Page 18 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
‘You’re very pale… and a bit sweaty,’ said Matt, holding his hand against George’s forehead.
‘It’s just shock,’ said George.
‘You and us both after our recent visitor,’ huffed Ewan, sitting at the kitchen table and watching his brother fuss around George.
‘Hush, don’t bother him with that now,’ tutted Matt.
‘Actually, she’s the reason I’m like this,’ said George. ‘I mean… if you’re talking about the SUV?’
Ewan nodded emphatically.
‘What happened?’ said Matt in surprise.
‘She shot out of the town junction without even slowing down. Nearly had me!’ said George.
‘Ah. You really are in shock, then?’
‘If shock means hot, cold, shaky, sweating and wanting to cry?’ said George on a little laugh that sounded very sorry for itself, ‘then yeah, I’m in shock.’
‘Ewan? Kettle on, stat!’ said Matt. Then he headed for the kitchen table and grabbed the biscuit tin. ‘Double chocolate cookie for you. No arguments or any of thatmybody is my templenonsense either!’
‘Yeah, be a good boy and listen to Dr Pepper!’ chuckled Ewan.
George gave them both a wobbly grin and grabbed a cookie. He still felt a bit like he was fighting tears, but their friendly nonsense was exactly what he needed right now. He nibbled the edge of the cookie and closed his eyes as sweet, chocolatey goodness filled his mouth.
‘Just… take a beat,’ said Matt. ‘Ewan will make you a cup of tea. Three sugars.’
‘Thanks guys,’ said George. ‘Man, I feel like such a wuss.’
‘Hardly! That woman was terrifying enough on her own… I can only imagine how scary she was, wielding an SUV in your direction!’ laughed Ewan, pouring hot water over a teabag and then shovelling three heaped teaspoons of sugar on top.
George winced slightly at the sight, but right now, he didn’t really care that it was probably more calories than he’d had all day. Not if it helped him feel a bit more human again.
‘I was going to warn you she might be on her way,’ he said at last. ‘Seems I was too late.’
‘All good. Connie messaged me earlier,’ said Ewan. ‘Though I have to say her warning didn’t quite cover the reality we just had to face!’
‘Bit of a nightmare, our Claudia Weatherley-Harcus?’ tutted George.
‘She’s… terrifying!’ laughed Ewan.
Matt nodded. ‘I’d say that’s one deeply unhappy human right there. I can’t believe we’ll be related to her soon!’
‘So… the rumours are true then?’ said George with interest. Clearly, the biscuit was already starting to work its sugary magic on him. ‘Is she Rory’s fiancé’s sister?’
‘Seems so,’ said Ewan.
‘But… what is she doing here?’ said George. ‘From what I’ve heard so far, she’s not on some kind of pleasant little jolly!’
‘Far from it, I’d say,’ said Matt, as Ewan carried the giant mug of tea over towards George and set it on a little table next to him. ‘I think she was here to vet us, truth be told.’
‘Vet you?’
Ewan nodded. ‘Wanted to check we’re the right sort of material to be linked to her precious sister.’
‘To be fair… Freyaisprecious,’ laughed Matt.
‘That’s true,’ said Ewan. ‘Connie and Rosie both adore her.’
