The Lake House Read online

  ‘It’s for you, a letter. The postman pushed it through the wrong letterbox.’ Ella handed over the letter.

  The rapid beam that spread across Dolores’ face didn’t go unnoticed. She clutched the letter to her chest. ‘Thank you.’

  Ella was intrigued. ‘Something important?’ she asked, noticing that Dolores’ eyes had brightened.

  ‘It certainly is.’ Dolores wasn’t giving any more away.

  Ella noticed that she slipped the letter into her bag at the side of the chair before turning back to her.

  ‘Are you in a rush?’ asked Dolores.

  ‘Callie is just catching on up on some paperwork, so I have a little time before she shows me the sights.’

  Dolores reached for her walking stick and rose carefully to her feet. Ella’s eyes were fixed on her as she walked over towards the dresser and reached for a bone-china cup. ‘This is what we need. Shall we see what your future holds?’ asked Dolores, resting her stick against the chair and sitting back down.

  ‘Absolutely,’ replied Ella, leaving Dolores looking pleased as she placed the cup on the table and began to swirl the teapot. After a few seconds Dolores poured the tea into the cup and looked up at Ella.

  ‘Can you really read tea leaves?’ asked Ella, intrigued by what she was about to find out.

  ‘Of course, it’s an ancient tradition dating back thousands of years – nearly as old as me. My Granny taught me. The tea is brewed but this time we don’t use a strainer, we need the leaves to do the reading all by themselves.’ Dolores was clearly taking this very seriously. ‘What I need you to do is prepare yourself mentally, think about your life, any unanswered questions you may have, while the tea is brewing and you’re holding the cup.’ Dolores passed Ella the cup, who wrapped her hands around it and shuffled back on the settee and sat up straight.

  Ella had many unanswered questions, more than Dolores could ever imagine: why she’d allowed Alex into her life and why he’d caused her so much pain.

  ‘Now drink your tea carefully. You need to leave the tea leaves in the cup, and a little liquid too.’

  Ella nodded her understanding and began to drink the tea. ‘I think I’ve finished,’ she said, looking down into her cup before passing it back to Dolores.

  With much concentration on her face, Dolores swirled the cup around slowly, then carefully she poured the rest of the liquid away. Dolores remained silent whilst Ella moved to the edge of her seat, waiting for her reading to start. Dolores scrutinised the leaves and made a few noises. ‘What I’m looking for is the most prominent pattern,’ she murmured. ‘Tea-leaf reading is a way to give us answers. These shapes can tell us of our successes, downfalls, relationships and life in general.’

  Dolores gazed at the cup for a moment longer. ‘Are you ready?’ She glanced up at Ella.

  ‘I think so.’ Ella could feel her heart racing and had no clue what to expect.

  ‘Okay, we have numerous shapes and symbols, which all mean different things. I can see a cloud. You, my dear, have had a difficult time.’

  Ella blew out a breath – that was an understatement!

  ‘You’ve had significant difficulties and grief. Grief that will live with you every day of your life.’

  Immediately, thinking of her parents, the tears welled up in Ella’s eyes. She nodded and swallowed. Dolores was spot on.

  ‘You may not feel it now, but whatever happened to you will make you stronger. See this straight line here?’ Dolores tilted the cup towards Ella. ‘This means your journey is going to become peaceful and full of happiness. So don’t give up on yourself just yet.’ Dolores offered her a warm, reassuring smile. ‘And you have an anchor. Not only does that mean good fortune in your work, but your love life too. Your happy ever after is not too far away.’

  ‘I’m not looking for anyone,’ shared Ella, thinking the last thing she needed in her life was another relationship.

  ‘And that’s when it happens – when you are least expecting it.’

  ‘But I do start my new job on Monday.’

  ‘There you go – this job is going to be good for you. It will make a difference to your life and it’s going to bring you opportunities. Thankfully, I can’t see an hourglass.’

  ‘And what would that mean?’

  ‘An hourglass indicates upcoming danger, but I can see a goat, which means you may encounter an enemy from the past – so have your wits about you! But on the whole, your move to Heartcross is going to be a good one. Embrace it!’ Dolores’ voice lifted.

  Ella liked the idea of the move being a good one, but she certainly wasn’t interested in coming face to face with anyone from her past, and there was only one person who sprang to mind.

