‘Would you like to come in for a cup of tea?’
He shook his head.
‘I won’t if you don’t mind. We need to get back and prepare for class tomorrow and I have to call my in-laws and check Fitz is behaving himself.
‘And you don’t want to risk knocking yourself out on that lintel,’ she said.
‘That as well.’
‘Another time, maybe.’
He nodded, but moved away slightly as if not to seem too eager.
‘I’d like that. And Jules, thank you for coming. You have been perfect company. Teenage girls when they get together can be a bit…’ He shrugged. ‘It’s like a club I don’t belong to and will never have the key.’
Jules laughed. A proper laugh. Something she thought she might never be able to do again.
‘I totally get that.’
And he stood there watching as she walked up the path, placed her key in the lock and went into the house with a small final wave of her hand.
POTENTIAL
Eliza was drifting around the garden, trailing her fingers over the roses. She’d always loved their velvety softness and their scent. Her homemade rosewater had been much in demand. People had often remarked on the quality of her skin, and it was Isaac who had encouraged her to start a small business. She had grown camomile and lemon balm for tea in the field at the back of the house. She’d always loved to be outside when the weather permitted, tending her flowers and plants, walking their little dogs along the beach, taking picnics up to the downs.
‘You are looking very pleased with yourself,’ Isaac said.
‘Our guest seems to have had a very happy day,’ she replied. ‘There’s a sparkle to her eyes which was sadly missing when she arrived.’
‘And you are attributing this to what exactly?’
‘Being here, of course.’
He smiled down at her. He knew her so well. Perhaps too well. A little flicker of angst flared up. Could you know anyone too well?
‘And?’ Isaac prompted.
‘Well, getting out and about around the castle and spending time with those delightful young ladies. It’s always soinvigorating to spend time with younger people. They have a different perspective to impart, and Tasha is so bright. She really doesn’t realise how much potential she has.’
‘And our guest?’
‘Of course she has potential, Isaac, potential to overcome this terrible period in her life. We’re all much stronger than we give ourselves credit for, are we not?’ She paused. ‘But it helps if we have loved ones to support us along our sometimes precarious path in life.’
‘When you say loved ones, Eliza, I trust you are not letting any romantic notions get the better of you once again? It may have worked once with Carrie and Guy, but it is unlikely to be repeatable.’
‘Isaac! Would I do such a thing?’
He frowned.
‘Yes, Eliza. I’m afraid to say that I think you would.’
She smiled mischievously at him.
‘Sometimes, Isaac, it doesn’t do any harm to throw a little magic into the air and see where it lands.’
Isaac sighed.
‘Oh, Eliza, please tell me that you didn’t cause Lance to hit his head on the beam above the door this morning.’
