AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Come here,” I say, reaching for her hand, and I curl my fingers around hers. “Just to look the part,” I explain.
“Yeah,” she says. “This isn’t going to be torture at all.”
I grin. “I can’t think of a nicer place in which to be tormented.”
“That’s true. It’s very beautiful here.”
We walk slowly, Heidi pointing out the birds we come across: house sparrows, gold finches, chaffinches, wood pigeons, and even two blackbirds, serenading us from the trees.
It’s just after six by the time we get to the house. We’ve heard cars passing by on the drive, and we count fifteen parked, with another three or four making their way toward us.
“I thought it was just going to be an informal family thing,” Heidi mutters as we near the front door.
“Yeah…” I feel my first tingle of nerves. “Uh-oh.”
A young guy who looks like a waiter greets us as we go inside, and he directs us through the reception hall toward the drawing room. We’ve just walked in when Alan comes over.
“The guest of honor!” he announces. “And his beautiful lady. Welcome to you both.”
I look at Heidi, seeing that she’s as startled as me. Guest of honor? Holy shit. Is this all for my benefit?
“What can we get you to drink?” Alan asks. “Stephen will be glad to make you any cocktail you like. Or we have several fantastic Islay malts.”
“Yeah,” I say, “How did you know that’s my drink of choice?”
“A little birdie told me.” He grins.
“I’d love a G&T,” Heidi says.
“I’ll have an Old Fashioned, please,” I add.
“Of course.” Alan gestures to a waiter who’s standing nearby, who goes over to the long table that’s been set up as a makeshift bar by the drinks cabinet. “How’s the cottage?” Alan asks.
“It’s lovely,” Heidi says, “thank you so much, especially for the After Eight Mints. The little birdie again?”
He chuckles. “I’ve been talking to Elizabeth Tremblay. She gave me a few tips on what you both liked.”
I laugh. “Ah, that makes sense.”
“Once you have your drinks,” he says, “we’ll start making the rounds and introducing you. There are lots of people who are excited to meet you.”
I glance at Heidi and run a hand through my hair. “Yeah… about that. We thought this was an informal party.”
“It is. Well, I mean, it’s not a sit-down do.”
“But… you organized it… for me?”
He gives me an amused look. “Of course we organized it for you. Everyone wants to meet the computer superhero who’s changing the future of IVF.”
“You should have worn your cape and tights,” Heidi teases.
“I’m not a superhero,” I say, embarrassed.
Alan just chuckles, then takes the drinks from Stephen as he brings them up and hands them to us. “Come on. We’re out on the terrace.”
He leads the way out through the conservatory onto the large paved area dotted with a few chairs and tables. It’s not dark yet, but the place looks like a grotto. Fairy lights have been threaded through the branches of small trees in pots, and strings of them also run above our heads and hang down like a curtain to either side, leaving the front free so the view of the wildflower meadow and the moors is clearly visible. More bottles filled with coiled up strings of lights are placed strategically around on tables and the low walls that run around the terrace. Waiters move slowly through the guests with platters of canapés filled with exquisite-looking nibbles. Music filters through speakers, and with some surprise I recognizePineapple Head—a song by the Kiwi band Crowded House. Alan is originally from New Zealand, but immediately I know the music is for my benefit.
“Hello!” Vicky walks up with a big smile. She’s wearing an elegant summer dress and high-heeled sandals, and she has a small red flower in her hair. “Heidi, you look so beautiful.”
