Page 60 of Last Letter Home
‘She’s grieving,’ Briony said. ‘They say dogs always know if their owner is in danger.’
‘Probably just overindulged,’ Luke smiled. ‘She needs a good walk if you ask me. Let’s go and look at the walled garden, get her to scamper round a few times.’
‘We don’t want to kill her off, Luke. A sedate walk might be safer.’
They let the dog off the lead in the garden, but she stayed close to them, pausing frequently to sniff at perfectly ordinary clumps of grass, then flopping down in a sunny spot from where she watched Luke inspect the fruit trees and write notes in a small black book. Briony sat on the bench nearby and watched him too. He had that enviable ability to lose himself in his work, she thought, seeing him ruffle his hair and tap his pencil on his lower lip as he frowned over some problem. She thought lazily how completely at ease with him she felt. How lucky Aruna was to find him. Perhaps they’d settle down and have children and ask Briony to be godmother. She’d never been a godmother – her brother William and his wife weren’t into that sort of thing – and she rather loved the idea of it.
Her thoughts were broken by a growl from Lulu, who hauled herself to standing and yapped, her ears twitching, before trotting towards the doorway next to the cottage where they’d come in. Through it, hands in pockets, strolled the confident figure of Greg. He ignored Lulu sniffing at his shoes, clearly used to her, nodded at Luke across the garden, then turned his attention to Briony, who was walking quickly to greet him.
‘You’ve spoken to Kemi?’ she asked, her brow furrowing with concern.
‘Yes, half an hour ago. Poor old Robyn.’
‘Is there any news?’ Seeing her distress, Greg took her hands in a firm grip and she felt again that melting sensation, a warmth that passed right through her.
‘I don’t believe so. I thought I’d better come and check you’re happy with the mutt.’ He glanced at Lulu. The pug gave a final discontented snort and sank back down on the grass with a groan.
‘She’s all right, aren’t you, Lulu? I need to find what her routines are, that’s all.’
‘No idea myself. We’ll have to ask Avril, the cleaner. But if you’re content to look after her for the time being, then I’m sure everyone will be grateful.’
Briony glanced across at Luke and was surprised to see him staring at them, notebook clutched to his chest, a hesitant expression on his face. Somewhat self-consciously she withdrew her hands from Greg’s and took a step back from him. Luke came over to them.
‘This is the friend I told you about, Greg. Luke Sandbrook.’ The pair exchanged manly handshakes.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ Greg remarked. ‘So, what do you think of the place?’
Luke gazed about him, then smiled at Greg. ‘It’s wonderful. It has such a lovely atmosphere.’
‘Yes, it does. Reckon it has possibilities?’
Briony listened as the men spoke of historical reconstruction, the old plan on Mrs Clare’s wall, Greg’s commercial ideas of a plant nursery and farm shop.
‘The greatest challenge might be irrigation,’ Luke told him. ‘Whatever the old system was – if there was much of one – it might need replacing.’
‘That sounds expensive. Still, I’d like to pursue it further. If you’ll let me know your rates we can discuss a proper brief.’
‘Fine by me,’ Luke said, tucking Greg’s card into his notebook and pocketing it.
‘Good.’ Greg stood, hands on hips, chest out, a lord of the manor contemplating his realm. Luke’s pose, arms folded, suggested the expert consultant, unfazed. Squaring up to each other, Briony noted, fascinated.
Greg cracked first. ‘Well, if you’re all right, Briony, I’ll ask someone to be in touch about the mutt.’
‘Please. And let me know as soon as you hear anything about Mrs Clare.’
‘Of course.’ He gave her a lingering look and Luke a perfunctory nod, then turned to go, the lowering sun glinting off his hair and his expensive watch. Beside her, Luke audibly breathed out, but he said nothing and Briony was glad.
‘Will you do it?’ she asked him, meaning the garden.
‘I don’t see why not. It’s a nice job if he’s not tricky to deal with. I’ll come back another time to take proper measurements.’
‘OK. Come on, Lulu. Grub.’ She scooped up the dog, who seemed to have given up altogether, and bore her under her arm like a barrel back to the cottage. This time when she set Lulu down in the kitchen she went straight to her bowl.
‘Hungry o’clock,’ Luke said.
Briony sat down. She felt suddenly exhausted again.
‘It’s been quite a day, hasn’t it?’ Luke said, pulling up a chair. ‘Are you all right?’
