Chapter Nineteen

By the time the bells had stopped, Kate was back on the fallen tree trunk, her ice-cream bicycle hidden beneath the very tree that her Bath chair had been next to. She felt bereft. She wanted to be back there, back with Will.

Kate squeezed her eyes shut, trying to magic him into the future, trying to recapture that moment. A shadow fell over her — the pinkish light behind her lids darkened and her heart skipped a beat. He was here! He was—

She opened her eyes.

And staring at her, extremely curiously, was Theo Kent.

* * *

‘Aren't you supposed to be by the pool?' Theo asked Kate. She was sitting on a tree trunk, a half-eaten sandwich in her hand, her blue eyes looking gloriously heavy-lidded and sleepy. ‘May I?' He indicated the trunk and she stared at him for a moment, before obligingly bunking along.

She rested the sandwich on her knee; her hand was shaking a little bit and she looked pale, despite the sunshine. ‘I'm having a break,' she said. ‘It's pretty full on at the Spa.'

That explained why she looked so ghastly, then. Too busy, no food and probably overheating to boot. ‘That's all good for Cassie.' Theo stretched his legs out in front of him. ‘But are you okay? Where's your bicycle?'

‘I'm fine. Just tired. My bike is under the trees. I hid it.'

He laughed. ‘I don't blame you.'

‘Margaret's got the Gypsy Caravan over at the Spa now. Hector's on Hughie's back. No — I mean Horace. Horace is on Hughie's back.'

‘Hector, Horace. Both very good dog names. Hector's the dog from the museum cottage, isn't he?'

Kate nodded. ‘Horace would never forgive me if I called him Hector, I suspect.' She tore the crust off her sandwich, shredding the bread into pieces and tossing the bits away.

‘Your vampiric ducks have you well-trained.'

‘Yes. Those bits are for any of their relatives that happen to float along the river.'

‘I'm sure they'll appreciate it. Horace looks pretty good, though, doesn't he?'

‘He does.' Kate wiped the crumbs off her knees and stared out at the bridge. ‘Is everything going well for you today?'

‘Yes. I'm going to check on Hughie now. I've been in the carriage house and I think we could rig one of the old landaus up for him at some point.' Theo shrugged. ‘I'll have to run it by Alex or Cassie, but I think it might be a good idea. They could do carriage rides. They could even do carriage rides from here to your museum.'

That got her attention; she looked at him quickly, a spark of interest in her eyes. ‘I like it. Very much.'

Theo grinned down at her. ‘There are a few things I've been thinking about these last couple of days,' he told her.

Kate nodded. ‘Me too.' Her gaze drifted across the river again. She had gone somewhere Theo couldn't reach her; but he was intrigued enough to keep trying.

‘Do you think the ice-cream bicycle will catch on?' he asked.

‘If it does they'll have to get someone else to ride it. I can't be in two places at once. At least, I don't think I can. I might be able to. Who knows? Oh. What do you think of the Hall?' she asked, suddenly turning and facing him square on. ‘If you had to describe it in a couple of sentences, what would you say?'

‘I don't know.' Theo shrugged and looked around him. The river was lit by speckles of sunlight that dappled through the leaves, the Faerie Bridge standing squat and well-loved with one foot, it seemed, in the wilderness and one foot in the formal gardens. ‘It's a very comfortable place,' he said thoughtfully. ‘I feel safe here and I think it'll draw people back time and time again. I feel like I've been completely accepted by it and it's going to be an absolute horror to leave and go back to the real world after this weekend. Actually, I think that might be it. The Hall sort of exists in a different world, but it's one where I feel I could belong, if I was given the chance.' He blinked, looking around again. ‘Well now. That was rather metaphysical, wasn't it?'

‘Hmm. Metaphysical, as in things that are thought to exist but that cannot be seen. It's almost a perfect description of this place. Interesting.' Kate stood up and put her hands on her hips. She cast a glance at him and half-smiled. Her cheeks coloured pink for a moment, then she looked around her. ‘I have to go back now. They'll be needing ice-cream.'

