But there was reason enough for that. Today they had to put into practice what they had agreed to last night, to treat each other differently, without that glowering hostility constantly bristling between them. To achieve some kind of neutrality. She must make the effort to do so consciously, conscientiously.
As Dan finished his reading and Xander his coffee, she said, making her voice carefully light, “Why not have a bit of a kick around in the garden while I clear up and get some lunch going?”
Xander hadn’t said anything about eating out, so she’d make cheese and ham toasties in the smart new sandwich maker she’d found in a cupboard in the formidably well-equipped kitchen. Cheese on toast was one of Dan’s favourites, and it was economical and filling. It struck her that now, with Xander bankrolling them, she no longer had to think economically. It would certainly make life easier.
But Xander’s money would only be spent on Dan, she thought fiercely. That comment Xander had made last night, that she should buy new clothes on his credit card…
A flash of resistance flared in her. Xander already thought her a thief; she would not compound that accusation by letting him think she was happy to get her sticky fingers into his bank balance.
Forcibly, she made the flash subside. They were supposed to be making an effort to subdue their hostility. Had Xander seen that flash? Following Dan, who’d dashed off eagerly into the garden, Xander turned, his eyes going to Laurel, meeting hers.
“We can do this,” he said, his voice low, his gaze intent. “We can both do it.”
She nodded. Her lungs felt tight, but she acknowledged what he was saying. “Yes,” she said, “we can.”
Because we must, for Dan.
Xander parked the car outside his hotel on the gravelled sweep.
“The spa is in the old stable block,” he said. He guided them towards it.
Dan was excited and ran ahead.
Xander turned to Laurel. “I’ve taken the liberty,” he said, “of booking us in for afternoon tea here at the hotel after our swim. Would you object?”
He was asking politely, becausepolitenesswas now his watchword towards her. She was matching it in turn. They were walking over eggshells around each other, but that was what they’d agreed to, hadn’t they? In the aftermath of that hideous meltdown yesterday.
“Would it be suitable for a child Dan’s age?” she asked, but her tone of voice was only enquiring, not combative.
“I did check, and was assured well-behaved youngsters are welcome. And Dan is very well behaved,” Xander acknowledged, because to do otherwise would be unjust. “He’ll do fine, I’m sure. They do a children’s menu, so I’m sure he’ll enjoy it.”
“I’m sure he will,” Laurel replied, her voice warming now. “The only thing is—” she paused, and Xander glanced at her “—I’m not exactly dressed for afternoon tea at a posh hotel.”
Xander’s gaze took in her chain-store skirt and top. It was little better than what she’d worn the previous day. Memory plucked at him. Even on her limited budget Laurel had always dressed with flair in Greece, always looking good. Now, though nothing could dim her inherent beauty, she did nothing to pay tribute to it. Glorious hair pulled back into a tight knot and not a scrap of make-up.
His own words to her the previous evening came back to him:You’re too beautiful not to have beautiful clothes.
Her answer came back to him as well, that she would not let him spend his money on her.
For a moment frustration bit, and a sense of caustic irony too. Her scruples hadn’t stopped her taking Olympia’s bracelet…
No, he wasn’t going to go down that bitter path again. He drew back from it. Realised she was speaking again.
“Oh well,” she was saying, “they can always take me for Dan’s nanny, I guess!”
She said it lightly, without animosity, and in the same spirit Xander forbore from pointing out that even a nanny would look better dressed than she did.
They reached the former stable-yard, now the spa entrance.
“I can see the pool!” Dan exclaimed as they went in.
Xander smiled down at him, took his hand. “Let’s get changed,” he said. “See you poolside.” He glanced at Laurel.
Did she hesitate a fraction, as if she didn’t want Dan changing with him? Maybe, but then she handed Dan his swim bag.
“Okay, see you poolside.”
It took Xander more time than he realised it would to get Dan ready to swim, his excitement rising by the minute. But with their clothes consigned to a locker, Dan’s goggles and inflatable armbands remembered, courtesy towels collected, and Dan hopping from one foot to another throughout, plus getting himself changed as well, Xander finally guided him through to the pool. On this quiet weekday afternoon they had the place to themselves. He cast his eyes about for Laurel.
