‘I suppose that’s marginally better than my feet. What do you think?’
He made a rat face, and she laughed again.
‘Your feet have got to be better than that!’
‘I wouldn’t count on it,’ he said, placing one hand to block her eyes.
She could feel the warmth of his palm radiating between her eyebrows and smell the fabric conditioner from his shirt. The metal from his watch strap glinted in the moonlight.
‘Oh, that’s good,’ he said, splashing his feet into the lake, removing his hand and leaning back, his arms half stretched out behind him, palms flat on the jetty. ‘I’m not great at standing for long periods. Too tall. People say it’s wonderful to be tall, but it has its downsides.’
‘Like hitting your head on low door lintels.’
‘That as well.’
‘You didn’t answer my question. Have you met some useful people?’
‘I don’t like to think of it like that. It feels so mercenary.’
‘You’re too nice. Do you prefer interesting?’
He smiled at her.
‘I’ve met some very interesting people, not all of them interested in pottery.’
‘But some of them are?’
‘I think so. I hope so. I’ve learned in the past that the people who sound most enthusiastic are the ones you often never hear from again.’
‘I’ve got some useful contacts for you.’
She reached for her bag and fished out half a dozen business cards.
‘These are all worth following up, I think. There was one lady in particular who has a gallery in London that sounds particularly promising.’
‘Oh, I met her. She came to find me.’
‘Maybe a trip to the big city beckons.’
‘We could meet up,’ he said softly. ‘How long does the train take from Manchester?’
‘Just over two hours on a good day.’
‘Doable then.’
She was quiet. His feet touched hers briefly as they moved them around in the water.
‘Yes,’ she said, after what she hoped wasn’t too long. ‘Very doable.’
He smiled, closed his eyes and tilted his head back.
‘This is nice,’ he said.
Yes, it is, she thought, looking at his profile, and she had the sudden overwhelming desire to kiss the base of his throat.
‘Let’s stay here for ever,’ he said.
And she didn’t answer because she would have been happy to do that.
