Chapter Twenty-two
Twenty-two
The tram juddered through the cobbled streets, slow and rickety, turning a wide corner before starting up S?o Jorge’s hill.
Lisbon was a muted palette of reds and whites, with the occasional orange flash as the sun hit, and seeing it from this angle was a real treat.
Another unforgettable experience. I felt like I’d been on this trip forever.
We’d visited so many different places in such a short space of time that I’d almost forgotten what my real home was like.
The home before the home before the home.
Leo sat next to me with his late-lunch espresso as we bounced along the track, and he leant in to take a selfie.
‘Smile!’ he said, pulling a funny face.
Not that I needed a prompt; I was already giving him big eyes from under my falsies. I held my cup up next to his, the pair of us flouting the Italian law of no coffee after midday.
‘I’m glad we’re getting to do this,’ Leo said, kissing me on the cheek.
‘Me too. Although I feel like the others could catch us at any second.’
‘They’ll do well to find us up here.’
It was stop-start on the final leg of the route, and I slipped my hand inside Leo’s when we eventually reached the top.
The tram doors exhaled and everyone piled off, following each other towards the railings where the view of Lisbon was breathtaking.
Old-fashioned lamps marked out the castle perimeter, with gunmetal cannons pointing at the river on the terrace below.
The history of the city was woven into everyday life as the locals returned from work, smartly dressed and carrying beautiful leather bags.
Tourists sat on the castle wall and let their legs dangle free, as the bustle of city life played out around them.
‘Fancy a jaunt around the castle?’ Leo asked. ‘We can pretend we’re on a romantic minibreak.’
‘Aren’t we?’
The sun hovered on the horizon, spreading a peachy hue across the sky as we walked hand in hand along the castle parapet.
Pockets of people queued for gelato and enjoyed sundowners from the pop-up bars, but we were tempted by neither as we strolled on by, eventually ending up back where we’d started.
The light had shifted and the view seemed entirely different now the sun was lower, covering the city in a yellow glaze.
‘The Cristo Rei is still keeping his eye on us,’ I said, pointing out the statue across the water. The river Tagus was full of tourist boats and the city lights were gradually turning on. ‘Impressive that we can still see him all the way up here.’
‘Not bad, but it’s no Angel of the North.’
‘Similar vibe though, no? Albeit yours is the agnostic Geordie version.’
Leo chuckled. ‘My grandad worked in the coal mine it stands over, so Gran would take us up to see it on his birthday every year.’
‘You didn’t mention him before – did he raise you and your brothers as well?’
‘Nope. Just us boys and Gran. Twenty years in a coal mine wasn’t the healthiest choice of career.’
I felt a pang of sadness for both Leo and his grandmother. ‘It must have been hard for her without him. Without anyone.’
Leo gave a sad smile. ‘Yeah, although she didn’t ever say so – and she had us. All three of us grew up wanting to make her proud. My older brother Oscar is a musician, and Max is a numbers whizz.’
‘The opposite of me then.’
‘He’s running some fintech that none of us understand and it blows my mind every time he tries to explain it. How about you? Any siblings?’
‘Are you sensing eldest-daughter energy?’ I teased. ‘Younger twin sisters and they are a nightmare. An inseparable duo in their own little gang, so I’m used to being outvoted.’
Leo nodded. ‘That explains why you’re so confident and articulate – you’ve had to fight to be heard.’
I stopped at that. I’d never really thought about it before, but he was right. I had. He’d spotted a piece of me I hadn’t even known was on show.
‘Doesn’t everyone?’
He shook his head. ‘Nope. You can spot an only child a mile off because they assume centre stage as their right. Brooke, for example. Whereas you and I are used to sharing, so we always check before we speak.’
It was an interesting observation, although neither of us knew she was an only child for sure.
‘It must have been difficult growing up without your parents,’ I said softly.
Leo shrugged. ‘Can’t miss what you’ve never had. Are you close with yours?’
‘Yep. Mum has always been like a sister to me and Dad expresses his love through football. He’s a season ticketholder at Anfield, so I always know where he is on match day.
He used to take me every week when I was little, home or away.
The twins were never interested so it was our daddy-daughter time together. ’
‘Exactly what I’ll do with my children. Complete indoctrination from an early age. I’m from four generations of Liverpool supporters so it’s in the Kendrick blood. There must be a Scouser in the family tree somewhere.’
‘The best kind of people,’ I said, in my best Scouse accent.
‘I’m starting to think that too.’
He put his arms around me as we stared out at the city, the sun starting to set.
