‘Hello, Louisa. How are you?’ Paul strode across the floor and embraced her before kissing her cheek. His eyes were clouded with concern.
‘I…I’m okay, thanks. This…this is a surprise!’ She felt her legs wobble and sat down on the nearest chair. What on earth? Did her father set this up? Her eyes swivelled towards Malcolm, who was making a fuss of filling the kettle. Catching her eye, he smiled.
‘Paul wanted to see for himself that you were okay, so we thought he could take a couple of days break over here, while I shoot back to Guernsey.’ He nodded at Paul. ‘I’m fixing breakfast for us before I leave. Paul caught the red-eye so I’m sure he’s famished.’
He had set the table with plates and bowls and now fetched the box of muesli from the larder and the juice from the fridge.
Louisa was in shock. She felt the heat in her cheeks from Paul’s kiss and embrace. Not sure what it all meant, she decided that it had to be good if he cared enough to take time off. And Malcolm had obviously approved it…
‘Louisa? I asked if you want some toast,’ Malcolm’s voice cut in.
She nodded and the men joined her at the table.
‘How…how much do you know about what happened?’ she asked Paul, who sat opposite.
He looked sombre. ‘Malc told me everything. I’m so sorry you got hurt, but glad that you found those men and you’ll have justice for your mother. That’s what you wanted, wasn’t it?’ His voice was gentle.
Gripping her mug of coffee in front of her as if it was a shield, she nodded. ‘Yes,’ she whispered.
Conversation was sparse during the meal, the air heavy with the words unsaid. Louisa struggled to chew the food in front of her and her stomach was so knotted she worried she would be sick.
At last they all finished and Malcolm, after checking the time, said that his car would be arriving any minute. Pushing back his chair he came round the table to pull Louisa to her feet, enveloping her in a bear hug.
‘You take care of yourself, you hear? Any problems just give me a ring. I want you to know I’m always there for you. And I hope to see you soon.’ He stood back and she saw a twinkle in his eyes. Did he know something? She smiled and kissed his cheek as the doorbell rang.
‘You take care too. And thanks for everything.’
He shook hands with Paul before walking with her to the front door. She stood on the threshold while he got into the waiting limo, waving as it pulled away. Taking a deep breath she returned to the kitchen and Paul.
‘Okay. What’s going on? You and Malcolm have cooked this up between you and–’
He stopped her with a kiss. A kiss that went on and on until she felt she was running out of air and pulled back a little. His eyes were so close she could see the warmth and desire reflected in their depths and she gasped.
‘Malc has taken on the role of matchmaker,’ he said, grinning. ‘Or it might be more accurate to say that Charlotte has.’
‘How come…?’
‘She told Malc that you…care for me and that you had heard I care about you, too. But that there’d been a misunderstanding so neither of us had said anything. Is it true? Do you feel something more than friendship for me?’ His eyes held hers as they remained in a locked embrace.
‘Yes,’ she whispered.
His face broke into a broad smile. ‘That’s what I hoped to hear.’ He gently pushed her hair back from her face, his fingers stroking her yellowing bruise. His voice husky, he went on, looking more serious, ‘I’d really like to make love to you but I don’t know if you’re ready. Your head…’
Her heart sang with joy. ‘You don’t have to worry about that. Anyway, I heard sex is good for headaches!’ She giggled. His face cleared and she took his hand, leading him upstairs to her bedroom.
Opening her eyes, the first thing she was aware of was that she wasn’t alone. Turning her head on the pillow she saw Paul’s beloved face, his eyes closed in sleep. Knowing he had been awake since dawn, she did not want to disturb him. Anyway, she wanted to continue drinking him in while re-living their sensuous love-making. She still tingled with the after-glow and her limbs felt as light as air. Her head no longer throbbed and she grinned at the thought of no longer needing painkillers. Being loved in such a way was soooo much better! Paul had brought her to heights she didn’t know were possible and their bodies felt so right together. The joining of yin and yang energies, as Paul would say. As he slept his arm lay across her body and she felt secure as well as loved. She sent up a silent prayer of thanks to Charlotte and Malcolm for making this possible.
Paul’s eyes fluttered open and he smiled.
‘Hi, gorgeous,’ he said, stroking her face. ‘That was wonderful! Do you fancy a repeat performance?’ Before she could reply, his lips connected with hers and his hand began to stroke her thighs. She didn’t resist.
By the time they finally made it downstairs, it was lunchtime. And for some reason they were both starving. Malcolm had stocked the fridge with a great choice, and they were soon in the garden sharing a prawn salad.
‘So, when exactly did my father phone you?’
He looked up and grinned. ‘A couple of days ago. Apparently Charlotte had convinced him he should suggest I come over. But she told him before she left Guernsey that she knew we both cared for each other.’
Louisa chewed this over. ‘The problem was you offered me a job, and then later that evening implied that we couldn’t have a relationship if I did work at La Folie. It was confusing, to put it mildly. I’d thought there was something between us.’
