Flora's Lot by Katie Fforde (13 inch ebook reader TXT) 📕

‘But I'm busy!I've got a lot on, too! Why me? I'm not the only female member of the choir,you know.'

‘Of course,I know that, but you work for yourself, Flora. Youcan take time off when you want to. And you know the owner.’

As thingsturned out, however, Flora couldn't quite take timeoff whenever she wanted. In the aftermath of the roadshow Stanza and Stanza wasreceiving an unprecedented number ofenquiries, and before Flora knew itit was six o'clock and she hadn't had a minute to think about going to viewBurnet House and charm Henry into lending her his orangery.

So itwasn't until the next morning, after a couple of hours ofcatching up with all the admin she hadn't had time to dothe day before, that she got round to Geoffrey's mission.Annabelle had delivered the Land-Rover back to Florathe morning after the storm - once out of the ditch it had turned out to be fine - soFlora wasn't expecting to see her in theoffice on a Saturday. But just as Flora was about to leave, shematerialised.

‘Areyou free for lunch, Flora? I feel I ought to take you out as an apology for putting the Landy in theditch. Charles was furious.'

‘Ohdear, there was no need for that. But I'm afraid I can't make lunch today, Annabelle. I've got to go somewhere. Tomorrow, perhaps?' It seemed a good ideato put a bit more distance betweenher cosy evening with Annabelle's fiancé and a girly lunch.

Annabelleseemed genuinely disappointed. 'Where have you got to go?'

‘Somewhere Geoffrey told me about. It'sa large country house, and I need to visit it personally'

‘Oh? That'sinteresting! Are they thinking of having a sale? Nothingcould be better for us than a proper country-house sale. Hen's teeth thesedays, of course, but it would be a brilliant feather in our cap.Shall I come withyou?’

Thethought gave Flora goosebumps. 'Better not. It's Henry'shouse.' Frantically she tried to think of a good reason whyshe should see it on her own. 'I haven't seen himlately,' she lied. 'Things might be a bit tricky.'

‘Then betterto have me with you, surely? I'd love a snoopround Burnet House. I hear it's lovely. Is it?'

‘I don'tknow! I haven't been there before, but I should go if I'mgoing. Thank you for rescuing the Land-Rover.'

‘It's allright. I was the one who put it in the ditch, after all.Was it all right having Charles to stay the other night?'Annabelle went on. She looked at Flora slightly questioningly.Was she asking if anything had 'gone on'? Flora wasn't going to respond tounspoken questions. Besides, Annabelle might scratch her eyes out ifshe got the answerwrong.

‘Oh yes. He did the washing-up andeverything.

You'vegot him very well trained, Annabelle.’

‘Ohyes. He's very good. A perfect husband.' Flora smiled. 'Now, I must fly.'

‘We'll do lunch soon,Flora.’

Flora smiled and nodded absent-mindedly.

Sitting inthe Land-Rover half an hour later, Flora had a road mapborrowed from the office, she had a map drawn byGeoffrey, and she had a description of the house, butshe still didn't know exactly where she was going. Sherang Henry, to warn him she was coming, but therewas no answer. He'd be surprised to see her turn up athis front door but, she hoped, not displeased. Shecouldn't quite decide how much Henry cared about her. Washe just after some fun and company, like she was? Orwas his heart engaged? Either way, he was her only possible love interest, andshould therefore be cherished.

Sheeventually found Burnet House. It was at the end of a longavenue of beech trees, and even in the aftermath of somuch rain, looked beautiful. She turned the Land-Roverin between the open gates and made her stately wayup the drive, which was heavily potholed. Beforeshe'd even decided if she should park in front of the house,or try and find somewhere at the back, she'd becomeaware that the house was in desperate need of repair. Sheparked, got out, and then knocked on the door. Thebell didn't work. She turned and regarded what hadonce been a lawn and was now a paddock. Thereseemed to be a ha-ha, but there was no stock to keep awayfrom the house. If there was going to be a concertthere, someone would have to do something about thegrass. Perhaps a member of the choir had a ride-on mower.

Eventually,she heard footsteps approaching and braced herself, hoping it wasn't astranger. 'Hello, Henry,' she said when the door opened.

Chapter Eighteen

‘Flora! Howlovely to see you! This is an unexpected pleasure!'

‘Don'tbe too pleased, I'm on the cadge.' Flora felt hideously embarrassed.

Hisexpression became quizzical. 'It's rather a long way to come to borrow a cup of sugar.'

‘Don'tjoke. It's not sugar I'm after, it's your house.’

‘My house?' Henry looked confused.

‘Notall of it. Look, may I come in? I could explain better if I'm not on thedoorstep.'

‘Ofcourse, but I should warn you, I don't usually do favours.’

Hissmile was mocking and very sexy. Flora smiled back. It wasmuch more fun flirting with someone who wasn't engaged.'Do something you don't usually do every day,' she said. 'That waylife doesn't get stale.'

‘Oh? Haveyou become a life coach, or something since Thursday?’

Florafrowned. 'No. I'm still an apprentice auctioneer, but that's not why I'm here.'

‘Good. There's very little here of anyvalue. Of anything at all, actually.'

‘That'sfine,' said Flora. 'You have got an orangery, haven't you?'

‘Well, yes, but it's not for sale.'

‘I know!' Shesmiled again. 'I - we - only want it for one night. Nottoo much to ask, is it?' Flora was beginning to get the feeling that visitingHenry in his house might turn out to have been a mistake. Still, she'dpromised the choir she'd ask about the orangery, and they'd beenso supportive of her with the antiques roadshow and things, she had to give it a go.

‘We'd better go through to the kitchen.’

Floradidn't want to waste time being given coffee and biscuits.'Could we cut to the chase and go to the orangery?'

‘Flora! Ithought you'd come to see me, as at least part of your errand.'

‘I'mworking today, actually, Henry. I can't be too long.’

Heshrugged, possibly not used to having his hospitalitydismissed so summarily. 'OK, but I warn you, it's in about the