this afternoon and shake some hands.’
‘Busy life,’ I say.
‘Have I passed the test here?’ he asks. ‘Will you have me back? You’re doing great work and I’d like to be involved.’
‘You’re welcome any time.’
‘Thanks for a great lunch, Bev,’ he says and makes her face go a nice shade of pink and her eyelashes all fluttery.
I suspect that she’s fanning herself with the tea towel as I walk Matt to his car by the gate.
‘Thanks, Molly. I’ve really enjoyed myself.’
‘It’s been nice to have you here.’ And then I do my usual thing and go all shy. We stand there by his car, not quite knowing how to part.
Then Wendy the Winky Washer rocks up in her rickety old truck and I open the gate for her.
‘Hiya!’ she says as she jumps out. Wendy is always the most cheerful of souls. I’m hoping it’s not entirely due to job satisfaction.
‘Hi, Wendy. Let me introduce you to Matt Eastman. He’s the local mayor.’
‘Nice to meet you.’ Wendy shakes his hand then says, ‘Are my boys ready for me?’
‘Wendy’s here to give the horses a . . . um . . . er . . . spa treatment.’
‘Sounds great,’ the mayor says. ‘Can I book myself in?’
‘I don’t normally do humans,’ Wendy replies with a wide grin, ‘but I’d make an exception for you, sweetheart.’
I try to hide my own smile and think it’s best if I don’t reveal the true nature of Wendy’s regular visits or the fact that she charges by the inch.
‘It’s a date,’ the mayor says and then climbs into his car. I go to the gate and let him out, waving as he drives away. I hope it’s not long before he comes back.
‘You’re very naughty,’ I say to Wendy as we walk up to the horses’ field together. ‘He had no idea what he was agreeing to.’
‘Shame.’ Wendy winks at me. ‘As I’d do that one for free.’
Chapter Eighteen
It’s been a long day, and when I get back to the caravan after the evening feeding frenzy, I’m exhausted. Even the dogs look knackered as they slope in behind me – except for Betty Bad, of course: The Dog Who’s Never Tired. Oh, to have her energy. Me, I’m looking forward to nothing more taxing than settling with the radio and my book. In the living room, Lucas is already showered and is sitting writing on his laptop. He looks up when I walk in.
‘Hi. You got finished early,’ I note.
‘Speed and efficiency,’ he deadpans.
I try to look over his shoulder at what he’s writing, but he’s having none of it and moves his body to block my view. I never manage to catch him out. ‘How’s it going?’
‘OK.’ He shrugs. ‘What’s for dinner?’
‘I hadn’t even given it a thought.’ I open the fridge and peer into it, hopefully. ‘There’s some leftover rice. Shall I zhoosh it up with some veg and a bit of curry powder? Maybe put an egg on top?’
‘We’re vegan.’
‘Right.’ No eggs.
‘Is there enough for Aurora?’
Oh, goodness. I’d entirely forgotten about the possibility of Aurora. ‘I thought that had been cancelled.’
‘It’s uncancelled,’ is all Lucas says.
‘I can make it stretch, but wouldn’t you like me to rustle up something a bit more fancy?’ Not sure how I might follow up on that offer, though. There must be some pasta lurking in the depths of the cupboard.
‘You don’t have to impress her,’ Lucas says. ‘She’s cool.’
But impress her I want to.
‘What time is she coming? Do I need to go and collect her?’
‘Stop panicking, Molly. She’s just a friend. I said to come about seven and she’s got a car so she’ll drive herself.’
‘Oh. Right.’ Her own car. That must mean she’s older than Lucas, if she’s already driving.
I check the time. I feel that I’ll be subject to scrutiny and hope that I’ve got time for a quick run round the shower. What’s happening here? I’ve already met one stranger today and that seems like more than enough. Yet I don’t want to ask Lucas to put off Aurora as he’s never brought anyone home before and, despite his protestations, I feel she must be important to him.
‘Can you chop some veg while I have a shower?’ I plonk an onion, some mushrooms and a red pepper on the work surface. That should liven up the rice a bit.
‘Sure.’ He closes his laptop and jumps up.
Lucas is surprisingly perky tonight. That’s a good thing, right?
‘I won’t be long.’
I get a nearly-smile. ‘OK.’
Feeling more