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She noted there was no sign of the glamourous one.

‘Shall we go in the pub?’ Rita shivered, tucking herself closer into Jago. ‘It’s flipping freezing out here.’

Inside, warmth spilled out through the windows, and there she was, Delia Monroe in a full-length black wool dress with a pink boa around her neck, fully absorbed in conversation with an ebullient Pete the Pilchard. Her silver hair, immaculately pinned, emulated that of a 1940s film star. His mutton chop sideburns were freshly trimmed.

As Rita and Jago approached, Pete the Pilchard leant in beside the glamour-puss, topping up her drink with the easy confidence of a man who knew his way around both a busy night and a beautiful woman.

Rita read his lips through the noise of the crowd. ‘You’re dangerous, you are.’

Delia lifted her glass. ‘Only if you’re easily led.’

Rita, passing behind them, couldn’t help it – she laughed aloud.

Joel was back behind the bar

‘I forgot to tell you,’ she shouted to Jago above the jukebox inside and the carols out. ‘Kelly’s coming to stay tomorrow night.’

Jago groaned. ‘Well, best not tell her Pete’s transferring his affections or she’ll be getting the shotgun out on one of your guests, this time.’

They both broke into laughter.

THIRTY-EIGHT

Back at the farmhouse, Chloe and Thom were still half tangled together on the sofa, the aftermath of sweaty sex and laughter settling into something quieter.

Chloe’s phone buzzed on the arm of the couch. She glanced at it, catching her breath. ‘Shit! It’s your mum. They’ll be back at nine.’

Thom nodded, shifting slightly to give her space as she sat up, found her bra and began to get dressed.

‘I know what I meant to ask you. Did you know that Poppy, your ex, is living down here now?’

Thom’s expression tightened for a fraction of a second. ‘Yeah. I saw her. Getting married to a doctor, no less.’

‘Oh.’ Chloe’s voice lifted.

‘Anyway, she’s the past and well you’re the…’

‘The nanny with benefits,’ Chloe finished for him.

‘Err, yes, something like that,’ Thom stuttered. ‘But I’m hoping this is a two-sided arrangement, one that can just continue, like.’

‘Like? Like this you mean?’ Chloe reached for her jeans.

Thom got up and started to look for where his clothes had landed.

She huffed a small laugh but there was something in her eyes that didn’t match his ease. Noticing, he leant down, nudged her then, teasing, tickling her side.

‘Stop,’ she hissed immediately, swatting him away. ‘Seriously.’

He grinned. ‘I mean you do give the best…’ He paused, sticking his tongue into the side of his cheek. ‘…in Cornwall.’

‘Don’t,’ she warned, but she was smiling. ‘I will accept a medal, in the form of a fifth round, but at my place next time, so we don’t get busted.’

‘My mum asked me outright about you the other day,’ Thom suddenly declared.

Chloe froze. ‘Did you tell her?’

Thom raised his eyebrows. ‘Do you really think my mother could keep that kind of news in? And I won’t. Of course I won’t. It’s your job on the line, not mine. I promise, this is between me and you.’