Plum wrinkles her nose. ‘A premium site like this won’t come cheap, then there’ll be mahoosive renovation costs on top.’ Having done up her own place, Plum knows.
Sophie pulls a face. ‘We need to move fast, I’ll have to do some spectacular jugglingandsweet talk the bank.’ If anyone can make this happen, she can.
Plum shrugs. ‘You’ll be talking gazillions.’
If my eyes are popping I can’t help it. This makes my own shortfall seem teensy. But then I’m not bonkers enough to want to buy a castle.
There’s a familiar voice coming from the doorway. ‘Gazillions. And then some …’
As we all whip around to see Charlie’s half-smile peering round the door edge, Plum is the first to get her shit together. ‘Hey, Charlie, what are you doing here?’
I knew he had to turn up, but my knees are still sagging now he has. And even though I’m opening my mouth hoping to say something super intelligent, nothing’s coming out.
Sophie’s looking daggers at him. ‘Apart from lurking and eavesdropping?’
He almost laughs. ‘Same as you I’d guess, assessing the potential. Although where you’re mentally moving in, I’m imagining flats in the grounds. Or even across the whole site.’
The colour drains from Sophie’s face, but she’s lightning fast with her decoy. ‘In that case you’ll have to fight Clemmie for it.’
He pulls down the corners of his mouth. ‘It would make a great party house, and get the class of ninety-five out of my hair.’ His lips are twitching as he turns to Sophie. ‘Or, if you’re ready to hang up your Hunter wellies and get out your bucket and spade you could swap it for Hawthorne Farm.’
Sophie’s desperate to head him off. ‘Don’t you have some baking to be getting on with? Perfect chocolate roulades won’t happen in one tutorial, you know.’
Charlie looks at his watch. ‘Jeez, Clemmie, what are you doinghere? You said you’d be at yours ready to start at three.’
I’m not the only one running late here. ‘You saidyou’dbe there too.’ I’m wondering how we’ve spent so long looking round.
As he turns to Sophie, I could swear he’s biting back a grin. ‘The serious contenders will all be back for a second viewing. With their surveyors rather than their besties next time.’ He’s got arrogant piss-taking off to a fine art.
Sophie isn’t done. ‘If you ever get around to teaching Clemmie to make cupcakes, Milla would love some for her birthday. Or is rainbow buttercream beyond you?’
Charlie sends me a sideways smirk. ‘Ganache is tricky, rainbow we can do no problem. Does she prefer it pastel or bright?’
‘We can?’ I hope he’s not winding us up, because Milla will be counting on this.
Sophie’s right back at him. ‘I’ll ask and let you know.’ She’s giving him her best ‘eff you’ grin. ‘I’ll tell you when we see you.At the next viewing.’
As he backs out of the room, I suspect he’s choking back his coughing laugh. ‘See you in ten then, Clemmie. Unless you’d like a lift?’
‘I’ll come back with Plum, thanks.’ If we’re spending the rest of the afternoon in my kitchen, I don’t want to be distracted by being jammed up next to him in his car too. Although I’m forgetting the humungous car he drives is so wide the passenger will have to shout to have a conversation with the driver. As it is, I’m furious with myself for looking forward to the baking for anything more than the chocolate pudding.
Just when we think he’s gone he pops his head back around the door. ‘And if you’re seriously wanting to leave your comfy pied-à-terre and live in a drafty castle, Clemmie. For the record, I think you’re mad. But just say the word, and we’ll talk offers.’
We stare at each other in silence until Plum crosses to the door and checks the landing. ‘Okay, he’s gone.’ She tosses back her hair. ‘Shit, whatishe like?’
I’m shaking my head. Me finding that mix of teasing arrogance super hot issonot helpful I’m actually ashamed.
Sophie’s eyes flash. ‘It’s bad enough what he’s doing at Seaspray Cottage. If we’ve got to go head to head with him for Siren House too, I’m damned sure this isn’t going to be a clean fight.’
I exchange glances with Plum. ‘We can’t rely on Nell delivering leftover puddings. We have to take Operation Cupid to the next level to find out what he’s really up to.’
Sophie’s squinting into the sun, pursing her lips. ‘I don’t mean to be pushy, but …’ This is how she excuses herself when she totally does. ‘Stuff Operation Cupid, Operation Siren’s what matters now.’
I can’t help smiling. ‘Are you going to explain the difference?’
Her face is intense. ‘Drop the no hope romance with Nell and instead we’llalltarget him socially. Coming at him from four directions we’ll be way more effective. Especially if there’s alcohol involved.’
Plum’s nodding. ‘So we wait for him to get pissed, then listen to his drunken boasting?’
