Away With the Fairies (The Swallow Barn Cottage Series, Book 2)

Play to Win, 1985

"...and I told him, 'Well, I'm married to Evelyn Cox. How's that for an inferiority complex?'" John delivered the punchline, and Fiona gasped.

"Seriously?" she asked bewildered. He nodded, giving her his charming lopsided grin, and she pressed her hands to her cheeks. "Wow," she exhaled.

He opened the lid of a pot on a hob and started fluffing up the rice. Fiona had cooked enough rice for butter chicken in her time to know he knew what he was doing.

"I think it's wonderful that you're married to Evelyn Cox," she said thoughtfully. "And it's a beautiful pen name. Is it 'cox' because of her red hair?"

"Yes, and Evelyn is a Popplewell family name."

He started chopping cilantro. Fiona admired his elegant graceful wrist movement. He must have had professional training, she thought.

"And like I said, it's wonderful to be in the same field with your spouse," she said. "You can understand and appreciate their work."

"I think anyone can see the magic that is your work, Fiona," he said softly. "You have an immense talent - and a sublime skill. And don't argue, please." He shook a cilantro branch at her, and she giggled. "I know my illustrations, and I'm picky," he said. "Yours? You will take our children's book department to the next level. And unlike Clem and I, who were luckily both in publishing and understood the value of each other's work, one just needs to have a pair of eyes to see yours. Am I right, Will?" he asked without lifting his eyes.

Fiona turned around sharply and saw Will stand in the doorframe. He was frowning for some reason, and Fiona gave him a shy smile.

"I hope you appreciate the honour, Will, of being FIona's model and, I dare say, muse" John said and gave his brother a cheeky glance. "And I hope you find it in yourself to verbalise it at some point as well. Once a year should suffice."

Will narrowed his eyes at his brother. For a second Fiona felt almost alarmed - he can't possibly be jealous of his brother! - and then he said in low a voice, "You lost your dating advice privileges in fifth form, brother."

John gasped theatrically. "You wouldn't!"

"Stick your nose in my love life again," Will deadpanned, "and Clementine finds out–"

"Alright!" John interrupted. "Just keep your gob shut about fifth form."

Will gave him a firm glare - his lips twitched in a suppressed grin - and opened his hand. Fiona jumped to her feet and placed her fingers in his palm. She let him lead her out of the kitchen, with John laughing behind them.

"What happened in fifth form?" she whispered.

"I'll tell you later," he answered just as quietly.

"Don't you dare!" John hollered after them.

Fiona started giggling - and then the doorbell rang. She threw Will a terrified look.

"Ready?" he asked.

"I can open it," John shouted from the kitchen.

"Well, that's just ridiculous," Fiona muttered. "It's not like there's an ogre behind this door."

She stepped to the door and opened it.

"Is it Di?" Clementine said behind her, coming from the lounge.

"Evening," George said, stepping into the cottage. "Fiona, dearest, just so you're prepared–" she started, but didn't get a chance to finish.

Two boys - one slightly bigger, both probably between seven and ten - rushed inside, and the girls were there at the same time. There was a sudden outburst of screaming, shrieking, squealing, and shouting. The children were hugging each other and screaming news into each other's face - something about a puppy, and skating, and bouncy castles. A taller, blonde boy picked up one of the twins, and she hung in his arms, cheering on top of her lungs.