I nodded again, heart singing with excitement.
I said to Thomas, "What shall I tell Aunt Julia?
"Why would she ask? Has she ever asked how you spend your days?
True.
"Fancy another coffee to celebrate your entry to the ranks of the unpaid and overworked?
He was just topping up my mug two coffees in less than an hour. I was going to h.e.l.l but feeling extremely cheerful about it when I heard another car pulling into the yard. For one really nasty moment I thought Aunt Julia had miraculously divined my whereabouts and despatched Uncle Richard to bring me home.
Two complete strangers wandered in. I automatically drew back.
"Hey, said the man. "That horse of yours needs more exercise.
Ah, that would be Boxer. The shiny buckets were for him.
"I know, but he doesnt like the rain.
"I dont know what on earth possessed you to buy that big girls blouse in the first place.
"Well, I lost rather a lot of money on him a few years ago. It creates a bond.
"h.e.l.lo, said the man, spotting me despite my best efforts. "I wont wait for Russell to introduce us. He has the social skills of a bicycle. Im Andrew Checkland. G.o.d help me, Im some sort of cousin, although I try to keep that pretty quiet so please dont tell anyone, and this is ... He looked round. "Where did she go? I know she was behind me a minute ago. Hoi!
"Do not "hoi" at me, said his companion, hopping through the door trying to get a muddy shoe off. She was tall with blonde hair pulled back in a severe bun which showed off her cheekbones. She had a slight accent. I discovered later she was German. "I need help with this shoe.
"You have five hundred pairs of shoes. How can you have forgotten how to take them off?
Russell pulled up a chair before she toppled over. "Here you go, Tanya. Sit down while you struggle with the nasty English shoes. Please allow me to introduce my lunch date, Miss Jenny Dove. Jenny, this is some sort of semi-cousin I keep around out of pity, and the impossibly beautiful Miss Tanya Bauer who steadfastly refuses to leave him for me.
They were a very good-looking couple. Russell was, I thought, handsome in his own way, but he couldnt match Andrews conventional dark good looks. There was a slight resemblance between them, but Russells face was longer and bonier. And Tanya was breath-taking.
She smiled kindly. "I cannot shake hands because my hands are dirty as they always are when I come to Russells house, and this hound does not help, but I am very pleased to meet you.
I smiled back.
"Nice to meet you, too, said Andrew, sliding into the seat opposite. "Have we met before?
"For G.o.ds sake, Andrew, said Russell. "Give the girl a chance. He turned to me. "Hes a Checkland. He cant help himself. Dont be fooled by his superficial glamour. Concentrate on me.
Across the kitchen, Tanya gave up with her shoe. "It is immoveable and I have broken a nail, she announced. "Andrew, please bring me coffee.
He sighed heavily, and found two mugs. "Is this fresh?
"Nearly.
He poured two mugs and handed her one. "There you are, my legal lovely. Coffee to take away the pain.
"So, said Russell. "Dont think its not lovely to see you but why are you here? Are you stopping long?
"Five minutes to check on Boxer, the house, and you. In that order of importance. And, of course, to meet this beautiful lady. h.e.l.lo again, Jenny.
I smiled at him again. He was lovely. He twinkled back at me.
"Stop that, said Russell.
"Look at you, said Thomas. " This time yesterday not a man in sight and now youve got two. Just imagine what youll have achieved by the weekend.
"Youve seen the horse. The house has new buckets and Im fine. You can go now.
Andrew drained his mug. "Alas. I have other patients. Patients who pay, no less. Your horse is fine, Russ. Just finish the course of tablets and h.e.l.l be as good as new.
It struck me, watching the two of them, that he eyed Russell rather more closely than was warranted. I realised hed heard about last night. Hed come to check on his cousin. Id liked him as soon as Id met him and now I liked him even more.
He looked over at Tanya. "Are you ready? Another one who couldnt sit still for long.
"No, she said, placidly. "I want to finish my coffee and talk to Russell and Jenny.
He sat back down immediately. She sank her nose in her mug but not before she caught my eye for a very quick moment. So thats how you manage a Checkland. Although I never knew there were two of them. I wasnt sure the world was ready for this.
"Were going to start with the painting tomorrow, announced Russell.
Andrew c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. "We?
"Jennys agreed to lend a hand.
Andrew groaned. "You cant rope this perfectly lovely young woman into acting as your unpaid drudge, Russell. The days of white slavery are done. Jenny, heed my words. Flee. Flee while you can. Its not as if hes going to pay you. He never pays me.
"You never send me a bill.
"He never pays me, either, said Mrs Crisp, coming back into the kitchen.
"I do, said Russell indignantly. "I distinctly remember paying you last ... he paused.
"Last Wednesday? said Andrew, helpfully, and she snorted.
