Page 17 of A Recipe for Love
‘No.’ That did sound odd, didn’t it? ‘We only got together quite recently.’
‘Oh, that’s a shame. I mean that you never met the laird. Well the old laird I guess. You’ve met the new one!’
Bella nodded.
‘Well hop in then!’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘I’m assuming you’ll want to be there to support your fella. I mean you’re part of the family now, aren’t you?’
Bella’s confusion was definitely showing, but the stranger seemed oblivious.
‘Hop in. You can show me where to park.’
Sometimes the only way was to be direct. ‘I’m sorry. Who are you?’
The woman laughed. ‘Sorry. Sort of used to everyone knowing. Daft of me. I’d forget me own head. I’m the vicar. Everyone calls me the new vicar, cos I’ve only been here eight years.’ She pushed the mass of hair out of her face and leaned forward, revealing a neat little flash of dog collar at her neck. ‘I’m heading over to talk about the funeral. I think he’d want you there, wouldn’t he?’
Bella had no idea. On the one hand, obviously she wanted to support Adam however she could. On the other, she’d never met his dad and there were already two ladies of the manor rattling around the Lowbridge estate. What use was a third?
‘Jump in. I’m Jill.’
‘Bella.’
‘Marvellous. So you’re going to be the new Lady Lowbridge. That’ll be confusing. Most people still call that Darcy “new” and she was here at least five years before me. I don’t know her all that well. I see the most of Maggie. I think most people do. Of course she’s retired now.’
Jill was a ball of cheer and energy and words that tumbled over one another to get out of her mouth. Bella jogged round the passenger side of the car and climbed in.
As Jill got out of the car at the bottom of the hill, and stopped to survey the castle, Bella confirmed her opinion that the vicar was mostly hair. Huge generous strawberry blonde curls that were piled on top of her head, and held, not entirely successfully, in place with a leopard print scarf.
‘We’re through here.’ Bella led the way past the coach house and in through the kitchen corridor. Flinty was at the sink, up to her elbows in soapy water. She looked round as the entered. ‘Oh!’
‘This is Jill.’
‘I know.’ She nodded at the vicar. ‘Morning pet.’
‘Hi Maggie. Sorry for your loss. You must have known him a long time?’
‘His whole life.’ Flinty shook her head. ‘It’s all topsy-turvy – people passing on who you knew as babies.’
Jill squeezed her shoulder.
‘You’d best go through and hope Veronica doesn’t catch you.’
Bella frowned. How had she displeased Adam’s grandmother now? ‘What do you mean?’
‘Clergy don’t come through the kitchen, love.’
Jill laughed. ‘I’m not really one to stand on ceremony.’
‘There’s nothing wrong with doing things properly.’ Veronica was in the doorway to the kitchen. ‘Veronica, Lady Lowbridge. My son will also be joining us.’
The vicar sort of half-curtsied. Bella wanted to hug her. Veronica looked appalled.
‘I’m Jill.’
‘Reverend… Jill?’
