Page 75 of The Last Kiss

Nudging Ash onto his back, Harry propped himself up on one elbow so he could study his face. Despite the bad dream, Ash looked well. His skin, pale and sickly a year ago, was tanned from all the work they’d put into renovating the cottage and stables. And, while Ash would never be burly, he’d gained muscle in his upper body and arms. Shadows still lurked, and maybe they always would, but Harry could see his bright smile hiding beneath them ready to return. He reached out to stroke the hair back from Ash’s forehead. “You sure you’re not worrying?”

Today, in just a few hours, Kitty and the girls would be arriving for a week’s holiday — their first time in the countryside, and their first time seeing Ash since Harry had moved back to Hampshire. No matter what Ash said, he’d been fretting about the meeting for weeks.

“It’s just…” A nervous smile flitted over his face. “It’s silly, I know, but I just hope Kitty will like me now she knows we’re…we’re lovers.”

Lovers. God, how that word made Harry’s heart glow. Leaning down he kissed Ash’s lips. “I love you,” he said, brushing their noses together. “And so will Kitty. I promise.”

“I thought we could drive to the seaside tomorrow. Bournemouth, perhaps? Take a picnic. Olive will come too, of course. It’ll be quite respectable.”

They didn’t often stray from their secluded cottage, neither of them enjoying the roles of master and servant required in the outside world. But after a peaceful year together they were growing bolder. And with Olive and Kitty with them, Harry was sure nobody would pay any undue attention. Just another family enjoying a Sunday stroll. “They’ll love that,” Harry said. “And they’ll love you, too. And this place, and the horses. And…and everything. Ash, you’ve changed their lives as well as my own with the money I send them.”

Which was a full half of his wages. The rest went on food and other living expenses, which he and Ash split between them. Harry insisted on paying his way, which Ash perfectly understood. And since neither of them craved luxuries beyond the luxury of loving each other freely, it made for a simple happy life. With enough money left over that the girls could stay in school and Kitty could afford a few finer things for herself.

“I hope they don’t think I’m trying to buy their affection,” Ash said, still worrying. “I want them to-to-to feel like family.” He fixed Harry with a steady look. “I want us tobea family. We are, in my eyes.”

Harry’s throat tightened. “Mine too. Same as if we were married.”

“Yes.” Ash reached for his hand and threaded their fingers together. “We bloody wellaremarried, Harry, in every way that matters.”

“Don’t you doubt it, Ashleigh Dalton.” Bringing their entwined fingers to his lips, Harry kissed his knuckles one by one. “Now come on, shake a leg. We’ve horses to muck out and feed before breakfast.”

It was a rare sunny morning in what had been a dour summer, and Harry took that to be a good omen. After they’d mucked out the stables — they only had two stallions so far, but they were fine animals — and given the boys their breakfast, Harry cooked bacon and eggs while Ash went to wash and brush up. The cottage was large by Harry’s idea of a house, with a good-sized kitchen and two parlours downstairs, a bathroom and four bedrooms upstairs — one that he shared with Ash, one for Olive, on her rare visits, and the other two currently set up for Kitty and the girls. Despite having lived here for a year, Harry still couldn’t quite believe this place was his home. His and Ash’s home, in this dream of a life they were living.

But every day proved it to be true, and sooner or later he supposed he’d come to take it for granted. Not yet, though, and the sight of Ash coming back downstairs in his Sunday best, dressed to receive Harry’s sister and nieces like they were family, made his heart fill.

“Look at you,” he said, holding out his hand for Ash. “Like a country squire.”

“You should change, too,” Ash said, taking Harry’s hand. “They’ll be here soon. The train gets in at ten and you know how fast Olive drives from the station.”

“There’s plenty of time.” Harry kissed him lightly. “Now relax and eat your breakfast before it gets cold.”

But Ash couldn’t relax and chased Harry upstairs as soon as he’d finished his tea. Sure enough, Harry had just buttoned up his waistcoat after a quick wash and shave when he heard a motor car turn off the road onto the cottage’s long driveway. He hurried downstairs to find Ash hovering in the doorway, tapping his cane anxiously against the step. “Hurry up,” he said. “They’re here.”

“I know.” Harry touched his back, a reassuring press of his hand. “Come on then.”

Together they stepped out into the yard between the cottage and the stables. One day, when he had time, he intended to plant a kitchen garden there but for now it was a working space. They’d let the horses into the paddock on the other side of the yard, and they trotted over to investigate the noisy motor car as it bumped its way along the tree-lined drive to the cottage.

Kitty sat in the front passenger seat, holding onto her hat, and the girls were waving wildly from the backseat. Olive looked dapper, with dark glasses against the sun and a scarf around her head. They didn’t see her as often as either of them would like because she was so busy with her medical studies in London and could only spare rare visits, but she’d wanted to meet Kitty and had volunteered to motor down and collect her and the girls from Southampton. And so they all arrived together in an excited cacophony, piling out of the motor car as soon as Olive pulled up.

“Uncle Harry!” May, the youngest, called out as she ran over to hug him. “There was cows in the road. About a hundred of them!”

Harry laughed and picked her up, squeezing tight. “Was there now? A hundred cows!”

Behind him, he was aware of Ash hanging back so he turned around as he set May on her feet. “You remember my friend, Ash, don’t you, May?”

She gave a shy nod. “Hello,” she said, and then glanced back at her mother.

Kitty came over, dressed in her best clothes, like Ash, and gave Harry a quick hard hug. She felt more substantial than when last he’d seen her. Better fed. Healthier.

“You look well.” Kitty studied him carefully, then turned her scrutiny on Ash. He coloured, shifting his duff foot awkwardly, and Harry fought the urge to take his hand. “Good morning, Mr Ashleigh,” Kitty said. “Thank you for inviting us.”

“Oh, no-no-no need to thank me,” Ash said. “Th-this is Harry’s home, too. You’ll always b-be welcome. And p-p-please call me Ash.”

Kitty glanced back at Harry, something bright and approving in her expression that made his heart swell. To Ash she said, “The girls was wondering, Mr Ash, if they might call you Uncle?”

Ash looked momentarily astonished, and then smiled his heart-melting joyful smile. “Yes,” he managed in a voice that shook with emotion. “That would bew-wonderful.” And Harry, who still had an arm around his sister’s shoulders, squeezed her in silent jubilant thanks.

“Well, girls, in that case I hope you’re going to call me Aunty,” Olive said with a smile. “I’m sure we’re going to be great friends. We had a very jolly drive from the station.” She winked at May. “Despite the smelly old cows in the road.”

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