Page 24 of A French Inheritance

The rain had slowed down when Briony pulled on her wellington boots and an ancient waterproof coat of Giselle’s still hanging on a peg by the back door and set off for the lake.

Nearing the lake, she saw Elliot standing on the edge.

She hesitated. Maybe she should turn back.

Elliot deserved time on his own as much as she did.

Besides, she wasn’t ready for another skirmish with him.

But Luna had already spotted her and raced over.

Mindful of Elliot’s reaction the last time they’d spoken, Briony tried to curb her own enthusiasm for seeing the dog, as well as keep the conversation on safe neutral ground – like the weather.

‘Everything always smells so fresh after a rain shower,’ she said, sniffing the air and smiling brightly at him as she looked around. ‘Too late for sun, so no possibility of a rainbow this evening.’

‘We’ll have to make do with the rainbows on your boots,’ Elliot said.

Briony giggled and glanced down. ‘Luckily I’ve got small feet as they were in the children’s department. One of the few advantages of only being five feet nothing,’ she said.

‘How’s sorting out the cottage coming along?’ Elliot asked.

‘Slowly. I’d made up my mind to rearrange the sitting-room furniture but didn’t get past the first hurdle of moving the Chesterfield settees; they are so heavy.

I’m going to have to wait until Gerry and the removal van from England arrive in about ten days.

So, in the meantime, I’m boxing up miscellaneous stuff instead.

I’m going to start on the kitchen cupboards next. ’

‘I can give you a hand with the settees if you’d like me to,’ Elliot offered.

‘Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that.’ Briony shook her head instantly, hoping she’d managed to hide her start of surprise at the suggestion. ‘The rain is getting heavier again. I think I’m going to make for home.’

‘You didn’t ask, I’m offering. No time like the present. Come on, you can show me the inside of Owls Nest, I’ve always wanted to see inside the cottage and at least we’ll be out of the rain,’ and Elliot started to walk in the direction of the cottage, Luna trotting at his side.

Briony stared after him for several seconds, unable to fathom why he’d made such an unexpected offer. There had to be more to it than just wanting to view the cottage. She saw him glance back to see where she was, so she started hurrying to catch him up.

Unlocking the kitchen door, shortly after, Briony said, ‘Welcome to Owls Nest. Hang on, I’ll find us both a towel. And one for Luna as well.’

Once they’d dried off the worst of the rain, Briony led the way to the sitting room.

‘It’s not looking its best with all the boxes, I’m afraid.’

Luna, following them into the room, gave a short bark and made straight for the armchair Briony had pushed into a corner, jumped up on it and curled herself into a ball.

Elliot went to call her off, but Briony stopped him. ‘I’d forgotten that was her chair when Granny sat in this room. It must be strange for her to be back in the cottage.’

Elliot gave a brief nod. ‘Yes. Now, what is it you want to do with the settees?’

Briony explained she’d like them to face each other, in front of but not too close to the log burner with the coffee table in between them.

Five minutes later, the two of them had pushed the Chesterfields into the exact position Briony had wanted and they stood considering the arrangement. ‘I think that works, don’t you?’ she said, turning to Elliot. ‘Thank you so much.’

‘It looks good.’ He glanced into the dining room and saw the boxes on the table. ‘Do you want those boxes moved somewhere?’

Briony shook her head. ‘Not right now, thank you. I’m planning on going through them soon and it will be easier to spread the contents out on the table. Would you like a coffee or a glass of wine as a small thank you for your help?’

‘No thanks, I’d better get Luna get back to my place – make sure she knows where home is these days.’

‘Oh I’m sure she knows,’ Briony said smiling, thinking he was joking, but Elliot had already whistled Luna to his side and was striding towards the kitchen. Briony sighed. ‘Thanks again,’ she said as Elliot opened the back door. ‘I’m really grateful.’

‘Glad to help, goodnight,’ and Elliot and Luna were gone.

Briony wandered back into the sitting room and sank down on one of the settees.

It had been kind of Elliot to help her move the furniture, but Luna making herself at home so completely had obviously upset him.

How on earth was she ever going to persuade him that neither she nor Jeannie would ever separate him from the dog who obviously adored him?