Page 22 of A Fresh Start on Crumcarey
Luke snorted with laughter.
Maggie had to rein in the temptation to stick her tongue out at him. She couldn’t blame him though – shewasdoing a very good impression of a teenager caught red-handed after sneaking into a boy’s room!
‘Why don’t you get dressed and I’ll put the kettle on?’ said Luke, clearly taking pity on her.
‘Clothes. Good idea,’ said Mr Harris, nodding. ‘You might give poor old McGregor a heart attack.’
Luke started to giggle, and Maggie gave in and stuck her tongue out at him before dashing back to the bed and closing the curtain firmly behind her. It didn’t stop a snuffly little nose from making its way underneath the edge two seconds later.
‘McGregor!’ the two men shouted in unison, and the terrier disappeared with what she could swear was a roll of his beady little eyes.
Maggie started to pull her clothes on as fast as she could.
‘Here,’ said Luke, handing her a steaming vat of coffee the minute she reappeared.
‘Ta,’ she said, wrapping her hands gratefully around the gigantic mug and taking a sip.
‘So. Are either of you going to tell me what on earth I’ve just walked in on?’ said Mr Harris.
Maggie grinned at him, feeling a bit less exposed now that she was back in her own clothes.
‘I’m afraid my cottage had a little accident in the storm,’ she said.
‘How little?’ said Mr Harris, looking concerned.
‘Most of the roof kind of little?’ she said.
‘Oh dear,’ he said.
‘Yeah,’ said Maggie, feeling a dollop of dread drop into her stomach.
‘To be fair, we’ve not had the chance to have a proper look yet,’ said Luke mildly.
Maggie smiled at him gratefully. He was clearly trying to stop her from running away with herself before they’d had the chance to assess the damage.
‘Anyway,’ said Maggie, ‘I didn’t know what to do, so I came over here… you guys are the closest.’
‘You’re always welcome,’ said Mr Harris seriously. ‘Where’s your car, though – I didn’t see it?’
‘Underneath most of the roof,’ said Maggie.
‘Oh dear,’ said Mr Harris again. ‘Well… thatdoesexplain why there are several tarpaulins and a bunch of snapped rope up in the top field!’
‘Oh no, I’m so sorry,’ said Maggie.
‘Don’t you apologise, girl!’ said Mr Harris, shaking his head. ‘I was just on my way down to find Luke to help me collect it all up. Then I was going to drive over to the cottage to make sure you’re alright.’
‘I’m alright,’ said Maggie. ‘Thank you, though.’
‘A miracle you are, too,’ said Mr Harris.
‘Yeah, especially as she practically swam here last night!’ said Luke, his voice serious.
McGregor – who’d been sitting on Maggie’s foot while all this had been going on – glanced up at her and barked. It sounded very much like he was telling her off.
‘Consider yourself told!’ laughed Luke. ‘But that reminds me – I’ve put fresh batteries in this for you.’
Maggie took the torch from him. She had no idea why she’d brought it with her, considering it had been as dead as a dodo and about as much use as a chocolate teapot.
