They both laughed.
‘I better go. Grandpa will want his tea.’
‘Good luck.’ Connor waved and Kate grinned.
Once tea had been cleared away, Grandpa went to the living room to watch TV and I stayed at the table talking to Layla.
‘How are you doing?’ I asked, pouring us both a glass of wine. Since arriving at Harp Brook, I’d not touched a drop of wine. After the stress of the past few days, I was gasping for a glass.
Layla smiled. ‘Much better, thanks. It’s been a godsend staying here. You and Eric are so nice and he’s hilarious. He’s told me all about Dorothy.’
‘I think Grandpa needs to slow down.’ The wine, a delicious Sauvignon Blanc, slipped down my throat with ease. ‘Do you know anyone who can repair suit trousers?’
Layla took out her phone. ‘Let me think. Kay who runs the gift shop does a bit of repairing on the side.’
I groaned. ‘She’s not a fan of me or Grandpa. I will need to work on her.’
‘Oh, before I forget, do you want me to leave the electric gates open tonight so tomorrow we don’t have to get up early for the builders?’ Layla asked. ‘I fancy a lie-in.’
‘Do you think that will be okay?’
She nodded. ‘They can come and go as they please.’ Her phone vibrated with a message. I prayed she was not back talking to Ryan.
‘How are things with you, Layla?’
With a shrug she said, ‘The usual. People are still letting me down. I must have been bad in a past life or something.’
As her phone bleeped a second time I asked, ‘Are you seeing anyone?’
‘After what Ryan did to me – no. Most fellas run a mile when they know I have a kid.’
I decided to change the subject. ‘Okay, look I’m keen to get to know Harp Brook a bit better. Do you know many of the locals?’
Layla nodded and cast me an uncomfortable look. ‘Not many like Mr Baxter.’
‘I’m sensing that. Do you know why?’
She fidgeted in her chair and when she spoke, kept her focus on her wine glass. ‘I think it’s the way he comes across.’
I nodded. ‘That sounds about right.’
She picked up her phone. ‘I didn’t know he used to be in films.’
‘Yes, action films. A long time ago.’
Her nails tapped softly on the screen as she scrolled through a page on her phone. ‘There’s an article out today about him,’ she explained. ‘I often google him. He’s being interviewed about his plans to buy out this film company and how he’s worked hard to change his public image.’
She showed me her phone screen. There was a glamorous photo of Frank and Maddie standing together with the ocean behind them. ‘He says he’s looking forward to raising a family and living life by his strong values of transparency and kindness. And he says he’s excited about making good, wholesome films.’
I wanted to know more about life inside this house. ‘Do you clean both the east and west wings?’
Layla fiddled with the tiny L on her chain. ‘Yes – why?’
‘I just wondered. I’ve always been curious about the west wing.’
She shrugged. ‘There’s nothing special in the west wing. It’s identical to the east wing, there’s a living room, a cloakroom, and a study I think.’
‘Oh, I see. I’m just being nosey.’
