Page 7 of Persuading Penny
“Mum, the dishes will be washed, as will the pots and pans, forks and spoons...and knives. Linens and towels will be laundered...and as for your books...people share books all the time. People regularly read books that have been read before.”
“Well, notmybooks,” she said with an uncharacteristically haughty air.
“Do you want us to pack up your books?”I said, knowing full well that it would be impossible. We had a library filled with books; old books, new books, cooking books, architecture books, books on war, books on geography and books about books.
“You amuse me not one bit, Penny.”
“And it wasn’t my intention. I only wish to sooth your worries.”
“What do we know about these people who will be sleeping in our beds?”
“They’re good friends of Keely and Hugh.”
“Two people that I don’t know at all. Not one bit.”
“Mum, I told you,” I said. “I’ll be working for Keely. And as for Hugh... Hugh Pembroke. I’m sure you’ve heard of him. He isthemost highly regarded lawyer in Bath.”
She nodded in annoyance as she fussed about, leveling a picture frame or turning a figurine just so. “Yes. Yes. I’ve heard of him. But I don’tknowhim, and that still doesn’t tell me much about these strangers who will be staying here.”
“Well, you’ll find out soon enough. They should be here within the hour.” I glanced at the stairs that led up to my parents’ bedroom. “I do hope Dad will be finished packing his clothes by then.”
“Does the house look all right?”she said still fussing with a vase here or a doily there.
“Everything looks fine.”
“I wouldn’t want them to think we were negligent in our housekeeping,” she went on. “Oh, look at the dust behind this curio case.”
The resounding clap of a slamming door startled us both.
“What on earth...?”Mum let out.
She quickly got her answer as Dad stomped his way to the stairs and stomped louder still down every single step.
“This is all you have, Molly?”he said, his tone impatient as he pointed to her lone suitcase.
“The rest is already in the car, Boris.”
“Then come on. Let’s get out of here.”
“Dad, we’re waiting for the tenants to arrive.”
“To hell with them,” he boomed with a belligerent wave of his hand. “I don’t know them, and I don’t care to know them.”
Mum stiffened her neck and raised her chin. “Well, Boris, I would. I would very much like to see who will be eating with my fork and knife.”
“Fine,” he shot back as he opened the door. “Stay. But I’m leaving.”
“Boris!”
“Goodbye!”
She ran to the door. “Boris!”
“Go with him, Mum,” I said. “I’ll stay to meet with the tenants. I’ll let you know what sort of people they are.”
She picked up her suitcase and looked at me. “Don’t forget to have them sign those,” she said, pointing to the documents on the side table.
I nodded. “Go. I’ll take care of everything here. It’ll be fine. I know the way to the cottage, and I’ll catch up with you later.”
