Archie came in and looked longingly at the space on the loveseat next to Harper. She patted it and he hopped up, settling in. Harper scratched his head.
“I appreciate it. I really do.” Frankie was blessed to have a sister like Harper. And now she was starting to see what a blessing it was going to be to have Willa here, too. Even if she still thought Willa shouldn’t have left school.
Harper lifted her phone again. “I know you do. Now get back to work.”
With a smile, Frankie did just that.
Chapter Twenty
Joyce put the cottage pie into the oven, set the timer, then finished wiping down the counters and making sure everything was spic and span. Beryl was checking on Ruthie one last time before they left for the evening. Joyce had already told Mitch dinner would be ready in about an hour and to listen for the timer.
Beryl came out of Ruthie’s room and into Kyle’s, knocking on the open door to get his attention and give him the latest report on his daughter.
Joyce laid the cloth rag she’d been using over the edge of the sink to dry. She checked her shopping list. They’d go tomorrow. They were running short on a few things.
Beryl came to stand nearby. “Ruthie’s been fed and I put her in a fresh nappy. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Joyce shook her head. “No, I’m all done. We can go.”
“Do you need to tell Mitch you’re leaving?”
“No, I told him already.”
They went down the steps and out the front door, following the little stone path through the side yard that led to the guest house. There was an offshoot of the driveway that connectedthe guest house to the main driveway as well. It provided extra parking, though Joyce parked in the guest house garage.
That got her thinking. “Are you going to get a license? So that you can drive?”
Beryl frowned. “I suppose maybe I should. I don’t know the first thing about doing that, though.”
“You can get an international permit. Nothing you need to worry about now, however.” Joyce pressed the button to call the lift. “How was taking care of Ruthie today?”
“It was wonderful.” Beryl stepped in as the doors opened. “She was a little fussy earlier, but she just needed to be changed. She’s a good-natured baby.” She smiled. “I can’t believe I’m her nanny. That I have a job here. It’s all so much, innit? I keep wanting to pinch myself.”
Joyce smiled and pushed the button to take them up. “I was thinking I’d make some spaghetti Bolognese for tea. That all right with you?”
“Sounds lovely. Make a big batch and we’ll eat it for a few meals, if you want. I’m fine with that.”
“All right, that’s our next couple of nights sorted then.” They got off on the second floor and each went to their rooms to change.
Joyce got to work on dinner when she came out, starting with browning the mince.
Beryl came out a few moments later. “You think it’s all right if I call Neville and tell him the news? It’s all official and whatnot, right?”
Joyce nodded. “Sure, go ahead.”
Beryl smiled. “I’ll just be a minute.”
“Take whatever time you need, love.”
She disappeared back into her room.
Joyce got the big pasta pot out and filled it with water, then added several fat pinches of salt. She set it on one of the back burners to heat.
She was just getting a jar of sauce out when Beryl returned, still on the phone. “I’m telling you, Neville, it’s the truth. Here, talk to your Aunt Joyce.”
Beryl held the phone out. “Tell him I really am staying. He doesn’t believe me.”
Joyce took the phone. “Neville? It’s your Aunt Joyce.”
