Part 5 (1/2)

I nodded again, heart singing with excitement.

I said to Thomas, 'What shall I tell Aunt Julia?

'Why would she ask? Has she ever asked how you spend your days?

True.

'Fancy another coffee to celebrate your entry to the ranks of the unpaid and overworked?

He was just topping up my mug two coffees in less than an hour. I was going to h.e.l.l but feeling extremely cheerful about it when I heard another car pulling into the yard. For one really nasty moment I thought Aunt Julia had miraculously divined my whereabouts and despatched Uncle Richard to bring me home.

Two complete strangers wandered in. I automatically drew back.

'Hey, said the man. 'That horse of yours needs more exercise.

Ah, that would be Boxer. The s.h.i.+ny buckets were for him.

'I know, but he doesnt like the rain.

'I dont know what on earth possessed you to buy that big girls blouse in the first place.

'Well, I lost rather a lot of money on him a few years ago. It creates a bond.

'h.e.l.lo, said the man, spotting me despite my best efforts. 'I wont wait for Russell to introduce us. He has the social skills of a bicycle. Im Andrew Checkland. G.o.d help me, Im some sort of cousin, although I try to keep that pretty quiet so please dont tell anyone, and this is ... He looked round. 'Where did she go? I know she was behind me a minute ago. Hoi!

'Do not ”hoi” at me, said his companion, hopping through the door trying to get a muddy shoe off. She was tall with blonde hair pulled back in a severe bun which showed off her cheekbones. She had a slight accent. I discovered later she was German. 'I need help with this shoe.

'You have five hundred pairs of shoes. How can you have forgotten how to take them off?

Russell pulled up a chair before she toppled over. 'Here you go, Tanya. Sit down while you struggle with the nasty English shoes. Please allow me to introduce my lunch date, Miss Jenny Dove. Jenny, this is some sort of semi-cousin I keep around out of pity, and the impossibly beautiful Miss Tanya Bauer who steadfastly refuses to leave him for me.

They were a very good-looking couple. Russell was, I thought, handsome in his own way, but he couldnt match Andrews conventional dark good looks. There was a slight resemblance between them, but Russells face was longer and bonier. And Tanya was breath-taking.

She smiled kindly. 'I cannot shake hands because my hands are dirty as they always are when I come to Russells house, and this hound does not help, but I am very pleased to meet you.

I smiled back.

'Nice to meet you, too, said Andrew, sliding into the seat opposite. 'Have we met before?

'For G.o.ds sake, Andrew, said Russell. 'Give the girl a chance. He turned to me. 'Hes a Checkland. He cant help himself. Dont be fooled by his superficial glamour. Concentrate on me.

Across the kitchen, Tanya gave up with her shoe. 'It is immoveable and I have broken a nail, she announced. 'Andrew, please bring me coffee.

He sighed heavily, and found two mugs. 'Is this fresh?

'Nearly.

He poured two mugs and handed her one. 'There you are, my legal lovely. Coffee to take away the pain.

'So, said Russell. 'Dont think its not lovely to see you but why are you here? Are you stopping long?

'Five minutes to check on Boxer, the house, and you. In that order of importance. And, of course, to meet this beautiful lady. h.e.l.lo again, Jenny.

I smiled at him again. He was lovely. He twinkled back at me.

'Stop that, said Russell.

'Look at you, said Thomas. ' This time yesterday not a man in sight and now youve got two. Just imagine what youll have achieved by the weekend.

'Youve seen the horse. The house has new buckets and Im fine. You can go now.

Andrew drained his mug. 'Alas. I have other patients. Patients who pay, no less. Your horse is fine, Russ. Just finish the course of tablets and h.e.l.l be as good as new.

It struck me, watching the two of them, that he eyed Russell rather more closely than was warranted. I realised hed heard about last night. Hed come to check on his cousin. Id liked him as soon as Id met him and now I liked him even more.

He looked over at Tanya. 'Are you ready? Another one who couldnt sit still for long.

'No, she said, placidly. 'I want to finish my coffee and talk to Russell and Jenny.

He sat back down immediately. She sank her nose in her mug but not before she caught my eye for a very quick moment. So thats how you manage a Checkland. Although I never knew there were two of them. I wasnt sure the world was ready for this.

'Were going to start with the painting tomorrow, announced Russell.

Andrew c.o.c.ked an eyebrow. 'We?

'Jennys agreed to lend a hand.

Andrew groaned. 'You cant rope this perfectly lovely young woman into acting as your unpaid drudge, Russell. The days of white slavery are done. Jenny, heed my words. Flee. Flee while you can. Its not as if hes going to pay you. He never pays me.

'You never send me a bill.

'He never pays me, either, said Mrs Crisp, coming back into the kitchen.

'I do, said Russell indignantly. 'I distinctly remember paying you last ... he paused.

'Last Wednesday? said Andrew, helpfully, and she snorted.

'Oh! That was a really bad word. Dont listen, Jenny.

'Last month? Last year? Good grief, Russ.

'Im paid until the end of last month, thank you very much, she said.

'There, said Russell. 'I dont know what all the fuss is about and frankly, given Im such a wonderful employer, you should pay me.

Everyone snorted at that one and Thomas rolled his eyes at the language.

Tanya, meanwhile, had finished her coffee. 'I am ready to depart, she said, hopping to the door. 'Oh, I remember now. Russell, you will come to lunch on Sunday. At one oclock.

Andrew shrugged. 'I never know whether its a wobbly grasp of the English language or shes channelling her dominatrix side. Russell, we hope very much you will be able to join us for lunch on Sunday, around one-ish.