Rudy appeared a little hesitant, and Trevor almost answered for him.
“If it’s not too much bother?”
“Too much bother? Are you serious? One night you’re not here, and I’ve never seen this one look so miserable. Of course you’re welcome. But just so you know, you’re both on vegetable-peeling duty again today.”
“Anything you say, Mrs M,” said Trevor.
Both Rudy and Trevor laughed, Rudy placing an arm around Trevor’s shoulders. Everything felt right with the world again. Once everyone had settled, he and Rudy would carry on where they’d left off.
While Rudy went to the car to fetch his bag, Trevor strolled over to the door to the living area and, without anyone noticing him, propped his shoulder against the door jamb. Frank and Mary, the two he had been sure would end up hating each other, held court together, both clearly animated to have their hero staying with them. Karl sat smiling as he watched his happy wife, while Johnny, Antoni and Jessica appeared content simply to be a part of the fun. Breathing deep, he smiled at his friends gathered around the open fire, where Frank had them all laughing about a comment someone had made.
“Seriously, though, can you believe? That would be like me calling Johnny, Joanie or Sharon or Tracy!”
“You see?” said Mary smugly. “This is why I’m a better fan than you. If you really knew the Bulls as well as you say you do, you’d know his middle names are Edward Bruno. So his initials are D-E-B-I. Damian Edward Bruno Ingram. That’s why Helen called him Debbie.”
Despite the comfort and fierce warmth of the lodge heating, a sudden glacial coldness swept through Trevor.
Chapter Thirteen
Stay Another Day
Later in the afternoon, true to her word, Mrs M set Rudy and Trevor to work in the kitchen to ready food for their twelve guests. Twelve, Trevor mused. Finally, they had reached their traditional optimum number with this far from traditional crowd. Mrs M—usually flitting around the kitchen behind them—had been called to the shared bedroom by Cheryl for a private chat. A few minutes before he’d found out why when Cheryl had caught up with him in the hallway and whispered in his ear.
“Thanks for the chat earlier. I just had a stream of text messages from Hannah. She says she wants us to meet up when we’re both home after New Year. To talk things through.”
“Okay. That’s progress, isn’t it?”
“I don’t know, Mac. Do I trust her? Not really sure. Does she deserve a second chance? After what she did, same answer. I’m going to have a word with Mum right now. If you hear raised voices or screaming, come and bail me out.”
Trevor laughed and hugged her. “Helen’s nice,” he said.
“She is, isn’t she,” said Cheryl, brightening. “I’m so impressed that she’s a fully licensed pilot. She says if and when the weather improves, she’d be happy to take me and a friend up in the plane, maybe get some scenic photos of the area. How nice is that?”
“Wow, I’ve never heard that line before.”
“Trevor!” said Cheryl, shocked but laughing. “It’s not like that!”
“Isn’t it? How do you know?”
“Because she’s not, you know, like us.”
“Isn’t she? Are you sure?”
“Stop sidetracking me. And while I have a talk with Mum, go and find lover boy. I think he missed you.”
After she had gone, her words twisted in his gut when he thought of Damian and Rudy together. Now he and Rudy sat alone at the kitchen table, working quietly on the chores they’d been set.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Rudy asked for the second time, glancing sidelong at Trevor.
“I’m fine,” said Trevor, continuing to concentrate on his task, letting peel fall into a pile on the table then dropping bald potatoes into a saucepan full of cold water. Seconds later, he flinched when Rudy placed a warm hand on his thigh.
“Okay, Trev,” said Rudy, decisively putting down his peeler. “You’re not okay. Tell me what the problem—”
“Your lordship,” came a deep voice from behind them. Ingram stood there in tracksuit bottoms and a white T-shirt, his impressive pectorals and biceps on full display. Trevor could see the annoyance in the man’s face—even the slight flinch as he noticed the hand resting on Trevor’s thigh, something Rudy made no effort to remove.
“Yes, Damian,” said Rudy calmly.
“I need your help. The shower in the room’s not working.”
