‘What?’ The randomness of his comment had her smiling.
‘I know. And hashtag shocker, it also turns out Digby-Dog is not my father.’
She stifled a laugh, glancing to see his expression. He looked relaxed, almost amused, so she felt confident in joining in with a humorous comment.
‘Is he Olivia’s?’ she asked, and he laughed – a firecracker of a sound in the blanketed, snow-filled air.
‘Nope. Although it has become clear that Olivia and I are closely related enough to be safe in the knowledge that we both have the same father – even if it turns out that’s not a cockapoo.’
A lightning smile brightened his expression and Jess grinned back. He was so very irresistible when he smiled like that, and Jess had to drag her gaze away from him as they neared the village hall.
‘I’m glad. For all of you. So, what does that mean for Kirkshield?’ she asked.
‘I’ve put Olivia properly in the picture, and she’s on board to help. We’re determined to make it work, somehow. She’s already made some suggestions. Some good, some not so much. It’s why I asked if you’re happy to stay on. I know our finances are concerning, but I give you my word your wages will be paid, regardless of anything else. And I …’ He held her gaze for a beat, then shook his head. ‘Anyway, I just wanted to check.’
At the village hall, he held the door wide for her again, and as Jess glanced at the faces already gathered, she noted some were smiling in greeting, while others remained guarded at Sebastian’s arrival. Jess felt a swell of protectiveness, a desire to explain to those whispering behind their hands just how close they’d come to losing their homes. She spiked with annoyance, doing her best to keep it to herself.
She supposed Sebastian still might be forced to sell, if the debts proved irresolvable, but at least he was willing to fight for these people, even as they made little attempt to hide their disdain for him.
Afterwards, as they wound their way back, Sebastian halted on the bridge, staring up at the castle.
‘Do you think it would make any difference if I did offer them the use of the music room for the rest of the rehearsals?’
‘I don’t think it would hurt, if I’m being honest,’ she replied, then wiggled her fingers in front of herself; they were ice cold even though they were encased in gloves. ‘It is freezing in that hall.’
‘It’s not a whole lot warmer in the castle,’ he said, but there was humour in his expression as he said it.
‘Oh, I don’t know. I think the place is finally warming up, don’t you?’
He studied her for a few moments, then gave her a soft smile. ‘Yes. I think maybe it is.’
Jess pursed her lips, then said, ‘Would you mind if I skipped back to pay Vivi a quick visit?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘The request does come with a caveat – can you get the stews out of the Aga for me? Otherwise, they’re going to be drier than an Egyptian mummy’s innards.’
He pulled a face. ‘Nice analogy. Really looking forward to eating them now you’ve said that …’
She grinned. ‘Yeah. Maybe I didn’t think that one all the way through.’
He walked on, looking back and holding up a hand before Jess turned and walked briskly back into the village. Checking he was out of sight, she hustled back to the village hall. She had no intention of visiting Vivi; what she wanted to do was to join the post-rehearsal chit-chat. Because Jess had a few things she wanted to say.
Chapter 26
When Dee next saw Robbie, he took her by surprise. It had been three days and Dee’s cowardice had held her back from seeing him in that time, stopping her from telling him just how conflicted she was feeling after Olivia had all but laughed at the idea of the two of them together.
With a little more than a week to go before Christmas Day, and Freya and the boys arriving later in the day, Dee was in one of the storage buildings at the far end of the stable yard, searching for the old rocking horse. It was either out here or in the attic, and Dee was sure nobody had bothered to cart it up all those stairs.
She’d just located the dappled grey body underneath a calico sheet when she saw the top of Robbie’s head pass by the window. He was calling for one of his dogs – which was unusual; Robbie’s spaniels were extremely well trained, and never usually strayed far from him even when they were loose.
Dee drew back the bolts on a long-since unused plank door and peered out.
‘Otto, where are you?’ Robbie sounded panicked; his expression was fraught as he caught sight of Dee.
‘What’s happened?’ she said.
‘Otto took off. No idea why. He headed out here and he’s not responding to me.’ Robbie pulled his dog whistle up to his mouth and blew, his gaze scanning the undergrowth as he called for his dog again.
