‘God, I’ve missed you so much,’ he said as theybroke apart and he picked up his case again. ‘I can’t wait to get you home.’
‘Well, if all you want me for is my body…then I’m fine with that.’ She giggled as he searched out her hand, and they walked to the car chatting nineteen to the dozen.
It was a twenty-minute drive back home. Juliette smiled: home. It felt like that to her already, but she wondered how long it would take Danny to settle as he flitted back and forth. Still, it wouldn’t be for long.
She’d prepared everything for his arrival. She’d shopped locally, grabbing all she needed to make a weekend of his favourite meals. There was wine chilling, beer in the cooler and the barbecue at the ready as the weather was still glorious. But all she really wanted to do was feel the closeness of her husband. She had missed him too.
They pulled into the driveway, Danny bringing in his case. ‘I’ll take this upstairs,’ he said.
‘I’ll open the wine.’
He reached for her hand once more and pulled her upstairs with him. ‘I want you first.’ He threw her playfully on the bed and lay on top of her. Brushing the hair from her face, he kissed her gently. ‘I have waited for this all week.’
Later, when they were both downstairs again, they chatted while they prepared food. Juliette had forgottenhow lovely it was just to be. Living in London, they’d gone out to eat more than they’d prepared food at home. Here it was a pleasure to cook in their country kitchen.
She gazed through the window as she washed the salad. The garden was coming on nicely now. Danny came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder.
‘This is bliss,’ he said quietly.
‘It is when the weather is so good. The locals tell me it’s treacherous in winter.’
‘The locals?’
She smiled, wiping her hands on a tea towel before turning towards him.
‘And how about you?’ Danny added. ‘Is it getting to you being here alone?’
‘It’s only been a week.’
‘You know what I mean. At least everything in London is familiar to me.’
‘That’s why I like being here though.’ She sighed. ‘It’s okay but I’m counting down until you’re here for good.’
They sat outside on the patio. It overlooked Sarah and Richard’s house slightly and she could see into their garden. But considering they each had acres behind them, it was the only spot. She could see through the kitchen window too. At the moment it was empty.
‘I could get used to this,’ Danny said as he put downhis knife and fork and reached for his glass. ‘It’s deathly quiet. Is it always like this?’
She nodded.
‘And breakfast on Sundays? Is there anywhere good?’
‘I’ve been told there’s a farm shop about a mile away that’s worth trying. What time is your train back?’
‘Ten past eight.’
‘So I have you all to myself for’ – she checked her watch and worked it out in her head – ‘fifty hours.’ She leaned closer to kiss him, noticing Richard was in his garden.
‘Should I wave or do you think it’s too intrusive?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, if we weren’t higher up the hill, we wouldn’t see him at all. Maybe he prefers to keep himself to himself.’
‘What does he do? Have you found out yet?’
‘He paints.’
‘Is he good?’
