Chapter 6 #2
‘My parents’ place is just up here, if you take the sharp right.’
My mind stuttered back to focus on what I was doing.
The lane, sandwiched between two thick bands of hedgerows, had a huge corn field on the left protected by a long fence. Beyond the field, I caught a glimpse of hills weighted down by heather.
I steered Marlene on as the trees ahead parted.
Wow.
Facing me was an imposing Edwardian mansion. It possessed a glossy, oak double door at the grand entrance and half a dozen glinting windows. Furling crenelations of unicorns and eagles twisted like elegant cake decorations in the afternoon sun.
Surrounding the property was an endless throng of swaying Scots pines and ferns. All it needed was a dusting of snow, and it’d make the most stunning Christmas card.
‘This is beautiful,’ I breathed, resting both my arms on top of Marlene’s steering wheel.
Evan didn’t say anything for a moment. I could feel his eyes on me.
‘I suppose it’s not bad. It’s called The Ramblings.’ He gave me an eye roll. ‘Oh, please don’t look like that, Daisy.’
‘Like what?’
‘Like you’ve just had a spell cast on you.
’ He gestured out of the windscreen. ‘I know it’s impressive, but it eats up money.
The place belonged to my late paternal grandparents, and they left the property to my dad in their will.
He grew up here and adores it, so my parents moved in and took it over.
’ Evan gazed out. ‘Louise, the housekeeper, is a lovely woman, and she’s stayed on.
’ He rolled his eyes. ‘But like I said, places like this cost a fortune to heat and maintain.’
I set off again, the car wheels scrunching over gravel.
‘You’re welcome to stay here until this bomb situation is dealt with.’
Evan’s words took me by so much surprise that I screeched to a halt. Had I heard him correctly? Marlene’s engine burred away. ‘Sorry?’
Evan fixed me with his dark stare. ‘I said you’re welcome to stay here for the time being, until the bomb situation is over.’
I opened and closed my mouth like a goldfish. The windows of The Ramblings were like diamonds, shining down on the car.
‘We’ve got plenty of space here, as you might have guessed, and my mum loves having guests.’
I fidgeted behind the steering wheel. Ahead of us, The Ramblings glowed like butter in the Sunday afternoon sunshine. The trees around it appeared to be alight. Evan’s lips flickered. ‘We’re not The Munsters. Well, some might disagree about that.’
I wondered what on earth to say. I barely knew him. We’d only been sandwiched in the car together for twenty-four hours. And I’d never met his family. It was kind of him. But being here with Evan, in his parents’ home…
I found myself appreciating the way his mouth tilted up at one corner when he was thinking. No. Remember what you promised yourself, Daisy. Keep your distance and you’ll keep your dignity.
I pushed my thoughts back to The Ramblings. ‘Thank you. Really. That’s very kind of you, but…’
‘But what?’
Oh bugger.
My head was struggling to find a reasonable excuse to say thank you, but no.
‘Come on, Daisy. Don’t be stubborn. This is my way of saying thank you for putting up with me on the journey here.’
Evan was still training all his attention on me.
I felt vulnerable under those dark pools of his. It was annoying. ‘But you’ve already paid for the petrol, and you gave me too much money anyway.’
Evan cut me off. ‘Yes, I know I’ve paid you for the petrol, but we weren’t to know about two unexploded bombs.
’ He pushed his hand through his flop of black hair.
‘It’s a no-brainer as far as I can see. Just means you’ll have to put up with me and my eccentric family for a day or so, and then you can be on your merry way to Strath Ross. ’
I still wasn’t sure. I’d envisaged dropping Evan off and then heading on home. To my grandfather. To safety, in a way; to where I could lick my wounds in private about my life and seek solace in familiarity.
Maybe the authorities would be able to handle those bombs faster than they anticipated. Perhaps several days was the worst-case scenario, like it had been with the incident in Wales. Perhaps I’d only end up having to stay the night here.
One of Evan’s brows arched at me for a reply. The sunshine was spooling through the windscreen, rifling its golden fingers through his hair. ‘Well?’
My emotions bounced against one another.
I didn’t want to appear rude, but … those bloody bombs! It looked like I had no other option, and considering that I was having to be so careful about my finances at the moment, it didn’t make sense to fork out for accommodation if I didn’t have to.
I’d have to ring Grandpa and tell him what was happening. What with the technical issues at the airports and now undiscovered explosive devices, this whole trip seemed doomed!
Evan leant forward in the passenger seat. With his unshaven jaw and long legs, he seemed to take up most of the space in my car. ‘Could I have an answer today please, Daisy?’
I pulled myself backwards in my seat, putting a decent amount of space between us, both physically and mentally. ‘Thank you,’ I managed, pushing out a smile. ‘That would be good.’