Read Wickham Hall: Part Four - White Christmas for Free Online

what is different,’ I said, beaming. ‘I don’t have any plans. You know, all my life I’ve freaked out if things aren’t in order or tidy or “in the plan”. Maybe it’s time to, as you would say, “live in the moment”. So as far as plans go, I’m going to be taking a leaf out of your book. Trying it your way. What’s so funny?’ I said suddenly, noticing that Esme’s shoulders were shaking.
    She dropped her bacon roll onto her napkin. ‘Just that I was going to say the same to you. From now on I’m doing it
your
way.’
    I blinked at her and slurped my tea. ‘What do you mean?’
    She took a deep breath.
    â€˜I need a plan. And quick. I think we might have a buyer for the shop.’
    â€˜Oh, that’s good, isn’t it?’
    Esme’s shoulders sagged. ‘Well, Dad’s delighted. Mum’s having second thoughts. She’s had a new lease of life since starting the personal shopping thing. She had a group of eight here last night, all taking turns in the fitting room. And I definitely don’t want to sell. I’m wondering whether I could take over the business myself and let Mum go part-time. But I need a plan to make Joop more profitable.’
    â€˜Esme Wilde, that’s brilliant!’ I abandoned my breakfast and hugged her tight. ‘You could definitely run this place by yourself. And I’m so proud of you.’
    â€˜Well, money will be tight to start off with so . . .?’ She opened her eyes wide and stared at me.
    I cringed. ‘I can’t really help out, Es. I’m going to need cash for a deposit on somewhere to live.’
    â€˜I don’t need cash, you plonker,’ she cried, thumping my arm. ‘I need a lodger. You need somewhere to live . . .’
    I smiled at her as I hesitated to give her an immediate reply. Esme would be fun to live with and she had been nagging me to move in with her ever since she first got her own flat, but something held me back. I was reluctant to take the easy option. For once in my life I wanted to force myself out of my comfort zone and try something different.
    â€˜Thanks for the offer, Es, but I think it’s time to strike out on my own.’
    My best friend pulled a sad face. ‘Fair enough, but if you need somewhere temporary, you know where I am.’
    I kissed her cheek. ‘I’ll remember that. Actually, I might ask Lord Fortescue if he has anything going.’
    â€˜At Wickham Hall?’ she wheezed, banging her chest as a morsel of bread went down the wrong way.
    â€˜No!’ I laughed. ‘On the estate. Quite a few of the staff live in tenanted cottages; they’re highly sought after, though.’
    Jim and his wife lived in Wickham-owned cottages, as did Edith; Lord Fortescue had granted them lifelong tenancies. I wasn’t sure I’d need anything quite that permanent, but I was confident that he would be a fair landlord. And it would be good to stay close by.
    Esme winked. ‘Now that would be handy for when Ben comes back.’
    â€˜Two words,’ I replied: ‘Lady Fortescue. One sniff of impropriety and she’ll have me deported.’
    She rolled her eyes. ‘Honestly.’ She sighed. ‘When are you two going to wake up and smell the pheromones?’
    â€˜Part two of the news coming right up.’ I jumped to my feet. ‘But first, let’s start hanging that new stock.’
    There appeared to be far too much clothing for one tiny boutique but Esme assured me that it was less than normal, due to their precarious cash flow. The next two weeks of pre-Christmas and, more importantly, pre-New-Year’s-Eve trading would see off most of it, she reckoned. We removed the plastic garment bags and sorted items by colour and collection, with Esme dipping in and out of the task between customers.
    â€˜What we really need is for our suppliers to offer us sale or return to avoid