AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He turned to Lili. ‘I brought a change of clothes, in case I have to get my hands dirty. I thought the gardeners might take me more seriously supervising them if I was wearing a suit. As I’m probably around half their age, it might help if I was dressed, you know, business-like.’
Abigail got the impression this wasn’t the first time he’d worn a suit. In fact, he looked at ease in office clothes, as though that was what he was used to wearing for work.
Lili asked, ‘Is that the only reason you dressed up?’
Abigail shot Lili a look, wondering what she was getting at.
Lili caught Abigail staring at her and shifted her eyes with a nod in Joss’s direction. When Abigail turned to look at Joss, he was staring at her. ‘Pardon – what?’ He just about managed to drag his eyes away.
Lili grinned. ‘Never mind. I think you answered my question.’
‘I did?’
‘Oh, yes.’
Abigail shot her friend another look. She was starting to regret recommending Joss for the position. Seeing Joss again was giving Lili ideas. Was this how it was going to be among her two best friends now? They both had partners. Was it going to be their mission in life to fix her up with someone else?
Joss was good-looking, and easy to talk to, but that didn’t mean she would, could, fall in love with him – or anyone ever again. That was just the way it was.
Lili said, ‘I think Joss isn’t the only one who is overdressed.’
Abigail sighed. ‘I went for the smart casual look, as I wanted to make a good first impression. It’s only temporary. I’m standing in for Emily. I didn’t want to let her down.’
Lili eyed her ensemble. ‘Perhaps a bit more smart than casual.’
Abigail looked down at her grey blouse and straight black knee-length skirt. ‘Do you think it’s a bit too formal?’
Lili was about to say something when Joss got there first. ‘No, not at all. You look … nice. Really nice.’
Abigail rolled her eyes when she caught Lili looking at Joss and grinning.
Joss was there at Somerville Hall; there was nothing she could do about that. At least she would be working inside, and he would be outside. Thinking of which, Abigail said, ‘Lili, do you know where I can find the housekeeper? I’m meant to check in with her before I start work.’ She glanced at her watch.
‘Come with me, I’ll show you. Lucky break, getting a number working in the house. You’ll have to tell me what it’s like inside.’
‘I will.’
‘And if you find anything out about—’
Abigail coughed loudly to shut her up. Joss was walking right behind them.
Lili glanced over her shoulder before turning to Abigail, nodding that she understood that her friend didn’t want the business with Toby’s cottage and his and potential links to the Hall getting around. ‘Right, this is where I leave you,’ she said. They’d arrived at a heavy wooden back door.
‘Aren’t you coming in?’
Lili shook her head.
Abigail looked through the doorway into the long, tiled corridor. ‘Where does it lead?’
‘To the housekeeper’s office and the canteen. You can’t miss it. It’s the door at the end. It saysHousekeeperon the door.’
‘Okay, well, see you later.’
‘We have a break at midday for lunch if you’re free?’
That was when Abigail’s shift finished. She would have been happy to meet up for lunch afterwards, if Lili had not used the wordwe.
‘You know, I’m going to pop into a deli in town at lunchtime and get a takeaway sandwich,’ said Joss.
