Flora's Lot by Katie Fforde (best books under 200 pages TXT) 📗

‘It wouldbe wonderful if you could arrange all that,' said MrsJenkins. 'My husband's right. I'm sure we don't wantanything and I just can't cope with the mess. It's so squalid, I feel ashamed.'

‘Weall have eccentric relations,' said Charles, casting a quick glance in Flora's direction so she was inno doubt about whom he was referringto. 'They often have eccentric wills, too.'

‘We'respared that,' said Mrs Jenkins. 'I'm his only surviving relative. Really, Mr Stanza, you've been very kind. Idon't know how we're going to repay you.'

‘Well,there's a seller's premium and a small letting fee,' said Charles with another of his charming smiles. 'So I'llbe making lots of money out of you.’

Seeing theway he was with this upset, embarrassed woman madeFlora warm to him. He had a stuffy and conventional veneer but not far beneathit was a man who could be very kind and very tactful. He wouldjust never be likethat with her.

*

They wereon the way home, both exhausted and in need ofsteam cleaning and sterilisation (or at least, that was how Flora felt), when Flora's phonewent.

‘Is that you, Flora?'

‘Annabelle? Do you want Charles? I'll just wait till he's pulledover and pass him the phone.'

‘No! It'snot him I want, it's you! But not when Charles is there, I want to speak to you alone.’

She soundedrather odd and Flora's stomach churned. What couldbe the matter? Had Imelda taken a fit and ruined thecottage? Or worse, and much more likely, had shediscovered William? But if so, why would she want totalk to her on her own about it? Surely Annabelle could rantand rave on that subject in Charles's hearing. 'Ofcourse, Annabelle,' said Flora meekly. 'When would be convenient?'

‘Whatdoes Annabelle want?' asked Charles. 'Hang on, I'll pull over.'

‘No, it's me she wants.’

But it wastoo late. A handy lay-by had appeared andCharles had swung into it before Flora had finished speaking. He took the phone from her.'Darling? What is it? Ghastly valuation. I'mso glad you weren't there.’

Floraharrumphed in her seat. He wouldn't want Annabellehaving to deal with sour milk and filth, rat droppings and cockroaches, but forher it was consideredgood training.

Charleshanded back the phone. 'She wants to discuss theinventory with you. She'll meet you in the Coach and Horses.It opens at six. I'll drop you off and she can take you to the office to pick up theLand-Rover.'

‘Hangon! Annabelle?' But Annabelle had disconnected. 'I'm filthy, Charles! Besides, it's choir night.’

Hefrowned. 'Is that so important to you? You've only justjoined, after all. You can't be making such a huge contribution yet.’

This hurt,but she ignored it. 'Maybe not, but they welcomed me in. I can't just not turnup.'

‘Andyou can't leave Annabelle at the Coach and Horses. I do think you should make some effort to get on withher, Flora.'

‘ButI'm filthy! I probably stink! Wouldn't Annabelle understand if I told her I needed to go home and change?'

‘I'm sureshe'd understand but I'm not sure she'd appreciateit. Give her a call and say you can't be long. Shall Ifind the number for you?' He made to take her phone from her.

‘No,it's OK,' she snapped, 'I've got it. Annabelle? I won't be able to stay long because I'm reallygrubby and must check on my cat. It'schoir tonight or I'd do that all first and meet you later.'

‘Inmy experience you always get dirty doing valuations,' Annabelle said loftily. 'It's one of the reasons I hate doing them. OK. We'll sit in the snug. Therewon't be anyone we know in there.’

If Florahadn't been suffering from a guilty conscience aboutallowing William to stay, she would never have agreed to meet Annabelle.

‘Itlooks like it's my turn to cook tonight again,' said Charles a few moments later, making what wouldqualify for anyone else as polite conversation.

‘Oh.'In spite of herself, Flora was surprised. 'Do you cook often?'

‘Ohyes. Annabelle always cooks if we entertain, but the humdrum stuff getsleft for me, mostly.’

Flora feltan unexpected pang of sympathy. He'd had a very longday. He probably didn't want to start cooking the momenthe got home. 'If I were you, I'd get a takeaway, or go out.’

Charles sighed. 'I probably will. I'vegot a lot of phoning to do when I get in andI won't have time to do much in the way of cooking.'

‘Youwent the extra mile for those people today, didn't you? You could have just given them the names ofthe house-clearance people, and theremoval firm. You didn't have to say you'd arrange it all.’

He shrugged. 'I felt sorry for them,that's all.' He brightened up. 'Althoughthere's quite a valuable estate underneath the squalor.’

*

Flora didthe best she could in the pub's Ladies', but apart fromgetting the streaks of dust off her face, there wasn't muchshe could do. Already her standards had slipped,she thought, turning up at a pub wearing clothes she'd been doing a mucky job in all day.

Annabellehad already ordered two glasses of mineral water andwas looking quite untidy too. She was fiddling with her hairband, trying to putit back in, but not doing very well, for some reason.

‘Here,'said Flora, taking it from her. 'Let me help.' She put the Alice band on the table. 'Much better.'

‘Oh, but .. .' began Annabelle, and then said, 'Perhaps you're right.'

‘Whatdid you want to see me about?' asked Flora.

Annabellesat forward in her seat. 'Well, when I was at the cottage, taking theinventory, I saw a man.'

‘Oh no,'said Flora nervously, unable to decide if she should admit to knowing William or not.

‘Hewas in the garden, doing some sort of exercises. He was stark naked.'

‘Ohmy God!' Flora was genuinely shocked this time. 'Did you call the police?' Really, William was the giddy limit! He had the whole damn forest to pranceabout naked in, why did he choose todo it in her garden?

‘No!' saidAnnabelle, leaning closer. 'He looked - I mean, hedidn't look like a criminal, or anything. He wasn't doing any harm. It was just veryodd.'

‘Oh,'said Flora again, surprised. She hadn't expected Annabelle to discriminate - any naked man in the garden wastrespassing, surely?

‘Flora'- Annabelle gave her a hard look - 'do you know him?’

Flora tooka long sip