Page 86 of Someone For Everyone

Alex nodded. ‘Hopefully, I’m staying permanently.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘This place needs an office manager: someone to run the books, and deal with the finances and admin side of things. I’d like to be that person.’

‘But the future of the care home is still undecided,’ Kate said, cautiously. ‘You do realise that, don’t you?’

Alex shrugged. ‘There’s a possibility Calvin might not sell, and instead decide to stay and manage the place himself. If he does, he’ll need an office manager.’

Kate was flummoxed. ‘And that’s what you want to do? Work here permanently?’

‘I like it here, I feel like I fit in. And I like the people,’ he said, glancing at Hanna. ‘I think it’s a job I could be really good at.’

Kate couldn’t have been more shocked if her cousin had said he wanted to be a scuba-diving instructor. But what he said made sense – he did look at home here. He socialised with the residents, he helped the staff and he’d done an excellent job dealing with the care-home finances. ‘You might be right. But I wouldn’t want you to get your hopes up. I’m not sure Calvin has decided anything yet.’

‘Why shouldn’t I get my hopes up?’ he said, sounding unusually assertive. ‘Life is what you make it, isn’t that what everyone says? You have to fight for what you want and make good things happen. If Calvin knows he has my support and I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help him, it might give him the courage to stay and manage the place himself.’

‘Crikey, where has all this positivity come from?’ Kate was amazed by the change in her normally morose cousin. ‘I’ve never heard you be so proactive before. It’s a lot to get my head around.’

‘Someone’s been helping me work on my confidence,’ he said, with another quick glance at Hanna. ‘I need to trust in my abilities more.’

Kate’s head went into a spin. Alex had a crush on Hanna? Heavens. This wasn’t going to end well. Women like Hanna did not fall for men like Alex – they ate them for breakfast.

But when she looked at Hanna, she couldn’t have been more surprised: she was smiling. Well, sort of smiling. The Hanna equivalent of smiling. A neutral expression with a hint of affection. Boudicca was finally thawing… and it seemed her cousin was providing the heat.

‘Then I hope it works out for you,’ Kate said, smiling at Alex and wondering how she hadn’t noticed this fledglingrelationship developing before now. Clearly, she hadn’t been paying attention – she’d been too focused on her own dramas.

Leaving them to their woodwork, Kate crossed the snowy courtyard towards the main building. If anything, the weather was getting worse: fresh snow had fallen overnight, making the terrain even more treacherous.

As she entered the kitchen, she could hear voices.

‘He should’ve been back ages ago,’ Esme said, sounding concerned. ‘It’ll be dark soon. I’m worried about him.’

Kate stamped her feet on the doormat, dislodging the snow.

‘I’m sure he’ll be fine,’ Geraldine replied, her hands covered in wet dough. ‘He’s a strong lad. He’d let us know if there was a problem.’

Esme spotted Kate by the door. ‘Ah, Kate, darling. Have you heard from Calvin? He walked into the village to collect the turkey from the butcher’s and he’s not back yet.’

Kate glanced at the kitchen clock. ‘What time did he leave?’

‘Before lunch. It’s been over three hours. He should be back by now.’

Kate removed her apron. ‘Have you tried calling him?’

‘I can’t use those blessed mobile things,’ Esme said, dismissing the idea with a hand wave. ‘Can you call him for me and check he’s okay?’

‘Of course.’ She wanted to know he was okay, too. It was a long time to be stuck outdoors in such extreme conditions.

Esme and Geraldine watched her as she called him – Esme’s expression one of uneasiness, Geraldine’s pure intrigue. If the woman was looking for gossip, she was going to be disappointed – unless she ventured outside and stumbled across Hanna and Alex in the shed. But perhaps Geraldine already knew. Maybe Kate was the only one who didn’t.

Calvin’s phone continued to ring. ‘He’s not answering.’

‘That can’t be good.’ Esme went over to the window and peered out. ‘Do you think someone should go and look for him?’

‘Who d’you suggest we send?’ Geraldine kneaded a lump of bread dough. ‘In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re not the fittest bunch.’

‘Speak for yourself,’ Esme said, glaring at Geraldine. ‘I’m considered extremely fit for my age.’

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