  ‘How long are you staying for?’ asked Dolores.

  ‘Six months, initially. And I really am not looking for love at the minute.’

  ‘Very wise,’ agreed Dolores. ‘Make time for you, but sometimes love smacks you in the face, right out of the blue.’

  Dolores put the cup down and reached over and took both of Ella’s hands. She squeezed them tightly. ‘You’ve been through the mill.’

  ‘I have,’ agreed Ella, and briefly she shared with Dolores what had happened between her and Alex.

  ‘Time is a good healer, and you are in the right place.’ Dolores smiled at Ella with such warmth. ‘And McCartney and I will look after you.’ Dolores looked towards McCartney with adoration.

  ‘Thank you, Dolores. Once I’m distracted with work and I work out a way to pay off all the debts…’

  ‘And you will, dear. You’re a bright girl who has had a difficult time. This cup shows comfort and peace in your future. You will find happiness. I think you are going to be just fine, Ella.’

  ‘That’s just what I needed to hear. But in the meantime, I think I’ll put my heart on hold.’

  ‘Look after you, and the rest will come in time… And there’s one more thing. See that shape there?’

  Ella leant forward to take a look.

  ‘That means your next journey is to Bonnie’s teashop to pick me up a slice of Victoria sponge. McCartney will keep you company,’ Dolores gave a little chuckle.

  ‘Of course, I will. Just point me in the direction of Bonnie’s teashop.’

  Dolores reached for her purse, but Ella put up her hand. ‘My treat – payment for reading my leaves. Where is McCartney’s lead?’

  Dolores pushed herself up on her stick and gave Ella directions to Bonnie’s teashop, just at the top of Love Heart Lane.

  Ambling down the High Street, Ella and McCartney made slow progress. They were stopped by everyone who crossed their path who immediately went all gooey-eyed over the dog. Everyone was friendly, passing the time of day, and Ella couldn’t believe the difference between village and city life. Usually, she found it difficult to cross a road due to the amount of traffic whizzing by, but in the last five minutes she hadn’t seen one car. Everywhere there seemed to be a slower pace of life, and people were actually standing around having conversations, catching up with each other’s lives, instead of rushing about speaking into telephones and clutching their laptops like their lives depended on it.

  Ella carried on walking for another five minutes before she discovered the whitewashed terraced houses of Love Heart Lane. Bonnie’s teashop was at the top of the lane. Ella breathed in the mountain air. ‘Wow,’ she muttered to herself, gazing up at the magnificent mountain standing in front of her. ‘What a view.’

  McCartney had discovered the bowl of water outside the entrance to the teashop, whilst again everyone commented on how delightful he was. Ella stepped inside and the old-fashioned bell tinkled above her head, alerting the woman behind the counter to her arrival. She turned around with a welcoming smile.

  ‘McCartney and…’ She wiped her hands on her tea towel then stretched a hand out towards Ella.

  ‘Ella, a friend of Callie’s. Her cousin Julia owns the B&B.’

  ‘Ella! Welcome, welcome to Heartcross. I’m Ron
a. We heard you were arriving. Felicity… F-E-L-I-C-I-T-Y!’ Rona bellowed towards the door at the back of the teashop. ‘Come and meet Ella.’

  Felicity appeared from the kitchen, balancing a freshly baked Victoria sponge on a blue china plate. ‘Hello.’ She beamed. ‘Welcome! Callie told us you were coming.’

  Ella couldn’t believe the welcome she was receiving from everyone in the village. They were all so lovely.

  ‘Pleased to meet you both, and that’s exactly what I’ve come in for.’ Ella pointed at the plate Felicity was holding. ‘A slice of Victoria sponge for Dolores – good timing!’ Ella marvelled, looking around. ‘This place is foodie heaven.’ Her eyes widened as she took in all the delicious-looking pastries, cakes and sandwiches displayed in the front counter.

  ‘Have you settled in?’ asked Felicity, grabbing a knife and beginning to cut up the cake into over-large slices.

  ‘I only arrived last night but I’ve already made a new friend in Dolores, and I’ve a day of exploring ahead of me before I start work on Monday at The Lakehouse.’

