Saffron Lane by Anna Jacobs

Author:Anna Jacobs [Anna Jacobs]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780749020354
Publisher: Allison & Busby
Published: 2017-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

When Angus woke in the morning it was nearly ten o’clock and he was alone in the big, rumpled bed. Amazed at how long he’d slept, he dragged on some clothes and went down to the kitchen, where Nell was sitting at the table, sipping a cup of coffee and staring into space.

‘You should have woken me.’

‘Why? You must have needed the extra sleep. Anyway, I haven’t been up long myself.’

He yawned and stretched, then twisted his head to look at the pad on the table beside her tablet. ‘What’s that?’

‘I’m making a list of galleries to ask about artists. Or else we can simply place an advert, both online and in newspapers, and see who contacts us.’

‘Talk about mixing technologies. Why didn’t you do that on your tablet?’

‘I find it easier to scribble ideas down in between doing other things.’

He considered the list for a moment, head to one side. ‘I’d prefer to place an advert than consult galleries. There’d be more chance of variety of artistic medium that way and we could maybe find a couple of artists who’re just starting up.’

‘They won’t be able to afford to pay rent.’

‘I was wondering if we should offer six-month rent-free residencies to give them a start. It might garner us some useful PR as well.’

She pursed her lips, then nodded. ‘Good idea.’

After pinching a piece of her toast and crunching it happily, he added, ‘I don’t want to offer our houses only to people who do oil paintings, or even watercolours. And I don’t want locals coming to live here, either, but an eclectic mix of people from all over the country. In fact, let’s agree to have only one of each type of artist in our row of shop-houses.’

‘Good idea. We’ll draft an advert as soon as you’ve finished eating.’

But after two weeks without any calls for help, that was the moment his phone let out the sound of the ‘Hallelujah Chorus’, which signalled someone needing his services. As usual, he answered that particular sound at once.

Nell watched him, seeing the brisk businessman take over from the rather absent-minded man she found so endearing. He started firing questions, then grabbed her pad, turned to the next page and began taking notes.

She knew he was always concerned about finance so she didn’t try to stop him accepting the job, but she wished whoever it was had left them alone for another week. They could have made so much more progress together.

When he’d finished talking, she barred the doorway. ‘You’re going nowhere till you’ve had a proper breakfast.’

He looked at her face and his intent look was slowly replaced by a wry smile. ‘You’re a terrible bully, Nell Chaytor.’ Then he frowned. ‘You know, we really ought to get married. We keep agreeing that we will, so I don’t know why we haven’t done the deed. Nell Denning sounds a much nicer name to me.’

‘I might not take your name. Why couldn’t you take mine?’

‘Because of the house.’

‘Ah yes. There is your dear little cottage to think about.

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