Page 157 of Love ad Lib
‘Why Jack would keep a cat when he’s in London only once a year, if at all?’
‘Oh.’
‘And he’s allergic to them.’
‘Allergic?’
‘Yeah. When we were kids, we visited Dervla’s aunt who lived in the village. She had one. Within five minutes, Jack’s eyes puffed up so much he couldn’t see. It was terrifying and hilarious all at the same time.’
Libby couldn’t speak. Pieces of a puzzle she didn’t know existed were starting to fall into place, creating a picture she couldn’t bear to look at.
‘Is it one of those weird hairless cats?’ Estelle asked.
The door opened and Henry entered.
‘I knew I should look for you here first,’ he said, hugging his sister. ‘Duke’s back in his stall.’
‘Thanks, little brother. How was Gram-Gram?’
He hesitated, glancing at Libby. She shook her head.
‘Er, not great to be honest, but it’s difficult to tell when she refuses to tell us what’s really going on.’
Estelle raised her eyebrows at Libby. ‘See? That’s belligerent bloody old people for you.’ She handed Henry the tray of Chelsea buns. ‘Want one?’
Summer entered the kitchen. Without make-up and her usual perkiness, she looked young and fragile.
‘Thought I would find you here,’ she said. ‘Has Perry been making you buns behind our backs?’
Estelle moved in front of the table to hide the tray. ‘Nope.’
Summer rolled her eyes. ‘Whatevs.’ She turned to Libby. ‘Your friend’s arrived.’
Her mind went blank. ‘What friend?’
Summer shrugged. ‘Some artist dude? Luke? He’s talking to Dad in the second lounge, the one with all the Holbeins.’
Libby racedout of the kitchen, Henry following behind. She knew enough of the Manor to know the room Summer was talking about. She pushed open the door and entered.
‘Ah, there she is!’ said Arthur. ‘Libby! It’s your friend Lucas. You didn’t tell me he was in the area.’
She glanced around the room, counting everyone off: Vivienne, Dervla, Connor, Leo, Willow. Estelle and Summer had entered after Henry. Every member of the Foxbrooke family was there.
‘And he’s an artist who works with the divine feminine!’ Arthur continued. ‘We’ve got so much in common!’
The family’s eyes flitted from her to Lucas and back as if waiting to see which of them would drop the ball first.
‘Lucas,’ she stammered. ‘What are you doing here?’
Concern oozed from his face. ‘I was passing by and wanted to see how you were holding up under the very difficult circumstances.’
Arthur patted his shoulder. ‘Much obliged, Lucas, much obliged.’
‘And I knew I would find a kindred spirit in the Duke here.’ Lucas gave Arthur a smile. ‘Both a lover of art and of the goddess-nature found within all women.’
‘See?’ said Arthur to the room. ‘A true connoisseur, just like me!’
Willow was curled up in the corner of a sofa, twisting a strand of blue hair around one of her fingers and looking warily at Lucas. ‘How do you know Libby?’ she asked.
