‘Of course. I’ve done some research on ideas for the house if you’re interested.’ She hadn’t fetched her phone in the mad dash from the flat earlier, and quickly improvised. It had been late after the Zoom with Noelle last week when Ella had scribbled down some thoughts and she couldn’t remember all of them now. ‘I could email you the notes I made if you like?’
‘Please. I’d like to see them.’ Max raised his eyebrows, the iPad once again on his lap. ‘Is there anything else? I’m not entirely convinced what you’ve told me amounts to a full-time role.’
She knew it was a reasonable question. ‘I’m not really sure. Noelle and I agreed that we’d sort out the hours and everything else when I arrived. Your mother was clear that you need some assistance and I’d be more or less full-time but not necessarily working regular hours over five weekdays. I have no other commitments right now and I’m happy to be flexible. It just seemed to fit, and we both thought it could work. How does that sound?’
Max let out a long breath as he settled against the back of the sofa. ‘Helpful, if I’m the one being honest now.’ There was a glimmer of amusement now, a growing acceptance of the circumstances Noelle had manoeuvred him into. ‘How much has my mother told you about Halesmere? And us?’
‘Not a lot, just that you moved here in February and would like to maximise the use of the buildings and plan to re-establish the holiday business. I’ve been exploring ways to bring the two together.’
‘I actually bought it in a moment of madness and I’m still wondering if it was a mistake. It was supposed to be a new beginning for all of us, one where I’m less busy and have more time for Lily and Arlo now I’m working from home.’
‘It is the most stunning location now I’ve seen it in daylight. I can appreciate why people would want to visit, even if it is a bit isolated.’ Ella was picturing the quick charm in his smile and shook the thoughts away as she looked into the garden.
The borders were a sad jumble of overgrown shrubs and perennials gone to seed. She glimpsed stunted and gnarled trees in the grip of climbing roses bare of their leaves, the flash of yellow winter jasmine on bright green stems. An orchard and a meadow lay beyond, the landscape flowing into the distance until it met the rough fells soaring to the sky.
‘Not much of an advert for my practice. I don’t bring many clients here.’ His tone was wry as his eyes followed hers to the garden. ‘Another thing on my lengthening list of jobs to do next year.’
‘Redesigning it?’ Ella knew her mum would love the walled border with its old fruit trees trained across the stone.
‘Yes.’ There was a first flash of real enthusiasm in his face. ‘I’ve already drawn a plan. The er, inspiration came to me in the middle of the night and seemed to make sense.’ The fleeting pleasure was already gone.
‘I have nights like those too,’ she offered quietly.
‘And what do you do? When you can’t sleep?’ Max was busy with the iPad again and Ella guessed he was avoiding her gaze on purpose.
‘Not design gardens, I wouldn’t know my catmint from my clover,’ she quipped, gratified to see his smile, head still bent. ‘Walk sometimes, run if I need to go faster.’ She knew her dad would flip if he thought she was running at night but thrashing around in bed never worked, she had to move. ‘My hours were pretty unsociable, and I wasn’t always ready to sleep when I got home.’
‘And now, working here? How do you think you’ll manage more ordinary hours?’
‘I’ll be fine. There’s lots of places I can run or be on the water.’
‘On the water? You sail?’ Max lifted his head.
‘Kayak,’ she corrected. ‘I’ve brought mine with me.’
‘Oh? I didn’t see one attached to the roof of your car.’
‘It’s inflatable,’ she explained. ‘It’ll be perfect up here; I can’t wait to try it.’
‘Be careful.’ His voice was quiet as their eyes held. ‘I take it you won’t be kayaking in the dark.’
‘No,’ she replied. She hadn’t expected the concern she could see in his expression. ‘I don’t want to puncture it on some rock I can’t see.’
His mobile over on the desk was ringing and he let it go to voicemail, swiping a finger across the screen on his iPad. ‘So, a DBS. Do you have one?’
‘Yes, for the activity centre I volunteered with near Brighton. I’ve applied for another enhanced one this week, but it hasn’t come through yet.’
‘Okay. Let me know when you have it. A scan copy via email will be fine.’ Max checked his watch. ‘The children are going to a party later and I’m seeing a client after I drop them off. We’d better get them in if they’re to ask you their questions.’
‘Seriously?’ Ella’s laugh, as she picked up her cup, was startled; she wasn’t sure she was up to a grilling from Lily and Arlo quite so soon after the more emotional turn the interview with Max had taken. ‘I thought they were joking.’
‘Oh no, Arlo has some deadly serious questions to ask you and I think they’re all to do with food. They’ve made a list. My mother just wants to know if you’ll sit for her.’
‘I’m sorry?’ Ella was savouring the final drops of lukewarm espresso, wondering if she might be able to sneak into Max’s office and help herself to coffee this good every day. She wasn’t convinced the kettle in the flat would be up to heating water hot enough even for instant.
‘I presume she’s told you she’s an artist with her own studio here?’ His voice had risen a notch. ‘But she paints nudes mostly, so watch out. She’s famous for her persistence and she’ll have you whipping your clothes off before you can say paintbrush. It’s your eyes, the way they suggest a story you haven’t told anyone yet.’
Ella spat her coffee straight back into the cup, frantically trying to turn her splutter into more of a polite cough. Max suddenly seemed to realise what he’d said as her incredulous stare met his, and he leapt up to cross the room and grabbed the door handle. Ella wondered if he was trying to run away from his own words as she swiped at her mouth with the back of her hand. The handkerchief was revolting now; she wasn’t using that.
