It's Sunday and a long time since I've shared a Sunday Snippet.
BUT...
I found out this morning that it's available now to PRE-ORDER from AMAZON UK.
One click HERE will take you to this fun romantic mystery that's only 99p!
It would be fantastic to hear what you think of this new, less sensuous, version of my original mystery story!
The extract is from Chapter Six.
(Luke Salieri is coming to realise that Rhia Ashton's help to solve his mystery will be given, but only after he concedes to some of her requests.)
****
“What else have you organised already?” She grabbed up her knife and
fork and stabbed the first thing she could find on her plate.
Luke exhaled as though any conversation was a trial for him now. “You
may already have heard some activity at Greywood?”
She nodded her tone still challenging. “You’re certainly right about
that. They woke me up far too early this morning.”
“Sorry,” Luke continued not really sounding contrite. “That was the
scaffolding arriving. We start early to maximize the daylight hours.”
“Of course, never waste a minute,” she scorned. She was beginning to
think that should be his nomenclature.
“You’re right; I don’t like wasted time.” He sounded very irritated by
her censure yet resumed the conversation. “Teams of craftsmen are starting roof
and stonework repairs at Greywood Hall at first light tomorrow. Other teams are
going inside to finalise the assessment of internal damage so that work on
internal renovations can begin as soon as possible, once I evaluate their
findings.”
He mechanically cut up his salmon and popped a bit in his mouth, now
unruffled. Five minutes later he was still outlining the more long term plans he’d
already instigated for Greywood Hall.
“You’ve arranged all this so soon?” Rhia was astonished. She’d moped
around for the past twenty four hours daydreaming, wondering what the hell she’d
got herself into, and he’d been organising goodness knows what.
“Rhia, it’s my job.” Luke smiled, for the first time a truly natural
smile.
It whacked her in the gut!
“But it’s impossible to get craftsmen to do even small repairs
immediately unless it’s a major catastrophe. How did you manage it?” She was
impressed by his information, unable to maintain a stiff attitude.
Luke grinned. Her tension eased a little more. They continued to eat,
their mouthfuls interspersed with sips of water alternating with the delicious
crisp white wine he’d ordered.
“One advantage of having a lot of money is to pay people to do what you
want, when you want. I have an army of highly skilled workers at my beck and
call. If they have to be away from their home base for short durations, they
know their pay will be generous, covering any inconvenience caused.”
“Greywood Hall is a large property. It’s going to take lots of people
forever to restore it if you do it properly.”
“Properly? What do you mean?”
“Renovations need to be thoroughly planned and not rushed. You mustn’t
spoil the character of it, Luke.”
Not in the least put out by her doubtful tone, he smiled. “For the last
five years I’ve been doing major renovations on English properties: most of
them sites of some historical significance. I assure you I won’t be rushing in
and wrecking the character or the ambience of the place.”
“It’s got a lot of dignity, even if it is run down.” Wistful images made
her eyes glisten.
“Have you ever been inside?”
“No, of course I haven’t.”
His hand reached across the table and gently clasped her fingers. “Would
you like to?”
****
Meanwhile I'm off to make a new book trailer video!
Slainthe!
