Having a Ball by Rhoda Baxter

Author:Rhoda Baxter [Baxter, Rhoda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Party, England, Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 9781601741561
Publisher: Uncial Press
Published: 2013-03-15T07:00:00+00:00

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From: Tom Blackwood <[email protected]>

To: Olivia Gornall <[email protected]>

You're right. I probably am underestimating Dierdre. It wouldn't surprise me if she pulls a sense of humour out from somewhere, just so that she can dazzle them with it.

Re: Stevie. I managed fine, thanks.

On the other hand, I've got a headache again. It must be London that makes me feel ill. Hopefully, the sunshine in Doha will cure me of that. :)

* * * *

Stevie went back to cleaning boards. At some point in the afternoon Tom went past, back from London. She was aware of him before she saw him and felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.

"Where's Uncle Tom going?" Alice said.

"He's cleaning out the wine cellar, hopefully."

"Good. It won't be just us covered in dust then." Alice returned to her task.

It didn't take them much longer to finish off the boards. In the library, Stevie and Alice attached all the lower boards, immediately dimming the room. The higher boards would require a ladder.

Alice eyed the heavy oak panels dubiously. "They're quite heavy. Might be better to see if Uncle Tom can help."

Stevie had to admit she was right. The boards were heavy and slotting the lower ones in had taken considerable effort. To try and lift the upper ones to the tops of the windows would pose a serious risk of putting their backs out. Perhaps if she and Tom were to take a side each, it could be done safely.

"Okay, but before we do anything, I think we deserve a break."

"Good idea." Alice pulled her phone out of her pocket. "I'll see you in a bit, right?"

Stevie smiled. "Right."

In the kitchen, Evelyn and Priya were having tea and eating Sri Lankan sweets. "Here, try one." Evelyn gave her what looked like a rolled up pancake.

Stevie bit into it. Warm, sweet, coconutty filling flowed into her mouth. She chewed, letting the flavours mix. "That is heavenly. What is it?"

"Pancakes with cinnamon, coconut and treacle," said Priya. "One of my favourite things ever. They're best served warm so we'll pop them in the oven before we set them out."

"Mmmm." Stevie was barely listening as she took another bite.

"How are the boards doing?" Evelyn poured the tea.

"All done. We've fitted the bottom ones. We're going to need Tom's help with the top ones."

"I'm glad Tom's been here this week," said Evelyn. She absent-mindedly stirred a tea bag round and round a mug. "It's nice to have a man around the house again. There are some jobs that are just more suited to the male of the species." She blinked, as though surprised she'd said anything out loud. She fished out the tea bag and flicked it into the bin. "I daresay he's been enjoying himself. Could you be a dear and take a mug of tea for Tom. And one of those pancake things."

Stevie nodded, her mouth full of pancake.

"You can see how the cellar is getting on too."

The door to the cellar was ajar. Stevie knocked before entering carefully, in case he had put anything by the door.

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