‘Yes,’ replied Daniel, making her laugh. He grinned, longing to close his lips over hers. ‘You need something that links with the area. What’s the Cotswolds most renowned for?’
‘Its honey-coloured stone?’
‘Yes, and its textile – the wool merchants built churches and manor houses with their fortunes, encouraging the Arts and Crafts Movement. I think we should home in on that. Also, it’s got strong literary connections.’
‘Ah yes, Laurie Lee,’ Christie reminisced about readingCider With Rosieat school.
‘Exactly! Talking of which it’s also well known for its cider houses and old-world real-ale pubs, just like yours.’ This made Christie tingle with pride. Daniel’s enthusiasm was infectious. Then an idea suddenly hit her.
‘Let’s go to the antique centre! There could be pieces in there that would really add finishing touches.’
‘Excellent, you’re getting the idea.’ Daniel patted her back, then let his arm slide round her side, pulling her into him. Christie felt happy and relaxed and snuggled into him as they made their way into the heart of the ancient city.
As predicted, the antique centre proved a worthwhile visit. Their eyes darted round the various shops, picking out period items that would blend in perfectly with the themed rooms; from a charming Georgian writing bureau, to rustic cider pots and lambs-wool rugs. Christie bought various prints of the Cotswolds, depicting its historic villages, landscape and ancient honey-stoned architecture. Daniel collected a few old vintage signs taken from alehouses, shops and cafés, which would look quirky on the room walls. All in all, it had been a very productive day.
After three hours of solid shopping and having heaved all their goods back into the car, they were more than ready for a sit-down.
‘Come on, I’ll buy you lunch.’ Daniel directed them into a quaint-looking tea shop. Inside the cosy tea room, they sat in a corner and talked animatedly about their purchases. It had been a long time since either of them had felt so buoyant, well apart from yesterday when Daniel had been promised Keeper’s Cottage. Happiness exuded from his face. His pale blue eyes were gleaming, Christie noticed. She so didn’t want the day to end.
‘Let’s go and visit the cathedral after lunch,’ she suggested. Anything to prolong her time in his company; she felt so chilled just being with him. Today’s shopping trip proved they were very alike, always thinking along the same lines. He certainly had a creative mind, and style, not to mention being easy on the eye.
*
‘The cathedral is one of the finest medieval buildings in the country,’ boasted the guide, ‘and traces a thousand years of architectural styles from Norman to the present day, where our team of stonemasons are still carving and casting.’ Daniel and Christie absorbed all the impressive history of the cathedral, wandering through the decorative arched cloisters and into the Lady Chapel, which housed some of the finest Arts and Crafts glass in the country, as the tour guide told them. They climbed to the top of the tower to see the bells and the stunning rooftop views. Daniel looked sideways to see Christie in awe of the panoramic vista. He leant forward and kissed her cheek. She turned to face him and smiled.
‘Thank you,’ she said.
‘What for?’
‘Helping me.’ Those two words were simple, but loaded.
‘It’s a two-way thing,’ he replied.
