‘So, what are you going to do?’
Maxine put her empty glass down on a nearby table. ‘Well,’ she said, taking Gordon’s arm. ‘After we’ve had an early night and a very long lie-in in our empty nest, I’m going to take a leaf out of Dominic’s book and set up a website selling originals, limited edition prints and I might even take commissions.’
‘Really?’
They moved to the door of the pub and slipped outside into the dark, chilly night. Maxine nodded. ‘Miranda’s going to help with a website – she’s got friends in the art business who she’s already tapped up for advice. She assures me it’s not difficult these days and there’s lots of on-line help too. Once it’s up and running it’ll be a nice little earner.’
‘You don’t need to earn. I mean, the sale of Mum’s house will see us right for ever.’
‘I know that but, if and when Abi has a family, I thought she could take over running it, because she could do it from home. She could have a nice fat percentage of the sales and if she works from home, she mightn’t need us for any child care. Win-win.’
‘Not only a super talented artist but a genius.’
In the dark Maxine smiled smugly to herself and then quashed it. The last time she’d felt smug the gods had done their best to ruin it all and she wasn’t going to risk it happening again. Instead she gave Gordon a peck on the cheek. ‘Thank you for the compliment, darling. Come on, Mr Larkham, let’s make best use of having our house back.’
‘Let’s,’ said Gordon happily as they headed for home.
About the Author
CATHERINE JONES lives in Thame, where she is an independent councillor. She is the author of nineteen novels, including the Soldiers’ Wives series, written under the pseudonym Fiona Field.
Acknowledgements
Writing is a solitary business but I am blessed to have a wonderful team behind me who I can totally rely on for encouragement, advice and support when needed: Rosie de Courcy, my editor at Head Of Zeus, who has the sharpest mind in the business and who makes such brilliant suggestions for the tweaks to make the story and the characters so much more ‘right’; Laura Longrigg, my agent, who is always there if I need her and who listens to my ideas before steering me in more sensible directions; Rhea Kurien at Aria for her enthusiasm and knowledge of the digital market and her belief in me; for my friends in the RNA who get all the ups and downs of this writing business and throw some of the best parties in the industry; and my Chez Castillon buddies – Janie Millman, Katie Fforde, Benardine Kennedy, Jo Thomas, Jane Wenham-Jones and Judy Astley – who have made me laugh more than any group of people I know. A debt of gratitude and very possibly a large drink is owed by me to all of you.
I also need to thank Dr Pat Smith for the advice about the medical side of this book. Pat, if it’s still not right, this isn’t your fault – I am bad at taking notes so I may have misinterpreted what you said.
And last but not least I need to thank Mr Jones for being patient when I bang on about writing, about plots, about characters and anything to do with fiction. He is a non-fiction man through and through and he really doesn’t get the fantasy worlds I like to create but he still listens – well, he says he does...
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Homes and Hearths in Little Woodford Page 30