‘Smells good in here,’ she said.
‘That’s the mutton,’ he said tersely. ‘I got up at three and put it in the oven, and I’ve shredded it and rolled it up into sausages in cling film and it’s chilling, and I’m just prepping the racks. She could do with a drink and a handful of blueberries. They’re in the fridge.’
She opened the door and was greeted by shelves crammed with goodies of all sorts, including the lovely, lovely panna cotta. ‘Which shelf?’
He turned and pointed, then went back to his prepping, and she gave Ella the blueberries and put a slice of bread in the toaster for herself.
‘Do you want a coffee?’
‘I’ve had three,’ he said. ‘Not that it’s helping. I’ll have another one.’
‘Or I could give you a glass of spring water with lemon in it and you could detox a bit for half an hour?’
‘Just give me a coffee,’ he growled, and gave an enormous yawn. ‘My body’s finally decided I’m tired. Talk about picking its moments.’
She laughed a little guiltily and handed him a coffee, weaker than he would have made it, longer, with a good slug of milk, and he gave her a look but took it anyway.
‘Thanks.’
‘You’re welcome.’
He took a gulp and carried on, and she sat down with Ella, leaving him to it while she ate her breakfast and tried to stop the blueberries escaping to the floor.
‘Tell me if there’s anything you need me to help with,’ she said, and he nodded.
‘I’m fine. You’re doing the most useful thing already.’
‘I’ve brought my camera.’
‘To catch me at my worst?’
She turned her head and studied him. His hair was tousled and spiky, his eyes were bleary and he had on yesterday’s shirt and ancient jeans cut off at the knee, showing off those lean muscular calves that she’d recently realised were irresistible. His feet were bare, too, the toes splayed slightly as he leaned over, strong and straight and curiously sexy. Why had she never noticed them before?
She dragged her eyes off them.
‘I think your fans will be able to cope,’ she said drily, and pulled out her camera. One for her personal folder...
* * *
The family arrived back at eleven thirty, and Lydia came straight into the kitchen to ask if he needed help.
‘No, I’m fine,’ he said. ‘All under control.’ Unlike his emotions. ‘What time do you want to eat?’
‘Twelve thirty?’
He nodded. ‘I thought we should eat in the garden under the pergola, unless you’d rather be in here?’
‘The garden would be lovely. So, can I ask what’s on the menu?’
He told her, and her eyes lit up. ‘Fabulous,’ she said. ‘Bring it on—I’m starving! And I will be picking your brains later.’
He couldn’t help but laugh. ‘Feel free. Now leave me alone so I can concentrate.’
Not a chance. The kitchen became party central, but it didn’t matter. He was used to working in chaos, and Lydia made sure they all stayed out of his way and she helped him unobtrusively, taking over the stuffing of the zucchini flowers while he checked on the other things.
Which was fine, except of course Amy was there, and his eyes kept straying to her, distracting his attention from the core business.
He forced himself to focus. The last thing he needed was the lamb rack overcooked or the zucchini flowers burnt in the hot oil when he started to cook them in a few minutes.
But it seemed that although she was pretty much ignoring him, Amy was very much aware of what he was doing, and with twenty minutes to go she chivvied them all outside into the garden to leave him in peace. He stopped her as she was following them.
‘Amy?’
‘Do you need me?’
What a choice of words, after all that had happened last night. He held out a serving plate piled high with bruschetta.
‘Could you give them these—and try and make sure you don’t eat them all yourself,’ he added, grinning.
She took the plate from him with an unladylike snort and a toss of her head, and he chuckled. Still the same old Amy. ‘Thank you,’ he called after her, and she relented and threw him a smile over her shoulder as she went out of the door.
* * *
She checked her watch. Any minute now, she thought, and leaving Ella in Lydia’s care she slipped back into the kitchen.
‘Anything I can do?’
‘Take the plates out and make sure they’re all sitting down ready and then help me ferry stuff in a couple of minutes? I’m just frying the last of the zucchini flowers and everything else is done. The lamb’s resting, the mutton’s keeping warm and the veg are steaming.’
He was working as he talked and she glanced at the clock on the kitchen wall. Twelve twenty six. Bang on time. She felt her mouth tug in a wry smile. He’d never been on time for anything in his life until he’d started cooking professionally.
‘OK. Nothing you want me to do except ferry?’
‘No, I’ll be fine. And, Amy?’
She turned and met his eyes.
‘Thank you. For everything. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’ve been amazing.’
She felt his warmth flood through her.
‘You’re welcome. And I know you’ll be fine. They’ll love it. You have some serious fans out here. Just don’t burn the zucchini flowers.’
* * *
He was fine.
Everything was fine. More than fine, and he was in his element.
The food was amazing, and everyone from the babies upwards loved it. The zucchini flowers he’d finally chosen as the starter were beautiful and utterly delicious, and once the lamb two ways—agnello in due modi as Leo called it for the benefit of their Italian hosts—was on the table, he looked utterly relaxed. And by the time he brought out the panna cotta and strawberries, he was Leo at his best.
