Page 57 of The Mad Marchams

“Which is?”

“I’ll need plans of the building designs.”

“Which I will draft and provide to both of you,” Colin said.

A slight crease appeared on Ted’s brow. “You don’t have an architect?”

“I am an architect.” Colin smiled. “I’ve got a framed certificate and everything.”

“Begging your pardon, but since when?” Gavin asked. “Last I heard you were unemployed and living your best life on the ski slopes.”

“Since I decided I needed to learn something useful,” Colin said. “If we agree to work together, I’ll send the plans over. I’ve already started them, but I’ll need input from Ted before they are accurate enough for your input.”

“Well, bravo, you.” Gavin smiled broadly. “How absolutely delightful. Now, how about a quick tour of this wonderful house before we go outside. I’m sure Ted will enjoy it as well.”

As Mabel already knew there was no such thing as a quick tour of a house with over eighty rooms, she excused herself and took the tea tray back to the kitchen where Mrs. Reynolds was just about to start on lunch. She set the tray down beside the sink and dumped the loose tea in the compost bin.

“Was that Ted Bevin’s van?” Mrs. Reynolds asked.

“Yup. He’s come to see about the café site. He seems nice.”

“He’s a lovely boy. His father wanted him to go to London and be a stockbroker or something important, and Ted refused. Said he’d rather work with his hands and apprenticed himself to Paddy Murphy the local builder.” Mrs. Reynolds shook her head. “That caused a bit of a stink around here seeing as Paddy’s father used to run the stables for Ted’s dad.”

“Why would that matter?” Mabel put the rinsed cups on the draining board.

“It’s a class thing, dearie. Ted’s father didn’t like his son working for his family’s former servant.”

“That’s silly.”

“I agree. It’s probably why Ted and his dad don’t get on very well. I mean we’re all supposed to live in a classless society now, but it doesn’t always feel like that.”

“All I can say is, good for Ted.”

Mabel’s phone buzzed and she wiped her hands and took it out of her pocket. There was a text message from an unknown number, and she clicked on it out of curiosity. She’d been communicating with many new people since she began helping Colin with the estate.

Mabel, It’s Sam. Can I talk to u?

Mabel checked the time. Colin would be occupied with showing the house for at least fifteen minutes. She had some time before she needed to meet up with them again.

She texted Sam back.

Sure. Call me now.

Her phone rang immediately, and she walked into the butler’s pantry for some privacy. “Hey, Sammy, what’s up?”

There was silence and then Sam spoke in a rush. “I need you to leave Joss alone.”

“I beg your pardon?”

“All he talks about is you, and I can’t deal with it.”

Mabel sat down in a chair by the fireplace. “I have no control over what Joss talks about. I haven’t contacted him outside work for months, and any discussions between us right now has been instigated by him and involve the rest of the team.”

“He’s just… obsessed by you.”

There was a hint of tears in Sammy’s voice, but Mabel wasn’t feeling particularly sympathetic right now. Unusual for her, but maybe she’d been pushed too far with this business with Joss.

She took a deep breath and said, “Joss is sulking because I don’t want to be a part of his new project. That’s all there is to it. Ask Iko or Deepak if you don’t believe me.”