The Real Katie Lavender by Erica James

Author:Erica James [James, Erica]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, azw3
Tags: Fiction, General
ISBN: 9781409135395
Google: NrKc6v9qqMgC
Amazon: B005I4WBMI
Publisher: Orion
Published: 2011-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirty

Just as Katie had predicted, they’d been rushed off their feet. The queue for refreshments had been relentless, and with only thirty minutes to go until the garden would be closed, they were left with just half a dozen scones and two slices of ginger cake. Since it was unlikely there would be any new arrivals, Lloyd had gone off to do a head count of those already admitted and still wandering the garden.

From the comments Katie had heard throughout the day, the opening had been a big hit. The quality of the refreshments had frequently been remarked upon, and many regulars to The Meadows had said what a welcome addition it was to have something decent to eat and drink and Pen should seriously consider opening the garden more often. Katie was glad for Pen that things had gone so well, and glad too that she was a part of it.

Wondering whether she could risk slipping away to take a tray of used crockery up to the house, she saw Stirling coming towards her across the lawn. He was wearing a cream linen suit with a panama hat, and she, once again, thought how striking he looked. He’d been here for most of the day, pitching in wherever help was needed as well as charming Cecily’s fellow female oldsters from South Lodge, settling them at the tables in the shade, taking their tea and cake orders and generally making a fuss of them. He was the most relaxed Katie had seen him. Yet she knew he had little to be relaxed about. Whilst he was back with his wife, things – according to Lloyd – were far from normal between them. The fact that Gina wasn’t here today with Stirling told its own story, and knowing that she was the reason for the woman’s absence was weighing heavily on Katie’s conscience. But what could she do to rectify things? How could she heal the rift? Other than disappear entirely from Stirling’s life? But could she do that now?

‘Looks like the show’s winding down,’ Stirling said. ‘Anything I can do to help?’

‘What would you rather do, take these up to the house or stand in for me while I do it?’

He eyed the heavily laden trays and smiled. ‘Trick question, eh?’ He took one and pretended to stagger beneath its weight. ‘I’ll be back for the other in a minute.’

Katie watched him go. She still hadn’t got used to thinking of him as her father. Would she ever? Did she need to? But if she didn’t, what did that make him? A friend? A sort of uncle? It was all too vague. Relationships – of any kind – had to be clearly defined; it was what laid the foundations and set the parameters. But it was early days, she reminded herself. Apart from occasionally speaking on the phone and exchanging emails, she and Stirling really hadn’t had much of a chance to get to know each other. Hopefully that could now happen.

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