Chapter 12
‘So, let me get this right. Your grumpy-guts immediate boss is now playing nice as you’ve apparently proved yourself to not be a whinger and just got on with stuff.’
‘Yes. And it also seems to have coincided with when he saw your photo when you rang at lunch the other day.’
‘Huh. He’s pretty but from what I’ve heard about him, he can dream on on that front.’
‘I told him the same thing. Still, he’s off my back a bit now and it’s making the work days more pleasant. He’s actually a really good teacher and can be amusing when he’s not being an arse.’
‘Good to hear. So with that and accidentally becoming engaged to the lord of the manor, it’s all going grand.’
‘Absolutely.’
‘So, when’s the wedding? Ooh, is it a shotgun one? That would explain the hurry and, let’s face it, your dad wouldn’t be past having a word with a boyfriend.’
That was both an under and overstatement.
Dad was nice as pie when he’d first met any blokes I brought home.
He shook their hand, asked them how they were and acted pretty much normal.
Then, he would ask them through to the kitchen to wait for me as he was just making a cup of tea.
Off they’d trot, thinking how well it was all going, only, usually, to come to an abrupt halt when they saw the gun on the table.
‘Just cleaning it,’ he’d say, one large hand weighty on their shoulder. The majority of them had remained mute then. It was – mostly – a joke to Dad. If he had an opinion, he’d offer it but he left it to me to make up my own mind. Only once had he ever insisted and I’d been glad he had.
‘You’ve forgotten your keys!’ Dad had held up the bunch that I knew were his as I was halfway down the path.
I’d been out with the guy a couple of times and had been in two minds whether to say yes to this third date but in the end, he’d persuaded me.
When I’d told Dad that, he’d set up the usual show so that he could suss him out.
‘I’ll be there in a sec,’ I called to the sort of boyfriend and hurried back up the path.
Dad had pretended to hand me the keys. ‘In twenty minutes, I’m going to call you and tell you there’s an emergency and I’m coming to pick you up from the restaurant.’
‘Dad?’
He wrapped me in his big bear hug. ‘It’ll be OK. Twenty minutes. Just act normal.’
‘Love you, Dad.’
‘Love you, Sprout,’ he called loudly back down the path as I hurried towards the car, smile plastered on my face.
Twenty minutes later, I’d taken the call, done a piece worthy of a BAFTA and gone home with Dad.
‘There’s something in his eyes,’ he’d said when I’d asked. ‘Something’s not right. They lit up at the weapons, but not with interest. I don’t know what it is, Sprout, but I don’t want you near him.’
‘It’s fine. He was furious at me taking a call when I was with him, even though I said it was obviously an emergency. I apologised just to calm him down and told him I’d call him later but honestly, I don’t want to.’
‘Good.’
I hadn’t had to call him. He’d called me.
Thirty-two times in half an hour, with each message getting more and more threatening and furious.
Even knowing that my dad would never let anyone hurt me, it was still really scary and I’d changed my number the next day.
A few months later, Freddy had seen the newspaper report of his arrest for false imprisonment and abuse of his girlfriend.
So as much as I’d rolled my eyes and sighed when Dad did his little skit, knowing I always had his backup meant the world.
‘I’d better bloody well be a bridesmaid.’
‘Of course you are, and the dress will be stunning but not too stunning as obviously, we don’t want all the attention on the bridesmaid, not the bride, do we?’
‘I think it shows how lovely Kate is that she didn’t consider Pippa Middleton’s arse would take centre stage in the coverage of their wedding that day. Anyway, as fantastic as my arse is, I have no intention of it outshining my best friend’s wedding. Tell me more about this dress.’
‘Well, as with everything else to do with this engagement, it is entirely fictitious.’
‘But you are going out with him tomorrow?’
‘Yes, but not in the way that you’re thinking. He knows the places to get outdoor clothes, has accounts and loyalty discounts, and so on.’
‘Ooh, it’s like that bit in Pretty Woman when Edward takes Vivian shopping.’
‘It most certainly isn’t and have you been talking to Isaac?’
‘It is, and no. Why would I, bearing in mind I’m yet to warm to him?’
‘Because he said exactly the same thing. And he’s definitely warmed to you.’
‘I’m very warmable. Is that a word? Anyway,’ she carried on before I could offer my opinion on her question, but Freddy was correct; people definitely did warm to her.
Especially men but unusually for exceptionally beautiful women like my friend, so did women.
