Ella looked at the tall, spare figure who’d already crossed to a highly polished sideboard where there was a tray holding a decanter and odds and sods of antique silver.
Devon shot her an apologetic look. ‘I think Ella wants to get home, Dad. It’s been a long day.’
If there hadn’t been a mirror on the other side of the room, Ella would have missed the naked sadness on the older man’s face, and the lonely longing look he gave Devon.
It made her own heart ache. Stopping for a drink was the very least she could do, especially after all Devon had done for her today.
‘I’d love one. It has been quite a day.’ Geoffrey’s stooped shoulders relaxed and Ella knew she’d done the right thing despite Devon’s perplexed frown. ‘You probably won’t want me associating with your son once you find out the crime spree I’ve been on today.’
‘You’ve intrigued me.’ He poured the drinks and escorted Ella to the sofa. ‘Now tell me all about today. Bets said you’d gone up to London to get some paintings for Aud’s talk at the WI. Did you get everything you needed?’
Ella sank into the feather cushions of the faded raspberry velvet sofa and took a slug of her drink, Tess’s head already pressed against her legs as if the dog was worried Ella might abandon her again. Despite there being several comfortable seats around the room, Devon chose to flop down next to her.
‘It was a bit of an abortive trip, unfortunately.’ Ella bit her lip as she thought about the events of the day. Her lips twitched. Devon caught her eye and winked.
Geoffrey lifted an eyebrow in amused patience.
‘I stole a painting.’ She swallowed, valiantly holding back the laughter that threatened to bubble over. ‘Then I was arrested.’ A snigger slipped through. ‘Then I was released and I hit my ex-boyfriend over the head with the painting, which, I might add in my defence, he had stolen from me.’
Beside her she could feel Devon’s body shaking with laughter. It was no good, the images in her head replayed themselves and she couldn’t help but see the funny side of events.
‘My, that sounds like quite an adventure,’ said Geoffrey, a teasing light glinting in his eyes. Ella recognised the expression – she’d seen it on Devon’s face.
‘It was hilarious,’ chipped in Devon. ‘Don’t mess with Ella. She really clouted him one with the painting.’
‘I was just so mad at him.’ She turned to Geoffrey. ‘I don’t normally do things like that.’ Quickly she explained the full story.
‘Good for you, dear. It sounds as if he probably deserved it.’
Ella pulled a face as she sank back into the sofa and took a sip of her drink. The generous measure of gin almost took her head off but after the day she’d had, it was rather welcome. Absentlyshe reached down to rub Tess’s head and reassure her that she was there.
‘And you, Devon. How was James?’
‘Good, he’s very happy. Enjoying married life.’
‘And did he make you an offer?’ Geoffrey’s voice, although bland, held a note of expectation.
‘Yes, but I’m not interested.’ Devon’s tone was clipped and Ella wondered at the undertone.
‘I don’t mind, you know.’
‘Don’t mind what?’ Devon scowled and took great interest in Dexter’s jaws.
‘I don’t mind if you decide you want to go off and do your own thing. Go and work in another practice.’
‘I don’t want to go and work in James’s practice. It’s another City practice. I’ve realised recently I want to work with large animals.’
Devon’s dad didn’t look convinced and Ella could tell that there was some hidden tension between them.
‘So where did you take Tess and Dex this afternoon? They both look shattered.’
‘Just around the reservoir.’ Geoffrey gave her a candid stare.
Devon smiled, the quirky twisted smile that made Ella’s heart pick up a pace. ‘At what speed?’
The older man responded to his grin. ‘Set a cracking pace. I’m definitely on the mend.’
‘Great, Dad. You might be well on the road to recovery but what if you’d given Ella’s dog a heart attack?’
