‘You wouldn’t leave me to her mercy.’
‘I don’t think she shows her men any mercy.’
Charlie took a deep breath.
‘Oh, stop it. You love it.’ I laughed.
His eyebrows shot up. ‘What?’
‘I saw you. You’re getting quite the dab hand at flirting.’
‘I wasn’t flirting! I was talking. She’s attractive, yes. But I’d like to live to see another day.’
‘OK. I’ll be sure to tell her you’ve no stamina the next time I see her. That should put her off. For a while at least.’
‘I’ve plenty of stamina, thank you very much.’
I reached up and patted his cheek. ‘There, there. No need to be touchy. Of course, you do.’
Charlie caught my hand. ‘I’m thinking of withdrawing the hot-water offer.’
‘Yes, but you won’t, because you’re lovely.’ I winked at him.
He dropped my hand. ‘Get your stuff quickly before I stop being lovely and consign you to a freezing shower.’
‘I’m going!’
I scooted up the stairs and along to my flat, Charlie following behind, keeping up at a leisurely pace compared to my hurried one. Whizzing round, I grabbed a change of clothes, my PJs and travel washbag, along with my make-up and a hairbrush. I threw it all into a large tote and topped it off with a bottle of sun cream, and a wide-brimmed fabric hat that I could squash in on the top.
‘Ready!’
‘Blimey, that was quick.’
‘There’s wine waiting for me. And hot water.’
‘There is indeed.’
Charlie stepped out and I turned and locked the door. He bent and took the bag off me then stood aside, allowing me to go first down the steps. We got to the car and he opened the passenger door. I slid in and waited whilst he popped the boot and laid my bag inside. A minute later he was in and belted and we were heading back to the land where wine waited and hot water flowed.
33
‘You need a hat. I’ve just looked at the expected temperatures today.’
‘Yes, Mum,’ Charlie said, snagging a peaked cap off a coat hook.
I gave him a look.
‘Do we need to stop and get anything? Water, snacks?’
‘Nope. Maria is a machine when it comes to things like this. It’s great. I just pick them up and go. There’ll even be first-aid supplies in there.’
‘Reassuring bearing in mind you’re coming.’
‘Oi. You shut that damn window in the first place! So technically, that was your fault.’
‘I thought it might be.’
‘I’m glad you agree.’
