Harry came in, bringing with her a blast of freezing air. ‘It’s a beautiful day, but my God, it’s freezing.’
‘You’re both mad, going in the water in these temperatures.’
‘You’re never tempted?’ I asked Seb.
‘Only when it’s at least twenty-five degrees outside.’
‘Wimp,’ said Harry, punching his arm before pouring herself a coffee. ‘Seb, I’ve found the answer to your prayers.’
‘Oh?’
‘Liv.’
Seb and I erupted into simultaneous blushes, although he had the advantage of covering his with facial hair. Harry carried on oblivious, climbing up onto the kitchen worktop and swingingher legs against a cupboard. ‘Yeah, Liv’s going to help you with the lake project. You can start by thinking of a better name for it. Lake project sounds like we’re about to start dredging or something.’
‘That’s a kind offer, but I can manage it by myself.’
‘Ha, yeah right. How much time have you been able to spend on it this week?’
Seb frowned and studied his coffee cup.
‘Look, I’m not saying you’re not capable of running the project by yourself. I’m just saying you don’t have the time. Let Liv pick up some of the slack.’
‘I wish you’d run this by me first.’
‘Why? It’s a great idea.’
I wanted the chair to swallow me whole. The cousins continued bickering, oblivious to my presence. I felt as though I were eavesdropping on a private conversation, even though that conversation was about me, and I was in the room.
‘I’d better get back to Bertie.’
‘Look what you’ve done,’ Harry told Seb. ‘You’ve made Liv feel uncomfortable. That’s not the way to begin a new partnership.’
Seb ignored Harry and began washing out his mug.
‘If you’d rather work alone, I’m sure there are other things I can help with around the farm. I wouldn’t want to put you in a difficult position.’
‘It’s fine,’ said Seb, his voice betraying his true feelings that it was anything but.
‘If you’re sure?’
‘Of course he is,’ said Harry. ‘Why don’t we set a time for the two of you to meet and get started? How about tomorrow morning after our swim?’
‘Oh, I’m not sure…’
‘About the swim, or the meeting?’
Both, but I didn’t want to make a bad impression so used Bertie as an excuse.
‘We’ll see how Pat’s got on with him this morning, but I’m sure he’ll be happy to watch him again tomorrow. Why don’t you go into the village today and inquire at the school? That will free up more of your time and stop Bertie getting bored.’
‘I don’t think he could get bored on the farm, but you’re right. I’ll call in today and find out if they’ve got any spaces.’
‘Great. Right, Seb, we’ll love you and leave you. See you at dinner tonight.’
‘See you.’
‘Thanks for the coffee.’
