Chapter 5
Leon reached up and rubbed his hand over his already ruffled hair. ‘I’m not that interesting.’
I beg to differ.
Aloud, Fen said, ‘Try me.’
An hour later, she’d learned a lot. Other guests had come up on deck to enjoy the warm breeze and the view of Venice at night, but it was as if there was an invisible force-field around the two of them; after glancing over and seeing them engrossed in conversation, they’d moved on, leaving them to continue getting to know each other without interruption.
What she hadn’t expected to discover was that Leon’s family were wealthy. Growing up in the Cotswolds, he’d been packed off to boarding school at the age of eight and had battled his way through homesickness by dreaming of one day running away to join the circus.
‘As?’
‘A lion-tamer. Until my friend told me there weren’t any lions in circuses any more, so I decided to become a fire-eating acrobat instead.’
Fen nodded sagely. ‘Much safer.’
‘I also planned to train puppies to do tricks on trampolines. Because, you know, who doesn’t love a somersaulting puppy?’
‘Is this what you do now? Because if it’s your actual career, I will burst with jealousy. This is your ten-second warning.’
‘It’s even more exciting than that,’ said Leon. ‘I’m a financial adviser.’
She gasped and clutched her chest. ‘For real?’
‘I know, it’s hard to take in. I look so ordinary on the outside.’
‘What’s your hidden superpower?’
‘Take your pick. I’m an excellent hula-hooper. I can make shadow puppets with my hands.’ He flapped them like a bird taking off. ‘And I do the best Hugh Grant impression you ever heard.’
‘Hit me with it. I’m ready.’
‘Sorry, not tonight. I need to hold something back to impress you with tomorrow.’
Her heart swelled. ‘Anything else?’
‘I can gargle “The Winner Takes It All”.’
‘While riding a unicycle?’
‘Not while riding a unicycle.’
‘Damn, that’s a shame.’
‘Give me time. I’ll learn.’
Fen rested her head against the back of the sofa and looked up.
The stars were out now, dazzling pinpricks of light in a black velvet sky.
The chatter of the other guests had faded into the background, and it felt like a night filled with infinite possibilities.
Since this wasn’t the place for public affection, she was enjoying the wait, the indescribable sense of anticipation.
Because it was going to happen, no doubt about it. Just not yet.
‘Show me some photos,’ she said, and the ploy to lean more closely against him worked as well as she’d hoped. Leon’s tanned forearm rested against hers as he angled his phone so they both had a good view of the screen.
‘What would you like to see?’
‘Photos of you.’
‘Not of me and Jamie?’
She gave him a look. ‘No. Why?’
‘It’s usually what most people want.’ His tone was wry, and it occurred to her that the price he paid for being Jamie Hamilton’s best friend was always being regarded as the less interesting of the two of them.
‘Show me your family.’
He scrolled through the relevant folder and kept up a running commentary, introducing her to his parents, Hilary and Greville Spencer-Carr.
‘They look nice!’ In reality, they looked faintly intimidating, but she could hardly say that.
‘And this is us taken last summer.’ He showed her another photo of the three of them, standing together on a flight of stone steps in front of a spectacular Cotswold-stone property.
‘Were you visiting a stately home?’ Inwardly she wondered if he wasn’t a bit old to be going on day trips with his parents, but maybe it was a country house hotel and they’d all been invited to a wedding.
‘It’s our house. I know,’ Leon sounded embarrassed, ‘it’s a bit big.’
Fen was taken aback. The house was enormous, and surrounded by what looked like acres of parkland. ‘It’s quite intimidating.’
‘Why?’
‘Because I don’t know anyone who lives in a place like that.’
‘You do. You know me. And I’m not intimidating, am I?’
‘I’m not sure any more. Are you related to royalty?’
‘Not really, they’re just cousins.’
‘What?’
He laughed. ‘That was a joke. No, not remotely related to royalty. My great-grandfather made his money in bathroom fittings. Our toilets have been used by VIPs all over the world. My mother can’t stand me saying that, but it’s true.
And it’s given her an enviable lifestyle. You’re still looking shocked.’
A degree of happiness had leaked out of the evening. ‘My flat’s tiny. It’d probably fit into one of your downstairs loos.’
‘And?’
‘I don’t know. It’s like you’re a different person now.’
‘I’m still me. Usually girls’ eyes light up – ding dingggg – when they see the house.’ Leon saw the expression on her face. ‘If you think it’s going to put you off me, I’ll never set foot in the house or see my family again.’
