Page 13 of A Colourful Country Escape
‘Caught you, did she?’
Lexie squirmed in her seat. What? She looked at Ben, and realised with relief he was talking to his brother.
‘Yep. Mrs Moon strikes again.’
Cory looked sheepishly at his now-slippered feet and back up at his tray of goodies. ‘The housekeeper,’ he explained. ‘What can I say. At least somebody loves me.’
Did she imagine a tense look passing between the two men?
Cory cleared his throat. ‘Anyway, your camper van’s a doll. Vintage 1960s, isn’t she? She must be worth a packet.’
Drew had always quantified Penny in terms of cash too. He’d nagged that if she sold Penny she wouldn’t be so skint all the time. But the van was worth more to her than any money could buy. Penny was family.
‘I inherited her from my aunt. She’s … she’s precious.’ Lexie felt a lump rising in her throat. Oh brilliant, was she going to cry now, too? ‘I could never part with her. She’s the very essence of Aunt Jasmine.’ Right down to the flowery perfume she swore she could still smell on a good day.
Now Ben seemed to be swallowing something back as well.
‘A bit like this office,’ Cory replied. ‘I reckon Dad’s still ingrained in the woodwork. Some people will never leave you.’
Was he the J. R. C. from the gold doorplate? Ben coughed and shuffled more papers. Suddenly it seemed no one felt like cake.
After a few awkward moments, Ben cut through the silence and stood up, extending a hand to Lexie. Oh, was it over? But …
‘Well, Miss Summers, I think I’ve heard enough. Cory, did you have any questions? You’re the one with the burning desire to see our lives spread all over the internet.’
Had she done nothing to convince him? Why was he still so cold?
‘I’ve got a burning desire for lemon cake and a cup of tea,’ Cory replied. ‘Now, where areyourmanners?’
‘I need to fully consider all applicants.’ Ben was back in business mode, if he’d ever left it. ‘I’ll be in touch.’
Cory spluttered up chunks of the candied lemon he’d been nicking from the plate.
‘What other applicants? Tewkesbury isn’t exactly huge. You’ll be lucky to find a queue of people with a degree in media and communications like Lexie. You’d better snap the girl up before someone beats you to it.’
Ben reddened. ‘There are other applicants,’ he said, firmly.
‘Trisha from the Co-op?’
Ben appeared to be sucking in his words.
Cory turned to Lexie. ‘Look, can you do the job?’
‘Well, of course, I—’
‘I have no doubt she’s capable,’ Ben conceded through tight lips.
He didn’t?
‘And can you start on Monday?’ asked Cory.
‘Well, I’d need to find somewhere to stay, of course … ’
‘There are heaps of rooms here. Move in.’ Cory waved a nonchalant hand like he’d just offered her a Dorito. ‘There’s loads of space now the old dragon lives in her town house and I’m off in the camper most of the time. Ben’s just rattling around here with the decrepit staff and dust mites. You may as well keep him company.’
‘No!’ Lexie and Ben shouted at once, and then looked at one another, apparently startled by the strength of their own protests.
‘I have my own accommodation,’ Lexie confirmed. ‘I’ll live in my camper van. I just need to find a campsite.’
