Up Close and Personal Read Free Page A

room and set the tray down on an occasional table. Jess came trotting over to investigate, resting her chin on the edge of the tray. ‘No!’ Nathan said firmly, pushing the dog’s head roughly away with his knee. He offloaded two china cups and saucers, a fat brown teapot and a plate of shortbread fingers.
    ‘Are all these things family heirlooms?’ Dante asked, gesturing around the room.
    ‘Some of them are, but I believe most were bought at auction by Mr Ingram. He had an excellent eye for collectibles, as you can see.’ Nathan’s voice, which hitherto had been flat and expressionless, suddenly took on a new life. ‘Mr Ingram had expensive tastes, but then again he could afford to be extravagant; by all accounts, his shipping company was terribly successful. He was a generous man too. Every Christmas he’d host a carol concert at Ashwicke with all the money going to a local charity for children with terminal illnesses.’ Nathansighed. ‘No wonder everyone in the town held him in such high regard.’
    ‘Well,’ said Dante, who felt compelled to offer some sort of comment, ‘he sounds like a great guy.’
    ‘Sadly, I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I know lots of people around here miss him a lot.’
    Dante shifted from foot to foot, suddenly feeling awkward. ‘Do you live nearby?’ he asked.
    Nathan smiled tightly. ‘Actually, I’m in the lodge. It’s just by the entrance gates. You might have seen it when you drove past.’
    Dante nodded, though he didn’t remember seeing the building in question – there had been so much else to take in.
    ‘It’s rather bijou, but perfectly adequate for one.’
    ‘Do all the staff live in?’
    ‘No, just me. Mrs Ingram likes me to be close by, even when I’m off duty.’ The manager moistened each corner of his mouth with his tongue. ‘Just in case.’
    ‘Oh … okay,’ Dante said. He suddenly had an overwhelming urge to be alone, away from Nathan’s penetrating stare. ‘Well, it’s been nice talking to you.’
    The manager bowed his head obsequiously. ‘Likewise – and if you need any more information – regarding Ashwicke itself, or the local amenities – then don’t hesitate to ask.’
    ‘Thanks. I might just take you up on that; I’m not used to all this opulence.’
    The manager blinked. His eyes were cold and hard, like chips of ice. ‘No, I shouldn’t think you are.’
    When Nathan had gone, Dante sank into one of thewingback armchairs beside the fireplace. Jess immediately got up from her hidey-hole under the console table and settled at his feet with a great yawn.
    ‘At least somebody around here likes me,’ Dante muttered, as he petted the dog.
    A few moments later he heard the sound of Juliet’s heels clicking down the corridor. When she appeared at the door, he saw that she’d tied her hair back in a high ponytail and swapped her T-shirt for a light cashmere sweater.
    ‘I hope you haven’t been too bored,’ she said, flopping onto the armchair’s twin with a great sigh.
    ‘Nope, I’ve been chatting with Nathan.’
    ‘That’s nice.’ Leaning forward, Juliet picked up the teapot and began filling their cups.
    ‘He was telling me about Gus’s charity work,’ Dante went on.
    ‘Oh?’
    ‘I didn’t realize your late husband was such a pillar of the community.’
    Juliet made a little moue. ‘Everybody in Loxwood knew Gus; he was one of those larger than life characters.’
    Dante carried his tea to the window and looked out across the lawn. Dusk was falling and the sky had darkened to the colour of an old bruise. In the gloom he could just make out a wooden swing hanging from a large oak. Suddenly, the wind caught it, sending it rocking backwards and forwards as if propelled by an invisible hand. ‘I don’t think Nathan likes me,’ he said glumly.
    Juliet came to stand beside him, resting her head against his arm. ‘Don’t be silly, darling. He’s just a bit prim and proper, that’s all. He’ll soon