‘You’ve changed your mind.’ Lexie stepped away from him, not hiding her shock and hurt.
‘No.’ Owen stopped so suddenly that the shopper behind rear-ended him with his trolley.
Apologies from Owen and annoyed cursing from the other shopper, Owen turned back to Lexie. ‘It’s not that I don’t want to come. That’s not what I was trying to say.’
‘What then?’
‘I should … I guess I should have clarified when you said, come to Brighton. Do you mean me to come for a few days or … or do you mean for me to move in?’
‘I want you to live with me,’ she whispered. ‘Move in.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘I am.’
‘I’ll have to keep the flat in Pimlico for somewhere to stay when I need to be in London.’
‘That’s fine. I understand.’
‘I won’t be using it as a bolt-hole … it’s not about doubts … you and me. I—’
‘I know, I understand.’ She stroked his beard.
‘I won’t get in your way?’
‘Probably you will.’ She grinned. ‘But that’s life, the way of being a couple.’
By the time they were out of the supermarket, they’d agreed on the practicalities of Owen’s move to Brighton.
He carried the bag with their shopping in one hand and held Lexie’s hand with his other. Although it had stopped raining, the pavement was wet, and icy water seeped into one of his battered trainers, but he was too happy to care.
‘You know it’s bound to get back to your family,’ Owen said, voicing the other thing that had been worrying him.
‘I know.’ Lexie rested her head on his shoulder. ‘But the timing is perfect. It’s the second Sunday in November next week.’
‘Your ritual family get-together?’ Owen said, his grip on her hand growing tighter. He could guess what she was going to say next.
‘That’s right. I’ll introduce you to Mum and Dad then.’
‘Oh, God!’
