Free Summer of Love by Sophie Pembroke

to. They weren’t doing anything wrong, after all. Just taking some photos. Perfectly innocent.
    So why did he feel so guilty?
    ‘He expected you home hours ago,’ Evelyn said, arms folded across her crisp white blouse. ‘I said I was coming out this way anyway, so I’d stop in and see what was keeping you.’ The look she shot at Alex made his skin feel like it might sizzle and burn.
    ‘Why were you heading out here?’ Lily asked, brow crinkled up, but her mother ignored the question.
    ‘Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?’
    Alex stepped back from the table and stretched out a hand, which she ignored. ‘Alex Harper,’ he said, trying for his best charming smile. No effect. ‘Cora’s cousin.’
    Evelyn’s smile could have frozen lakes, even in midsummer. ‘I remember you from the party. I wasn’t introduced then, either.’
    ‘Alex is taking some photos for me. Publicity shots. For a new catalogue.’ Lily’s words came out too fast, all on top of each other, and Alex lifted his camera to back up her story.
    Evelyn ignored him. ‘Well, whatever it is you’re doing here, I suggest you finish up and get home, Lily. To your fiancé.’
    Lily nodded, her face pale, and Alex felt an overwhelming need to rescue her, somehow. ‘I think we’re about done here anyway, aren’t we, Lily? I’ll just pack up, then I can email you the photos in the next day or so, if that’s okay?’
    Lily nodded mechanically, and Evelyn turned to leave. They didn’t speak again as he packed up his equipment, and he wondered what it was, exactly, that made Lily so afraid. Sure, Evelyn was terrifying, but Lily was twenty-six now. Surely she’d got past being scared of her mother? Hell, she hadn’t been that scared of her at sixteen.
    As he watched her lock up her shop and hurry home to a man who didn’t really know her, Alex wondered again whose life Lily thought she was living. And what had happened to change her.

Chapter Five
    There was no logical reason for her to be rattled by her mother’s visit, Lily knew that. All the same, she couldn’t help but feel she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t. And even though she knew she should spend the drive back to the cottage practicing her apology to Edward for being late home for dinner, her mind insisted on replaying the afternoon’s photo shoot instead.
    Alex was good at his new chosen profession. He’d had a nice mix of styles – some with the jewellery being worn, some displayed, some close-ups, some groups. Plenty for her to choose from, anyway.
    And the way he’d done it, with such care, as if her designs were the most important thing in his world, at that moment. No one had ever given her work that sort of attention before. Made her feel like a real designer, rather than just a girl making pocket change from her hobby in an old water mill.
    Alex made her feel that her dreams were valid and important – perhaps because he needed the same from her. Whatever it was, she wished Edward would develop some of the same ability.
    Edward’s car sat neatly parked outside their cottage when she pulled into the driveway. She glanced at the dashboard clock. How had it got to be eight p.m. already? Surely Alex had only arrived a couple of hours ago. Her stomach rumbled. They’d stopped for a quick lunch around one, she remembered, but had nothing since. No wonder she was hungry, and Edward so cross. Maybe she could persuade him that they should have tea at the pub, instead of cooking. Turn a potential argument into a treat. Sweeten the evening before it turned too sour.
    But as soon as she opened the door, Lily realized that wasn’t going to be an option.
    ‘Where have you been? I’ve been calling for hours!’ Edward sounded worried, rather than angry. He always did. Sometimes she wanted him to yell at her, just so she could yell back. How could you argue with someone who never got angry?
    Suddenly unbearably weary, Lily dropped her bag onto the chair