‘He’s a friend of Xanthe’s and he’s not staying long.’
‘Good,’ said Ross. ‘The man’s an idiot.’
Izzy laughed. ‘He didn’t seem to like you too much either.’
‘He’s one step down from a conspiracy theorist. Thinks all historic artefacts should belong to the people and that everyone has a right to go digging them up wherever they like. He and a couple of his friends completely wrecked an archaeological site by randomly digging all over the place with their metal detectors in the middle of the night. He calls himself a “historian of the people” and is into every legend and half-truth going whether or not there’s evidence to back things up. Like I said, the man’s a complete idiot. He wouldn’t know an antique from something found at TK Maxx.’
‘Well, he’s very rude,’ said Jeanette, brushing a cobweb from her leggings.
‘Let’s hope he tires quickly of the wild goose chase and… Where’ve you been anyway?’ Izzy couldn’t help blurting as she eyed Jeanette’s dirty clothes.
‘I made a start on one of the attic rooms. I thought maybe’ – Jim stepped closer to her as though showing his allegiance – ‘me and Jim could move up there when the guests come. There’s a bedroom and a sitting room with a fireplace and a bathroom. If you wouldn’t mind us decorating it a bit, we could make our own little staff suite.’
Izzy was amused and touched at the same time. ‘That’s very thoughtful of you. You and Jim planning on staying then?’
‘Aye,’ said Jeanette, adding with a sudden cheeky grin, ‘You need us and I’m sure you had no plans to put us up in one of the guest rooms for ever, did you? Of course, that’s if you’ll have us?’
‘I’d love you to stay but I don’t want you to feel you’ve been thrown out of the room you’re in. Although I was considering moving to a different room myself.’
‘Don’t you dare, Izzy McBride,’ said Duncan. ‘This is your home now. You’ve every right to stay in a nice room. Xanthe won’t be moving, will she?’
Ross folded his arms and leaned against the edge of the table. ‘He’s right, you know.’
‘We’ll see,’ said Izzy, a little overwhelmed by their support.
‘You must.’ Jeanette put her hands on her hips and gave her what was likely supposed to be a threatening glare. She thrust her chin forward. ‘You’re one of the kindest people I’ve met. You do everything for everyone else. You do all the work and so you should be able to enjoy living here.’
Touched, Izzy leaned forward and gave Jeanette a quick hug. ‘That’s very sweet of you but I’m perfectly happy. And if I have to move rooms it’s not the end of the world.’
‘Hmmph.’ Jeanette sniffed but gave her a hug back. ‘You really are the best. Thanks so much for letting us stay here.’
‘You’re working.’
‘Yeah, but not as hard as you,’ said Jim.
‘You’re working yourself to a wee frazzle,’ butted in Duncan.
‘Do you think we’ll get everything done in time for Christmas?’ asked Jeanette.
Izzy swallowed. ‘I certainly hope so.’ It wasn’t so much being ready in time for the arrival of the Christmas party group, but more how she was going to make sure they were well looked after while they were here, and living up to their no doubt high expectations.
‘I was wondering about uniforms,’ said Jeanette.
‘What?’
‘Me and Jim. We could dress up while they’re here. I was thinking I could wear a sash and Jim could wear a kilt – there are some tartans up in the attic – and we can help with serving the food and what not.’
Izzy laughed. ‘You’ve got it all figured out. But I don’t expect you to do that. Don’t you want to go home to your family at Christmas?’
Jeanette put her hands on her hips again. ‘Yeah, right. I don’t think so.’
‘Shouldn’t you let your mother know where you are?’ Izzy had asked this question before, hoping that Jeanette might get in touch with her mother and start to heal the rift between them.
‘She knows I’m safe.’ Jeanette’s mouth firmed into a mulish line. ‘And that I’m with Jim. So we’re staying for Christmas and we’ll pitch in.’
‘You don’t have to do that. It’s not as if I’m paying you very much.’ Although once she’d had the Carter-Joneses’ money and paid for everything, she planned to give them a bonus.
‘We’ve been talking upstairs, all of us, and as we’ll all be here we’re going to help, so that’s the end of it. I’ll no have any argument from you about it. And Ross and Duncan are both going to dust their kilts off too.’
