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‘So, why are you so adamant about staying in Starry Cove?’ he asks. ‘Can’t resist the village charm? Or is London worse than I remember?’
It’s because I don’t want to go back to London. To the soullessness. To the indifference of those who are supposed to love you. Like Stephen. And my future mother-in-law. But who am I kidding? Cornwall is no better. My own grandmother doesn’t even want me. She’s made it abundantly clear. But now I’m committed to staying at least until this inheritance ordeal is sorted.
I shrug. ‘My grandmother needs me here.’
‘Is that what she told you? Your grandmother doesn’t need anything except for slaves in chains. She reigns with an iron fist, that one.’
‘Is that why you don’t get along?’
He snorts. ‘Now that’s an understatement if ever I heard one.’
‘I know we don’t know each other, but… what is it with the two of you and all this anger?’
‘You mean mine… or hers?’
‘Both.’ I shrug. ‘I mean, what do you know about my grandmother?’
‘That she doesn’t know her arse from her elbow, for starters. And just in case you were hoping, she’s never going to accept you. She doesn’t like giving away any of her money.’
I bristle. ‘I’m not here for her money.’
‘Well then don’t even try to fit in. You don’t belong here. Trust me, you’re never gonna be accepted. Your grandmother won’t permit it.’
‘I don’t need to be accepted,’ I lie. ‘I just came here to do my duty.’
‘It’s not your duty to take care of that old battleaxe.’
‘I’m just keeping her company. Her doctor can’t be with her 24/7.’
‘And Martin has taken Janice’s place on watch.’
‘Yes.’
‘Well, it sounds like he’s sure making an effort with her.’
‘Yes, he is.’
‘He rarely makes house calls.’
‘Oh?’
‘But he does for your bloody Grannygrootmother. I wonder why that is?’ he drawls, eyeing me quizzically.
‘How am I supposed to know?’
‘Rumour has it he’s besotted with you.’
So he knows I went out to dinner with him. What a tiny world we live in.
‘That’s ridiculous,’ I protest. ‘He’s simply a good bloke.’
‘Unlike me?’
‘What has any of this got to do with you?’
He shrugs. ‘He was a good friend of mine once. I’d hate to see him suffer.’
‘And what makes you think I’d make him suffer?’
