Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
Friday had come round rather quickly considering Juliette had spent the week on her own. She took the afternoon off from work and treated herself to a lounge in the bath before heading to pick Danny up.
She was so eager to see him that she’d arrived thirty minutes before the train was due in.
So as soon as she spotted him coming out of the station, she waved and ran to him.
She had missed everything about him, in particular his familiarity.
He’d removed his tie, his collar open, short sleeves revealing tanned arms that she couldn’t wait to feel around her again.
His hair had been cut and he looked worn out but happy with it.
He dropped his overnight case and took her in his arms, kissing her with a passion she was sure would embarrass onlookers. But she didn’t care.
‘God, I’ve missed you so much,’ he said as they broke apart and he picked up his case again. ‘I can’t wait to get you home.’
‘Well, if all you want me for is my body… then I’m fine with that.’ She giggled as he searched out her hand, and they walked to the car chatting nineteen to the dozen.
It was a twenty-minute drive back home. Juliette smiled: home. It felt like that to her already, but she wondered how long it would take Danny to settle as he flitted back and forth. Still, it wouldn’t be for long.
She’d prepared everything for his arrival.
She’d shopped locally, grabbing all she needed to make a weekend of his favourite meals.
There was wine chilling, beer in the cooler and the barbecue at the ready as the weather was still glorious.
But all she really wanted to do was feel the closeness of her husband. She had missed him too.
They pulled into the driveway, Danny bringing in his case. ‘I’ll take this upstairs,’ he said.
‘I’ll open the wine.’
He reached for her hand once more and pulled her upstairs with him. ‘I want you first.’ He threw her playfully on the bed and lay on top of her. Brushing the hair from her face, he kissed her gently. ‘I have waited for this all week.’
Later, when they were both downstairs again, they chatted while they prepared food. Juliette had forgotten how lovely it was just to be. Living in London, they’d gone out to eat more than they’d prepared food at home. Here it was a pleasure to cook in their country kitchen.
She gazed through the window as she washed the salad. The garden was coming on nicely now. Danny came up behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and resting his head on her shoulder.
‘This is bliss,’ he said quietly.
‘It is when the weather is so good. The locals tell me it’s treacherous in winter.’
‘The locals?’
She smiled, wiping her hands on a tea towel before turning towards him.
‘And how about you?’ Danny added. ‘Is it getting to you being here alone?’
‘It’s only been a week.’
‘You know what I mean. At least everything in London is familiar to me.’
‘That’s why I like being here though.’ She sighed. ‘It’s okay but I’m counting down until you’re here for good.’
They sat outside on the patio. It overlooked Sarah and Richard’s house slightly and she could see into their garden. But considering they each had acres behind them, it was the only spot. She could see through the kitchen window too. At the moment it was empty.
‘I could get used to this,’ Danny said as he put down his knife and fork and reached for his glass. ‘It’s deathly quiet. Is it always like this?’
She nodded.
‘And breakfast on Sundays? Is there anywhere good?’
‘I’ve been told there’s a farm shop about a mile away that’s worth trying. What time is your train back?’
‘Ten past eight.’
‘So I have you all to myself for’ – she checked her watch and worked it out in her head – ‘fifty hours.’ She leaned closer to kiss him, noticing Richard was in his garden.
‘Should I wave or do you think it’s too intrusive?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, if we weren’t higher up the hill, we wouldn’t see him at all. Maybe he prefers to keep himself to himself.’
‘What does he do? Have you found out yet?’
‘He paints.’
‘Is he good?’
‘I checked out his website and it seems he is. Some of his pieces go for the high hundreds.’
‘What about his wife – Sarah?’
‘She seems quiet but nice. Not sure if it’s his wife though. I don’t see a ring.’
‘She seems a lot younger than him.’
‘I’d say a good twenty years.’
He nodded and then stood up. ‘No need to know if he’d be bothered about you waving to him. He’s just beckoned us over.’
Juliette followed Danny to the edge of the garden where Richard was waiting.
‘Hi there,’ Danny greeted, looking down on him.
‘Hi, have you settled in okay?’
‘We’re getting there, slowly emptying boxes. I never knew we hoarded so much until it came to packing up. At least we didn’t bring it all with us.’
Richard smiled. ‘Well, if you need anything, feel free to grab either of us if you see us out in the garden.’
‘I will, thanks.’ Juliette returned his smile.
‘I was wondering if you fancied joining us for a barbecue tomorrow evening. I’m not sure if you have plans but the weather is glorious at the moment so you have to seize your chances.’ He laughed. ‘Although please feel free to say no if you have something on.’
Danny looked at Juliette and raised his eyebrows. She nodded at him.
‘Sure, that would be great,’ Danny replied.
‘Fabulous.’ Richard clapped his hands together. ‘About seven?’
‘Okay. Shall we bring anything with us?’ Juliette asked as the men began to leave.
‘Just yourselves.’ Richard waved again before disappearing into the house.
‘I hope this is a good idea,’ Danny said.
‘It’ll be fine. If we don’t get along, we’ll have a few uncomfortable hours and we need never do it again.’
‘Sounds good to me.’ Danny grabbed her hand again. ‘I feel like a teenager since I left London. I was counting down the hours before I caught the train. Then when I saw you, I couldn’t wait to ravish you. Now I want to explore the garden, but with a view to having you in every corner of it.’
They ran across the lawn and through the gate into the field at the back.
Juliette still couldn’t believe it was all theirs.
Three acres of fields surrounded by hedgerows.
There was a brook and a farm further along but here it was extremely private.
One day she hoped they would have a smallholding.
With another child, or two, to help them to look after their menagerie.
Her eyes brimmed with tears. She was so happy right now.
‘Come on, Mrs Ansell,’ Danny said, pushing her gently up against a tree. ‘Get those shorts off.’
‘What – here?’
‘We’re secluded.’
‘I know but—’
He silenced her with his lips and as he fiddled with the buttons, she let him. Danny was right, no one could see them here. And it was fun. Just what their marriage needed. Time to make babies without either of them thinking about it.