Helena’s uncertainty left her as surely as if had never been there. Of course she could trust him – and he had told her he loved her pretty clearly. ‘Oh, Jago! Of course. And yes, I’d love to marry you.’
He gave a deep sigh of relief before his hold on her tightened and he kissed her.
Chapter Thirty-three
Gilly had put on a brave mother’s smile while she waved off her daughter into the rainstorm but she was very worried. Watching your child get over heartbreak was, she knew, one of the hardest parts of being a parent, and she really hoped she didn’t have to do it for Helena and Jago. They were such a good couple, so well suited, and whatever his past, she was certain Jago was a good man.
She was delighted when William called. ‘Gilly? Are you very busy? Could you tunnel out for a visit somewhere?’
It was lovely to hear his voice and she particularly loved hearing him say her name. ‘I’m not that busy, as it happens, being midweek. What did you have in mind?’
‘I want you to come and see my house.’
Just for a moment Gilly had a nasty flashback of when Leo took her to see his house – the beautiful house he didn’t own. ‘Oh,’ she said.
William seemed to know she was having a wobble. ‘I just thought you ought to know where I lived. After all, we are a couple now, aren’t we?’
‘We definitely are.’ Gilly gave a little sigh of happiness. ‘When will we go?’
‘Tomorrow. I’d like to take you out to lunch first, nearby, and then show it to you. I’m planning to take the afternoon off.’
‘I do love an outing when a bit of bunking-off is involved,’ said Gilly. ‘Will you pick me up? Or shall I meet you somewhere. I’ve got to do some shopping so it would be no trouble.’
‘I’d prefer to pick you up, if you don’t mind, then it’s more like a date and less like an estate agent’s appointment.’
Gilly laughed and shortly afterwards they disconnected.
William lived in a nearby town that was famous for its antique shops. Fortunately it also had a fair number of very nice places to eat. He took her to a Italian wine bar that was also a delicatessen where he was greeted like an old friend.
‘William! Your table is free. I’ll bring the board over when you’re settled.’ The proprietor gave Gilly a bow that was respectful and curious at the same time.
‘Hello, Franco. This is my good friend Gilly.’
Gilly dipped her head nervously and smiled back; then she followed them to the table.
‘I’m not going to bother to ask if you come here often,’ she said when they were both seated.
He laughed. ‘It is my regular. I live very nearby.’
‘A town house?’
‘Yes.’
‘I can’t wait to see it.’
‘Could you imagine yourself living in a town, Gilly?’
Gilly thought about it. ‘This is a very nice town. Lovely shops, lovely places to eat—’ She guessed he was showing her his home before asking if she’d like to move in with him. It was terribly early days. While she was completely sure of William, she wasn’t sure she was ready to throw up her life to be with him. It made her very twitchy.
He laughed, aware she wasn’t answering his question.
‘What are you going to have to eat?’ she asked.
‘I usually have whatever Franco tells me is best. It saves me having to decide.’
‘I’m not good at decision-making either,’ said Gilly, ‘if it doesn’t particularly matter.’
‘But if it does matter?’
‘I’m usually OK on those.’
Franco came up. ‘So, what can I get you?’
‘What’s the special?’ asked William.
‘Asparagus with a little pasta,’ said Franco.
‘That sounds delicious,’ said Gilly.
‘We’ll have two of those then.’ He looked at Gilly. ‘A glass of wine?’
‘Yes, please,’ said Gilly. Wine would help.
‘A glass of wine for my friend, sparkling water for me,’ said William.
‘It’s the first asparagus I’ve had this year,’ said Gilly when they had been served. ‘And I’ve never thought of having it with pasta.’
‘I suppose it comes naturally to an Italian, to put pasta with things.’
It was completely delicious.
‘You are so lucky living near here!’ said Gilly enthusiastically. It was always a safe thing to say.
‘I am,’ said William, ‘but it has its downsides.’
‘Really?’
‘Not that near the gliding club, for example.’
‘Oh,’ said Gilly. ‘Have you been gliding lately?’ She tried to think if he’d had the opportunity to go gliding but, in spite of the wine and the lovely food, she was still a little on edge and couldn’t remember his schedule. ‘And could I go again?’
‘Of course! Any time! We must make a date for it.’ He smiled warmly at her. ‘I have to say, you are the first girlfriend I’ve had who has wanted to go gliding.’
‘Have you had a lot of girlfriends?’ Gilly felt this was an opportunity to find out about William’s past without appearing nosy.
‘A few since my wife died. None of them remotely serious.’ He put his hand on hers and looked into her eyes.
Before she could respond Franco came over. ‘Can I get you dessert? Coffee? Peppermint tea?’
William looked at his watch. ‘I think maybe we’d better have coffee at my house, if you don’t mind, Gilly?’
‘Not at all,’ said Gilly; she was keen to see it, and to find out if William had invited her here for more than just a look at the place where he lived. She turned to Franco. ‘But another time I’d love to try your desserts. That pasta was amazing.’
‘A woman who eats desserts,’ said Franco with a satisfied nod. ‘Excellent.’
William’s flat was just across the road. ‘I own the whole property but as you see, the bottom part is currently an antique shop.’ He opened the door and ushered Gilly in.
‘Ooh, what a lovely shop!’ said Gilly, although she realised the antiques were all very high-end and beyond what she would have permitted herself to spend.
‘Don’t get distracted,’ said William firmly. ‘Hello, Peter. We’re just going upstairs,’ he said to the proprietor.
As Gilly went up the steps ahead of William she wondered if the look Peter had given her had been as speculative as Franco’s. She was getting the impression that William bringing a woman home was unusual.
He unlocked the door. ‘There,’ he said. ‘Go in.’
Gilly was in a beautiful first-floor sitting room and found herself moving to the triple window that overlooked the street. The room was large and had a beautiful stone fireplace. It appeared to have been furnished from the shop down below.
‘Of course, it would be perfectly possible to take back the shop and incorporate it into the house,’ said William. ‘The kitchen is through here and rather small.’
It was small but very well fitted and perfectly big enough for one – or even two.