Free Hot Basque: A French Summer Novel 2 by Laurette Long Page B

no?’
    ‘Oh my sweetheart,’ she raised her head, looked straight at him, tears streaming down her cheeks. ‘It’s a yes. The answer is yes. A huge resounding yes!’
    As if on cue, there was a rumble overhead, a flash of lightning, and the heavens opened.
    They clung together, gasping, as the rain came down in sheets, streaming through the leaves and branches, pouring down their faces, soaking their skin. Caroline and Edward couldn’t have cared less, kissing and embracing passionately like two lovers who Destiny has kept apart for years and who have at last found each other.
    The storm was violent, but short-lived. When they finally emerged from beneath the branches, bedraggled and dripping, Caroline pointed.
    ‘Look!’
    A rainbow arched over Willowdale like an illustration from the last page in a fairy story.
    ‘Thank you Federal Express!’
    Edward grinned and tipped an imaginary hat.
    Birdie was standing on the terrace, clutching a multicoloured golfing umbrella and peering anxiously across the lawn.
    ‘Oh my goodness just look at the pair of you! As soon as I heard the storm I said to Margaret I bet they went out without an umbrella. You’re absolutely soaked! Quick quick, come in front of the fire, I’ll get some towels.’
    ‘No, Birdie, wait!’
    Something in Caroline’s voice halted Birdie’s rush indoors.
    Caroline took her by the hand.
    ‘Come with us, just a second. Then we’ll go and stand under a hot shower.’
    A strange look appeared on Birdie’s lined face. She put her hand to her heart with a little gasp and allowed herself to be drawn inside to the sitting room, where Margaret was poking at the logs in the fireplace muttering imprecations at the wind which was sending gusts down the chimney and causing the logs to sputter.
    She looked round as they came into the room, her expression changing from shock at the sight of them dripping puddles on the carpet, then to hope as she saw their faces.
    ‘Oh!’ she dropped the poker, clutched the mantelpiece.
    Caroline rushed over and gave her a hug, then rushed back to Birdie.
    Without a word she held out her left hand.
    ‘Oh! Oh! My dears!’ Margaret’s voice trembled, her eyes misted over.
    She turned to Birdie, who was sobbing as though her heart was broken.
    ‘Birdie!’
    Her friend paused in mid-sob.
    ‘Your assistance is needed. Pull yourself together. Towels. Four glasses. The Macallan,. Snap to it, Bird. Remember Dunkirk. These two look as though they took part in the rescue. Come over here, by the fire both of you. Caroline, you’ve soaked my nice cream dress. Now, chin chin, straight down the hatch. Ah!’ She smacked her lips and looked at her empty glass. ‘Best remedy in the world against a cold. Most heartfelt congratulations. My dears, are you alright?’
    Caroline and Edward, coughing as the 45° proof spirit hit the back of their throats, nodded wordlessly.
    ‘That’s a relief. You’ll have to get used to the family drink now Edward.’
    She put her head on one side, sizing him up. ‘Have you ever thought of getting married in a kilt? I know you’ve got the legs.’
    Edward, coughing and weeping, could only shake his head.
     
    ***
     
    It was an hour later that the four of them set off for The Limes. In the end Margaret and Birdie decided they would simply have to go as well, they wanted to see the look on the Rayburns’ faces.
    ‘Though between you, us and the gatepost, the four of us have indulged in a little bit of speculation,’ said Margaret as Edward drove them the half mile to his parents’ house.
    ‘But then we were wondering whether you might turn out to be one of those modern couples, who decide they’re going to stay single. Maybe even live in separate houses,’ said Birdie.
    Edward laughed.
    ‘Who’d do my washing Birdie? Anyway I’m counting on her salary when she gets her lucrative new job. Thought I’d trade in the Renault for a Porsche.’
    ‘That’ll be the day,’ said Caroline.
    Edward,