Second Chances at Hollyhock Farm (Hollyhock Farm #2)

Chapter 24

24

MELODY

Melody strolled away from the small group excited to have some time alone with Zac. She didn’t want to seem ungrateful though and Lindy, Gareth and Lettie had gone to a lot of trouble to make their evening on the beach a perfect one. Noticing a chocolate cake that she supposed was one of Lindy’s specialities and a bowl of what looked like tiramisu next to it, she decided to have some later, if there was any left.

‘I’ve been thinking,’ Zac said as they walked barefoot in the soft creamy gold sand. ‘When the festival is over maybe the two of us can go and visit the other Channel Islands, or at least one or two of them. Would that be something you’d like to do?’

Excitement coursed through her. ‘I’d love to. I’d have to check with Lettie that she can do without me for a few days, but I can’t think of anything I’d rather do. I’ve been desperate to visit Sark ever since reading Appointment With Venus . Could we make sure one of those islands is Sark?’

He laughed. ‘Of course. We’ll do whatever you want.’ He frowned thoughtfully. ‘I don’t think I’ve heard of that book before.’

‘It was made into a film in the early 1950s and starred David Niven, Kenneth More and Glynis Johns. It’s one of Gran’s favourites and when it was on television a few years ago she persuaded me to watch it with her. I’ve read the book many times.’

Zac raised a finger. ‘Did you know Kenneth More lived in Jersey for a while?’

‘No, did he?’

‘He did,’ he confirmed proudly. ‘His father worked on the railway we used to have here until the occupation. He went to Victoria College.’

She clutched his forearm with her free hand. ‘That’s so exciting. I never knew that. Oh, I can’t wait to see Sark for myself.’

‘I can’t wait to visit again.’ A tennis ball flew towards them, a wet spaniel racing after it.

Then Melody noticed a dog owner holding one of those long plastic arm-like things she had presumably used to fling the ball for the dog to chase.

‘Sorry,’ the lady shouted. ‘Got my aim a bit off.’

‘It’s fine,’ Zac said, bending down to pick up the ball and throwing it away from them. Immediately the dog changed course and followed it.

‘That was close.’ She laughed. ‘I thought we were going to get wet and sandy from that dog for a moment there.’

‘So did I.’

Wanting to return to their interrupted conversation, Melody said, ‘You were saying about visiting some of the other islands.’

‘Yes, I’d love to show them to you.’

‘I’d love to go with you.’

‘I tell you what, you speak to Lettie and find out some dates when she’ll be happy for you to take time off and then plan around that. Sound good?’

‘Sounds great.’ It really did, she thought. To be able to visit one of the places she had dreamed of ever since she had read the old copy of the book she had discovered in her aunt’s bookcase one summer when she was staying at her home, was a dream come true. She thought of the stories she had read about the Dame of Sark during the Second World War and La Coupée, a narrow isthmus of land connecting Great Sark with Little Sark. She could barely wait to go there and travel over that high narrow strip herself after so many years imagining what it must be like to do so.

She thought of Patsy and how much she would also enjoy the islands and felt guilty.

‘What is it?’ Zac asked. ‘Something troubling you?’

‘It’s Gran. I couldn’t possibly leave her behind when I visit the islands. She’s the reason I came here in the first place and the least I can do is include her when I’m visiting places I know she would want to see.’

He pulled her to him. She felt the warmth of his strong arms around her and calmed immediately. She looked up at him, wanting him to kiss her, and when he lowered his head so his lips met hers, she closed her eyes and lost herself in the moment. He was an incredible kisser, this charming, cheeky man she was falling for. Melody wondered where this would all lead, but not daring to wait for the alternatives of what their future might be to come to her, pushed the thoughts away and focused on the moment and the pleasure of being in Zac’s arms.

After a while, he led her towards the lowering tide and they made their way back to the others, walking the entire way with their feet in a couple of inches of water. She glanced down at her toes with their crimson nail varnish and gave his hand a slight squeeze.

‘Enjoying yourself?’

‘Very much,’ she said. ‘This summer has been exactly what I needed. I’m so glad I let Gran persuade me to come here.’ She looked up at him and saw he was staring at her thoughtfully. ‘What?’

‘You’re very mysterious,’ he said quietly.

She shook her head. ‘I’m not really.’ Not wanting to see the questioning look in his eyes and feel like she had to open up more about her situation with Rhys, she looked ahead again.

‘It’s fine. I won’t push you to tell me anything you don’t want to, but I sense there’s a lot more to Patsy’s reasons for wanting to bring you here.’

Believing he deserved some response, she shrugged. ‘And you wouldn’t be wrong.’ She looked at him again and gave his hand a gentle tug when she stopped walking. ‘One day I’ll probably tell you more,’ she said, hoping that she would have the courage to do so. ‘Right now though, I just want to enjoy being here, with you and your lovely family, and Gran of course, and make the most of every second of happiness that this place brings me.’

