeon shooting, followed by some hot pork rolls and warming cups of coffee standing in the grounds of the shoot, before they went off on a brewery visit after lunch. There’d been a great deal of laughter and ribaldry, which continued into the evening when they went to an Indian restaurant, and it was fair to say there had been copious quantities of drink imbibed, apart from Rex, who was teetotal these days, putting the stags into high spirits all around.

There were about ten of them in total, the guys in Jackson’s life who were most important to him. The earlier antics and banter were replaced now with an air of relaxed satisfaction and appreciation, mingled with weariness.

Rex, Mateo, Frank, Stu, Ash and Mike were seated on a leather sofa and a couple of the others had popped outside for some fresh air, leaving the brothers alone together.

‘Should we have a round of espresso martinis to see us on our way?’

‘I think we need to,’ said Jackson with a grin.

With their order placed for their nightcaps, Jackson turned to Tom.

‘What about you? Do you think you might ever want to get married one day?’ he asked.

Tom nodded, reminded of his recent conversation with Sophie. He hadn’t meant to admit his true feelings to Sophie for fear of scaring her away, but he was relieved it was now out in the open. He was even more relieved that she had admitted to feeling the same, but he wasn’t making any assumptions. It was still early days for them.

‘I’d like to think that it might happen. I want to settle down and start a family one day. Sophie and I are getting on well and growing closer so who knows where that might lead?’

‘It’s funny, isn’t it?’ Jackson leaned forward on the bar, steepling his fingers. ‘I always swore that I would never marry. I mean, Mum and Dad were hardly the best example of a happy relationship and I couldn’t see any reason why I would want to sign up for something like that. That all changed though when I met Pia. For the first time in my life, someone else’s happiness became more important to me than my own. That’s when I knew that she was the one. Everything I do now I have Pia at the forefront of my mind. I can’t imagine my life without her.’

‘That’s what it’s all about, Jackson. You two make a great partnership and I know the pair of you will go from strength to strength at Primrose Hall both personally and professionally.’

A satisfied smile spread across Jackson’s face. Tom could see how Pia was a good foil to Jackson’s sometimes abrasive personality, how she brought the whole family together and made everything turn over smoothly at the hall. Jackson was a lucky man.

‘Well, if you want advice from your younger, better-looking brother, then I would say take that next step with Sophie. Honestly, it’s not half as scary as you might think it is.’ Jackson wrapped one arm around his brother’s shoulder and took a sip of his espresso martini, which was in his other hand. ‘And it’s down to you and me to keep the Moody line going now. Although if it were up to Pia, I’m sure the first thing she would want to do is fill Primrose Hall with the patter of little hooves and paws.’

Tom laughed.

‘Anyway.’ Jackson pulled his stool up closer to Tom’s, still resting his arm around his brother’s. ‘Are you still set on taking this new job after Christmas?’

‘Yeah.’ Tom nodded, feeling a sense of trepidation. He didn’t want to talk about this. Not tonight when it should have been all about having a good time. ‘In fairness, it’s a pretty good offer. I couldn’t afford to turn it down.’

‘You know it’s not too late, you don’t have to take that job. I had hoped you’d get involved with the Rosewood Farm Cottages refurb. You’ve got all the right skills and experience to manage that project. And working locally in the beautiful countryside has surely got to beat driving up and down the motorway, selling drugs.’

Tom cast Jackson a withering look.

‘Look, I really appreciate your faith in me, and you’re right, if I didn’t have this job then I’d jump at the opportunity, but I’ve got to think of my future. You must see that. You’re telling me to make plans with Sophie, but I’m not in a position to do that right now. It’s all right for you, Jackson, you’re sitting on a country pile, with a ton of business interests. I’m not begrudging you your success. I think everything you’ve achieved is bloody amazing, but you’re not seeing my reality.’

‘Jeez, Tom, I’m trying to give you the opportunity to make a new reality. Don’t you get it? Financially, I can help you out until you’re back on your feet.’

‘I don’t want your bloody charity,’ Tom snapped. ‘I know I’m the poor relation, but you don’t need to do me any favours. Believe it or not, I was pretty successful in my previous career without being given any handouts.’

‘I don’t doubt that for one moment, but that’s not the point. The point is do you really want to be doing that for the rest of your life?’

‘Yes!’ Tom thought on that. ‘Well, maybe not for the rest of my life, but for the immediate future at least.’