This was his dish, the thing he’d made his own, and Lydia, who by now was muttering things about how on earth she was expected to feed the family after this, was begging him for a master class or at the very least a recipe.
‘Any time. It’s so easy.’
‘Easy to make, but not easy to make taste like that,’ Lydia pointed out, and he laughed
‘But it’s nothing without the right ingredients.’ His eyes swung to Massimo.
He was leaning back in his chair, wine in hand, his eyes on Leo, and he nodded slowly. ‘We need to talk. Heaven knows my wife’s an excellent chef, and I’m used to amazing food on a daily basis, but you’ve taken our ingredients and lifted them into something incredible. We have to do a deal. I want our produce on the table in your restaurants.’
For a moment Leo said nothing, but then a slow smile started in his eyes and lit up his whole face. ‘Thank you. I was going to say the same thing. I don’t know what it is about your produce—maybe the care you take, the land, the generations of expertise, but I’ve been able to find a depth of flavour that I’ve never found before, and I really want to work with you. And I want that balsamico on the list,’ he added with a wink.
They all laughed. ‘I’m sure that can be arranged. Nine o’clock tomorrow. We’ll sort out the fine print,’ Massimo said, and drained his glass.
* * *
She was sitting on the terrace nursing a cup of tea and watching the swallows when he appeared. Ella was in bed and the families had all gone their separate ways, and they were alone.
He dropped onto the other end of the bench and let out a satisfied sigh. ‘Well, that went OK.’
She laughed softly. ‘Did you ever doubt it would?’
‘Absolutely. There are always doubts, but it looks as if I’ve achieved what I’d come for.’
‘With bells on
. They really like you, Leo. And if they hadn’t, it wouldn’t happen.’
‘I know. Tell me about it. And I really like them, too. I trust them, and I couldn’t have wanted more from this trip.’ He turned his head, his eyes seeking hers. ‘And I couldn’t have done it without you.’
She looked away, suddenly awkward. ‘I haven’t done that much—’
‘Yes, you have,’ he said sincerely. ‘I needed to know that Ella was all right, and she was, which left me free to see everything there was to see and take my time getting to know them. It’s an important deal, and I wanted to be clear about what I was getting.’
‘And are you?’
‘Oh, yes. I imagine they’ll want to tie up the loose ends tomorrow, but we’re pretty much done. Time to go home. I’ve neglected my business long enough.’
Home.
Whatever that meant.
Amy stared out over the rolling hills and felt a stab of apprehension mingled with regret. She’d always known this was just for a short time, but it had been a wonderful time, cocooned in a dream world of sunshine and laughter and playing happy families. And now it was almost over. Eight weeks with Leo and Ella, and then she had to find something to do, some way of earning a living until her photography took off, and she had no idea where to start.
Whatever, it meant an end to her time with them in this magical place, and the thought left a hollow ache in the centre of her chest. Things had changed now for ever and, whatever the outcome of their affair, it would never go back to that easy, loving friendship it had been.
‘So, what’s next for you?’ he asked, as if he could read her mind, and she gave a little shrug and dredged up a smile.
‘Oh, you know. This and that. I’m sure something’ll crop up. I imagine there’ll be wedding stuff that still needs dealing with, and I’ve got a lot of work to do on the photos for your blog, and pulling a portfolio together. I’ll need to do some studio shots, clever things with lighting, that sort of thing. Arty stuff. Maybe I can do that while they’re filming and the lights are there. And then I’ll have to market it. Or myself.’
He nodded thoughtfully. ‘I just wondered—I’ve been thinking I ought to do some cookery books ever since you first nagged me about it, but it’s never seemed like the right time before.’
‘And it does now?’
‘Yes, I think it does. It will be a lot of work, but it might tie in well with Ella. And if I do, of course, I’ll need a photographer.’
‘You will. And you’re right. I told you years ago you should do it but it just wasn’t right for you at the time.’
‘I don’t suppose you want to take it on?’
‘Being the photographer?’
Would she? It would mean seeing him again. Over and over again. Which would be fine if they were still together, but torture if they weren’t. ‘Mind if I think about it? I don’t know where I’ll be or what I’ll be doing.’
‘No, I understand that, but bear it in mind. I’d be really grateful. Your photos are amazing.’ He gave a huff of laughter. ‘There’s just the small matter of a publisher, of course.’
‘Now there I can definitely help you. I’ve got contacts, remember?’
‘Great. Sound them out, by all means.’
He smiled at her, and her heart flipped over. Could it work? It would mean working with him again, spending time with him, helping him move on with his life. And moving on with hers. She knew a cookery book by him would fly off the shelves, and it would ensure her success, too, but more than that it would give them a better chance to find out if they could forge a future together.
‘I’ll see what I can do. I’d have a vested interest, of course, in getting this off the ground,’ she reminded him. ‘Always assuming I’m free.’
‘I know. There’s no rush. I’ve got the TV contract outstanding, and that’ll have to come first.’
‘They might want to tie them together—launch the book of the series, as it were. They do that a lot. Ask them.’
