‘It’s an eye compress. That young woman gave it to me,’ he said while wiping his eye with a towel. ‘You know, the one in the camper van.’
Jasper stood still for a moment.
‘You’ve spoken to her then?’
‘I have that, and a very pleasant girl she is too. Her gran’s some sort of white witch,’ he laughed to himself.
Jasper blinked. ‘Pardon?’
‘She’s sorted me bruise out too, look it’s gone down.’ Fletcher looked in the bathroom mirror, then faced Jasper. It had slightly. His uncle’s forehead no longer protruded with such a huge bump. ‘Rubbed it with witch hazel.’
‘With what?’ asked Jasper sharply.
‘Witch hazel.’ Fletcher laughed again. ‘Jasper, put your face straight. No need to look so suspicious, you’ll see for yourself what a grand lass she is.’
Jasper stared at him. ‘Will I?’
‘Aye, she’s coming for dinner.’
Adira hummed to herself as she strolled up the driveway to The Laurels. Wearing a red, strappy sundress which showcased her golden tanned skin, she admired the beautiful building before her. It really was an impressive country house, with its sandstone walls covered in ivy, large sash windows and elegant orangery. Her critical eye quickly noted its faults though, spotting the odd cracked roof tile and window pane.
Adira’s thoughts turned to how Fletcher had seemed almost defensive about seeing a doctor. She suspected he was a man who was too proud to ask for help, or even admit he needed it, including when it came to the welfare of his property, not just himself. Surely it wasn’t just him rattling around this huge house? How on earth could he maintain the upkeep of such a large place, especially at his age? Intuition told her that Fletcher was lonely. He had been eager to talk to her that morning, and her a stranger at that, who it transpired had been trespassing. The shame! Then she giggled, wait till she told her gran.
She rang the bell and waited. The door soon opened and a pair of brown eyes the colour of melted chocolate stared into her. Caught slightly unawares, Adira stalled. The eyes belonged to a handsome face, with a strong jawline, slightly shadowed with dark stubble.
‘I’m…’ she stammered.
‘The lady who’s camping on our land?’ The face broke into a grin. ‘Hi, I’m Jasper, come in.’
‘Adira,’ she smiled backed. So who was Jasper? Fletcher never mentioned a son, although he did resemble him. Jasper had the same thick, wavy hair, albeit dark and cut short. As he led the way through the hall into the drawing room, she observed his broad shoulders in the Oxford shirt he wore and his muscular legs in close-fitted jeans. Well, this was a turn-up for the books, she thought rather pleasantly. Then she smirked wryly to herself; just wait for his wife to appear.
‘Ah! There you are, Adira!’ called Fletcher, like a long-lost friend. He was by a drinks cabinet. ‘What can I get you? Thought we’d enjoy pre-dinner drinks first.’
‘Oh, whatever you’re having, thanks, Fletcher,’ she replied, just as familiarly, causing Jasper to raise his eyebrows slightly. The easy casualness wasn’t lost on him, making Adira suddenly feel slightly self-conscious. Her sharp eyes also clocked that Fletcher was only pouring into three glasses, so no one else was due to join them. This settled her for some reason.
‘There you go,’ Fletcher passed her a tall, cut glass, jangling with ice cubes. ‘Can’t beat a stiff gin and tonic,’ he winked, making her giggle.
Again, she noted those chocolate brown eyes bore into her. Did Jasper resent her being here? It was hard to tell, he had that kind of poker face, however handsome, which didn’t give anything away – all dark and brooding. Her gaze met his defiantly.
‘You’ve met Jasper, my nephew then,’ Fletcher continued, seeming totally oblivious to any undercurrent between the two.
‘Yes,’ she replied.
‘He was the one who first spotted your camper van,’ Fletcher chuckled.
There was an awkward pause as Adira’s eyes slid back to Jasper’s. Was he blushing slightly? When exactly had he seen her camper van? More to the point, when had he seenher? Please not when she had taken a dip in the river. His face didn’t flicker, he really was hard to read.
Then Jasper spoke, changing the subject. ‘Dinner’s nearly ready.’ He turned to her and smiled charmingly, ‘Beef casserole OK?’
‘Lovely, thanks.’ She wondered if he’d cooked it. In fact, she was beginning to wonder quite a bit about this man full stop. He invoked an interest inside her. She watched him leave the room and admired his physique once more.
Fletcher nudged her playfully. ‘Don’t mind him,’ he teased, ‘I think I startled him when I mentioned you being a witch.’ He winked again.
Adira couldn’t help but laugh, he was the most mischievous, old rogue.
‘Hardly a witch,’ she replied drily.
‘Hmm, I’ll wager you could bewitch Jasper though,’ he said thoughtfully, gauging her reaction.
