The Lake House Read online

  ‘Any photographs of family?’

  Ella shook her head. ‘Nothing.’

  ‘Can we go back to the death of your parents?’ questioned the police officer. ‘Did your parents leave you any inheritance?’

  Ella looked puzzled. ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ She was starting to feel a little agitated. ‘Why is this relevant?’

  The policeman was staring at her, waiting for her to answer the question.

  ‘Yes, I received two hundred and fifty thousand pounds. But I’d rather have my parents than the money.’

  ‘And did Alex know that you were going to receive a large sum of money? Have you lent him any money?’

  The room fell silent, and Ella felt a tightness in her chest. The colour drained from her face as everyone watched and waited for her answer. ‘Yes… but… he’s going to pay me back.’

  The policeman raised an eyebrow. ‘How much money did you give him?’

  Wearily Ella walked over to the dresser and pulled out her savings account book and slid it over the table.

  ‘You gave him the whole two hundred and fifty thousand pounds?’

  Ella nodded her head sadly.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘He had cash-flow problems and needed the money to help his brother out of a business predicament. But he said he’d have all the money back in my account by the end of the month. He promised.’

  ‘Have you met his brother?’

  Ella felt her chest tighten again. ‘No.’ Every time she answered their questions her mind whirled.

  ‘What about credit cards? Bank accounts?’ questioned the officer.

  ‘I barely use my credit cards. If I don’t have the money, I don’t spend it. I have no debt whatsoever.’ Ella headed for the kitchen and returned with a pile of unopened statements. She tore the top one open and stared at the statement in her hand. She frantically began tearing each one open.

  She had difficulty focussing on the numbers in front of her, feeling disbelief as she pushed the statements across the table towards the officers.

  ‘I-I didn’t spend all this money!’ Ella stammered. ‘This wasn’t me. How am I ever going pay this back in a lifetime?’

  The police officers cast a glance of the statements. ‘There’s over ten thousand pounds’ worth of debt on this card, and you had no idea?’

  Ella was in a state of shock, and she shook her head. ‘The card is in my purse. It can’t be possible; I just don’t understand.’ She muttered as she reached for her purse. She desperately searched all compartments for the card, but it wasn’t there.

  ‘It’s gone,’ admitted Ella, suddenly feeling exposed and judged. ‘What am I going to do? He’s maxed out my card.’

  ‘Our guess is the man you know as Dr Alex James is a professional fraudster. He targeted you when you were at your most vulnerable after your parents’ death and pursued your inheritance,’ shared the police officer gently.

  Ella buried her head in her hands. With her heart thumping fast and the tears falling down her cheeks, she felt sick to her stomach. She had nothing left; Alex had stolen everything from her, including her heart. With all the evidence laid out in front of her, Ella had to face facts. The man she’d let into her life was an imposter and she didn’t know anything about him at all. Everything had been a lie. Whoever Alex was, he’d played the long game and swindled Ella out of everything. And he was never coming back.

  She fell into Callie’s arms as she sobbed and clung on to her for dear life. Ella couldn’t believe he’d planned the whole thing, she couldn’t believe anyone could be so cruel. She thought they’d been in love. He’d kissed her like she’d never been kissed before, he’d made her laugh and feel beautiful in her own skin. They were going to be together forever. He’d said so and she’d believed him.

  ‘What the hell am I going to do? I’ve lost everything!’

  Ella’s Johnson’s whole life had just fallen apart… again.

  Chapter One

  Six months later

  With her stomach rumbling, Ella emptied the contents of her purse and stared at the ten-pound note and a handful of coppers as they rolled on to the kitchen table. She was absolutely broke and this was all the money she had to her name. Next to the shrapnel lay the pile of credit card statements that had accumulated over the last six months. Alex had certainly gone to town spending without her knowledge, and she was liable for all the debt. The last six months had taken their toll on Ella. She’d sold every scrap of furniture in her home and her business to try and make ends meet, but she was still struggling to keep on top of her finances.

