so much, why he’d chosen a life of obscurity over fame, and why he was so resistant to letting people in.
But really, I felt honoured that he’d chosen to let me get as close as he has, even though I didn’t really understand why he trusted me. The fact that he couldn’t commit to this Lizzy woman was troubling, but perhaps he just hadn’t been ready then. Perhaps he’d needed a few more years to get to that point. At least, I hoped.
Stepping out of the car, I breathed in the fresh sea air and just soaked up the scenery for a minute. Damon’s cottage sat right on the coast, and there were barely any houses for miles around, just a small few scattered haphazardly in the distance. My hair was swept up with the wind, billowing around my head.
“It’s so beautiful,” I said, but Damon was busy getting our luggage from the boot and didn’t hear me. I turned and started following him to the door of the cottage when the sound of a dog barking came from the distance. Glancing over my shoulder, I saw an older woman wearing a thick woollen jumper, heavy jeans, and Wellington boots making her way towards us, a golden German shepherd walking alongside her.
“Damon,” she said in a thick Scottish accent, “it’s so good to see you.” She seemed pleased, but the dog seemed even more so, scarpering over to Damon and practically leaping on top of him. Seriously, the dog was so overjoyed to see Damon it was almost like he couldn’t believe his luck.
“Charlie,” said Damon, going down on one knee to give the dog’s fur an affectionate ruffle. “How are you, boy?” The dog yipped and whined, like he couldn’t contain his emotions. It was too adorable for words. When he licked Damon right on the face, I laughed, but he didn’t even seem bothered by it.
“I’ve never seen him so excited,” said the woman, chuckling.
Damon stood and introduced me to her. “Rose, this is my neighbour, Sheila. She owns a small sheep farm about a mile that way.” He gestured to the right of his cottage. “And she’s been taking care of my place while I’ve been in London. Sheila, this is Rose, a friend of mine from the city.”
“Lovely to meet you, Rose,” said Sheila, smiling kindly.
“And you,” I replied, returning her smile.
“And this big handsome fellow is Charlie,” Damon went on. “Charlie belongs to Sheila, but I steal him from her sometimes.”
Sheila laughed. “That’s an understatement. When you’re home, he sleeps in your cottage more often than mine. I can’t tell if he just likes you better or if he wants a break from all the sheep.”
Damon chuckled softly. “I guess we’ll never know.”
“Well, here are the keys you left me, and your car is parked around the back. The tank is full if you’re planning on doing any driving, though I see you’ve brought a rental. You can drop the keys back on your return to London. I’ve stocked the fridge with enough food to see you both through, and left some clean towels and bedding in the cupboard.”
“You shouldn’t have gone to all that trouble, but thank you.” Damon took the keys, and Sheila pulled him into a hug. He looked like he hadn’t expected it.
“It’s nothing. I can’t tell you how happy I am to see your face again,” she said before drawing away. “Ever since Maureen’s passing, it hasn’t been the same around here.”
I surmised that Maureen was Damon’s grandmother. He gave the woman a tender, understanding look as he said, “I know. I miss her every day.”
Sheila sniffled a little before pulling herself back together. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two to get settled. If you need anything, just pick up the phone. And it looks like Charlie’s set on staying with you for the night, I’m afraid.”
“No worries,” said Damon. “His company is always welcome.” He patted the dog again and Sheila left, walking back across the field that I assumed separated their houses.
I glanced up and found him studying me. “Sheila was a close friend of Gran’s. She lived in a house just a couple of miles that way.” He pointed in the opposite direction of Sheila’s place. “Sheila’s always been very kind to me,” he went on, leading me inside the cottage. The dog, Charlie, sniffed at my hand. I petted his head, and he seemed to decide I was okay.
Immediately as I stepped inside I smelled a fresh