Her natural charm and soft Irish brogue seemed to take the edge off some of the hot girl antagonism.
‘Why would I when he’s given you such grief?
I’ve a good mind to have a chat with him when I do see him. ’
‘I’m pretty sure he’d love that.’
‘I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t, not with what I’ve got to say to him.’
‘He went all gooey just at your photo. God knows he’d just agree with whatever you say if you were standing in front of him.’
‘Good. Then let’s set a date. Anyway, what time is your carriage coming tomorrow, milady?’
‘Nine.’
‘In the morning?’
‘Obviously.’
‘That’s a bit bloody early for a Saturday, isn’t it?’
Freddy was not what one would call a lark.
‘I don’t mind. At least that way, I can get it over with and all this straightened out as soon as possible.’
‘I do want to come and see you, though. It already feels like years.’
Freddy and I had shared either a room, flat or house since we’d met the first day of uni, and spoke several times a day in one form or another.
In taking this job, living further from Freddy had been the only hesitation but she’d told me that if I didn’t take it, she’d never speak to me again which would make the worry a moot point anyway. Hence here we were.
Freddy only just scraped into the realms of five foot one, was slim and willowy and men melted on sight.
But some of those men had been absolute and complete arseholes.
Sadly, some people seemed to think that being beautiful meant she was immune to being treated badly but that was most certainly not the case.
All it meant, it seemed, was that there was less sympathy for her. People were weird.
‘Oi!’
‘Sorry, what?’
‘I’ve got to go and babysit small people now so I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Let me know how it all goes. Don’t forget to make the salesmen give Edward his tie.’
‘Hilarious. Maybe you and Isaac deserve each other.’
‘No one deserves me.’
‘That is true.’
‘Love you, pal.’
‘Love you back. Cuddles to the tiddlers.’
One of Freddy’s brothers lived the other side of London and babysitting them had occasionally been our night out.
What some people found tragic was that we enjoyed it.
The kids were being brought up what might now be called old school but that seemed normal to us, including having chores and crafting.
In fact, a Saturday night with Freddy, her nephews, nieces and a Play-Doh barbershop was pretty close to a perfect evening if you asked me.
* * *
‘Good morning.’
‘Morning,’ I replied. ‘Come in a sec, I was just about to put my trainers on.’ It was only then I gave Edward a second glance and then looked down at myself. ‘Oh.’
‘Oh, what?’
‘I didn’t realise I was supposed to be dressed up.’
‘You’re not.’
‘You are.’
‘No, I’m not.’
‘OK, but you look a lot nicer than I do!’
‘I doubt that. You look lovely.’ There was the flicker of a smile then it faded.
‘See? You can’t even fake it!’ I chuckled. Some might have been offended but I’d always preferred honesty which is why the whole pretend-engagement thing needed to be fixed pronto.
‘No! It’s not that.’ He reached out and laid his hand briefly on my arm. ‘Oh crikey.’ He snatched it back. ‘That’s probably wrong too.’
‘Edward, what are you on about?’
‘One has to be so careful these days and I realised that saying you look lovely is fine as a friend but perhaps not as an employer and then I just made it worse by—’
‘Right, stop.’
He did so abruptly.
‘Let’s get one thing straight. If I look nice and you say and mean it, I’m fine with that, OK? If you say it and don’t mean it then I’m not, whatever the relationship. Also, believe me, if you said or did something I didn’t appreciate, a lawsuit would be the least of your problems.’
‘I actually believe that.’
‘Good. Now, should I change?’
‘Would you like to?’
‘I’m not sure. I just thought we were going to an outdoor shop to get some things and then coming back but you look rather smart for that.’
‘I always look rather smart.’ The tease of a smile played on his lips.
‘Fair point. Although, despite being engaged to you, I don’t actually know you all that well. Now I know how some of your female ancestors probably felt!’
‘That’s likely true.’ Edward looked briefly down at his shoes. Smart ones, of course. When he lifted his head, he looked far away.
‘Hey.’ I touched his arm. ‘I was only teasing.’
He took in a breath. ‘I know. But you were also correct. It must have been quite an intimidating situation for many women, don’t you think?’
‘One that still continues in some places.’
‘Yes.’ He shook his head.
‘Right. If we’re going to have deep and meaningful conversations this early in the day, I need coffee.’
‘Me too. And you really do look lovely but I’m happy to wait while you change if there’s something you’d prefer to wear.’
