Goody Two Shoes (Invertary 2)

She turned her face towards the sun that flickered through the trees and closed her eyes. “I hope.” She swallowed hard. “I hope that you aren’t too disappointed in me. I hope you understand why I’m doing this. I’m sure if you were here that you would like Josh. He can be very funny and sweet.” She stood and brushed some grass from her legs. “So that’s it. I’m going to dinner with Josh’s parents and I’m taking you with me. In my heart.” She touched each stone in turn. “I love you both,” she whispered, before turning away from them.

She sniffed, wiped her eyes and straightened her shoulders. It was time to get home and change into her only other dress. It was time to head to the castle and meet Josh’s parents.

Helen didn’t know what she’d expected of Josh’s fiancée, but Caroline Patterson wasn’t it. She was tall, slender, with golden hair cut into a sleek bob that skimmed her shoulders. Her dress was plain, but pretty and, by the looks of it, an original piece from the fifties. It sat at mid-calf, just above dainty flat pumps. She didn’t have any jewellery on, and barely any makeup.

Josh had walked her into the kitchen, holding her hand as though he was clinging on to a prize. Maybe he was. Josh stepped forward. He put an arm around Caroline’s shoulder. She tensed slightly before relaxing into his touch.

“Mom, Dad, this is my fiancée. Caroline, this is Andrew and Helen.”

Caroline held out her hand to Helen. She managed a weak smile. She thought she saw a flicker of insecurity in Caroline’s eyes before she turned to Andrew.

“Pleased to meet you.” Caroline held out her hand.

“I don’t think so.” Andrew folded his arms.

“Dad,” Josh said in a tone Helen hadn’t heard before. It made the hairs on her neck stand to attention.

For a moment Caroline stood there, hand untaken in midair. Then she dropped it to hold on to her clutch bag. “I understand. You’re angry. You don’t know me and you don’t trust me. If I were in your position I’d be livid too.”

And Helen felt herself give the girl a genuine smile.

“Sit here.” Josh put a hand on Caroline’s arm while he scowled at his dad.

Josh sat at the head of the table with Caroline by his side. Helen was on the other side of Josh, facing Caroline. While Andrew sat like a disgruntled king at the other end of the table.

“This is pretty.” Caroline smoothed her hand on the white linen tablecloth.

“Don’t get any ideas.” Josh had a mischievous twinkle in his eye. “I hired the pub to cater.”

Caroline’s eyes darted to the kitchen area behind her, noticing the staff for the first time. The staff who were riveted to the action, as though it was an episode of The Bachelor. Her cheeks flamed red.

“Hello, Caroline, love,” the man who looked like Santa Claus boomed.

“Dougal.” Caroline stumbled over her words. “It’s lovely to see you. The food smells wonderful.”

“Only the best for our new wee bride to be.” Dougal wagged a finger at her. “You’ve been keeping secrets, lassie.” He cast a mischievous glance in Josh’s direction. “That explains why he shot out of the pub this afternoon looking for you. He was moving so fast I thought the devil was on his tail.”

Josh shot Caroline a sheepish look, and she pursed her lips at him. Her son was in trouble already. No surprise there.

“So.” Helen found her voice and turned to Caroline. “Tell me, Caroline, do you have family in Invertary?”

She shook her head. “My sister lives in Dubai with her husband. She’s about to have a baby. Her second. She already has a ten-year-old girl. But there’s no one in town.”

Dougal and his servers approached with the food. “Caroline’s parents died in a car accident when she was just a wee lass. Terribly tragic. They lost control on the road to Fort William.”

Caroline studied the tablecloth in front of her. Dougal seemed to cotton on to the fact he’d said something out of turn. His voice grew louder as he changed the subject. “Our new chef trained in France. Tonight we have coq au vin.”

Andrew muttered about pretentious food, but everyone else praised the meal.

“Caroline.” Helen speared some chicken. “What do you do for a living?”

“I run the community centre. It houses the town library and the local council office.”

“That’s impressive,” Helen said.

Andrew snorted. Caroline flicked a glance in his direction while Josh scowled. Dougal was back in the kitchen area, but cleared his throat loudly and gave Andrew a disapproving look.

“Caroline and I are going to London next week.” Josh smiled at Caroline. “We’re shopping for a wedding dress.”