I wasn’t sure what water smelled of, but I wasn’t going to argue with her. “We’re near the Thames, just past Greenwich.”
She had heels on, which gave me an excuse to take her hand as we walked along the path from the small car park to the banks of the Thames, where a boat waited for us.
It was rare I used my dad’s connections to book anything, but for this I had. I’d wanted something special, something where we wouldn’t be disturbed, something that showed her I thought more of her than two stolen kisses.
She stopped, pulling on my hand as she saw the boat.
“We’re taking a cruise on the river?”
She sounded excited and I felt the air that I’d been holding onto in my lungs leave and every muscle relax.
“We are.”
“Where’s the rest of the passengers?”
“It’s just us.”
She took her eyes off the boat and looked at me. I wanted to keep that expression on her face forever – happiness and delight and seeing me as something that was more than just the youngest brother in a big family.
“You’ve hired a boat for us? You don’t own this, do you?”
I laughed. “No. I don’t own a boat on the Thames.” But if she wanted one, I’d probably buy one for her. “It’s ours for the evening though.”
“This is just a treat. Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
We boarded, the captain giving us a brief nod and grin, directing us to the indoor space saloon where there was champagne, and canapes laid out.
It was a small cruiser, big enough for about twelve people and used for small corporate events. I’d been out on it a few times before with clients, showing them the sites of London from the water, sometimes docking at a couple of pubs and then having a meal on board, like we were tonight.
“Evening, Joseph.” Phil Wicks oversaw the service, the food already prepared in a local restaurant when it was just a couple of people, and kept warm in the boat’s small galley. He was a proper cockney geezer, the accent exactly what you’d expect of someone who’d grown up in the East End of London within spitting distance of the Bow Bells. He was also discreet and excellent at his job.
“Evening. How’re the grandkids?” He had three, all girls and all teenagers now. The last time I saw him, he’d told me about how they’d been driving their parents wild with their antics, mainly involving the eldest sneaking out to meet a boy. Phil had found it hilarious, thinking that it was revenge for how his daughter had been with him when she was that age.
It had given me hope that Eliza would terrorise the shit out of Claire when she grew up.
“Good. All good. The middle one’s in some dance show on Saturday so I’ve been told I’ve got to go.” He rolled his eyes and tried to look annoyed at it, but it was obvious he was as proud as anything.
“You’ll enjoy it.”
He shook his head. “West Ham are playing. I’m going to have to wear headphones so I can listen to the match.”
I laughed. “You’ll love it really.”
“Hmmm.” He looked at Georgia. “Let me pour you both a drink.”
Georgia took a glass of champagne – I could manage a couple and be okay to drive, but I didn’t want to tonight. I was hoping she’d want to make the most of the evening too, and she wouldn’t want to rush back.
Although I completely got that Rose was at home and I’d taken her mother away for a night. I felt kind of guilty about that.
The boat was walled with glass, so the Thames was on full view, Greenwich Observatory still visible at this time. Lights danced in front of us, the water darkening with the sky as everything flicked to night.
“This is incredible.” She settled down into a seat and sighed, as if this was the first time she’d been able to relax in a week. Maybe it was. She didn’t stop – either at work or at home – and if after tonight she decided she just wanted to be friends at least I’d have been able to give her a night off.
I sat down next to her, trying to focus on the scenery but instead I kept looking at her. “I’m glad you like it.”
“An ordinary restaurant would’ve been fine though. You know that. Not that I’m complaining.”
