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Abigail looked at her surroundings and found herself wondering what Oliver’s life might have been if he didn’t stand to inherit the Hall. She leaned forward in her seat.
‘Can I ask you a personal question, Oliver?’
‘Anything, Abigail, ask me anything at all.’ There was that smile again.
‘This might sound an odd question, but was there something that you loved, as a child, that if you weren’t the heir to this estate you would have wanted to be or do with your life?’
‘Well, that is an odd question. The fact is I am going to inherit – this is my life.’
‘I know.’ She studied him. When he said,this is my life,she couldn’t help thinking that perhaps somewhere deep inside him, there was a part of him – hidden under his love for his father and his duty – which felt regret for the life that he could have had if only he’d been free. Most of the time he seemed to walk around with the world on his shoulders, like a heavy burden was weighing him down. She knew what that was – this beautiful old house that would, one day soon, because of outdated inheritance rules, be his sole responsibility.
‘Why do you ask, Abigail? Don’t you think I like it here?’
‘Oh, that’s not it at all. I’m sure you love Somerville Hall,’ Abigail said genuinely. She did too. And the people who lived and worked there. Especially one person. Abigail didn’t say that aloud, but it didn’t stop her from thinking about it, even though the guilt crept in when she thought of Toby. She was still waiting for an answer. She just wanted to know more about Oliver.
His smile faded. ‘I don’t believe in what ifs.’
Neither had Abigail, until the unthinkable had happened and her life had been turned upside down in one terrible evening. She still wanted to know, though. ‘Just indulge me.’
Oliver rolled his eyes and looked at her. ‘All right, if you must know—’
He was about to say something when Abigail interrupted. ‘And it can’t be something silly, like an astronaut or a superhero.’
He smiled at her. ‘I don’t think it’s silly.’ He looked about him, and leaned forward in his seat, whispering, ‘Once, among other things, I quite fancied the idea of being a paramedic. But I must admit, that was just a passing phase.’
Abigail’s ready smile and easy-going banter disappeared immediately.
So did Oliver’s when he noticed her expression change. ‘Did I say something wrong?’
Abigail looked away, thinking,it serves me right for asking. She shook her head. ‘No, not really. It’s just my … my late husband used to be a …’
‘Oh, god, I had no idea.’
‘Of course you didn’t.’ Abigail raised her eyes from her mug of coffee, and looked at him across the table, wondering – however ridiculous the thought – if this was a sign that Toby was looking down on them and had chosen Oliver. She managed a smile. ‘It’s okay, really it is. I’m glad you told me.’
‘You are?’
She nodded. Abigail liked that despite growing up in a huge stately home, Oliver wanted to give something back, help people, dedicate his life to saving people.
‘That’s why I’ve joined the RNLI. I might not work in my chosen profession, but I’m doing first-aid courses. It’s my way of doing something for my local community.’
Abigail’s frown deepened, although she managed to offer Oliver a fake smile. She hated that her stepdad had volunteered for the RNLI in the past and that her brother still did, and now to find Oliver was intending to do that too worried her. ‘Hey, Carys told me your brother volunteers.’
Abigail was enjoying the conversation less and less. She didn’t need to ask how Carys knew that. She’d seen them exchange numbers. It sounded as though they had met up again. Although Carys had only bumped into her brother on Friday night, they’d wasted no time hooking up. Abigail guessed her brother hadn’t mentioned the cottage she’d inherited, otherwise Oliver wouldn’t be sitting here having a congenial conversation, virtually pressing her to make a decision to stay.
They finished their coffee in silence. Oliver apologised again for mentioning he’d wanted to be a paramedic. Abigail told him not to. She didn’t comment on his volunteering with the RNLI.
They made their way back to the office on the first floor. Oliver opened the door, saying, ‘Not that I’m pressuring, but when will you make up your mind – do you think?’
Abigail was saved from having to answer that question by Carys, who was in the office, perched on her brother’s desk, with something still on her mind.
‘Oliver, you’ll never guess what I saw.’
