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Sherested her head on his shoulder, feeling the steady thump of his heartbeat.Itfelt right.Utterlyright.Asif she were made to fit into him.Therewas comfort there and friendship but underneath, still, the insistent pulse of desire.Thecotton of his shirt felt smooth against her cheek and a button gaped.Shecould glimpse tanned skin and a dark matte of chest hair.Animage ofRicknaked rose unwillingly – all right – very willingly into her imagination.Shefelt his head come to rest on top of hers and felt a whisper of breath as he gave the tiniest of sighs.Thistime the silence was companionable.Andoh-so frustrating.
Theysat together for some time.Eventually, he shifted. ‘I’mso sorry,Daisy.’Hegave another, deeper sigh. ‘Ihave to go.Ireally don’t want to butIhave a meeting.’Hekissed the top of her head and hugged her tightly for a second and then was gone.
Daisysat, eyes closed, waiting until she felt able to move.Grieffor her father mixed with the tumultuous emotions she felt overRickwas a heady combination.Itwas only as she heard the click of the gate to the cemetery shutting and, a moment later, a car fire up that she realised she hadn’t asked whyRickwas in the cemetery.Hadhe lost someone too?
Chapter Eighteen
LateonMondayafternoonMarionswept into the shop. ‘Putme together a bunch of those white lilies,’ she barked, ‘taller the better andI’llhave some palm leaves as greenery.’
Daisybit her lip.Betterget it over and done with. ‘Hi,Marion.Iowe you an apology.’
‘Yesyou do.’Marionsniffed and looked away to the ceiling.
‘I’mreally sorry about the other day.Youcaught me at a very bad time.Iwas,’ she paused, not wanting to share the details, ‘tired and, well just a bit overwhelmed by everything.’
‘Hmm.’
‘Ihad no right to talk to you like that andI’msorry.’
‘Datedidn’t go wellItake it?’
Daisy’slips twisted. ‘I’llfill you in with all the deets another time.Butit was a disaster.’
Mariontottered to the counter, she sometimes wore the most ridiculous heels.Hereyes moistened. ‘Thenit’s my turn to be sorry, darling.’Shemade a little moue with her mouth. ‘I’monly trying to help.Onlyhave your best interests at heart.’
‘Iknow.Thanksfor the effort.Andit’s a lot of effort.MaybeI’vejust been unfortunate?’
‘Thirdtime lucky then, sweetie?’Marionasked hopefully.
Daisyshook her head vehemently. ‘Notfor a while.ButcanIask you something?’
‘Fireaway, honeybun.’
‘Nomore matchmaking, online or otherwise.’
‘Done.’
Daisywasn’t convincedMarionwould keep her word, but it would have to do.Andfor all her – many – faults, the woman didn’t hold a grudge.Shecurtsied. ‘Nowwhat canIget you, madam?Lilies, did you say?’Shegrabbed the bucket and began to lay some on the counter. ‘Specialoccasion?’
‘Barryis actually at home for three whole days and nights in a row soIthoughtI’dhold a little dinner party-ette.Wantto impress a few of his clients.I’veno idea whyIdo it to myself.Somuch work!’
Daisysmiled to herself.Probablythe last thingBarrywanted was a load of people coming round to dinner and his wife in ultra-Stepford-wife mode. ‘WhatdoesBarryactually do?Youknow,Idon’t think you’ve ever told me.’
‘Ihave absolutely no idea, darling.Aslong as the bills get paid,Idon’t care.’Sheflapped her hands. ‘Somethingto do with investments or finance or something.’
Daisygiggled. ‘Anyonecoming thatIknow?’
‘Don’tthink so.Wehardly mix in the same social circles, do we?’
‘Ouch.’
‘Wellit’s true.Actually, darling, you don’t mix inanysocial circles.Maybeanother date?’
‘We’vehad that conversation andImade my feelings abundantly clear.’Thereply was repressive.
‘Noteven with that nice teacher?’
‘Marion!’