He gazed at her with a look of such sadness that she couldn’t bear it. Wrapping her arms around his back, she pulled him to her and rested her head on his chest. ‘This has been an amazing summer, Zac, and most of that is down to you and how lovely you are.’

She felt him kiss the top of her head. ‘If there’s anything you ever need, Melody, I want you to let me know.’ When she didn’t answer his finger went under her chin and lifted it slightly so that her face was turned up to his. ‘You will do that, I hope?’

She stared at him and sighed. He really was amazing. ‘Yes, I will.’

By the time they joined the others, the temperature had dropped and Gareth suggested they pack up and make their way back to the farm.

‘You’re all welcome for a nightcap, if you wish, and for you, Brodie, having to drive home, I’m sure I can make you a cup of coffee.’

Once everything was packed into the back of Gareth’s car, everyone started getting into vehicles for the short drive back.

‘We’re being spoilt tonight.’ Melody got into Zac’s mother’s Golf, happy to have a few more minutes alone with him again.

‘We are,’ he said as he turned on the ignition. ‘I noticed my mother insisting Patsy went with her and Dad when Brodie offered her a lift with him and Lettie back to the farm.’

‘Where are we going?’ she asked when Zac turned right as the others went left out of the car park.

‘I’m taking you for a short drive towards L’étacq and up towards the racecourse. As far as I’m concerned the view from the top of the hill is the best on the island. You can see the entire expanse of St Ouen’s Bay from there.’

She sat back happily and gazed out of her lowered window. The moon seemed enormous for some reason and its light on the sea was like a painting from one of her childhood books that she had loved reading time and again. They barely spoke and she wondered if he was just making the most of being alone with her. She hoped so.

They arrived at the farm about ten minutes after the others must have done.

‘I wonder who that is?’ Zac asked.

Melody peered through the windscreen, noticing Brodie and Lettie chatting to someone standing next to a car with an H on the numberplate to the side of the registration number. She now knew these were hire cars, so presumed the person must be a holidaymaker who had got lost. It was a man and she noticed there was something familiar about his stance, but she dismissed her initial thought as ridiculous and pushed it away.

Zac parked his car in the shadow of the larger barn and, having waited for her to step out of the passenger side, slipped his arm around her shoulder as they walked towards the front door of the farmhouse.

‘Ah, there she is,’ Lettie said. ‘I told you she wouldn’t be too long, didn’t I?’

She? Melody tensed. No one off the island knew she was here, apart from her mother, and she doubted she would have come this far. She and Zac stopped and turned.

‘I was wondering where you had got to,’ said a voice that made her light-headed and the blood in her veins turn to ice.

Melody stared at the outwardly charming man who was smiling at her, unsure whether she was about to pass out or throw up.

‘Melody?’ Zac whispered. ‘Is everything all right?’

She couldn’t move. Finally managing to swallow, Melody took a step away from Zac, his arm slipping from her shoulders. ‘What are you doing here, Rhys?’

She sensed Zac still behind her as she stared at the man she had hoped never to see again.

Rhys stepped forward, his hand outstretched as he looked past her and went to shake Zac’s hand. ‘Didn’t she mention me to you?’ Rhys laughed, shifting his gaze and looking into her eyes. ‘I’m surprised you didn’t tell your friends that you were married, Mel, sweetheart.’

‘Um, I think we should go and take the last of the stuff inside and join Patsy, Mum and Dad,’ Lettie said, lifting a cool bag from the boot of the car that Brodie immediately took from her.

‘He’s your husband?’ Zac asked quietly, standing next to her.

She heard the unmistakable hurt and shock in Zac’s voice.

Mortified to be at the centre of this horrible scene, Melody wished the ground would open up and swallow her whole. ‘Unfortunately, he is,’ she said, hoping that Zac would understand that their marriage really was a thing of the past.

She saw Zac look from her to Rhys then back at her again. ‘You two clearly have things to discuss,’ he said matter-of-factly. ‘Would you like me to leave you to it, or would you rather I stay?’

Melody was relieved to hear him offer to stay with her. On the one hand she would much rather Zac be there with her. The thought of spending time alone with Rhys wasn’t one she relished, but would it be fair to Zac? She studied his face, her feelings for him increasing as she saw his concern and that he wanted to support her. Then turning to Rhys and the smug expression on his face, she knew he thought once again that he was in control of the situation. He was about to start dictating what she should do next, of that she was certain.

‘If you wouldn’t mind staying, Zac,’ she said, giving him a grateful smile. ‘I’d prefer you to do so.’

Rhys stepped forward again, all smugness vanished and fury on his tight-lipped face. ‘Now, Melody, you know we have private matters to discuss that others shouldn’t be party to.’

‘I think Melody has decided what she would prefer,’ Zac said, his voice calm. ‘And that’s enough for me.’

