He smiled. He knew he didn’t deserve her faith in him, but it felt good having it. ‘Come on,’ he said, taking her hand. ‘We should find Ali and give her her presents.’
Downstairs, Luca led Claire into the large sunroom. Decorated in creams and greens, filled with plants and overlooking the sea on three sides, it felt like an extension of the garden. The walls were strung with fairy lights, anda long table in the centre of the room was set for dinner, with little vases of flowers dotted along the centre, the coloured glasses and floral tablecloth giving it a light, summery feel. The doors were thrown open, and guests were milling around on the deck overlooking the garden.
‘This is gorgeous!’ Claire gasped.
‘Where have you two been?’ Ali rushed up to them. ‘I probably shouldn’t ask,’ she continued, without waiting for an answer. ‘Come and have a drink.’ She linked Claire’s arm and led them to a table covered with ice buckets containing champagne, where Jacqueline and Jonathan were distributing drinks.
Jonathan picked up a bottle as they approached and poured a glass, handing it to Claire.
‘Oh, thanks, but I’m driving,’ she said. ‘You have this.’ She passed it to Luca, and Jacqueline frowned as he took it from her. ‘I’ll just have a mineral water, please.’
‘Oh no!’ Ali exclaimed. ‘You should have come in a taxi. Everyone should have champagne for my birthday.’ She pouted prettily.
‘You could have one glass,’ Jonathan said. ‘You’re allowed one, and it’ll be well out of your system by the time you leave anyway.’
‘And we’ll be eating too,’ Jacqueline added.
‘Okay, thanks.’ Claire smiled. Jonathan poured another glass and handed it to her.
‘You should stay the night,’ Ali said. ‘Then you could drink as much as you like.’
‘Yes, why don’t you?’ Jacqueline said. ‘Luca’s room is ready.’
‘I don’t mind not drinking,’ Claire said, glancing at Luca. She wasn’t sure how he would feel about staying over. She knew it was upsetting for him being there, and she didn’t want to make it any worse.
‘You need to get back early in the morning, don’t you?’ he said to her.
‘Yes!’ she said, glad he had given her an indication of what he wanted to do.
‘Well, she can drive home in the morning from here, can’t she?’ Ali said. ‘We’re not in Outer Mongolia.’
‘Might as well be for all he visits,’ Jacqueline muttered, under her breath.
‘I really should get home tonight,’ Claire said apologetically, to Ali.
‘So, how did you two meet?’ Jacqueline asked.
‘Claire works with Yvonne Redmond,’ Luca said. ‘We met through her.’
‘Oh, and where do you work?’
‘In a bookshop,’ Claire said.
‘Which one?’ Jonathan asked.
‘Bookends. Do you know it?’
‘Yes, it’s a great shop.’
‘How long have you been there?’ Jacqueline asked.
‘Um… almost four years now.’
‘And Ali tells us you live in Ranelagh?’
‘Yes. I live in the house I grew up in – with my mother.’
‘With your mother?’
