CHAPTER TWO
‘Katja, what are we even doing here?’ I hissed, my eyes darting around the shop. I’d never considered myself a prude, but there were objects on the shelves in here that were making my cheeks glow like a bonfire.
She chuckled. ‘Relax, Ellie. We’re just looking.’
‘Oh, no. The shop assistant’s coming over. What if she asks us what we’re looking for?’ I squeaked, deliberately averting my eyes. Unfortunately, my gaze then landed on a display of unfeasibly enormous vibrators standing proud and unashamed in a rainbow of colours, at which point I truly wanted the floor to swallow me up.
Taking pity on me, Katja laughed and grabbed my arm. ‘Come on. Let’s get out of here. I’m not really interested in buying butt plugs. Just some sexy underwear will suffice.’
‘What even is a butt plug?’
‘Not quite sure, to be honest.’ She turned at the door to give the assistant an apologetic wave. ‘But they had a truly impressive range of sizes and colours.’
We raced out of the shop, giggling like a couple of teenagers.
‘Sorry about that,’ I gasped. ‘I didn’t mean to spoil your fun.’ I looked back at the shop. ‘I mean, we could go back in if you like?’
‘Really?’ She grinned at me doubtfully.
‘Well, there’s obviously a whole world of kink out there that I knew nothing about. Maybe it’s time I was educated?’
Katja grimaced. ‘Perhaps another day? How about we treat ourselves to some daring new underwear instead?’
‘Okay.’ I shot her a suspicious glance. ‘ How daring, though? I don’t think crotchless knickers are really me, to be fair.’
‘Me, neither.’
‘Honestly, if I put something like that on, Zak would probably just laugh.’
‘Well, at least you’d get a reaction. Richard probably wouldn’t even notice if I came into the bedroom wearing only a Santa beard and a pair of crotchless knickers on my head .’ She sighed. ‘He’ll be away three whole months. I’m going to really miss him.’
‘It’ll go by in a flash. And best of all, you can fly over there for a visit.’
She nodded. ‘I keep suggesting that, but he always just says, “Yeah, of course,” and then moves on to something else.’
‘He’s got too much on his mind.’
‘I know, but if it was me who was going away for three months, I’d feel excited but I’d be sad at the same time, leaving Richard behind. But he honestly doesn’t seem that bothered.’
‘Men are different. He’ll miss you. Of course he will.’
She laughed. ‘Sorry. I’m just being ridiculous. I can plan my visit over there once Richard’s actually in New York and settled.’
‘Exactly. He needs to get the lie of the land first... then he’ll be able to show you around.’
She nodded. Then she looked at me thoughtfully. ‘So is Zak really stressed about his writing?’
I groaned. ‘He’s putting on a brave face, trying not to worry me, but I can tell he’s really anxious. I’ve stopped asking him if he’s come up with a new storyline because it’s obvious he’s out of inspiration and I don’t want to rub it in.’
‘Poor man. Maybe he’ll be inspired by the arts festival?’
The local Winter Arts Festival had been in full swing since New Year’s Day and was set to continue until the middle of March. Excitingly, our friend Kenzie – a former café employee – would be revealing her latest pottery collection at a local gallery in a couple of weeks, as part of the festival, and we were all going along to support her.
I grimaced. ‘Zak’s absolutely hating the arts festival. Specifically, the giant marquee that’s been a permanent fixture on the village green since the start of the month.’
‘Aren’t the plays and shows very good, then? I haven’t been to any yet.’
I smiled ruefully. ‘I’m sure they’re great. No, it’s the noise and the commotion of so many people milling around, before and after performances, that’s driving him crazy. He’ll be sitting in his study longing for peace so he can think – and then all of a sudden, the audience in the marquee will start clapping and whooping and whistling. Or there’ll be a van with a loud hailer driving by, advertising some other performance or exhibition in a village nearby.’
‘Oh, dear. I suppose your house is so near the green, there’ll be no escaping the roar of an audience.’
‘Exactly. I’ve suggested he go down to stay with his gran on the south coast. Just while the festival is on. He can walk on the beach and get the peace and quiet he needs down there.’
‘But he doesn’t want to leave you, what with you being pregnant?’
‘Which is ridiculous because he’ll be home every weekend.’ I gave a sigh. ‘I think he’s worried I’m going to bash on with the renovation of Bogg House during the week while he’s away and make decisions without consulting him.’
‘Which of course you’d never do.’ She gave me a sly, sideways smile.
I laughed. ‘You know me too well. I’ve always got to have a project on the go and I don’t like hanging around.’
‘Ooh.’ Katja pointed. ‘Parking space alert! And it’s right outside the lingerie shop.’ She grinned. ‘I think that’s what you call serendipity.’