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

Chapter 28

28

‘Well, Tom, thanks for all your help.’ Jackson rested his arm around his brother’s shoulder. ‘We couldn’t have done it without you.’

‘Cheers, Jackson. It’s been an honour and a privilege.’

He knew Jackson was being kind; the event would have run just as smoothly if Tom hadn’t been involved, but he appreciated Jackson’s sentiment, and his own words had been entirely truthful. He wouldn’t have missed the experience for the world. There was an added dimension to this evening, with it being the last event of the year before Jackson’s wedding and before Tom started the new job in January. He hadn’t given too much thought to his new role. There was no real preparation that needed to be done; the company had organised some internal training for the first week and then he would be right back into a world he was extremely familiar with. He had no regrets about accepting the position; his reasons for doing so hadn’t changed, but he would be lying to himself if he didn’t admit that he would miss the camaraderie of working with his brother and as part of the hall team.

‘So, as best man, I think it’s my duty to ask if you’re entirely happy with your upcoming decision to marry Pia, although I’m pretty certain that I already know the answer to that one.’

Jackson grinned.

‘I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. I’m looking forward to the wedding, exchanging our vows and having a bloody good party with all our friends and relations, but most of all I’m looking forward to getting on with spending the rest of my life with Pia.’ Jackson shook his head wryly. ‘Honestly, what’s happened to me? That sounds really corny, doesn’t it?’

‘Not at all,’ said Tom, laughing. ‘It sounds perfect. Pia’s a great girl and you both deserve all the happiness in the world.’

‘Cheers, Tom. That means a lot. Now, not to put any pressure on you, but I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to think over our last conversation?’

Tom turned to look at his brother, trying to think what he might be talking about.

‘On my stag night? We spoke about us going into business together as a partnership. You looking after the development of Rosewood Farm Cottages. Making one of those cottages your home. Come on, Tom. Surely you weren’t that drunk that you can’t even remember the conversation.’

‘Woah, I can remember it all right, but I thought you were completely wrecked, some of the stuff you were coming out with. I thought you would have forgotten it all by the following morning.’

‘Surely you know me well enough by now to realise that I can handle my drink. I’m not going to lose control to the extent that I don’t know what I’m saying.’ Jackson’s distaste at that idea showed in his expression and Tom wondered if he might have offended him. ‘And I certainly don’t go round making promises I can’t keep. That conversation we had, I meant every single word. I want us to go into business together, Tom. We’d make a bloody good team.’ Jackson slapped Tom on the top of his arm, trying to make him see sense, and Tom heard the passion and enthusiasm in Jackson’s words. ‘I’ve loved having you on board and I’ll do everything within my power to make you stay. It makes complete sense to me to keep the business within the family. But as I told you before, we would get everything drawn up properly, with solicitors, fifty-fifty down the middle, with us both taking an equal share of the profits. In the meantime, I’d pay you a salary to match that of your new job.’

That grabbed Tom’s attention and he whipped his head around to look at Jackson.

‘Come on! How can you possibly do that?’

‘I’ve costed it out. That’s what I’ve been trying to explain to you. I certainly don’t want you to be out of pocket so while we’re setting up a formal arrangement and working on our first project, the cottages, then it makes sense that I pay you a competitive salary through the existing company. And this is not me being charitable, or doing my brother a favour, or acting like the big I-am.’ He cast Tom a sidewards glance. ‘I’m doing it because I want to do this with you. I can’t think of anyone else who I would rather do it with. And it’s exciting to think that we could build something together. Come on,’ said Jackson, jiggling Tom’s arm with his hand. ‘Aren’t you even the slightest bit curious about the prospect? You can’t tell me that your life’s dream is to work for that drugs cartel?’

‘Hey, come on, don’t belittle what I do. I know it might seem uninspiring to you, but this is my career, it’s what I’m good at.’

