‘Robin, turn off the irrigation at the mains and make sure the timer is turned off so it doesn’t come on in the morning.’
‘Yes, boss,’ he said, jogging away.
She turned to Bill. ‘Dad, call old man Hibbert. It was George. I know it was. Find out where he was tonight.’
‘Laurel, it’s gone ten,’ Bill said.
‘If you don’t want to call him, I will,’ she said darkly. ‘And I guarantee you, he will not appreciate a call from me.’
‘Okay, okay. I’ll call him.’ Bill squinted at his phone.
‘I’m going to check the CCTV in the office.’ She turned to him, deflated. ‘You don’t have to hang around here, Nate.’
He looked around at the Fletcher men busily doing her bidding and the farm that she had built.
‘I’ll come up with you.’
‘Okay, but you don’t have to.’ Laurel’s face was tight.
‘Look, just let me help,’ he said.
He was rewarded with a little nod, a yes, she was letting him in, letting him help her. He put his arm around her shoulders as they turned towards the admin building.
‘Laurel, David’s not happy, but he’s coming,’ Jack called. ‘Nate, can I have a word?’
‘Good,’ she called back.
‘I won’t be a minute,’ he said quietly to Laurel and jogged back over to Jack.
Jack was looking past him, watching Laurel head towards the admin building.
‘What’s up?’ Nate said, expectantly.
Now was not the time for a catch up chat.
Jack took a breath and set his jaw, face illuminated by the artificial light coming from the shed.
‘I like you, man, I do.’ His voice was steel and flint. ‘But if you hurt Laurel, then I will hold you down while Robin smashes your face in.’
‘What are you talking about?’ Hurting Laurel? They weren’t going out. They were just friends.
‘Don’t be stupid. Can’t you see the way she looks at you? And I certainly see the way you look at her.’
‘What? Like she’s my friend?’ Nate snapped. What the fuck was Jack going on about?
‘You can tell yourself that all you like, man,’ Jack scoffed. ‘You search her out all the time, you smile when she smiles. You look at her just a little bit too long.’
What? ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about.’
‘Whatever man. But I’m telling you, if you break her, I’ll kill you.’ Jack assessed him slowly, letting it sink in. ‘If this is George Hibbert, and I think it is, she’ll put on a brave face, but she’ll be scared.’
Nate scrubbed a hand over his face.
‘What’s George Hibbert’s thing with Laurel?’
Jack shrugged. ‘He never got over her. It was only ever a one night stand for her and it was two years ago, but now he’s got a massive chip on his shoulder. He’s bitter and spiteful, and obviously a twat.’ He glanced at his phone. ‘I’ve got to go and see Rebecca. She wants an update. See you later, man.’
Jack jogged away with a wave over his shoulder and Nate headed for the admin building and Laurel.
