by Georgia Hill
‘Ah, that’s a shame,’ he remarked. ‘I rather hoped we’d have the place to ourselves.’
‘Where are we?’ Millie looked around with interest. The clearing was overhung with trees that tapped lightly on the car’s roof. It was like being in a green cave. Even in the hot weather, it was cool and tranquil. ‘It’s gorgeous.’
She pressed the window release and it slid down. Her nostrils filled with the aroma of rich damp earth. In the distance she could hear water trickling. ‘You know, I don’t think I’ve ever been here before.’
‘Well, I’m glad about that. Come on, let’s find somewhere to sit and eat our picnic.’ An impatient whine came from the back. ‘Sounds like Trevor could do with stretching his legs too.’
Millie released Trevor from the back seat and, with a delighted bark, the cockapoo immediately began ‘hoovering’ a scent trail. Keeping half an eye on the dog, Millie followed Jed to the boot, from where he produced an old-fashioned wicker hamper and a blanket.
‘I’ll take the picnic hamper if you could carry the blanket,’ he said. ‘Follow me.’
Whistling for Trevor to follow, Jed led them through an opening in a steep bank and to a huge shady clearing, which was surrounded by a steep circular ridge. Away from the road and the car park, and the heat of the day, it was quiet and soothing.
‘What an extraordinary place,’ Millie said, looking around in astonishment. Finding a flat spot without tree roots, she spread the blanket on the ground.
‘Isn’t it? Apparently it’s an ancient hill fort or something. Iron age, I think I read somewhere.’
‘Well, whatever it was, it’s amazingly peaceful today. And so cool under the trees.’
Jed paused from taking food out of the basket. ‘There’s something magical about it, isn’t there? Wouldn’t be surprised if Titania and Oberon popped out from behind that beech tree over there.’
Millie giggled. ‘Neither would I. Now there’s a thought. It would make the most incredible setting for A Midsummer’s Night Dream. You’re right, there’s definitely an other-worldly feel to the place.’
‘Completely agree. The ramparts make it a natural open-air theatre. Perhaps we should suggest it to Mike? He could put it on next.’ Jed opened a bottle of champagne with a satisfying pop. He poured her a foaming glass and handed it over. ‘Bit lively due to the journey, but still cold.’
Millie took her flute. She eyed it in wonder. ‘Jed this is real crystal.’
‘If you’re going to do something, you might as well do it properly, I’ve always said.’ He peered into the hamper. ‘Lobster or chicken?’
Millie shook her head at him with a fond grin. ‘Oh, lobster please, if you insist. Think I could force some down.’
Jed handed her a plate. ‘There’s lemon mayonnaise to go with it and some great sour dough bread. Salad and – ah – here we go, napkins.’
Millie batted off an excited Trevor and laughed. She took a mouthful of lobster and closed her eyes in bliss. ‘Delicious. I don’t eat it very often.’ She peered in to see what else was in the basket and was gratified to see some plump strawberries and a pot of clotted cream. ‘You’ve done an amazing job,’ she said, suddenly suspicious.
Jed had the grace to look embarrassed. ‘Can’t claim to have done all of it. I suggested one or two things and Mrs Silver put it together for me. She’s an extraordinary woman. Fantastic cook, member of the Axe Valley Runners. Did the Grizzly this year,’ he added, referring to the notoriously arduous beach and cliff-top marathon. ‘Says it’s one way of using all the calories up.’
‘Ah.’ Millie put down her plate and fed Trevor a tiny nugget of lobster.
Jed must have caught her tone. ‘Hope I’m as fit as she is when I’m her age.’
‘And what age would that be?’ Millie tried for nonchalance.
‘Oh, mid-fifties or thereabouts.’ Jed gave Millie a grin and saluted her with his chicken drumstick. ‘She’s got grown-up children, that much I know.’
‘Ah,’ Millie repeated but this time in a relieved voice. She couldn’t believe the jealousy that had shot through her at the mention of Mrs Silver’s name. Clinking her glass gently against Jed’s she said, ‘Thank you for doing this. It’s such a treat. And thank Mrs Silver too.’
‘I will.’
