Page 117 of The Upper Crush

‘Estelle, Jack’s just come in and wants a word. Can I pass the phone to him?’

‘Yeah, sure.’

There was a pause, then Jack was on the line. ‘Hey Stelle, you got a sec to chat about the do at the manor a week Saturday?’

‘Yeah, sure, go for it.’

Estelle was relieved to be talking business with Jack. The event was vital. If they couldn’t change the councillors’ minds about approving the festival application, then all their hard work and money would be down the drain. Not only that, but Estelle would then have to see what other assets she could sell to keep the Foxbrooke estate from being sold off. Over the years, she’d already sold the most valuable paintings in the house and replaced them with reproductions. Soon the only thing left of value would be the manor itself.

Estelle spoke to Jack until a car pulled up outside.

‘Can we carry this on tomorrow, Jack? I can get Molly to drop me off tomorrow morning at the rectory once I’ve picked my laptop up from the office.’

‘No worries, I’ve gotta go anyway and see how the shepherd’s pie is doing.’

She said her goodbyes and hung up as Elyse entered the house.

‘What happened to you?’ Elyse asked.

‘I tripped and went over onto my ankle.’

‘Oh.’ Elyse hovered, one hand twisting around the strap of her bag, as if she wasn’t sure what to do. ‘Does it hurt?’

‘Not when it’s elevated and I’ve taken painkillers. I’ll see how it is tomorrow. If I can’t put any weight on it, I might need to pick up a pair of crutches to get about.’

Elyse nodded.

‘Can we have a quick chat?’

Elyse’s face went white, her eyes darting around the room as if looking for the nearest exit. She perched on the sofa opposite Estelle, her back straight and her hands clasped on her lap.

‘You can stay here as long as you need,’ Estelle began, ‘but you’ve got to tidy up after yourself. Hang your towel up to dry and clean the kitchen after you’ve used it, okay?’

Elyse let out a breath as if she’d been steeling herself for much worse, then nodded.

‘Yes, I will. I know I’m not very good at things like that.’

‘Didn’t your parents make you tidy your room when you were growing up?’

She shook her head. ‘The maids did it.’

‘Bloody hell. I’m apparently an aristocrat and even I didn’t have that. Where did you grow up?’

‘Kenya until I was six, then my parents split up and I came to London with my mum.’

‘Did you go back to Africa during the holidays?’

‘No, I’ve only seen my dad once since we left.’

‘What? Why? Sorry, Elyse, you don’t have to tell me.’

She shrugged. ‘He started a new family and was too busy.’

‘Shit. I’m so sorry.’

Elyse smiled. ‘It’s fine. You can’t miss what you don’t have. Right?’

Estelle nodded, even though she didn’t believe it. ‘Is your mum still in London?’

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