A Contest To Kill For by E.V. Hunter

Author:E.V. Hunter [Hunter, E.V.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-05-09T16:00:00+00:00

11

‘What!’ The file of papers was now on Alexi’s lap, but so was Cosmo. There wasn’t room for both and it was clear Cosmo had no intention of budging. ‘What did you read about Anton? You only glanced at the papers for a moment.’

‘I’ll buy you dinner and you can read it for yourself.’

‘You don’t have to do that.’

‘It’s the least I can do if you’re giving me free board.’

‘Is that what I’m doing?’ Alexi had been wondering when the subject of his living arrangements would come up. ‘Good to know.’

‘Well, I suppose I kinda assumed… but, if it’s not convenient I’m sure Fay would—’

‘You can have my spare room, Jack, but it would have been nice if you’d asked instead of just taking me for granted.’

‘Has it occurred to you that I didn’t ask earlier in case you said no?’ He sent her a supplicating smile that threatened her resistance. ‘I figured that if I left it until it was dark and cold outside, you’d take pity on me.’

‘I’d be half convinced, but for the fact that the insecurity act doesn’t jibe with the Jack I know and find so infuriating.’

He chuckled. ‘Ah, but you love me anyway.’

‘Don’t push your luck, Maddox.’

‘I’m housetrained.’

‘Speaking of which, we’d best eat at home. For some obscure reason, Cosmo isn’t welcome at most of the eateries around these parts.’

‘I know a place halfway between here and Newbury that does takeaway.’ He turned the car in that direction. ‘Won’t take five minutes to get there.’

‘Afraid to sample my cooking?’

‘I didn’t think you could cook.’

‘It’s been a case of having to learn since I moved here. As you just pointed out, takeaways and home deliveries are few and far between. I can manage pasta and… well, okay I’ll ‘fess up, Marks and Sparks idiot-proof ready meals.’

Jack laughed. ‘Glad you’re not a completely reformed character. I like you fine just the way you are.’

‘Hold the compliments, Maddox.’ Alexi warded him off with a raised hand. ‘I’ve already said you can have the spare room.’

‘That’ll do.’ He removed one hand from the wheel and placed it on hers. ‘To start with.’

‘Don’t pressure me, Jack. You just hit me with this relationship stuff yesterday and we’ve had a few other things to think about since then.’

‘You’re right and I’m sorry.’

‘You mentioned Fay just now,’ Alexi said to alleviate the loaded silence.

‘How’s she doing?’

‘Better than I thought possible,’ Alexi replied, referring to Natalie Parker’s adoptive mother who had inherited Natalie’s cottage. When she discovered her husband had been responsible for Natalie running away as a girl, Fay had left him, moved to Lambourn and took over Natalie’s floristry business. She seemed to find solace in surrounding herself with her murdered daughter’s possessions. ‘She designed the landscaping around the annexe at Hopgood Hall and has settled well into local life. I see her once a week. She insists on cooking for me and then giving me enough leftovers to last Cosmo and me for another two days.’

‘Ah, so you exaggerated these new cooking skills of yours.

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