"Oh! That was a really bad word. Dont listen, Jenny.
"Last month? Last year? Good grief, Russ.
"Im paid until the end of last month, thank you very much, she said.
"There, said Russell. "I dont know what all the fuss is about and frankly, given Im such a wonderful employer, you should pay me.
Everyone snorted at that one and Thomas rolled his eyes at the language.
Tanya, meanwhile, had finished her coffee. "I am ready to depart, she said, hopping to the door. "Oh, I remember now. Russell, you will come to lunch on Sunday. At one oclock.
Andrew shrugged. "I never know whether its a wobbly grasp of the English language or shes channelling her dominatrix side. Russell, we hope very much you will be able to join us for lunch on Sunday, around one-ish.
"That is what I just said.
"Indeed you did, my Teutonic temptress. I just rephrased in slightly more acceptable terms. Now theres a chance h.e.l.l actually come.
"Are you doing roast pork? said Russell, hopefully.
"If you wish it.
"I do indeed, and you may phrase your invitation any way you please. If you could arrange for Andrew to be absent then the day will be perfect.
"No, he must be there to talk to you about your life and make sure you do not drink too much.
Andrew groaned. I giggled.
"Yes, said Russell. "Good luck with that, mate. The doors behind you.
Even Thomas didnt argue when I bounced out of bed the next morning. I packed up a pair of old jeans, some battered trainers, a faded sweatshirt, a few toiletries, and a towel.
I made sure to have a piece of toast with Mrs Finch in the kitchen just so no one would think Id vanished off the face of the earth or been s.n.a.t.c.hed by aliens, and Thomas and I oozed out into the drizzle at half past nine.
Astonishingly, he was outside the post office waiting for us. I thought he looked relieved.
"I wasnt sure youd come, he said, chucking my bag in the back and climbing in beside me. "I did wonder if youd had second thoughts.
"No. Looking forward to it.
He laughed. "Ill soon put a stop to that.
He pulled out to the usual fanfare of outraged beeping. I dont think he ever actually heard it.
Mrs Crisp was in the kitchen. "Lunch is at one, she said, severely.
"Steady on, said Russell. "Ive only just had breakfast.
"Im talking to Jenny. Never mind him. You come down at one oclock and take an hour for your lunch. Dont let him gallop you through it in ten minutes and then have you back up those stairs again.
"You make it sound slightly indecent, said Russell to her retreating back. "Were only painting, you know. A door closed behind her. "I dont know, he muttered. "You pay them and they think they own you.
"Where shall I change? I asked, trying to get him back on track.
"Youd better stay out of my room or well have Mrs C muttering and crossing herself all morning, so use the nice one next door. Can you remember where it is? Ill get the stuff ready and meet you at the top of the stairs. I thought wed do the three small bedrooms first, then the nice bedroom, then the landing. Ill do the stairs and well finish with the important rooms downstairs. OK?
I nodded and shot off to change.
"Do you know what youre doing?
"Not a clue.
"Ill stand well back then.
Actually, it was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Or I was a natural painter and decorator. Russell did the ceilings and I did the walls, which were quick and easy. I got rather a lot on me, especially the first day, and had to shower quite a bit out of my hair, but otherwise it went well.
We fell out over our choices in music so we listened to Radio 4 instead, mostly so that Russell could shout insults and argue vainly with whichever presenter happened to incur his wrath. Which was all of them. I found it more entertaining than the actual programmes.
Every day I emerged from the alley behind the post office, and resumed my normal life.
"A bit like Superman, said Thomas, as I made my way home, pleasantly tired and with an unfamiliar but enjoyable sense of accomplishment. As far as I could see, no one had the slightest interest in my doings.
Time pa.s.sed happily and then Thomas burst the bubble.
"You do realise that when you finish the dining room, probably the day after tomorrow, thats it? All finished.
I hadnt realised. Id been enjoying myself so much that I hadnt thought ahead at all. This time next week, Id be back to my old ways. It was going to be hard. Id had a glimpse of something better.
I swallowed and nodded.
"What will you do?
I shook my head.
"Jenny ... speak.
"I dont know. Ive got used to being out of the house. Maybe Ill do some walking. Explore the moors.
"Not on your own.
"Maybe Ill join a walking group.
"You?
I thought that was a little unkind. Normally it was Thomas urging me on to try new things. I thought he would be pleased.
"Or maybe a book group.
Silence.
"Or maybe the Local History Society.
More silence. What was wrong with him?
"You think thats the answer?
"Whats the question?
"What are you going to do about your feelings for Russell Checkland?
"Nothing. You must have noticed, since Im sure it was you who pointed it out to me in the first place, that hes head over heels in love with FrancescaKingdom.