Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87538 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
If our inheritance hadn’t been stolen—or if our parents hadn’t died—I might have become a perpetual student. But it was and they did, so I can’t think about what more might have been.
SIXTEEN
Eira
We arrive in Norfolk nearly five hours after we set off. We’ve stopped twice. Once to feed Guinevere and once just to take her from the car seat when she seemed a little out of sorts. Or maybe it was me who was out of sorts. Going away with a new employer always has its challenges. Even when they’re not Dax Cove.
“So this isn’t your parents’ house?” I ask, looking around at the buildings surrounding us.
“No,” he replies. “They’re having some building work done on their place, so…”
It’s a beautiful red-bricked barn conversion, with buildings at the end of the driveway and either side. I just hope I don’t have to share a bathroom with anyone but Guinevere. I don’t want to bump into anyone in my PJs. Especially not Dax.
As a child, we never holidayed anywhere in the UK but Wales. Norfolk’s just like I imagined it: wide skies and flat, flat roads. Windmills and the gray sea.
“Hey Guinevere, we’re at Grandma and Grandpa’s house,” I say. “There’s going to be a lot of people who want cuddles with you. If you don’t like it, you just let us know, and Daddy will come and get you.” I’m trying to signal to Dax that he might need to manage his family when it comes to Guinevere. I can’t tell if he’s heard me.
I slip out of my side of the car as Dax opens Guinevere’s door. “Let’s get her in first and then I’ll come back for all the stuff.”
The temperature is chillier than it was in London.
“Should I put her pram-suit on?” he asks.
I glance at the door. It’s three steps away. “I would wrap her in that blanket and get her inside as soon as possible.” I pull out some bags and follow Dax. He reaches out to open the front door when it swings open.
“Daddy,” a tall guy in a suit says, beaming at Dax. I’ve not met him before, but there’s no doubt he shares Cove genes. He’s gorgeous.
“Don’t make that word sound dirty,” Dax snips. “Eira, this is Nathan,” he calls over his shoulder. “Second brother down.” He pushes past Nathan to get inside.
Nathan takes the bags I’m carrying and leads me inside. “Delighted to meet you. Thank you so much for coming with Dax. He’s the last person any of us expected to be a father. Two years ago he was still playing with Star Wars figurines.”
I hear Dax groan, but he doesn’t bother to respond, and I like him better for it. Eddie used to have a talent for pushing Dylan’s buttons and he’d bite—Every. Single. Time. I never understood why he didn’t just ignore her.
“Turn left under the staircase,” Nathan says. “Everyone’s in the kitchen.”
The four of us caterpillar through the house and as we round the corner, I hear the shrieks before I see who they’re coming from.
“My baby!” Carole says, her arms in the air. “My grandbaby!” She scoops Guinevere out of Dax’s arms and I half brace myself for her to start screaming, but she doesn’t.
“And darling Eira,” she says, putting her free arm around me to give me a half-hug. It’s a lovely and slightly unexpected welcome.
“I’m John.” A ruddy-faced, scowling man approaches me, offering his hand. I take it and he pats our handshake with his free hand. “Can’t believe you’re having to live with this one.” He nods at Dax. “I hope you’re not sharing bathrooms. Since he was a baby he’s clogged the loo eleven times. Eleven. Can you believe it?”
“John,” Carole reprimands her husband. “Don’t be saying stuff like that. No one wants to know that about our son.”
“But it’s true,” he says defensively.
“Well it might be, but it doesn’t need to be said. Eira doesn’t need to understand Dax’s loo-busting habits. She can find out in her own time.”
Dax looks at me, his eyebrows slightly raised in silent apology, and I offer a small smile. I don’t think my dad would have been able to tell people how many fingers and toes I had, let alone how many times I’d blocked the loo.
“Ignore my father.” I turn toward the familiar voice and see Jacob. “We all do. Thanks for coming. Do you want a cup of tea?”
“Oh, if you tell me where everything is, I’ll make everyone a cup,” I say.
“Good grief,” Carole says. “You’ve just got here. I’ll make the—no, I’ve got Guinevere. Jacob, you make the tea. I could do with a fresh cup, although I don’t like the water here.”
“Yes, I just offered to make the tea, but thank you for reassigning me the job,” Jacob says. “Eira, this is my wife, Sutton. She’ll introduce you to everyone else while I make the tea. We can’t leave it to Dax. He probably doesn’t know everyone’s names.”