Posh Frocks & Peacocks - Tracie Podger Page 0,26

admission.

We both heard a groan from outside the bedroom. It was followed by a gentle knock.

“Come in,” Ronan said. I frowned at him; I was still wrapped in a towel.

Joe walked through the door carrying a brown paper-wrapped parcel. He pointed to the window and groaned again before placing the parcel on the bed.

“Are we meant to understand what that means?” I asked, holding back a giggle. I don’t think I’d ever seen Joe so dishevelled. He groaned and pointed again. It was only the squint that gave away what he wanted to communicate.

“Close the curtains, I think,” Ronan said, and Joe nodded.

“Go close the curtains in your own bedroom,” I scolded, proudly showing him I was hangoverless. He snarled at me. I pointed to the parcel. “And what is this?”

He just shrugged his shoulders then flopped onto a chair in the corner. “Did we all have a fight last night?” he asked, keeping his eyes closed.

Ronan snorted. “No, we all didn’t. If I recall, you and Lizzie stood laughing like hyenas while the rest of us had a fight. That was until the animals came to our rescue, oh, and then the police. And then, you drove Lizzie’s parents to the pub while bladdered!”

“While drunk?” I asked, turning sharply to Ronan.

Ronan gestured at Joe. “Well, he wasn’t sober, was he?”

I stared at Joe who simply shrugged his shoulders. “I have no idea what I did.”

“You’re lucky there isn’t any local police,” I scolded.

Joe started to laugh. “Danny drove, not me, Miss Moral…something.” He shook his head, not knowing what word to add to the insult. “He pushed me out of the way and got in the driver’s seat. You were there. What a party, huh? I wonder who has black eyes this morning?”

“Well, Charlie, for one,” I replied, and then chuckled. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to get dressed.”

He didn’t move, just waved his arm as if giving me permission to do so. In fairness, I had dressed in front of him before.

“I think that’s code for she wants to jump my bones,” Ronan said. Only then did Joe colour and leave the bedroom rather quicker than he had arrived.

“As much as I’d love to jump your bones, I’m not sure I’m coordinated enough and I’m not sure my stomach would hold up with too much movement. I’m happy to just lay like a limpet while you get on with it, of course,” I said, smirking at him.

“I’ve remembered, this is a gift from the film crew,” I said, picking up the parcel. On his nod, I tore off the wrapping. Inside was a framed still of the front of the castle, the cars lined the drive and the actors were walking to the door carrying their vintage suitcases.

“Oh my Lord,” I said.

“It’s brilliant. That will go nicely in the office, and on the website,” Ronan added. I nodded in agreement. It might entice more location scouts to check us out.

Once I placed the photograph back on the bed, I stood.

Ronan slapped my backside. “Come on, let’s get some food in your stomach and see if that settles it. After all the activity last night, I think it might be my turn to lay like a limpet,” Ronan replied. He kissed my temple and rose from the bed.

I dragged on some underwear, jeans, and a T-shirt. I fiddled around trying to get the flip-flops onto my feet and the toe-bar between my toes, and then followed him downstairs.

The kitchen was a hub of laughter. Maggie was in her element and it looked like she was cooking for the five thousand. Pam and Del were there, Jake and his partner, and Charlie was regaling them, again, of the evening events, even though they were there at the time. Joe and Danny sat on the kitchen countertop, and even Petal was cooking up a storm on the Aga.

“Where’s Eric?” I asked, snatching a piece of sausage from her pan.

“Gone for a walk, he needs the fresh air before he can eat,” she replied, slapping my hand away.

“Right, everyone to the terrace,” Maggie shouted. I raised my eyebrows at Ronan, who shrugged his shoulders in return.

As we approached, it was clear most of our guests had returned for a wedding breakfast; only one that took place after the event. Carly was filling glasses with champagne and although one was thrust into my hand, I wasn’t sure I could drink it. I topped it up with orange juice from the jug