“Sleep well last night?” she asked, and he willed himself to snap out of it.
“Yes, very well actually.”
“So what are you up to today? More research for your book?”
He nodded uncomfortably at the mention of his pathetic cover story.
Earlier that morning at the hotel, he’d passed an hour googling any practical knowledge that he should have if he were indeed writing a book about the history of bread in other cultures.
He now felt that he could not only list hundreds of different types of bread across the world but also had a working knowledge of symbolism, rituals, and ingredients. Just in case anyone started asking questions.
“Well, as I said last night, if you need my help in that regard, don’t hesitate to ask.”
He smiled. “Thanks, that’s very kind of you. I’ll certainly keep it in mind.”
There was a slight uncomfortable moment as the two stood there in the middle of the bistro staring at one another.
“Oh!” Rachel exclaimed as if remembering. “You must be hungry. Here, let me get you a table.”
“Thanks, but no. I had a huge breakfast at the hotel earlier.” He looked hesitant. “Ah, I just wanted to pop in to thank you for a lovely evening. It was really good of you to spend your Saturday night babysitting me.”
“Not at all. I had a lovely time.”
“Me too. But I just wondered…about your fiancé…could I possibly have a contact number for Gary? I’d really like to talk to him today if I could.”
Was it his imagination, or did a shadow cross her face at the mention of Knowles?
“Ethan, again, I really have to apologize on his behalf. I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately, and it’s just not good enough that you should have to chase him. When are you going back to London? I’ll make sure he calls you today. If not, it’ll definitely be this evening.” She pursed her lips. “Let’s just say Gary is a little…under the weather at the moment.”
“I see. But I’d quite like to be able to get in touch with him myself, just in case it slips his mind again.”
Damn it, couldn’t she just hand over the blasted number? Having a go-between was becoming tedious—irrespective of how much he enjoyed talking to her, it wasn’t getting him anywhere.
“Believe me, I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen, but here.” Rachel walked over to the bar area and grabbed a notebook. “This is his mobile number,” she said, writing down a sequence of digits, and Ethan wanted to punch the air.
Finally, he’d be able to sort this man-to-man.
“Thank you.” He put the slip of paper carefully into his wallet, as if it were made of gold. “And best of luck to you both with the wedding plans.”
He went to shake her hand, but again to his surprise, she stepped forward and engulfed him in a warm hug. Ethan felt almost dizzy as he breathed in the scent of her hair.
“Well, it was so lovely to see you again. And please do keep in touch. You have my number too, and like I said, if you ever need to know anything about bread…”
He smiled. “I know exactly who to ask.” He looked at his watch, suddenly reluctant to leave. “I suppose I’d better get a move on. Lots to do today.”
“I know what you mean. Weekends can get a bit crazy around here.” She smiled and ran a hand through her hair, and again he saw the diamond sparkle in the sunlight.
As Ethan turned to leave, the thought struck him that having seen how perfectly it suited Rachel, he was finding it increasingly difficult to picture it on Vanessa.
Chapter 38
Gary felt his phone vibrate in his riding jacket. He smiled to himself, pleased that he was such a connoisseur of bikes that he could distinguish between the vibrations coming off the riding machine and those of the device in his pocket. Actually, he was pleased that his brain could distinguish anything at all this afternoon, given that he was nursing such an almighty hangover.
Probably Sean ringing him back about meeting up for a cure. Gary reckoned a pint was the only way he’d be able to relieve the ache in his bones and the persistent twinges in his ribs.
Sleeping upright in the bistro last night didn’t help, and while he’d tried his best to sleep off the worst of the aftereffects earlier, he figured the only thing for it now was a spin on the bike, followed by another afternoon in the pub.
Rachel was annoyed anyway, so he might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb. And after him going out of his way to come back early from Wicklow last night to see her.
