When he was gone, Kate sank into a chair and laid her head on the table. A moment later, she felt a hand on the back of her neck.
‘Okay, I’m ready.’
She sat up with effort and turned around. ‘Oh! It’syou.’
* * *
While Kate had been dancing with Will, Freddie had lost no time in bounding off in search of Jack O’Neill.
‘Mr O, I bring glad tidings of great joy,’ he announced gleefully and proceeded to regale Jack with what Kate had said about Brian. ‘I think his character might be getting written out of the series,’ he concluded triumphantly.
Just then, Will came up to them. ‘Jack, I’m going to drive Kate home. She’s completely played out.’
Way to go, Kate,Freddie thought, delighted.
‘Okay, Will, thanks.’ Suddenly Jack’s face froze with horror.
‘Oh, my God!’ Freddie had followed his gaze.
‘Trust him to turn up just in time to save his skin.’
A tall, fair-haired man was pulling Kate into his arms.
‘Who’s that?’ Will asked.
He seems rather put out,Freddie thought.
‘It’s the bloody Tree-shagger,’ Jack snarled.
‘Who?’
Freddie rested a hand on Will’s shoulder. ‘That, my dear William,’ he said, ‘is Kate’s boyfriend – the dreaded Tree-hugger.’
* * *
‘Quick – now!’ Kate laughed, gathering up as much of her skirt as she could while Will hastily slammed the car door before it escaped again. ‘I come with my own air-bag,’ she joked, as Will sat in.
‘Sorry about the delay,’ he said, as he started the car. ‘I just thought when your boyfriend turned up that you’d want to gohome with him.’ He had hung back and Kate had eventually come in search of him, asking for her lift.
‘Oh no, Brian wanted to stay for a while. Besides,’ she added, ‘he was on his bike.’
‘Ah, right.’ He swung the car into the road. ‘You’re not exactly dressed for riding pillion.’
‘Crossbar,’ Kate corrected him.
‘Sorry?’
‘Crossbar, not pillion. Pushbike, not motor.’
‘Oh! Oh, right.’
Kate suppressed a giggle at the comical expression on Will’s face.
‘I wanted to come on my bike,’ he said apologetically, ‘but it had a puncture, so I had to make do with the Jag.’
‘I’m very glad you did.’ She didn’t want Will to think she was one of those awful inverted snobs who looked down on people for driving big fuck-off cars.
She yawned contentedly, snuggling into the plush upholstery, lulled by the gentle purr of the engine. The day had turned out well after all, she thought. Brian hadn’t been able to wait until tomorrow to see her. He had told her how much he had missed her and had given her the most gorgeous kiss in front of everyone. She just hoped her bloody aunts had been watching. She had been reassured to find how glad she was to see him and how much she fancied him still. He really was devastatingly attractive – and so sexy. She hadn’t even minded that he’d wanted to stay on at the wedding without her. He’d had a tiring day at his workshop and he wanted to unwind with a few drinks and a dance. Besides, it would give him the chance to get to know her family better. She felt sure that once they got to know him, they’d love him almost as much as she did.
