Page 43 of The Perfect Gift

Ed laughed with him, but Kat was looking decidedly less amused. ‘Just be careful.’

‘Don’t worry, I intend to be. And don’t think I’m trying to take advantage of Frankie or anything, because nothing could be further from the truth. We’ve talked it through and we both know where we stand. No strings, no complications. Just two adults who enjoy each other’s company spending time together.’

‘That sounds all very neat and tidy,’ Kat said, still not sounding convinced. ‘I hope it stays that way because things have a way of getting messy when it comes to your love life.’

Ed wanted to protest, but in all fairness he didn’t have a leg to stand on, given his past escapades. This was different, though, not least of all because he was different. Ed leaned down and pecked a kiss on her cheek. ‘Don’t worry, Kitty, I’m a changed man, I promise. No one’s going to get hurt. I’m not going to let it happen.’

22

Frankie was in the kitchen preparing a selection of the treats she’d bought that morning when Ed knocked at the door. A flutter of anticipation sparked in her belly and she paused to take a deep breath and smooth a hand over the front of the purple top she’d eventually settled on after more wardrobe changes than she was willing to admit. She didn’t know why she was so nervous, but she’d been all over the place all afternoon. She’d even changed the sheets on her bed, though they’d been fresh on yesterday. She then spent an hour worrying if he was going to turn up expecting them to go to bed together or, worse, that he might think that she expected it. Sure, she’d said something to Ed about sharing one of her bath bombs with him, but that had been flirting. Ed knocked again, startling Frankie out of her musings, and she fumbled with the lock in her hurry to get the door open.

‘I thought you were going to leave me out here all night,’ Ed said with a smile. She’d left the porch light on for him and its golden light highlighted his cheekbones and the dark sweep of his eyelashes that were long enough to make any woman envious.

God, he’s handsome.

In an instant, all her worries and second-guesses that had been tormenting her disappeared and a sense of rightness settled over her. This was what she wanted. He was what she wanted. ‘Come on in, I was just putting supper together.’ She pulled the door wide and stepped back to let him in, closing it quickly behind him to shut out the freezing night air. He was wearing a different coat, she noticed. Smart, dark wool with large buttons rather than the puffy jacket he’d had on that morning. He removed his coat to display a black jumper that looked so soft she wanted to stroke it, and not just because it clung to his chest in all the right places. ‘I’ll take that for you, shall I?’ she offered.

‘I’ll hang it up. I know where the hooks are,’ he said with a wink.

It was clear he was making a joke but it only served to remind Frankie she didn’t really belong at the cottage. Even in the short time it had been hers, she’d completely fallen in love with the place. It was almost impossible to understand how Matt must be feeling, given all the things that made her feel at home were because of the hard work and emotional investment he’d put into the place. Hopefully now she’d changed her mind about leasing it he would find a way to get it back. ‘Of course you do. I’ll finish getting supper ready.’

Frankie was spooning hummus onto the mezze platter she’d prepared when Ed came up behind her and placed his hands on her hips. ‘Did I say something to upset you just now?’

She sighed and leaned back against him, enjoying the comforting warmth of his body cradling hers. ‘Not really, I just can’t help feeling bad for Matt now I know what happened.’

Ed turned her in his arms so they were facing each other. ‘I feel rubbish about it too. I know it’s not the case, but I feel like if I’d been around, or at least he’d been able to reach me at the time, I might have figured something out. I had a good chat with him earlier, though, and we’ve got a plan to visit Mrs Jenkins on Monday. She was always kind to us when I was living here and I want to make sure she’s okay.’

‘You think she might not be?’

He shrugged. ‘Matt said she’s not been well, which is the main reason he didn’t do anything about getting kicked out at the time. So, yeah, I want to check how she’s feeling, but most importantly I want to make sure Charlie’s not taking advantage of her. It seems incredible to me that anyone could do that to a relative, but I don’t trust that man further than I can kick him.’ He winced. ‘Sorry, that was thoughtless of me after what you told me about your mum.’

Frankie appreciated his apology, but it wasn’t necessary. She liked that Ed found it hard to believe Charlie was exploiting his great-aunt. Liked that he still had faith in people, and she hoped he never lost it. She stretched up and pressed a kiss to his mouth. ‘You’re a good man, Ed, and I’m glad Mrs Jenkins has you and Matt to look out for her. If there’s anything I can do to help, please let me know.’

‘I’m not sure there is…’ His expression grew thoughtful. ‘Do you have a copy of the lease Charlie put together for you?’

‘Sure. It’s in my emails, but I don’t think you’ll find anything suspicious in it because the legal people at the agency gave it the once-over and said it was all above board.’

‘I’d still like a copy if you don’t mind. I’m not sure what the agreement is between Charlie and Mrs J, but if he was prepared to make a deal with you without her knowing about it then I’d like to have the proof.’

‘I’ll forward it to you. My phone’s next door.’ She turned and picked up the platter. ‘We might as well go through, anyway. I’ll take this. There’s a bottle in the fridge door – do you want to pour us a couple of glasses?’

‘That’s definitely something I can do,’ Ed replied with a grin.

Frankie set the platter down on the coffee table, grabbed her phone and sat on the sofa. She’d just finished downloading the file when Ed walked in carrying two glasses that could only be described as generously filled. ‘I don’t have your info,’ she said with a smile of thanks as he set one of the glasses down then sat down beside her. He reeled off his phone number and she quickly added it to her contacts then WhatsApped him the file.

Ed opened it and whistled, his eyebrows climbing almost to his hairline. ‘Cheeky bastard! That monthly amount is nearly three times what we were paying. I know Mrs J was giving Matt a bit of a discount because he was doing the place up, but even so…’

Frankie’s cheeks flamed with anger and embarrassment. ‘I never thought to check. It looked reasonable enough given what I pay for my flat. He said he’d give me a discount on what the production company were paying too.’

Ed set his phone down with a sigh. ‘If this is what he’s intending to charge there’s no way Matt will be able to afford it.’

Still feeling like Charlie had tried to play her for a fool, Frankie snatched up her wine and took a mouthful. ‘Hopefully nobody else will be stupid enough to pay it.’

‘Hey, no one thinks you’re stupid,’ Ed assured her.

She did, but she decided to let it go. It was simply another sign that the cottage was never meant to be hers. ‘Just as well I didn’t sign the contract. I’m not going to let it spoil our evening.’

‘Good idea.’ Ed picked up his glass and raised it towards her. ‘Cheers.’