Page 115 of How Good It Was (Excess All Areas 3)

“At ten in the morning? No.”

He squeezed her fingers. “The science museum?”

“I didn’t know there was one. But in case you hadn’t noticed, we’re driving out of the centre of London.”

Luke lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm before playfully biting her fingers. “I hate to throw water on the plans, but you know I have an interview with GQ at three.”

“I do. I coordinated this with Simon. He doesn’t know what we are doing, but it’s all arranged that we get back in time.”

“Biggin Hill Airport?” Luke asked, as they pulled into the parking lot.

“Apparently, it was a famous airport during World War II. Used to be RAF Biggin Hill.”

“Are we flying somewhere? I was serious when I said I had that interview. I can’t miss it.”

Willow went to pay the driver, but Luke playfully pushed her hand out of the way. “It’s my surprise for you,” she said.

“You aren’t paying for a taxi when I’m in it with you.”

Luke handed the driver a twenty-pound note, collected his change, and clambered out of the taxi before coming around to assist her.

“I booked this for you, Luke. I’m not flying anywhere, but you are. I know you dreamed of becoming a pilot. And just because you aren’t flying for a major airline, doesn’t mean you can’t learn how to fly. I booked you your first lessons. Two hours, some classroom, some air. It’s a CAA-approved flight school program here. But after today, your lessons will move to an airfield just outside of Manchester. And I—”

His kiss silenced her, but the slight wobble of his lip told her there was more emotion in it than usual. He snaked his hand around her neck and pressed his forehead to hers. “You got me flying lessons?”

“You’ve always wanted to learn.”

“It’s as simple as that?”

She placed her palms on his cheeks. “Yes, Luke. It’s as simple as that. I love you. And I wanted you to have something totally yours and yours alone. You share the band, we share the baby, you’ve looked after everyone else. And now, I want you to pursue your dream in some way. Wait. Do you not want to do it? Because if you don’t, we can always go get a cab and get out of here.”

“Fuck, I love you.” Luke kissed her again, more gently this time. “Yes, I want it.”

“We’re meeting your instructor in ten minutes, so we better hurry inside.” She turned to head in, but Luke grabbed her hand.

“I’m glad I met you,” Luke said. “Because you and Cletus are the cause of everything good happening in my life. I don’t know that I’ve ever really been anyone’s, but I’m yours.”

Willow smiled. “And I’m yours. For all the issues that come with me.”

“I’ll slay any dragons for you, Will. Even my own. I promise you.”

They stood for a moment, eyes locked. Reassurance, love, admiration passed between them without words.

“We should go in,” she said, finally.

“Yeah. What are you going to do?”

“There is a cafe, whimsically named the Lookout Café. I’m going to eat cake and try to find something to drink that isn’t tea, and work on a plan I’ve been thinking about. Come and find me when you are done.”

Luke nodded and took her hand, leading her inside. “Can’t believe I’m going to fly an airplane today. That’s epic shit.”

“Dual controlled. Be careful, won’t you?”

“Always.”

Once Luke was off with his instructor, Willow found the café and grabbed a slab of Victoria sponge cake and a decaffeinated latte. Round tables were dotted around the room by windows which looked out over the airfield. It would be impossible to tell from this distance which aircraft may or may not contain Luke.

Selecting a table, she placed her goodies down and tugged her laptop from her bag. Summer was wrapping up, and it was time to shift to fall. She thought about the next six months. Seasonal holidays, chunky sweaters, reading by the fire. Although, Luke’s apartment, or flat as he called it, didn’t have a fireplace.

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