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“We’ve planned for six until nine, although it wouldn’t surprise me if it goes on for longer.”
“Sounds great,” Titus says, and we follow him outside.
A beautiful, gleaming silver Merc is waiting outside. Alan opens the door and says, “Follow me down to the cottage.”
“Okay.”
“I’ll see you later,” Vicky calls from the doorway, and we wave goodbye.
We get into the Range Rover, and Titus starts it and eases it along the drive, following Alan down to the gatekeeper’s cottage.
“Did you get the third degree?” he asks.
“Not really,” I reply. “She mostly talked about you.”
“Oh?”
“She told me how Alan saw you speak in Vienna.”
“Oh yeah. That’s where we first met.”
“She was very complimentary.”
“That’s nice.”
I look across at him. He glances at me, catches my eye, and his lips curve up. “What?” he asks.
“Nothing. It was weird, that’s all. I’d gotten used to you being the clumsy guy who French-kissed me when I was sixteen. It’s odd to hear someone talking about you like a mogul.”
He laughs. “I like that word.”
“She made you sound like Bill Gates, Elon Musk, and Stephen Hawking all bundled up into one.”
“Wow. I’m impressive.”
“Titus, I’m serious. I feel like I’m in the presence of a rock star. Can I have your autograph?”
“It won’t go for much on eBay. Nobody outside the computer industry has a clue who I am.”
“I don’t know much about theoretical physics, but I know who Stephen Hawking is.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
I rest a hand on his where it sits on the gearstick. “It was nice to hear her talk about you like that. I appreciate that you’ve taken a few days out of your busy schedule to spend some time with me.”
“It’s been my pleasure, believe me. I haven’t felt so relaxed in years.” He pulls onto the small drive next to where Alan’s parked his car, and we get out.
“This way,” Alan says, and he leads us along the path, past well-tended flower borders, and up to the cottage’s front door. He unlocks it, then gives Titus the keys. “Come in.”
We follow him into the cottage, which is all one level. Ooh, it’s beautiful. It has an open-plan kitchen and dining room, a white Neptune kitchen, one bedroom with an Oh-My-God enormous bed decorated in spring colors—peach, light green, and yellow—and a bathroom with a huge sunken bath. Oh my.
“The cupboards and fridge are fully stocked,” he says, “but if you want anything at all at any time, please call the house—just dial zero on the phone. We have a permanent staff and a chef staying for the weekend, and someone will be happy to help.”
“Thank you.” Titus goes to the back door and looks out at the view. “It’s beautiful.”
Alan joins him. “It’s quite pleasant to sit out on the deck looking out over the river. Tomorrow we’ll go fly fishing. Heidi, you’re very welcome to join us.”
“No, thank you,” I say, sure that he wants some time alone with Titus. “I don’t know the first thing about fishing.”
