Page 137 of Only Just Begun

He looked through her papers, then tapped something into his computer.

“I can’t see a problem with the figure you’ve requested, but I’ll give you a final decision tomorrow, Mandy, after I’ve checked through some things. Although with Ted Hosking’s backing, I can give you a verbal yes.”

“I beg your pardon?” Surely she hadn’t heard that right.

“Ted Hosking came to see me and said he would guarantee any loan you took out.”

He did what?

“Is there a problem with that?” Andrew Gleeson frowned. “After all, he is a well-respected businessman and runs a successful and thriving concern with Falls Lodge.”

Mandy managed to force out a smile. She was no fool, and did not want to jeopardize her loan chances, but she’d also wanted to do this on her own. Ted knew that. How dared he go behind her back. She knew in a small corner of her mind that he’d done it to help her, but it didn’t help. She wanted to track him down and tell him exactly what she thought of his high-handed behavior.

“Mandy?”

“No problem, of course he discussed that with me,” she lied.

“Are you free on Wednesday, about 4:00 p.m.? Perhaps we could meet over coffee?”

“Ah, sure, thanks.” Was it normal to meet your bank manager for coffee?

“Excellent. I’ll drop by and let you know where we’ll meet.”

“Thank you.”

Leaving the bank, she inhaled a deep breath.

He had no right.

He’d taught her so much. How to be strong physically, and how to experience pleasure. Ted Hosking, the man so many people spoke of in awe, had made love to her, and she would always treasure that memory, especially as it would never happen again. But she was so angry with him at that moment, she was sure a red haze covered her eyes.

“Are you okay, Mandy?”

Mandy snapped her mouth shut as Joe Trainer walked toward her.

“Of course.”

“You look angry, and it’s not an expression I’ve seen on your face before.”

“I’m okay, Joe.”

She could see he wasn’t convinced but he didn’t push the matter.

“Sorry I couldn’t make our meeting, Mandy. You want to talk now?” He slung an arm around her shoulders.

“Actually, I just showed my business plan to the bank manager, and he said it looked good. I should know Wednesday at four if I get the loan or not.” She couldn’t lie. “I had help from Ted.”

“As a second choice, he’s a good one.”

“Would you come with me to the shop now and listen to a few of my suggestions for the setup, Joe?”

“I’d love to. Let’s go.”

Mandy pushed aside her anger over what Ted had done and talked to Joe about her plans as they walked. Pushing open the door to the bookshop, she felt a rush of excitement.

“Hi, Mr. Timms, mind if we take another look around?” Mandy said as they entered. He was packing boxes.

She’d discussed that she wanted a long-term lease and what she wanted to do with the space. He’d agreed on the condition that when she left, the wall went back if the next owners wanted it so.

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