Page 50 of Duke It Out
I watch as Janey puts a hand on Kate’s knee for a moment.
“Rory was a star as well. He sorted out the cottage and this—” She pats the steering wheel “And the boys wouldn’t be over in Australia and New Zealand if it wasn’t for him.”
“Remind me of that when you’re sniffling about them being too far away,” Kate says teasingly.
“You know I miss them like mad, but I’d never begrudge them having the adventure of a lifetime.”
Kate dozes off after a while and I sit back, watching the Highland scenery whizzing by.
“So, when am I getting the next instalment?”
“Sorry?” I sit forward to catch what Janey says.
“I loved the book so much. How are you getting on with the second one? I want to know what happens to Lord Godfrey and the Wentworth sisters.”
“Seriously?”
She nods emphatically. “I think it’s amazing. It’s like a whole world and you created it all in your head.”
“And yet I can’t sell it because it doesn’t have any dragons.” I shake my head, laughing.
“You said yourself that the publishers said they didn’t have room for it. That’s not a no.”
“It’s not a hell yes, either.” I make a face.
“I don’t know, it seems a bit weird to me. You’ve written a book I loved reading, you’re clearly talented, but instead of doing what you should be doing you’re writing up the old duke’s diaries.”
I know she’s right.
“At least being here gives you a chance to get the next one done. Maybe you could publish it yourself instead of waiting for a publisher to tell you they want it.”
She’s right in that respect, with no bills to pay besides my rent, which is up to date for once, I’m spending nothing, besides shopping for ball dresses and my slightly out-of-control cardamom bun habit.
It’s weird how things have shifted. It’s like I’ve stopped waiting for someone to send me home. It feels like I’m putting down roots in a part of the world I never expected to.
I swear to God Anna’s got some sort of spy implant in my brain. As soon as I think about rent, she pops up out of nowhere.
How’s it going? Did you get a dress?
I did. I’ll send pics when I get back to the house. Castle. You know what I mean.
About that…
There’s a pause where I see the little dots dancing on the screen and then my phone rings.
“Sorry,” I say, grimacing.
Janey shakes her head “Don’t apologise. Sleepyhead’s awake if you want to take it.”
I accept the call.
“How’s it going in the sticks?”
“Oh, great,” I say, feeling awkward.
“Excellent.” I can hear the sound of her exhaling on her fruit-scented vape. I have not missed the headache-inducing smell of that. “Well, the good news is I’ve got some time off, so I thought I’d come and see it for myself.”
I recoil. “What do you mean?” Anna never takes time off.
