Page 50 of Lipstick Kiss

Maggie watched Bailey leave and then looked over to Luke. “Looks like you’ll need to get your own cutlery, and that tea might need a top-up of hot water.”

“Where’s Bailey off to?”

“Gone to do an errand for me. He’ll be back soon.”

Ten minutes later, Bailey came back wheeling a sack trolley with four recognisable boxes. Luke groaned, knowing what was in them.

“Maggie,” Luke hissed at her like a child.

“What’s in the boxes?” Freya asked, chirpy as ever.

“Nothing,” Luke said.

“All your letters,” Maggie replied to Freya.

“All my letters? You said you tossed them,” Freya said, now sporting a scowl.

“Ha! Tossed them. I don’t know who told you that, but these have been preserved like they were ancient documents. All are sealed in bags so they don’t fade or get waterdamaged. Luke was worried they’d go mouldy in an old house like this.”

Freya took a slow glance between the boxes by the far door to the outside and back to Luke. He sat there sheepish about being called out on his lie.

“Okay, so I lied. Happy now?” Luke said, holding out his hands.

Maggie chose that moment to place their food in front of them. Luke was grateful for the distraction, knowing Freya never chatted while she ate. He had at least five minutes before the questions came.

“Thanks, Maggie. Can I leave them by the door until we come back from florin hunting?”

“I’ll get Ralph to come with his lawnmower he sits on. He can attach the trailer and take them to your back door.”

“I can’t have you do that stuff just for me,” Luke protested.

“Sure you can. Now that he has Keith helping him, he’s looking to do more. You have to understand you’re a Turner, Luke. We are here to take care of you, however, that might be. Lugging four boxes across to Sabrina lodge is no hardship, just like making your breakfast isn’t a hardship. I’m happy to do it, and so is Ralph.”

“If there is anything you need me to do for you, you only need to say the word, Luke. Maggie and I feel like we’re your second parents, and we want to help wherever we can,” Bailey said.

“That’s so sweet,” Freya whispered and then sniffed.

Luke was lost for words. He’d spent so much time away from Turner Hall and hating Cynthia so much he’d forgotten there were good people at Turner Hall.

“You know what would make me really happy?” Maggie asked.

“What’s that?”

“Babies. Make lots of babies that we can cherish,” she said.

“I need to find a girl first that isn’t daunted by all of this. Then I have to convince her to marry me,” Luke said.

“I’m sure you’ll find a way to make that happen,” Maggie replied.

Luke couldn’t help looking at Freya. She was already staring at him, expressionless, but there was a warmth to her eyes he couldn’t miss.

“Eat up. We need to get going if we’re going to beat the tide,” Luke said.

Freya snapped out of her trance but didn’t hide her smug grin. They ate quietly and quickly, then as soon as the last mouthful was swallowed, Luke was up and grabbed Freya’s hand, hauling her out of the kitchen and shouting his thanks to Maggie. Luke didn’t miss Freya rubbernecking the four boxes at the door and giving the top one a pat before they left.

Luke didn’t speak until they reached the fencing at the top of the path leading down to the private beach. When he tugged on her hand, Freya was about to start the trek down.

“What?” she said, lifting her hand to shield her eyes from the sunshine.

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