“Yes.” She gave him a stern look and he sighed.
“Fine. I’ll take food up to her. I’ll even polish the apple. If you prefer, I could turn it into humble pie. Why are you smiling?”
“Because you’re funny when you’re grumpy.”
“Do you always have to be so damn cheerful?”
She shrugged. “I like being cheerful.”
“Maybe, but right now you’re doing it to annoy me.”
She beamed at him. “You’re right, I am. Is it working?”
“It’s working. You always know how to wind me up, and not in a good way. No wonder we only went on one date.” He eased away from the wall. “Don’t worry, I promise to keep an eye on your city princess.”
“You’re doing it again. Judging.”
“Okay. But can I at least say ‘I told you so’ when she twists her ankle?”
“No, if that happens, you’ll say ‘oh you poor thing, let me take you to hospital.’ I’m serious. I need her to like it here. Things aren’t great at work. I think she might be able to help.”
He gave her a sympathetic look. “Everyone still trying to do things the Gerald way?”
“They are. I’ve tried everything. I’ve tried sweeping everyone along on the tide of my enthusiasm. I’ve written a memo.I shower everyone with enthusiasm. Nothing works. If I hear ‘but Gerald did it this way’ again I might scream.”
“Yeah?” He gave a half-smile. “I’d drag myself up from the cellar to witness that.”
She ignored that comment. “I’m hoping Abby is going to help me turn things around if only because she doesn’t know Gerald.”
“You don’t think your expectations might be a little high?”
“I’m an optimist.”
“I know. It’s your second biggest flaw.” He brushed her cheek with his fingers. “Okay. I’ll be approachable, whatever that means. I’ll smile when I deliver the apple. I’ll make sure it isn’t poisoned. And in return you’re going to be a bit wary for once in your life. Until you get to know her better.”
“You see? You do care about me.”
“Not really. I just don’t want to have to witness your heartbreak when it all goes wrong. It was bad enough after—” He stopped and she shrugged.
“After Martin. I know. It was a hideous time and you were brilliant. It was lucky for me you happened to be home at the time. But I can’t go into every relationship assuming someone is going to stab me in the back. It’s just not me. And why would I be wary? She’s here to help, after all.”
He watched her for a moment. “Right. It’s just that she doesn’t seem—”
“Doesn’t seem what? Frazzled, like me? She’s groomed and poised but I’m sure that after an hour working at the hotel she’ll look as stressed out as the rest of us. Now go.” She gave him a little push. “You have tourists waiting to coo over your quaint little inn, with its handsome landlord. Talking of which, I hear Linda Porter made a pass at you when she was drunk the other night.”
“Where did you hear that?”
“I always protect my sources. But basically from everyone in the village. Saskia happened to be leaving the gallery at the precise moment you kissed Linda in the doorway.”
“She kissedmein the doorway. Saskia needs to get her facts straight.”
“She didn’t hang around to see what happened next.”
“What happened next was that I carefully unravelled myself and told her that I’m not in the market for a relationship.”
“That part didn’t make it into the gossip machine.” She gave his arm an affectionate squeeze. “You’re due a little fun, my friend.”
He rolled his eyes. “Talking of which, how is it going with your hot chef?”