Theo stood up as well. ‘I'm heading that way too, remember. I need to see Hughie. I wasn't happy with his back shoe when I saw him earlier. He was throwing his hoof a little. Just need to make sure it's okay.' He produced a hammer out of his pocket. ‘I could always knock the nail in a little more securely if I have to. He'll stand nicely for it, I know he will.'

‘Oh, yes,' she said with that faint smile again. ‘The horse whisperer strikes again.'

* * *

Kate turned and poked around in the undergrowth, freeing the bicycle. She pulled a twig off the wicker basket and dragged the bike backwards out of the little copse, propping it up against the tree trunk while she checked the contents of the basket.

Then, before she had time to close the lid, Theo had scooped her up in his arms and she was cradled there, the wide legs of her trousers trailing down as she cried out, half-laughing and half-shocked.

‘Come on,' he said, with a grin. ‘I'll pop you on the front and give you a lift — it looks like you need one. I'll pedal like mad to get us there! No time to waste.'

He made as if to drop her on the front, and she clung on around his neck, fully laughing now. ‘Put me down! You're not supposed to manhandle the ice-cream lady!'

‘But if it's the only way to get a free ice-cream, I'll do whatever it takes.'

She shook her head, the curls bobbing around, and clung more tightly. It was such a strange feeling — he was holding her as securely and as tenderly as Will had held Cat in that very same spot—

She looked at him, her lips parted, and saw the light and laughter in his eyes; was terribly aware of the firm muscles she snuggled against — couldn't stop thinking about what it would be like to snuggle against him properly, on a bed, after they'd . . . no! What about Lori? And Poppy? And Jenna, come to think of it? On his sodding airbed. In his tent.

‘Theo — put me down. Please!' She could feel her cheeks burning, and if she stayed there too much longer, she'd become even more aware of how close her face was to his, and how good he smelled — sun tan lotion and aftershave and hay-bales and sunshine.

‘What if I don't want to?' His eyes were serious now, dark and blazing with something she'd never seen in Chris's eyes, and was pretty certain had never been reflected in hers. Until now. Until she was this close to Theo Kent and it would be so easy to—

‘What if I want to keep you here — right here — and do this?' He lowered his voice and dipped his head towards her, drew her closer in his arms and she couldn't help it. She closed her eyes and felt his kiss burning against her lips. And there it was again — that sense of twin souls melding into one, finding each other just like before . . .

‘Theo,' she murmured, after they'd eventually pulled apart. ‘Oh, what's going to happen?'

‘I hope,' he said, lowering her gently to the ground, ‘that we will happen.' He leaned his forehead against hers and put his arms gently around her waist. Her own arms had never left his neck and she could feel the warmth of his skin, his blood pulsating around his body with every beat of his heart. ‘That's what I want to happen. But I need to see my way clear with Poppy first. I just hope that somehow you can wait for me?'

‘We'll just have to see,' she said. Then she broke away gently and looked back at the bicycle. There was no question that she wanted the same thing — but here, in this magical place, it was easy to believe that reality could disappear and Lori could be wiped out of his history. And out of his present, somehow. She knew until the parenting situation was resolved, they were in limbo. But still part of her wanted to shout at him: I've waited a lifetime already — and Lori wasn't even in the last one!

* * *

It was just as noisy and popular at the Spa as it had been when she left for lunch. On the way back, she'd swung by the Hall and restocked her ice-cream — it made more sense, she had told Cassie, for some to be there and it had certainly saved time. She would only be selling the ice-cream for another couple of hours, then that eerie, late afternoon peace would descend and it would feel like a completely different place as the Hall settled down and the crowds left.

Kate's mind drifted a little as she watched the activity around her, and, in an effort to try and distract her thoughts from Theo and his kisses, she began to think more about Millie and the miniature of her, sitting unacknowledged in the dining room. Kate's mission this weekend, she determined — apart from selling a glut of ice-cream and ensuring her museum didn't crumble, of course — was to get back inside that house and see the picture. Ideally, her mission would involve sorting out things with Theo. But she had to put that thought aside, difficult as it might be.