The brothers’ raised voices drew some concerned glances from the other guys.

‘You’ve got a chip on your shoulder, that’s your problem,’ Jackson said into the depths of his cocktail.

Tom gave a casual dismissive swipe of his arm, which accidentally caught the glass in front of him and sent it toppling over. In his haste to grab it, Tom fell off his stool and into Jackson’s lap, while Jackson was on his own mission to save the glass from dropping to the ground. They both ended up clutching on to each other, stumbling onto the floor as they heard the sound of breaking glass behind them.

‘Hey, boys, what’s going on? Are you two all right?’ Rex called from across the bar. ‘We don’t want any fisticuffs tonight,’ he said with an uneasy chuckle.

‘Yep, all fine, Dad,’ Jackson reassured him. ‘Just a little accident over here.’ Luckily a barman dashed over to clear up the mess and Jackson ordered replacement drinks, although Tom realised in that moment they’d all probably had far too much already. When they’d cleaned themselves up, Tom sat back on his stool.

‘Look, Jackson, I don’t want to fall out with you, especially not on your stag night. You’re my brother and I love you, but you’re not right about absolutely everything. Yep, I realise this might come as a shock to you. But really, you need to trust that I’m making the right decision. You might not like it, but I have to take this job so that’s an end to it. And one other thing. I most certainly do not have a chip on my shoulder.’

‘Well, you’re too stubborn for your own good, is that any better?’ Jackson asked.

Tom shook his head and they both fell quiet, lost in their own thoughts. It had been an action-packed day, where all the guys had bonded, enjoying the high-jinks and banter, but especially so the two brothers. Now they were weary from too much of a good thing, booze, food and entertainment, and needed to get home to their beds.

Jackson, though, still had something else on his mind.

‘Despite what you think, this isn’t about me looking out for family and doing you a favour out of the goodness of my heart. You really don’t know me, do you?’ he said with a wry grin. ‘For some time now, I’ve wanted to expand the property development side of the business. I must admit I enjoy being hands-on and even helping out with the build, but I need to be realistic. With everything else going on at the hall and my regular commitments up in London, I’m not in a position to devote the time required to stay on top of things. You know what it’s like. You need someone on site every day so that you can pick up problems as they arise, otherwise you just run into more issues further down the line. That’s a sure-fire way to lose a lot of money. I need a project manager to take control of that side of the business. Someone I can trust. I think that person’s you, Tom, but if I can’t persuade you otherwise, then I’ll need to go and find someone else to fill the role.’

Tom could hear the passion in Jackson’s words. It was hard not be swept up by his enthusiasm, especially with several beers, wines and cocktails sloshing around his veins, but Tom was determined to keep a level head.

‘Rosewood Farm Cottages are just the start,’ Jackson went on. ‘There’ll be other developments, mostly local I’m hoping, but I’m thinking we could work together to find those projects. If your main motivation is money then I’m telling you, you’ll earn more money working with me on this new venture than selling drugs.’

Tom rolled his eyes and flashed Jackson a scornful look once again.

‘I wish you wouldn’t make it sound as though I’m doing dodgy deals on street corners.’

‘Well, it’s not far off it, is it?’ Jackson had a glint in his eye, determined to prove his point. ‘Do you want to be making money for huge pharmaceutical corporations or would you rather help build something of your own, for your future, to be in control of your own destiny? We would set up an independent business purely for the property developing, a partnership, me and you. A family business. Aren’t you excited by that prospect?’

‘Well.’ Tom pressed his lips together, nodding, contemplating Jackson’s proposal. They’d both had far too much to drink and maybe tonight wasn’t the right time to be having this conversation. Although there was no doubting Jackson was incredibly persuasive.

‘You want a new property?’ said Jackson, warming to his theme. ‘There will be three cottages available soon at Rosewood Farm. You could be the one in a position to choose the bathroom and kitchen fittings. One of those cottages has got your name written all over it.’

Now Tom knew for certain. Jackson was pie-eyed drunk, talking nonsense, making promises he would never be able to keep. He would likely have forgotten this entire conversation by the following morning.

‘Tell me you’ll think about it,’ pressed Jackson now.

‘Sure thing,’ said Tom, patting Jackson on the back heartily. He pushed his stool back and stood up, looking all round him. He really needed to get these stags home soon. ‘Let’s have a chat in the morning.’