Millie met Jed’s gaze. As ever, he’d picked up on her mood instantly. The expression in his dark eyes was warm and loving. The sunny weather had deepened his tan and her fingers suddenly itched to run them over his smooth, brown skin. Through his silky, sun-lightened hair. He’d hurt her so badly earlier in the year. About as badly as anyone could. Could she trust him again? Something, somewhere deep inside her began to melt the last vestiges of betrayal he’d inflicted.
Trevor suddenly bounded over to the picnic basket, ruining the mood. He thrust his long nose into it and Jed snapped shut the lid, saying, ‘No, boy, you can’t have any more of your mistress’s lobster. I’ve got some biscuits for you somewhere.’ He reached behind him and produced a bag of expensive dog treats.
‘You’re spoiling us, Jed. There’s a danger we could get used to this sort of treatment.’
Jed didn’t meet her eyes. He concentrated on feeding Trevor biscuits, a little at a time. ‘I’d be happy to spend a lifetime spoiling you, Millie,’ he said quietly.
Chapter 27
Sleepy and replete with good food and, in Millie’s case at least, good wine, they lay in the flickering shade of the trees and dozed. Trevor lay at their feet, snuffling and twitching his paws in his sleep. Millie inched her hand over to Jed’s and entwined her fingers with his. With a contented sigh, she closed her eyes.
They must have slept for some time as, when Millie awoke, the sun had moved lower in the sky, making the shadows longer and more dense. With the sense that something wasn’t right, Millie shivered and sat up. The little patch of grass on which Trevor had stretched out was empty.
‘Jed, Jed, wake up. Trevor’s gone!’
She scrabbled to her feet, looking around her urgently. ‘Trevor!’ she yelled. ‘Here boy.’ Clasping her arms around herself, she shouted again. ‘Trevor! Get here now!’
Jed got to his feet and brushed himself down. ‘Right. You stay here in case he comes back and I’ll go and look for him.’ Seeing Millie’s stricken expression, he came to her. Taking her by the shoulders, he kissed her gently on the forehead and added, ‘He won’t have gone far, he’s devoted to you, and besides, we’ve still got food left. He knows there’ll be the possibility of treats.’
‘It’s just so unlike him. He never leaves my side. Oh Jed!’ Millie ended on a wail.
‘He’s probably just followed a rabbit trail or something. Don’t worry, I’ll find him for you. You stay here and keep calling him and I’ll work my way around the ramparts and –’ He broke off as Millie gave a relieved grin at something over his shoulder.
‘Trevor, you naughty boy. Where have you been?’ She bent down to fuss the dog. ‘And just what have you got there? Drop. I said drop it, Trevor!’
Trevor was reluctant to give up whatever he had and, instead, scampered around them, shaking it ragged.
Jed held up the packet of dog treats. ‘One left,’ he said. He passed it to Millie, who bribed Trevor into sitting. The dog eventually got the message and, with an indignant grumble, dropped the bundle of white material on the ground.
While she was clipping on Trevor’s lead, Jed picked up the dog’s treasure. He dangled the bra from a little finger.
‘If I’m not very much mistaken – and I have very little experience in these matters, you understand – I believe this is a lady’s undergarment,’ he said solemnly, with a wicked twinkle in his eye.
Relief about Trevor’s safe return was making Millie giggle. ‘Where on earth has he got hold of that from?’ She clapped a hand to a horrified mouth. ‘When we parked up, there was another car!’
‘And this belongs to the owner?’ Jed made his eyes go round. ‘What has she been doing?’
&nbs
p; ‘Or what have they been doing?’ said Millie. ‘If you understand what I’m saying.’
Jed nodded. ‘Think I just about get your drift.’ He gave Millie a doubtful look. ‘We’ll leave it at the entrance to the car park, shall we?’
Trevor, however, seemed to have other ideas. He tugged hard on his lead. ‘Do you know, I think Trev might know the whereabouts of its owner.’ Millie looked up at Jed. She pulled a face. ‘I feel ever so guilty about this. After all, Trevor’s my dog. Maybe we should try to get it back to her?’
‘We could just leave it in the car park, somewhere obvious for her to find.’
‘Wimp,’ Millie teased.
The matter was decided by Trevor pulling so hard at his lead that Millie found herself being dragged off.
‘Looks like we have no option,’ Jed said with a grin. ‘Silent obs though, mon capitaine.’