  And now, with all of her belongings packed inside a suitcase, her emotions were all over the place. One second she was angry, then embarrassed, the next, heartbroken. And unless the police managed to track Alex down, it was unlikely she was ever going to get her money back. She’d lost everything and the police had no new leads at all.

  Another wave of emotion hit her, and she blinked back the tears and looked at the clock. Callie had arrived a couple of days ago. She’d been a tower of strength for the last six months and had helped Ella to sell as much as she could from the house.

  ‘I’m not going to ask you how you slept.’ Callie walked into the kitchen. ‘You look shattered.’

  ‘I am shattered.’ Ella pushed the loose change towards Callie across the table. ‘This is it – all I have to my name.’

  Callie sat down opposite Ella. ‘I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry about that right now. These things have a way of working themselves out, and you need to start thinking about you. I’ve booked the train tickets. We’re on the 12.15pm train to Inverness.’

  Ella went to open her mouth but was shut down by Callie. ‘No arguing, and don’t worry about the cost. What you need is good, decent people around you, and Heartcross is the place for that. Trust me.’

  Ella was extremely grateful to Callie. She was a true friend and had stepped in to help Ella get her life back on track. It was hard giving up her life here, this was her home, but Ella had no other option.

  ‘This place was a happy home once, but for the past six months it’s just felt like an empty shell and tainted in some way.’

  Everywhere she looked reminded her of Alex, and she couldn’t wait to hand the keys back and move on with her life.

  ‘I’m ready when you are.’ Ella looked towards Callie. ‘Can we just get out of here?’

  Within ten minutes Ella was standing on the pavement outside number 17 Ellerbeck Close, next to her battered old brown suitcase. With the door firmly lock behind her, she exhaled. ‘A new chapter,’ she said, her eyes teeming with tears.

  ‘You’ve got this,’ replied Callie, linking her arm through Ella’s.

  ‘Thank you, for everything, and especially for coming to my rescue. It’s just what I need.’

  ‘That’s what best friends are for,’ replied Callie, glancing at her watch. ‘Come on, we have a train to catch.’

  ‘Heartcross, we are coming to get you.’ Ella attempted a smile as she wheeled the suitcase behind her, and began the short walk towards the train station and the next chapter of her life.

  Ella had never visited Heartcross before, but she’d seen it on the news eighteen months ago, after all the villagers had been stranded when the only bridge in and out of the village had collapsed due to a storm. For the next six months, thanks to Callie, Ella was going to be working as a waitress at The Lakehouse, a restaurant owned by millionaire property tycoon, Flynn Carter, and would be sharing a flat above the village shop with Callie. Ella couldn’t be any more grateful to Callie; this was exactly what she needed to try and forget the past and get her life back on track.

  Full of emotion, Ella bit down on her trembling lip and didn’t look back. Dr Alex James – or whatever his real name was – was not going to break her. She was going to come through this with the help of Callie.

  As the train pulled on to platform ten, Ella and Callie climbed on board. With El
la’s suitcase safely stored in the luggage compartment, they sat down and within minutes the train slowly pulled away from the station. This was it, her new life started right now. Ella knew living in a tiny tourist village was going to be a huge change compared to the hustle and bustle of city life. And working at The Lakehouse restaurant was going to be different from owning her own business, but she was excited about the challenge.

  Once the train picked up speed, the towns and the countryside whizzed by. Ella knew it would be perfect hanging out with Callie. It would help to heal her hurt and put the past behind her. She was looking forward to their girly time; being Callie’s lodger was going to be fun. Ella had visions of late-night films, glasses of wine and proper belly laughing, just like the old days at university. She had every intention of getting her life back on track and getting herself out of this financial mess, but she just hadn’t worked out all the details yet.

  Despite the distance between Chester and Inverness, the journey flew by. Ella and Callie reminisced about their university days, they dozed a little, and finally the train reached its destination. This was it. Ella had arrived in Scotland. With mixed emotions she stepped off the train behind Callie.

  ‘How are you feeling?’ asked Callie, throwing away their rubbish in a nearby bin.

  ‘Excited, scared… sad,’ admitted Ella.

