Finding Love at Roseford Blooms by Fay Keenan

Author:Fay Keenan [Keenan, Fay]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

28

The moon and stars overhead were the only observers as Lizzie and Simon made their way back to Roseford Hall. As if to remind them both that there were still some people around, though, a muffled cheer floated across from the marquee.

‘Serena and Montana must be heading back to their hotel,’ Simon said. ‘I suppose that means the party will wind down soon.’

They crossed the front lawn of the house, heading for the door to Simon’s quarters at the back of the house. Lizzie could sense Simon’s excitement and apprehension, which she suspected were as great as her own. His eyes sparkled as he turned to kiss her again, before putting his key in the lock to let them both into the house.

Simon pushed open the front door, and reached for the switch in the entrance hall. When the area was flooded with a bright, piercing light, Lizzie blinked to let her eyes adjust. As she was acclimatising, she felt Simon’s hand tighten in hers.

‘Elspeth!’ Simon exclaimed as the figure of a young girl was revealed, huddled in the wooden justice’s chair, a relic that Simon had rescued from another part of the house, that sat in the hallway. ‘What are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be with Fleur and your mother?’

The girl, visibly upset, looked up at Simon. ‘Uncle Simon! I’m so glad you’re here!’ Struggling up from the chair, where she’d clearly been for some time, she ran over to Simon and threw her arms around him.

‘What’s wrong, sweetheart?’ Simon said, once she’d released him a little.

Elspeth gave a huge sniff. ‘Fleur’s been horrible to me all evening,’ she said, wiping away a stray tear. ‘She told me no one liked me, that I was just a little kid and I should go and play with Montana’s nieces. But they’re all loads younger than me and it was boring! Mum’s been too preoccupied chatting to some bloke from the BHF, and in the end I just got fed up and decided to come and wait for you to come back. I saw you leave the party, and thought I’d get you to make me some hot chocolate. I used the spare key under the flowerpot to let myself in. Can I stay here tonight?’

Lizzie saw Simon’s back stiffen, and wondered if it was the frustration of his romantic plans being thwarted by his niece, or the mention of Jago, whom they’d both assumed had buggered off home hours ago. Above Elspeth’s head, Simon gazed skywards, and then back at Lizzie. Lizzie gave him a small, understanding smile.

‘Come on, shrimp,’ Simon said to Elspeth. ‘I’ll sort out the hot chocolate and then I’ll get hold of your mother, wherever she might be.’

‘But can I stay here? I don’t want to go back home tonight.’

Simon paused, and in that moment Lizzie knew that he was doing battle with the two sides of himself: the part of him that was a loving, concerned uncle, wanting to do the best for his niece, and the part of him that desperately wanted to spend time with Lizzie.

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