“Don’t be.”
“You were magnificent.”
Cherry smiled and ran her fingers across his chest.
“Did you . . .”
“What?”
“The dress?”
“Course not.”
Daniel opened his eyes and she met his gaze innocently. “Like you said, it was the breeze.”
* * *
He smiled and then kissed her, and she rolled on top of him and kissed him some more.
12
Saturday, June 21
CHERRY WOKE LATE THE NEXT DAY AND SAW DANIEL WAS STILL ASLEEP.She lay there quietly, enjoying the peace and privacy before Laura, whom she could hear moving about the house, hit them with whatever plans she had for the day. A thin band of light outlined the shutters, telling Cherry it was sunny outside, and she was itching to get up, but at the same time, she didn’t want to leave the sanctuary of the bedroom and get roped into some sightseeing. Feeling trapped, she resented Laura’s overpowering presence.
He stretched beside her. “Morning. I haven’t been snoring, have I?”
She laughed and indicated the window. “No. Ready for some sunshine?”
“Do I not get a kiss first,” he said, but she’d already jumped up and was opening the shutters, as she’d longed to do since last night. The sunlit sea welcomed her and it was glorious.
Daniel winced and she bounded back onto the bed. Kissed him. “Let’s go to the beach!”
“Is that what you want to do today? Only . . . I think my mum might have an idea about surprising us with a fully comprehensive tour of the region’s vineyards.” He saw the crestfallen face that she tried, unsuccessfully, to hide. “Okay. Let’s do it.”
“I feel bad now,” said Cherry. “If she’s gone to a lot of trouble. . .”
He pulled her back down onto the bed and wrapped his arms around her. “Don’t be daft. She won’t mind.”
After they made love, they surfaced for a late breakfast. Laura, pleased to see them, hovered around the croissants and made them fresh coffee.
“Did you sleep well? Hope the bed was all right. I was thinking that we could all explore today. Would you like to go to Château Minuty? The Matton-Farnets have been in the wine industry for almost three centuries.” She smiled at them, unable to contain her exuberance.
“Mum, that’s a really nice idea, but . . . I think we might go to the beach today. First day of the holidays and all that.”
“Oh, right. Good idea!”
To Cherry’s horror, it looked like Laura was about to invite herself along. “I was going to take my books down there, do a bit of studying,” Cherry said quickly.
“You’ve brought work as well?” said Daniel.
“Estate agency exams coming up soon after I get back.”
“I suppose I should take mine. We can test each other.”
That was enough to exclude her, noted Cherry, and Laura murmured something about them all meeting up later in the day, before going off to get a book to read by the pool.
* * *