  ‘Did you pass the initiation test?’ Rona raised an eyebrow.

  ‘I can confirm that I got all my Dolly questions correct, with a little help from Callie.’

  They all chuckled as Felicity handed over a white box wrapped up with a pink ribbon. ‘Dolores’ cake.’

  ‘And The Lakehouse – has business picked up?’ questioned Rona, with a look of concern on her face. ‘The last I heard was that Flynn was finding it difficult to fill the tables.’

  ‘Really? I don’t know anything about that.’ Ella’s first thought was, if business wasn’t booming, how long would her job last?

  Rona must have noticed the look on Ella’s face. ‘I’m sure there’s nothing to worry about. Flynn is a businessman, and if anyone can make that place work, it will be him. Sometimes these things take time to get off the ground,’ added Rona, bending down and giving McCartney a dog biscuit from the jar at the far end of the counter. ‘And we hope you settle in quickly. Once you arrive in Heartcross…’

  ‘… You are here for good,’ Ella chuckled, finishing off Rona’s sentence. ‘I already feel like I’m at home. Everyone is so welcoming, and that view! It must be amazing, working here, staring at that mountain every day.’

  ‘It’s pretty special,’ admitted Rona. ‘The whole village is pretty special, but we’re biased.’

  ‘I think I’m going to feel the same.’ Ella handed over the money for the cake. ‘Thank you,’ she said, holding the box. ‘Have a lovely day.’

  ‘You too,’ answered Rona and Felicity in unison.

  Ella ventured back outside. What a lovely little teashop, she thought, strolling back down Love Heart Lane towards the village. Hearing her phone ring, she pulled it from her pocket and swiped the screen. Callie was checking up on her.

  ‘Have you got lost, going down the stairwell?’ Callie asked.

  Ella grinned. ‘No, I haven’t got lost. I’m just running a quick errand for Dolores. I’ll be home in five.’

  As Ella stuffed the phone back into her pocket, she stepped off the kerb.

  ‘Woah! Look out.’

  Startled, Ella looked up to see a man on a bike wobbling towards her. She’d stepped straight out in front of him without looking where she was going. Time slowed as the front tyre hit the kerb and catapulted his shopping bag up in the air. He was flung forward but managed to hold on, before he bounced back on to his seat and placed his feet firmly on the ground.

  Feeling a fool, Ella opened her mouth to apologise. ‘I’m so sorry, it’s all my fault!’

  But the man wasn’t looking at her, he was staring down at the ground. ‘Sausages, MY SAUSAGES!’

  McCartney might be deaf but there was nothing wrong with his sense of smell, and with his nose buried deep inside the man’s bag, he was currently enjoying the rich pickings he’d found. Ella tugged on his lead and gave the man an apologetic smile. ‘I’m so sorry! Really, I am.’

  ‘Foxglove Farm’s finest pork sausage with caramelised onions. That dog has taste!’

  ‘He might have taste but you’ve no dinner,’ exclaimed a mortified Ella, taking her first proper look at the man. She knew she was staring, but she couldn’t help it – he was drop-dead gorgeous. His thick blond hair was wild on top, and at a guess he was mid to late thirties – her sort of age. She noticed a tiny scar at the side of his eyebrows, which were blond too. His eyelashes and deep-blue eyes were to die for. His face was tanned, and he had that unshaven thing going on, and a beaming smile that showed a perfect set of white teeth.

  He gave her a wolfish grin and they stared at each other for a moment, then burst out laughing.

  ‘It’s okay, at least one of us will be fed today. Hi, I’m Roman.’

  She scanned his outfit and approved: a very casual look, white T-shirt, cargo shorts, white trainers and a woven leather band around his wrist.

  ‘I’m Ella,’ she said, shaking his hand. ‘And this is McCartney, aka Sausage Thief.’

  ‘McCartney, one of the Fab Four. Very cool name.’

  ‘And also not my dog, I’m just walking him.’ Ella handed the cake box to Roman while she fumbled inside her purse. ‘Let me pay for your sausages, it’s the least I can do.’

  ‘I wouldn’t hear of it,’ he said, handing the box back, which forced Ella to shut her purse.

  ‘Are you sure? It’s all my fault, I really wasn’t looking where I was going.’

