Who Needs Mr Willoughby?. Katie Oliver

doesn’t? I’d have to live under a rock not to know who she is.”

      “I thought you did live under a rock, actually,” she shot back. “With all the rest of the gremlins and trolls.”

      “Trolls live under bridges.”

      “Whatever. Just go away.”

      “Fine,” he said grimly. “If that’s what you want, we’ll do this the hard way.”

      So saying, he cut the wheel sharply to the right, and she jumped back as the truck’s cab blocked her way. He reached out to fling the door open.

      “Now, stop acting like a dafty wench and get in,” he ordered.

      Marianne stared daggers at him. But her feet really, really hurt. And her brand new shoes were covered in mud. And she felt perilously close to tears.

      “Fine.” She spared him one more glare, then climbed back into the cab of the truck next to Emily and slammed the door. “Let’s go.”

      “Mind, it’ll still cost you twenty-five pounds,” he said as he shifted into gear and turned back onto the road. “It’s a fair price, the cost of petrol bein’ what it is.”

      She didn’t have the energy left to argue. “Fine. Whatever. I’ll pay you when we get there. I don’t have that much money on me.”

      “Suits me. But I’ll come in to make sure you keep your word, if you don’t mind. No running into the house and slamming the door in my face.”

      “I do mind. And it’s all you deserve.”

      He didn’t favour her with a reply, only scowled and shifted gears once again, and headed south, towards Hadleighshire.

      ***

      The truck slowed to a stop in front of Lady Violet’s country estate forty minutes later.

      “Holy shit,” the driver muttered as he took in the impressive stone face of Barton Park. “Should’ve asked you for a hundred pounds, at least.”

      “You’ll get twenty-five, as agreed,” Marianne snapped, “and not a penny more.”

      She slammed out of the truck and marched up the front steps to the door and rang the bell.

      “Can’t let yourself in?” he asked as he unfolded his long legs and got out to follow her up the steps. “Did you forget your key?”

      “I don’t live here, I’m only staying for a bit.”

      “Oh, aye,” he said, and nodded sagely. “Summering in the country at your best mate’s stately pile, are you? Must be exhausting being rich, I reckon, what with all of that travelling and jet-setting and whatnot. Wears a girl out.”

      Marianne didn’t bother to correct him. Let him think what he wanted, she thought grimly as the door swung open and Mrs Fenwick regarded them both in surprise.

      “Miss Holland, there you are. I was that worried after your last mishap, I was ready to call her ladyship and tell her you’d not come home yet, so I was.” She peered around Marianne at the truck. “Who’s this? And where’s the car?”

      “The car…broke down.” Marianne regarded the farmer with a flinty look and dared him to say a word to the housekeeper about the car’s theft. “Watch my friend here while I go upstairs and fetch him the outrageous sum of twenty-five pounds for bringing me home.”

      If she thought he’d be shamed into telling her to forget about the money, she was disabused of the notion when he gave her a cheeky smile and touched a finger to his forehead. “Much obliged.”

      She pressed her lips together and stalked upstairs to her room.

      Five minutes later, it was done. Marianne handed over the money and showed him to the door.

      “Thank you for the ride,” she said, stiffly.

      “It was my very great pleasure.” He folded the notes and tucked them into his jeans pocket.

      Marianne turned to their guest. “Well, it’s been most interesting, Mr –?” She stopped as she realised she didn’t know his name.

      “Just call me Farmer Brown,” he said, and cocked his brow. “Now if you ladies will excuse me, I’ve dogs and sheep to feed and a lamb to see to. A good day to you both.”

      With a nod of his head, he returned to the truck and got inside, and drove away down the drive, back to Endwhistle.

      “However did you meet that fellow?” Mrs Fenwick wondered.

      “Honestly, Mrs F,” Marianne said as she made her way back upstairs, “you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”

      ***

      After taking dinner in her room – there was little point in dining alone at that huge table – Marianne stood before the wardrobe and wondered what to wear for her interview tomorrow. Her clothes were filthy and her shoes – thanks to Brian and Danny and Farmer Brown – were now covered in mud.

      More to the point – how would she even get to Endwhistle without a car?

      “Miss Holland?” Mrs Fenwick knocked and thrust her head round the door. “You’ve a call from Lady Violet on line one.”

      “Oh. Okay, thanks.”

      Marianne went to the desk by the window and picked up the telephone receiver. What on earth could Lady V want? she wondered as she punched the blinking button. “Hello?”

      “Hello, Marianne. How are you managing so far?”

      Well, aside from the car breaking down and getting stolen by two not-so-Good-Samaritans, walking for miles in the rain and mud, and getting picked up by an extortionate uplands farmer, Marianne wanted to tell her, life is grand.

      “I’m fine, thanks, Lady Violet,” she said instead. She couldn’t quite bring herself to tell her about the car just yet. “How’s Edinburgh?”

      “Very well, thank you. I’m having a lovely visit with Lady Campbell. Although,” she added in a low, troubled voice, “that’s the reason I rang you. She’s feeling poorly and they’re putting her in hospital for some tests.”

      “Oh, I’m so sorry. I’m sure she’s glad you’re there.”

      “She is. In fact, I’ve changed my plans. I’ll be staying on here for at least another week. I hope you don’t mind.”

      “Not at all,” she assured the woman. “Mrs Fenwick and Bertie are taking good care of me. I should start my new job at the clinic in a week or two, so you’ve nothing to worry about.”

      “Wasn’t your interview today?”

      Marianne bit her lip. “It was. But the doctor got called away on an emergency and so I have to go back tomorrow.” Which was true. “Stay in Edinburgh as long as you need to, and don’t give me another thought.”

      “Very well,” Lady Violet said, a trace doubtfully. “If you’re sure you’ll be all right?”

      “I’m positive. Mum and Elinor will be here tomorrow, after all, so I’ll have all the company I need. And give my best wishes to Lady Campbell.”

      After exchanging a few more polite pleasantries, Marianne rang off.

      “Mrs Fenwick,” she called out as she ran down the stairs, “I’ve another teeny-tiny favour to ask…”

Chapter 9

      After Marianne confessed that Lady Violet’s car had been stolen and the incident reported to the police, Mrs Fenwick allowed that there was nothing more to be done and gave Marianne the use of their Peugeot.

      “Only so you can go off to