She smiled at him. ‘I feel better.’
‘Better. Because of the chocolate?’
‘No, better because I feel … lighter, looser, easier.’
Leo’s eyes widened. ‘Really?’
‘Really.’ Her face lit up and she raised her arms. ‘I feel released. Is that awful?’
‘No. I’m surprised. I thought you’d be upset.’
‘So did I.’ She laughed and, giving in to the feeling, hopped off the stool and did a little spin. ‘But I realised Steve was a selfish prat and he didn’t deserve me.’
‘Wow. And you only discovered that now?’
She nudged him with her elbow. ‘Tell me I’m an idiot, why don’t you. I kept telling myself that’s the way he is and I didn’t mind it … until I did, if you know what I mean.’ She caught her lower lip between her teeth as the implication sank in. She hadn’t minded until she’d compared the way he treated her to the way Leo treated her. Steve had wooed her and made her feel important. It was only over the last year he’d started taking her for granted and making less effort – but then, couldn’t the same be said of her?
‘When we first got together, he was wonderful.’
‘And then he was a selfish prat,’ insisted Leo with one of his naughty grins.
A smile curved her lips. Irrepressible as ever.
‘Got any plans for the weekend?’
And that was Leo all over, moving on to the next thing without pushing to win the point.
‘No. Except I’m only going to do things that I want to do.’ She jutted out her chin. ‘I’m done with trying to fit in with everyone else.’
Leo pretended to cower. ‘Scary. I was going to ask if you fancied going to the castle and doing a proper tour.’
Anna gave it a couple of seconds’ thought, that’s all it took. ‘Yes. That is something I’d like to do. I can’t believe I’ve been here all this time and haven’t been there properly yet.’
‘Leave in ten?’
‘What, now?’ She laughed again, reassured by how well she knew him. Typical Leonardo Knight. Always ready to dive straight into something.
‘Why not?’
‘Half an hour.’ She needed to shower and make herself look respectable.
‘Twenty minutes,’ said Leo with a teasing grin. She definitely felt lighter, especially when he added, simply, ‘Go for it,’ and poured himself another cup of coffee.
* * *
Today they approached the castle from a different side, walking up several flights of stairs and steep slopes. Anna started to puff as she tried to keep pace with Leo’s longer strides but, without her saying anything, he adjusted his pace to a more leisurely stroll. Another one of his qualities: he looked after those around him.
‘How was your week at work, darling?’ asked Leo with a teasing lift of his eyebrows.
‘Good,’ she replied. ‘Actually, really good. For the first time this week, I felt like I knew what I was doing. You know those first few weeks or so when you don’t know where anything is kept or how anything works. This week I actually felt a help instead of hindrance. Jakub is so patient but exacting so it’s a relief to be useful at last.’
‘I know that feeling. I thought the first two weeks I’d bitten off a bit more than I could chew. But I’m finding it really inspiring. Karel has loads of ideas and I love his approach. Always prepared to consider something new.’
Anna laughed. ‘Unlike Jakub who doesn’t like anything to be done differently. He thrives on tradition.’ She paused and imitated his accent. ‘Why change perfection?’
‘Did you know Karel is his nephew?
‘What! No! I had no idea.’ Anna mused on the surprising news for a moment. ‘Although come to think of it, he does mention him quite a lot, although with considerable disdain and disapproval. I thought it was because he’s such a traditionalist.’
