Page 169 of Love ad Lib
‘Are you free this Thursday?’ Estelle asked. ‘Day after tomorrow?’
She nodded. ‘Why?’
‘My muppet of a father booked another tour after your brilliant performance and thinks he can pull it off.’
‘A living history one?’
Estelle nodded. ‘But unless he’s going to play mad King George, wear a straightjacket and stick a gag in his gob, it’s not going to happen.’
‘Is he employing any actors to help?’
Estelle gave her a look of disbelief that said,You think?
‘And you want me…?’
‘To run the tour for us, of course. Please, Libby. I don’t trust Dad further than I could throw him. We can’t do this without you. I’ve re-hired the dress you wore the other week, just in case. You could take the train up in the morning, either stay the night at the Manor or at the livery with me, or travel back to London the same evening. I can pick you up from Bath and take you back.’
‘Will Henry be there?’
Estelle hesitated, then shook her head. ‘He’s abroad for work at the moment.’
Libby desperately wanted to see him, but maybe he didn’t want to see her.
‘What about the rest of your family?’ she asked.
Estelle shrugged. ‘If it would seal the deal, I can make sure they bugger off out of your way?’
She held her breath. Could she return to Foxbrooke if Henry and his family weren’t there? One final goodbye to her fantasy home?
Estelle took her hand and squeezed. ‘Please, Libby. Please say yes.’
34
Energy fizzed through Libby’s veins as the train pulled out of Paddington station. Brandon had agreed to stay at Jack’s to keep an eye on Mr Pussy, so she’d packed an overnight bag just in case the day wasn’t a complete disaster and she spent the night at Estelle’s.
Her heart ached for Henry. Less than a week ago she'd taken this journey with him as they dashed to the bedside of a supposedly dying Gram-Gram. What grandmother went to such lengths to get what she wanted? Did she really believe Libby was the right person for her grandson?
Since the comedy night, she’d received only one text from him.
Henry: I’m sorry I missed your call. I’m abroad for work, and the hours are really long. Please can I see you at the end of the week when I’m back?
She’d replied with just one word:yes.
After that there had been no more exchanges between them, both seemingly too scared to jinx the tentative move towards reconciliation. Still, it didn’t stop her checking for new messages every couple of minutes.
Her phone vibrated on the table and she grabbed it.
Lucas: Hey babe, go check your bank account…
What?She opened the app and blinked to assure herself the numbers were correct. She was no longer in the red. She was very much back in the black.
Lucas: Told you I’d pay you back! And with interest, cos I’m nice like that X
She tried to do calculations in her head whilst simultaneously checking she hadn’t lost her mind. Lucas had paid her back everything he owed, plus about…Twenty per cent?
A tiny thought of refunding him the interest assaulted her, but she threw it away. If Lucas was returning her money with extras, it meant he’d got his big payday and the amount he owed her was now a drop in the ocean. Had Henry’s father bought his work? The thought made her feel sick.
Libby: Did you sell a painting?