  ‘Very sure,’ he replied, holding her gaze, causing her stomach to give a little flip. ‘With that accent, my guess is you aren’t local… Tourist?’

  ‘I think I’m classed as a temporary resident. I only arrived last night.’

  ‘Welcome!’ He smiled as he leant his bike against a wall and picked up the bag of half-eaten sausages, then climbed back on to his bike. ‘No doubt I’ll see you around, Ella…?’ He raised his eyebrow hopefully.

  She cleared her throat. ‘Ella Johnson,’ she replied, liking the idea that he was going to see her around. Suddenly feeling a little shy, she felt a crimson blush on her cheeks and could have kicked herself. ‘And you are Roman…?’

  ‘Roman Docherty,’ he shared. For a moment they stared at each other in a contemplative silence before he put his foot on the pedal. As he rode away, Roman looked back over his shoulder and gave her a warm smile. Ella watched him all the way to the end of Love Heart Lane before he disappeared in the direction of the bridge, heading for Glensheil. There was something mesmerising about Roman Docherty, but Ella gave herself a little shake. The last time she’d found someone intriguing, he’d ripped her off, and she wasn’t here to find a man… far from it. But, surprisingly, Roman had put a spring in her step as she walked down the lane.

  Over on the far side of the pavement, Ella’s eyes skimmed over the metal sign flapping in the breeze, the entrance to an impressive farmhouse called Foxglove Farm. In the fields were a herd of alpacas being walked around by children – a sight Ella had never seen in the city. This place was just a different way of life. ‘Less than twenty-four hours I’ve been here, McCartney, and already I’m feeling relaxed. This place is going to be good for me.’ But McCartney didn’t answer; he was too busy ferreting around underneath the hedgerow without a care in the world.

  Chapter Three

  With McCartney and the slice of Victoria sponge safely delivered to Dolores, Ella bounded up the stairs to discover Callie was sitting out on the balcony reading a book.

  ‘I’m home! I’ve met Rona and Felicity. How lovely are they?!’

  Callie was smiling at Ella’s enthusiasm.

  ‘Oh, and I nearly killed some guy on a bike.’

  Callie cocked an eyebrow. ‘What do you mean, you nearly killed some guy on a bike?’

  ‘He’s okay, he’s still breathing… no ambulance was needed,’ replied Ella, pulling out a seat, ‘even though, at a push, I would have been willing to give mouth to mouth. However, his sausages were not okay, and McCartney has had an almighty breakfas
t.’ Callie looked mildly amused as Ella explained how she’d stepped out in front of Roman’s bike. ‘I wasn’t looking where I was going.’

  ‘Blooming heck, you have had a busy morning,’ replied Callie, noticing a slight sparkle beneath the dark shadows of Ella’s eyes. Callie waggled her finger round in a circle in front of Ella. ‘See, baby steps – and look, you’re already smiling.’

  ‘Oh, and in other news, Dolores read my tea leaves. She confirmed that Heartcross is going to be good for me.’ Ella gave Callie a knowing look.

  ‘And I’ll be predicting you’ll be seeing Roman again – very soon.’

  ‘What do you know that I don’t?’ queried Ella.

  ‘I’m saying nothing, except watch this space.’

  ‘It doesn’t matter anyway. I’m not being taken for a fool again.’

  Callie reached over and took her hand. ‘You aren’t a fool. Alex was a professional scammer, but we’re no longer talking about him or giving him head space. One day you’ll meet someone genuine, who treats you like you are the only girl in the world. Everything will fall into place.’

  Ella poured herself a juice and sat down at the table. ‘There has been something worrying me since my visit to the teashop. Rona seems to think The Lakehouse is in trouble. Should I already be looking for another job?’

  Callie gestured to all the papers strewn over the table. ‘I’ve just been looking at the bookings and it’s not doing as well as Flynn would have liked, but that doesn’t mean to say we are laying off staff just yet.’

  ‘But there’s a possibility?’

  ‘Flynn is working on marketing strategies. He’s turned many businesses around and I’m sure there isn’t anything to worry about. Sometimes it just takes a little time for word to get around. Most restaurants are based on reputation.’

  ‘Okay, but if I need to start looking for another job, please let me know in good time. I’m not sure I can take many more surprises this year.’