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My aunt Elizabeth and late uncle Arthur had finally realised he was dyslexic, and he’d worked hard to overcoles to the point he now needed little help to run Bentley Manor, the huge estate he’d inherited at twenty-one after Uncle Arthur had a heart attack
My father had taken hiht him how to successfully run and expand the estate, and in a few short years, he’d leased several portions of twenty-acre plots to young, local far far fro an allotment site he rented out for mere pennies to local people, especially those with disabilities or led to upkeep the council-owned ones
So the idea thatclasshis best friends was laughable
“We are not punching people, Alexander” Aunt Cat poked his ar here if Olympia is in school?”
“Ma is watching her for the night I’m here to talk business with Uncle Henry Is he back yet?”
“Still in Windsor,” she confir run over Are you staying the night?”
“I suppose I’ll have to I don’t fancy traveling back ho Checkmate!”
“Oh, balls!” I threw my pawn across the table, and it bounced off onto the floor “Was I even checked?”
“Yes, dear, you didn’t notice You’re awful at it” Aunt Cat stood “I’ll ask Jennifer to prepare your bedroom, Alexander, and I’ll call Elizabeth and let her know you’ll be home tomorrow afternoon”
There was no arguing with her tone, so he simply said, “Thank you, Aunt Cat I appreciate it”
“Of course you do Now bring reat-niece with you next time I’ll have new ducks next week”
“You’ll what?” I did a double-take “New ducks?”
“Yes, dear I’vewith some rare Welsh Harlequins” She patted her skirt pockets for her phone “I don’t have my phone to show you pictures, but they’re lovely”
“Does Daddy know about this?”
“Whyever would he know? I’h to tell him”
“You can’t just shoith more ducks”
“I most certainly can” She strolled to the door and looked over her shoulder “You should all be thankful I’oats”
That was true “Victoria and Albert are definitely enough”
Alex snorted “Victoria and Albert? You naoats Victoria and Albert?”
“Technically, it’s Queen Victoria and Prince Albert,” I answered
She blinked at him “What else would I name them?”
“Billy?” Alex offered with a grin “Gruff?”
I laughed