I nod, beaming. Truth is I’m already in love with the place.
Even as we get closer and I can make out the crumbling walls, the odd piece of scaffolding and the greenery growing where windows should be, it’s still majestic. Still gorgeous in its own unique way—from the little stone bridge that crosses the water to the imposing structure itself, with its four pointed fairy-tale turrets.
‘I love it.’
Ash looks at me as I say it and smiles. I’m so grateful to him for doing this. For realising I need this. I hold his gaze, spilling my all into that one look as the car slows to pass over the bridge, and the moment shatters in the bouncing excitement of my four-legged companions, who are now clambering up. Dotty chins me in the process. I laugh as I tickle her, and we look out of the window together.
The colours are beautiful. The sun is starting to set, and the water is rippling with the golden hues of the sky and the rolling hillsides.
I can almost imagine London away altogether. Is that why his father came here?
I think back to what Ash told me about his family past, the reason for his father’s early retirement, and I have my answer.
His father pulls the car up and cuts the engine. ‘Home sweet home.’
We all pile out and the dogs scurry off to investigate. ‘Mary has made up your usual room, son. Do you want to take Coco on up and then come find me when you’re done?’
‘Sure, Pop.’
‘Thank you,’ I say.
His father beams at me and then walks off in the same direction as the dogs.
I turn to Ash. Mary? I mouth.
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He smiles. ‘Housekeeper—of sorts. She lives in the neighbouring village and comes to sort Dad out every once in a while. Her husband farms the land here.’
‘It’s good he has some company.’
‘I think he’s quite happy in his own, truth be told.’
We both watch him playing with the dogs and I wonder if we’re thinking the same: Does he ever get lonely?
‘Come on,’ Ash pipes up. ‘Let’s get in before we freeze.’
I’m surprised to find tears pricking once more, and I blink them back before he can catch them. I don’t want him doubting his decision to bring me here. Not when I’m so happy to be here with him in his family home.
‘Lead the way.’
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
WE ENTER THE house through the kitchen and I show Coco the lived-in areas of the ground floor: the living room, the dining room, the library—Dad’s favourite room.
As we enter the entrance hall, her gasp is audible. ‘This isn’t grand?’
She raises her brow at me and twirls on the spot, captivated by the high-ceilinged room, with its imperial staircase, ornate features and parquet floor. But I’m one hundred percent hooked on her and her obvious pleasure.
‘I feel decidedly underdressed.’
She laughs as she says it, but my head is already undressing her, wrapped up in her free and easy presence. ‘That can be arranged.’
She stills and looks at me, and the very second our eyes collide, I know she’s wanting the same.
‘But your father...?’
‘Is busy.’