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Mandy made a decision, and not because she wanted to help Ted. She was doing this so she didn’t end up in front of the camera.
“Joe, you and Fin stand in the window and make sure no one sees us, and I’ll take Ted out the back way.”
“What?” Ted looked at her. “Why are you helping me?”
“I don’t like cameras.”
Mandy led him outside and along to Tea Total. Once there, she let herself in using her key.
“That you, Mandy?”
“Yes, Aunt Sarah, I’m just going to do some baking!”
“All right. Marla and I are going outside to see what’s happening! There’s a news crew.”
“Okay, I’ll watch the shop.”
Mandy pointed to a chair. “You can stay in here until they’ve gone, then leave by the back door,” she added before going out into the shop. She made him coffee, and when she came back he was in the same position. She handed him the mug and he took a mouthful, then lowered it to the bench.
“You have a right to be angry with me, Mandy. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I didn’t tell anyone about my life before coming here. About the photographer too.”
“I’m not just angry about the lying, I’m angry about what you did at the bank.”
“What did I do at the bank?” His face showed no guilt.Rat!
“You know what you did, and I told you I wanted to do this myself.”
“You found out I guaranteed the loan?”
“Of course I found out!”
“I should have made it clear that I didn’t want you to know.”
Mandy thought about grabbing her hair and pulling. Even better his.
“You shouldn’t have done anything.”
“Why? You want that loan, and I just made sure you got it.”
It was that simple to him.
“You didn’t tell me I couldn’t be your guarantor. You just said you wouldn’t take a loan from me.”
“You’re not that dumb, Ted. You knew I wouldn’t want you to do that.”
He grabbed her hand as she began to walk away.
“I just wanted to help you, Mandy.”
“Why?”
“Because I care about you.”
“As a friend. I get it. Have you done this for other friends?”
He didn’t answer. Mandy pulled free and left the kitchen. They had no customers, so she kept walking out the front door.
The news crew were filming locals, who by now would all know that Ted was Senator Hosking’s son. Mandy kept behind a row of people so the camera couldn’t get a shot of her if it panned the crowd.
