Page 107 of Unapologetic Love Story

There was an unspoken solidarity between the pair. The kind that emerged whenever two Scots met in a room full of English people.

‘I’m living the dream of serving these people inedible food.’

‘So, you don’t recommend whatever that is?’ Tom asked, nodding at the tray Alistair was holding.

‘Nah, pal. Don’t risk it.’

‘You prepared for lots of, “Oh, I’m from Scotland, too” tonight?’

‘Of course. Daddy’s shooting parties are always up there, second home in Skye, Caledonian sleeper. I’ve got a bingo card ready.’

‘Are you at least being paid well?’ Tom asked.

‘Aye, so, that’s a given. These things are worth the humiliation for the pay.’

Alistair suddenly pointed to the top of the grand staircase. ‘There’s the boss. She’s actually pretty nice.’

Tom turned to look. Pepper Cousins was preparing to make her entrance down into the main aquarium of the party, a colourful hostess ready to swim among lifeless coral and a few barracudas.

Tom wasn’t sure which one he was. Then Raina appeared and he stopped thinking altogether.

She was laughing with her sister and they were dressed more thematically than most of the room. She whispered something to Pepper then walked down the stairs with a jaunty freeness that was so at odds with everyone else. Alistair was serving some city brokers, and it allowed Tom to push his way through the crowd to the foot of the stairs.

He wasn’t keeping his distance this time, like he had at her birthday.

She caught his eye and grinned. ‘Hey, old sport.’

He put both hands on her hips and lifted her down from the stairs. She had fashioned up her long hair and he was tempted to unpin every inch of it just to see it fall down.

‘You look very handsome,’ she said, pulling at his lapels.

He’d been meaning to compliment her and say something flirtatious, but he found himself pulling her into his chest instead. He held her head against his heart with one hand and kissed her temple. She nestled into him, sliding her arms around his hips, but he could feel her questioning his reaction.

‘You all right?’ she asked when he finally released her.

‘Yeah,’ he said gruffly. ‘Better now.’

The DJ started his set, and Pepper was being hounded by guests from all angles. Raina took Tom’s hand and led him through the large foyer towards a door disguised as a bookcase.

‘This is where the real food is kept,’ she told him.

The secret door led to a little snug where there were platters of decent-looking little sandwiches and pies. Raina shut them both inside and gestured for Tom to help himself to the little feast.

‘Pep knows some of us can’t stand that corporate finger food.’

‘Nice little hiding spot.’

He sat on a loveseat at the far side of the snug and pulled Raina into his lap. She was swallowing a small scotch egg.

‘Sorry,’ she said, mouth full. ‘I can’t mask on an empty stomach.’

‘I prefer you unmasked.’

She stared at him. ‘Really?’

Her voice sounded so small.

‘Of course,’ he insisted.