Page 153 of He's the One

Col looked as if he was about to swallow his tongue.

“Did I say that out loud?” Theo asked.

His father and James were chuckling.

“I’m happy,” Theo mumbled and Isla curled up against him. “We won’t stay. Tell us what’s happened.”

His father and James sat down.

“Robert Murray has been silenced,” said his father.

Theo heard Col gulp.

“Permanently?” Theo squeaked. “Was there a lot of blood? Col doesn’t like blood.”

His father sighed. “This is not a film, Theo. I happen to be good friends with the brother of the senior partner of the firm he works for. It’s been made clear that if Murray opens his mouth, his job will be forfeit and getting another will not be easy.”

Theo reached for Col’s champagne that had just been refilled by James and Col wouldn’t let him have it.Meanie.He was pleased that he hadn’t said that out loud.Or did I?

“I’ll be making a statement to theDaily Telegraphtomorrow about myself and James. I hope to have your mother’s cooperation on the wording, but if not, it will stand anyway.”

“I don’t want you to look like the villain,” Theo blurted.

“But I am, in part. I should never have agreed to any of it. Your mother was pushed by her parents. We’re all to blame here. Me more than most. James tried to make me see sense. It’s taken a long while.”

James took hold of Theo’s father’s hand. “Ludo. It’s done. We move forward. Don’t spoil the future by looking back.”

His father cleared his throat. “A new start for all of us.”

“Maybe for Col’s brother too,” Theo said.

Col tugged at his sleeve but Theo wanted to ask now. “There’s a very good chance Dominic will be coming out of prison soon. I’d like to offer him a room in the stable block. If he wants it. I want Col to be Asquith’s carver in residence. He’s so talented. He’s good at everything.I meaneverything.He can…mmm. We could display the pieces in this garden. He could take commissions. Visitors could watch him work in his studio. He could have a work space in the stable block. Give masterclasses. Teach me!”

“Theo, Theo, Theo! Slow down. There’s a lot there that sounds like a good idea, but we can’t rush into anything, and I suspect you’re not entirely sober,” said his father with a smile.

“Well, yes, you might be right. But the bubbles are soooo lovely! And I want to talk to you again about some of my ideas for increasing footfall. You’re going to need money to support mother and grandmother. I think we should make it from one of the events she poured scorn on. Like the treetop challenge or the dinosaurs. Ooh, we could combine both. That would be brilliant.”

His father chuckled. “That’s a good idea. And yes, to Col as carver in residence. The fox looks fantastic and I saw what he did with Felicity’s rabbit.”

Col stood and pulled Theo to hiswobblyfeet.Oops.Isla curled up next to James.

“I have a lot more I want to say,” Theo protested.

“I know, but this is not the moment,” Col told him.

“One last thing.” Theo put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the two finds from the field. He showed his father. “Roman. From the East Meadow. We found them this morning. There could be a lot more.”

“This is beautiful.” His father ran his fingers over the horse. “It looks intact. There’s even a pin. A brooch.”

“This is a Crispus.” James held the coin.

“We have to protect that meadow until I’ve checked it. The coin’s not worth much but maybe the horse is.”

“Do you still have your old metal detector?” his father said to James, who was scratching Isla’s head.

“Yes.”

“Why don’t we all have a go tomorrow then?”

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