Sarah sat up and preened in Dave’s reflected glory as the other guests began to congratulate him. Inside, Mina felt a warm glow, as he for once held court without his wife interrupting or putting him down. In fact she looked fondly on, with a definite touch of pride.
Mina wanted to laugh and wondered if they would be allowed to book a room here again.
As the chatter settled, she sank back into her seat, feeling the slight ache in her muscles, acutely aware that there was no sign of Luke, although she had no shortage of company. Benrhardt and Kristian had arrived, bringing with them Uta, who had popped in to say hello and sample Amelie’s famous cake and coffee.
‘I couldn’t book to stay here, but I’m going to keep trying,’ she said to Mina as they chatted by the fire. Mina resolved to introduce the other woman to Amelie when she next got the chance, feeling sure that Amelie would approve of the cheerful, friendly German.
The four of them were busy talking about the weekend plans when Luke appeared. He came straight over, waving a piece of paper, grinning from ear to ear.
‘Hi guys,’ he said, perching on the arm of the sofa next to Mina.
‘You look like the rat that has taken the cream,’ said Kristian.
‘Yes,’ said Luke, cutting across Bernhardt who was clearly about to correct his friend. ‘I am and I have. Mina,’ he announced grandly, ‘I’ve booked tickets for the cheese and chocolate train. We’re going on Wednesday.’
For a moment Mina was blindsided by surprise – but also a bolt of irritation. Wednesday was the day that Johannes was making his next batch of chocolate. She wasn’t supposed to know, but Amelie had let slip, and she was really hoping to persuade him between now and then to let her observe or even help. It was her one opportunity. But Luke looked so delighted with himself, how could she disappoint him? Had Simon felt like this when she’d sprung the indoor skydiving on him when he was supposed to be playing an away match? Or when she’d booked out the whole bowling alley for his thirtieth birthday, when he’d been hoping for dinner at Ottolenghi in London.
Luckily the others unwittingly jumped into rescue her before she could say anything.
‘I’ve always wanted to do that,’ said Uta. ‘What time does the train leave?’
‘Me too,’ said Kristian.
‘The scenery is spectacular,’ said Bernhardt. ‘It is one of the great scenic railway trips and I really ought to do it one day.’
Mina realised she still hadn’t said anything, and that Luke was watching her, a slight look of worry on his face.
‘That’s brilliant, thank you,’ she said. And it was, really. She was being churlish. The trip would be fantastic. Actually, she told herself, she was being extremely churlish. Cheese and chocolate. A vintage train. What was not to like?
‘I can’t wait,’ she said, smiling broadly at him as his face softened in relief while the others discussed the practicality of getting to Montreux, what time the train left, and what they’d be doing at work that day in their respective cities.
Luke winked at her and she recalled their conversation on the mountain. She’d far rather be here.
Chapter Fourteen
The train, waiting like a show pony on the platform, gleamed with old-fashioned patina; the vintage Pullman coaches were painted in smart cream and navy livery and decorated with flowing gold script. Along the length of the train, the open doors reminded her of a line of smart soldiers ready to welcome everyone onboard.
‘Oh my goodness.’ Mina whipped her phone out of her pocket. ‘I need to get a picture of this for Uncle D. He would love it.’ Taking a few snaps for the family WhatsApp group, she waited a minute, absorbing the atmosphere on the platform. It was both sedate and festive, an unusual combination – as if people wanted to respect the old-fashioned stateliness of the Pullman carriages at the same time as containing their excitement and anticipation for the forthcoming trip.
Luke linked his arm through hers, as always in complete accord.
‘Wonderful, isn’t it?’
‘Yes,’ she said, because it really was. ‘I’m so glad you went ahead and booked.’
‘I was a bit worried that perhaps I might have been a bit presumptuous.’
‘Look at this.’ She swept out an arm to indicate the train. ‘Who would want to miss this?’ She paused, remembering her brief moment of ingratitude, before adding, ‘Thank you so much for organising this. It’s a real treat.’ Giving in to sudden impulse she rose on her toes and kissed him on the cheek. As soon as her lips touched his smooth skin and she smelled the fresh, clean-with-a hint-of-lemon scent of him, she wondered why she was fighting her attraction for him so hard. He was gorgeous, sexy, fun to be with, and made her heart beat faster every damn minute she was with him. Why not just give in and accept that there was something between them? Instead of focusing on worrying about what she didn’t want, perhaps she should just live for the moment, like he seemed to do. She’d brought that stupid self-help book with her, which was no flipping help at all, because they’d be spending a long time on the train – but suddenly she was wondering whether it really was worth reading any more. But she wasn’t going to worry about that now, instead she was going to take the day as it came, enjoy every minute – after all, cheeseandchocolate, and a day with Luke sounded pretty perfect to her.
They boarded the train and found their reserved seats in one of the vintage coaches which immediately made Mina think of film sets andPoirot. She reached out to touch the plush, roomy, velvet seats, her foot scuffing real carpet on the floor.
‘This is…’ She stared at the polished brass luggage racks on the walls. ‘Deluxe travel.’ Each seat was more like an armchair, and as Mina sat down opposite Luke, she took out her phone again to take more pictures. Uncle D would just adore this, she had to persuade him and Auntie M to take a trip out here.
There was a palpable air of excitement as people boarded and found their seats.
‘Thank you again, I can’t believe, how gorgeous it is,’ whispered Mina. ‘I’m going to have to try and persuade my aunt and uncle to come. Uncle D would get such a kick out of this.’ She beamed as she snapped away examining every inch of their seating area, running her hands over the glossy pull-up table, and rubbing her fingers against the nap of the velvet to darken it. Any moment she expected a troop of glamorous 1920s passengers to come gliding past, the women in elegant fashionable fur trimmed coats and cute cloche hats, and the men in smart tweed suits and trilbys.
‘I feel like we should have dressed up,’ she observed, picturing herself in a cherry-red bow-fronted hat.
