‘Yes,’ laughed Megan.
‘Well, good for you! Just think, this could be the start of your new career as an artist.’ Megan was touched by Finula’s enthusiasm and, fingers crossed, there could be some truth in what she said. Two other paintings that had been displayed in the pub had sold already.
‘Now that would be a dream come true.’ Megan stared wistfully into the distance.
Finula grinned. ‘Sorry to put a dampener on things, but could you deliver these breakfasts, please?’ She held out two perfectly cooked full English breakfasts.
‘Yeah, sure,’ Megan smiled, and scurried into the dining area with them.
*
Megan finished her shift late in the afternoon and after Dermot had very kindly granted her some leave, she set off for home with a spring in her step. Feeling the anticipation build at the prospect of painting again was exciting as well as daunting. For the hundredth time she hoped that agreeing to paint Treweham Hall was the right decision. What could go wrong? Well, for a start, Tobias might hate it, causing embarrassment all around.Stop it,she heard her Gran’s voice in her head.Have conviction in yourself.
She opened the door, very easily. Puzzled, she looked at the bottom of the door and noticed it had been planed. Tobias must have arranged that, too. How thoughtful. She felt a little warmer inside. Once through the door she rushed to the sitting room to see the freshly plastered walls and a perfect ceiling, without the footprint. A great sigh of contentment escaped her. What a difference! It all looked so clean and spacious. She really must thank Tobias without delay for all he’d done.
As if he had read her mind she saw him through the window strolling up the footpath. His jodhpurs had been replaced with black jeans, but he still wore the figure hugging T-shirt from this morning. Megan opened the door with a huge grin.
‘Thank you so much! Come in and look.’
Tobias smiled at her gusto. As they entered the sitting room Megan saw again how he dwarfed the place, standing astride, arms folded, face in concentration inspecting the work done. After a few minutes he looked at her, pleased with what he’d seen.
‘Yes, he’s done a good job.’
Megan laughed. ‘It’s brilliant. Thanks again, Tobias, especially for sorting it so quickly.’
‘My pleasure,’ he nodded. ‘So when do you start my painting?’ he added playfully.
‘How about tomorrow morning?’ she chipped back.
‘Tomorrow morning sounds fine. About eight o’clock?’
Megan gulped. He was keen, wasn’t he? Seeing the look on her face, Tobias went on, ‘That way you can join me in my early morning ride.’
‘Oh… I see.’ A strand of hair fell into her eyes. Tobias instinctively touched her face and pushed it behind her ear. His eyes bore into hers. It felt strangely intimate and left her speechless.
‘Do you ride?’ he asked eventually, breaking the spell.
‘No,’ she whispered huskily.
‘Then I’ll teach you,’ he grinned. ‘We’ll ride the grounds and then I’ll show you around the hall, before you start to paint.’
‘Good idea, I’d like that,’ she agreed, appreciating the opportunity to get a feel for the place.
‘That’s settled then.’ He turned to go.
Megan halted him. ‘Tobias?’ He stopped and faced her. ‘You did see me this morning, didn’t you?’
‘How could I? You were hiding behind a tree, Megan.’ His lips twitched, then he turned on his heel and went, leaving Megan once again rather flushed. She watched him out of the sitting-room window stride down the footpath. Then she saw Nick at the garden gate, waiting for him to pass. Tobias stopped momentarily, then practically barged past him. Did Nick seem to be hiding a smirk? She went to open the front door.
‘Hi, Nick.’ He was holding a small case.
‘A duty visit.’ He held out the case. ‘Worming tablets for Zac. His records tell me he’s due for a booster vaccination, too.’
‘Ah, right. Sorry, I should have thought about that.’
‘Not at all.’ Nick shook his head. ‘You weren’t to know. I can give him his booster now and leave the tablets with you.’
‘Fine, thanks. Come in.’
