Home is Where the Heart Is Read Online Free

commendable, but you'll find it easier all round if you just stick to the jobs you were asked to do in future." He went into his study but reappeared a moment later to say,
    "You can add flower arranging to your list; you've got quite a knack, I see. I'll keep that vase in here providing it doesn't leak all over my precious papers." And then he disappeared again.
    Lindsey smiled as she resumed her dusting. She felt that she had won a slight victory after all. Her simple flower arrangement had evidently mellowed him.
     
    Lindsey stood outside the shopping precinct at Barford. It was one of those crisp, bright January days with an icy nip to the air that made one's fingers tingle. She inhaled deeply. It was exhilarating.
    She was glad Simon Kirkby had allowed her to drive the red Mini, affording her a certain amount of freedom. It seemed to be the one placebo. Thank goodness she had bothered to take her test when she had been in England for a secretarial course all those years ago. It had certainly paid her to keep up her licence too.
    This job was already proving to be exacting. The chief problem was that she was housekeeper in name only. Everyone was extremely uncooperative, and almost resentful of her presence. Simon Kirkby should have advertised for a Friday Person or general factotum, she thought grimly.
    She was struggling with her laden baskets to the car park, when Dr. Andrew appeared from nowhere and hailed her cheerily. She waved back, as best she could, feeling an absurd surge of pleasure at seeing him again. In a few strides he had reached her side, grinning broadly in welcome.
    "Hello there, I seem destined to bump into you," He took her baskets.
    "I don't know about that," laughed Lindsey, "but you certainly seem destined to carry things for me."
    He laughed too. "Must be in my stars. I better read them when I get back to the flat. Bit parky today, isn't it?"
    "I like the freshness," Lindsey said simply. "That lovely tingling feeling as if you've just brushed your teeth."
    Andrew chuckled. "What a strange girl you are! You're certainly different from that Miss Pargiter. She was as sour as vinegar—No wonder the children couldn't stand her."
    "Perhaps she had reason to be," Lindsey said generously.
    "Oh, I can see you're a nice, kind-hearted creature."
    They reached the Mini and Andrew patted the little red car affectionately.
    "Hallo Jemima, long time no see. I'm glad to see this little car's back on the road again. It was such a waste, keeping her in the garage. At least Simon's got the sense to let you use her. I was beginning to think he was keeping her for a souvenir."
    Lindsey had realised that, "Jemima," had been her employer's wife's car when Susan had cried indignantly that morning, "Oh, why do you have to drive mummy's car?"
    Andrew put the shopping in the boot. "And now come and have some coffee so that we can get better acquainted."
    "Oh, but I'm officially on duty," protested Lindsey.
    "Nonsense! Come on now—even Simon's not going to begrudge you a cup of coffee."
    Lindsey looked at her watch, not wishing to appear too eager. She had just about got time before collecting the children from school. Just an innocent cup of coffee, surely there wouldn't be any harm in that, and she was longing for a bit of companionship.
    "Well, thank you, but it'll have to be a quick cup."
    Andrew took her arm and led her into the café in the precinct. It was an unpretentious place, with red gingham cloths and plastic cruets, but it was spotlessly clean and quiet. He collected their coffees from the counter, and heaved his rather large frame into the seat opposite her.
    "Not much room in these places is there!" He helped himself liberally to sugar, and sipped his coffee reflectively for a moment or two.
    "You know you mustn't let my cousin take you for granted. For goodness sake remind him about off duty, for instance, or you won't get any—take my word for it. He's not a bad chap really, I suppose, but he gets so