“Did your parents like Jane Austen?” Penelope asked.
Georgie turned to her, smile wide. “Mum was obsessed by her books. Not many people make the connection though.”
Penelope smiled. “It’s easy to pick when you’re a fellow Janeite.”
“Mum would have loved you.” Georgie’s smile faded, and she pulled open the door and called, “We’re here!”
A young girl dressed in her yellow and brown school uniform came bounding through the door on the other side of the kitchen, her brown ponytail swinging behind her. “Hey, Georgie!” She hugged Georgie and then turned to Penelope. “You must be Penelope. It’s nice to meet you.” She held out her hand.
Thoroughly charmed, Penelope shook her hand. “You must be Lara. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“All good, I’m sure. Faith said you were at her horse-riding class. You can come and ride on the weekend. I can take you to the beach.”
She was delightful. “I’m not sure I’m good enough to go riding so far yet, but thank you for the offer.”
Faith entered the room. “Nice to see you again, Pen. We’re just waiting for the guys to arrive. Would you like a drink?”
“Water’s fine.” She sat at the kitchen table next to Lara. “I hope I’m not intruding.” She wasn’t sure what Georgie had told them.
The kitchen door swung open and a tall, lanky man with dark brown hair walked in and hung his hat on a hook by the door. Lara jumped up and hugged him.
“Dad, have you met Penelope yet?” Lara asked.
“I’ve just walked in, pumpkin,” the man answered. He smiled at Penelope. “I’m Darcy. Nice to meet you.”
Penelope stood and held out her hand. “Thank you for having me.”
“Any time.” He shook her hand. Behind him, two other men had entered; Brandon she recognised from the removal day, and Matt she’d met after the incident when he’d been kidnapped.
“Go wash up,” Lara told them. “I’m hungry.”
“You tell them, La La,” Georgie agreed before kissing Matt.
“Sam’s not here yet,” Brandon said as he walked over to greet Amy, who had entered the kitchen.
Penelope jolted at the name. She hadn’t known he’d be here. She wasn’t certain she wanted to see him.
“Why’s Sam coming?” Georgie asked.
Brandon glanced at Lara, who was telling Matt about a project she’d done at school that day with a girl named Natasha. Brandon lowered his voice. “If we’re talking to Penelope about things, we should include him. He could be an asset.”
Penelope’s skin prickled. What had she got herself involved in?
“We’ll wait until Lara goes to bed,” Georgie murmured.
“What are you talking about?” Lara asked, turning to stare at them.
“Ears like an elephant,” Brandon teased. “Nothing you need to be worried about.”
“Can I come in?” Sam’s call at the door captured Lara’s attention, and though she scowled at Brandon, she turned and flung it open for Sam.
“You’ll tell me what the others are talking about after I go to bed, won’t you, Sam?” She hugged him and he looked slightly confused as he hugged her back.
“I’m a little lost, La La,” he said.
“They’re going to talk when I go to bed.” She lowered her voice, but Penelope still heard her say, “I think it’s about Stonefish.”
Sam gave her his full attention. “If you need to know, I’ll tell you.”
