Page 22 of Someone For Everyone

She turned slowly, taking in the carved wooden door surrounds and large oil paintings hanging on the wall above the fireplace. ‘Hardly seems fair to pay for a cleaner when you can’t pay the staff.’

‘Exactly.’ He wiped away a sheen of dust from the mantlepiece. ‘Hanna and Natalie clean the residents’ floor themselves, and Geraldine does the kitchen, but the other areas have been a bit neglected of late. I try to do them myself when I can, but other, more urgent, stuff keeps coming up.’

She turned to him. ‘I can’t imagine you cleaning. You look too… you know, pristine.’ Her eyes travelled over his designer sportswear – not disapprovingly, but he felt uncomfortable just the same.

‘I’m not precious about getting my hands dirty,’ he said, feeling defensive at the implication that he was above such things. He’d done a lot of cleaning in his time. You had to whenyou were part of a single-parent family – it was all hands on deck. ‘Talking of clothes—’

‘I know, I know, I’m sorry.’ She held up her hands. ‘I look a right mess – you don’t have to tell me. I’ll tidy myself up.’ She rebuttoned her jacket again.

He smiled at her reaction. ‘I was going to say, don’t feel like you have to wear a suit on my account. Wear whatever you feel comfortable in. I’d rather you be warm than worry about getting mucky.’

She raised an eyebrow. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Absolutely. This isn’t a London law office.’ He glanced at the stained ceiling and scuffed wooden floorboards. ‘It’s a rundown period building. You can wear a bunny onesie if you want.’

She surprised him by laughing. ‘I wish I’d packed it now.’

He wasn’t sure whether she was joking. ‘I didn’t get around to lighting the fire this morning, I got held up. Sorry about that, it’s a bit chilly in here. I’ll light it before I leave.’ He gestured to the large open fire, with its stone surround. ‘I’ve cleared out my late uncle’s desk and given it a wipe, so I hope it’s okay for you to use. There’s Wi-Fi, but no phone in here. The mobile signal’s patchy, but it improves if you head towards the rear of the building.’

‘I’m sure it’ll be fine,’ she said, nodding towards the desk. ‘It’s a beautiful piece of furniture. Is it a Chippendale?’

‘If it is, then we’ll be selling it.’

She smiled. ‘I’ll add it to the asset register.’ She went over to the window and knelt on the padded seat nestled inside the large bay alcove. As she leant forwards to gaze out of the window, her bum strained against the material of her skirt and he quickly looked away. ‘This window is amazing,’ she said, peering outside. ‘It lets in so much light.’

‘Lets in a lot of cold, too. I think the lead needs replacing.’

‘Where are the ledgers?’

‘Over here.’ He pointed to the shelving next to the fireplace. ‘They’re roughly in date order, filed in decades. The oldest ones are at the top.’

He watched her almost topple backwards and she strained to see the top shelf.

‘You’ll need this,’ he said, gesturing to the giant set of stepladders on casters. ‘It looks like a deathtrap, but it’s pretty sturdy. It holds my weight.’

‘If I’m going up and down that thing all day, then you’re probably right: maybe a suit and heels aren’t the best option.’

The library door creaked open and Esme appeared. ‘Ah, here you are,’ she said, looking smartly turned out in a blue blazer. ‘Geraldine said you’d arrived safely. I’m Esme.’

‘Kate Lawrence.’ Kate shook Esme’s hand. ‘Are you a resident here?’

‘Yes,’ she said, at the same time Calvin said, ‘No.’

Kate looked between them.

‘Esme is my grandmother,’ he said, incurring a look of wrath from his granny. ‘My late uncle’s sister-in-law. She’s visiting for a few days to help me sort out the estate.’

Granny Esme fixed him with her steely gaze, but he didn’t give her the satisfaction of returning her look. After a few seconds, she turned to Kate, her gaze softening. ‘I know quite a bit about my late brother-in-law’s affairs, so please ask me anything you’re not sure about.’

Kate smiled. ‘Thanks, I will.’

Esme fixed her grandson with a look. ‘How do you expect this young lady to work in such a cold room, Calvin? Light the fire, for goodness’ sake.’

He supressed the urge to roll his eyes. ‘I’ll do it now.’

‘And while the room heats up, Kate and I will head to the kitchen for some breakfast. I’ve asked Geraldine to make some of her delicious pancakes.’

‘Oh, I’m not hungry,’ Kate said, looking embarrassed. ‘I’d rather just start work. There’s a lot to do.’

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