‘Take your time – we’ve got all night,’ he replied.
‘And tomorrow morning,’ I said, taking a sip of my champagne.
‘It’s nice to just concentrate on us. Even being able to look at you without a roomful of people sat watching us is a new experience. Cheers, Sara! Here’s to lighting many, many fires.’
I clinked my glass with his and couldn’t stop a goofy smile spreading across my face. ‘I’m supposed to be back at work next week, but I’ve had some weird news,’ I said, thinking back to the call I’d had with Cheryl. ‘They are making redundancies and I’ve been offered a package to consider.’
‘Is that good news or bad?’ Henrik asked, concerned.
‘Interesting question. It was a shock at first, but the offer is generous, and I’ve been there a long time. More than long enough. Maybe it’s a sign to move on.’
‘Would you do something different? Or work as a lawyer for someone else?’
‘I’ve worked too hard to become a lawyer to change career completely. Oliver is planning to open a satellite office in London, so I rang him last week to ask what the situation was with that.’
‘What did he say?’
‘He’s sent me through his business plan and we’re having a chat on Tuesday, so there might be something interesting there. How about you? How are things at Firefly Forest?’
‘Same old, same old. Except for the first time in years, I’m feeling lonely out there. The tech not working has been a nightmare. Not being able to contact you has been driving me mad. It’s made me realise I’ve been hiding out there for too long. Hiding away from getting on with my life.’
Our food arrived and Henrik tucked into chunky halloumi fries with salsa, while I had a spicy tomato soup with a balsamic spider’s web. We chattered away non-stop, laughing and gossiping and swapping life stories, and before we knew it, eyeball truffles were being served with coffee, and I was willing the clock to turn back. It got to eleven and I’d been eking out my coffee for half an hour, while Henrik stroked the inside of my wrist. It was probably time to say goodnight and go home, but I didn’t want the night to end.
‘Do you want to go to a club?’ I asked.
Henrik looked horrified. ‘Not after all that ghoul-ash and bump-lings. I’d rather have a nightcap and record your meditation.’
‘Oh. OK, well that sounds good too,’ I said, grinning from ear to ear.
‘We need somewhere quiet to do it,’ he said. ‘My room has a small lounge area?’
I nodded. ‘Makes sense to be somewhere private,’ I said. ‘For the sound quality.’
‘Exactly. What’s your poison?’
‘Brandy please.’
Henrik ordered two brandies and signed for the bill, then we walked through the hotel, which was like an art gallery. As soon as the lift doors closed I jumped on him. We kissed frantically for the few seconds of alone time we had and I couldn’t have been happier to be back in his arms.
We chased each other down the corridor, holding our drinks out to balance them like an egg and spoon race. His room was beautiful, with high ceilings and sash windows, heavy velvet blackout curtains and a plush pink carpet. The headboard took up half the wall and looked like its own art installation, with soft flowery blankets over cotton sheets. Shiny copies ofVogueandWallpapermagazine sat on the table in the lounge area, next to a rolled-upBig Issue, and there was a Nespresso machine next to the bed.
‘Wow, this is alright, isn’t it?’ I said, slipping off my heels and taking a seat in one of the leather armchairs.
‘They upgraded me – they must have liked my face.’ He took a sip of his brandy and switched on the radio.
‘I like your face too,’ I said, picking up theBig Issueand flicking through it. ‘Was this in your room? How cool to see hotels buying copies and getting them into the hands of the hoi polloi.’
‘Sadly not – I bought it from a guy outside the tube.’
I rolled my eyes, disappointed. ‘I thought it was too good to be true. So how do we do this, then? Do you need to do some mouth exercises? Or gargle with vinegar to prepare?’
‘Vinegar? For what?’
He looked so confused; I couldn’t help but giggle.
‘Recording the meditations.’
‘Oh, that. I thought you were about to put me through some kind of cleansing ritual. How about we do the meditations in themorning,’ he said, kissing me again and taking the magazine. ‘I’m not sure you’ll want to kiss me with vinegar breath.’
Frank Sinatra started crooning on the radio and Henrik offered me his hand to dance.
‘Tomorrow morning, before you go back to Bergen?’
‘Yep. Back to Firefly tomorrow. Which reminds me – I haven’t had your official RSVP to the wedding.’
‘Well, Jonas and Greta have, and my nymph outfit is already cleaned, steamed and hanging in the wardrobe,’ I replied, snuggling into him.