She mustn’t overreact. ‘I won’t let it put me off you.’
‘Good.’ He hesitated, then rested his hand on hers, his fingers overlapping her smaller ones. The simple physical contact felt . . . gosh, it was indescribable.
For several seconds, they stayed like that, in silence. Then Leon said, ‘This could be the best night of my life. And I can’t believe I’m saying it out loud, but I really think you could be my perfect ten.’
‘The Australian couple keep looking over at us,’ Fen murmured. ‘They’re nudging each other.’
‘I think we’re the star attraction. Those people over there have been watching us too. This must be what it’s like being Jamie. If you want, we could go and . . .’
And? And? But Leon was raising a hand in greeting, saying, ‘Speak of the devil,’ and here came Jamie now, making his way across the deck towards them.
‘You two OK? Sorry, am I interrupting?’
Yes. And yes, you are. But since she couldn’t say that, Fen smiled and shook her head. Leon, who evidently could say it, replied cheerfully, ‘Of course you’re interrupting, but we’ll let you off. Been having fun?’
Jamie pulled up a chair. ‘There’s a band playing, down in the bar. A redhead called Kayla keeps dragging me onto the dance floor and telling her friend to take photos of the two of us.’
‘You could say no,’ Fen suggested.
He shrugged. ‘I could. But it was easier to make a strategic escape. I try to be nice to people when I can.’
Hmm, not always. But now wasn’t the time to remind him of their previous encounter.
‘Which one is she?’ said Leon.
‘Spiky red and gold hair. Pink dress.’
‘Ah yes, I know the one you mean.’ Leon nodded, then pointed to the left. ‘And here comes another troublemaker.’
This time it was Disa, shimmering towards them in her ivory crêpe dress, with a navy silk shawl covering her bare shoulders.
‘Darling, there you are.’ She rested a hand lightly on Fen’s shoulder. ‘It’s been a wonderful evening, but we do need to be up early tomorrow. I think it’s time we headed back to our cabins now, don’t you?’
What? It was only ten thirty. Fen looked up at her, ready to protest that she wasn’t tired, but Disa increased the pressure of her fingertips and said, ‘Come along, let’s say goodnight.’ She turned to Jamie and Leon. ‘It’s been so nice to meet you. Maybe we’ll bump into you tomorrow.’
Disa had paid for the holiday. She was the boss. Fen shrugged at Leon, then rose to her feet and followed Disa, because what else could she do? As they made their way down the stairs, she said, ‘Do you need a hand with anything?’
‘You mean why did I drag you away when you were having a good time?’
The very best time. ‘Yes.’
‘Do you like him?’
‘Yes.’
‘A lot?’
‘Yes.’ OK, starting to sound like a parrot now.
‘Sweetheart, then that’s the best time to leave.’
‘But . . . why?’
They’d reached their cabins. Disa produced her key and gestured for Fen to follow her inside.
When the door had closed behind them, she said, ‘Basic rule number one: always leave them wanting more. I can see you’re smitten.
And since the two of you have been up on deck for the last couple of hours, it’s time to make him miss you. ’
‘Really?’
‘Trust me, sweetheart. I’m old and I’ve seen it all, heard it all. This way, he’ll spend the rest of the evening looking forward to seeing you again tomorrow.’
‘But we’re going on a trip to a winery straight after breakfast.’
‘So? If Leon wants to join us, he can.’ Removing the silver combs from her hair and taking out her earrings, Disa turned to look at her. ‘You’ll both enjoy it all the more.’
‘Hmm.’ But that’s twelve whole hours away.
‘OK, that’s my advice.’ Disa swiftly brushed the Elnett out of her hair. ‘We both know I can’t force you to take it. If you want to head back up on deck, you can. I’m sure he’ll be thrilled. If you decide you want to spend the night in his cabin . . . he’ll be even happier.’
‘Gran!’
‘Sweetheart, I do know what goes on in the world. Sometimes two people meet and have sex on the first night, and they end up staying together for ever. Other times – and rather more often – they don’t.
I’m not saying you mustn’t sleep with him.
I just think it might be nicer for both of you to spend a little more time looking forward to it. ’
‘I get the message.’ Fen’s smile was rueful. It would be interesting to know how long Disa had made the men in her life wait, but she was her grandmother, so she wasn’t going to ask. Also, the answer might be something horrendous, like three years. ‘I’ll go to my room, have an early night.’