The Immortalisation of Edgar

Part 2

Cat stretched, replacing her pencil behind her ear. She'd finished a few initial sketches and her knees were aching. Glancing around, she wondered where the nearest bathroom was. Surely there'd be dozens in this sprawling mansion. She considered calling for Francis, but decided she was perfectly capable of finding a bathroom by herself.

Cat started down the corridor, peeking in rooms along the way. Near the end of the corridor, she heard the faint sound of humming. Curiously, she pushed it open. The room was covered in sheets and the walls were partially stripped; a stark contrast to the luxury of the rest of house. Near the window, a man was pulling overalls up over his naked torso as he hummed to himself. Cat didn't intend to linger as she found herself imagining tracing the dips of his abdomen, as she would one of her sculptures. She meant to close the door and continue in her hunt for a toilet. But she froze. The man was tall, with broad shoulders, arms carved with muscle and dark golden waves of hair, which brushed the back of his neck. His skin glistened in the sunlight streaming in through the window, giving it a golden sheen. Cat swallowed. When he turned around, she squealed loudly and slammed the door.

Less than a second later, the door opened again, revealing the – now dressed – man, who stared down at her, bemused.

"May I help you?"

Cat stared up at his cornflower blue eyes and swallowed, cursing herself for being dumbstruck. She was a strong, independent woman and here she was acting like a schoolgirl. She had literally squealed.

"Are you okay?" he frowned.

Cat swallowed and nodded. "Sorry. I was looking for a bathroom."

His eyes crinkled. "This house is a bit of a maze, isn't it?"

"Absolutely." She nodded, feeling herself relax slightly. "But this isn't a house. It's a flippin' mansion."

His eyebrows raised slightly but his grin remained as he held out his hand. "I'm Seb."

"Cat." She took his hand and tried not to wilt at the touch of his warm, firm hand.

Seb crossed his arms and leant against the doorframe, taking in her stained overalls. "So, what are you doing here, Cat? Other than spying on people getting dressed?"

Cat's face flamed. "I'm a sculptor. Lady Haddersleigh commissioned me to immortalise her dog."

"Ah, okay." Seb smiled. "That makes sense."

Cat peered past him at the room. "And you're... decorating?"

"Well deducted." He winked. "Third door on the right."

"Pardon?"

"The bathroom."

"Ah. Thanks."

Seb gave her a final knee-weakening grin and disappeared back into the room, leaving Cat slightly dumbstruck in the corridor. After a moment, she clawed her hands over her face with a groan and continued down the hall to the bathroom.