“Robert, what are you doing here?” she asked greatlysurprised.
“No hello? Just Robert, what are you doing here?” he askedchuckling.
“He called at the gallery to see how his orchid was doing and I invited him to lunch,” Mothersaid.
Diana laughed. The first laugh and light moment she had experienced for severaldays.
“Well, to be honest, I did not come just to see the orchid. I thought if you were free we might have an opportunity to talk about the book so you could begin to familiarize yourself with itscontent.”
Diana already knew she was not going to get any of her own work done today, so that seemedappealing.
“No disrespect to your mother’s cooking, but I actually brought along a picnic and I thought we might take a punt down the Cam, find ourselves a nice spot, and have a leisurely lunch and talk,” Robertsuggested.
“That sounds delightful, as long as you do not topple in the river as youpunt.”
“Not a chance. I am an expert punter. Remember, I spent my undergraduate years here. At least half of which were spent being a truant on theriver.”
Diana realized that her lifted spirits were not only due to her nap but also because of Robert’s presence and the opportunity to spend more time alone withhim.
“Then I am ready when youare.”
