Hattie felt herself blush, deeply uncertain if it was because of his hand which was now on her arm, or his description of their meeting. She did remember it now. She had been going out with David at the time – a relationship that had fizzled out soon after. Luke had been with someone too, but she couldn’t now remember her name.
‘And was it love at first sight?’ asked Carole, to Hattie’s extreme discomfort.
Luke laughed again. ‘We did become friends quite quickly but let’s not get into too much detail.’
‘We were both with other people,’ said Hattie, ‘so we stayed friends for a while.’
‘So hard to get out of the friends’ zone, isn’t it?’ said Carole.
‘It is,’ said Luke. ‘Now, does anyone want a glass of Armagnac with their second helping of pudding?’
There were nods of agreement and then Hattie said, ‘I hope you remember where we put the glasses, darling, because I’ve completely forgotten.
‘We had a bit of a sort-out,’ she explained, desperately wishing she could have left the room to look for glasses. ‘But Luke will remember.’
‘You do make a lovely couple,’ said Carole, who, Hattie suspected, had had just a little too much to drink.
‘Now… Jason?’ said Hattie smoothly. ‘Would you like more trifle?’
‘That would be his third helping,’ said Carole.
‘Three’s my lucky number,’ said Jason and Hattie took his bowl from him and filled it.
Hattie felt she was on her knees by the time they finally got into bed. She wasn’t sure if it was because she wasn’t used to entertaining people she didn’t know or if it was pretending that she and Luke were a couple that was so exhausting.
They tiptoed around each other in Luke’s bedroom, getting ready for bed. Hattie abandoned most of her nightly rituals, just brushing her teeth and getting into bed. She was wearing substantial pyjamas because she’d be sleeping next to Luke and she didn’t want it to be awkward.
‘Are you sure you’re OK with me sleeping in the bed?’ Luke said in a low voice, although it was unlikely Jason and Carole would hear him.
‘Fine! I just want to sleep. I feel as if I’ve run a marathon – although obviously, not ever having done it, I don’t know how it feels, really.’
‘I’m so grateful for this, Hattie. It’s gone brilliantly. And the food was outstanding.’
‘Thank me tomorrow; now just let me sleep!’
Hattie did sleep for a bit, but she woke in the pitch dark, aware of Luke sleeping by her side. To his credit, he didn’t snore and the sound of his steady breathing was soothing. But she couldn’t help thinking of the way he had described their first meeting. That didn’t sound like the meeting of friends for the first time, it sounded more like the meeting of lovers – or potential lovers. She was just turning this thought over in her mind when she remembered the business card she had found.
She turned on to her back, careful not to touch Luke as she did so. She thought she’d never get back to sleep. Her mind was full of conflicting thoughts and feelings. Did she want Luke to see her as a potential lover, as April obviously was? Was she prepared to risk losing his friendship if things went wrong? Maybe itwouldn’tgo wrong?
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Hattie woke again when Luke got up to let the dogs out. He came back with a cup of tea. ‘No rush to get up,’ he said, handing it to her. ‘Jason and Carole are still asleep. At least Jason is. He’s snoring like a train. I’ll leave you to have your tea in peace.’
‘You’re very welcome to have yours in here with me,’ she said. ‘Otherwise you’ve got to wander around in your PJs.’ They were jogging bottoms and a T-shirt, she realised. Which told her he didn’t usually wear anything in bed and had also put on extra layers to share a bed with her.
‘No. I’m going to clear up a bit. I don’t want you to have to lift a finger this morning.’
Not only did Luke clear up the kitchen, he set the table for breakfast, and when Jason and Carole appeared – quite late – he cooked them a Full English, together with pastries and good bread from the van, and made an exquisite pot of coffee.
Luke was showing Jason something in his cabin (Hattie hoping that Xander wasn’t too caught out by the visit), so Carole and Hattie were alone.
‘You’re so lucky having Luke,’ said Carole, adding butter to a croissant. ‘He knows his way round a kitchen.’
‘I knew he could cook before I got together with him.’
‘Very wise. And you don’t mind the dogs? Always begging.’
‘Frank and Fearless don’t really beg,’ said Hattie, offended on their behalf. ‘They just like to be around when there’s food in case they can be helpful hoovering up the crumbs.’