‘Sorry! I’m not playing down what you do. Not at all.’ Jackson was animated, unable to keep still, constantly leaning a hand on Tom’s shoulder and arms to elicit a reaction. ‘I know you’re bloody good at your job, and that’s exactly the reason why I want you to come and work with me. I think I know you, Tom. You’re like me. You want that freedom to be in control of your own destiny. Look, in three months’ time you could be moving into one of the refurbished cottages if you want to. Or you might decide you want to go and find somewhere of your own, but that’s entirely down to you.’

Jackson looked at Tom expectantly as he fell silent, his gaze drifting off into the distance, clearly struggling with his own thoughts. The last thing he wanted was to make the wrong decision, to do something that would impact negatively on his future. He wasn’t going to pretend to anyone that the thought of going back to his previous career filled him with joy, but then he wouldn’t be the only person to ever be in that situation. He had accepted the role for a specific reason. To gain some financial security, to provide a future for himself and Sophie. It went beyond his personal aims and desires.

‘Tell me what’s worrying you? What’s stopping you from biting my hand off at this deal?’ Jackson jumped right in Tom’s line of sight, grabbing hold of his shoulders, almost as if wanting to shake some sense into him.

‘Honestly? It seems… well, it almost seems too good to be true.’

‘That’s because it’s a great deal. And no, it’s not too good to be true. You need to trust your little brother. Come on, Tom, this will be just the beginning in this new venture for us. I promise you, if you decide to come aboard, then six months down the line you won’t be regretting your decision.’

Tom took a breath.

‘You don’t know that. It might not work out. You and me in a formal work arrangement. Admittedly I’ve enjoyed my time working at the hall, but…’

‘Exactly! So, what’s stopping you?’

‘Look, more important to me than my job, my living arrangements and my future is family; my relationship with Dad and you, and the whole dynamic here at the hall. I spent so many years unhappy, knowing instinctively that there was something wrong, that I really didn’t belong in what I thought was my family. Now, having found you and Dad, I don’t want to do anything to jeopardise those relationships. We’ve had our ups and downs already, I suppose that’s only natural, but working together, seeing each other every day, might put an unnatural strain on our relationship.’

‘I get what you’re saying, but we’ll make this work. To be fair, it’s me who’s been the idiot, not you, and that’s just my nature. I’m hot-headed, reactionary, but that’s why we’d make a good team. We complement each other. Like brothers should. You’ll know I wasn’t looking for a long-lost brother and I admit I was slightly put out by the idea when you first arrived on the scene. I didn’t think that we’d have anything in common and I couldn’t see the point in getting to know you better. I’d done okay without a brother for thirty years, why would I need one now? It was only Dad and Pia persuading me that it was the right thing to do that made me go through the motions. I’d assumed, hoped, I suppose, that you wouldn’t hang around. That you would satisfy your curiosity and then leave again.’

‘Sorry that I didn’t live up to your expectations,’ said Tom with a wry smile.

‘Honestly, I’m glad you didn’t because as soon I got to speak to you and spend some time with you, I realised there was a bond there, something instinctive, something I could never have anticipated. It surprised me and it made me want to get to know you better. Seeing too how Dad was buoyed by your arrival made me appreciate what a gift it was having you come into the family. Everyone loves you: Mum and Dad, Pia, all the team; it’s as though you’ve always been a part of the clan.’

‘Wow!’ Tom bit on the inside of his cheek. ‘That means a lot because it’s changed my life finding my real family. It’s as though I found my true self, the person I was always destined to be. I mean, I’m grateful to you all for being so warm and welcoming, even if you didn’t really feel the love in the first place.’ Tom chuckled.

‘Family is important. When I was younger I had this idea that I didn’t need them, that I could get by without them, but that was clearly a defence mechanism. Now, I’m grateful to have all you guys around.’ There was a passion and intensity as Jackson spoke. ‘Talking to Harry, the guy from Rosewood Farm, made me realise how lucky I am. He had a brother who he fell out with years ago, over the running of the family business. They went their separate ways and he never saw him again. How sad is that? It’s made me realise that I want to do everything to keep our small family unit together.’

