Page 12 of For Love or Money
‘Just so we’re clear.’
‘You would have to share a bedroom with me when we’re on holiday, of course – for appearance’s sake.’
‘Ah, now we get to it.’ Lesley gave him a knowing look.
‘I can promise you I’ll behave like a perfect gentleman. I’ll take the floor.’
‘How do I know this isn’t all an elaborate ploy because you have designs on my wotsit?’
‘I can assure you your wotsit will be perfectly safe. It won’t even know I’m there.’
‘I doubt that.’ Lesley chewed her lip, considering. She was trying to keep a level head and look at this offer from all angles, but it was hard to contain her excitement. ‘It sounds pretty full-on,’ she said. ‘It wouldn’t leave me much time for my other clients.’ That would be absolutely fine by her, but there was no need for Al to know that.
‘It is. The problem is we don’t have much time. It was a “whirlwind romance”, conducted almost entirely from his sickbed on my uncle’s part. They’ve just sprung this engagement on us, and now they’re coming home to plan the wedding.’
‘Blimey! That’s fast work.’
‘Suspiciously fast.’
‘But look, no offence, but your uncle isn’t exactly known for, well ...’ She tried to think of a polite way to put it.
‘For keeping it in his pants?’
‘For his lasting relationships,’ Lesley said primly. ‘Don’t you think that once he’s on his feet again, he’ll be back to his old ways, shagging around all over the place? This woman will probably go the way of all the others.’
Al shook his head. ‘I don’t think so. He’s never got engaged to any of them before. If you ask me, this heart attack gave him a scare, and now he’s afraid of ending up alone. He wants someone tied to him. I think that’s why he’s in such a hurry to get this woman nailed down.’
‘Wow, you make it sound so romantic! But maybe you should just accept it. I mean, your uncle’s old enough to make his own decisions, even if they’re stupid ones. Surely he can give his money to whoever he wants.’
‘It’s not just his money, though. My father and Peter are heirs to the Bradshaw fortune. My great-grandfather founded the company. Dad took over the running of the business, but they still own it jointly. Bradshaw Biscuits? No doubt you’ve heard of them.’
‘Your father makes Bradshaw Biscuits?’ Lesley gasped, eyes wide.
‘Well, he doesn’t actually make them himself—’
‘Oh, my God, I love his biscuits!’ She jumped up and opened a cupboard. ‘Look!’ she said, producing a packet of Bradshaw’s Chocolate Extravaganzas. ‘I can’t believe your dad makes these! They’re my favourite. Would you like one?’
‘Um ... no, thanks. Not just now.’
‘Oh, you’re probably sick of them, aren’t you?’ She put the biscuits back in the cupboard and sat down again. ‘Did you get loads of free biscuits when you were a kid?’
He smiled. ‘Yes, I did, actually. Mostly the wonky ones, but still ...’
‘Still,’ Lesley said dreamily. ‘Hey, I bet you were popular at that posh school of yours. Tuck is currency in places like that, isn’t it?Tuck,’ she said, pronouncing it in an upper class English accent.
Al just rolled his eyes in response.
‘So your cousins are afraid of being done out of their inheritance. That’s understandable. If I stood to inherit my own biscuit empire, I wouldn’t want anyone else getting their hands on it.’
‘They don’t want their father being taken for a ride,’ Al said coldly.
‘Literally,’ Lesley said with a laugh.
‘Sorry?’
‘Well, basically you’re worried his bride is planning to bonk him to death on their honeymoon and make off with the cash, right?’
‘I know it sounds a bit far-fetched.’
