21
Stefan
Stefan was pretty sure he could put up a tent with ease, but no. It took longer than expected and fell down at one point, but at least it kept Lindy amused. Not only was she sketching him, she couldn’t stop giggling.
By early evening, the tent and inflatable mattresses were ready for the garden camping, and whilst Stefan got on with making dinner, Lindy filled the blue tent with teddy bears, blankets, and fairy lights.
Florence was due any minute, and Stefan couldn’t wait for her to arrive. All day he’d worried about her, even though she had assured him she was fine. She seemed okay at lunchtime, having sandwiches in the cottage, but she’d looked tired, so Rose helped care for Lindy for the afternoon whilst Florence went home.
Scott had called later in the day to let him know the police now had the camera footage from Lemon Drop Cottage, and that he had let Florence know as well, and Rhett had texted to say Florence had been in good spirits after a short nap and was hanging out with the horses.
It was so lovely the way the community came together to be as helpful as possible. Stefan appreciated every single one of them.
A knock on the front door had him sprint that way, eager to see Florence.
She smiled widely as he flung open the door. ‘I brought popcorn,’ she said, holding out a bag.
‘I’m just chopping some salad to go with the roast chicken.’ He led her through to the kitchen and offered a chair. ‘How are you?’
‘Doing okay. Now, how can I help?’
‘Oh, you can just rest—’
‘You can help me make the beds,’ said Lindy, poking her head around the back door.
‘Ooh is the tent up already?’
Stefan followed her into the garden, happy to see her smile broaden. ‘What do you think?’
Florence peeked inside. ‘It’s bigger than I thought.’
Lindy plumped a cushion. ‘It’s comfy, look.’ She patted the mattress in the middle of the three. ‘Dad doesn’t want you to be uncomfortable.’
He met Florence’s gaze as she turned. ‘Because of your bruises.’
‘Let’s give it a test then.’ Florence climbed inside and sat on the bed whilst Lindy giggled. ‘Ooh, lovely. I might just go to sleep right now.’
Lindy handed her another cushion. ‘You have to eat dinner first. Otherwise you’ll wake in the night feeling hungry.’
Florence smiled at Stefan. ‘Patio table dinner?’
‘If you like.’
Lindy nodded. ‘I like.’
Stefan set dinner up outside, enjoying the company. The muggy air, not so much.
Lindy ate faster than anyone, as though finishing her dinner early would make it bedtime already.
‘We’re due a storm,’ said Florence, looking at the sky.
Lindy looked up. ‘Hope it’s tonight.’
Stefan frowned. ‘Let’s hope not.’ He gestured at the tent. ‘Not while we’re in that.’
Florence laughed. ‘We could wake to find ourselves floating out to sea.’
‘I’m going to write a story about that.’ Lindy grabbed her plate as she headed for the kitchen. ‘Is it time for me to put my pyjamas on, Dad?’
Stefan chuckled. Lindy had been wanting to go the bed since lunchtime. ‘Go on then. Get yourself ready.’ He turned to Florence. ‘Looks like we’re having an early night.’
‘Suits me. After travelling all morning, I reckon I’m due a good sleep, storm or no storm.’
‘Didn’t you have a nap earlier?’
Florence shrugged. ‘All of ten minutes.’
Stefan glanced at the overcast sky, thinking it a tad gloomy. ‘I would postpone, but Lindy wouldn’t appreciate that.’
Florence stood to clear away dinner. ‘I’ll help with this, then get my own PJs on.’
The thought occurred to him that neither of them had seen each other in nightwear. Not even on their one-night stand. His neck warmed a little, then he composed himself and got ready for their night.
Lindy was the first in the tent, claiming the middle bed. She held an electronic tablet, ready for them to watch a Disney film.
Stefan propped up as many large cushions he could find so they could sit up comfortably, then settled back to watch The Jungle Book , as Lindy wanted to pretend they were in the jungle.
Florence and Lindy sang along to all the songs, and Stefan was encouraged to join in, which he did for one song, even doing a little jig, making the others laugh.
He tried to get Lindy to settle for the night, knowing all too well what a task that would be. He snuggled her down, switched off the lanterns, leaving only the fairy lights to project twinkles onto the tent.
Lindy reached for his hand, and used her other to hold Florence’s. ‘We should sleep here every night,’ she whispered, grinning from ear to ear.
Stefan peered over at Florence, returning the smile coming his way. ‘Let’s see how you go tonight.’
