‘A little bit of awkward can be fun,’ JJ jokes.
‘Yeah, well, we’ll see how you feel about that in a couple of days,’ I reply. ‘Thanks for coming.’
‘I couldn’t let you do this alone – just the four of you in this big house for a week,’ she replies. ‘I have everything I need to work from here – plus, you’re my most exciting client right now. I really want to sell your book and with Jake I think we’ve got a shot.’
We both glance over at him, standing in front of the lodge, staring up at the building, probably imagining where he’d put Christmas lights, his future partner and kids waving at him from the window, stuff like that – that’s what my brain would be doing.
Another car pulls up behind us. Cordelia emerges first, in a huge pair of sunglasses and big floaty dress. Andy follows, lugging what looks like really heavy bags but still looking giddy to be here.
‘Let me help you, buddy,’ Jake says, rushing over to take some bags from him. He picks them up like they’re nothing.
‘Isn’t it beautiful?’ Cordelia says, gently clapping her hands together with an air of someone who often gets what they want.
‘Y’all are going to love this place, I can tell,’ Jake says, leading the way.
I feel like I already do, even standing outside. This place has home written all over it.
Jake puts the bags down in the doorway.
‘Hey,’ he says to Andy, offering a hand. ‘Good to see you.’
Andy shakes his hand.
‘Yeah,’ Andy says. ‘You too. This place is… something.’
‘Ain’t it?’ Jake replies, smiling up at the building. ‘Perfect place to raise a family, spend a life.’
Andy’s jaw tightens. Obviously he thinks Jake is talking about me. Little does he know I’m simply a means to an end.
JJ clears her throat loudly.
‘Right! Shall we go inside before I die of anticipation?’ she says. ‘I need to get settled in my room, check my emails…’
‘Let’s do it,’ Jake replies.
Inside, the lodge is even more impressive. Three large bedrooms, a huge open-plan kitchen-living space, a long wooden table that looks like it’s hosted royalty – or at the very least dramatic family arguments about classic rich-people problems – and a fireplace big enough to roast a hog.
Arty Morgan, the owner, pokes his head in.
‘Just popping in to say if you need anything, give us a shout,’ he tells us. ‘I’ve got a meeting, so I can’t stop, but please make yourselves at home.’
‘I plan to,’ Jake says quietly to himself.
The front door clicks shut. His footsteps fade. And suddenly it’s just us. Me, JJ, Jake, Andy and Cordelia. Five adults. Five suitcases and all kinds of emotional baggage.
‘So,’ Cordelia says brightly. ‘There are three bedrooms.’
‘Let’s pick at random,’ Andy suggests. ‘Make sure it’s fair.’
‘I was going to say the happy couple should get the master,’ Cordelia replies.
‘Well, we have two happy couples,’ JJ says through a sweet smile.
‘She’s right, Tink, let’s leave it to luck,’ Andy replies.
Timber beams. Stone fireplace. Big windows looking out over fields and stables. Everything is warm, luxurious, and yet somehow still cosy. I can imagine a life here – muddy boots by the back door, Jake at the sink washing up with his sleeves rolled, a child perched on the counter eating freshly baked cookies. Obviously I don’t see myself being the one baking them, but a girl can dream.
Andy clears his throat.
