Lilly was surprised yet delighted to see her, which further puzzled Adira. Why hadn’t Fletcher told Lilly she was coming to help clean the house?
Once Fletcher had explained the situation, she too seemed somewhat relieved that it wasn’t a stranger that had been employed.
Adira suggested they start in the kitchen by clearing out the cupboards, scrubbing the shelves and bleaching all the worktops.
‘A lot of clutter could go, don’t you think, Fletcher?’ she asked, staring round the room.
‘Absolutely. You just do as you think fit,’ he told her.
‘I’ll make a pile of everything that’s going, for you to agree first.’
‘Righto.’
Lilly looked from one to the other, slightly overwhelmed by the sudden change. ‘What should I do?’
‘Could you wash all the crockery we’re keeping? So it’s nice and fresh to put back in the newly cleaned cupboards?’ Adira suggested, hoping to please.
‘Good idea,’ her eyes twinkled, glad to be of assistance.
Fletcher beamed, that’s what he liked, teamwork.
‘And you, Fletcher, I want that kitchen window washed and polished. In fact, all the ground-floor windows could do with the once-over.’
Oh, he was part of the team then. He had intended to browse over theRacing Postthat morning. ‘Ah, right…’
‘Well, come on then, let’s get moving,’ Adira chivvied them along.
Within an hour, she had emptied all the cupboards, made a pile for the charity shop and one for washing.
Adira was knelt inside a floor cupboard, scrubbing at the mouldy shelves when Jasper entered the kitchen, halting when he saw that pert, round bottom staring up at him. He’d know that perfect behind, tucked into skinny jeans, anywhere. Her T-shirt had ridden up her back, giving him a glimpse of soft, brown flesh. He forced himself to look away and saw the back of Lilly busy washing up and Fletcher outside cleaning the window. What was going on?
After a few seconds, he coughed, causing Lilly to turn around.
‘Oh Jasper, there you are, dear.’
Adira stopped scrubbing. She eased herself out of the cupboard, conscious of how dirty and sweaty she must look. Wiping her forehead with the back of her marigolds, she smiled up at him. The look on his face told her everything. He’d no idea of her working here.
Jasper turned to see Fletcher through the window, who was looking somewhat sheepish. Adira clocked it all and fought the urge to giggle.
Finally, his gaze rested on her. She looked flushed, her hair was tied into a ponytail with tendrils falling down. He swallowed.
‘Meet our new housekeeper,’ chuckled Lilly.
Chapter 15
As the summer days happily rolled on, so did life in Lilacwell. True to his word, Fletcher had sent a mechanic to look at the camper van. Good job, as it transpired the fuel pump had broken. A new one had been ordered, so Sheila was officially off the road until that arrived.
Adira had completed tidying the kitchen, the bathrooms and had planned to make a start on the drawing room at The Laurels when she got a call from a very excited Cassie.
‘It’s finished!’ she gushed. ‘The Bath House is ready.’
‘How does it look?’ asked Adira, smiling at Cassie’s fervour.
‘Divine!’
‘I’ll come and take a look later this afternoon.’
‘I’m just designing flyers for the hog roast promotion.’
