Page 39 of Behind These Four Walls
Recognition hit. His eyebrows rose, and his look turned inquisitive. “So you’re the one.” He cracked a smile. “The guest Mrs. Corrigan relegated to staff. Ouch.” He finished, chuckling.
Isla looked away in embarrassment. The last thing she wanted to be was the talk of the estate. “News gets around quick. Geez.”
“This place may be huge, but people talk, and anything that disturbs any of the Corrigans spreads like an epidemic.”
It was an interesting choice of words. Negative and hinting that man wasn’t a fan of gossip, like Lisa and Doris, and that the talk was negative.
She stuck out her hand.
He hesitated initially, conscious of his dirt-smudged hands, but overcame his consideration and took hers in his calloused hand. She matched his firm shake and offered him a smile. She didn’t know why, but she felt at immediate ease with this guy, whose name he still had not revealed.
“I’m Lawrence. Head groundskeeper on the property, and apparently a newly ordained shoe dirtier. Welcome to the circus that is King’s Vinings Estate.”
Had a sense of humor too. She appreciated that.
She agreed. “It’s definitely quite the place from what I’ve seen and experienced already.”
Lawrence nodded, glancing in the direction of the main house. “Yes, I’ve heard that too. Mrs. Corrigan, right? You should be careful around here and with the Corrigans. They can be nice one moment and turn the next. Even on each other.”
Lawrence was solemn as he spoke, his words nothing like Doris and Lisa’s lighthearted banter earlier. She didn’t get the sense that he was gossiping, more that he was warning. Or preparing her for what was to come.
Isla nodded. “Got it. Any exceptions to that warning?”
“Not a warning.” Lawrence thought about it. “Consider it advice. Advice from an old hat to the new.”
“Advice,” she reiterated.
He scratched at his stubble, taking her question into deep consideration. This was a person who didn’t speak without thinking. One who held his cards close and kept his head down. She noted that too.
He said, “Maybe the youngest not so much. But she’s rarely around now that she’ll be going back to school soon.”
“What about Myles?”
“What about him?”
“Any insight?”
Lawrence shook his head, amused. “That’s all you’re going to get out of me, Miss Lucky Lady.” He moved the mulch against the trunk of an oak, propping it so it wouldn’t fall over, and dusted his hands on his jeans.
“Why do you call me that?”
Lawrence gave her a look that said she should get serious. “Let’s just say you should play the lotto, as lucky as you are to get this gig the way you did. We’ve all heard about it.”
“Could I interview you about Victor to get some insight on him from your perspective? It would be invaluable.”
He scoffed. “How would you know it’s invaluable? We just met two minutes ago.”
She tapped near the bottom of one of her eyes, grinning mischievously. “I have a good eye for these things.”
Lawrence made a face like he didn’t believe her but was just humoring her. Isla bet Lawrence did this often with the people he worked with and for.
“I’ll think about it while you go around a bit. I’ll be interested to hear what your good eye uncovers.”
Isla paused. Another interesting choice of words. Very deliberate from someone who spoke very purposefully. She looked at the key again and did a sweep for the matching cart.
“I was going to go around and get the lay of the land, but I’m having an issue with finding the right cart.”
“I think walking gives you more perspective and appreciation for the grounds. I can show you around to some key places you probably haven’t seen yet.”