Lindy squeezed her eyes to a close. ‘I’m asleep already.’
‘Yes, I can see that.’ Stefan glanced once more at Florence. ‘And what about you, do you think you’ll be able to sleep tonight?’
Florence shuffled slightly. ‘I’m quite comfy over here, so I don’t see why not.’
‘No headache, feeling sick, dizzy?’
‘You can flash your light in my eyes if it makes you feel better.’
Stefan raised his brow. ‘Don’t tempt me.’
With her eyes still closed, Lindy pulled theirs hands over her so that they touched. ‘Holding Dad’s hand makes you feel better, Florence.’
Stefan and Florence shared a smile, then he pulled his hand away and tucked Lindy’s beneath the blanket over the sleeping bag. ‘You keep warm. It’ll be cold in here tonight.’
Lindy snuggled down, yawning into her teddy bear.
He reached over the back of her head, stretching a hand across the cushion towards Florence. She gazed at the offer for a moment, and he wasn’t sure she would accept, but then she slid her slender fingers into his and closed her eyes.
Lying back, Stefan stared at the roof of the tent. Calmness enveloped him, and sleep took over.
Rolling off the camp bed woke Stefan, and when he checked his phone, he noticed he’d only been asleep for an hour. He glanced at Lindy to see she wasn’t waking anytime soon. Her little face held a warm glow from the fairy lights, and he hoped whatever she was dreaming about was as wonderful as her.
Florence wasn’t in her bed, so he peered outside to see if she was in the kitchen.
‘Sorry, did I wake you?’ she said, sitting by the patio table.
Stefan clambered out to join her. ‘Sliding off the mattress woke me.’
Florence muffled her giggle with her hand.
‘Hmm,’ he muttered, sitting by her side. ‘Why aren’t you asleep?’
A rumble in the sky filled the air.
Florence pointed upwards. ‘I was listening to the storm rolling in. Not sure how far away it is, but it sounds nice when it’s not right on top of you.’
‘Have you had any sleep?’
She shook her head. ‘No, but it’s not because I’m bruised or what happened to me today. I just feel content out here. I could sit here forever.’
Stefan stared at the garden, studying all he could see in the darkness. ‘It is nice here.’
Her smile was soft. ‘It’s strange, isn’t it, that we met again so far from home?’
‘Some call that fate.’
‘I just think it’s quite surreal.’
He glanced at her hand, wanting to hold it once more. Instead, he linked his own fingers on his lap and sat quietly as another rumble of thunder took over the sky.
‘Do you think we should risk sleeping in the tent tonight?’ she asked.
He was about to say it should be okay, but a streak of lightning lit up the area. ‘Best not.’
Florence chuckled. ‘I’ll nip upstairs and sort Lindy’s bed while you go get her.’
‘Okay.’ He watched Florence enter the kitchen, then he climbed inside the tent to scoop Lindy into his arms, teddy bear and all.
Lindy stirred, then snuggled into his chest just as light rain started to fall.
Florence had the quilt turned back, so Stefan gently placed his daughter into the bed, then tucked her in. He kissed her head, then switched on the night light before leaving the room with Florence.
‘You can sleep in my bed tonight,’ he told her as they met the landing. He noticed her right eyebrow lift a touch. ‘I’ll take the spare room.’ The quirk in the corner of her mouth disappeared.
‘I’m fine in the spare room.’
Stefan shook his head. ‘The mattress is lumpy. Mine is new. I’d sleep better knowing you were comfy.’ He gestured to his bedroom. ‘Just here.’
Florence stepped inside, stopping by the doorframe. ‘Thank you.’
‘Good night, Florence,’ he said softly, not wanting to walk away.
She leaned forward and kissed his cheek, and it took every ounce of willpower he had not to take her in his arms. ‘Night, Stefan.’
He watched her close the door, then made his way downstairs to the living room, where he flopped on the sofa, as there wasn’t a bed in the spare room.
Thunder boomed overhead and rain splattered the window. He glanced at the covered birdcage, then got up to take a peek at Zeus.
The bird had his head tucked under his wing, sleeping through the noise, and the intrusion, so Stefan left him alone and went back to the sofa to get comfortable for the night.
The sound of the rain was soothing, and he closed his eyes, only stirring when something was draped on him.
‘Shh, go back to sleep,’ came Florence’s gentle voice.
Stefan peeked at the quilt over him, then the weight of tiredness took control.