Page 18 of Modern Romance November 2024 5-8

‘Unless they already have a tulip vase.’

He turned and saw her slight pout. Usually pouts irritated him. Violet did them exceptionally well, though, and she even slumped for effect.

‘I’m sure they don’t,’ he said kindly. Glancing at the time, he saw that it was approaching six. ‘We’re almost there.’

‘I don’t mind being late.’

‘Well, I do.’

‘I bet you’re always on time.’

‘Of course.’ He nodded. ‘You?’

‘I try to be,’ she said. ‘But I’m always rushing, and sometimes...’

He glanced over. ‘Sometimes?’

Violet didn’t answer. She was sure a man as confident and measured as Sahir didn’t curl up and hide from the world at times.

‘Well,’ he said into the silence, ‘we’re right on time.’

‘Yay,’ Violet said, but without enthusiasm. And then, still staring ahead, she admitted, ‘I’m a bit nervous.’

Usually she’d never reveal such a thing. But, given her performance outside the nursing home, it seemed a little too late to play it cool.

‘Why?’

She hesitated, not used to sharing her fears. ‘I’ve never been to a French restaurant—at least not a posh one.’

‘It’s very relaxed there.’

‘I’ll hardly know anyone,’ she said. ‘Well, apart from Grace and a couple of her friends from school, who I never got on with. They’re married now. I didn’t get an invitation to their wedding.’

‘At least you didn’t have to come up with a gift for them, then.’

That made her giggle a bit. ‘Oh, and her cousin Tanya will be there...even though she’s barely been around since Mrs Andrews got ill. She’s insisted on bringing her children.’

‘I’m used to children at weddings.’

‘Well-behaved ones?’ she asked, and he nodded. ‘Just you wait! Oh, and Tanya doesn’t like me either.’

They were pulling up outside the restaurant. It was elegant beyond words; in fact the whole street was just like a postcard. She honestly didn’t want to go in, but knew that she had to.

‘Even the lampposts are posh.’

‘Violet,’ he said, and she turned at the calm delivery of her name. ‘Why don’t we stand close to the kitchen, get some hors d’oeuvres as soon as they come out, and then you can tell me why you are so unpopular?’

‘Deal.’

The bride and groom were just getting out of their car under the instructions of their wedding photographer. Violet liked the way Sahir handed over his keys to the doorman and explained their gifts were in the car... He just took care of all the details.

‘Our turn,’ he said, and they moved in for photos.

She smiled brightly for the camera, seeing that Sahir didn’t seem to do much of that either.

He was very...remote.

No.

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