Flora's Lot Katie Fforde (ebook reader macos txt) 📖

and William have brought some too.' A thought occurred to her. 'It's not a very precious table, is it? We thought we'd eat outside. It would be abit cramped in the cottage for six.'

‘No.It's an army surplus one. But it would have been for the officer class,'he added.

Flora wastaken aback. That was definitely a joke. 'That'sall right then. I wouldn't want my guests sitting atanything that wasn't worthy' Flora smiled, deciding thatas Charles was obviously making an effort at being more civil, she should too.

‘Have youenough chairs? I brought a couple of plastic stacking ones, in case.'

‘Chairs.'Flora mentally trawled the two bedrooms and the bathroom. 'Actually, a couple of chairs would be very useful, thank you,' she added, makingproper eye contact for the first time since the fight.

‘Where are your other guests?'

‘Inthe woods. Picking something, probably. I hope you like nettles.'

‘Oh, absolutely. My favourite.'

‘Youthink I'm joking, but I'm not,' she said solemnly.

He nodded,equally serious. 'Flora . . .' He looked oddlyembarrassed for a moment. 'I've also got a cheque here foryour back wages. If you give me your bank details we can do it by standing orderin future.’

Floraregarded him quizzically. That was definitely the lastthing she'd expected, but maybe he was as daunted asher by the idea of a hideously uncomfortableevening, and was trying to engineer some kind of truce. 'You've forgiven me forpulling the ceiling down, then?’

Again, helooked a little shame-faced. 'You did put it up again,very neatly. And while I do think you're a liability, you're quite a hard-workingliability, and deserve to be paid something,even the pathetic wages we'reoffering. And . . .' He paused again, clearly feeling awkward. 'AndGeoffrey said something to me.’

Floraflushed. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to be thesubject of discussions between Geoffrey and Charles.

‘Hesaid there were relatively few people who'd give up a job in London to come and work for the minimum wage in a small business in a small town, and wewere lucky to have you – and to behonest it was only then that Irealised that actually you've been working very hard for us for severalweeks for free. Which, even though you're a shareholder, obviously isn't on.'

‘Oh.'Flora felt inordinately pleased at this grudging approval.

‘I'll get the paperwork.’

While hewas gone she did a quick check on her feelings for him. Perhaps he wasn't themost horrible man on the planet. Perhaps he was almost human. Ittook a bit of work to make the mental adjustment, buthell, she wasflexible, she could do that.

When hecame back he had a stern, businesslike expression and he gave her a look whichseemed to draw attention to the amount of chocolate smearedover her. She reverted to disliking him. Life wassimpler that way.

He produceda cheque. 'Is there somewhere I can put this where you won't lose it?'

‘Iwon't lose it! But if you're worried, you can put it on the mantelpiece.’

He crossedthe room and then caught sight of the teapot. 'Oh my God!'

‘It'slovely, isn't it? Geoffrey gave it to me. We found it at a car-bootsale.'

‘It'sthe most revolting piece of kitsch I've seen in a long time. I'm surprised Geoffrey let you haveanything to do with it.’

Floragrinned. 'Well, to be honest, he wouldn't have, only hecould see I had my heart set on it and thought I'd pay toomuch if he didn't do the deal for me.’

‘So how much did he pay for it?'

‘A fiver.'

‘Hmm.That's not bad, actually. I should sell it, if I were you.'

‘But,Charles, it'll fit in so well with the rest of my collection!’

He rolledhis eyes. 'Sell all of it. On a good day you'd get quite a lot of money.'

‘Imay be a bit hard up, but I'm not ready to sell my precious teapots, yet.' Although it was a goodidea, she acknowledged silently. Shecould do it on the Internet, and gether mother to pack them off to eager buyers.

‘You're hard up?'

‘Did I say that? No! I'm fine, nowyou've paid my wages.’

He frowned.'I'm sorry that our rather sticky relationshipmeant you couldn't tell me something like that.' She shrugged.

‘Onthe other hand, our sticky relationship is entirely your fault.' He smiled, and for a second Floracaught a flash of the charm whichall other women seemed to get allthe time. 'I don't suppose I could have another peep at the kittens? I wouldn't like to ask in front ofeveryone else or they'll all want tosee them too and it might be a bit much for them.'

‘That'svery considerate of you, and of course you can see them. They've opened their eyes since you last saw them, Ithink.’

As hefollowed her upstairs she felt suddenly anxious at thethought of him being in her bedroom, it was so untidy.Still, it was too late now. She could hardly bring the wholecaboodle downstairs, Imelda would hate it.

‘You'll haveto excuse the mess,' she said as they reachedthe landing, getting more anxious by the second.

Herbedroom did indeed have that 'just burgled' look and he glanced around it,trying and failing to disguise his horror at the clutter of make-upand beauty preparations on the dressing table, and the heap ofclothes on the bed.

‘I'ma bit short of clothes storage and I'd put a lot of my things in Emma's room,' Flora explainedhurriedly. 'I had to bring it all back here when she came.'

‘I see.’

Then,because in spite of everything she was annoyed by hissilent disapproval, she added, 'And some of them are waitingto be washed. I can't decide if I should just wash themall by hand or take them to the launderette.’

This little dig went home. 'I didpromise you a washing machine, didn't I? Ipromise I'll get on to it. Now I'veseen how great your need is . . .' He paused.

. . I'mless likely to forget. Now, are the kittens still where they were before?’

Floranodded. 'In the cupboard with my shoes. Imelda and I arealmost psychically in tune, you know.' He chuckled and knelt down.

‘Thislittle black one is my favourite,' he said, plucking it up from theothers.

‘He'svery shy. He usually squeaks like mad if you pick him up.’

But thelittle bundle didn't squeak, it purred, snuggling into Charles's neck.

Flora felta pang of