Page 36 of Tessa Cavendish Is Getting Married
“Nope.”
“So you don’t actually know how to use this?” He indicated my new purchase.
I pulled out the thick instruction manual. “I will once I’ve read this.”
Leo stared at me in much the same way that Marianne had done when I’d outlined my plan to her. It seemed they both thought I’d gone mad. “Tess, are you sure this is the route you want to take?” Leo said.
“Of course I’m sure. I mean, how hard can sewing be?”
“Maybe more difficult than you’re imagining?”
I frowned at the man, wondering why he wasn’t pleased for me. “Leo, you’re not talking to your typical newbie here.”
“But I thought you just said…”
“In case you’ve forgotten, I am a potter.”
Leo cocked his head, evidently struggling to see the connection.
I chuckled at the man’s confusion. “It means I have a head start.”
Leo still didn’t appear to follow.
“Not only am I used to controlling speed with one of these…” I pulled the machine’s foot pedal out of the box. “Operating a wheel to manipulate clay can’t be all that different to controlling fabric.”
Leo seemed more amused than convinced by my reasoning.
“Obviously, I’m not going to dive straight in,” I said, excited at the prospect.
“Obviously.”
“I’ll dig out an old bedding sheet. You know, to do a few practice runs first.”
“Of course.”
“Then once I’ve learnt all the stitches this machine can do…”
“You’ll have those licked in no time,” Leo said.
“There’ll be no stopping me.”
“There won’t.”
I narrowed my eyes. “You’re laughing at me, aren’t you?”
Leo tried to keep a straight face. “Not at all. I love the fact that you’re so confident.”
“You don’t think I can do this.”
“Well…”
“Well, nothing.” I prodded him in the arm. “Oh, ye of little faith.”
Leo got up from his seat. “I’m sorry.” Chuckling, he leaned down and kissed my cheek. “Like you say, with a bit of practice, I’m sure you’ll make a wonderful seamstress.” Continuing to smile, Leo shook his head as he collected his packed lunch and flask off the kitchen counter. He laughed some more as he reached for a slice of toast to eat on his way to work. “I can’t wait to see what you come up with.” He turned his attention to the dog. “Otis, time to go.”
I pulled the hair bobble that was wrapped around my wrist free and used it to neatly secure my hair in place ready to start. “Come tonight, you’ll be eating your words,” I called out, as Leo and Otis left the room and headed for the front door.
Chapter 22
