Page 34 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
George grinned at her and shook his head. ‘Don’t panic—he works there!’
‘Oh,’ Claudia felt her cheeks grow warm. What an idiot! She already knew the oldest Pepper brother was a doctor. ‘Of course. Sorry.’
‘Don’t apologise,’ laughed Connie. ‘I’m just sorry they’re not around to see you.’
‘Well, I’m glad you told us,’ said George. ‘Seabury House was one of our stops on Claudia’s great apology tour.’
‘Your… what?’ said Connie, looking amused.
‘I’m trying to bribe my way back into people’s good graces after my behaviour yesterday,’ said Claudia, nodding at the bag George was still clutching. ‘I’m hoping that a half-hundredweight of cake from The Sardine might work its magic for me. There’s one in there for you. Kate said you like carrot cake?’
‘Oooh!’ Connie’s eyes lit up. ‘Well, she’s not wrong, but you’ve got nothing to apologise for.’
‘Other than terrorising your family,’ said Claudia, with an awkward smile.
‘Don’t worry about that,’ laughed Connie. ‘They’re big boys. I’m pretty sure they can handle an unexpected visitor now and then. Mind you, if it means I get cake, you’ve got my permission to drop in on them whenever the fancy takes you!’
‘Well, thanks,’ said Claudia with a smile of relief. ‘As it doesn’t sound like I’m going to get to see Matt and Ewan again before I leave, can I leave their peace offerings here with you? And will you tell them how sorry I am for being a weirdo yesterday?’
‘I’ve got a better idea,’ said Connie. ‘Why don’t you and George join us for dinner tonight? Matt’ll be back from work,and Rosie and her nan are bringing Melody back around six. You can meet her, too!’
‘Oh… I…’ Claudia turned to glance at George.
‘Up to you,’ he said with what was clearly meant to be a chilled smile, but there was something in his eyes that told her that he was far more invested in her answer than he was trying to let on.
Claudia swallowed. ‘I mean… that would be lovely… but my train leaves before then.’
‘Can’t you stay one more night?’ said Connie, her face falling. ‘It seems a shame for you to leave without having the chance to interrogate the family properly!’
Claudia let out a surprised hoot of laughter.
‘She does have a point,’ chuckled George. ‘The offer’s still open, if you’d like to stay.’
Claudia glanced between Connie’s hopeful smile and George’s open, easy face and nodded.
‘Okay,’ she said, her heart swooping with nerves and excitement. ‘I’d love to come to dinner.’
‘Yay!’ cheered Connie. ‘Right, I’ll let the boys know they’d better prepare for a good roasting.’
CHAPTER 13
CLAUDIA
‘I’ve got a favour to ask,’ said George as they stepped out of the little shop.
‘Name it!’ said Claudia, blinking in the sunshine. Had that really just happened? Had she just agreed to stay here in Seabury… to stay with George?! ‘I mean, I have just invited myself to stay for a few nights.’
Hardly,’ said George with a good-natured tut. ‘I invited you. And I’m chuffed you’re staying!’
Claudia couldn’t help but beam at him. ‘Thank you. So… what can I do for you in return?’
‘Well, I was wondering if you’d mind if we nip to the cottage before continuing with the tour? I’d quite like to change out of my work gear before we head up to see Charlie, and if I turn up at Hillside still wearing my postie uniform, Jess will never let me live it down!’
‘I’m up for that,’ said Claudia with a little shrug.
‘Thanks,’ said George. ‘Anyway, it’s probably best that you see the place before it’s too late for you to catch the train if you change your mind!’
‘Uh oh,’ said Claudia, wrinkling her nose. ‘That sounds ominous.’
