Page 52 of The Beekeeper's Cottage
‘Not really, no. I rather think the point was that Zac wanted a little peace and quiet before the day got underway. And as such, we didn’t chat, that would have defeated the object of the exercise.’
‘So he just happened to come in here before everyone else was up, did he?’
Grace crossed to the sink to rinse her hands. ‘It would appear that way, yes. But if you want a definitive answer I guess you would have to ask Zac.’ She smiled sweetly.
‘Yes, well, just don’t do it again,’ muttered Paul. ‘It doesn’t look good. I’m your husband for goodness’ sake.’ He picked Zac’s mug up from the table and handed it to Grace. ‘And that’s another thing, do you think you could pretend to enjoy it when I kiss you? As far as our guests are concerned, we’re supposed to be happily married, but it’s like holding a cardboard box, you’re so stiff.’
Seeing Paul’s pouting expression was just too much and Grace had to turn away to hide her smile. His childlike manner had driven her mad over the years, but now she merely found it funny.
‘I’ll make you a coffee,’ she said. ‘But I’ve got things to do, Paul. Why don’t you go and show Zac the garden?’
He almost shuddered. ‘Why would I want to do that? You know I hate it.’
Fifteen minutes later Zac was back.
‘You weren’t joking, were you?’ he said, brushing a greenfly from his sleeve. ‘I’ve never seen anything like that before, but then I guess… well, how else do you grow flowers?’
‘It’s quite something, isn’t it?’ agreed Grace. ‘My neighbours converted their dairy farm earlier in the year and that’s the result.’
Zac nodded. ‘There was a chap already working in the field, but he spotted me and came over, wondering who I was, I suppose. He explained to me what had happened.’
Grace checked her watch but it was only half past seven. ‘Crikey, they’re starting early today, business must be good.’
‘That’s what I said, but he was weeding before it gets too hot. A full-time job, I would imagine.’
‘Well, rather them than me,’ said Paul. ‘I can’t think of anything worse.’
Zac regarded him evenly. ‘Oh, I don’t know. I’ve always quite fancied the idea of an outdoor life.’
Paul looked uncomfortable. ‘That’s not to say I don’t admire them,’ he said hurriedly. ‘I do, it’s just not for me, that’s all. I think I’ve worked out where my strengths are.’
There was a moment when Grace thought Zac was going to comment, but then he smiled. ‘You’re probably right. I suspect the reality is very different from the dream.’
Even if she couldn’t hear it, Grace could sense Paul’s release of breath.
Zac looked between the two of them. ‘Well, thank you for the tea, Grace. I guess I’ll go and get ready. When did you say you’d like us back for breakfast? I’ll make sure the others are up and ready.’
Grace was torn. She sensed that Zac might like to set his own timetable and yet Dominic had been very definite in his requirements and she would hate to mess up his schedule.
‘I think Dominic said half eight.’ She looked at Paul for confirmation. ‘As long as that’s okay with everyone.’
‘Fine by me.’ Zac nodded at Paul. ‘Excuse me, won’t you?’
And then he was gone and it was just her and Paul alone once more. He stared at her, searching her face for a few seconds before turning away.
‘I’ll be in the study,’ he said. ‘Call me when everyone appears.’
Grace could tell there was a problem as soon as Dominic came back into the kitchen. He steered Paul to the window, taking his arm and talking softly. She watched them from the sink, seeing an agitated expression swiftly cross Paul’s face and a minute later he strode off in the direction of the sitting room, presumably to talk to the others. Dominic beckoned her over as soon as he was gone.
‘We have a bit of a problem,’ he explained. ‘In that I’ve just been out to put some things in the car and discovered it’s got a flat tyre.’ The car in question was a luxurious people carrier that Dominic often used for entertaining, allowing six people to sit comfortably. ‘Obviously that poses a massive problem, given that we’ll be using it all day.’
‘Don’t you have a spare?’
‘Well yes, but—’
‘So, I’ll just stall everyone,’ said Grace. ‘Make more coffee, take them into the garden, I’ll think of something to do while you change the tyre, don’t worry.’
Dominic shook his head. ‘I was rather thinking you could get someone to fix it for us,’ he said. ‘I don’t think either Paul or I want to start behaving like bloody mechanics this morning. It’s not exactly conducive to the type of day we need to have here, Grace.’ He leaned into his last words, a sharper tone undercutting them.
