Chapter Twenty-Two
‘Wiltshire?’
‘Yeah, to the family pile.’ Leo grinned at the wheel.
‘I’ve been summoned. It’ll be good,’ he qualified.
‘Mum and Isaac are holding a big dinner party – pre-Christmas bash. All the local characters will be there. Great food, lots of booze. It’ll be very entertaining, and I have to be there.
Please say you’ll come with me,’ he entreated. ‘Please be my plus one.’
‘Your plus one . . .’ An entwined couple passed them on the pavement. The man’s thick coat brushed against her window. ‘This is a bit of a surprise,’ she said.
‘I know. Sorry. I know it’s a bit of a punt, but I’d really like you to come. What do you think?’
‘How long will it be for?’ she asked. ‘When will you bring me back?’
‘We’ll need to stay over. It’s too far to go there and back in a day. But there’s plenty of room.’
‘I haven’t got any stuff on me.’ Stay where? she thought, but she was beginning to consider it. Why not? she thought, after the sadness she had felt in the library. Why not?
‘We can stop at your place on the way to pick up whatever you like.’
She looked at his face, eager and handsome.
She looked at the road ahead, November sun-washed and inviting.
She had something new hanging in her wardrobe she’d been dying to wear.
Could she be up for an adventure? She was writing a novel, perhaps this would be fodder for it, like Kitty had said.
And she liked him. Despite herself, she liked him.
He had wanted to see her again. He had tracked her down to Parchment he stretched out fat fingers and tickled her at the waist.
‘Let me introduce you to my parents,’ said Leo drily. ‘Caroline and Isaac. And welcome to the madhouse,’ he added, undoing his seat belt. ‘Buckle up.’
‘Leo!’ shouted Caroline, batting her fringe out of her eyes as she caught sight of the car and bowled towards it.
‘You made it!’ As he and Olivia got out, she threw herself on her son.
‘Isaac said you wouldn’t show up, but I told him you would!
Sorry,’ she added, brushing flour off Leo’s jumper.
‘I’ve been cooking since three and I pong of wild garlic. ’
‘I said that I’d be surprised if that old rust bucket would get him beyond the A4.’ Isaac’s voice was a low growl. He folded his arms high on his chest like he had on his book cover, then approached the car and tapped at the bonnet suspiciously, before holding out an imperious hand to Leo.
‘Isaac,’ said Leo, shaking it.
‘Leo,’ said Isaac. A brown Labrador danced at his feet.
‘Well, hug each other, then,’ commanded Caroline, her hands on her hips and the checked tea towel dangling from her arm like a rustler’s flag. ‘Honestly, you boys!’
Leo stepped forward and Isaac placed one arm awkwardly around his back, then withdrew. ‘Who do we have here, then?’ he asked, looking at Olivia.
‘I’m Olivia,’ she said.
‘Girlfriend?’ barked Isaac, looking her up and down. Caroline was staring shrewdly at her, too, and Olivia wondered if she was one of those mums who believed no one was ever good enough for their son.
‘Friend,’ remarked Leo warmly, to her relief. ‘Currently, although I probably don’t even deserve that. She’s my plus one,’ he said to his mother. ‘Remember? You’re always telling me to bring one.’