Page 42 of The Cottage in the Highlands

“You just work hard for this Athena woman and don’t take any of her old nonsense. She’s probably used to riding roughshod over folks, so if you show her you aren’t prepared to put up with it, you will gain her respect. You see if you don’t.”

Lily’s glance was stern. “I think if you want a ghost of a chance at success, you just have to buckle down and persuade yourself you can do it.” She might not like you for it, but she will respect you.”

I listened to her crisp, direct advice. It was funny Lily mentioning the word ghost. There was something spiritual and almost ethereal about those statues in the garden over at Merry Wood. I bet they would look amazing in photographs…

An idea pricked me. I pushed myself upwards in my chair. “Ghosts. That’s it. That might work.”

Lily frowned. “What?”

I thought of the Avanti make-up samples nestling in my desk drawer at work. They were promoting their new shades of eye colours in milk, silver, and gauze. My mind shot towards the statues in Merry Wood’s garden again and the captivating water fountain with the hummingbird.

It was shadowy, with the imposing trees and the wintery shades of white and cream of the flowers, not to mention the overgrown lawn. It would be perfect.

But I had one possible problem: Lily.

I leant forward on the table, my eyes pleading into hers. “Mrs Cruickshank,” I began, a desperate waver creeping into my voice.

She blinked at me.

I took a deep breath. “I need to ask you a favour. A big one. Your mention of ghosts has given me a wonderful idea.”

Chapter Fourteen

Lily slapped both hands on the edge of her kitchen table. “Are you joking, young lady? No. Perhaps you’re pissed. Or have you been smoking something? Absolutely not.”

“But Mrs Cruickshank, Merry Wood’s garden is gorgeous. There’s something ethereal about it and it would make an amazing backdrop for this cosmetics feature.”

Lily’s lined face closed down harder than a castle portcullis but I was undeterred. “You mentioned ghosts and what with Merry Wood’s statues and all those trees, we could run with a ghost and spirits’ theme. It’s due to run in a special Christmas edition, so that would be perfect.”

Her mouth twisted in disagreement. “No one is getting inside that house. I feel responsible for it.” Her eyes brimmed with a misty look. “It means a lot to me. You have no idea how much…” Her voice died and she bit her tongue.

The temptation to ask Lily about her link to Merry Wood was pulling harder at me, but I resisted. She would refuse to tell me anything at all if she thought I was being nosey. I decided that could wait until another time. I would have to select my moment.

“Mrs Cruickshank, I’m not asking you to tell me anything you don’t want to or to allow me into the house. It would just be access to the gardens for this photoshoot. That’s all.”

“That’s all?” she echoed with incredulity. “You’re not expecting much.”

“I’m not expecting anything, I promise. That’s why I’m asking you if I can use the gardens for the magazine feature.” I hesitated, mentally couching how to phrase what to say next. “If you need to speak to the owners of Merry Wood and seek their permission, that’s fine.”

Lily flinched. She wrapped her arms around herself. “That won’t be necessary.”

What was going on between Lily and that house?

My fleeting optimism began to deflate as she shook her head. “No. I’m sorry.”

She fell silent for a moment before she spoke again. “Leonie,” faltered Lily. That was the first time she had used my name. She twisted her hands together on the circular table top. “I don’t think Merry Wood appearing in some magazine is a good idea.”

I decided to try a different approach. “Mrs Cruickshank, it’s not just some magazine. It’s Goddess. It’s a glossy, classy publication that tackles various issues such as child poverty and modern slavery.” I offered her a small, cajoling smile. “Unfortunately, I’m not investigating issues like that at the moment, seeing as I’ve been designated to other duties.”

A considered silence settled between us.

“But you have my word that there would be no access allowed to the house. The property would be treated with the utmost respect.”

I flicked her a begging look. “You have no idea how much you would be helping me, Mrs Cruickshank.” I scrambled around inside my head for further persuasion. Athena was so keen to make this feature a stand-out, she wouldn’t hesitate to approve extra expense.

“You would be entitled to payment too of course.”

Lily’s hooded eyes flicked upwards. “Payment, you say?”