She shrugged. ‘My mum will probably be flaked out. I haven’t seen her since this morning and she was in her bed then. She likes the sauce too much.’
‘Ah.’
He looked at her, penetrating eyes of the deepest blue, and she was sure she fell in love on the spot.
There was a pause.
‘I like you, Sarah, a lot, and I know I have a reputation for being a troublemaker, but I can’t wait to take you out on a date.’
It was so weird to feel safe with Jessie, not be wary of a male for once. She prayed this was the start of something special. Someone she could turn to, perhaps who she might marry one day and have kids of her own.
She laughed as she got carried away with her thoughts.
‘What’s up?’ he said, smiling at her.
‘Nothing. I’m just happy, that’s all.’
Later that evening when she was tucked up in bed, and her face hurt from smiling so much, she typed out a message to Louisa.
Remember when you told me I would know about love at first sight? Well, it’s not true in my case but I am a little in love already.
Then she deleted it. She knew her sister wouldn’t be too happy if she found out about Jessie.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Sarah had been at White Oaks for three days now. She’d been sitting in the garden with Louisa and Daisy when Richard came out of the studio.
‘I’ve finished early today. Thought I might cook my Indian special. What do you think, Louisa?’
‘What a treat!’ Louisa smiled, turning to Sarah. ‘Richard makes the most divine curry.’
Richard pulled out a chair and sat down with them. ‘Get me a beer,’ he said to Louisa.
Louisa stood up quickly, then hung on to the table.
‘Are you okay?’ Sarah sat forward.
‘I’m fine.’ Louisa waved a hand in front of her face. ‘It’s hot. I felt a little dizzy, that’s all.’
As she rushed off, Sarah glanced at Richard.
‘She’s always like that if you ask her to do anything,’ he muttered.
Louisa was back in a flash. But later that evening, asthe aromas of the pending meal spread through the house, Louisa began to flake out. Before it was ready, she’d fallen asleep on the settee.
Sarah felt guilty prodding her awake. ‘Dinner will be ready in five minutes,’ she told her.
Louisa sat up, seeming disorientated as she looked around the room. ‘I’m not sure I’m up to it,’ she admitted.
‘Why don’t you go to bed for a little while?’ She held out her hand. ‘Would you like me to help you?’
Louisa shook her head. ‘Richard will be annoyed if?—’
‘You leave him to me. If he says anything, I’ll defend you. He needs to realise that you’re poorly.’
Louisa’s weak smile was so full of gratitude that Sarah almost felt sorry for her. And, although it was strange to see her sister so docile, Sarah didn’t mind in the slightest. It gave her time to put into place more plans. Tonight could be her getting to know Richard evening. Or more to the point, he would be getting to know her too.
Sarah went back into the kitchen, closing the door quietly behind her. Daisy had gone to bed half an hour ago so it was just the two of them.
