A Sprinkle of Sabotage by Fiona Leitch (famous ebook reader TXT) π
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- Author: Fiona Leitch
Read book online Β«A Sprinkle of Sabotage by Fiona Leitch (famous ebook reader TXT) πΒ». Author - Fiona Leitch
We drove past the entrance to the new estate, which was all grass-verged cul-de-sacs, internal garages, and identical boxy but neat detached houses, then turned into the long driveway towards Polvarrow House. The wrought-iron gates stood open, painted glossy black with a curly PV motif picked out in gold; there was no sign of the rust that had blighted them on my previous visit.
We headed along an avenue of elm trees, their leaves beginning to colour into that almost lime-green that would turn to yellow then bronze as autumn established itself more fully on the landscape. To the right, a narrow strip of neatly trimmed grass was bordered by huge shrubs β ancient rhododendrons and azaleas by the look of it, although Iβm hardly a horticultural expert and they are just about the only plants I can ever recognise. Beyond them lay the back gardens of the new houses, bordered by black iron railings.
The avenue curved left, away from the housing estate, and we were greeted with our first view of Polvarrow House itself, looking rather more salubrious than when Iβd last been there. There were box topiary balls in big stone planters lining the driveway, and the ornate carved fountain that had been cracked and covered in green moss the last time Iβd seen it was now shooting plumes of water into the air that landed with a gentle plashing sound in the pool below.
βWow,β said Daisy, and I had to agree.
βItβs beautiful, isnβt it?β I said.
βI didnβt mean the house,β she said, and then I saw what she was looking at.
It looked like Hollywood β or the behind-the-scenes part of it, anyway β had come to Cornwall. There was a whole village of tents, motorhomes, and trucks parked on the gravel at the side of the house. There didnβt seem to be any filming going on, but it was still a hive of activity β movie people with clipboards walking around looking important, talking into mobile phones, and gesticulating wildly. I pulled up next to a friendly-looking older man who was just about the only person standing still, and wound down the window. He bent down to speak before I could say anything.
βHello! Are you here for the casting?β he said. All three of us nodded. βLovely! Just follow the drive round to the back and park up, then follow the signs.β He stepped back with a smile, and indicated where to go.
We drove around to the back of the house. The car park was rammed, and I recognised a few cars. We parked up and got out of the car. I had managed to persuade Mum to change into something a little less eccentric, tempting her with the promise of a visit to the local garden centre afterwards. She always enjoyed pottering around and looking at the plants, even though she had brown fingers like I did and rarely bought anything. They also have a particularly good cafΓ© there, and I had learnt long ago that my mum would do pretty much anything for a toasted teacake and a nice cuppa.
We followed the signs for βCastingβ back round to the front of the house and towards a big marquee tent. The friendly man weβd spoken to earlier stood outside and smiled as he saw us.
βYou found somewhere to park? Marvellous!β he said enthusiastically.
βAre you the director?β asked Daisy. He laughed.
βOh, good Lord no,β he said. βIβm nothing to do with all this. Iβm David Morgan, the owner of Polvarrow.β
βYou own this place?β I said. βItβs beautiful. I came here once, years ago when the last owner was still here, and it was in a right state.β
He nodded. βYes, they were lovely people but I think the repairs had just got on top of them. Itβs very expensive, running a place like this.β
βBut worth it.β
He turned and looked proudly at the house. βYes. Yes, it is.β
We all admired Polvarrow House for a moment, thenβ
βNosey!β We turned to see my oldest friend in the world, Tony Penhaligon, standing in the doorway of the tent, clutching a piece of paper. He waved it at us. βCome to put your name down?β
βDonβt tell me your mum dragged you along here too?β I said, as Germaine rushed over to him, tail wagging. She was always pleased to see him. He dropped onto his haunches and started to make a fuss of her.
βNobody dragged me,β he said, laughing as Germaine snuffled at his hand, then at his pockets. βIβm sorry, gorgeous, no treats for you today.β
βI wasnβt expecting any,β I said. He straightened up, eyebrows raised.
βYou do know I was talking to the dog?β
I sighed. βYes. Iβm used to her getting more attention than me. So what, you really want to be in this
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