Page 49 of Doc Defence

“Come on, Frost. Delete it.” She sounded exasperated.

“Okay.” He regretfully deleted it and changed the subject. “Why do you have so much stuff in the back of your car?” Frost indicated to the collection of bags on the back seat.

Hel sighed deeply. “That,” she pointed her thumb over her shoulder, “are all my worldly possessions.”

“Okay,” Frost said slowly. He owned more things in Australia and he didn’t even live here. And, why was it all in her car? “Why are you driving it around with you?”

For a second, he thought maybe she lived in her car. He had read about the rental crisis in Australia. But he dismissed that. There was no way she lived in her car, she had a well-paying job.

“My house burned down the night you got injured,” Hel said.

Frost blinked in surprise, that had not been what he was expecting her to say. “You’re living in your car?”

“No.” Hel sputtered. “I was staying with Clara, but there’s a long story about no spare room, which I won’t go into. We were sharing a room, but Taylor just got back after being away for a few weeks, and I didn’t want to impose.”

“And they’re disgustingly in love?” Frost suggested.

“Absolutely.” Hel agreed. “The public displays of affection are out of control, and I don’t want to have to bleach my eyeballs.”

“Fair.” Frost nodded in agreement.

“Clara tried to insist I stayed on the sofa. But that’s the worst, as it’s right outside their bedroom door.” Hel shivered. “I politely declined.”

“What about Sadie?” He recalled her other friend.

“She’s married, has two kids, and they only live in a two-bedroom house. So I can’t stay there.”

“What are you going to do? Do you have family nearby?” He leaned towards her, his eyes full of concern.

“Nope. My family are a few hours away.”

“So?” He left the question in the air.

“Don’t worry. I have a plan. I’m going to stay in at Creekside Lodge until one of Clara and Taylor’s cottages are free.”

Frost frowned. “Cottages? Now I’m confused.”

“Ten-second summary. They own one hundred acres with a main house and three cottages. It turns out the building was crap, and they’ve had to gut the lot to repair it. They’re living in one of the cottages. As soon as another’s finished, I’m moving into that.”

“How long will that take?” Frost asked.

“They said it’ll be close to their wedding.”

Frost’s eyebrows drew down. He didn’t know why he was so invested—well, he did.

He wasn’t even surprised at the next words out of his mouth. “You should come and stay at my house.”

Hel didn’t say anything and kept staring straight ahead, but he could see her knuckles go white where they clutched the steering wheel.

“I’ve got a four-bedroom house. The guest room has an en-suite.” He tried to sweeten the deal, suddenly very invested in having her come and stay with him.

“That’s really nice of you, but I can’t.” She shook her head.

“Why not?”

“I don’t know you. You don’t know me,” Hel sputtered.

“Ask me anything. You can phone my mom if you want. She’ll vouch for me.” Frost grinned when that made her laugh.

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