Sylvie looked from Alex to Marion as she saw the woman puff up, just ever so slightly, and smile.
‘That would be lovely. If you’re sure.’
‘We’re sure.’ Sylvie answered for them both. She wondered how often Marion was invited places just for pleasure and not for her organizational skills. With the exception of Rosy she had never seen anyone other than her children show her affection, just fear and blind obedience.
All of them, Marion’s boys as well, sat on Alex’s rugs, the Maghreb music still playing very quietly in the background as they gorged themselves on the mountains of food that Alex had prepared; Marion being very quick to give him all the credit for that as well.
When Sylvie felt she couldn’t eat another thing, Marion gave her boys a nod and within seconds – OK, minutes, but it was still super-impressive – all the food was cleared away. Every time Sylvie stood up to try and help, someone – and they all took turns, even Rufus, Rafe and Rupert – would bark at her to sit down. As she mock got up and down five times in as many seconds all of them were laughing so much that Sylvie, Sam and Ellie were crying.
Clutching onto the side of the banquette she tried to compose herself when she heard Marion break the mood with one more quick ululation. As everyone’s head spun around they saw Alex approaching with a tray full of warm, sweet-smelling, sticky-looking baklava.
‘One final treat,’ he said, putting it down by her.
‘Does it have to be?’ she heard someone whisper flirtatiously in his ear, before realizing the words had come from her own lips. He held her gaze again; it was a miracle their eyes were still fully functioning, there had been so many meaningful stares this evening.
Then he turned to her ear and whispered back, ‘There is so much more to come. I promise.’
She felt all goosebumpy as he spoke, the tingle racing up her spine and back down to her toes, making her a bit gooey in the middle. Rather like the baklava.
She quickly looked around to see if anyone else had noticed but everyone was busy munching on the sweet layers of pastry. Sam was licking his fingers and Ellie was reaching for more. She was safe. She quickly double-checked – nope, not even the Marksharp boys had blinked. Phew. She supposed it was a good thing they were all here. Otherwise she would be peeling this man’s clothes from his delicious frame right now. He cooks, sews, dances (badly) and does all the manly stuff as well – who could blame her? Personally, she thought she deserved some kind of medal for being so staunch about resisting him up until now.
‘Right, up we jump.’ Marion’s tone, back to her usual Mary Poppins briskness, galvanized the room; up the three boys popped and Sam and Ellie with them.
‘Oops, no, Sam and Ellie, you’re staying here.’
‘Oh, but Alex, they want to see the puppy,’ Marion interjected, very firmly, as if there were to be no argument. Back to her old self.
But it appeared that Alex had finally learnt to be brave in the face of Marion.
‘It’s late, it’s been a crazy day and you’ve spent most of it helping us. They can see the puppy another time. Sam has been to hospital.’
‘Yes, that’s true and they could, but it’s a Friday, I’m only around the corner and a good brisk walk will have them fast asleep in no time. Let me take them.’ Marion was doing weird stuff with her eyebrow, almost semaphore, just slightly harder to decode. ‘In fact, I’m just going to take them. You two can stay here and we’ll be back in an hour. Now, who wants to see the puppy?’
‘I do, I do.’ Ellie jumped up and down.
‘I do too, but he’s the size of a horse, Ellie, not so much a puppy. I saw him the other day.’ Sam shot Marion his most suspicious look and Sylvie covered her mouth with her hand. Her boy might not be a natural climber but he was no fool.
‘Is he a horse? Oh! Can I ride him? I’m going to get an elephant soon, you know, Mrs Marksharp, so this would be very good practice.’
‘No riding their dog, Ellie, or you can’t go. Do you understand? We’ve had enough falls for one day!’ Alex used his sternest voice. ‘Are you OK with this, Sylvie, it’s been a long day for you and Sam. They can see the puppy another day?’
‘Please, Mum, please. I’m OK, the doctor said I’m OK, and Mrs Marksharp is probably practically a doctor, aren’t you, Mrs Marksharp?’
‘I am fully first-aid certified, and we won’t go far. I’m sure he’ll be quite all right.’
Sylvie wondered if it would make her a bad mother for letting Sam go but as soon as the thought popped into her head so did her mother.For goodness’ sake, fussing makes a fool not a fighter. Should shelet him go and make the most of this hour or so with Alex? Come on, where was life’s-too-short Sylvie of a couple of hours ago?
‘He seems to be fine. The hospital wouldn’t have released him if they had any worries. As long as you keep him in your line of sight, oh, I don’t mean that as in, you know, but as long as you keep him close I think it should be fine.’
‘Of course I will. You know I will, especially after earlier. Right then, gang, spit spot, let’s get going. I’ll text you ten minutes before I return them. I’ll be about an hour but I’m sure I can entertain them longer if necessary.’ She gave both Alex and Sylvie the most terrifying leer and marched all the children out of the garden.
As Sylvie and Alex heard the front door slam, they looked at each other again, and Sylvie gulped. He was so beautiful it took her breath away. She looked at the whole of him, studied him, the curve of his chin, the shape of his brow, those soul-deep brown eyes, the strong, strong lips. Here it was. Her moment to make her words meaningful, her moment to follow through on what she had promised herself. As she sat there, unable to peel her eyes from the most perfect man in front of her, she prayed for the strength to follow her heart.
Chapter Forty-seven
As she was searching for strength, and letching ever so slightly in between times, Alex came and sat beside her on the rug.
‘It seems Marion has strong-armed her way again and left us alone for the evening. Which kind of works for me because there was something I wanted to talk to you about.’
