‘I wasn’t referring to Biscuit. I was talking about you and me.’
Perplexed, Nora said, ‘There isn’t a you and me.’
‘There could be – if you wanted.’
She narrowed her eyes. ‘Is this a ruse to get…?’ She stopped, thought about it, then carried on, ‘No, it isn’t, is it? I mean, it can’t be because he’s been officially re-homed with me.’ She closed her mouth, her thoughts in a tailspin.
Elijah had moved closer.
Slowly, deliberately, he took the flower out of her hand and set it down on the worktop. ‘Can I kiss you?’ His voice was low and husky.
Lost for words, all Nora could do was nod.
So he did.
And very nice it was too, and when he’d finished kissing her a long, long time later, Biscuit was still lying on the kitchen floor, exactly where they’d left him. The only difference was, the dog appeared to be wearing what could only be described as a self-satisfied grin.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Three Months Later
Nora stirred, coming to full wakefulness with a jolt as she realised she was alone in the bed. Her hand crept over to Elijah’s side and felt the sheet. It was cold, so he’d been gone a while, she guessed, sitting up.
Where was Biscuit? The dog slept in the bedroom, although he’d remained downstairs when certain activities had taken place last night. But after he’d been let out in the garden to have a wee, Nora had brought him up to bed.
She squinted at her phone, trying to make out the time, and groaned when she realised it was seven thirty-five. She had to leave for the salon in an hour, and she was usually up and about well before now to take Biscuit for his morning walk. Mind you, she and Elijah had been late getting to sleep, and she felt heat sweep up her neck and into her face when she thought of the reason why. They’d been together three months now, and stillcouldn’t get enough of each other, much to Biscuit’s disgust. He usually made his displeasure known in the droop of his tail and the accusing look in his eyes whenever he was made to leave the bedroom because they were “busy”.
Wondering where the dog was, (Elijah would have left for the bakery hours ago) Nora slipped out of bed and trotted downstairs.
‘Biscuit?’ she called, before spying him sprawled on the kitchen floor. ‘Ah, there you are.’ She knelt to give him a cuddle, and he lifted his head and licked her on the nose. ‘Sorry, boy, but it’s too late to take you for a walk. I’ve got to go to work. You’ll have to make do with the garden.’
Feeling a little cross that Elijah hadn’t woken her before he left – he usually did, because he knew how she hated rushing in the morning – she got nimbly to her feet and wondered what she could have for breakfast. But as she flipped the switch on the kettle to make a cup of the herbal tea she’d come to love, a piece of paper lying beside it caught her eye.
Elijah had left a note. How quaint.
I’ve taken Biscuit for a walk. Breakfast is in the fridge. Yours, not Biscuit’s. Thought I’d let you sleep on.
PS. You look really cute when you’re asleep.
PPS. You look really cute when you’re awake.
PPS. See you later?
Nora hugged herself. He certainlywouldsee her later. In fact, she’d be most disappointed if he didn’t. He’d seen her most evenings since the very first night they’d spent together whenhe’d brought her flowers after she’d nearly been squished by a car.
Delighted that he’d taken Biscuit out, and that he’d made her some savoury egg muffins for breakfast, Nora tucked into them with relish, thinking once a baker, always a baker, then she had a quick shower, dressed hastily and called Biscuit to her.
The dog rose slowly, yawned and stretched. He looked as languid as she felt, and she wondered how far Elijah had walked him this morning.
She took out her phone. Elijah answered on the third ring.
‘Dog walk, then dinner?’ she said. ‘I’ll cook.’
‘Do you want me to bring afters?’
‘No,I’mthe afters. Exercise after food is good for my blood glucose,’ she told him primly, grinning wider than a Cheshire cat.
‘How much exercise are we talking about?’
