‘Of course,’ Clara said. ‘Have you all had a good week?’
They told her about everything they’d done that week, while Moira made some coffee and pulled out some pots.
‘Dairvin Castle was very posh,’ Claire said. ‘Apparently it’s only open for a few weeks in the summer as the family doesn’t like toomany visitors. When we were on the tour, the countess actually came by. She swooped in and told off an American man for calling it Glenbriar Castle. The tour guide said most tourists call it that, and it’s a pet hate of the earl and countess.’
Clara laughed. ‘Oh dear. The owners of the estate where my house is – the Chattan-Blythes – are related to the earl and countess, though I don’t really know how. All these old families are, I think.’
‘The history was very interesting.’ Moira turned on the stove. ‘Though I’ve already forgotten half of it.’
‘Why don’t you let me cook?’ Clara said. ‘You must be tired after such a busy week.’
‘I’d be happy with some help, but I don’t mind cooking. Years of practice.’
Clara and Claire mucked in helping, and not long after, the slam of a car door drew their attention.
‘Guess who’s back?’ Alisha shrieked.
Sam came in, saw Clara and grinned. ‘Hey.’
‘Uncle Sam.’ Mina ran up and hugged him. He lifted her off the floor and settled her on his hip like she was two, not six.
‘Hey, munchkin.’
Kaleb and Jacob were taking turns to hug their grandma. ‘I’m so happy to see you again before we leave,’ Moira said.
‘Are we eating outside?’ Alisha asked.
‘It’s too wet,’ Kaleb said. ‘It started chucking it down just as we came in.’
They all helped set the table with plates and glasses, bowls of salad and bread rolls, and the centrepiece – a huge Bolognese.
Sam slipped in beside Clara, and she beamed at him, feeling the rush of love in her heart.
The food vanished quickly. Kaleb and Jacob swapped stories with Mina and Alisha about school.
After second helpings and the promised pudding – chocolate brownie and ice cream – the evening slowed. As the kids drifted off to play a computer game on the TV, Sam and Claire started clearing plates, and Moira set out mugs for tea.
They had plenty of happy chat and laughs before Claire yawned. ‘I suppose I should get these two to bed.’ She checked the time on her phone. ‘I’ve been letting them stay up way past their bedtime, but it’s a long drive tomorrow.’
‘Oh gosh, it’s after nine o’clock.’ Clara sat up straight. ‘How has time passed so quickly? I should probably think about heading home.’
‘Why don’t you stay?’ Sam said.
‘Have you got another hidden bedroom?’ Claire said. ‘Or is she bunking in with you?’
Sam scrunched up his nose and looked away.
‘Are you two fake dating again?’ Claire waggled her eyebrows.
Clara’s eyes met Sam’s, and his cheeks coloured. Claire and his mum looked at each other.
‘No, we’re not,’ he said.
‘But we could share. As friends.’ She glanced up at Sam. ‘If you’re ok with that?’
‘Yeah, sure.’
Moira and Claire both kept calm expressions, but Clara guessed the minute they were alone, their tongues would be wagging at a hundred miles an hour. And could she blame them? She was the one who had an overnight bag in the car for just such occasions.
