But would Rick see it that way? Knowing the answer to her question would be no, Naomi wondered if she should say something to Ellis. But what? She could hardly ask him to tell his son to back off, could she? Not when he would quite rightly say that it took two to tango.
Oh Willow, she thought,do take care.
Martha’s old bedroom, the one she now shared with Tom whenever they visited, had an unusual corner window with a built-in seat beneath it. As a child she had loved to sit there reading while listening to the sounds of the sea, especially if it was stormy.
The window gave a view of the garden and beach beyond, and standing in front of it while brushing her hair, she observed her sister and Lucas setting off for a walk together. Craning her neck, she observed them until they were out of sight.
‘What’s so interesting down there on the beach?’ asked Tom.
‘I didn’t realise you were awake,’ she said, turning to face her husband who was still in bed.
‘I’ve been watching you for a few minutes. What were you straining to look at?’
Martha put the brush down and went and sat on the bed. ‘Willow and Lucas going for a walk.’
‘And?’
‘Don’t be obtuse, Tom.’
‘Are you suggesting there’s more to it than that?’
‘Didn’t you think last night they were awfully quick to agree with everything the other said? At one point they were practically finishing off each other’s sentences.’
He sat up and rubbed his hands over his face, then ran them through his sleep-tousled hair. ‘I just thought Willow was showing empathy. She’s good like that.’
‘Meaning I’m not?’
He smiled. ‘I didn’t say that. But you’re always the practical one, whereas Willow is—’
‘Is the big-hearted softie. Yeah, I get it. She’s the good cop to my bad cop.’
‘We all have our strengths.’
‘Hmmm …’
He laughed. ‘Don’t youhmmme. Not when you look so gorgeous. If I’m not mistaken, you’ve reached the radiant stage of pregnancy now, haven’t you?’
She pulled a face. ‘Have I? I don’t feel particularly radiant.’
‘Trust me, you are. It’s like you’re glowing with good health. Pregnancy clearly suits you.’
Her hands placed around her swelling bump, she said, ‘A shame it took so long for it to happen for us.’
‘It didn’t,’ said Tom, ‘not really. Some couples go through years of trying. We weren’t even a full year.’
She smiled. ‘It felt a lot longer.’
‘That’s because you’re so wonderfully impatient to make things happen. That’s another of your strengths.’
‘Bloody hell, Tom, if you keep up with all these compliments, I’ll think you’re having an affair!’
Which made her think of Willow and Lucas strolling along the beach together. Turning towards the window, she wondered what on earth her fickle sister thought she was up to. And just what would Rick have to say about this?
The answer to that question was a sudden disturbing mental picture of Rick winding Willow’s hair around his fingers.
Winding it tighter and tighter.
Chapter Forty-Three
