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‘Does that mean you’ll do it?’
Abigail sighed. ‘Do I have a choice?’
‘Of course you do.’
‘No, I don’t think I do, unless I want you to keep pestering me to come.’
‘I don’t know what you mean.’
‘Sounds like your fan is knackered.’
‘If you say so,’ said Lili. She didn’t know the first thing about computers – new or old.
Abigail turned in her seat and looked at her. ‘I know what you’re up to, Lili. You listened to that movie reel and decided you’d try to fix me up with a purpose.’
Lili pursed her lips and looked at the floor. ‘I know you’re an accounts assistant at work, and you’re sitting accountancy exams. It seemed like a good idea at the time.’
‘Yeah – until I saw your ancient computer. I don’t know if I’ve even seen a screen that isn’t a flatscreen. Don’t they take up a lot of space on the desk.’ It wasn’t a question.
‘Yes, I see what you mean. So, will you do it? Have a look at my accounts?’
Abigail sighed. ‘Yes.’
‘Great.’
‘On one condition.’
Lili’s face fell. ‘What is it?’
‘You take me with you one day to Somerville Hall.’
Lili raised her eyebrows.
‘I want to see where Daphne came from with my own eyes.’
‘Is that the only reason you want to go there?’
‘Oh, all right. Yes, I want to find out if there is any connection between Toby and the Somervilles.’
Lili started shaking her head. ‘I don’t think you’re going to find out anything. To be honest, I’ve hardly seen Lord Somerville, perhaps in the distance once, walking in the grounds with his son and daughter, but other than that he doesn’t get involved with the staff.’
Abigail frowned. ‘Sounds like a real upstairs, downstairs, Downton Abbey sort of vibe going on there.’
‘Oh, it is, believe me. Quite surprising in this day and age.’
‘I still want to go, though.’
‘I warn you, I might have to draft you in to do some work.’
‘You are joking. You’ll have me gardening too?’
‘It’s not gardening, it’s landscaping.’
‘Well, whatever it is, you know I’m not into gardening. I don’t like to get my hands dirty, or my shoes, or anything else.’
Lili smiled. She imagined Abigail didn’t even own a pair of wellies. ‘I think living in a place like Somerville Hall, wellies would be mandatory if you wanted to enjoy the grounds in all weathers.’
‘Well, it’s lucky I don’t live there then, isn’t it?’
