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‘No, Emily said she’s not a widow. Do you think she found out about …?’
She slowly shook her head from side to side. ‘No, I don’t think that was it.’
‘Then what, Wendy?’
She frowned at him. ‘How many times have I told you not to call me that?’
‘But it’s your name.’
‘Yes, but you know I go by my middle name. Anthea sounds much more refined and …’
‘Posh.’
‘Yes, you know I think every little detail just gives an impression. And your name is one of the most important details.’
‘Maybe I should change my name too.’ Gerald was trying to think of a suitably posh gentleman’s name. ‘How about Sebastian?’
‘Oh, don’t be so silly, Gerald.’ She frowned at him. ‘But seriously, even Emily doesn’t slip up.’
‘That’s because she calls you Mum.’
‘And you normally call me,my love.’
‘Sorry, my love,’ he said, walking towards her and putting his hands around her waist.
She smiled at him.
‘Apology accepted.’
His hand moved down her thigh. ‘Really, Gerald! We’ve got dinner to prepare for our guests.’
Gerald let out a sigh. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’ve got used to having the house practically to ourselves these past couple of months. I’ve never known it to be so quiet during the winter months.’
‘I’m not surprised the house has been empty, with all the wet and windy weather we’ve been having lately. People would most likely rather go abroad than be stuck inside a hotel room watching the rain lashing the windowpane.’
‘We’ve got Joss, though.’ Gerald commented. ‘But Joss has been here so long, he’s beginning to feel like part of the furniture – or the family.’
‘Don’t say that. He’s not staying.’
‘Of course he isn’t. He won’t want to stay in a guest house forever. But I do think there’s something, or rather someone, keeping him here.’
‘Don’t say that either.’
‘Why not? He’s a nice sort.’
‘The trouble with you, Gerald, is you just see the good in people. Everyone is a nice sort – in your book.’ She turned around to continue unpacking the shopping bags.
‘Yes, it’s true he does keep his cards close to his chest.’
‘His cards close to his chest?’ Anthea scoffed. ‘I’ll say! We know nothing about him.’
Gerald frowned at his wife. ‘I do know this – he has the means to pay our room rates, which aren’t cheap. And he’s in love with Emily.’
‘No, he isn’t.’
‘Yes, he is.’
Anthea glared at him.
