Free The French Promise by Fiona McIntosh Page B

Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Oh, come on. You’ve got me going now. Let’s get to bed.’
    ‘But not to sleep,’ he warned. ‘These treats don’t come without a price,you know.’
    ‘Which I’ll gladly pay,’ she said, kissing him, and in it he felt the rest of the night’s promise thrumming between them like an invisible but nonetheless crackling, sparking current.
     
    The Imperial hadn’t changed much according to Lisette, but Luc had organised a larger, more luxurious room than the one she’d stayed in at the height of London’s Blitz in 1942. This room had green flockwallpaper and a matching eiderdown. It smelt of pot-pourri and coal tar soap.
    ‘Seems the owners haven’t visited the modern decor halls at the festival,’ he quipped. ‘Let me help you with that,’ he said, beginning to ease the thin knit over her head.
    She laughed when he stopped lifting it once her arms were up and she was trapped inside the cocoon of the knit.
    ‘Luc,’ she said, in a voice his motherused to use.
    ‘Now you’re at my mercy, peasant!’ It came out as ‘pea-zunt’.
    She exploded with muffled laughter, and not just at his pronunciation. ‘Do you mean wench?’
    ‘Yes, yes, whatever that word is,’ he dismissed, beginning to undo her bra. She gave a small squeal. ‘Sssh! You’ll wake fellow guests. Now, let me see. If I unhook this …’ He sighed.
    It was too late to hush Lisette. Her laughterechoed downthe corridors and a passing maid smiled in gentle envy.
    In the morning, after an early cooked breakfast, Luc and Lisette spent the few hours they had before the train left wandering around her old stomping grounds. He even fed the pigeons, making Lisette laugh at the birds landing on him, including one on his head. She regretted that they didn’t have a camera.
    ‘I’m goingto buy us one,’ she said as they found their seat on the train. ‘We should be taking loads of photos of Harry. I’ve been remiss.’
    ‘Remiss?’ he queried.
    ‘Careless but not in a bad way. Forgetful, you could say.’
    ‘Remiss,’ he repeated quietly.
    Luc’s command of English was so strong now that she didn’t fret about him anymore but he still appreciated learning more difficult words. Privately, she lovedhis little errors.
    ‘I had a good time,’ he said, when they were finally in their carriage. He folded up his overcoat and put it on the shelf above them with their bag. He did the same for her coat before sitting down opposite her.
    Whistles began to sound and the train made new noises of imminent departure. Doors slammed urgently up and down the platform.
    ‘I had one of the best days of my life,’she admitted. ‘I feel alive!’
    Luc grinned at her joy. They travelled home in a buoyant mood, both invigorated by their trip and Luc determined that his new mindset would keep a more permanent smile on his wife, and give him a fresh sense of purpose.
     
    Irene had already brought Harry and Peanut home and when they arrived back at the cottage, the house was warmed, the kettle was on and Harry wassleeping. Peanut gave them a rousing welcome and Irene nodded.
    ‘Well, well. Look at you both! You’re glowing, Lisette.’
    ‘Tea?’ Lisette offered.
    ‘No, I mustn’t. Pete’s got work tonight, but we enjoyed having Harry – he’s such a sweetie.’ She stood on tiptoe to peck Luc on the cheek. ‘I put the post on the table,’ she pointed.
    Lisette linked arms and accompanied her friend to the street.‘I can’t thank you enough. We really did have a splendid time.’
    ‘Well, it shows! Blimey, you’re a handsome couple. And I’m happy for you. Harry had a late night, so let him sleep.’
    ‘I feel like I’ve been away for days.’
    ‘You look so happy. I can well believe you’ve made another baby in the last twenty-four hours,’ Irene quipped as she kissed Lisette goodbye.
    ‘I wouldn’t be surprised,’ Lisettegiggled. ‘And you’ll be the first to know!’
    She waved off her