‘This is nothing to do with you,’ Rhys said, scowling first at Zac and then at her.

Melody’s stomach ached and she felt sick, instantly taken back to the many other times he had bullied her into submission. Well, not this time. She had finally managed to get away from him and although she had no idea where she would go after her time at Hollyhock Farm came to an end, she was determined that it would be somewhere far away from this vile man.

Zac glanced at her and when she didn’t speak, he said, ‘I think your opinion isn’t relevant.’

Hearing Zac’s firm voice, she managed to find the courage to speak again. ‘You came here uninvited, Rhys. I don’t have to speak to you if I don’t want to. And I don’t, so you may as well leave.’

She heard footsteps and saw Brodie and Lettie coming back outside.

‘What’s going on?’ Brodie asked. ‘Is this man bothering you, Melody?’

‘I’m her damn husband,’ Rhys spat. ‘And I’m here to speak to my wife.’

‘What?’

Melody heard the shock in Lettie’s voice and guilt rushed through her that she hadn’t yet confided in her friend.

‘I left you, Rhys. I think we can safely assume that I have endured enough of your behaviour,’ Melody snapped, sounding far stronger than she felt. ‘And I’ve already told you I don’t wish to speak to you.’

Zac folded his arms and Lettie and Brodie walked over to stand on Melody’s other side.

‘I think you’ve been asked to leave,’ Lettie said. ‘Now I believe you should do so.’

He glared at each of them in turn. Melody’s heart raced as his gaze stopped on her for a few seconds and it took everything in her power to stop from withering under his scrutiny. Hang in there , she told herself. Keep strong .

His eyes moved to rest on Zac. ‘And who is this, Mel? My replacement?’

Melody cringed. ‘Just leave, Rhys.’ She began to tremble, then felt Zac’s arm go around her shoulders and calmed slightly.

‘I think it’s obvious from what Melody has told us that you are separated, so what I am to Melody really isn’t any of your business,’ Zac said. ‘Now are you going to leave this farm or would you rather I accompany you off it?’

Rhys’s eyes snapped to Melody. ‘Whatever your boyfriend seems to think, we’re still legally married and don’t you forget it.’ He laughed. ‘This isn’t the last you’ll see of me either. I have things to say to you and you will listen to them.’

She knew he wasn’t bluffing but didn’t give him the satisfaction of showing how frightened she was to hear his threat.

‘What on earth is he doing here?’ Patsy shrieked, hurrying to Melody and slipping her arm around her granddaughter’s waist. ‘Get the hell out of here now, Rhys. You have no right to be here.’

Hating to hear Patsy upset, Zac stepped forward and Rhys raised his hands. ‘It’s fine. I’m going but this isn’t the last of it. Not by a long shot.’

They watched as he got into his hire car and sped down the driveway, the tyres kicking up clouds of dust.

‘Are you OK?’ Zac asked gently.

She nodded, seeing the unmistakable confusion in his face. ‘Our relationship is not how he made it sound,’ she said, desperate to explain, aware that it was too little. As long as she hadn’t left it too late that was what mattered most, she reasoned.

He stared at her briefly. ‘But you are married to him, though, aren’t you?’

Melody nodded, hoping desperately that Zac’s discovery about her marriage wouldn’t ruin any trust he had in her. She couldn’t bear to think that their fledgling relationship might be brought to an end thanks to Rhys’s untimely arrival.

‘I see.’

She gave his hand a squeeze. ‘I can explain everything, but not now, OK?’

‘Let’s get you inside,’ Patsy said. ‘You’ve had a dreadful fright.’ She looked at Zac and gritted her teeth for a moment. ‘You’ve no idea what my girl has gone through with that man.’

Mortified, Melody hugged her grandmother, desperate to calm her. ‘It’s fine, Gran,’ she insisted.

Melody noticed the expression on Zac’s tanned face and could tell he thought it was anything but fine. He nodded.

Wanting to show the others how grateful she was for their support, Melody turned to them. ‘Thank you both for being there for me. I’m so sorry he came here like that. I’ve no idea how he knew where to find me.’

Lettie took her hand. ‘It’s fine. He’s the problem, not you. I’m just worried that he threatened to return.’

‘This is all my fault.’ Melody sniffed, barely able to contain her tears of frustration.

‘No it isn’t. I only worry in case he does come back and you’re by yourself. I think we need to make sure there’s always one of us with you. Bullies like him are usually less inclined to pick on someone if they have company.’

Melody knew he would be, but only slightly. Rhys had just shown how unbothered he was about how people perceived him and that had been with an audience, but the thought of having witnesses was a comfort. ‘That would make me feel a bit better.’

Desperate to divert the attention from herself, she added, ‘Can we forget he ever came here and try to enjoy the rest of our evening? We have a few busy days ahead and I don’t want anything to distract from that.’

‘Yes,’ Lettie said. ‘Let’s do that.’