“Let me see…” She pointed. “See that pinkish-white round cluster with the long tail?”
“Hmm.” He squeezed her shoulder to him.
“That’s David the Dolphin.”
“Dolphins don’t have tails.”
“They do in outer space. And those” — She took his free hand and pointed it up — “Those are David’s babies.”
“Does David have a wife?”
“No in outer space, dolphins are celibate.”
“Then how did he beget babies?”
“Beget?” She turned to him. “What is this, medieval literature?”
“Shush, play along.”
“You’re not very good at this game.”
“No?” He pulled her on top of him. “What am I good at?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to prove yourself to me.”
He kissed her mouth slowly. “OK, but tomorrow, we need to have a conversation.”
She exhaled on an exaggerated sigh. “If I must.” Then she kissed him again, for a long time under the stars.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Whatever he wantedto talk about, she never found out because he was still asleep when her phone alarm – a tinkle of harp notes – went off at 6am. She silenced it quickly, but Adam didn’t even stir. He’d had a long journey from Guernsey with Lord M and they’d not had much rest last night.
She slid out of bed and dressed in the bathroom so as not to wake him.
Breakfast was a hasty meal down in the crowded kitchen. Today was going to be very busy, for everyone. The wedding was in two days, and guests were starting to arrive. Nicole, who probably hadn’t slept a wink, was busy dashing back and forth and issuing instructions about seating arrangements, transport and accommodation.
Laura herself had a busy day ahead too. The completed dress was coming home this afternoon. Joanie was due later and Laura couldn’t wait to see her reaction.
Cook was putting the final touches on a massive six-tier wedding cake which had been set up at the back of the large kitchen. A line of chairs separated that area to keep the cake away from the general goings and comings.
Laura was just finishing a hurried bowl of porridge when Pierre came in looking for her. “Have you seen Adam?”
“He’s asleep.”
“Ugh.” Pierre blew out a frustrated breath. “Someone keeps calling for him.”
Laura checked her watch. “It’s seven in the morning.”
“I know. Very persistent people.”
“Is it the woman who called before, whatsherface?”
“No, although she rang a lot yesterday. But this is a man, Gerald Sale, and he gave me an earful. I tried my usual” — She mimed air quotes — “I’m not at liberty to release any information.” She rolled her eyes. “And he shouted at me, actually shouted and called me a liar. Said that Adam’s presence on the island was public knowledge on the internet.”
Laura grimaced. Tirana had posted pictures of Adam with plenty of comments about ‘her gorgeous doctor’ and even one about ‘My doctor and his beautiful girlfriend.’ She would really have to speak to Tirana later.
Much later, as it turned out because Pierre needed help. Relatives of the Du Montforts were arriving a day earlier than expected. Mrs B needed help. Everyone needed help. Laura couldn’t get away until nearly 11am.
