Lucy turned to Oliver with interest. Seemed she could count on her big sister to ask the difficult questions.
‘Lucy.’
‘Well, in that case, I’ll bring two coffees over.’
‘We’re too busy,’ said Lucy.
‘I can cover for you,’ said Jen with a determined set of jaw revealing an obstinacy which Lucy knew, from experience, she wouldn’t be able to shift. But Lucy was never one to give up easily.
‘You were off home, Jen.’
‘Change of plan.’
‘There’s nowhere for two people to sit inside,’ said Lucy.
‘You can go into the garden.’ Jen’s smile tightened. ‘I’m staying, Lucy, so take a seat and I’ll bring the coffees over.’
Sometimes it wasn’t any use arguing with your big sister. It seemed she’d always pull rank and have the last word. Lucy glanced at Oliver who was standing a little to one side, watching the exchange with amusement. Lucy scowled and walked past Jen and through the back door beyond the kitchen. When they emerged in the garden she turned around to find Oliver was right behind her.
‘I prefer this route to the garden,’ he said. ‘Rather than the cobwebby one through the disused, mildewed tunnel you sent me down last time.’
She refused to be drawn in past reminiscences. ‘What is it you want, Oliver?’ She folded her arms.
‘So we’re going to do this standing up, are we?’
The door slammed open. ‘Two coffees, just as you both like them!’ exclaimed Jen pushing past Lucy to the table the staff used for their lunches.
Oliver followed and, with a grunt, Lucy followed, too. It looked as if she didn’t have any choice. After Jen had deposited the coffees and walked away, Lucy remained standing, eyes fierce and arms folded.
‘I’ll ask you again. What is it you’re here for?’
‘I have a business proposition for you,’ he said.
The ridiculous hope in her heart plummeted. ‘Of course you have. Why else would you be here?’
‘Exactly,’ he said. ‘You know me so well.’
‘I’m not sure I do.’
The humour drained from his face, leaving a rawness she hadn’t seen before. He glanced at his untouched coffee, then looked up again, resolve hardening.
‘You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?’
‘I’m hardly making it hard. Because I don’t know what it is! I’m guessing as it’s business, it must be connected with the café. You want me to franchise the Perching Parrot?’
‘Would you?’
‘No! Oliver, look, I don’t know why you came here. I have no interest in a business proposition.’
‘You haven’t heard it yet.’
‘OK. Let’s get to the point of your visit and then we can both get on with our day.’ She sat back with folded arms and stared at him. ‘I’m all ears.’
‘It’s about the hotel.’
‘The hotel,’ she repeated.
‘Yes, the hotel.’
