Falling for You by Jill Mansell

of tea?”
    Kate waited until her mother was back inside the house before saying, “I still don’t know what you’re doing here.”
    â€œRelax. You’re looking at me like I’m a dentist.” Will grinned and flopped down on the grass a few feet away from her.
    â€œIs it something to do with me?”
    â€œNothing at all to do with you, crosspatch. I’m making a documentary about your father and he was kind enough to ask me to stay for a few days. Although since the idea of the program is to see Oliver Taylor-Trent both at work and away from it, of course I’d like you to feature in the film.”
    A documentary. Well, she hadn’t seen that one coming.
    â€œCan I say no?”
    â€œOf course you can say no.”
    â€œGood. In that case, no.”
    Mildly, Will Gifford said, “That’s a shame. Why not?”
    â€œOh please, don’t tell me you hadn’t noticed.” Kate gazed steadily at him, hoping he’d be embarrassed.
    â€œYour face, you mean? Oliver told me about your accident. But I’m sorry. I don’t see how it’s relevant.”
    â€œOK, let me put it this way. Why on earth would I want to appear on TV, so that even more people can see my scars? Don’t you think it’s hard enough for me just walking down the street?”
    It was meant to be the ultimate riposte. Will Gifford spoiled it completely by tilting his head to one side and saying easily, “With fashion sense like mine, you get used to it.”
    If she hadn’t been lying flat on her back, Kate would have stamped her foot.
    â€œIt’s hardly the same thing, is it? Please don’t try to compare your hideous shirts with my face —”
    â€œYoo-hoo, here we are! Dad’s home,” sang Estelle, heading up the path with a tray of tea in her hands and Oliver Taylor-Trent following in her wake.
    Despite everything, Kate felt a lump form in her throat. Being back in Ashcombe was having a weird effect on her hormones; for a split second, she’d longed to scramble to her feet and hurl herself into her father’s arms. But since they weren’t a huggy family and Oliver certainly wouldn’t appreciate getting suntan lotion all over his Hugo Boss suit, she stood up and gave him a decorous kiss on the cheek instead. The next moment, he was briskly greeting Will Gifford, while Estelle fussed around with the tea tray and attempted to tear open a bag of shortbread with her teeth.
    â€œWill, welcome to Dauncey House. I don’t think we want tea, do we? Got a bottle of something decent in the fridge, darling? We should raise a toast to an interesting and mutually profitable project…and, Kate, maybe you’d be more comfortable slipping some clothes on?”
    As ever, Oliver had taken charge of the situation, reorganizing the family to his satisfaction. As Estelle rushed back inside with the no-longer-required tea and cookies, he put his hand on Will’s frayed shirt cuff and said, “While we’re waiting, why don’t I show you the grounds? Afterward you can see the rest of the house, then later on I’ll take you on a guided tour of our little town.”
    Our town , thought Kate. Like he owned it.
    â€œFantastic.” Winking at Kate, Will rubbed his hands together with boyish enthusiasm. “Can’t wait.”
    Kate pointedly ignored the wink. What an utter idiot.
    * * *
    Deliveries completed, Maddy was back in Ashcombe by one o’clock. Racing over to the Angel, she said, “Dexter, I know that deep down, beneath that horrid, grumpy exterior, you’re actually a sweet and lovely man.”
    â€œNo I’m not.” Dexter carried on hanging up beer mugs by their handles.
    â€œYou see? Modest too.” Plunging on, Maddy said, “And now I need a favor. Can I borrow Nuala, just for ten minutes?” It was Friday lunchtime and the pub was quiet. Dexter could easily handle the few