Page 5 of Putting Down Roots

“Sorry,” I mumble “Mr . . . “

“Gaberley.”

“Mr Gaberley. I’m sorry, where are my manners? Would you like some coffee?”

He softens a little. “Yes, please.” He glances around for somewhere to put his briefcase and to sit down. I shoot a pleading look at Anna. She’s smiling, probably at me being more animated than I have been for days.

“I’ll get them.” She whisks herself off to the kitchen.

Once we have coffee, and I’ve moved things off the armchair so Mr Gaberley can sit down, he speaks again.

“I’ve brought you a copy of Ms. Winterton’s will.” He takes some papers out of his briefcase. Aunt Frances’ will.What can that have to do with me?I hadn’t seen her for a few years. A shot ofguilt, that I hadn’t visited her when she went into a home for her last few months, runs through me.

Mr Gaberley hands me the papers. “She made you the sole beneficiary of her will. She has left you Larchdown House. There’s an amount of money as well, though some of it went into her care.”

I don’t know if he says anything else—I certainly don’t hear it. I just sit, looking at the words on the page in front of me. Larchdown House and gardens.She’s left me her house.I look at Anna, and her eyes are shining—I know she’d love to see it. Mr Gaberley hands me some papers and a pen. “If I could just get your signature here . . . here . . . and here.” He points with his long, pale finger.

“Good, then I can give you this.” He hands me an envelope, stands up, and I follow him. He offers me his hand, which after a second’s hesitation, I shake.

“Enjoy your new house, Mr Winterton.”

I sink downonto the sofa, sighing.What the hell am I going to do with a house?

“Bloody hell, Lu!” Anna exclaims, “It’s not everyday someone leaves you a house, what’s it like?”

I reach for the envelope. Inside are a set of keys and a cheque for a not inconsiderable amount of money.

“It’s quite big, with large gardens. What do I want with that? I can hardly look after myself and this tiny apartment right now?”

“Well, you could always sell it.” Anna is ever practical. “But you should go and see it. It’d be perfect. Get away for a while.”

She’s right. It would be good to get out of London for a while, if I could get out the door, but this feels different. I could go away, where no one would judge me or whisper scandal behind my back.

“Yeah, I might.” It certainly feels better than sitting here any longer. “Do you want to come with me?”

“Of course I do, but I can’t leave just yet. I have to get my show finished. You go and I’ll join you in a few weeks.”

I can feel a bit of my old enthusiasm creeping back.

CHAPTER 3

Jackson

I’m only halfsurprised when I find myself back at the bakery the next day, only this time it isn’t the friendly, warm-eyed Ben serving. Behind the counter is a hulk of a man—a man mountain. I’m tall, but he has height on me, and bulk. A full head of red hair and an impressive beard to match.

I order a pasty, and after confirming I’d like it warmed, I look round for the cupcakes. Ben had said they were today’s stock.

Have they sold out already? Shame, I was really looking forward to one. Perhaps I could ask.

I internally laugh at myself. Ask this huge and muscled guy for a purple cupcake? He’ll laugh me out of the shop.Then I remember where unconscious bias had gotten me the day before, and anyway, I’m leaving the village in a few days. What does it matter what they think?

“Erm.” I swallow. I can do this. “Do you have any of the, err, cupcakes, the err, purple ones?”

The man’s eyes twinkle. “The ones with the rainbow sprinkles?” he asks in a Scottish accent. It doesn’t help that he holds up a massive hand and rubs his fingers and thumb together to mimic sprinkling.

Shit. Ah well, too late now. I try my best level voice as I reply, “Yes please?”

The man breaks into a wide smile, showing a row of huge, perfect white teeth. “Aye, that we have.” He turns and then I see them on the countertop behind him. His bulk had been concealing them from my view. He reaches for a cake box and then, going to the doorway through to the back of the shop, he shouts.

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