‘Absolutely,’ Millie said over her shoulder, Trevor still straining at his lead. ‘And you, young man,’ she directed at the dog, ‘Have caused enough trouble.’ She shook a reproving finger. ‘Not a sound!’
They let Trevor lead the way. After about ten minutes of stumbling around in a zigzagging way, he eventually led them to a pile of half-rotten logs at the far end of the circular clearing. He nosed at something on the ground, tail wagging furiously.
‘Matching panties,’ Jed whispered with a grimace and, finding a stick, hooped the underwear onto it along with the bra. ‘What else are we going to find?’
‘I truly dread to think, but we’ve got no option,’ Millie replied. ‘Those look like silk to me. We’ve got to return them now, they’re probably really expensive.’
Again, they let Trevor take the lead and another five minutes later, behind an enormous chestnut tree, they came across a pair of men’s trousers.
‘You’ve done a really thorough job, Trevor,’ Millie groaned as she collected them and folded them into a neat parcel. ‘What else did you find to leave discarded on this trail?’
They followed Trevor to where he found more clothes – a white shirt and a summer dress – until, after a hard climb up the steepest part of the ramparts at the furthest most point of the fort, they stopped to catch their breath. In the next field along, just the other side of a high Devon bank, and only visible from this vantage point, lay two prone figures. Two completely naked prone figures.
Millie ducked down, grabbing Trevor’s snout to stop him barking. She caught Jed’s eye and stifled a giggle.
He slid down next to her and grinned. ‘What do we do?’ he mouthed.
Millie shrugged. ‘I don’t know,’ she whispered back. She risked another glance at the sunbathers and then froze. ‘Oh. My. God.’
‘What is it?’
She turned to Jed, her eyes enormous. ‘I think it’s Biddy and Arthur!’
‘What?’ Jed peered over the ridge, became convulsed with silent laughter and then crouched back next to Millie. ‘I really need to unsee that.’
‘You and me both. Wonder why they haven’t got their dogs with them?’ She glanced at Trevor. ‘Probably wanted some peace and quiet,’ she hissed at the dog with a grimace. ‘Look at the trouble you’ve caused.’ She sighed. ‘I suppose we ought to get their clothes back to them, somehow.’ She nodded to the little huddle of garments. ‘I think Trevor’s managed to snaffle the lot. They can’t drive home stark naked.’
Jed nodded in the direction of the field. ‘It doesn’t seem to be bothering them at the moment.’ He grinned.
‘No because they don’t realise they can be seen.’ Millie leaned against a thick tree root and shook her head. ‘I know it’s funny, but Arthur would be mortified.’
Jed’s eyebrows rose. ‘From what little I know of Biddy, I think she’d take it in her stride.’
‘You’re not wrong there.’
‘I just hope there were no nettles involved.’
Millie thumped him, laughing. ‘Don’t! Let’s hope they were just sunbathing.’ Once again, she risked poking her head over the rampart. ‘They haven’t moved an inch,’ she whispered back. ‘I think they’re asleep.’
‘Or dead.’ Jed pulled a face.
Millie thumped him again. ‘Don’t even think that!’
‘I suppose I ought to take their clothes back to them. Can you stay here and keep Trevor quiet?’
Millie did a mock swoon. ‘My hero.’
Jed gave a ragged grin. ‘Well, it’s one way to win your undying love.’
‘Maybe.’ Millie grinned at him and contemplated telling him she’d never stopped. She nodded towards the field. ‘How are you going to get them back without being seen, though?’
Together they scanned a possible route.
‘I suppose if I duck down behind that hedge, I could sneak the clothes to just by the entrance to the gate. They’ll find them there. They might think it a bit odd, though.’
‘Oh, they’ll probably blame kids or something. At least they’ll have something to wear.’
Jed looked at the underwear. The last thing they’d found and the item that had got Trevor most excited was Arthur’s baggy white y-fronts. ‘Have I really got to touch those?’ he asked, with a fastidious wrinkle of his nose.
‘And there’s me thinking they bred them tough at Eton.’ Millie bundled up the offending item inside the dress and wrapped the trousers tightly around. ‘There, that’s the lot, as far as we know.’ She thrust them at him. ‘Good luck.’
