Page 82 of Be More Lucy

Lucy undid the red ribbon that was neatly tied in a bow around it and opened the lid. Inside was the pendant she’d admired at the market all those weeks ago.

‘When did you get this?’

‘The day you saw it at Spitalfields. I sneaked back and bought it when I went off to the toilet while you were in the cafe.’

So she hadn’t imagined it. He had been thinking about them getting together again even then.

‘You’re full of surprises.’

‘All good ones, I hope. Happy birthday, darling.’

43

‘I almost missed the plane.’ After five weeks of travelling backwards and forwards to Spain, Lucy had got the journey from home to the airport down to a fine art, but she’d almost cut it too fine this week. At least, Mark was in the arrivals hall at Malaga waiting for her this time. She guessed there was less traffic on the coast road now the holiday season was over.

Mark gave her a passionate kiss. ‘I’ve missed you.’

‘I can tell,’ she grinned. ‘I miss you more each week.’

‘Let’s get home.’ He grabbed her suitcase. ‘How was work today?’ he asked as they walked hand in hand out to the car park. He didn’t need to ask about the previous days. They’d talked every night this week as usual.

‘Sitting in my little office, concentrating on drawing up marketing plans for coffee beans was hard this morning. Somehow, my mind kept wandering back to you.’

‘I’m glad I’m more interesting than coffee.’

‘How’s your day been?’

‘Quiet. I had a business meeting over lunch. Oh yes, and a complaint letter from the owners of the penthouse, saying we’d upset his guest the other week.’

‘Noah’s mother?’

‘Yes.’ He said putting her case in the boot of his car. ‘The way she described it in her email, you’d think we were partaking in a full-blown orgy.’

‘Perhaps we should have invited her to join in.’

‘God know. I want you all to myself,’ he said pulling her in to kiss her again.

‘Your wish is my command.’

Lucy woke up to the sound of crockery clinking together. For a split second, she was confused about where she was.

‘Good morning, darling.’

She remembered now. She was lying in lovely, sexy, easy-to-get-on with Mark’s king-sized bed.

‘Morning.’ She rubbed her eyes and yawned. ‘Why are you so bright and breezy at this ungodly hour?’

‘It’s 10 am. Even on British time, it’s not early.’ He kissed her. ‘I bring you a croissant, some tea, and good news. At least, I hope it is,’ he said, getting back into bed with her.

Lucy sat up and sipped her tea. ‘I’m intrigued.’

‘I’ve got someone interested in buying my business. The chap who owns the bar. He mentioned it last year, but I wasn’t looking to sell it then. I paid him a visit yesterday. He’s just emailed me, offering a higher price than I expected.’

‘And that means?’ She hoped it meant he was free to come back to England, but she didn’t want to jump to conclusions and then be disappointed.

‘If it all goes through, I’m not tied to Nerja any more.’

‘And where would you like to be tied?’

---