‘I’m happy with this. Although…’ I dived back under the stairs and swapped my trainers for a pair of suede ankle boots with a medium heel that elevated my outfit just enough.
‘There, now we’re on a par. Sort of,’ I said, standing up from where I’d sat on a small, padded bench in the hallway to zip up the boots.
‘You weren’t below par before. Now, let’s go and get that coffee.’
He opened the door for me and I stepped out into the fresh, clean air of the April morning. There was still enough chill lingering to require the jacket I’d slipped on but the pale-blue sky was deepening in colour and held promise of warmer temperatures to come.
My gaze drifted down from the skies and landed on the Aston. ‘Woah!’ I stopped short and Edward walked into me, almost bowling me down the step.
I flailed and one surprisingly muscular arm wrapped around me briefly while I steadied myself.
‘Thanks.’
‘What’s the matter?’ he asked, stepping down in front of me, his eyes searching my face. ‘Are you ill?’
‘No,’ I replied, laughing. ‘I’m fine! I was gawping at your car. Stop fussing.’
‘Oh, I see. My mother says the same thing.’
‘OK… not sure about the comparison but it’s sweet you look after your mum.’
He was nodding. ‘You’re quite correct. I heard that as I was saying it…’ He made a rolling motion with a pointed finger. ‘And I agree, it does rather make me sound like a mummy’s boy. I apologise.’
I shrugged. ‘Makes no difference to me,’ I said and made to take a step down.
Edward blocked my way. ‘It makes a difference to me.’
‘Right, yes. Of course. I mean, that’s fair enough you don’t want that sort of reputation although from what Isaac’s said—’
‘Take whatever Isaac’s said with a large pinch of salt. Please.’
‘Don’t worry, I will. But it wasn’t anything bad. I mean, between you and me, he seems quite a fan.’
‘We’ve actually been friends for a long while. But still…’
‘I know. But let’s just say mummy’s boy is not the reputation he’s suggested for you.’
‘I’m almost afraid to ask.’ He stepped away and took the few strides to the car parked in front of the cottage.
‘Fenella Whatsherface alluded to it the other day. All those women…’ I widened my eyes as I met him at the car.
Edward looked down at me. ‘And I will tell you what I told her. You shouldn’t believe everything you read.’
‘Oh. Not a Lothario then?’
‘No.’
‘How very disappointing.’ I let out a sigh.
‘I can see why my brother hired you. You have the same sense of humour.’
‘I’m going to take that as a compliment.’
‘That’s not exactly how I meant it.’
‘Too late! Also, just FYI, I’m pretty sure my dad would marry me off to you just for this car.’
‘Really?’
‘Don’t be daft. I’m his princess and no man is ever going to be good enough, but this would give you points.’
‘Good to know.’ Edward opened the door of the Aston Martin DB5.
‘I take it it’s genuine, not a replica or anything.’
Edward staggered dramatically, his hand on his heart. ‘A… replica! You wound me.’
My laughter caused a passing peacock to give an indignant honk, flash its tail and strut off.
‘Now get in before you say something else I might regret.’
I did so, still giggling.
The thought of spending a couple of hours with Edward, while not filling me with dread, also hadn’t exactly filled me with glee either. But I’d witnessed the odd flash of wit during the few interactions we’d had and I was glad to see another dose of it now.
‘How long have you had it?’ I continued the conversation as Edward got in.
‘It was my dad’s.’
‘Oh… I’m sorry.’
‘Don’t be. He’d have loved your appreciation of it.’
Edward started the engine and a small sound escaped my lips.
‘Stop it.’
‘What?’ he asked innocently.
‘You know exactly what. I couldn’t help it.’
He did his best to smother the smile but it was clearly a struggle.
‘Anyway…’ I started, determined to change the conversation as well as distract my chauffeur from the fact I’d just made a sound of mild ecstasy.
‘Anyway?’ he repeated, steering the beautiful car down the estate road that led to the main thoroughfare.
‘Where are we going?’
‘Do you have other plans today? I should have asked that first. Sorry.’
‘Nope. I’m all yours.’
He looked across. ‘Excellent news.’
‘Ha, ha. Don’t get any funny ideas.’
He gave a small chuckle and shook his head. ‘I assure you, I have no intention of doing so. I value my life far too much.’
‘I’m glad we understand each other.’
The chuckle morphed into a full-on laugh and the sound of it curled around me in the cosy cockpit of the vintage car and between them both, made me feel warm and content.