‘What time are they coming?’ asked Fletcher, perching on the edge of a stool at the island.
‘Any minute now.’ Lilly frowned. ‘Where’s Jasper and Adira?’ she asked, looking at the kitchen clock. Fletcher gave a low rumble of laughter.
‘I should imagine they’ve been busy, Lilly,’ he smirked, ‘with it being their wedding night and all.’ Lilly blushed slightly and carried on busying herself. Fletcher smiled to himself, finding her embarrassment rather endearing. Just then, in they came, the newlyweds themselves. ‘Ah, here they are!’ cheered Fletcher, then tapped a stool next to him. ‘Come and sit down, Mrs Hendricks,’ he winked at Adira. She smiled and took a croissant from the plate on the Aga.
‘This smells good Lilly,’ Jasper said, helping himself to the coffee machine.
‘Oh, I hope everything’s all right for them,’ she replied, flustering with the bacon on the grill pan.
‘Lilly, I said stop flapping,’ warned Fletcher.
‘Sit down, Lilly. We’ll sort this out,’ Adira said, joining Jasper. ‘Really,’ she ushered Lilly to sit down, ‘it’s fine.’ Then they heard the doorbell ring and Lilly shot off to answer it.
Soon they were all sat round the big kitchen table sipping coffee and tea, passing round the croissants. Then Jasper and Adira dished out the full English breakfast that had been warming in the Aga.
‘Hmm, this looks delicious,’ said Edie, mouth practically watering.
‘It certainly does,’ replied Fletcher. Then he patted Lilly’s lap. ‘Thanks, lass.’
‘Yes, thank you, Lilly,’ smiled Cleo. She turned to face Fletcher, ‘And thank you so much for your wonderful hospitality.’
‘Here, here,’ agreed Pat. He was delighted that his daughter had married into such a warm, loving family. He was also equally delighted to see his wife relax and unwind for once. A deep, comforting feeling told him that the Hendricks family and The Laurels were going to have a huge impact on their lives – and all for the better.
‘This really is the most charming of places,’ remarked Edie, gazing out of the new French doors, leading onto a kitchen garden. It consisted of raised vegetable beds, pots of herbs and a quaint Victorian greenhouse. Adira grinned, knowing full well how her gran appreciated The Laurels. She was glad it had made such a good impression on her parents as well. After all, this was her home now and they would be spending a lot of time here too.
‘It is,’ agreed Jasper. ‘I’ve had a wonderful childhood in this place.’
Cleo’s forehead creased in confusion, then she asked, ‘Where do your parents live, Jasper?’
It was an innocent enough question, prompted by the mention of Jasper’s childhood, but with an underlying implication, querying why his childhood was spent at The Laurels with Fletcher, rather than with his parents. Jasper easily batted away any uncomfortable tension. He’d noticed Fletcher’s jaw tighten.
‘In Cumbria, but I spent most of my school holidays here,’ he casually replied with a smile. ‘It was tremendous fun to be on The Laurels estate with Fletcher.’ Then added, looking at him, ‘Wasn’t it?’
‘Oh, it was,’ chuckled Fletcher. ‘The tales I could tell you.’ His eyes scanned round the table mischievously, making them all laugh.
There was no doubt about it, thought Adira, Fletcher had charisma. He could charm the birds from the trees. She sat and listened to him, in full flow, regaling family stories from the past, all interwoven with humour. Like when he was naughty, little Jasper had hidden a mouse in the old butler’s bed.
‘Poor old Wilson, no wonder he buggered off with the housekeeper!’ roared Fletcher, throwing his head back. He had everyone in raptures, even Cleo, who was wiping her eyes from laughter. Adira found it fascinating, hearing about Jasper as a child. Then Edie caught her eye and gave her a huge warm smile. Adira returned it, as a mutual understanding. She knew right enough, ‘You’ve chosen well, my darling,’ was the message. Her phone bleeped with a text message.
Rory told me not to contact you today, but I can’t help it!
We want the barn!
Adira rolled her eyes and laughed gently. Typical Cassie.
‘What?’ smiled Jasper, seeing her amused.
‘Just read this,’ she replied passing her phone. Jasper gave a wry grin.
‘Typical Cassie,’ he said.
‘That’s exactly what I thought,’ Adira replied.
‘I’ll tell Colin to get in contact with them.’ Then added laughing, ‘Or she’ll no doubt be following us all the way to Dubai.’
After a hearty start to the day, Adira’s parents and gran said they intended to go on a long walk and explore the area. Fletcher and Lilly offered to go with them and show them the many points of interest.
‘We’ll give the newlyweds some quality time together,’ he winked, making Jasper shake his head. Adira giggled; she was more than used to Fletcher’s sense of humour now. Cleo chose to ignore the comment.
