‘Always thought I’d quite like to bling it up,’ he said. ‘You know. Get a massive place with a pool, loads of fast cars, women, dress up like a pimp. But I seem to have got the luxury lifestyle before the fame, somehow, so . . . I don’t know.’
Jenna snuffled with amusement. ‘I’m trying to picture you in the white fur coat and all the jewellery. Really can’t. You just aren’t LA.’
‘Oh, aren’t I? Thanks for that. Guess I’ll stay in Bleddy then, shall I?’
‘No, I mean, you’re too down to earth for all that La-La stuff. They wouldn’t know what to make of you.’
‘I don’t care what anyone makes of me. If I’m famous, it’s for my paintings. They can stick to making something of them. I don’t want all the magazine lifestyle crap. I just want my painting and my Jen.’
She sighed happily, wriggling against him.
‘Don’t ever change,’ she whispered.
‘I don’t plan on it.’
Chapter Eleven
WHEN JENNA AND Jason returned to Harville Hall, they found Kayley in the kitchen. This wasn’t a great surprise to them, as she’d been cat-sitt
ing Bowyer in their absence and so had a key and licence to spend time in the house if she wanted.
‘Hey up, how’s our boy?’ asked Jason, slipping out through the French doors and calling the cat in.
‘He’s been fine,’ said Kayley. ‘Caught some mice out the back there. There must be nests and nests of ’em. That garden’s gone wild since . . .’
She trailed off.
Jenna recalled the tale Kayley had told of her history at the house – the wild parties with Lawrence Harville, ultimately resulting in his blackmailing her to lie about the false charges against Jason.
The residual stirrings of her loathing of the previous homeowner dealt her a stab in the heart, accompanied by a little wave of resentment at Kayley. The latter was soon chased away by the much better memory of how she had come clean and saved the day in the end.
‘Jason’s made a start on it,’ said Jenna. ‘But it’ll take time.’
‘Yeah. I’ll put the kettle on, eh? How was London?’
‘Good.’ Jenna put her handbag on the table and took the weight off her weary driving feet. She missed the days of having a driver. Having staff. Perhaps once this sabbatical was over she’d hire more, make an employment programme out of it for Bledburnians in need of a job. ‘I’ve got some news actually. I’m going to need your capable assistance.’
‘Well, you know I’m here for you. Since I got the push from the Youth Service, I’m free to help with whatever.’
‘I told you I’d retain you. I’m putting you on a salary from the end of this month.’
‘Really?’ Kayley turned around from the kitchen counter, her eyes shining. ‘I mean, it’s too good of you, considering . . .’
‘All’s well that ends well,’ said Jenna. ‘Let’s leave all that behind us and just get on with things.’
‘Fine by me. So what’s the big news?’
‘Jason’s going to have an exhibition. Here.’
‘What, like, in Bledburn?’
‘In the Hall. Right here. Before I finish the renovations.’
Kayley clattered more than was necessary in the setting out of the teacups.
‘Oh my God, that’s amazing. When?’
‘We haven’t set a date yet, but I don’t see the point in hanging about. Jason’s got more than enough work to show, and as long as the pre-publicity’s good, we should expect plenty of viewers.’