‘Not your son?’
‘No. Martin wouldn’t want it. He and his wife have quite a different style to mine.’
‘I’ll think about what my favourite bits of furniture are.’ He frowned slightly. ‘I can’t think of anything except the desk that was my father’s.’
‘You wouldn’t want to bring that beautiful fireplace? I’m sure I could find room for it!’
‘I think you’ll find it’s fairly firmly attached to this building.’
‘Oh, shame. I was hoping for an upgrade,’ said Gilly. Then she became serious. ‘But what about the B & B? How will you feel about having to share your home with strangers? It’s not for everyone. Sebastian, my ex-husband, was horrified at the thought and he didn’t have to do it. Martin thinks it’s awful.’
‘I don’t think it will worry me. We could have our own space, after all.’
‘And you don’t have to sell this house. You could rent it. Keep it in case …’ She paused, worrying if she was saying too much. ‘If things didn’t work out.’
‘You know what? I think things will work out.’ He paused in his turn. ‘Shall I tell you when I decided to stop looking for women who might become life partners and only had very casual girlfriends?’
‘If you like …’
‘It was when you became a client.’
‘Oh!’
‘You were in a dreadful state and I knew that I had to bide my time – and it might be a long time – before I could do anything about it, but I fell in love with you the first moment you came into my office.’
Gilly took advantage of the sofa that was just behind her and sat down rather quickly. ‘Really?’
‘Yes. I hope that doesn’t seem stalkerish to you?’
‘It is a bit – surprising.’ She imagined herself as she had been that day, red-nosed, swollen-eyed, unable to think clearly.
‘It surprised me too, I must say,’ said William cheerfully.
‘Well,’ Gilly said after a long pause. ‘I’m glad you decided to do something about it eventually.’
‘Me too. And we mustn’t forget Daphne’s input. Although I did rather resent her interference at the time.’
‘I think we should tell her we’re together,’ said Gilly. ‘Have her to dinner or something.’
‘Mm. I’ve had something a bit more ambitious in mind.’
Gilly felt she should stop being surprised by William, given that at one time she had thought he was just a really nice accountant, but it was difficult.
‘Which is?’
William came and sat beside her. ‘Remember my surprise party?’
‘It wasn’t long ago. Even I can remember that far back.’
He laughed. ‘Well, it wasn’t quite the party I’d have liked because Daphne had got an old address book and so missed out on people I would have loved to have there. So I thought if I gave another party – same venue probably; it was OK – you could invite your friends and family too and we could announce ourselves as a couple.’
‘Unusual,’ said Gilly.
‘Well, I’d prefer to be able to announce something a bit more conventional but I feel it’s too soon.’
Gilly felt she knew what he meant but wasn’t quite sure enough of herself to follow this up. ‘Well, to be honest, I’d much rather have it at my house. We could have a marquee in the garden. It would be lovely. And it would make sense of the whole thing if you’re going to move in with me.’
‘It would be an awful lot of work for you. Although of course we’d get a caterer.’