As if on cue, her walkie-talkie crackled into life and Cassie's voice came through: ‘Kate — may I prevail upon your good nature please?' Her voice was wheedling and Kate knew she wanted her to do something for her.

‘What is it, Cassie? If you're hungry, I've got some strawberry left — you can have a cone, if that's what you're after. There's no clotted cream though.'

‘No cream?' She sounded disappointed. ‘Oh, no! Have you got some for tomorrow?'

‘I have a big tub in my fridge.'

‘Thank goodness. No, it's not ice-cream I'm after at the minute — which may surprise you — but it's flowers.'

‘Flowers?' Kate stared into the handset.

‘Yes. I want a big bunch of cottage garden stuff. Someone's knocked the jug over in the dining room, and they've been trampled to death. I am staring at, literally, a puddle of green slime.'

‘I assume you mean the flowers have been trampled, not the person who knocked them over?' Kate qualified. ‘But I suspect a trampled person might also make a puddle of green slime under the correct conditions.'

‘Exactly. On both accounts. Thing is, I know your garden has the best cottage garden stuff, so I was wondering if you wouldn't mind bringing some tomorrow morning? I know it's a big ask, because you'll need to be here early to deliver them — but I would be forever grateful.'

‘No, that's absolutely fine. I'll bring them for you.'

‘Great. The doors will be open through the gift shop, just let yourself in. I'll tell Brian to expect you. I think he's scheduled in there tomorrow morning. Look, thanks for today. If I don't catch up with you before you go, I'll see you tomorrow, okay?'

‘Okay. Oops — customer. Best go.'

Kate disconnected the walkie talkie and looked at Theo.

He had loomed up in front of her. ‘Did I hear you say you had strawberry left?'

‘You did.'

‘Excellent. I'll take one. Hughie's fine, his shoe's on and I'm happy that he's happy. I'm going to take him back to the stables now. Can I persuade you to come with me?' His smile was warm.

Kate looked over Theo's shoulder and saw that Hughie had been liberated from his harness and was pulling at a nearby tree, chomping mechanically at the foliage he was ripping off the branches. ‘He's definitely fine — I agree. You'd better take him back, before he eats the estate. I have to stay here though. I want to see if I can sell the rest of this ice-cream before people go home.' She could see the top of a carrot sticking out of his pocket and it made her smile. ‘You won't have a problem encouraging Hughie anywhere with a collection of vegetables around your person.'

Theo laughed and his eyes softened. ‘Yeah? Well perhaps it's not Hughie I want to encourage anywhere.'

Their eyes locked for a moment, until Kate broke the connection and scooped a perfect, pink mound of ice-cream onto a sugar cone.

‘On the house.' She didn't want him to linger whilst he scrabbled around for change, because she would have done anything he asked her to do at that particular moment in time. He could have encouraged her to Timbuctoo, carrot notwithstanding.

‘Are you sure?' His dark eyes burned into hers as she gazed up at him again. She had a feeling he wasn't discussing the price of ice-cream and remembered again that feeling of being in his arms. ‘I meant what I said up at the tree. And I can't wish that Poppy was never born, although it would make things so much easier right now. I need to know where I stand with that situation first.'

‘I'm quite sure.' The tremble in her voice made a liar out of her. She really had to stop confusing this guy with Will Haddon. It was becoming dangerous. That was a good point, actually. Was it Will she wanted or Theo? It had been a very long day.

Theo Kent nodded and half-smiled, a little sadly. ‘Okay,' he said. ‘I wish it was easier for us, I really do'. Then he turned and walked away.

* * *

She brought the bicycle back home and tucked it up in the barn, pushing all thoughts of Theo out of her head. The ducks quacked desultorily at her, and they looked pretty plump and well-fed, so she supposed even if Jenna had forgotten them, nobody else had.

The answer to that supposition was on the reception desk, in the shape of a wicker basket stuffed full of goodies.

‘Ooh.' Kate lifted the corner of the red and white gingham cloth that covered it. ‘Food.'

‘Delilah's food,' said Jenna disinterestedly. ‘She said it was for you. She sent a smaller basket for me and the ducks.' She emerged from the shadows and sprawled against the desk.

