Although… Aleksey cast his mind back to leaving Guillemot that final time. He did not believe in fate or omens or sky fairies attempting to ruin his life. He didn’t believe in ghosts, either, as he’d only recently reiterated to Ben’s annoying friends. But he did believe in Light Island. He had left the others loading the boat and had returned to Guillemot House and had retrieved Jenna Tregenza’s blue-veined exercise book from the mahogany sideboard. Something had told him not to leave it so casually discarded.
They walked on some more, both lost to their own thoughts, until she asked more cheerily, ‘How’s my bear? I should have brought him with me. I wish I had.’
‘He went on holiday.’
She glanced sideways at him. She was used to his sense of humour, but appeared to realise he wasn’t joking. ‘Somewhere nice I hope.’
‘Don’t expect a postcard.’
They had arrived at the folly. Ben was sitting on the stone steps waiting for them. If he found it odd that they were arm in arm, he didn’t comment on it. Aleksey was pleased. He liked Ben being jealous of what he did, but he preferred Ben trusting him and feeling entirely secure about his own importance in the overall scheme of things. Ben smiled at them. ‘I’ve lost the dogs. Sorry.’
‘Never mind. The little buggers know where they are.’ She sat next to Ben. ‘How’s the kitten?’
Ben chuckled. ‘Annoying.’
‘Name?’
‘It changes every day.’
Aleksey ruffled his hair and sat on the other side. ‘The first day it was Mrs Pussy, so we had to dissuade her from that.’
Phillipa snorted. ‘What a shame. Marmaduke? I always think that’s a good name for a ginger cat.’
‘How original of you…’
She ignored the sarcasm. She suddenly shivered and pulled her coat tighter. ‘Come on, it’s getting cold. God, it’s nearly November, can you believe it? Are you doing anything for Bonfire Night? I’d invite you both to…’ She stopped and suddenly coloured, very unusual for her.
Aleksey rose swiftly. ‘Yes, we must be going too.’
She started loud calling for the dogs.
He joined in.
Ben got up slowly, hands in his pockets, watching them both.
She strode off towards the house.
Aleksey grabbed Ben around the back of the neck and kissed him, just because he could.
And also to stop him wondering more why the mention of November the Fifth had exploded like a mistimed firework in their conversation.
* * *
Chapter Thirty
‘You’re strange, you are.’
Aleksey, chin on folded arms, moved another piece of the exquisite china set, just placing it in a slightly different position so that the light from the kitchen island highlighted another aspect of its beauty.
‘It’s just something to drink out of!’
He lined the teapot up as well. Eight-sided, flared. Such fragile beauty.
‘Oh, I get it. You’re going to put it on that stupid thing you bought for the dining room at Guillemot, aren’t you? Have it out on display, but we’ll never use it, like some little old lady waiting for the vicar to come to tea. Jesus. It’s like living with the queen.’
‘Careful, Benjamin, or I’ll remind you tonight exactly who you are living with.’
‘Promises, promises.’
