Page 130 of A Christmas Celebration
‘All right,’ he said, kicking the tyres as people for some reason were apt to do when discussing cars, ‘whensomething falls off, he’ll have a spare for me.’
‘I see,’ I said, climbing out and walking around the vehicle which had probably been more than once around the clock. ‘Well, she looks sturdy enough.’
‘Built to last.’ Brodie beamed, fondly patting the roof. ‘It’s a classic really.’
‘You haven’t got a clue what you’re talking about, have you?’ I teased.
‘Nope,’ he confessed. ‘My last car was a brand-new Mercedes and it cost me over a hundred grand. I only had it because it was the most expensive one available at the time.’
‘What?’ I gasped. ‘A hundred thousand pounds!’
‘I know,’ he said, biting his lip. ‘Please don’t judge. That was the old blinkered Brodie. You know, the one I told you about who’d got his priorities all wrong when he was trying to live his life to please his father.’
I was relieved I hadn’t known that Brodie. He was nothing like the scruffy-jumper wearing clapped-out Volvo driver standing in front of me.
‘No judgement,’ I said, holding up my hands. ‘So, how much has this one set you back? Not quite six figures, I would imagine.’
‘Less than two grand,’ he said, grinning and rubbing at a patch of scuffed paintwork with his sleeve, ‘and I love it a hundred times more than the Merc already.’
‘Um,’ I said, watching his hands-on approach, ‘I’m beginning to feel jealous.’
‘Don’t be,’ he said, abandoning the car and pulling me into his arms. ‘There’s more than enough room for both of you in my life.’
‘That wasn’t quite what I was hoping you were going to say,’ I tutted.
‘How about, there’s room in the back for a mattress then,’ he tried again, that time suggestively waggling his eyebrows.
‘What are you, eighteen?’ I teased. ‘And in this weather, you’ve got to be kidding!’
I helped him carry in the last of his boxes, while he told me how he and the new super car had completed his move from Brambles in one swift journey, the trip to buy furtherart supplies aside. So entranced by the retelling, I had completely forgotten the purpose of my own journey until Albert piped up.
‘I’m guessing Brodie has told you about my offer to share the cottage as well as the studio,’ he said, looking happier than I’d ever seen him.
‘He has,’ I confirmed, ‘and I’m thrilled for you both. I think you’ll get along a treat.’
‘So do I,’ he agreed, then ruined the moment by adding, ‘and before I forget, Angus called to say that you’ve left your notebook behind, Paige. He said he wasn’t sure you could manage without it, whatever that means.’
‘What’s that godfather of yours on about now?’ Brodie chuckled.
I looked from one of them to the other.
‘Let’s sit down for a minute,’ I suggested. ‘And I’ll tell you.’
‘It’s not more hall repairs, is it?’ Albert frowned. ‘I told him they can wait until the spring.’
‘No,’ I said, ‘it’s nothing like that.’
‘What then?’ Brodie asked.
‘Well,’ I said, easing myself into the explanation, ‘as you know, the rest of the Connelly clan are all due to land at the hall tomorrow. Jamie and Anna and Hayley and Gabe will be arriving back from their travels and the eldest brother, Christopher and his family will be arriving to spend Christmas there, too.’
Albert nodded.
‘Catherine was telling me on Sunday how much she’slooking forward to having everyone together for the festive period,’ he said. ‘You’re going to have your hands full though, Paige. Will you still be on cleaning duty?’
‘Probably,’ I said. ‘And even if I wasn’t officially, I’d still be helping out.’
‘You’re a good lass,’ he praised.
