‘No. He wasn’t.’
‘But … you genuinely believe that? That’s really what you want?’
‘Absolutely. I want to love and be loved. I told you that. I want someone who makes my heart soar and my entire body tingle. Someone who wants me and needs me so badly that they can’tstop thinking about me. Someone who looks at me as if I’m the most beautiful woman in the world.’
‘You are, Lucy. I mean, I think you’re beautiful. And … part of that other stuff applies to me. I think I made that clear last night. It’s just … the love thing I can’t do. And the lifetime commitment I can’t give you.’
‘Ah, so close and yet so far. Was that the doorbell?’
Sam was looking at me so intensely but the chime of the bell made him turn his head towards the front door.
‘Shall I?’ he asked.
‘Please do,’ I replied. ‘You need to keep that five-star rating.’
‘Six,’ he said, leaning over to give me a quick kiss before he stood up. ‘You gave me six, remember? And, as it happens, you’re a six too.’
‘Obviously!’ My heart did a little leap yet again, as Sam strolled towards the front door.
‘Good morning.’ Marcus sounded pleased to see Sam, but not entirely surprised.
‘Good morning to you,’ said Sam, and then he called out to me, ‘Lucy. Marcus has freed us from our golden prison. He’s removed the wall of snow. And, it seems, he’s carved a path to this front door and along the lane to his.’
I got up and went to greet him.
‘Crikey, Marcus! How on earth did you do that? Good morning, by the way.’
Marcus laughed. ‘I’ve got skills,’ he joked. ‘And tools.’
‘And helpers,’ said Alec, appearing beside him. ‘Good morning, Lucy.’ He grinned at Sam knowingly, and Sam smiled back. ‘And Sam. Noelle wants to know if you need anything.’
‘As does Adele,’ said Marcus, also grinning as if they were all in on some joke.
I hoped I wasn’t the joke.
‘Thank you both,’ I said. ‘And please thank Adele and Noelle, but I’m fine. I’ve got everything I need.’ And then I couldn’t help myself. I slipped my arm through Sam’s and gave them all my sexiest smile. ‘AndeverythingI could possibly want. Sam’s making sure of that.’
All three of them looked at me and then Alec and Marcus looked at Sam.
‘What a good thing you arrived when you did,’ Marcus said.
‘Perfect timing,’ said Alec.
‘I thought so,’ said Sam. ‘Although I’m not sure when I’ll see my bike again. I may need to borrow some tools, Marcus, and possibly some man-power to dig it out. But not today. Obviously.’
‘Obviously not,’ said Marcus. ‘Right. We’ll leave you to it. Just give me a shout when you want to search for your bike.’
‘I don’t think I’ll be going to work on Monday,’ said Alec. ‘Unless there’s another drastic change in the weather. So I can give you a hand as well. Keep warm,’ he added, with an even bigger grin.
‘Count on it,’ I said. ‘I hope Melody gets a chance to build her snow people.’
‘She’s checking the snow depth every half hour. Do you want us to give you a call when the fun’s about to start? Or do you have other plans?’
Sam and I exchanged glances and smiles.
‘Making snow people sounds like fun, so yes please,’ I said.
‘And getting warm in front of a roaring fire afterwards, sounds even better,’ Sam said. ‘So I’m in.’
