I nod enthusiastically. “That would be great, thank you.”
“I can’t guarantee anything, obviously, as that wouldn’t be fair to the other candidates, but you’ve impressed me today. And your power over machinery isn’t to be sniffed at.”
I laugh, walking over to collect my jacket and bag. “I’m glad I could be of help.”
We shake hands again. “See you tomorrow,” he says. “Go and get some rest.”
“Thank you.” I smile as I walk out the door.
My heart is light as I return to my car. It’s snowing a little, and the car looks as if it’s covered with powdered icing sugar. If I were to get the job, I might be able to work on the excavation. I’d also be able to help with the setting up of the new visitor center. I’m so excited it’s hard to contain it.
I drive home and endure my mother’s scolding for doing too much as she tucks me up on the sofa with the duvet and hot-water bottle. I snuggle down, my head filled with memories of the day, as well as butterflies for my upcoming date.
It’s so strange. After my accident, when I broke up with Jude, I felt as if my life had imploded and I had little to live for. I think of Samantha’s Tarot Cards, the Wheel especially, and how both good and bad fortune come and go. I’m like the Fool, too, stepping off a cliff into a new world of excitement and adventure.
I wonder what the next card would be if I were to draw one. The Lovers, maybe?
I doze off with a smile on my lips.
*
I sleep for several hours. When I wake, Mum runs me a bath. I’m not a hundred percent sure how I feel about sitting in water, but she fills it with bubbles and I put some music on while I soak, and by the time I get out, I’m feeling better.
I ring Samantha and Charlie on Skype, and we have a three-way conversation, discussing the upcoming date. They ask whether I’m waxing my bikini line, and then laugh when my face flames. “I’m not sleeping with him on the first date,” I tell them, surprising myself with my determination. “And I don’t think he’d ask me, anyway.”
“Seriously?” Charlie’s puzzled. “What’s wrong with him?”
“Nothing. He’s a gentleman.”
“That’s weird.”
“It’s romantic,” Samantha says softly. “I think it’s good to take your time. What are you going to wear?”
Charlie wants me to sex it up and wear a miniskirt with opaque tights and boots. Samantha thinks I should play it cool and casual in jeans. Eventually, we settle on a black skirt and boots, topped with a silvery-gray sweater. I leave my hair loose, flowing over my shoulders, twisting a couple of strands at the side that I pin at the back with a butterfly clip.
I say goodbye to the girls, then apply some makeup, starting to get nervous. I get texts from them both wishing me luck, with lots of wink emojis and kisses. By the time the doorbell goes at seven, my stomach is aflutter, my hands are shaking, and my mouth has gone dry.
I pick up my purse and jacket, and I’m just leaving the bedroom when I hear the front door open. Oh crap, Dad’s answered it. I pause at the top, my heart racing.
“Hey,” Dad says, “you must be Detective Sergeant Macbeth.”
“Mac, please,” I hear him reply with his lovely rich voice. “You must be Persephone’s father. Very pleased to meet you, sir.”
Oh, Dad’s going to like that. “It’s Garth,” Dad says, but I know Mac’s use of ‘sir’ would have pleased him. He invites him in, and then Mum also comes out to say hello. Dear Goddess. I should have met him at the pub. I feel like I’m fifteen again.
“You’re the lad who rescued our Persy,” Mum says. “I don’t know how to thank you for that.”
“All in a day’s work, ma’am.” I can hear the smile in his voice.
“Beth, please,” she insists. “And even if that is the case, we are very, very thankful for your kindness and bravery, Mac. If there’s ever anything we can do for you, please, just say.”
“Anything,” Dad repeats, “for saving our lovely girl.”
I swallow hard against sudden emotion. I am very lucky to be so loved. I descend the stairs just in time to see Mum kiss Mac on the cheek.
And there he is. My heart does a flip, and I’m suddenly breathless. I stop on the stairs as he looks up. He doesn’t smile, and for a long, long moment, we just stare at each other.
He’s wearing dark jeans and a thick gray jacket, the collar turned up against the cold. His light-brown hair is ruffled from the wind.
He’s taller than Jude, over six foot, I think. He’s not as movie-star good-looking as Jude, who has actually had women stop and stare at him in the street. But there’s something about this guy that makes me catch my breath. I think it’s the way he looks at me, the way I might stare at a priceless piece of Samian ware, or occasionally a chocolate truffle when I’m really in the mood—with awe, respect, and more than a little desire. I wonder if he’d touch me like that, running his fingers over my skin the way I do when I’m holding an artifact, reverently, exploring it with interest and passion.
He’s smiling now, and I descend the last few steps with a hammering heart.
“Hi,” I say, breathless, a little dizzy.
“Hello, Persephone.”
I just love the way he says my whole name. I just love the way he says anything. Oh, I’m crazy about this guy and I’ve only known him for a few days. There’s absolutely no hope for me at all.
Chapter Ten
Macbeth
I tell Persephone I’ve booked us a table at The Green Man, one of the classier pubs in Briarton that’s won awards for its food. It’s about ten minutes away on foot, so we decide to leave my car outside the house and walk.
“Are you sure it’s not too far for you?” I ask as we go through the front gate. “I’m happy to drive.”
“I’m feeling much better,” she insists. “Thank you. It’ll be nice to get out in the fresh air.”
It’s dark and frosty, and the streetlamps cast golden pools of light on the whitening path. I glance across at her. She looks beautiful tonight. Her brown hair falls in soft waves around her shoulders, shining like melted chocolate in the moonlight. Her lips glimmer with gloss. I want to kiss her, but instead I hold out my hand, palm up. She looks at it, then shyly slides hers into it, and I close my fingers around hers. I love being able to touch her.
“Have you had a good day?” she asks. Her voice is still a little husky.
“Not bad. We’re investigating a murder that happened out on the River Exe last week.” I purse my lips. “Hmm. Not sure that’s a great chat-up line on a first date.”
She laughs. “Probably not, but I’m okay with it. Tia wrote about the murder. She gave me all the gory details.”
Earlier today, Damien rang me. Apparently, Persephone had told the Crows that she was going on a date with the guy who rescued her. Kimi mentioned it to Damien. He was not a happy bunny. He rang me and yelled at me for getting involved, and told me to call Persephone and tell her the date was off. For the first time ever, I think, I refused to comply and told him I didn’t care what he thought—I was going to date her, and he’d better get used to it.