Page 5 of Sun, Sea & Strawberry Shortcake
‘It did?’
He nods. ‘We’re going to be really busy next month workingwith the new clients from the latest advertising push, so...well, I thought maybe it might be a good idea for us to take a holiday now aswell, before it gets manic?’
‘A holiday?’
‘We haven’t been away for ages. Not for longer than aweekend.’
I smile at him ruefully. ‘I just haven’t wanted to leave Mumfor too long. I know it’s a year since her operation, but she’s still not asstrong as she used to be.’
‘She’s getting there, though.’
‘I know. I’m just... very protective ofher.’
‘I know you are.’ He pulls me into his arms. ‘You, RubyWatkiss, are the loveliest person I’ve ever met. Your mum is extraordinarilylucky to have you. And if you don’t want to go away for a whole week, I’lltotally understand.’
‘No. I think it’s a great idea. Hopefully, Auntie Joy willkeep an eye on her while we’re away. Unless she’s off on one of her businesstrips.’
My mum and her sister, my Auntie Joy, have pooled theirresources and rented a flat together in Bedingford, where I also used to live.My flat was a bit too cramped, though, and when I saw this two-bedroom place inSunnybrook, on the market at the right price, I decided to go for it. Mum lovesSunnybrook, so once I get the place smartened up – it needs a new kitchen andbathroom, and redecorating throughout – I’m looking forward to having her overto stay for a few days at a time.
Hudson raises his eyebrows. ‘You’re sure you want to go awayand leave this little palace when you’ve only just moved in?’ He looks around himat the wonky kitchen units with a grin. (They’re a fetching shade of salmonpink and they look as if they were hand-made by the owner in about 1953.)
I snort. ‘The work on this place can wait. I need a holiday.’
‘Did that builder phone you back?’
‘Yes, but he’s booked up till Christmas, would you believe?’I sigh, looking around at the grimy walls and tatty flooring. ‘I feel like I’mcamping here! And I can’t see the work being done any time soon. So much forhaving Mum come to stay in my lovely new Sunnybrook flat.’
‘It’ll get done, Ruby. Just be patient.’ He pulls me closerand kisses me, and thoughts of hideous green walls and ancient, temperamentalshowers fade away. ‘And in the meantime, you can come to Wales with me.’
I smile, turning away to stir the sauce, feeling a littlepang of excitement at the idea of Hudson and I spending some alone-timetogether, far away from the demands of work. He fishes out his phone and showsme a photo of a pretty village, nestling along the shoreline, sun glinting onthe boats bobbing in the harbour.
‘Oh. That looks gorgeous.’ I set down the wooden spoon totake a closer look.
‘Doesn’t it? I know you’ve never been to Wales, so I thought...book a little cottage for a week, time just for us, with lots of sun, sea and...’He shrugs teasingly.
‘And? And what?’
‘I don’t know. I can’t think. Any suggestions?’
‘Well, it’s obvious, really.’
‘Is it?’ He adopts a wide-eyed, innocent look.
‘Well, yes. Whenever anyone mentions going away for some sunand sea, the third ‘s’ just has to be...?’
‘You mean sex.’
‘What? No, of course not.’ I pretend to be offended. ‘Whatsort of a woman do you think I am?’
He grins. ‘So which “s”didyou mean, then?’
Casting my eye over tonight’s dessert that’s sitting on aplate nearby, I smile mischievously. ‘Strawberry shortcake. Obviously.’
‘Obviously,’ he says sarcastically. ‘So are you up for it? Aweek in Wales?’
I gaze at him happily, my heart flipping over at the thoughtof having Hudson all to myself for a wonderful week together in a romanticcottage by the sea. ‘I’m very much up for it.’
‘In that case, bring it on. Sun, sea and a whole lot of...strawberry shortcake.’
