‘I have absolutely no idea,’ Pippa raised a shoulder. ‘I have to be in London on Thursday for results day at school, it’ll be the reminder of real life that I need. Gil and I are probably just one of those enemies to lovers thing that’ll burn itself out, most likely the minute I put his house up for sale. I’m going to get rid of his childhood home and finish off his ambitions for the practice at the same time. Can’t see that improving how he might feel about me.’
‘It’s not his house, it’s Jonny’s,’ Cassie reminded her gently. ‘Whatever you think, Gil’s crazy about you and it seems to me that you feel the same way. And you don’t have to sell the house. Do you?’
‘What else am I meant to do with it?’
‘Well, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I don’t think your dad’s going to mind either way, as long as it’s what you want.’
Chapter Twenty-Three
With Elaine back at her desk in the practice, and Harriet and Luca around, Pippa and Gil were finding less opportunities to be alone together, even though they were living in the same house. The caravan was still in the yard and Gil was planning to have it taken away for scrap soon, a decision that even Dorothy had eventually acquiesced to.
Cassie and Isla had left, heading north to join Rory and Ewan’s parents. Harriet was missing her best friend again, but with Wi-Fi at Alfie’s and the practice, she was managing to stay in touch. She’d developed a rosy glow on her cheeks from spending so much time outdoors. She and Pippa had met Rose’s sister-in-law for an informal chat about the high school, and viewed it from beyond the gates. It was large and modern, quite different to her current school in Kent, and Pippa’s stomach would spin with nervous indecision whenever she thought of Harriet changing direction.
She stayed overnight in London for A level results day at college. Harriet was perfectly happy to have a sleepover at Alfie’s and Pippa knew Rose would take care of her. London, the city she’d lived in all her life, was like another universe now. Vibrant, a beating heart pulsing at the centre, but loud too, full of people all hurrying somewhere else. She found it frantic after Hartfell and she messaged Gil, sending him some images of her street and the houses tightly packed together.
After the conversation with Harriet about moving, an idea had landed in Pippa’s mind and whilst she was at home, she went through all her old paintings, salvaged from her long-ago show, trying to view them with a critical and yet dispassionate eye. She hadn’t done this for years and it was heartening to realise they were maybe better than she’d allowed herself to believe. The long return drive north was a reflective one with time to think, and when she arrived, she felt a burst of joy at seeing the old house and knowing Harriet, Gil and Luca were here with the dogs.
Luca wasn’t at home, Gil was working and Harriet had messaged to say she was at Dorothy’s and not to expect her back before dinner. Impatient to see Gil, even though his Land Rover was gone, Pippa popped over to the practice for a coffee with Elaine. He was back within the hour and his greeting for Elaine was warm, but Pippa recognised the quirk of his grin for her, the promise of more once they were alone. Elaine was no fool and Pippa sensed she understood exactly what was going on. She excused herself with the explanation of a lunchtime appointment, and Gil wasted no time in catching Pippa and extending the kiss they’d shared before she’d left for London.
‘Are you busy tonight?’
‘I don’t think so.’ She was pressed up against the counter, holding him close. ‘Why?’
‘Seeing as I didn’t give you a present for your birthday, there’s somewhere I’d like to take you.’
‘Seriously? You don’t have to do that, my birthday’s been and gone.’
‘I’d like to.’ His lips were following his thumb along her jaw, and she closed her eyes as he kissed the corner of her mouth. ‘Think of it as my gift to you.’
‘Do you mean like a date? What will I tell Harriet?’
‘Maybe exactly that. That we’re going on a date.’
‘I’m not sure.’ Pippa could hardly focus with his other hand smoothing her back, sliding beneath her top. ‘What if she thinks…’
‘That we’re seeing one another? We’re sharing the house and Harriet’s not daft. She knows something has changed between us.’
‘Yes, but being friends and putting aside our differences is one thing, us being in some kind of relationship is quite another. What about Luca? Wouldn’t you rather he didn’t know?’
‘He’s an adult, albeit a young one. Clare’s had a new partner for a while now, he’ll cope if his dad is seeing someone else.’ Gil’s eyes narrowed. ‘What do you mean, some kind of relationship?’
‘So what would you call it?’
‘Pippa, I’m crazy about you.’ He pushed a hand through his hair. ‘You know I am, I have been since the start, even though I really didn’t want to feel this way back then. And in theory, all the things we said made sense. Not talking about the future, not looking ahead. But soon, we’re gonna have to.’
Pippa had sworn Harriet to absolute secrecy where the new school was concerned, not wanting any decision they made to be swayed by her feelings for Gil. She didn’t want him to know yet, to find a way to persuade her to stay that one day she might regret. Harriet’s future came first.
‘But not yet.’ She stepped back into him, winding her arms around his neck. ‘Tonight, we’re going on a date.’
‘As long as Harriet and Luca don’t suspect,’ he questioned dryly.
‘Yes. Exactly that.’
‘Where are you and Gil going on your date, Mum?’
Pippa had popped her head around the sitting room door to let Harriet know she was going out. Her daughter was sprawled on the vomit sofa with Alfie and the dogs, looking very much at home, and Pippa’s cheeks turned pink. Luca was on the armchair, earbuds in, legs over one side, and he gave her a grin.
‘Who says it’s a date?’ she questioned, slipping a jacket on over her shirt.
