‘Wow, impressive.’

‘I like to think so,’ said Amanda.

‘What is that exactly?’ he asked.

‘I gather key data, study and report on the mathematical and statistical components of a business. Primarily I help companies manage or avoid financial risks.’

‘Oh, like Ros,’ he said, pointing at her proudly.

‘No, not really,’ said Amanda. ‘What attracted you to Rosanna?’

Barry almost choked on his roast potato but Cameron remained unfazed by the question. ‘She’s smart, funny, kind-hearted and she’s really straightforward. What you see is what you get.’

His unexpected kind words brought a lump to Ros’s throat. She couldn’t remember anyone ever saying something so nice about her before. Then reality gave her a slap and she remembered she was paying him.

‘Oh and she’s gorgeous too,’ he added quickly.

‘I see. And Rosanna. What do you see as Cameron’s key attributes?’

‘Amanda, maybe leave the inquisition until after dinner,’ said Barry, looking embarrassed.

Amanda was still waiting for a reply. Ros put down her cutlery and what she said came from the heart. ‘He works really hard, with his job, his studying and volunteering but he still has time for me. He’s really thoughtful. He’s like human sunshine. He always sees the positive in situations and people and in me, no matter what. And I feel blessed to have met him.’

Cameron rested a hand over hers and they both glanced at each other at the same time. Was Ros imagining that they had a connection? Perhaps it was just the ridiculousness of the situation they found themselves in, but she felt connected to Cameron in a way she never had to anyone else. And in that moment she knew her feelings for him ran deep. When they’d drawn up the contract she’d never considered she might get her heart broken in the process; that definitely wasn’t a risk on her list. She realised they were still looking into each other’s eyes when Cameron squeezed her hand.

She broke eye contact, looking down to slosh a bit more gravy over her Yorkshire pudding. She couldn’t risk him reading her face like a book and figuring out what she was thinking about him.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Darla yawned and stretched. She’d enjoyed her lie-in. Although she wasn’t as comfortable as she could be. Something tickled her nose. Her eyes snapped open to see Elliott waving a piece of straw in her face. ‘Hey!’ For a moment she wondered where on earth she was and why she was asleep next to Elliott.

‘Hello, sleeping beauty, I made you a coffee.’

Darla realised she’d been curled up asleep on the hay bales. She quickly checked her lips for dribble and her eyes for crusty bits of sleep before sitting upright. ‘I must have nodded off.’

‘Sorry, that’s my fault.’

‘Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re not that dull.’

‘I meant because I got you up in the middle of the night,’ said Elliott.

‘In that case it is entirely your fault.’

‘Peace offering?’ He picked up a steaming mug of coffee and she took it.

‘Ta. At least we got them all fed.’ Darla looked over at the pile of lambs where they had returned to their huddle under the lamp. They looked so cute all cuddled up together and far sweeter than they were when they were demanding milk with menaces.

Elliott sat down beside her but he was pulling a face. ‘Yeah, about that. They need feeding every couple of hours. So after the coffee we do it all again.’

‘Blimey, it’s relentless.’

‘That’s farming,’ said Elliott.

They sipped their drinks. ‘I expect you’re used to it. It being in your blood and everything. The only things in my bloodline are an ancient right to graze sheep in Oxford city centre, an allergy to mustard and my mother’s cleaning obsession.’

Elliott pulled in a long breath and exhaled slowly. ‘I never wanted to take over the farm. I studied civil engineering at university. My dad and I frequently rowed about it but Mum understood I had to choose my own path. I loved my job. I’d always dreamed of building bridges. However, life had other plans and when faced with the choice of selling the farm or leaving my job and giving it a go as a farmer I knew I’d regret it if I didn’t at least try.’

She’d not been expecting that. ‘I think you’re doing great.’

He snorted a laugh. ‘I’m muddling along really. Horace was a godsend but now it’s just me and I’m still not sure I’m cut out for it.’

‘You look the part,’ said Darla, taking in his robust physique.

‘Yeah, dirty overalls are what all the women are into this season.’

‘But it’s honest work. That’s a good thing. Not that being a civil engineer isn’t an honest job. But I guess you need to do what makes you happy. Only you know what that is.’

‘That’s the thing: I’m not sure. There are pros and cons with both jobs. There’s more of a sense of achievement every day with farming but the pay as a civil engineer is definitely something I miss, and I really loved the whole engineering and build process. There’s also the chance to travel, which I’ve always wanted to do.’

‘Oh me too, the travel part. I long to see different cultures and immerse myself in another way of life. But if you could do it as part of a job that would be very cost-effective.’

‘Don’t remind me. I’m missing out on business-class travel and top hotels as well as the big salary!’

‘As long as you’ve got food and shelter, money’s only fun tokens, and I know how to get loads of free ones of those.’

Elliott looked confused. ‘Now you’ve definitely lost me.’

‘All money does is buy little moments of pleasure. But there are so many you can find for free. They might not be exactly the same but in my experience money causes a lot of problems.’

‘Now I’m intrigued.’ He twisted his body to look at her square on and she felt put on the spot. She studied him for a moment. Could she trust him? It wasn’t likely he would bump into her parents. He seemed like a decent person and he’d just shared with her so why not?

‘I went into business with my ex-boyfriend. Only it turns out all the business ventures were cons. For a short while I thought I was minted; we had money coming in all over the place and I, like a fool, didn’t query it. But then all of sudden the money disappeared and so did he, leaving me with whopping debts, angry people after me and bailiffs on the doorstep.’

‘Shit, Darla. I’m so sorry. What a bastard. What did you do?’

‘I’ve not exactly finished doing it yet, which is why I’m living in someone else’s house, and juggling two other jobs. Actually three now I’ve got a gig cleaning your mate’s yacht. And that is an excellent segue into my money tokens example. I could never afford to buy a fancy yacht or even rent one for the day but I get to clean one.’

Elliott laughed but stopped when he spotted her unimpressed face. ‘Oh, you’re serious.’

‘Yes. Because I get to spent a few hours a week in a beautiful environment and I get to have a coffee break and sit in luxury and soak it up, and I bet the people who go on it usually don’t even notice the things I do. Like the softness of the cushions, the perfectly stitched leather seats and the sparkle when the sun shines on the water. And that little experience costs me nothing, in fact they pay me. I’m totally winning at life.’

Elliott laughed. ‘You are the most positive person I have ever met. Most would be devastated that they had to pay all that money back. You were conned, just as much as anyone your ex owed money to.’

‘I was down for a bit but I had two choices: declare myself bankrupt and disappoint my parents or find a way to pay it all back. And do you know what, I’m on track to do it.’ She couldn’t help feel a little bit of pride at what she had achieved.

‘That’s amazing.’

Darla’s phone pinged and with a happy smile on her face she pulled it from her pocket. A message from her wanker ex-boyfriend had been the very last thing she’d expected to see.