‘Even though she’s only got one arm,’ Mark said.
‘It’s not an easy look to pull off.’ Claire laughed. ‘But there’s something about her. I think she’s a warrior.’
‘I think she’s completely charming,’ Mark said. But when Claire looked around, he was looking at her, not the statue.
‘Sorry,’ he said, laughing ruefully at being caught. ‘That wasreallycheesy.’
Claire giggled. ‘It was a bit.’ But she didn’t mind.
‘Oh well, since we already know I’m the cheesemeister general, I might as well ask – can I kiss you?’ He was gazing intently into her eyes now, moving closer.
Claire nodded breathlessly.
‘I have to warn you – if I kiss you, this is definitely a date.’
‘Still, yes,’ Claire whispered, and he bent his head slowly, tentatively to hers. His lips were soft and warm and he kissed her slowly, gently, pulling away too soon. Claire instinctively reached out, clutching his sleeve.
‘Again?’ he whispered, his breath clouding between them.
‘Again,’ she breathed. And he kissed her again, right there among the ruined statuary.
Claire felt dazed and giddy as they walked back to the hotel, hand in hand. She wondered what Mark was feeling. She doubted that this was what he had expected to happen when he’d met her – chaste kisses and hand-holding, like teenagers. But he seemed happy. In fact, she was pretty sure his goofy grin matched hers whenever they caught each other’s eye. She waited in the lobby while he collected his bags, already bereft at the thought of him leaving.
‘Will you come and stay with me in London?’ he asked, as they stood at the top of the steps. ‘I have a spare bedroom,’ he added, when she hesitated. ‘We could discuss the book, spend some more time together.’
‘I’d love to.’
He beamed. ‘Soon?’
‘I might be able to get over next weekend or the one after – my mother’s in a nursing home for the next few weeks. Once she comes home, I’ll need to be around for a while.’
‘Well, see what you can arrange. I’ll be in touch.’ He kissed her goodbye, then jumped into the waiting taxi.
11
‘How was your date?’ Yvonne asked, the next day, as they opened boxes of books in the store room.
‘It was lovely,’ Claire said, smiling broadly. ‘Best date ever.’
‘Ooh, tell me all,’ Yvonne said. ‘Did my flirting tips help?’
‘Yes, they were great,’ Claire lied, so as not to hurt Yvonne’s feelings. In fact, she had forgotten to do any of the things Yvonne had taught her – fiddling with her hair, mirroring his movements, sucking food off her finger, ‘spontaneously’ touching him. It turned out she hadn’t needed any tricks at all.
‘We just really clicked. He’s smart and funny andseriouslycute. And he was so easy to talk to, I felt like we’d known each other for ages.’
‘Well, look at you, all loved up.’ Yvonne grinned. ‘So, did you go back to his hotel?’
‘No. I mean yes, but just for a drink. I didn’t stay.’
‘You’re making him wait. Nice move.’ She nodded. ‘As your dating coach, I approve.’
‘I told him I have a five-date rule.’
‘Good for you! Even Judy’d be impressed by that. Five is harsh!’
‘Do you think it’s too many?’
‘No. If five is what you want, then it’s just right.’
