‘Yes, if you’re sure you don’t mind.’

‘I’ll kill the fatted calf and put out the red carpet for you.’

Relief caused sweat to bead her forehead. ‘It would be better if you met me at the airport. Is it miles from where you live?’

‘Not at all, I told you. Only about an hour. What time do you get in?’

Elated, she ran to buy a ticket, high on the excitement her impulse had created. As long as her credit card had some credit on it all would be well. To have to crawl home now would be the most dreadful anticlimax, not to mention humiliation – Molly would have a field day.

The smiling, bright-eyed Irish girl who sold her a ticket seemed a good omen. The card cleared, the ticket was handed over, and Thea fairly skipped off to the shops to buy some extra pants and socks. She then spent a long time in the Ladies washing all parts of her uncovered by clothes, wondering if she could wash her hair and dry it under the hand dryer. A girl did like to look her best, especially when she was chasing a younger man.

Taking a chance that her card would hold out for one last purchase, she dithered between buying Rory a bottle of cognac, to remind him of Provence, or a bottle of Paddy Irish Whiskey. She settled on the whiskey because it was cheaper, then bought some film and the latest Jilly Cooper for herself. Then, as clean and calm as possible, given that she was running away from home, she settled down to wait for her flight.

Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Rory was standing at the arrivals gate. When he saw Thea, he opened his arms. Good manners insisted that Thea go into them and receive a very hearty kiss on what was nearly her mouth. She wasn’t entirely reluctant. He was even more good-looking and attractive than she remembered.

‘Jaysus, Thea, it’s good to see you. What changed your mind?’ he asked, picking up her bags and tucking them under his arm.

‘My bossy friend Molly.’

He dropped the bags. 
I don’t believe you! She never said “my advice to you is to run away with that handsome Irishman who knows so much about Cézanne".’

Thea laughed delightedly. ‘No, she didn’t. She rang her sister and found out that there’d been a wild party, with gatecrashers, at my house while I’d been away and told me I’d have to get professionals in to clean it up. Her husband hadn’t arrived yet, so I decided to make a run for it.’ Thea paused. ‘I am so glad to see you, Rory. You’re never quite sure if people mean those invitations issued on holiday.’