Page 41 of Stolen Kiss

Chapter Fifteen

Jason

Asummons from Aunt Cynthia was like entering a game of Russian Roulette. Jason never knew what mood she’d be in or what he was in trouble for this time. He was sitting at the kitchen table with Maggie while he waited for the clock to tick down to ten thirty.

“It’s unusual to be summoned on the weekend, isn’t it?” Jason said, curling his hands around a mug of tea.

Maggie paused at the stove, eyes turned skyward looking like she was thinking really hard. She would’ve got away with it but Jason saw the smirk at the corner of her mouth.

“I wouldn’t know Jason, I’ve never been in trouble with her.”

Jason barked out a laugh nearly slopping tea over the rim of the mug.

“Who talked you into getting these mugs, they’re fabulous.”

“Erica didn’t approve of the other ones and bought a whole stack of plain white mugs.”

“Thank god for that. Those other ones you have don’t hold more than a thimble full.”

“Well, if you didn’t gulp it down, you’d appreciate the perfect teacup.”

“Did she leave you some?”

Maggie giggled. “Yes she did. We have separate cupboards one for all of you lot and the other for me, Bailey, Jennifer and Miss Turner.”

“I’m grateful for a decent mug and for breakfast. It was delicious. Thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me for cooking for you. It’s my job and even if it wasn’t, I’d still cook for you. Not that I need to, you can cook for yourself.”

“I learned everything I know from you.”

“That is not true, otherwise what a waste of money culinary school was.”

“You taught me the basics and how to cook everything from scratch. When I rocked up to my classes, I was way ahead and could try the fancier stuff a hell of a lot earlier. That’s down to you and your patience.”

Maggie waved a towel at him unable to speak with watery eyes. She turned her back and sniffed.

“It’s time, Sir,” Bailey said from the doorway.

He was standing in the corridor ready to head up stairs.

“Do you know why I’m in trouble?” Jason asked Bailey with a grin.

“Could be anything these days. I don’t think this is one of the days.”

“So you do know but you’re not going to tell me.”

“Correct. Shall we head up. Nothing gets her more grumpy than tardiness.”

Jason got up and rounded the table to give Maggie a kiss on the temple. He then strode to Bailey for inspection and then they ascended the stairs to enter the morning room. As soon as Jason was in the room, the door was closed softly behind him. His auntwas at the far end sitting in a high-backed chair looking out onto the grounds. In the far distance Jason could see Ralph on his lawnmower bouncing over the grass as he drove up and down.

“You wanted to see me Auntie,” Jason said, not helping himself to rib her.

His aunt turned and gave him a scowl but there didn’t seem to be any malice in it.

“Come over here, I’m not going to shout what I have to say.”

“Are you going to shout at me?”

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