We’d seen some incredible sights over the past two weeks, but Lisbon by night was pretty special.
I leant back into his chest, which felt solid and safe, and the warmth of his body surrounded me as we stood in this magical spot.
Esmeralda had brought me here and facilitated this perfect moment.
I’d never in my wildest thoughts have imagined I’d be stood on top of a castle overlooking Lisbon with a potential new love interest like this three weeks ago.
We’d both been transported here by Excalibur.
A kernel of an idea was germinating. Almost like you couldn’t have a brochure for it because the very nature of a cruise is so variable.
Unexpected perfection with Excalibur. Who knows what will happen on an Excalibur Cruise.
Esmeralda – where will she take you next? There could be something in it.
‘What are you thinking?’ Leo breathed in my ear.
‘Just how random these last two weeks have been,’ I said, trying to be honest without giving anything away. ‘Like me and you in this moment right now. This whole trip has been so completely bizarre.’
‘Hmm.’ He nuzzled my back. ‘Good-bizarre, though, right?’
I laughed. ‘Yes. I also keep thinking about Heidi losing her mind when she finds out I’ve been fraternising with the enemy.’
‘The enemy? I’ll have you know I’m an upstanding member of the PR community. And not normally one for a holiday romance.’
‘You’re having a holiday romance?’
‘Yes. With you,’ he said, kissing my neck, then slowly turning me around. ‘Although it is becoming somewhat of a distraction. I’m not used to having to think about anything other than work while I’m working.’
‘So, I’m putting you off?’
‘I’ve already told you this!’
I stopped in surprise and looked at him.
‘In a good way. I’m far too easily distracted when I like someone. It doesn’t mean I want the… er… distracting to stop.’
I softened as he stumbled over his words. For a man who worked in communications, he didn’t half struggle with making himself clear.
‘I see.’
He raked a hand through his hair, looking nervous. ‘And I don’t want it to end when the cruise is over.’
Neither did I. But I didn’t want him to know that. Who knew how he might use it against me.
‘End? It’s barely started!’
‘Exactly, and it’s been a long time coming. I know we need to focus on the reason we’re here and all that, but once the pitch is done, I’m taking you out. Properly.’ His face searched mine. ‘Would that be allowed?’
‘Fine by me, but you’ll have to ask Heidi’s permission.’
Leo faced me and stared earnestly into my eyes. ‘I’m serious, Kat, I like you. I’ve always liked you. I’m trying to stay professional in front of the others, but I’m not sure I’m carrying it off. I haven’t had this much fun in ages.’
‘I like you too,’ I said, stroking his cheek. ‘At the moment. I just don’t know how far that feeling will extend if you guys win the pitch and I end up in the unemployment line.’
Leo’s eyes widened. ‘You won’t lose your job, will you?’
‘Of course I will. Excalibur is my job.’ Surely he understood that.
‘I assumed they’d move you on to another account.’
‘Heidi hasn’t mentioned it, but I can see for myself that there aren’t any gaps. Excalibur is worth so much money to us, the agency would have to shed half its staff. I’ll be the first to get the old heave-ho if we lose.’ I shook my head. ‘Sorry, I shouldn’t be oversharing like this.’
‘No, it’s good for me to understand the situation, and I did ask you what you were thinking. Of course, you’re going to be worried about your job and your team. I don’t want to diminish that at all.’
‘Not your problem though, is it? We both want to win and as it stands either of us could. So, we can enjoy this purgatory and each other before the pitch and let’s review the ongoing situation once the results are in.’
‘I’ll take whatever terms you’re offering,’ Leo said, his brow furrowed and his expression dead serious.
‘Really?’
Leo’s eyes softened as he leant down to kiss me. ‘Yes. Really.’
I pulled him close and we kissed again, his touch giving me goosebumps.
Our bodies trembled as one, as we sent each other into a spin and it took me a second to catch my breath when we eventually pulled apart, my heart hammering in my chest. I was going to have to compromise on my ‘work is work’ rule – or ignore it entirely.
‘I don’t want my job to get in the way of this,’ Leo said, quietly. ‘Not again.’
He kissed both my hands and looked into my eyes.
‘Heidi and I are staying at the Hilton tonight,’ I whispered, letting the thought hang in the air. ‘I could sneak you in later if you like?’
‘Could you indeed…?’ he said, stepping back with a devilish smile. ‘I would like. I would like very much.’
‘Then it’s a date,’ I said, feeling a thrill at taking charge of the situation. ‘A secret second date.’
‘Second date, already, eh?’ Leo wiggled his eyebrows, then whispered, ‘Will there be secret chicken?’