AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘That’s simple enough. Ask your lodger if he’d just, you know, go out for the evening.’
‘Hmm. But I don’t know where my evening will lead …’
‘Ah.’ Lili got the picture.
‘Although I’m happy to take things slowly,’ he added.
‘Yes, but you never know …’
‘Well, I know where it won’t be leading with someone in the next room!’ Ray shook his head.
Lili had a thought. She’d have to run it by Nate. ‘He could come and stay the night at The Summerhouse.’ There were plenty of bedrooms where she lived with Nate and William – too many, in fact.
‘That’s really kind of you, but that wouldn’t work out.’
‘How come? I’m sure Nate wouldn’t mind, especially if it’s going to help you guys get back together. And you know we’ve got the space.’
Ray was already shaking his head as they both picked up their baskets and shuffled up the queue. The two people in front of them had huge trolley-loads of food which were taking some time to cash up.
Lili put her basket back on the floor and looked at Ray. ‘Who is your lodger?’
He pursed his lips. ‘It’s one of Nate’s old school friends. They had a falling-out over …’ He paused. ‘Look, I can’t go into it, but let’s just say my friend’s nephew is not one of Nate’s favourite people.’
‘Your friend?’
‘Oh, you probably don’t know him. He’s an old guy – well, he’s around my age. He lives in a decommissioned lighthouse.’
‘A lighthouse?’
Ray nodded. ‘I was in Southwold the other day and we ran into each other. He said things aren’t working out with his nephew staying there. I think the feeling is mutual.’
Lili couldn’t imagine there was more than one decommissioned lighthouse in Southwold. ‘Are you talking about Joss?’
Ray nodded.
‘How do you know his uncle?’ Lili asked.
‘Oh, he’s been a fixture around here for years. I did some work for him on the Somerville family tree when I first retired here, and word got about that I was an heir-hunter.’
‘The Somervilles?’ Lili wondered what his interest was in the family. Then again, perhaps it didn’t surprise her. Some people were fascinated by families with titles.
Ray looked at Lili askance. ‘So, Nate mentioned Joss to you?’
Lili shook her head. ‘No. My friend has inherited the cottage next door to the lighthouse. Joss was there, so he introduced himself.’
‘Small world.’
Lili didn’t think so; not in a place like this. She was interested to talk to Nate and find out just what that falling-out had been about, considering that Ray thought there would still be bad blood between them all these years later.
‘I may have to book a restaurant instead,’ Ray mused, before changing the subject. ‘So, I hear you got the commission to design and landscape a formal garden in the grounds of Somerville Hall?’
Lili was now near the front of the queue. She started loading the contents of her shopping basket on to the belt. She turned around and grinned at Ray in response to his question. ‘I did – what are the chances?’
Ray shook his head and offered her a sly grin. ‘Your chances were pretty good, young lady. Don’t put yourself down. I imagine there were a lot of bids to do that work, considering the money it would bring in.’
‘Yes, there were. That’s why I’m surprised they picked me, considering I’d only just set up my landscaping business.’
‘But your qualifications, Lili. A degree in horticulture – and a first. And all that experience working in Kew gardens while you did your degree. That wouldn’t have gone unnoticed on your CV.’
