Deadlight-Hall(66)

‘Well, it was. And we’re so close, so intimate on every level, until it comes to—’

‘The sordid subject of coinage.’

‘Yes. But here’s the picture. I can cash in some bonds and things that I bought after Brad died,’ said Nell. ‘And there’s one of the insurance payouts I had when he died, which is on long deposit or something like that. That’s the largest sum. Only there’s a penalty for cashing it before the expiry date, so there wouldn’t be nearly as much as I thought. The bank say they could most likely work out a business loan, but it would be a bit of a millstone. And if the business slumped – even if there were a couple of poor years …’

‘Yes, I see all that.’ Michael was not looking at her. In a voice that Nell thought was deliberately offhand, he said, ‘Have you thought about having an investor in the business?’

‘You mean a partner?’

‘Not exactly. But someone with an interest. Financially, I mean. Would that solve the shortfall?’

Nell stared at him. ‘You mean you?’

‘I think I do.’

‘But that’s quite a large amount. Fifteen thousand pounds at least.’

‘I know. It mightn’t be possible to do it, but there are some shares and stuff from my grandfather. I’ve never touched them – I just let the bank sort them into suitable accounts, and some interest accrues. I’d have to find out exactly how much they’d realize, but I think there could be enough.’

‘Would you cash in things like that, though? A family legacy?’

‘I’d be doing it for you,’ he said. ‘For you and Beth. So of course I would. Only I don’t know if you’d want me to do it. I don’t know if you’d want such a definite commitment.’

‘Would you want it?’

‘Yes,’ he said.

‘It would have to be properly drawn up. Legally drawn up.’

‘Certainly.’

‘We’d have to agree on what share you’d get of the profits, and all sorts of things. But,’ said Nell, thinking hard, ‘if we agree we’ll do it – and if the money’s there … Yes, I think I’d want to take your offer up.’ She turned on the pillows to look at him. ‘I can’t believe I’ve just said that,’ she said. ‘I’ve been so determined to be independent.’

‘I know you have. It’s one of the things I love about you. But you still would be independent. I wouldn’t even expect “West and Flint” over the door.’

‘I expect we could have that if you wanted.’

‘For the moment,’ said Michael, speaking slowly, as if he was choosing his words with infinite care, ‘I think this is as far as you’d want to go. But I think it’s something we might find would – well, it would give an extra layer to our relationship, wouldn’t it?’

‘Yes,’ said Nell. ‘Yes, it would.’

‘It feels as if we’ve made a decision.’

‘It does rather, doesn’t it?’ Nell reached up to trace the lines of his face. ‘Ought we to celebrate that?’

‘What a good idea,’ said Michael, pulling her against him.

Some considerable time later, Michael said, ‘Did we establish if you’re coming on the Porringer hunt with me tomorrow?’

Nell had been sliding into a warm, deeply contented sleep, but she came out of it slightly. ‘I’d like to. It’s half-day closing, so I could shut the shop at midday.’

‘Half-day closing. What a quaint old-fashioned custom.’

‘I suppose if you become an investor, you’ll demand a twelve-hour day and no holidays. Wasn’t it Scrooge who said, “It’s Christmas – take the day off”?’

‘I’ll install a system of clocking in and piece work,’ promised Michael.

‘And wear one of those sexy Victorian frock-coats, and glower over the ledgers?’

‘Yes, but I draw the line at a stovepipe hat.’

‘Pity. Even so, I’d like to Porringer hunt with you,’ said Nell.

‘In that case I’ll cancel the order for the time sheets. Are you going back to sleep now, or what?’

‘Is there anything else on offer?’

‘There might be,’ said Michael. ‘Yes, I believe there might be.’

‘Oh, good …’