  ‘That’s understandable, but I promise you, you’re going to love it here. When Dan and I broke up, I came to stay with Julia at her B&B and instantly fell in love with the place. I’ve no intention of ever living anywhere else. There’s something about Heartcross…’

  Compared to Chester, this had to be the world’s tiniest station, comprised of a coffee shop, and not much else. Ella admired the wonderful blooms hanging from their baskets as she followed Callie over to the taxi service outside the wrought-iron railings.

  ‘Where to?’ asked the taxi driver after he placed Ella’s suitcase in the boot of the cab.

  ‘Heartcross, please,’ Callie told the taxi driver and climbed in the back of the taxi next to Ella. He nodded and began to drive.

  Heartcross was a tiny village separated from the local town of Glensheil by a temporary bridge, the original having been brought down in a storm. Cut off from civilisation, the village had become famous in the national news, and since the TV coverage of the disaster, tourism had been growing at a rapid pace. In the last twelve months alone, property tycoon Flynn Carter had added a new five-star hotel, a boat house and a fancy restaurant to the quaint village.

  The driver wound down his window. ‘Sorry, the air-con is broke,’ he mumbled his apology. They were both thankful for the fresh air and inhaled the country aroma of cow dung as they spotted the culprits loping across the lush fields. Ella noticed alpacas grazing, vintage caravans dotted in the distance, and a magnificent castle standing on the craggy hill. The cab whizzed past numerous cosy dwellings, white-washed terraces and cottages entwined with pink clematis and roses tumbling around the oak-framed porches. This place was like somewhere out of a novel. In the distance stood the beautiful mountain of Heartcross covered in purple heather with numerous ramblers dotted around, hiking the paths, enjoying the weather.

  ‘Look at this place,’ she murmured, still watching the views through the window.

  The taxi continued to bump over the steep mountainous track, approximately half a mile long, and pulled up outside the village shop opposite the pub. After the driver was paid, they stepped on to the pavement. Ella slung her bag over her shoulder and held on to the handle of the suitcase. ‘So this is Heartcross,’ she muttered, casting a glance around. People were going about their business; kids ambling up the road, clutching their fishing nets; dog walkers sitting outside the pub enjoying a pint. It was a beautiful warm evening.

  ‘Welcome to Heartcross, your new home!’ exclaimed Callie, nodding towards the flat above the old village shop in front of them.

  ‘I feel like I’m on holiday,’ shared Ella.

  ‘That’s exactly how I felt when I turned up here too. Honestly Ella, you are going to love it here. I promise.’

  Ella took in the sight. The lovely little shop in front of her was quaintly old fashioned, with postcards stacked outside in the spinning carousel. A metal ice-cream sign swung in the light breeze and fishing nets were lined up behind the fresh fruit laid out in wooden crates on a table.

  ‘What an adorable shop,’ she said, turning the carousel and taking a look at the postcards.

  ‘Welcome! Welcome!’

  Ella spun round to see the shopkeeper standing in the doorway, holding a bottle of wine. ‘You must be Ella.’

  Ella’s first impression was, What a lovely man. At a guess, he was in his mid-sixties. He had rosy cheeks and such a welcoming smile.

  ‘I am, I am,’ replied Ella, taking the bottle of wine that was being thrust towards her.

  The man stretched out his hand. ‘Hamish, shopkeeper and your new landlord. Welcome to Heartcross!’

  ‘Thanks very much,’ replied Ella, shaking his hand.

  ‘I’ve been looking out for you both. How was the journey?’

  ‘Long,’ replied Callie with a smile, touching Hamish’s arm.

  ‘Very, very long,’ replied Ella, also with a smile. In fact, even though she’d been sitting on a train doing nothing for hours, she actually felt completely exhausted.

  ‘But you are here now. Wait there!’

  Before they could object, Hamish disappeared back into the shop and reappeared with a serving dish covered over with tin foil. ‘Courtesy of Meredith.’ He nodded towards the Grouse and Haggis pub standing opposite. ‘She thought you may appreciate a home-cooked meal after such a long journey.’

