‘Michaela, which wine is best?’
Michaela turned her mouth down. ‘Again, I couldn’t pick one.’
‘Jan, which Czech beer is best?’
Jan laughed. ‘There is no right answer.’
‘Exactly,’ said Ludmila and then turned back to the two men. ‘If you care so much about the beer, all you should care about is pleasing your customers. Giving them what they want and not arguing about silly things like whether the way it is made is better. Everyone likes different things. If everyone liked the same books, we’d all be reading the Bible.’ She smiled. ‘There is a wonderful phrase. I don’t know who said it first. Before you judge a person, walk a mile in their shoes. I think you should both go to each other’s breweries and spend some time there.’
‘Yes,’ piped up Michaela. ‘Perhaps you could learn from each other.’
Surprisingly, it was Jakub who spoke first. ‘I think … Anna has shown me that you can change things without losing everything. I think we should do this.’
Leo and Anna exchanged amazed looks. Karel blinked several times and then nodded. ‘I think I would be interested in coming to Šilhov. Do you really think that a triple decoction is necessary? What about a double?’
And suddenly the two of them were off, talking with passion about beer.
Ludmila winked at Leo and Anna.
‘Would anyone like some more food?’ asked Anna, standing up.
‘Yes, can I get anyone another drink?’ Leo rose to his feet as well.
‘I would like the recipe for the beef,’ said Zdenka as Karel held out a hand to Jakub, saying, ‘I will call you on Monday and we can make the arrangements.’
‘Excellent,’ said Jakub, extending his own hand to shake Karel’s.
It appeared adétente cordialehad been achieved.
Karel turned to Anna. ‘I would love some more of your very good beef. I like it very much.’
‘I too like it,’ said Jakub.
Normal service resumed as Anna dished out seconds before taking the casserole dish into the kitchen to refill. Leo joined her and wiped his forehead.
‘Phew. I can’t believe it,’ he said.
‘Amazing what good food and company can achieve,’ replied Anna.
‘Whose bright idea was it to invite everyone round for dinner again?’ he asked with a cocky smile.
Her hands slid up his arms and gave him a squeeze. ‘All yours, of course.’ She leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the lips. ‘Do I have to tell you how brilliant you are?’
He straightened up and grinned at her. ‘No, but you can show me.’ He glanced at his watch. ‘How soon can we get rid of everyone?’
ChapterTwenty-Six
He stretched, his body languorous and soft, and smiled, sated with the high of good sex and a feeling of blissed-out contentment. All he needed now was coffee and his life would be complete.
Next to him, a warm body nestled into him, soft legs entangled with his, and he slowly opened his eyes for the second time that morning.
He smiled as the memories and emotions from last night flooded into his brain.
‘You’re looking very pleased with yourself,’ she murmured, her nose nuzzled into his neck.
‘I don’t recall there being any complaints,’ he said, leaning in to kiss her.
‘None here,’ she said, her eyes softening. ‘Although I do need to get up.’
