Page 54
‘You never know in books either,’ she countered. ‘They don’t call them plot twists for nothing.’ Granted, she preferred the type of fiction where you could be sure of a safe journey and happy ending. But she didn’t have to divulge everything.
‘Well, today feels like a plot twist for me,’ he said, pausing to beam at her. ‘I didn’t think I’d ever tempt you out of your fishbowl.’
She flicked one of his Snowdog ears, which was a spotty sock that clashed with the striped one.
They continued their careful pace, Noémi enjoying the soft, rhythmic crunch of snow beneath their feet.
‘I’m surprised the Cotswolds is thrilling enough for a keen voyager like you. What brings you here?’
‘I don’t know. The promise of dominoes with my granddad at Happy Hedges?’
She wondered if he always used humour to avoid digging deeper, because she sensed there was more. Well, she did love a story. ‘And?’
He let out a long, misty breath. ‘You need an and? Look at this place.’
They paused to take it in. They’d ventured farther away from civilization now, amid evergreen trees laden with snow and the bare arms of hazel trees sparkling with a sheen of frosted diamonds. The sun dazzled brightly, creating starbursts of light through the branches. And the view across the Cotswold hills was spectacular. Fields blanketed in ivory, interspersed with shrubs like white powder puffs, the outlines of towns and villages signalling life. When had she last stopped to appreciate this?
‘I’ve visited some amazing places – but farther doesn’t always mean better,’ Shay said quietly, as they stood side by side, breathing it all in. ‘I’ve been caught in the trap of trying to find the next, more exhilarating thing. But if you keep searching and never finding, you’ve got to wonder.’
‘Wonder what?’
‘Whether you’re chasing the wrong thing.’ He turned his head to look at her. ‘Maybe it’s not a bigger adventure that my soul needs. But a different kind.’
She swivelled to look at him, her eyes dancing. ‘Like a book!’
He laughed and shook his head. ‘Not exactly what I’d been wondering, but I’m learning not to rule anything out.’
‘How’s the dominoes going?’ she asked, as they continued their cautious snowshoe walk down Bloom Hill, the air invigoratingly fresh.
Noémi sensed Shay was pacing more slowly on account of her wariness, though possibly so she didn’t retaliate by making him read sixty hours of War and Peace.
‘I don’t mind telling you that I lose a lot, and sitting still is a struggle. But being around the older residents forces me to slow down, and focusing on the game can be peaceful.’
She smiled to herself, knowing that if she could hook him into reading, he’d experience that tranquillity even after the pages were closed.
‘How are the hazel trees you’ve planted?’ It hadn’t escaped her that he was leaving roots here – even if they wouldn’t be his own.
‘They might not love this unexpected snow, but they’re dormant in winter, so it would usually be safe to plant them. I’ve put them somewhere sheltered. Then you’ve just got to hope.’
‘Everyone could do with a large dollop of that,’ she joked.
‘Talking of large dollops.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Can we address the situation with these award-winning cookies?’
She groaned. ‘Did you have to ruin what was turning out to be a surprisingly reasonable walk?’
‘I’m a big fan of making a nuisance of myself. And I have shared a few things with you. There’s literally no one around to hear except me and three pheasants.’
Noémi laughed in surprise as the proud-looking game birds hopped past them through the snow.
‘Look at them,’ said Noémi, marvelling at their iridescent green necks and the way they bounced along as though snow didn’t faze them. ‘Not a care in the world.’
‘Yep. Not a clue that they’re soon to become a posh person’s Christmas lunch.’
‘Shay! Again, you could do with a few lessons in not ruining the moment. I prescribe you one copy of Pride and Prejudice so you can learn some etiquette.’
‘I’m not sure Mr Darcy always got it right.’
They paused as the route grew steep and Shay showed Noémi how to snowshoe sideways.
