part0030

Natalie arrived at Ellie’s later that day, a smile on her face that didn’t quite stretch the whole way.

“Nothing.” She turned her smile up a notch. “Just a long day, that’s all.”

“Did you get that group of tourists from Japan? They wanted all the ice cream.”

“And all the gin and whisky, so I’m not complaining.” Natalie pulled out one of the stools and sat with a sigh. “Some days are just harder than others, aren’t they?”

Ellie came out from behind the counter, placing a soft kiss on her lips. “Does that make today any better?”

“Infinitely.” Natalie gave her a grin.

“Are we going to the Fleece tonight? Or one of the restaurants?” She walked back behind the counter and put the ice cream scoops in their holders, ready for the next day. She’d already wiped down the coffee machine, and everything was looking shipshape.

Natalie shook her head. “I thought we could head out to The Bear Inn at Sourton for Italian. They make their own pasta. You haven’t been, have you?”

“I haven’t, so I bow to your superior knowledge.”

An hour later they were sat at the table, with Ellie cooing over her gnocchi. “It reminds me of the stuff we ate in Florence when we went ages ago.” And it did. It really was that good.

Ellie stopped chewing. Why was she still saying we? It was a question she asked herself every time it slipped from her mouth. “My ex and I.”

“I thought you said you weren’t really together? Going away to Florence sounds like the actions of a couple.”

She couldn’t argue with that. “I suppose it does, but it didn’t feel like it, if that makes sense? We had sex, and occasionally went away together and had sex there.” She winced. “There was too much sex with someone else in that sentence, wasn’t there?”

Natalie gave her a pained smile. “It’s okay, I’m a big girl. I know you have a past. But I’ll make a mental note not to go to Florence with you.”

Ellie placed a hand over Natalie’s. “It wouldn’t take much to compete, believe me. I’ve known you a handful of months, and I’ve already met your family. That was never going to happen with Grace.”

Natalie gave her a rueful smile. “We all get into relationships we shouldn’t. It’s part of the fun, apparently.” She held up a forkful of her carbonara. “Are you still in touch?”

Ellie nodded. “I’ve been trying to sort her getting her stuff from my flat, but she’s being elusive. I’ll have to go to London in the next few weeks, so I’ll hunt her down then.”

“Should I be worried?” Natalie’s face crumpled as she spoke.

“You have nothing to be worried about. You’re gorgeous and sexy, and someone I want to be with. I hope whatever’s going on between us means as much to you as it does to me. Because it means a whole lot.”

The moment hung between them, charged.

“It means a lot to me, too.”

Happiness cascaded down her like confetti. She was glad they were on the same page. Ellie couldn’t take another blow to her heart. She wasn’t built for it.

“Talking of us, and how much you mean to me, I told Dad this morning.”

Ellie stopped eating and stared. “And it took you this long to tell me? How was it?”

A moment’s hesitation before her reply spoke volumes. “It was fine.”

But the look on Natalie’s face told her it wasn’t. “What did he say?”

“That he’s worried for me. That he wants me to be happy, but he basically said he didn’t trust my judgement.” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter anyway, he’s going to have to get used to it. Although, I’d like him just to be happy for me. Would it take so much to do that? I called Mum afterwards and she’s happy. She’s coming up for the festival, so you’ll meet her then.”

Ellie reached out. She could see Natalie was hurting, but there was nothing she could do other than be sympathetic. “At least your mum’s on-board. And look at it this way: I don’t give a hoot what my parents think, so we’ve only got one to win around. From that perspective, that’s 75 per cent in favour.”

Natalie smiled her first genuine smile. “I like your optimism. If something’s not what you want, change the angle. I could take a leaf out of your book.”

“It’s a recent thing I’m working on. It doesn’t always work, but sometimes, it does the job.”

They finished their main courses, and ordered desserts of tiramisu and panna cotta.

“You know another thing I was thinking of doing?” Ellie asked, entwining their fingers across the table.

“Well, yes. That, too.” Ellie was grinning from ear to ear. “I was thinking of running a competition to come up with a new ice-cream flavour. Endear myself to the community. Make a suggestion, I’ll put it to the public vote, and the winner gets a free ice cream every week for a year. You think people will love me, then?”

“I think they already do.”

Ellie blushed. “Wait until they find out I’m schtupping a Hill.”

“They had their chance,” Natalie replied. “As for the ice cream, I’m already thinking of my flavour.”

“Having tasted you recently, I can help you out there.” Ellie leaned in, adopting what she hoped was a sultry smile. “You’re sweet, sticky and terribly moorish. I can never resist a second helping.”

Natalie blushed beetroot red. “How do you manage to be so sweet, and then so dirty, all in one go?”

“Is it turning you on?” Ellie got up to go to the loo, giving Natalie a peck on the cheek as she passed.

“Absolutely,” she replied.

Ellie followed the toilet signs. As she did, she saw a flash of someone familiar walking towards the main door of the pub. Was that Natalie’s dad? She was pretty sure it was. She watched him turn to speak to another man, and they laughed at something. It was him.

It wasn’t until Keith put a hand on the man’s arm that Ellie stilled. She shook her head. She wasn’t going to get hung up on whatever Natalie’s dad was up to, although him being so dismissive to his daughter had irked her nearly as it had irked Natalie.

Maybe she should speak to him. However, she wasn’t going to say anything to Natalie tonight, not after what had happened earlier. Keith had done enough damage for one day. They could deal with whatever was going on with Keith tomorrow. For now, she wanted to get home and get into bed, with Natalie at her side.