Page 141 of An Unholy Affair
‘I hope so. We haven’t really talked about the future. I think he wanted to get tonight out of the way first. But…’
‘Yeah?’
‘He’s the one, Estelle.’
‘Your Wolf Deadwood.’
She snorted. ‘Redwood. Yes. Jack’s my hero.’
‘I’m not quite sure whether to swoon or barf.’ Estelle pushed off the bed. ‘But at least Jack doesn’t wear mustard-coloured corduroy trousers or own a Lab called Bunty.’
Eveline fanned her face.
‘Please tell me you’re not getting hot and bothered thinking of Jack cosplaying as a Young Conservative?’
She shook her head. ‘Is it me, or is it a little warm in here?’
Estelle waved her arms through the air. ‘No, still got that lovely draft coming from the dodgy old windows. You feeling alright?’
‘Absolutely fine.’
Estelle put her hand on Eveline’s forehead. ‘You’re burning up. Are you coming down with something?’
‘I don’t think so. Maybe it’s hormonal?’
‘Oh my god, are youpregnant?’
The heat coursing around Eveline’s body intensified. ‘No! Definitely not! We’ve been extremely careful.’
Estelle frowned. ‘Well, something’s up. You sure you want to go tonight?’
She nodded. ‘I wouldn’t miss it for the world.’
At seven o’clockthey left the rectory and Eveline locked up with the new key Finn had given her.
‘I’m glad you’ve done this,’ Estelle said.
‘Well, Jack was most insistent.’
‘Good. It pissed me right off when that twat, Simon, treated this place like he already lived here. Plus, it’s not safe.’
‘It’s Foxbrooke. Most people don’t lock their doors.Youdon’t lock your doors.’
‘That’s because everyone knows I’m a light sleeper and keep a shotgun by the bed.’
‘Estelle!’
Her friend shrugged and lowered her voice. ‘They call me Redwood. Roxy Redwood. I’m like my cousin, Wolf, only I actually have balls.’
She laughed. ‘You are very naughty.’
‘And you bloody love it.’ Estelle took her hand. ‘Come on, let’s go have fun with a completely different kind of ball.’
The car park in front of the church was full, and new arrivals were now parking either side of the long drive to the Manor on temporary hard-standing laid over the grass.
‘This seems busier than last year,’ Eveline said.
Estelle nodded. ‘Nearly two hundred per cent. More people at the meal and a couple of hundred extra coming later. Thanks to Jack, we’re going to turn a large profit.’
