Jasper grinned, it sounded strange coming from an eighty-five-year-old, almost role reversal.
‘Look at you all tense,’ Fletcher said.
Instantly, he heard Adira’s voice, ‘If ever you need to relax those muscles full of tension, I’m your man.’ He could feel his pulse pick up at the thought of Adira rubbing soothing oil into his body.
Fletcher’s brow puckered. ‘Are you all right, Jasper?’
‘Yes,’ he shot back, not meaning to sound so abrupt. ‘You’re right, Fletcher, maybe I should—’
‘Pay her a visit,’ Fletcher interrupted again. This chap needed cheering up a bit and who better than a pretty, young lady like Adira to do it?
Jasper mulled it over for a few seconds. He had wanted to find out more about Adira, especially if she was still going to be here, near his uncle when he returned to Dubai. It was in his and Fletcher’s interest to get to know her. Research he liked to think it.
‘I will.’
‘That’s my boy!’ Fletcher slapped him on the back.
When Adira returned to the camper van later that afternoon, an envelope was stuck to the door. She opened it and read.
Dear Adira,
Hope you don’t mind me asking, but I believe you’re good at sorting out people’s ailments. The thing is, I don’t know if there’s anything wrong with me, or if it’s my husband. Can we have a chat? Cassie tells me you’ll be working at the Inn, so I’ll introduce myself.
Very best,
Lisa.
What?!
Adira re-read the note in disbelief. Then couldn’t help but giggle. This village, it really was something else.
Shaking her head, she entered the van, but hadn’t been in there long when she heard a tap at the window. Looking out, she saw an old lady wave at her. Adira opened the door.
‘Can I help?’
‘I hope so. Can you give me something for my aching joints, dear? The stuff I’ve been taking is useless. Lilly, Fletcher’s housekeeper by the way.’ She held out a gnarled hand.
Adira shook it and saw her wince slightly. Poor woman, her joints did look swollen and twisted.
‘Come in, Lilly. I was just about to put the kettle on.’
‘Well, isn’t this lovely!’ Lilly’s eyes darted around the interior of the van. ‘Very cosy, I must say.’
‘Thanks. I’ve heard a lot about you,’ Adira smiled, putting a cup of tea in front of her.
‘All good, I hope.’ Her eyes twinkled.
‘Yes, Fletcher and Jasper speak very highly of you.’
‘Fletcher speaks highly ofyou,’ the old lady grinned, reminding Adira of her gran. A pang of homesickness struck her. She so wished Edie was here to meet all these eccentric people.
‘And what does Jasper make of me?’ she asked half joking.
Lilly laughed. ‘Oh, don’t mind Jasper. He’s a grand fellow, just a touch defensive of his family.’
‘Yes, I got that impression.’ Did she ever. ‘So, about your arthritis.’
Lilly looked up expectantly, all ears.
