‘That I can’t answer. So you work at the school then?’
And from there the conversation flowed. Rosy found herself opening up to him about all sorts through the course of the evening. Her new role, and the school’s concerns. That then spilled into telling him about Matt, and what a fool she had been, partly because she wanted to make quite clear that she was being friends and not flirting and partly because she just couldn’t help herself.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chase led Rosy outside to a huge tree hung with white lights and surrounded by a circular bench. Rosy could feel her heart flutter. She had always been a soft touch for trees this old, her romantic self swooning with the incalculable numbers of people who had shed emotions around its trunk. Thwarted lovers, grief-stricken parents and laughing children all could have leant against its steady girth and shared their worries, their heartbreak and their adventures. And then to have a bench around it, this was the sort of thing romantic dreams were made of. She could see picnicking lovers seated at its base, and secret trysts. She wished Matt was here. And then quickly checked herself.
‘This is beautiful.’
‘Thank you, I am really lucky to have found this place. My taste tends towards modern but I also appreciate a little history now and again and this tree would have sold me the house had I not already made up my mind.’
‘Oh my God, is that path leading to a private beach?’
‘It is.’
‘Wow, you have the perfect seduction palace here. How are you not overrun with playboy bunny types?’
‘Who says I’m not?’
‘Well, so far the closest I’ve come to seeing evidence is Mrs Marksharp fornicating in your coat cupboard! That would have been a threesome, at the very least, at Hugh Hefner’s house.’
‘Eugh! What are you suggesting?’
‘Um, nothing! And now I feel queasy again.’
‘You started it!’
‘I know, oh shush. Shhh! Here she comes now.’
‘Chase, darling! Mwah. Fabulous party.’
‘All thanks to you, as you know only too well, Marion.’
‘It’s your gorgeous house. I’ve been desperate to get in here for years, and now, such luck you’ve bought it.’
‘Ah, but you’ve done all the hard work, I only opened the door. And you know you are welcome any time.’
‘Thank you, such a sweetie.’
Oh God, Rosy was going to gag any minute. Watching Monster Marksharp on her full charm offensive was a bit much.
‘And you’ve met Rosy too. Such a darling girl. Such a huge asset to the school.’
I am here, Rosy wanted to shout but managed to smile weakly instead. Two glasses of pink champagne in and she was beginning to feel too whooshy to be difficult.
‘I’m sure she is.’ Chase’s social skills were clearly excellent. ‘Let me go and fetch you both a fresh drink, I shan’t be a minute.’
‘Perfect, thank you. I did want a quick word, Rosy, if that’s OK.’
‘Of course.’
‘I just want to explain.’
Rosy gulped. ‘Oh, you really don’t have to.’
‘I’d prefer it if I could.’
Rosy would really prefer it if she didn’t.
