The Holiday (61 page)

‘So you did help change her life in the end, didn’t you?’ Izzy had said to Mark, when she had finished reading the letter.

With typical bad grace, he had growled, ‘Say so much as one word of my having fulfilled a psychic’s prediction and I’ll invite her to stay with us!’

Beth wriggled restlessly in her arms and Izzy nudged at the grass beneath her feet and set the swing moving to and fro. The rocking motion instantly settled the baby and Izzy smiled at the thought of Mark carrying out his threat. He might be one of the most unpredictable and daring people she knew, but she doubted that even he would go that far to prove he was as good as his word.

‘And what, pray, Mrs St James, are you thinking of to make you smile like the proverbial Cheshire cat?’

‘Really, Mr St James, creeping up behind me like that and cross-examining me with your impertinent questions! Isn’t a wife allowed to have a few secrets from her husband?’

Coming round to stand in front of her, Mark placed his hands at shoulder height on the ropes of the swing and looked down at her. ‘I knew marriage would be a mistake. I liked you better when you were a scarlet woman lying in the sun, baring and confessing your all.’

‘Ssh, you’ll make your daughter blush.’

‘Just like her mother, then.’ He reached out to take Beth so that Izzy could get to her feet. ‘So what were you smiling about?’

‘You, of course. You know how funny I think you are.’

‘Mm ... I keep forgetting what a highly twisted sense of humour you have.’

She laughed. ‘If I have, it’s only developed since I met you.’

Slipping a hand around her waist, he drew her close. ‘Are you up for a full-frontal kiss right under your mother’s nose?’

‘Oh, I think I could manage that.’

‘My, how you’ve changed your tune. Now brace yourself, Izzy, this is going to be a big one.’

 

From across the garden, Theo watched his friend kiss the woman he had once hoped would feel for him what she so clearly felt for Mark. He felt no envy, just a deep, satisfying sense of contentment.

‘Well, Theo, it isn’t quite what you had in mind almost a year ago when you thought you might sweep Izzy off her feet, is it?’

He turned to see Laura at his side. He took the glass of wine she had brought for him. ‘How very unkind of you to remind me of my arrogance that day on the terrace with you. But I’m not too proud to admit that it’s been a good lesson for me.’ Then, looking back at Mark and Izzy, he said, ‘They’ve done an excellent job of sweeping each other off their feet, haven’t they? They truly bring out the best in one another.’

She squeezed his arm. ‘Cheer up, Theo, you’ll find your Miss Right one day. Just when you’re least expecting it, there she’ll be, all gorgeous and utterly in love with you.’

‘And in the meantime, do I have your permission to flirt with you?’

‘What? With my awful legs?’

‘Oh, my darling Laura, please don’t tell me you’ve let yourself go. Did I not warn you about those varicose veins? Did I not tell you to rest your legs during your pregnancy? What you need is a good holiday to recuperate, and I know just the place, where the sun shines all day and the pace of life comes to a grinding stop.’

She burst out laughing. ‘The pace of life comes to a grinding stop? You must be joking!’

He grinned. ‘Well, excluding the everyday drama of a middle-aged mother and her schoolboy lover turning up in the bay, a near-fatal drowning, a tragic shooting, people falling in love and the careless conception of a couple of charming babies, I think you’ll agree that the pace was pretty slow and made for the perfect holiday.’

She raised her glass against his. ‘And let’s not forget our perfect friend and neighbour, Mr Theodore Vlamakis who made it all possible. Thank you Theo. You’re an exceptional man.’

‘Now that’s something I won’t dispute. Cheers!’

 
AN ORION EBOOK

 
First published in Great Britain in 2000 by Orion.
This eBook first published in 2009 by Orion Books.

 
Copyright © Erica James 2000

 
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