‘Different, but in a good way. A very good way.’
Hannah smiled. ‘I’m so pleased. She’s really hard-working, and I get the feeling Andy will give it his all as well. Funny thing is, it’s rather lovely working with a married couple, like me and Rupert. Now, all we need to do is get you paired up with someone who can work with you in the theatre …’
Bridie blushed.
Unfortunately, Hannah saw the colour rising in her cheeks. ‘Is there … someone?’ She quickly added, ‘It’s Oliver, isn’t it? Not that he can work with you in the theatre, other than volunteering his time like the rest of us.’
‘He’s just a friend.’Maybe he isn’t even that after what happened,thought Bridie, glancing at her phone, wondering why she’d felt a sudden lurch in her stomach at the thought that after their falling-out, he wouldn’t speak to her ever again.
‘You’re going to miss Kate being around,’ Hannah said. ‘Why don’t you come home with me to Somersby Hall this evening? You haven’t met Rupert, yet. You could join us for dinner.’
‘At Somersby Hall?’
‘Not actually at the hall. We live in Gatekeepers Cottage, in the grounds. But I can show you round Somersby Hall.’
‘I’d love that.’ Bridie was very tempted. ‘But I’m afraid I can’t. I’ve already made plans this evening.’
‘Plans?’ Hannah grinned. ‘A date with someone?’
‘No. nothing like that.’ Bridie frowned. She was still blushing, thinking of Jack. Shouldn’t she tell Hannah about the tradesmen who’d spent the week in the theatre? Although Hannah knew of Jack’s involvement, Bridie hadn’t mentioned that the work hadstarted. So far, nobody in the yard had mentioned it – apart from Reggie. They’d been too busy at work. But if they did walk past the theatre, and see them going in and out, they’d wonder why she hadn’t mentioned anything.
‘I think there is … someone,’ Hannah said playfully.
Bridie rolled her eyes. ‘It’s not what you think.’ She added, ‘I’m working with Jack Harrison on the theatre renovations, remember? He’s just an old acquaintance. We went to school together, me Oliver and Jack.’
‘An old acquaintance,’ Hannah repeated.
Bridie rolled her eyes. ‘All right, it was more than that. We went out together, years ago when we were teenagers. But that’s all in the past.’
‘Is it?’ Hannah said under her breath.
Bridie chose to ignore that comment.
‘So,’ Hannah continued, ‘I’m guessing Oliver disagreed with your decision to include Jack.’
Bridie avoided eye contact. ‘Yeah – he warned me not to get involved with him.’
‘And are you … getting involved?’
‘How can I not? He has all these tradespeople who have been going in this week, getting the leaky roof fixed, and the electrics. Then there’s the plasterers and painters. I don’t know how I would get all that done otherwise, and in such a short space of time. He said it’s going to be finished in another week, then we can start getting it prepared to reopen.’
Bridie frowned. If only it were that simple. It wasn’t like opening a shop and restocking the shelves – although they’d need to restock the little shop in the foyer, and purchase a new coffee machine for tea, coffee and hot chocolate to be served in the intervals. And there was also a play to put on – a script to be decided on, the actors to find, and the orchestra, and then dressrehearsals, and stage scenery. The list went on. Bridie felt quite overwhelmed by it all.
‘I wasn’t talking about the theatre, Bridie, when I said about you getting involved with him. You are meeting him this evening.’
Bridie sighed when she realised Hannah was still thinking about her personal life. ‘That’s only because I suggested this evening, so I’d have plenty of time to meet up with Oliver at the café today, which obviously didn’t materialise. But the meeting with Jack is purely business.’ At least Bridie assumed so.
‘Why don’t you see if Jack can meet you earlier today? Then you can come home with me to meet Rupert and spend the evening with us.’
Bridie hesitated.
Hannah said, ‘Unless you were going for a meal together afterwards?’
‘No, not at all. He is married, you know. I don’t think his wife would appreciate her husband going out to dinner with another woman.’
‘I wouldn’t.’
Bridie had to be honest. ‘Look, the reason I’m sticking to the evening to meet up is that I’m trying to keep a low profile as far as the theatre goes.’And about Jack’s involvement too,she thought. She frowned when she thought about how that had worked out so far. Everyone in Cobblers Yard knew she was the new owner, but they had agreed to keep it to themselves. Even Mabel and Marjorie were sworn to secrecy. But now Bridie’s mum along with Kate and her family also knew.
