14
Later that evening, Daniel decided to have dinner early. He had returned from his afternoon walk full of optimism, had a long, hot bath and was famished, especially having not eaten his breakfast and skipping lunch. He was due to check out the following morning, but was reluctant to do so just yet, especially on finding the derelict cottage. He badly wanted to know who it belonged to. The more he thought about it, the more determined he was to make it his home. It wasn’t just pie-in-the-sky dreaming, he’d convinced himself. If he could buy and restore it back to life, surely that would sound appealing to whoever had left it to languish in the woods; after all, what use was it at the moment? He’d be doing the owner a favour, taking it off them for a reasonable price, wouldn’t he?
He was ordering a pint at the bar and thought he’d ask Dermot if he knew anything about the cottage.
Dermot nodded his head. ‘Oh, that’d be Keeper’s Cottage on the Treweham Hall estate,’ he’d replied, passing him his drink. Daniel immediately warmed to the name. ‘It belonged to the old gamekeeper, years ago. When he died, the then Lord Cavendish-Blake didn’t replace him, so it’s been left abandoned ever since.’
‘I see,’ said Daniel, taking a gulp of his pint. ‘So it’s owned by the Cavendish-Blake family then?’
‘Yes, Tobias is the current Lord Cavendish-Blake.’ Daniel had heard of the name. ‘He got married last year to Megan. It was all over the press. She used to work here,’ Dermot informed him.
‘Did she?’ Daniel was surprised, assuming that Tobias Cavendish-Blake as an aristocrat wouldn’t have mixed with barmaids. Dermot chuckled, following his line of thought. ‘He’s a grand chap, the whole family is. In fact—’ he leant forward over the bar ‘—my Finula is marrying his older brother, Marcus.’
‘Really?’ Daniel’s eyebrows rose.
‘Well, half-brother to be exact. They only share the same father.’
‘I see.’ Daniel’s mind started ticking into overdrive. ‘Dermot, do you think Tobias would talk to me? I’m really keen to buy and renovate that cottage.’
Dermot shrugged. ‘Don’t see why not. You could try ringing the estate manager and ask to see him,’ he suggested.
‘Hmm, I might just do that.’ His stomach grumbled loudly, telling him to go and eat. ‘Thanks, Dermot, you’ve certainly given me food for thought.’ He moved to a small table at the side of the bar. Once his order had been taken, he took out his phone from his pocket and flicked through the photographs he’d taken of the cottage.
‘Hi, Daniel.’ He turned immediately and smiled at seeing Christie.
‘Hi there.’
‘Could I have a word with you? There’s something I’d like to ask.’
Daniel’s interest flickered.
‘Yeah sure, take a seat.’ He nodded towards the chair opposite him at the table.
‘I’ve been thinking about your suggestion of a family room.’
‘Right.’ He waited for her to continue.
‘The largest bedroom is free at the moment. I plan to make a few alterations, putting in a sofa bed for one, as you recommended, plus one or two other tweaks. The thing is, I could really do with some help, someone with a natural flair for interior design, which I believe you have. I like your idea of giving each bedroom a theme.’
He smiled back at her.
‘Well, in short,’ she quickly said, feeling slightly embarrassed, ‘I’d like you to stay in the family room, obviously with your little girl, free of charge and… help me renovate the rooms. Does that sound a fair exchange?’ She looked anxiously at him, hoping he wouldn’t laugh at her proposal.
Instead he looked thoughtfully at her and gave a grin. Christie’s heart leapt in her chest. Hell, he was handsome. He took a swig of his beer. Was he stalling for time? Her eyes never left his face, patiently waiting with bated breath for a response from him.
‘Yes, I think that’s a fair exchange.’ He stared straight at her. Her cheeks were slightly flushed, he noticed, finding it utterly endearing. She had an open, honest way about her. He suspected that what you saw, was what you got – no hidden agenda. That in itself made a refreshing change, he thought bitterly.
‘Good. Good.’ She looked away, as if self-conscious.
‘To be honest, I was thinking of staying a little longer anyway and I’ve got Emily for a short while, so it would suit me fine.’ Christie’s face lit up. Once again Daniel warmed to her reaction. Then, taking his phone he showed her the pictures of Keeper’s Cottage. Christie seemed genuinely interested.
‘It looks like it’s got bags of potential,’ she remarked.
‘It has, plus it’s in a fabulous spot.’
‘On the Treweham Hall estate? Wouldn’t that cause complications?’
‘Possibly – depends on what Lord Cavendish-Blake’s view is,’ he replied soberly. Christie noticed the frown burrowing on Daniel’s forehead and hoped she hadn’t burst his bubble of excitement.
‘Do you think Emily will enjoy staying here?’ She smiled. Immediately the frown disappeared.
He beamed. ‘She’ll love it.’