He gave a weak grin. ‘We, who are about to die, salute you.’
Millie grinned. ‘Get on with it and make sure you don’t get caught.’
‘If I get caught with Biddy’s knickers in my hand, I think it might be the nettles for me.’
‘Think it would be a lot worse than that,’ Millie said drily. ‘Don’t forget, I know Biddy very well.’
Jed gave a look of true horror, shoved the bundle of clothes inside his shirt to free his hands and began, cautiously, to navigate the rampart’s steep southern face.
Millie clutched a wriggling Trevor to her and watched with baited breath. At this point, Jed was clearly visible. Once at the bottom of the slope, he ran to the hedge and ducked down. Luckily, as it was a Devon bank, it was solid and high and rich with greenery. Millie was certain he couldn’t be seen from the field on its other side. He edged along until he came to the open gate, sneaked a glance round, put the clothes on the grass and then sprinted back. Looking up at Millie and realising the bank was going to take ages to climb up, he mimed that he’d go along the bottom of the ramparts and meet her back at the car. She gave him the thumbs-up and, clutching Trevor’s lead, retraced her steps.
Millie had made two trips back to the car, carrying their picnic things by the time Jed returned.
He threw himself into the Golf. ‘Time to get out of here,’ he exclaimed. ‘Don’t think I’m cut out for a life of espionage. Value my balls too much.’
‘Ah,’ said Millie. ‘Then again, James Bond never had to face an adversary quite like Biddy Treeby. And, if she’d caught you, the safety of your balls would be the least of your worries.’
‘Ouch,’ Jed winced. ‘Just as well we got away with it, then.’
‘Indeed.’ Millie smiled at him. ‘Besides,’ she added airily, ‘I’m quite fond of your balls too.’
Jed did a double-take. Seeing the look on her face, he gunned the engine. ‘Perhaps we’d better get home and try them out.’
Millie pressed the down button on the window and lifted her face to the breeze. ‘I think we better had,’ was her only reply.
Chapter 28
The blinds made it softly dark in her bedroom. The windows wide to the rhythmic sounds of the sea. It all seemed to happen in slow motion, in silence. Little need for words.
Millie stood in front of Jed, drinking him in. With infinite care, she unbuttoned his shirt and inched it off his shoulders. Concentrating fiercely, she trailed a finger over his smooth, brown chest, over the muscles in his shoulders and onto his biceps. His skin smelled of hot sun. He
r finger found his nipple. Bending forward, she licked it, experimenting. She felt him tense.
Her fingers tripped along the ridges of six pack and she unbuckled his belt, unzipped his fly. He stopped her hand. With a look from eyes darkened with love, he whispered, ‘My turn, Emilia.’ Lifting her, he carried her to the bed. He took off her clothes, kissing each newly exposed expanse of skin with agonising tenderness. Time stilled. The only thing that mattered was Jed and the feel of him on her. Surrounding her.
Later, much later, when he slid into her at long last, it felt completely and utterly right.
Chapter 29
Once Dora had stopped laughing, she managed to splutter out, ‘Biddy and Arthur? Of all people! She must be leading him astray.’
‘And I think he’s probably enjoying every single minute. More wine?’
They were in Millie’s sitting room, the windows flung open to the sea air. The June heat had built up to an uncomfortable intensity during the day and thunder was rumbling in the distance.
Dora soothed a trembling Trevor and regarded her friend. ‘So what happened, then?’
‘I’ve no idea. I’m assuming they rescued their clothes and put them back on. Haven’t seen either of them since. For which I’m very grateful. I don’t think I could look either of them in the eye.’
‘I didn’t mean that, hon. I meant between you and the gorgeous Jed.’
Millie smirked.
Dora sat forward, making Trevor start. ‘I knew it,’ she exclaimed. ‘I knew you’d slept together! That smug, satisfied look on your face says it all.’ She pointed an accusing finger. ‘Tell all, girlfriend!’
‘Well,’ Millie began. ‘I believe the man in question puts a certain part of his anatomy in –’
‘I didn’t mean that!’ Dora roared, making Trevor whine and scrabble to hide behind a cushion. ‘What happened to taking it slowly, going on romantic dates. Waiting until you trusted him again?’
‘Please don’t terrify my dog,’ Millie answered mildly.
