night.”
Ben looked stunned for a moment, then his face lit up.
“So we’re Official, then?” he asked.
“Semi-Official. Lydia’s the only person I’ve told. I don’t know about you…”
“Not a soul. Thought you wanted it kept under wraps.”
“Well, you know what the orchestra’s like. Gossip Central. Lydia knows all about that.”
“I do indeed.” Lydia smiled. “I think you make a great couple. I give you my blessing.” She grabbed a bottle of prosecco from the hamper and brandished it in a mock-toast to Vanessa and Ben.
A couple of fallow deer wandered past behind the lovers, as if curious to know what the big deal was over by the pond.
“A blessing! Did you hear that, Va—I mean, Ness? We are blessed.”
“It makes a change from being cursed,” said Vanessa dryly.
Ben hurried over to her on his knees and sat beside her, wrapping her in one of his long arms.
“Look, I can touch you in daylight and we don’t shrivel up. Isn’t it amazing?”
“Very,” laughed Vanessa, rubbing her nose against his, pressing their foreheads together.
Lydia popped the cork on the bottle and poured the sparkling wine into three glasses.
Almost at once, her phone rang.
“Sorry,” she said, standing and going to lurk a short distance away, under a tree, while she took the call.
“Wonder who that could be,” said Vanessa, with heavy irony.
“You think it’s Milan?”
“Five quid says she scuttles off to answer the summons.”
“Oh, no. You think he’s got her on a string?”
“She’s doing her best, but he’s a bugger to shake off. He hates it when people leave him rather than the other way around. Just can’t let it go. An ego thing, I suppose. These artistes…” She sighed.
“Poor Lydia. Still, if she does rush off…” He tickled her under her armpit and breathed hot air into her ear.
Squealing, she tried to fend him off.
“Don’t you go getting any ideas, Mr Chancellor.”
“But I like ideas. Ideas make the world go round.”
“Thought that was love?”
“Yes, and what about ideas plus love? What a combination.” He spread his arms wide, as if he’d come up with a unique invention he had to broadcast to the world.
“Ben…” Vanessa laughed, despite her misgivings.
“Ness…”
“My joints aren’t what they were, you know.”