He squirmed in his chair. ‘Yeh, that was stupid of me, wasn’t it? I didn’t think it through. I offered you the job so that we could spend time together; later realising that both the staff and Malc might not be too keen on the idea.’ He stroked the back of her hand. ‘Malc’s made it clear he’s totally for you joining the team and he’ll make sure no-one’s unhappy. We have a friendly bunch of therapists, as you know,’ Louisa nodded in agreement, ‘and they all like you. And adore Malc, so it’s not a problem.’
‘Does that mean that the offer’s still open?’
‘What do you think?’ he said, leaning over to brush her lips with his own.
She felt herself melt inside. God, how was she going to cope, working with this man who had this devastating effect on her?
‘Okay, if I do accept, where am I supposed to live? It’s too soon for us to shack up together.’
He nodded. ‘Absolutely. I – we – thought you might prefer to rent your own place. Keep some independence.’
She laughed. ‘You two have got it all worked out, haven’t you? And what if I’d said no?’ she teased, tilting her head.
‘Oh, that was never likely to happen, was it? Not with my…powers of persuasion.’ He kissed her palm before going further up her bare arm.
‘Behave yourself! I’m hungry – for food! But seriously, we’ll have to be more circumspect when working together. And that might prove difficult if you keep looking at me like that.’
‘Don’t worry, I’m the consummate professional, as I’m sure so are you. I think the only thing that bothers Malc is the chance that we might fall out and one of us would have to leave.’ His eyes clouded at the thought and for a moment Louisa imagined the awfulness of that occurring.
‘Hey, we’ll just have to make sure that doesn’t happen, won’t we? As long as you continue making love to me like you did this morning, there’ll be no problem,’ she said. Then added, with a cheeky grin, ‘Failing that, just remember who’s the boss’s daughter!’
He aimed a bread roll at her, bringing on a fit of the giggles. They finished their meal happy that plans were advancing for their future together.
Later that evening, while Paul was preparing dinner at his own suggestion, Louisa curled up in the sitting room to phone Margaret and Charlotte. Her aunt was stunned at her news, never having heard Paul mentioned until now. Louisa explained how their relationship had developed and that her father had given them his blessing. Margaret, still fighting her cough, said she hoped to meet both men as soon as she was fit. Louisa invited her to stay with her in Guernsey as soon as she had found a place to rent. Paul had already hinted that Malcolm was planning to check the availability of open market flats: not being a “local” she was, like him, restricted in where she lived. Her aunt, seemingly mollified, wished her well. Breathing a sigh of relief, Louisa then called Charlotte.
‘He’s here!’ she burst out as Charlotte answered the phone.
‘He? Who…Oh, Paul! Paul’s arrived at your house? Well, well, well. Tell me everything. And I mean everything.’
Charlotte’s husky laugh echoed down the line several times as Louisa brought her up to speed. She was clearly delighted that her chats to Malcolm had brought results.
‘So, where’s the lovely man now?’
‘In the kitchen cooking supper, so I can’t talk much longer. And…and it looks like I’ll be moving to Guernsey as soon as I find somewhere to rent. You will come and visit, won’t you?’
‘Will be delighted. I’m booked into La Folie in September, so will see you then if not before. It’ll seem strange you being a therapist and not a guest. You might be too busy to talk to me.’
‘I’ll find time. Paul’s assured me that I won’t be working silly hours, probably four days a week at most. He’s taking on another yoga teacher too, so that he can spend more time as the manager. As long as he works out the schedules so that we get time off together, it should be fine.’
They chatted for a couple more minutes before Paul popped his head round the door to announce supper was ready. Louisa quickly arranged to meet with her friend once Paul returned to Guernsey in a couple of days.
Before he left, Paul accompanied Louisa to the hospital for her check-up and they were both relieved when the doctor passed her fit. The dressing was removed and the wound had healed cleanly: although there was a scar, the doctor assured her it would be invisible within a few weeks. He also advised her against high-impact sports for a while, but as none figured in her life, it was not an issue. As soon as they arrived home she headed for the shower and Paul joined her, tenderly washing her hair so that she became both soothed and turned on by his fingers massaging her head. They dried each other off before falling onto the bed. After some quick, but satisfying lovemaking, they dressed ready to go to the airport.
Malcolm had generously organised a car, giving them more time to relax together. During the journey they sat, hands clasped, making plans for when Louisa would join Paul. She had to find a tenant for her house first: not wanting to sell yet, if at all. It would be a good investment, bringing in a substantial income if she kept it. And she had to resolve the issue of what to do with the business. Malcolm had already emailed agents’ details of apartments to rent in Guernsey and Louisa looked forward to sifting through them.
As they stood entwined outside the terminal, they shared a last, lingering kiss before reluctantly drawing apart, conscious that the chauffeur was keeping the engine running. With a final wave, Paul turned and went through the glass doors. Louisa, already bereft, huddled onto the vast rear seat, lost in the expanse of leather. The driver glanced at her through the rear-view mirror and smiled sympathetically before pulling out from the kerb and driving her home.