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And now she’d fake married an aristocrat in order to pay the bills.

Yeah. Put like that, she wasn’t exactly one of life’s winners.

“You’re muttering to yourself.” Indi’s voice came from behindher. “Which means one of two things. You’re either finally losing your mind or… you’ve developed feelings for a bale of hay. Either way, I’m concerned.”

Danni turned, wiping sweat off her forehead. Indi was standing there, holding two takeaway coffees and wearing the smug expression of someone who had yet to lift anything heavier than a shopping bag that day.

“You could try helping,” Danni grumbled, taking a coffee out of Indi’s hands.

“I could,” Indi agreed, sipping her own coffee. “But then I wouldn’t be able to fully appreciate the sight of you suffering. What’s got you in a bad mood this morning?”

“Nothing,” Danni said quickly. Too quickly. As soon as Indi had asked the question she’d known the answer. She was in a bad mood because of yesterday. Because yesterday she and Eleanor had spent the entire day dancing around… something. And the tension of it had given her a headache and a strange feeling in her stomach and… and she really didn’t want to think about it all.

She looked up. The large spider was still there, silently watching. Judging.

Danni took a slug of her coffee and wiped her face on her sleeve. “Why are you actually here?” she asked, voice slightly more friendly this time.

“Came to check on you. Also, because watching you work yourself into an early grave is free entertainment.”

“Glad to be of service,” Danni said. “Remind me to come down to the pub one night and repay the favor.”

“You’ll be welcomed with open arms,” said Indi cheerfully. “More bums on seats, that’s what the boss always says we need.”

“Right,” Danni said, putting her coffee down on a shelf by the door and picking up her pitchfork again.

“So…” said Indi, leaning against the doorframe.

“So…” mimicked Danni.

“You and Eleanor then.”

Danni froze and swallowed. “What about me and Eleanor?”she said eventually, looking anywhere but at Indi.

“I think you fancy her.”

Danni forced herself to laugh and began moving ancient hay again. “I’m married to the woman.”

“And yet,” Indi grinned, “you’re not denying it.”

“Eleanor is… impossible. Stubborn. Bossy. Prissy.”

“And?”

And. That was the thing, wasn’t it. With Eleanor, there were an awful lot of ands. Danni sighed and turned back to look at Indi. Indi was her friend, probably her best friend. “And… And maybe there’s…” She took a breath, puffed it out. “And maybe I might like her a bit. But it doesn’t matter.” She went back to forking hay.

“Why doesn’t it matter?”

Danni hesitated, shoving her pitchfork into a pile of hay with unnecessary force. “Because what exactly would a rich, experienced, older woman see in me?”

Indi snorted. “Great sex?”

Reaching down, Danni grabbed a handful of stinking hay and flung it in Indi’s direction. “Helpful, thanks.”

Dodging effortlessly, Indi held up both hands. “Look, I get it, Dan. She’s intimidating. I have actually met the woman. But you’ve got a lot to offer, even if for some weird reason you think you don’t. You’re kind, you work hard, you…”

“Smell like manure and hay?” Danni offered.

Indi ignored her. “More importantly, I think she likes you back.”