‘You definitely did the right thing. After all, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. This would be the perfect solution.’
‘Every time my phone rings, I’m a nervous wreck in case it’s her.’
‘But it might be the news you want. Come here, I think you need a hug.’
As they pulled away from the hug they heard a rap on the door and nearly jumped out of their skins.
‘Who’s that?’ mouthed Isla.
Libby shrugged. ‘It’s a good job we closed the curtains,’ she whispered.
They watched as the door handle twisted. Thank God they’d locked the door.
‘Libby, are you in there?’ shouted Julia.
Libby flapped her hand frantically in front of her face and pointed to her phone on the desk. Quickly hot-footing it over to the phone she managed to switch it on to silent just before Julia’s name flashed across the screen. Libby pressed a hand over her swiftly beating heart. ‘That was close,’ she mouthed. Julia would definitely have heard the phone ring if Libby hadn’t managed to silence it.
As soon as the phone stopped ringing, Libby received a text message.
Where is everyone? Have all the villagers been captured by aliens?
Libby bit her lip, stifling her laughter. ‘Aww bless her,’ she said, showing Isla the text. ‘Do you think she’s gone?’
Tiptoeing to the window, Libby carefully peeped out of the side of the blind. Julia was at the top of the path then disappeared around the corner. They both breathed a sigh of relief.
‘She’s gone! That was a close call!’
‘My heart is racing,’ Isla agreed. ‘Could you imagine if we blew the surprise?’
‘We didn’t, thankfully! But we are keeping that door locked. Now, let’s get you measured properly and I can start sewing this beautiful dress. You’re going to look stunning!’
* * *
A few hours later, armed with homemade chicken soup from the manor’s kitchen, Libby knocked on the door of Guy’s lodge. She heard the rustle of keys and finally the door opened to reveal Guy standing there wearing a tired smile and a pair of lounge pants, his hair wild and sticking up in every direction.
‘How’s the patient? I brought soup!’ She held up the container.
‘You’re a sight for sore eyes.’ He grinned, opening the door wide. ‘Enter at your own risk.’
‘I think I’ll take the chance,’ she said, walking past him and pressing a swift kiss to his cheek. ‘Where is everyone?’ she asked, looking around the room.
‘Mum and Holly didn’t want to catch the dreaded bug and now my father is feeling better they’ve gone back there for a few days. And Pickle…’ He pointed to the log fire and Libby looked over to find that Pickle had bagged herself the best place in the lodge: stretched out on the faux fur rug in front of the fire toasting her little body.
‘That’s what you call a hot dog.’
After handing the soup over, she asked, ‘How is Holly? I’ve … I’ve missed seeing you both.’
‘I’m sorry. My intention was to come and see you the day after we talked but then this bug came from nowhere. My head hurt; I was dizzy and sick, and I’ve only just been feeling human again this morning. I’ve even had a shower. Promise!’
Libby laughed. ‘That’s good to hear,’ she said, sitting down on the sofa.
‘Holly was upset. I think she thought she would see you every day. She also thought the lodge was your home. I explained that you came here, like I did, to work for Flynn for a short time and just like us you’ll be going home when it’s done—only home now happens to be New York. She had a little cry but I promised her that you wouldn’t get rid of us that easily and that I liked you and we would be doing everything possible to keep in touch. I did mention a couple of things’—he screwed up his face—‘and I know I should have checked it with you first…’
‘Go on…’
‘That, if it was possible, we could come and visit when you’ve settled in.’
‘It would be my pleasure and I insist you stay with me.’
