Page 87 of Eden's Comfort Kitchen
‘Kids can sense good vibes, maybe?’
Cam said nothing to this; he only grabbed Nancy’s hands in his and made her clap along, which started her giggling uncontrollably.
Once the guitarist had gone through his repertoire, a trio of guests pulled out violins and began to fiddle a lively jig.
Cam laughed. ‘I did not see that coming! I didn’t even see anyone with violin cases!’
Eden turned to him. ‘I bet you think it’s the lamest thing you’ve ever seen. You don’t have to stay, you know. Nobody would notice if you snuck off.’
‘I know, but I want to stay. I’ve come all this way, after all.’
‘It’s getting late. Do you have a room booked somewhere?’
‘No; didn’t think I’d need one. It doesn’t matter – I’ll drive back when it’s done.’
Livia ran over and gestured to Nancy. ‘Come and dance with me! Country dancing: come on – you love this at school!’
Nancy scrambled to her feet and raced off.
‘That’s the other thing about kids,’ Eden said. ‘They’re fickle. A better offer and you’re forgotten.’
‘I can’t say I blame her,’ he said, his gaze going to where Livia was holding hands with Levi and Nancy and skipping around the sand with abandon.
She looked across at Eden. ‘You too!’ she yelled. ‘Come on – get up!’
Eden shook her head.
Livia laughed. ‘You’ve got to! What would Bilbo say if he could see you not dancing?’
Eden groaned and got to her feet, unable to find an argument. But then she held out her hand to Cam. ‘If I’m dancing, then you have to come too. Like Livia said, what would Bilbo say if you sat it out?’
‘He’d say there’s a sensible man.’
‘You don’t want to be a sensible man every day of your life, do you? Take a day off from that guy. Here, just today, you can be whatever you want. Don’t worry – I won’t tell anyone in London about it.’
He hesitated and then gave a sheepish smile. ‘God help me, I need more alcohol if the night is going to go this way.’
‘No you don’t. Just let those inhibitions go.’ Eden was sly as she looked at him. She’d perhaps had more drinks than she ought to have done, but she was far from drunk. She was, however, emboldened by it. ‘I know you can let your inhibitions go – I’ve seen it first-hand.’
He stared at her and then shook his head, smiling. ‘You’re…I don’t know what you are.’
‘I know,’ she said, grabbing his hands and putting them on her waist. ‘That’s why you like me!’
‘I do…’ he said, using his grip to stop her dancing and pulling her closer. ‘I do like you. God knows I’ve tried not to.’
‘Am I supposed to be flattered by that?’ she asked, laughing. But when he replied, he wasn’t laughing.
‘You can’t tell me you haven’t done the same? You turned me down, remember?’
‘I suppose I might have done.’
‘Have you asked yourself why?’
‘Yes, many times.’
‘And what was the answer?’
‘I didn’t have one.’
