‘Hello, everyone,’ Melody said. ‘It’s good to meet you, and lovely to see you again, Kathleen, and finally meet your daughter I’ve heard so much about over the years.’
‘Likewise,’ Patsy agreed, exchanging smiles with the other women.
‘Welcome, Melody,’ they all said in unison.
She looked at the smiling, friendly faces, each of them happy to be there. ‘Thank you,’ Melody said. ‘I look forward to getting to know each of you.’
‘These lovely ladies have kindly agreed to bring their expertise in wellness to help the festival,’ Lettie explained. ‘They’ve been a wonderful help already.’ Lettie took two large plates and lifted the cakes from the tins. She picked up a knife ready to start cutting slices. ‘I really appreciate your offers to help but want you to only do whatever you’re happy with. Some of you will probably have more experience in wellness than I do.’ She grimaced. ‘Which won’t be very difficult. Melody, would you like to start sharing the ideas we’ve already been working on?’
Melody flicked back the cover of her notepad, opened her file and handed out copies of the plan to each of the women. Asshe pushed the pieces of paper towards each of them, she got ready to speak but then heard footsteps coming down the tiled hallway.
Everyone looked up to see who was coming and Melody did the same, the words she was about to say lost as Zac stepped into the room.
‘Hello, everyone,’ he said in his usual cheery way.
She felt the atmosphere in the room lighten and she relaxed slightly. She had been unaware of just how tense she was.
‘I hope these ladies haven’t been giving you a hard time,’ he said, bending to kiss Kathleen and then Phyllis on their cheeks.
Kathleen slapped his arm, frowning, but Melody couldn’t miss the amusement in her eyes. ‘Behave yourself, you cheeky devil.’
‘Stop winding everyone up,’ Lettie said, shaking her head. ‘Make yourself something to drink and come and join us.’
‘Have I missed much?’ he asked, as he passed Melody. He clicked the kettle on and took a cup from the cupboard.
‘We’ve just started,’ Lettie said.
Melody sensed him looking at her but daren’t catch his eye. She had only just met these women and needed to get along with them, so didn’t want their first impression of her to be acting silly with Zac. He clearly knew everyone well and there was obvious affection for him by their reactions.
She wasn’t exactly sure what being a sound engineer entailed, but presumed his work involved some lifting and shifting of equipment. His T-shirt did little to hide his impressive biceps and she had to force her eyes from them back to his face, horrified to realise he had noticed her reaction.
He sat down and Melody was relieved there were two people between them. She had already made a bit of a fool of herself and looking across the table she caught Kathleen’s eye and saw thelady’s amusement as she raised a grey eyebrow and gave Melody a kind smile.
‘I was expecting you to be here earlier,’ Lettie said, rolling her eyes. ‘Where’ve you been all morning?’
‘Places to go, people to see,’ he said mysteriously.
‘He’s always been a cheeky boy, this one,’ Phyllis said to her mother.
‘He has,’ Lettie agreed. ‘He’s been allowed to get away with too much, being the baby of the family.’
‘Baby?’ Zac raised his eyebrows and gave Phyllis a questioning look.
Melody giggled. She loved this friendly banter between the siblings.
‘I think it’s more to do with the dear boy needing time to himself,’ Kathleen said sombrely.
Melody saw the change in the woman’s expression. There was no less affection in her tone, but she seemed to be referring to something only the others were privy to.
Lettie’s expression was serious. ‘Maybe.’
Melody looked from one to the other of them, her focus resting on Zac. He was scowling and didn’t catch her eye. She sensed he wasn’t doing so on purpose and wondered what might have happened to him to cause this reaction from the women.
‘Er, I am in the room, you know,’ he said quietly. ‘And secondly, I’m fine. I promise you. All of you.’ His amused expression returned and he shook his head at Melody. ‘Don’t believe a word they say about me.’
‘I won’t,’ she said. She realised she liked him very much but couldn’t help wondering what had happened to him. Whatever it was the others cared very deeply for him, and that only happened when someone was considered lovable. She knew it was silly of her, but Melody couldn’t help wondering if Zac might ever have any feelings for her. Not that she was at a stage in herlife when she was looking for a new partner. Heaven forbid. She studied Zac’s handsome face as he spoke. She had experienced enough heartbreak to keep well away from men. Especially handsome men with this much confidence.
9