Kate couldn't help but laugh. ‘Well I hope you shared it nicely.'

‘Bloody greedy beasts,' Jenna muttered.

‘They look like they enjoyed it anyway. Did Delilah mention why she'd brought it over for me?'

Jenna shrugged. ‘Said something about giving you a treat as she suspected you'd been busy all day and she worried about you getting lunch. Said she'd put enough in for both of you.' Jenna frowned. ‘She'd seen you and a man together earlier and she loved your outfit. It's to share with him. I did wonder if Chris had come up again.' Her interest sparked for a millisecond then died again. ‘But if he did, he never came here.'

‘I haven't been back all day. And no, I don't believe Chris is anywhere near Hartsford.' Kate shook her head. Chris had posted her keys back to her soon after the break-up, with no note or begging letter. There was no way he was around. ‘I don't know where she's seen me. Oh, well.' She tucked the corner of the cloth back in.

‘She said they would go off.' Jenna inspected her nails. ‘So you have to eat them today. And if Chris isn't here, you'll just have to eat them yourself and get fat. I'll see you tomorrow.'

Kate watched Jenna sashay out of the reception area, her mouth opening and closing like a goldfish's.

‘Well, thanks for that,' Kate muttered, after the girl had disappeared around the corner.

She pulled the gingham cloth off the basket and surveyed the contents. There were four scones, a pat of butter in a white enamel pot, a jar of homemade strawberry jam, a punnet of fresh strawberries, another pot full of clotted cream, two well-filled ham and cheese wraps and a thermos flask. She picked up the flask and shook it. It was weighty and sloshy with something and she suspected it was hot, sugary, milky tea — just the way she liked it. Tucked down the side of the basket was a greaseproof-paper wrapped bundle and a tweak at that wrapper revealed the corner of a lovely fruity slice of cake. It was probably cider cake. Delilah knew she loved it.

Kate's stomach gave a greedy rumble and she pressed her hand against her abdomen, groaning softly. No way could she eat all of this — and it might not go off as such, but it certainly wouldn't taste as good tomorrow.

Kate went up into her flat and tossed the 1930's outfit onto her bed. She wriggled into some denim shorts and a black vest top, her thoughts occupied by what she could do with Delilah's picnic basket.

She sat down at her dressing table and brushed her hair out. The waves kept springing back, and she wondered if she could get away without the bendy rollers tonight. From there, she went into the bathroom and scrubbed all the make-up off until her skin tingled with a mixture of cold water and slight sunburn. The freckles were back — in force, she noted.

When she was finally satisfied that she looked like herself, she meandered downstairs and opened the basket again. She delved a little further to see if there were any treats she'd overlooked and her fingers closed on a stiff little rectangle. She pulled it out and saw a notecard with a picture of cupcakes on the front and smiled; Delilah, of course.

She opened the card and read it.

Enjoy these little gifts, Kate. Just a few of your favourites as I'm sure you deserve them tonight. I expect you to share with that lovely man who you were with earlier. He looks like he deserves a treat too. Also, you two looked like you were having fun. So good to see!

Theo. He was the only one she could mean, because she would have recognised say, Tom, of course—

Actually, that was a good point — she texted Tom.

Where are you? Fancy sharing a picnic?

The text came straight back.

Am in Kent. Hever Castle. Tudor trail totally rocks! Found some pleasant company so won't be Skyping later.

He ended that with one of those winky-faced emoticons that left Kate in no doubt as to what constituted pleasant company for Tom. She suspected he'd forget the woman's name by next week. Kate desperately wished he'd find a nice girl and settle down — it was what he needed.

So, it looked like Kate and Delilah's picnic would spend a pleasant evening together — or she would have to do what Delilah had asked and share it with Theo. It had to be Theo — there was simply no other possibility. The thought worried her slightly, after the feelings she had experienced when she was in his arms earlier. She would have to go to the campsite though — or risk Delilah's wrath, because she would find out if Kate disobeyed her.

Hartsford was that sort of village.