Page 30 of Duchess Material

She hopped out of bed.

“No, no, it’s fine.”

He curled up in a ball. It was sort of adorable. Winston had a large footprint. And there he was, sleepy-eyed.

“Hi,” she said, lovingly.

“Hi. I missed you.”

Lucy bent down and kissed him. “I missed you, too. And I swear, tonight, I will be much less distracted and—”

“Let me take you out,” Winston said.

“What? No. You don’t have to—”

He lay on his side, propped up on his elbow. “I want to.”

“Oh… okay,” she agreed.

“I will plan it. All you must do is show up.”

“Well and know what to wear.”

“Correct,” Winston said.

“So… you’re taking me on… a date?”

Winston nodded. “Does that suit?”

Lucy blushed. “Yes.”

She was touched. It had been so long since a man had taken her out and about like a proper lady. She hopped on the Tube, trying to make it in one piece and avoid traffic. It meant a longer walk to a different station, but the weather was fine, and she wanted to bask a bit. On her walk, Winston texted.

How does dinner and a musical sound?

A musical? Willingly?

She passed the security checkpoint, flashing her badge at the gate. Everyone knew who Lucy was.

Her phone buzzed as she made it inside.

Yes. Six is on. I can get tickets. Mum is on the board.

She was thinking about what to text when she heard Natalie.

“What are you grinning about? Biting your lip and looking adorable, eh?”

Lucy looked up and flushed bright red.

“Winston is texting you, huh?”

Lucy shrugged.

“Uh-huh.” Natalie said, far too animated for this time of day.

“Are you a bat? Do you ever sleep?” Lucy clapped back.

“No. I work well on five hours. I can be sleep-deprived for days and still best everyone at target shooting. Just watch me!”

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