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19
Alex
By the timeI wake up the next morning, my mind is made up. Now I have to break the news. In person. After a quick chat with Craig, I text Freddy.
Alex
Are you at home today?
Freddy
Yes. Why?
Alex
I’m coming over. See you in a couple hours
After Karen dropsme off at Finleigh Park, I leave my phone with Craig. He’d figured out that Karen was tracking me, and rather than call her out on it, he decided to let her keep doing it.
Ailsa is waiting for me as I leave Craig’s office.
“Where to?” she asks once we’re both buckled in the car.
“Woodside Farm.”
I’m impressed that she doesn’t show the slightest surprise or curiosity.
We’re about halfway there before the silence gets to me. “You must have questions.”
“I know how to mind my own business.”
“Fair enough. It wasn’t a trick, though.”
“And if you have anything you want me to know, I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
“I like you. We’ll talk on the way back.”
Freddy comes racing down the front steps of the cottage as we pull in behind his Land Rover.
“I’ll wait in the car,” Ailsa says.
“That’s silly—”
“You need some privacy and I’m fine right here. But if he makes tea, I wouldn’t say no to a nice cuppa. Just milk, no sugar.”
“Yes, I do like you quite a bit.”
I get out of the car and Freddy gives a slight nod towards Ailsa before lifting his eyebrow in question.
“Inside, okay?”
He nods and leads the way.
As soon as the door is closed, he pulls me into his arms. “Let me have this minute, sweetheart. I need to just hang on to you for a minute before we have whatever conversation is coming.”
I let myself relax.
All too soon the kettle starts screaming from the kitchen. He releases me but takes my hand and pulls me along. “Come into the kitchen. We’ll talk over tea.”
