Friends and Lovers (30 page)

Viv gazed at herself in the bathroom mirror and adjusted her veil, humming a song from
Kismet
. She had left Nick undressing in the bedroom that overlooked the sea.

‘Are you ready yet?’ he called.

‘Are you?’

‘Ready and waiting.’

She smiled and took one last look at herself in the brief chiffon bodice and the skirt that she had made from several lengths of sheer material. Unexpectedly nerves fluttered in her stomach. She told herself firmly not to be so daft. It wasn’t as if she was a Victorian virgin bride who knew nothing about sex and had never seen a man without his clothes on before.

She walked slowly into the bedroom and then stopped and drew an unsteady breath.

Nick lay naked on the bed – that was, naked
except for the knight’s helmet. ‘I thought the full suit would be inappropriate so I …’ His voice trailed off.

Viv’s hands fluttered in the air like butterflies caught up in a courtship dance. ‘The Seven Veils, sir? Or would you like me to peel you some grapes?’

‘Where did you get it?’ he murmured.

‘I made it with my own dainty little fingers,’ she answered. ‘Where did you get the helmet?’

‘I made that too. It’s cardboard.’ He took it off and slung it across the room. ‘Come here.’ His voice had deepened with emotion. ‘I think we’ve put off this moment long enough.’ Slowly she went to him and he pulled her down on to the bed.

‘Mam said that I was to tell you that we deserve to be happy,’ said Viv, stroking his chest. ‘That she wouldn’t have known what to do without us.’

‘That was big of her,’ said Nick, removing her bodice. ‘I’m sure we will be happy.’

‘As happy as anyone can be.’ Her fingers travelled downwards.

‘How much do I love you?’ he whispered.

‘You could show me a number of ways, I reckon.’ She smiled into his eyes.

‘This time nobody and nothing is going to stop us,’ said Nick, and slowly removed the first veil and began to show her just how much he really did love her.

I would like to thank my Hawitt cousins Maureen, Majorie and Irene for their interest and willingness in helping me with my American research. It was much appreciated.

Flowers on the Mersey

Step by Step

A Place to Call Home

A Dream to Share

Look for the Silver Lining

When the Clouds Go Rolling By

Tilly’s Story

Sunshine and Showers

It Had to Be You

J
UNE
F
RANCIS’S
maiden name was Nelson, and although she can’t lay claim to the famous Lord Admiral, she can boast of at least six mariners in her ancestry who came from far and wide. June’s mother worked in service and her tales of the old days have inspired several of June’s published novels.