Page 182 of Love ad Lib
As Henry’s parents left the table in search of booze, Estelle turned back to him and Libby. ‘Do you have any idea when you’re moving?’
Henry glanced at Libby with such love in his eyes, she lost all her words.
‘Well?’
‘As soon as possible,’ he replied. I don’t need to work out my notice, as I’ve got plenty of leave accrued. The only thing we have to sort out is fixing Jack’s flat after Mr—the cat tried to destroy it.’
‘And are you bringing Mr Pussy with you?’ Estelle continued.
Henry cleared his throat. ‘Yes, he will be coming with us. However, from here on, he has been renamed “Mr P”.’
Estelle sniggered. ‘For “pussy”.’
‘He’s actually named after Henry,’ Libby said.
‘What? Mr Penis?’
‘No,’ she grinned. ‘Mr Perfect.’
After the meal,Libby strolled with Henry out of the gardens into the parkland. It wasn’t yet fully dark and the horizon glowed with the echoes of the sun. Apart from the swishing of their feet through the grass, everything was quiet, the world at the still point between day and night.
‘Look,’ he said.
A small, black shape fluttered above them.
‘Is it a bird?’
‘It’s a bat.’
‘Oh my god,’ she whispered. ‘I’ve never seen one in real life before.’
She clutched his hand tightly, needing reassurance she wasn’t dreaming. There was a hoot in the distance.
‘Henry! It’s an owl!’
His smile was shining in the twilight. ‘You’ll soon be wishing they’d shut up.’
‘Never. Anything’s better than traffic, sirens and other people’s televisions. I mean look.’ She gestured upwards. ‘You can actually see the stars here.’
His laugh was soft. ‘Yes, you can.’
‘Are you sure you want to make this move?’ she asked. ‘I don’t want to take you away from London if you’re happy there.’
He brushed his lips over hers. ‘Libby, I’m happy if I’m with you. And yes, I do want to come back to Foxbrooke. Seeing everything through your eyes makes me remember how beautiful it all is. It’s like you’ve woken me from a dream.’
He drew her closer, his lips pressing against hers, and she melted into the heat of his body. His kiss seared straight to her soul, a soul that would now, forever, be bound to this landscape and this incredible man. Libby had found her place in the world and it was here, with Henry.
EPILOGUE
India: Holy shit Libby-Lou, have you seen this month’s Vogue???
Libby: Not yet. Why?
India: I might have accidentally had an orgasm while perving over your boyfriend…
Libby: Lol. Henry told me the campaign would be starting soon, but I haven’t seen any of the pictures yet.
India: OMG are you serious? It’s like he’s bringing all your fantasies to life.
