True Colours (The Beatrice Stubbs Series Book 13) by JJ Marsh

Author:JJ Marsh [Marsh, JJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9783906256177
Publisher: Prewett Bielmann Ltd.
Published: 2021-12-02T16:00:00+00:00

Everything was late. Tove turned up at around quarter to twelve, wearing thigh-length boots studded with spikes and a leather jacket. Beatrice wondered how on earth she could cross her legs without puncturing an artery. She offered no apology for her tardiness and could give no guarantee what time she and Adrian would return. Will stated that dinner would commence at half past one with an aperitif and nibbles before the first course at two o’clock. He wished them a nice walk. Tove actually rolled her eyes. It was all Beatrice could do to stop herself striding across the parquet floor and giving her a slap. Adrian seemed conflicted between siding with Tove in his role as her new best friend and agreeing with Will as co-host of Christmas dinner.

“Are you going to be warm enough?” he asked. “You look incredibly cool but I don’t want you to get incredibly cold.” Adrian winced at his own naffness. “I’ve got a ski jacket you can borrow. It’s matt black, just in case you’re worried about your image.”

“Yeah, that would work.” She shrugged off her leather jacket and handed it to Adrian as if he was her dresser. He hung it up and helped her into his padded coat. “Bring sunglasses, OK? Cold as a witch’s tit but bright enough to kill a vampire.”

With a wave, the mismatched pair left and Will released a long low breath. “She reminds me of someone I used to work for. Before I joined the Met, I jobbed in personal security. One of my jobs was a minder to a well-known actor. I’ve seen some shitty things in my time at the Met, but I’d do them all over again twice rather than work for someone like that. It’s like dealing with a toddler in the terrible twos, but twenty-four-seven. He was so busy trying to inhabit the persona he’d created, he had no life. Part of me feels a bit sorry for Adrian, spending a couple of hours with such an ego, but if anyone can handle drama queens, it’s him. Right, I need to get the celeriac in the oven. Can you prep the veg?”

Will and Beatrice made a good team. She peeled potatoes, chopped carrots, made sage and onion dumplings, and stirred the chestnut soup, all the while tossing ideas around. He questioned every assumption and challenged her logic, while making a root vegetable pithivier. The meal was approaching readiness when Axel rang. Heavy snowfall had damaged their conservatory and it required some essential repairs before they could join them for lunch.

The delay didn’t seem to bother Will. He put down the phone and grinned at Beatrice. “Why don’t you and I start with eggnog? I think we deserve it. They might be another half an hour. We’ll reheat the soup, leave the veggies in the oven and the pithivier can be eaten cold.

They sat side by side on the sofa and sipped at their thick creamy drink. Beatrice closed her eyes and rested her head on Will’s shoulder.

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