‘Oh, bless her.’ Lisa smiled.
‘She won’t be about for the next week though,’ Nathan interjected.
‘That’s right, Flick and I areoff to France tomorrow—’
‘Gran said. Half your luck. I’m on holiday this week, but haven’t made plans. I think Gran’s lining up a list of jobs.’
‘You’d be welcome along. Nathan, Pete and the children are joining us after the weekend. We’re celebrating our thirtieths and staying at my parents’ chalet in the Alps. The more the merrier. We can make room for one more.’ Lisa looked betweenDom and Nathan, wondering if she should have checked first.
‘I couldn’t gatecrash.’ Dom looked at Nathan.
‘You’d be welcome, but I’m not sure Pete’s got space in the car—’ Nathan began.
‘I could bike down. I haven’t given the motorcycle a good run for a while.’
Lisa could tell Dom was excited at the prospect.
‘With a couple of stops, it’s about thirteen hours, a bit more thana good run.’ She welcomed his enthusiasm but wanted him to be sure he knew what he was letting himself in for.
‘I could do it in about nine, I reckon.’
‘What have you got?’ Nathan asked.
‘MV Agusta F3, it—’
Nathan took a breath, but Lisa spoke first.
‘What will you do if it rains?’
Dom and Nathan shared an eye roll that told Lisa she had said something foolish even beforethe wordsget wetwere said in unison.
‘OK.’ Lisa held up her hands, conceding it wasn’t the most technical of questions. ‘So, do you think you can make it?’
‘If you really don’t mind me tagging along.’
‘And will Winnie mind … about the jobs? I don’t want to be in trouble.’ Not wanting to upset Winnie, Lisa thought she should check.
‘I’ll get some things done before I leave, tomake Gran happy, and join you on Sunday night. How does that sound?’
‘Really?’ Lisa was excited at the thought of having Dom along too. He had met Felicity when Lisa took her to meet Jack, and the two had got on instantly, so she was sure she wouldn’t mind.
‘If you’re sure.’ Dom looked between Lisa and Nathan again.
‘Of course we are.’ Lisa squeezed Nathan’s hand.
‘To be honest,it will be good to have you along. Lisa had a few twinges earlier,’ Nathan added.
Dom looked at Lisa, concerned. ‘You’re OK now, aren’t you?’
‘Fine. I think it was Braxton Hicks. Something I’ve learnt tonight.’
‘Take it easy though, won’t you? After—’
‘Of course I will.’ Lisa cut Dom short and leaned in to hug him goodbye with the promise of texting him once she was home with herparents’ address in France and any other details that sprang to mind that he might need to know.
Nathan said his goodbyes and stepped aside to pay for the parking.
Dom hugged Lisa goodbye once more. ‘I’m glad you two had your talk and that you look so bloomin’ happy! Didn’t I tell you it would be fine?’
