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“Err… thanks,” he replied, and I could tell he was bemused.

“Patrick Young,” Patrick introduced himself.

Dylan seemed to recover himself. “Well, I hope you’re both having a good time. We’ve not been open for business long.”

“The folks love it,” said Jack. “It’s a bit quiet for us, but hey, they’re paying.” He grinned a wide smile, and I noticed how good-looking he was.

“They’ve invited me over for a swim,” I said to Dylan.

“Okay,” he said with uncertainty and I knew we were in really uncharted territory now.

“I’ll just get a towel,” I said with a breezy smile.

“See you in a bit,” Jack called as he and Patrick headed for the gîtes.

Dylan glared at me. “Where did you go?” he asked, his voice deceptively quiet.

“Into the village. You were coming to find me, weren’t you?” I said through gritted teeth as my anger surfaced, unrestrained.

“I was worried about you. And. You. Didn’t. Have. Your. Phone.” Each word was a staccato.

I didn’t have the heart to tell him I hadn’t even looked at the new phone he’d bought me.

“I am perfectly capable of looking after myself.” I stomped toward the house to fetch a towel.

Dylan followed me. “Emily, you’ve been gone for three hours,” he exclaimed as we entered the hallway.

“So?” I whirled around and faced him, hands on my hips.

“So? I was worried.” He glared at me. “You don’t have your phone. We’re in a foreign country. You don’t know the area. I thought you might be lost.” He dragged his hand through his hair.

“I just went for a walk. That’s all. Why don’t you trust me?” I hissed.

“It’s not about trust. Yesterday, you were all for running off back to Kent. You’re too unpredictable at the moment. I don’t know if I’m dealing with rational Emily or grieving Emily. For all I know, you could have been hitching back to Bordeaux,” he hissed back.

Lulu appeared at the top of the stairs.

“Dylan!” she reprimanded him. “She’s okay.” She came downstairs and stood beside me. “She’s back in one piece. She’s fine. Next time, she’ll take her phone.” Lulu put her arm around me.

I was rigid with anger, which found its usual outlet, and to my utter chagrin, I started to cry.

“Oh, please don’t cry,” Dylan grumbled as all the fight in him evaporated. He stepped forward and pulled me into an awkward embrace as I stood unyielding, trying to contain my temper.

“I’m crying because I’m angry,” I snapped.

“I know, I know,” he said, his tone soothing, and he stroked my head gently.

Slowly, I started to relax.

“Will there ever be a time when you won’t overreact if I’m late back?” I asked him.

“I hope so, sweetheart. I hope so,” he murmured, and he kissed the top of my head. “Now, do you want to go swimming with those boys?”

“Boys? What boys?” Lulu asked, her eyes lighting up.

“Emily met some boys,” Dylan said, his tone apprehensive. “They’re staying in one of the gîtes, and they’ve invited her over for a swim.”

“Oh, Emily,” Lulu scolded. “Stop crying. You’ll make your nose all red.”