Page 49 of The Perfect Blend
“It's about that actually, Sel,” said Zach.
“Don’t tell me anyone else knows?” Selena calmly asked, but I noted a tinge of panic in her tone and a sudden tension in the lines of her body. I was right, it was a complete secret, one that seemed vitally important to keep that way.
“No, no, just me,” I assured her, before I let out a self-deprecating laugh. “Actually, I’m not sure of what Idoknow. I’ve just had a row with your brother where I accused him of being married with a child, and now we come here and it turns out I’ve really gone and got the wrong end of the stick.” I looked up at Zach as he set the cups of tea on the table and pulled out a chair for himself. My anger was simmering down into embarrassed confusion as I realised I was probably partly to blame for this situation by jumping to conclusions. It was all so messy and confusing.
Zach sat in the chair and met my gaze directly. “I really think we need to start from the beginning,” he said. “Would you tell me how you came to the conclusions you did? Sel can then fill in her side.” At this he held up a hand in the direction of his sister, who had taken a breath as if she was about to argue. “So that we can all understand the situation, and work to do any damage limitation.” The words seemed to hold off her argument, though I couldn’t really understand what damage there was to limit other than the damage I’d done to mine and Zach’s relationship. Selene’s eye’s seemed troubled, though, as she turned her focus back to me.
I anxiously smoothed my hands over the table and thought about how I was going to explain this. Was there a way to phrase this that didn’t make me seem nuts? I took a deep breath and launched into my tale. I told them about spotting them at the market, not recognising Selene from the back, and about Sharon’s amateur detective attempt.
“That was your cousin Sharon?” asked Zach, eyebrows raised in incredulity.
“I can see it in the eyes actually, now that you mention it,” said Selene, scrutinising my face.
“Really?” I asked, getting side-tracked. I didn’t think Sharon and I looked anything alike.
“Mhmmhmm,” she continued, “not the colour, obviously, but something about the set of them…”
“Well,” I said, pulling myself back to the matter at hand, “I suppose if Sharon had looked closer at you guys she might have realised you were related, not a couple.”
Zach and Selene pulled near identical faces of disgust at that, which I just had to laugh at.
“But it was obvious, surely, that she thought you guys were a couple?” I pressed, thinking of why they didn’t deny it when clearly their natural gut reaction was distaste.
Zach ran a hand down his face with a groan and a half laugh. “It didn’t even cross my mind. We are a family, just not in the way she meant.” He met my eyes. “I’m so sorry it caused such confusion.” There were a ton of unsaid things in his expression that I wanted to unpack later, once we were alone.
Selene let out a soft snort, “I was actually scared that maybe she recognised us or something. I’m relieved she didn’t, even though I’m sorry it caused so much drama.” Her apologetic gaze flicked between me and Zach.
I felt like I was stepping on eggshells for what I was going to ask next, but I had to know.
“Why are you scared of being recognised? Is this something to do with why Zach said he was going down south to spend Christmas there with you, when actually you were coming up here to stay with him?”
Zach’s gaze moved to his sister and he leaned back in his chair, deferring to her. She heaved a heavy sigh and when I looked back at her face it seemed older.
“I’m a very careful woman.”
“Bordering on paranoia,” added Zach. Selene looked at him before acquiescing.
“Probably well into paranoia. The last time I was up here it was nine and a half years ago. I met Sophia's father. I became pregnant. When he and his mother found out, their response was worse than I could ever have imagined. It was made very clear to me that either I disappeared with the child and never came back, or, if they saw me again, they’d take custody of Sophia. I was young, unestablished, and scared. I understood that if they were to find out that Sophia and I were anywhere near here, they could pull this whole place crumbling down around us.”
I was shocked. What kind of dodgy guy did she get involved with?
“I’ve refused to come up here since, but Zach persuaded me that the countryside would be good for Sophia and that nobody would see us here at the farm. We caught the train into Manchester and did some shopping. Zach drove into the city to come and pick us up, and we drove back to the farm. I didn’t even want us to get the train. I don’t trust anyone around here. I’m sorry, though, Robin for the pain this caused you,” she acknowledged with a small apologetic smile. “I’m worried it will get back to him and then who knows what will happen. Please, please keep this secret for me.”
My blood ran cold, “Are you in danger?”
She shook her head, “No, the repercussions would only be regarding custody and then whatever issues can be made for you guys here.” She smiled, “I hear great things will be happening up around here, there's no way I’m going to endanger that.”
“Look, Sel,” Zach turned to face his sister, “I need a bit more information from you on what trouble you think could be caused up here. I know you won’t tell mewho-,”a note of frustration tainted the last words, this was clearly an old argument. I felt my eyebrows raise - Sophia’s father was a secret even from Zach? “But can you at least give me some direction so I can take care of my own business?” Selene’s face might as well have been made of stone for all the reaction she gave, and Zach heaved a sigh.
“Would you really have us try to build something here at the farm completely in the dark of whatever threat you think is hovering over us? I’ve respected your privacy with Sophia, Sel, I always have and always will. But how can I start a life up here, invest in the farm with your vague comments about how everything couldpotentiallycome crashing down? I can’t Sel!”
My heart sank as Zachs voice rose in frustration. Could I really have untangled my heartbreak with Zach, but still end up losing the opportunity to work together on our project? The turmoil of the day blunted my embarrassment of having a front row seat for a family drama I had no business being involved in. I watched Selene's face, and thought I saw a flicker of uncertainty. It gave me the courage to butt in further.
“The project Zach and I are just starting to embark on, it’s got amazing potential, and the backing of so many locals now that we’ve run the market to soft launch it,” I said, my voice soft and tentative but filled with all of the passion I felt. “I don’t need to know any more details of your life than what you’ve already shared, Selene, but I can’t risk my business by pouring time, energy, and money into something you’re so sure could be at risk. I know Zach sees the same potential here as I do. Is there any way you could share any sort of information to help us solve this?”
Selene hesitantly looked back and forth between us, seeming torn as she bit her lip. With a soft exhale, she nodded.
“Zach, how is the farm financed?”
