Page 132 of All Wrapped Up
He rushed across the room and pulled me into his arms.
‘Oh, Dad,’ I gulped, tears springing up, because in spite of the unexpected nature of his and Mum’s arrival, it was wonderful to see them both. ‘It’s so good to see you.’
‘We thought we’d surprise you,’ Mum chimed in, handing Pixie to Dad when he let me go and squeezing me tight herself.
‘Oh, you’ve certainly done that,’ I told her. ‘Mission very definitely accomplished.’
‘You were right, love,’ said Dad, nodding at Ash. ‘He is even better close to.’
‘Dad!’ I flushed and Ash shook his head.
‘I apologise for my previous state of undress,’ Ash said, holding up his hands. ‘Had I thought, I would have got dressed before I opened the cottage door.’
‘No need to stand on ceremony with us, lad,’ Dad chuckled.
‘Though next time, we’ll telephone in advance,’ Mum laughed, too.
‘We’d been parked up a few minutes, wondering whether to knock or ring,’ Dad elaborated. ‘Then this fella opened the door to pick up the milk and, well, you know the rest.’
‘Yes,’ I said. ‘I do, and as you’re here, shall I introduce you properly?’
‘Bit late for that,’ Mum pointed out, with a wry smile.
‘But we wouldn’t say no to a bite of breakfast,’ Dad requested, with a nod to the smoked salmon and eggs Ash had already got out.
The meal that followed, with us all crowded around my little table and Pixie balanced on Mum’s knee, which was usually strictly forbidden, was the polar opposite of what I had envisaged would occur after my night with Ash, but it was the jolliest way I’d eaten in the cottage so far and it was wonderful that we were all together at last.
Chapter 29
With Mum and Dad unexpectedly in residence at Rowan Cottage a full twenty-four hours earlier than planned, Ash and I had limited opportunity for further alone time that day. I did, however, manage to make a trip down to the barn in the evening on the pretext of finalising plans for the festival’s grand finale which was unbelievably happening the next day. We didn’t do all that much planning, but along with the kissing, we did have a good giggle about Mum and Dad’s impromptu arrival and the subsequent farce that had ensued!
‘I was supposed to be on call tomorrow,’ Ash told me, as I got ready to leave, ‘but Will has switched things to be available himself.’
‘That’s brilliant,’ I smiled. ‘So we can have the whole day together.’
I was pleased about that. As excited as I was about the festival’s big finish, I was feeling rather emotional about it, too. So much in my life had changed since I had taken it on and along with acknowledging that, I wanted to enjoy every last second and not get too teary. With Ash by my side, I knew I would be able to achieve both.
‘We can,’ he confirmed. ‘Though not the night, of course. I think it would be a bit of a squeeze at the cottage with all four of us staying there, plus Pixie.’
‘You’re right,’ I agreed. ‘But perhaps I could sneak back here again for a while at some point,’ I suggested, replicating my father’s wriggling eyebrows.
‘As tempting as that sounds,’ Ash laughed, ‘your parents will be gone again before you know it, so I think you should make the most of having them with you.’
‘I know that really,’ I said, as I pulled him close, ‘but I want to make the most of having you, too.’
‘Well,’ he said, lowering his lips to mine and igniting another spark of desire. ‘You’ve got me forever, so there’s plenty of time for us, Clemmie. I’m going nowhere.’
The spark was sadly snuffed as a lump formed in my throat and the memory of hearing words similar to those whispered to me before forced its way in. I tried to swallow the recollection away and smile, but I knew the result was rather wobbly.
‘Sorry,’ I said, still trying to shake the emotion off.
Ash took my hand and led me back to the sofa where he sat me down. He then looked at me seriously and I wondered what was coming.
‘I need to ask you to do something for me, Clemmie,’ he began softly. ‘Is that okay?’
‘Of course.’
With my hand still in his, he looked deep into my eyes.
