I spend it on?”
“I’ve no idea,” Magnus answered grimly. “There was certainly no evidence that you’d bought anything with it. No new clothes, no receipts for any large expenses.”
She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
“Well, never mind. I’ll arrange for an allowance to be paid to you.”
“I don’t want—”
“You’re entitled,” he said shortly. “And as I said, we’re very comfortably situated now. No need to worry about money. Come on. You don’t want to be late for another meal.”
* * *
Before lunch Ginette had changed back into her demure green-and-white dress, and Jade had dispensed with the grubby jeans in favour of a cotton shirtwaister. The belt was a little loose, but otherwise the style tended to disguise her loss of weight. Perhaps, she thought, spreading a scone with jam and fresh whipped cream that she didn’t particularly want, Mrs. Riordan was right. She ought to eat more.
Ginette carried most of the conversation, with Mrs. Riordan interrupting occasionally to alter its direction. Magnus, who had changed from his farm gear into a white shirt and sand-coloured slacks, seemed preoccupied, and Jade was content to say very little.
Then Magnus turned to her and said, “I could take you to Warkworth this afternoon, if you like.”
Surprised, Jade said, “Thank you. How much time will I have?”
“As much as you want. When would you like to go?”
“Whenever it suits you,” Jade replied. “If I could use the phone, I’ll try to make an appointment to have my hair done.”
“You don’t need permission to use the phone,” he pointed out with a hint of irritation. “What’s wrong with your hair?” he added, looking at it.
Ginette laughed. “Isn’t that just like a man? If Jade is uncomfortable with her hair, Magnus,” she reasoned, placing a hand briefly on his arm, “it needs fixing.”
Jade said, “It’s too long. And it’s out of condition.”
Magnus shrugged. “If you say so.”
“Magnus,” his mother said, “if you’re going to Warkworth, there are one or two things you could get for me, if you would.”
“Of course. Just let me know what you want.”
* * *
Magnus was waiting when she let herself out the front door, the car already standing on the drive. He straightened from his lounging position against it and opened the passenger door for her.
The car swept down the drive and onto the road, and Jade found her breath coming out in a sigh. She had only been at Waititapu for one day, and already it was a relief to get away for a while.
She said, “I didn’t realize you still had to work on the farms yourself. Didn’t you tell me you’d installed a manager?”
“Yes, I did, next door, and he and his son run the two farms with some help from the sharemilkers on the dairy unit and a couple of farm workers. But I give them a hand if they’re short of labour or when I feel the need for some physical activity.”
“You felt the need this morning?”
“I offered to do an urgent fence repair because the others are busy drenching cattle. Anyway, I like to keep an eye on things.”
“So you’re still doing two jobs?”
“As a matter of fact it’s worked out rather well. When I left the partnership in Auckland and set up my own office at the house, I lost a few clients. But I also picked up some local business, particularly from farmers, because they feel that an accountant with his own farming operation just down the road from them might have a few clues about doing their books.”
“You don’t find it difficult, working from Waititapu?”
“I had clients before who were miles away from the office. Sometimes I travel to them. But I have a fax machine, and the phone and computer. Now the farms are on their feet again, I’m thinking of employing a part-time secretary....”
“I could do that,” Jade offered. “I might be a bit rusty, but I’d soon pick it up again.”
Magnus was staring straight ahead, his eyes on
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