Tom nodded, encouraged by Jackson’s words, his gaze drifting around him.

There was a wonderful collective atmosphere in the grounds of the hall on this dark December night. The plethora of sparkling lights created a stunning winter scene, and seeing everyone milling around, chatting and laughing, enjoying the festivities, somehow made it easier for the brothers to talk candidly and openly. Their attention was taken by the buzz of activity around them, but their thoughts and minds were very much focused on the conversation unfolding between them.

‘Look, it won’t be a problem us working together. We’ve not had any serious issues up until this point and Pia, Dad, Mum and Sophie will keep us in check if anything crops up between us, but honestly, Tom, I can’t see that happening. Come on, take that step. I promise you, you won’t regret it.’

Tom inhaled a big breath of the cool night air.

‘I don’t like letting people down,’ he uttered.

‘Well, don’t then!’ Jackson chivvied him.

‘I don’t mean you!’ Tom said exasperatedly. ‘I mean the job that I’ve already accepted. They’ll be expecting me to start in the new year.’

Tom saw a light shine in Jackson’s eye, as if he realised in that moment that all his cajoling and persuading had finally paid off and that Tom was on the verge of coming to the right decision.

‘I know you don’t. That’s because you’re a decent and honourable guy, but they’ll get over it.’ Jackson gave a dismissive wave of his hand. ‘They’ll find someone else to step into your shoes. That’s the trouble with those big corporate entities. You’re just a hamster on the wheel. Dispensable if it suits their needs.’

Tom smiled. He had to give it to Jackson. He’d done an excellent sales pitch on the role at Primrose Hall, although he’d never really had any qualms about the position as he knew exactly what would be expected of him. The new property-developing venture sounded right up his street and Jackson would allow him the freedom and responsibility to take the role in the direction he saw fit. Besides, the package that Jackson was offering was too good to refuse. To work with his family, to have his own place to live within a couple of months, to be close to Sophie and to continue his role at the stables, it was everything he would have hoped for himself. And if he was being honest, he’d never really relished the idea of selling drugs for a living. He turned to Jackson.

‘Did you always know that I was going to say yes?’

Jackson’s face beamed, the reflective glow from the myriad of sparkling lights around them glistening in his eyes.

‘Really? It’s a yes then?’

Tom nodded.

‘Honestly, bro, how could I ever refuse?’

Jackson swept Tom up in his arms, which was no mean feat, as Tom was over six feet tall and broad and muscular, but there was no way that was going to stop Jackson. He swung Tom round in his arms, laughing all the time.

‘Put me down, you bloody idiot!’

Jackson didn’t need telling twice and dropped Tom with an unceremonious thump so they both stumbled, grabbing hold of each other to keep upright, falling into laughter.

‘You know it makes sense,’ breezed Jackson, giving Tom a hearty slap on his back. ‘It’ll be the best decision you’ve ever made.’

Tom laughed, feeling a huge sense of relief that the decision had been made, and agreed with Jackson. First thing tomorrow he would send an email to the pharma company to explain that he wouldn’t be accepting their offer after all. It might cause some small inconvenience, but as Jackson had said, they would quickly find a replacement for Tom. He wouldn’t lose any sleep over it. His mind was now focused on working with his brother to build a successful property-developing business and he couldn’t wait to get stuck in.

‘Hey, what are you two plotting?’ said Pia, who arrived with Sophie, having both witnessed the high spirits and ribaldry between the brothers.

‘Ah, we’ve just been working some stuff out. Making plans. It’s all good though.’

‘Great, well, I’m pleased to hear it, but we need to get over to the Christmas tree now.’ Pia tapped at her wristwatch by way of explanation. ‘The other big event of the evening?’ she emphasised with a none-too-subtle wink.

‘Oh, yes, of course! I’d forgotten. Come on, Tom, Sophie.’ Jackson linked arms with them both and walked them in the direction of the Christmas tree. ‘This evening keeps on getting better and better.’