  ‘Both you and Meredith are superstars. This is just what we needed, thank you.’ Callie took the dish from Hamish’s hands. ‘This is perfect!’ She beamed.

  Ella was taken back; she’d only arrived literally a few moments ago, and everyone was so welcoming. The familiarity of being with Callie and the welcoming warmth of everyone brought tears to her eyes. She flapped a hand in front of her face. ‘Look at me, I’ve come over all emotional. These are happy tears. Everyone is so kind.’

  ‘That is what Heartcross is all about.’ Callie gave her a warm smile. ‘Let’s get you settled in. Just wait until you taste Meredith’s home-cooked food, it’s out of this world.’

  Hamish hurried back into the shop to serve a couple of children patiently waiting for ice-cream, and Ella turned back towards Callie. ‘Is everyone this lovely in Heartcross?’ she asked.

  ‘You better believe it.’ Callie smiled as she took a peep under the tin foil. ‘Lasagne, and it’s still warm. I’m famished.’

  They climbed the short, steep steps to the upstairs flat, and Ella followed Callie into the tiny hallway which led into the living room. ‘Woah! I wasn’t expecting that.’

  The magnificent view through the French doors was simply breath-taking. Ella abandoned her suitcase and placed her bag down on the settee before standing in awe. Heartcross Mountain was towering in the background, the River Heart tumbling over the rocks, and the town of Glensheil standing tall in the distance. ‘I feel like I’m in a different country.’

  ‘You are,’ laughed Callie, opening up the French doors which led out on to a tiny balcony. There were two bistro chairs, a handful of potted plants and pastel floral triangular bunting draped above the doors. ‘This place was a great find. The rent is reasonable, there’s two bedrooms, one bathroom and a small kitchen. It’s tiny, and for the time being all mine… and yours.’

  ‘How long have you been here?’ asked Ella, pulling out a chair and folding her arms on the railing. ‘I could wake up to that view every morning. It beats looking out on a street full of cars and overflowing bins.’

  ‘It is pretty spectacular, isn’t it? I’ve been here around eight months now. At first I was staying with Julia at the B&B, but I needed my own space, and to cut down on her amazing full Scottish breakfasts every morning, which weren’t
doing my waistline any good.’ Callie patted her stomach with a chuckle.

  ‘I wish I had that problem.’ Ella pulled at the waist on her trousers. Her clothes were hanging off her thin frame. ‘I’ve lost so much weight in the past six months.’

  ‘That’ll be stress. Hopefully things will begin to change now, and working at The Lakehouse will keep you distracted… There’s also discounted meals, and if there’s any food left over after the late shift, we’re able to bring it home… The desserts are to die for.’

  ‘That sounds just what I need.’ Ella picked up the bottle of wine that Hamish had given her and looked over the label. ‘Shall we get this open?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ replied Callie. ‘I’ll get the glasses and plates,’ she said, peeling back the tin foil on the dish of lasagne.

  Just at that second Ella’s stomach rumbled, sounding like a growl of thunder rolling out across a valley.

  Callie laughed. ‘Let’s eat.’

  Two minutes later they were tucking into the best lasagne Ella had ever tasted. She took what felt like seconds to clear her plate before diving in for more.

  ‘You seem to have got your appetite back. And we are going to get you back on track, if we keep busy and enjoy life. I know the job isn’t what you’re used to… after running your own business and not having to answer to anyone.’

  ‘I’m looking forward to not being in charge,’ admitted Ella.

  ‘And Flynn is just the best boss. It’s going to be just fine.’

  ‘Everyone needs a Callie in their life. Thank you.’ Ella took a sip of her wine. ‘But I do still wonder where the hell he is?’ Even though months had passed, Alex was still very much on her mind.

  ‘Probably seeking out his next victim.’ Callie was straight to the point. ‘We are not giving that man any more head space. Fresh start… starting now. Deal?’

  Ella nodded but put down her knife and fork. ‘Deal, but Callie – I’m not going to be able to pay you much rent.’