Pandemonium ensued. Millie ran over and hugged him to her, Eleri grinned and introduced herself and Alex busied himself by making tea and shuffling another chair next to the fire.
Once everything had calmed down, Jed took a seat nearest the fire and looked about him. ‘It’s so good to be home, although it’s funny to think of the Lord as home.’ He unzipped his jacket. ‘And I know it hasn’t been long but at times it seemed I was away forever.’
‘You look tired,’ Alex said, with concern.
‘Yes well, at times it wasn’t much of a picnic. And I’m sorry I’ve been out of contact. Communications were a little ropey where I was.’ He blew out a breath so that it made his over-long fringe shoot up. ‘It’s been quite the trip.’
‘Trouble?’
Jed pulled a face at his brother. ‘You could say so. Once or twice.’
‘The gang culture still not sorted, then?’ Eleri put in. ‘They’re called the bandas criminales, I believe,’ she added.
Jed took a swig of tea and shrugged. ‘Looked to be still active where I was travelling.’
‘Why were you there, then?’ Millie asked, with an edge to her voice.
‘Work. Trying to source coffee growers.’
‘For Blue Elephant.’
‘Yes, Millie. For Blue Elephant.’
Eleri gave Alex a sharp glance. ‘Alex bach, did you say you were going to show me the old stable block?’
‘Did I?’ Alex looked surprised and then caught on. ‘Oh yes.’ Untangling his long legs, he got up and held out a courteous hand. ‘You said you had some ideas to turn them into self-catering accommodation. I’d love to hear about them.’
They left without Jed and Millie noticing.
‘I can’t believe you’re working for them.’ Millie hurled the words across the room.
Jed pushed a weary hand through his hair. ‘There are times when I can’t quite believe it myself.’ There was a heavy silence, then he added, ‘Do we have to do this now, Millie?’
‘Yes, we have to do this now, Jed! You know how I feel about that company. You know what they might do to my business. How could you get a job with them, of all people?’ Millie bit down on her anger.
Another silence. Jed dropped his empty mug onto the desk with a thud. There was a beat going in his cheek. He rose and went to the window, looking out into the grounds, as if longing to escape. He was still wearing his orange puffa and it glowed against the silvery-blue sky. ‘This place is going to be great when it’s finished. Must be Georgian. Or older. What do you think?’
‘Jed. Answer the question. I deserve that much, at least.’
He turned and leaned against the sash window frame. ‘You do, of course you do.’ He folded his arms and gave an empty sigh. ‘And I’m so very sorry, sorrier than you’ll ever imagine, but I can’t answer you.’
Millie stood up, her hands clenched to white knuckles. ‘If you don’t give me a reasonable explanation why you’re working for Blue Elephant then I can’t …’ she choked a little. ‘Jed, I can’t see how we can move forward. Everything between us will be over.’ She sucked in a shuddering breath. ‘Once and for all.’
‘Don’t say that, Millie. Please don’t say that.’ Jed came nearer and took her hands in his. ‘I wish I could tell you, I really do.’ His face was anguished. ‘But I’m not able to explain. I daren’t.’
Millie’s lip quivered. His touch had broken through the anger into her concern. ‘We’ve been really worried about you, you know. I’ve been really worried about you.’ Furious tears began to rise. She shook off his hold and distanced herself. She couldn’t decide whether to hug him safe, or shake him. ‘I can’t understand why you can’t tell me.’ She just about stopped herself stamping her foot in frustration. ‘Jed, anyone would think you’re a secret agent or something.’ A flicker in his expression had her gasp. ‘You can’t be serious?’
He shrugged, deadly solemn. ‘You’re going to have to go with me on this. You’re going to have to trust me.’
‘What again?’ Millie burst out bitterly. ‘How many times have you asked me to do that? And each time you’ve held something back from me, something really important. Something I should have known.’ She shook her head, tears falling. ‘Oh Jed, I just can’t do this any more. I’m tired of it. It’s over.’
‘Millie, don’t say that,’ Jed’s voice was hoarse with emotion. ‘Please give me this one last chance. Just give me a few months and I can prove I’m worthy of you.’
The cold air stilled. A dust mote spiralled down. Millie watched it, trying to decide what to do. She contemplated going to him, holding him close, kissing him until their breath was spent. She longed to forget all this was happening. To pretend the only thing that mattered was her and Jed. Then the image of the opening day at Blue Elephant swam into her vision. Of its slick wooden tables and top of the range coffee machines. If she didn’t fight for her business, it would be worth nothing and she certainly wouldn’t succeed in selling it. And if she had to fight Blue Elephant then she would have to fight Jed too. Hardening her resolve, she reached for her coat.
As he went to her she held out her hand to ward him off. ‘Don’t touch me. Don’t ring me. I don’t want anything more to do with you.’
Tears pouring, she stumbled out, ignoring his protests.