‘I admit I was shocked,’ Lottie said, thinking it might be better to offer Steph a nugget of truth to put her off the scent. ‘He’s still the Connor I knew in one way.’
‘Still the Connor you loved?’
Ouch, Steph could be brutal, but she’d hit the nail on the head, thought Lottie. ‘Yes … only a shinier version. It could be the tan, or the fact that he must have been hitting the gym in Oz. It can’t be surfing,’ Lottie said with a smile. ‘He can’t swim very well.’
‘Serves the pompous git right,’ Steph declared.
‘Anyway, he looks really fit and buff and there’s a self-confidence about him, a polish …’ Lottie said, remembering the impact this ‘new’ Connor had had on her. ‘Although the sight of me took the wind out of his sails.’
‘I bet it did!’ Steph’s eyes narrowed. ‘I’d like to tell him a few things, if I see him.’
‘No, don’t, for my sake,’ Lottie cried. ‘To be honest I’d find it excruciating to have to explain to Shayla why a couple cancelled a huge expensive wedding because of me. I’d rather try and get through it somehow.’
‘What’s she like, this Keegan?’
‘Tall, glamorous, determined – and she seems to adore Connor and Firholme.’ And he seemed totally in awe of Keegan, Lottie thought. ‘What more can I say? I only met her yesterday,’ she said, trying to keep things casual.
‘Do you like her though? Does she deserve Connor? And does he deserve her? I hoped you’d say she was Cruella De Vil.’
Lottie laughed. ‘Maybe it would have been easier for me if she was vile, but so far, she hasn’t done anything to make me hate her or even dislike her.’ She sighed. ‘Whether I like it or not, Connor’s my client now. I need to set aside my personal feelings and you know I really liked his mum. For her sake, and Firholme’s, I’m going to make a good job of it – and I don’t have long so if I’m not around here quite as much, you know why.’
‘Well, I call it shitty luck that he chose Firholme, even if his mum does love it.’ Steph reached out and squeezed Lottie’s hand. ‘You know you can vent to me whenever you like. This isn’t going to be easy.’
Tell me about it, thought Lottie.
‘No it’s not.’ She decided to distract Steph for the time being. ‘Talking of work, are you still OK with coming to the staff Christmas ball at Firholme? Can your friend have the chidren for the night so you stay over at mine?’
‘Yes, it’s all sorted. The girls are going to a sleepover at my friend’s house and they’re so excited. Almost as excited as me. Thank you for inviting me as your plus-one.’ Steph gave a mischievous grin. ‘You are sure there’s no one else you’d rather ask?’
‘I’m sure,’ Lottie said firmly. ‘We deserve a night out like we used to.’ She didn’t add that she hoped Steph would be well enough to enjoy it.
‘I can’t wait. I haven’t been out on the town for so long. I’m ready to party.’ Steph sighed. ‘After all who knows what might happen tomorrow?’
Lottie had the following afternoon off so headed into Langmere village to get a few treats for herself and Steph from the deli-cum-coffee shop by the lake. She walked back to her car via the post office where she went in to buy some stamps and choose a Christmas card to send to her parents. She wanted one with a Lakeland scene by a local artist and it would have to be posted soon.
While she browsed, the door was opened and Wilf made his way in, closely followed by Jay, who was carrying a parcel.
‘Thank you, young fella,’ Wilf said to Jay who’d held the door open for him. The old man moved to the post office counter where Irina was waiting to serve him. He lifted his stick. ‘In here again, Dotty Lottie? Anyone would think you were after me, or something.’
Jay immediately caught Lottie’s eye. She cringed at the nickname but answered Wilf good-naturedly. ‘Of course. I came in specially in the hope you’d drop by, Mr Carman.’
Wilf laughed. ‘Can’t keep away, you see,’ he said to Jay who was clearly amused. He nodded a hello to her.
‘Are you the young fella who took over from Graham at Firholme?’ Wilf said to Jay.
Jay managed a smile. ‘Yes, that’s me.’
‘Big shoes to fill. Everyone liked Graham. Still you look like you’re no stranger to hard work. I was a strapping chap in my day,’ Wilf said.
‘Can I help you, Wilf?’ Irina piped up.
‘Oh, yes. I want some stamps. Mind you I need to win the lottery first, the price of them these days.’
Jay queued behind Wilf while Lottie chose her card. She risked a glance at Jay to find him looking at her. They both exchanged a smile before Lottie took her purchases to the store till where Jan was in charge.
When she left the shop the afternoon sun was sinking in a crimson sky and glinting off the bonnet of Jay’s pick-up, which was parked outside.
Jay walked out. ‘Hello,’ he said. ‘Fancy seeing you in there.’
Lottie rolled her eyes. ‘It’s a small world, as you’ve gathered. News travelled fast that you’re working at Firholme.’
‘I realise that. Graham was a very popular man.’
‘He’d worked for the Firholme estate for a long time,’ Lottie said. ‘He wanted to retire when Shayla bought the place but she asked him to stay on until she could recruit someone new.’
‘So I heard. Wilf’s a character.’
‘He’s lived here all his life apart from his service in the war and he knows everyone. He was school caretaker when I was a little girl hence the er … nickname.’
Jay smirked. ‘I’ve heard worse.’
Lottie rolled her eyes. ‘It was OK until I was about seven, but I don’t mind. Wilf’s a lovely old chap.’
Jay’s eyes lit up in amusement and Lottie was encouraged to glimpse this warmer side
