Page 35 of Short Stack 3

“We had a housekeeper and servants.”

He snorts and then looks at the van contemplatively. “I’m sure there are some crisps somewhere.”

“There’s definitely more gin.”

He clinks my glass. “I love it when a plan comes together.”

“Thank you, Hannibal.”

Chapter Two

A few hours later finds us outside an old gate in the wall, Bertie gazing around excitedly. His little nose is twitching, so I’m betting that sheep are about. I tighten my grip on his lead.

“This is so exciting,” I offer to Ivo as he fits the key in the gate’s lock.

He looks back at me. “Like camping?”

“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself.”

We’re both flushed with a nice buzz but not drunk. We’d sat over a couple more drinks, chatting easily and eating our way through the family-sized Wotsits bag and some Maltesers that Ivo found. When the sun started to go down and the air was cooler, he proposed a walk.

“You promise there are paths?” I say again.

He rolls his eyes. “Henry, it’s Chatsworth House, not the Congo.”

The gate swings open, and we step through. “Oh, wow,” I say faintly. We’re standing on a broad avenue lined with huge old trees, and in the distance, Chatsworth gleams golden as the last rays of sunshine make its windows sparkle. The sky is a cornflower blue, darkening to navy in the distance, and the air is full of the scent of cut grass. “That’s so pretty.”

“Not as pretty asChi an Mor.”

I cock my head to one side. “It’s a different beauty.Chi an Morhas a wild magic about it.”

He holds out his hand. “Shall we?”

I grin at him and slide mine into his, feeling the calluses on his fingertips and smelling his cologne. His hair is messy and his eyes warm, and I have one of those flashes of intense love for him. They used to overwhelm me, but now we’re together, I roll with them because I know my love is returned.

We walk along, exchanging nods with the odd jogger and dog walker, but we’re largely alone, and it feels almost magical. A cricket pavilion comes into sight, and I nudge Ivo.

“Maybe we should have a game?”

“Maybe not. I would like you sentient tonight.”

“It wasn’t my fault. Who knew you had to watch out for flying balls at a cricket match?”

“Every cricket spectator, apart from you.”

“I never thought a cricket ball could reach me in the Pimm’s enclosure.” I walk on but stop suddenly when there’s an ominous squelch under my foot. “Oh mygod,” I say faintly. “Ivo, have I stepped into something?”

“What?”

“What have I stepped in?” I groan. “I can’tbearto look.”

He shakes his head, amusement vivid in his face. “You’re more dramatic than Judi Dench.”

He holds my foot up and starts to laugh.

“What is it?” I ask, craning my head around.

“Just a bit of horse poo, Hen.”

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