‘I overheard Alan Somerville talking to some groupies about the benefits of tantric sex earlier this afternoon,’ Charlie said, a sudden twinkle in his sleepy dark eyes. ‘But I doubt even he’s had it as good as that just was. Did you slip something in my glass of mead?’

Holly laughed. ‘As if I would!’ She leaned down and kissed him, a gentle, sated contact that seemed to seal things. ‘This is all just you and me. Although I’ve got some gingko biloba downstairs if you start to flag.’

‘As if!’ Charlie snorted. ‘I’ll have you know, MPs are well known for their staying power in the chamber… and in other areas.’

‘Looking at some of your colleagues, that’s not exactly a very sexy image,’ Holly laughed. ‘Although it’s nice to know you’re all having, er, as much fun as we just had.’

‘You’d better believe it,’ Charlie said, burying his lips in Holly’s neck. ‘And I’m definitely up for another round, if you are.’

Holly’s laugh turned into a sigh as Charlie’s mouth and fingers started to work their magic again.

By the time they fell asleep, dawn was starting to creep like a cat after a mouse across the grey blue night sky, Arthur had retreated to the comfort of the cushion on Holly’s bedroom chair and both Holly and Charlie felt more relaxed than they had in a very long time.

‘I love you, Charlie,’ Holly murmured as sleep finally overtook her.

As they both rested, the cold moon, ever the voyeur, stared through the open bedroom curtains and cast the inhabitants of the bed in a silvery light.

29

If he could dance like Justin Timberlake, he’d so be strutting his stuff right now, Charlie thought as he headed back down the street from Holly’s flat and home for a shower and a change of clothes. By rights, after festivalling all day and making love all night, he should be knackered, but he felt revitalised, energised, and as if he could do it all over again. The latter, he thought, he’d certainly have no problem repeating. As often as possible. At all times of the day and night. In fact, he was only going home to finish up a few bits of paperwork and then he’d agreed to meet Holly on the Willowbury Hill for another picnic that afternoon.

How things had changed since his move to Willowbury! When he’d arrived, he’d been a rookie MP with no idea how to reconcile his day job and his actual day-to-day life in the place. Admittedly, there had been a few hiccups along the way, but now he finally felt as though he was gaining some ground, making things work.