Chapter 13
‘Hah!’ Finula threw her head back and barked out a laugh. She was sitting in Megan’s back garden in denim shorts and a black top, large dark sunglasses covering her freckled face. ‘Serves you right,’ she finished with a sense of righteousness as she slid her flip-flops off, wriggling bright purple toenails.
‘Trust you to send me when there was nobody about,’ Megan replied with a touch of exasperation, although seeing Finula’s reaction when relaying the events of a few days ago she was beginning to see the funny side.
‘Yes, and instead of getting the gardener, you got the Lord of the Manor himself,’ joked Finula. ‘He isn’t so bad, is he?’
‘Well, no, I must admit, he does have rather a nice smile,’ Megan conceded.
‘And the rest,’ replied Finula drily, and sipped her elderberry juice. ‘Hmm, this is good, Megan.’
Megan had found a few bottles in her gran’s pantry and had a jug of it chilling on the garden table.
‘I know. Gran always used to make it for me. It really takes me back, smelling the cloves and cinnamon. Your arms are burning.’
‘Oh bugger, that’s what pale skin does for you. I’m not made for the sun.’
‘Here, put some of this on them.’ Megan handed her the suntan lotion discarded at her feet.
‘It’s all right for you, all beautifully bronzed.’ She eyed Megan with envy. Megan had developed a slight tan in the last few days. She’d been lucky with the weather, which had been unusually warm and sunny, whilst she’d been spending time at home. Her brunette bob had developed highlights and she oozed a healthy glow. Compared to how she had felt a few short months ago, it was a relief to feel as happy and relaxed as she did. All the fresh country air made her sleep well at night. Walking Zac through the leafy lanes of Treweham and working hard at The Templar had kept her fit – that and keeping busy renovating the cottage. That morning she had stripped the wallpaper from the sitting room, leaving the walls grey and chipped. Deciding to have them freshly plastered, she had searched the internet for a local tradesman, but couldn’t find anyone.
‘Don’t suppose you know a good plasterer, do you?’
‘No, but I know someone who will.’
‘Who?’
‘Tobias.’ Finula smirked. ‘Seriously, he owns a property business, buys houses and renovates them. He’ll have all kinds of tradesmen working for him.’
‘Really? I didn’t realise he had his own business, besides obviously helping to run the estate.’
‘Since his dad died last year, he pretty much runs the whole thing.’
‘Busy man, then.’ She considered how much responsibility he must have for his age – he couldn’t be more than thirty.
‘Does he have a wife to help him?’
Finula’s mouth twitched. ‘No, Megan, he’s single.’ She looked directly at Megan.
‘Just asking.’ Megan held her hands up defensively.
‘Yeah, course you were. He was engaged once, a long time ago.’
‘What happened?’ Megan was more than curious.
‘Very sad.’ Finula shook her head. ‘She was killed in a car accident, drunk driver ploughed into her.’
‘Oh my God!’ Megan covered her mouth with her hand. ‘That’s awful, poor man.’
‘Yes,’ Finula said gravely, ‘which is why Tobias isthelast person to have nearly driven into you.’ Megan pondered Finula’s last remark. Given Tobias’ history she couldn’t help but agree with her friend’s chilling words. But how could Nick imply he was capable of doing this? As if she had conjured him with her thought, she heard his voice calling from the side passage.
‘Anyone home?’
‘Round the back!’ called Megan.
Nick appeared and made his way over to them. ‘Just thought I’d call and see how you and Zac are.’ He looked at Finula, who was suddenly getting up from her deck chair. ‘Don’t go on my behalf.’
‘I’m not,’ Finula replied dully. Megan sensed a degree of awkwardness as she glanced from one to the other. ‘Time to go, hon, see you tomorrow.’ Finula kissed Megan on her cheek and flip-flopped out of the garden, completely ignoring Nick. Megan frowned and looked at Nick questioningly.
