Dan nodded coolly. ‘That’s right, Mr Carter. It’s back to the grind for me on Monday.’
Fred smiled blandly as Harry lifted Sarah down from her stool. ‘Next time we see you it’ll be Christmas, I expect. Unless you’re off skiing again.’
Dan showed his teeth in a fleeting smile. ‘I haven’t planned that far ahead. See you later, Sarah.’
She included him in her general smile to everyone. ‘Cheerio, gentlemen.’
Dan turned on his heel, and had gone through into the house before they’d reached the door.
‘Was young Daniel bothering you?’ said Harry, as they reached the pick-up.
‘Not exactly. He just wanted to take me out to dinner again.’
‘Again?’
‘I had a meal with him on Monday night.’
‘And you didn’t want a repeat?’
Sarah smiled demurely. ‘I’m seeing someone else tonight.’
He laughed. ‘Good for you. Time you started going out a bit.’
‘Exactly,’ she agreed. ‘But right now I’m off to contact the building surveyor.’
‘I’ve been thinking, boss,’ said Harry, as he drove away. ‘Young Ian’s not very happy with the firm he’s working for now. What do you say to him coming in with us on the barns?’
Sarah’s eyes lit up. ‘I think it’s a great idea, if he agrees. Find out what he’s earning there and I’ll see if I can pop it up a bit.’
‘Right.’ He got out to help her down when they reached Medlar House. ‘I’ll give you a ring later.’
‘Thanks, Harry.’
His eyes twinkled. ‘And you enjoy yourself tonight.’
Sarah spent some time on the phone for the rest of the afternoon. She contacted the offices of the building inspector, and arranged an appointment for the survey of the barns at Westhope Farm in two days’ time. She rang Bob Grover with the news, and he assured her he’d be ready and waiting for the inspector, and promised to convey Sarah’s good wishes to the new grandmother.
‘What with your offer and the baby, Mavis is over the moon,’ he said, chuckling. ‘So am I, Miss Carver.’
Sarah typed a letter to confirm the inspection appointment at Westhope, then left a message on Oliver’s phone to keep him up to date. Instead of driving she took a brisk walk to the Post Office stores to post her letter, and on the way back decided to forget about work for a while. Alex’s visit had taken her by surprise last night, though to be fair she’d had plenty of time to tidy up before he arrived if she’d wanted. But tonight she would pull out all the stops. From the expression on Alex’s face at the sight of her in a skirt, he obviously liked the girly look, so she’d keep to it tonight.
When she got back Sarah climbed the steps to her platform and slid back the doors on the wardrobe—which was so compact she’d sent a lot of her clothes to charity shops before moving in. She pushed aside the little black number and brought out the dress bought for her leaving party at the flat before moving from London.
Girly was the word for it, she thought with a grin later, as she zipped up the thin poppy-red voile. Slender straps held up the low-cut top, and the fluted skirt stopped just short of her knees. Sarah gave an excited little laugh as she looked at her reflection. Harry and his cronies wouldn’t have recognised her. When the doorbell finally rang she went down the steps, carrying her shoes, feeling like Cinderella ready for the ball.
‘I’m here,’ said Alex.
Sarah buzzed him in, left her door ajar, then slid her feet into her shoes and stood in the middle of the room, waiting for him. He gave a perfunctory knock and came in, to stand very still just inside the door, looking pretty much perfect to Sarah in a linen jacket and khaki jeans which hugged his muscular thighs. They gazed at each other in silence, then, without taking his eyes away from her, Alex reached behind him to close the door.
‘You look good enough to eat,’ he said, in a tone which did damage to her pulse-rate.
‘Thank you.’
‘Would it endanger our embryo friendship if I kissed you?’
‘You can if you’re careful,’ she said, offering her cheek.
‘Sorry. Can’t do careful,’ he said, and kissed her mouth, taking so much time over it Sarah’s heart was pounding by the time he raised his head. ‘You know, I’m not so sure about this friend thing after all,’ he said huskily, his eyes glittering.
She heaved in an unsteady breath, trying to damp down the heat his expert, hungry mouth had sent surging through her entire body. ‘You don’t want that any more?’
‘Yes, of course I do. But I have a problem.’
‘What?’
‘The way you look tonight, any normal guy would want to be more than just your friend, Sarah. But don’t worry,’ he said softly. ‘I’ll stick to the rules.’
‘What rules?’
‘Yours: friendship with the enemy, but no sleeping with him.’
She eyed him quizzically. ‘Is that what you want?’
He smiled wryly. ‘Of course I do. I’d be lying if I said otherwise.’
‘You’re honest!’
‘Always the best policy, Sarah. But don’t let it worry you. Just good friends will do for now.’ He touched a caressing finger to her bottom lip. ‘So repair the damage, and let’s take off to see what Stephen has to offer.’
Outside in the courtyard Sarah looked round for the Cherokee, her eyes wide as Alex led her to the classic beauty parked near the front gate.
‘Wow,’ she exclaimed. ‘A Jensen Interceptor, no less. I do so hope my neighbours are watching. I got some teasing about the yellow Ferrari the other night, then Oliver collected me in his Daimler, and now you turn up with this baby.’
‘My pride and joy, and used solely for special occasions,’ said Alex, handing her in.
‘I’m honoured. Though I would have been equally happy with the Jeep.’
‘I know.’ He slanted a smile at her. ‘That’s part of what makes the occasion special.’
It was Sarah’s third meal in as many days at the Pheasant Inn, but eating alone with Alex raised the experience to a new level. His kiss earlier had altered things between them, to the point where just his mention of sleeping with the enemy was enough to revive sexual tension, which simmered below the surface while they studied menus and sipped the champagne he’d insisted on ordering.
‘But the celebration was yesterday,’ said Sarah, her colour rising as he looked into her eyes.
‘This