‘I will. I’ll sound them out, but they’re getting impatient. The producer wants to see me like yesterday. I’ve told him I should be back by Tuesday and I can’t deal with it until then.’
‘Assuming tomorrow goes to plan.’
‘That’s right. So we need to fly out on Tuesday morning at the latest. Earlier if we can. I’d rather go tomorrow.’
‘Another posh plane?’ she asked drily, ignoring the sinking feeling in her gut, and he laughed.
‘Probably. It’s less stressful than killing time at an airport with Ella, and we need to pick the car up. It’s easier. But we’ll get whatever we can whenever we can.’
‘See how it goes,’ she said. ‘I’ll make sure all our stuff’s packed ready first thing in the morning.’
‘OK.’ He reached out, threading his fingers through hers. ‘I think we ought to turn in now. It’s been a busy day and I need my business brain working for the morning.’
‘Don’t you trust them?’
He laughed, his eyes creasing up at the sides, that fascinating dimple flirting with her near the corner of his mouth. ‘Of course I trust them, but they’ll want the best deal and so do I. I need to be able to think clearly. I’m not going to sign my life away without realising it.’
He got up.
‘Come to bed,’ he said softly, and she nodded.
‘Just give me a couple of minutes. You go first in the bathroom. I want to say goodbye to the valley.’
‘Crazy girl,’ he murmured, but his voice was full of affection, and he crunched softly over the gravel and went in through the French doors.
She let her breath out slowly. Less than forty-eight hours ago, they’d sat there together while he’d poured his heart out. And then he’d kissed her. Or had she kissed him? She wasn’t sure, but she knew that from that moment on everything had changed.
Could she work with him on a cookery book? Maybe, maybe not.
She sat there a little longer, knowing they’d most likely be leaving in the early afternoon and this would be her last chance to soak up the time between day and night, that wonderful time when the swallows went to bed and the bats woke and took over the aerial display in a carefully orchestrated shift change.
She’d miss this. Miss all of it, but most especially the family, Lydia in particular. The warmth of their welcome had been amazing, and she knew it wasn’t just because Leo was a celebrity. It was because they were lovely, decent people with a strong sense of family and loyalty, and she’d miss them all.
But most of all she’d miss being with Leo and Ella in this stolen moment in time. The little girl had crept into her heart when she’d least expected it, and Leo...
She sighed softly. Leo had always been massively important to her, but this holiday had changed things, shifted the delicate balance of their friendship from platonic to something she’d never anticipated.
She had no idea what the future would bring, but she knew it would be a long time before she’d be looking for any other man. Her emotions were a mess, her judgement was flawed, and it was far too soon for her to be thinking about another relationship, even with Leo.
Not that he was in any better shape than her emotionally, and probably a whole lot worse. The pair of them were a lost cause. Could they save each other and build a future together?
She desperately hoped so, but she had a feeling the answer would be no, once reality intruded.
She watched the swallows depart, watched the bats dart in to take their place, and when her eyes could hardly make them out in the darkness, she got to her feet and went inside to Leo.
Tomorrow would be here all too soon. It was time to go back to the future.
CHAPTER TEN
‘SOON BE HOME.’
She glanced across at him and found a smile. ‘Yes. No
t long now.’
Not long enough. He’d booked another charter, not getting the benefit of the empty leg rate this time but there were bigger fish to fry, she guessed, like the meeting with the TV series producer tomorrow.
She wasn’t complaining, though. This flight, like the last, had been seamless, the car ready and waiting when they arrived, and they were cruising steadily towards Suffolk as the light faded, Ella fast asleep in her car seat behind them.
She glanced over her shoulder at the little girl she’d somehow fallen in love with, and felt a sudden pang of loss at the thought of parting from her. From both of them.
Leo’s face was expressionless, his hands relaxed on the wheel, his eyes on the road. He flicked a glance at her and smiled. ‘You’ll get a lie-in in the morning,’ he said, with something like envy in his voice, but she’d swap her lie-in for a cuddle with Ella any day.
‘Yes, I will,’ she said evenly, trying not to dwell on how much she’d miss those special moments. She’d be going back home to her mother and he to his parents, at least until his house was finished, so at the very least their affair was on hold for now.
‘So, when do you want to look at the photos?’ she asked, clutching at straws. ‘Shall I download them onto a memory stick for you? Obviously they’ll need some work before you can put them in your blog, but you’ll want to choose some initially for me to work with.’
‘Yeah, that would be good. Maybe we could go over them one evening this week? I need to write it, too. I made some notes while we were over there, but to be honest I’ve had so much to think about my mind hasn’t been on it at all. Not to mention certain other distractions,’ he added, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
‘Going through the photos will help,’ she said. ‘Will you be staying with your parents?’
‘Initially, which’ll make life easy when I go to London tomorrow and have to leave Ella behind. I guess you’ll be with your mother?’
She would, at least for a little while, and they’d be next door. Her heart gave a little leap of joy. ‘Where else?’ she said, trying to keep it light. ‘In case it’s slipped your mind, I no longer have a home.’ Or a job, after the next eight weeks. Or Leo?
Best Friend to Wife and Mother? Page 14
