‘Everything okay?’ asked Cameron, joining them and placing a reassuring hand on the small of Ros’s back.
Ros could feel emotion bubbling in her gut. It was anger mainly and she wasn’t sure how to deal with it. ‘Barry tells me you’ve moved into Ros’s apartment and that you’re a student on a low income,’ said Amanda as she stared Cameron down.
‘I didn’t say that exactly!’ called Barry from the other room.
‘It’s fine – that’s all accurate,’ said Cameron. ‘But once I graduate, hopefully I’ll secure a good job and that will put things on a more even keel.’
‘Hang on,’ said Ros to Cameron. ‘It’s not really any of her business. I could be shacked up with all of Southampton football club including the reserves team and it would not be for you to pass judgement.’
‘I would if you’d said Portsmouth,’ called Barry and Cameron laughed. Ros and Amanda both glared at him.
‘Despite what you may believe, Rosanna, I am interested in your welfare,’ she said as she began unpacking the coffee machine. ‘Now that’s cleared up would anyone like a decent cup of coffee?’
‘Grrr,’ was all Ros could manage in response and she stomped out of the kitchen.
***
Ros managed to keep out of her mother’s way for most of the run-up to dinner but once they were all seated with their full plates in front of them it wasn’t as easy to avoid her.
‘Amanda, what is it that you do for a living?’ asked Cameron.
‘I’m a quantitative analyst.’
‘Wow, impressive.’
‘I like to think so,’ said Amanda.
‘What is that exactly?’ he asked.
‘I gather key data, study and report on the mathematical and statistical components of a business. Primarily I help companies manage or avoid financial risks.’
‘Oh, like Ros,’ he said, pointing at her proudly.
‘No, not really,’ said Amanda. ‘What attracted you to Rosanna?’
Barry almost choked on his roast potato but Cameron remained unfazed by the question. ‘She’s smart, funny, kind-hearted and she’s really straightforward. What you see is what you get.’
His unexpected kind words brought a lump to Ros’s throat. She couldn’t remember anyone ever saying something so nice about her before. Then reality gave her a slap and she remembered she was paying him.
‘Oh and she’s gorgeous too,’ he added quickly.
‘I see. And Rosanna. What do you see as Cameron’s key attributes?’
‘Amanda, maybe leave the inquisition until after dinner,’ said Barry, looking embarrassed.
Amanda was still waiting for a reply. Ros put down her cutlery and what she said came from the heart. ‘He works really hard, with his job, his studying and volunteering but he still has time for me. He’s really thoughtful. He’s like human sunshine. He always sees the positive in situations and people and in me, no matter what. And I feel blessed to have met him.’
Cameron rested a hand over hers and they both glanced at each other at the same time. Was Ros imagining that they had a connection? Perhaps it was just the ridiculousness of the situation they found themselves in, but she felt connected to Cameron in a way she never had to anyone else. And in that moment she knew her feelings for him ran deep. When they’d drawn up the contract she’d never considered she might get her heart broken in the process; that definitely wasn’t a risk on her list. She realised they were still looking into each other’s eyes when Cameron squeezed her hand.
She broke eye contact, looking down to slosh a bit more gravy over her Yorkshire pudding. She couldn’t risk him reading her face like a book and figuring out what she was thinking about him.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Darla yawned and stretched. She’d enjoyed her lie-in. Although she wasn’t as comfortable as she could be. Something tickled her nose. Her eyes snapped open to see Elliott waving a piece of straw in her face. ‘Hey!’ For a moment she wondered where on earth she was and why she was asleep next to Elliott.
‘Hello, sleeping beauty, I made you a coffee.’
Darla realised she’d been curled up asleep on the hay bales. She quickly checked her lips for dribble and her eyes for crusty bits of sleep before sitting upright. ‘I must have nodded off.’
