Page 7 of All We Want for Christmas
‘And it was a long shot that he could hare all the way up here and starttout de suite.What time did you set out from Cornwall, my boy?’ Henry asked.
‘Actually, I set off yesterday and stayed overnight with a friend who lives up here,’ Flynn said. ‘But I’m fine. I like a good long ride.’
Lara felt a flush creep up the back of her neck. With her hair piled on top of her head, she was acutely aware her heightened colour would be visible against her fair skin.
‘I’m sure. I did back in my day as well. I still haven’t shown you my vintage Norton. Plenty of opportunity now, though, eh? I’ll get us a sherry.’
Fiona rolled her eyes while her husband filled glasses from a decanter on the sideboard. ‘I’m sure Flynn will be far too busy with his new role and the Winter Spectacular to tinker with motorbikes.’
‘I’m sure he’ll find the time. So, how are you settling in, old chap? How’s the Groom’s Cottage?’ Henry Penhaligon was all rosy-cheeked affability as he handed a glass of sherry to Flynn.
Sitting in front of the crackling fire, Lara felt anything but affable. Her whole body was as taut as a wire.
‘It’s a great little place, thanks,’ Flynn said, accepting the glass and sipping it. Lara would have bet her beloved old Land Rover that he’d never tasted sherry in his life.
‘You’re not far from Lara,’ Henry continued. ‘She’s in Stable Cottage opposite if you need her.’
‘How convenient,’ Flynn said, exchanging an amused glance with Lara.
‘Isn’t it?’ she ground out, wondering how he could joke at a time like this.
Fiona collected a platter of canapés from the sideboard. ‘Our catering manager, Jazz, had these sent up. She’s a gem.’ She offered the platter to Flynn. ‘You’ll meet her soon enough. Won’t he, Lara?’
‘She’s great,’ Lara agreed. Having started working at Ravendale at a similar time, she and Jazz had hit it off very quickly and were now firm friends.
‘These look delicious,’ Flynn said, accepting a smoked salmon blini from a platter that also included Jazz’s sticky mini Cumberland sausages and some mushroom tartlets. ‘You needn’t have gone to all this trouble for me, though.’
‘Nonsense. I thought you’d need a bite to eat after that journey. If it makes you feel better, we have a candlelit drinks party in the banqueting hall tonight. Local businesses will be there. Jazz and the team were on duty anyway.’
‘In that case, thank you,’ Flynn said.
‘These mini sausages are good,’ Henry declared, helping himself to a second one. ‘Grab one quick, my boy, before they’re all gone.’
‘You mean before you wolf the lot,’ Fiona said, with an exasperated glance at her husband. She offered the platter to Lara. ‘My dear? You must be famished after such a busy day and you know we won’t get fed while we’re mingling at the party.’
‘Thanks,’ said Lara, although her appetite was non-existent, even for the delicious sausages cooked in thechef’s sticky, spicy marinade. They were speared on tiny sword-shaped cocktail sticks and she nibbled a small piece. Flynn, she noted, popped the whole sausage in his mouth. Clearly his conscience wasn’t troubling him as much as hers was.
‘I don’t mind admitting I’m incredibly relieved that Flynn could start the job at such short notice.’
‘You needed help and I was available. It was a no-brainer.’
‘What will you do with your flat in Cornwall?’ Lara asked, still not totally understanding the logistics.
‘I’m going to rent it out. There are plenty of people who need a place to live in Cornwall, that’s for sure.’
‘Not left any broken hearts down there, have you?’ Henry teased.
Fiona gasped. ‘Henry!’ She turned to Flynn, who sipped his sherry delicately. ‘I’m so sorry. My husband has no filter these days.’
Henry looked perplexed. ‘I’ve no idea what you mean,’ he said, and Lara knew he absolutely didn’t.
However, Henry’s question made her wonder if Flynn was in a relationship or not.
‘All my focus will be on Ravendale,’ he said, answering Henry politely. ‘And, on that note, can you tell me more about the Winter Spectacular?’
Lara was glad that he’d moved the conversation smoothly on to their jobs. They arranged a walkthrough of the site the following afternoon in order to do a trial run and spot any snags as dusk fell.
‘We’ll introduce you to the rest of the team properly inthe morning, and then I’m sure you’ll want to get stuck in,’ Fiona said.
