‘Moi?’ He shuffled on the spot.

‘Yes, you.’

He ducked down onto his knees and dropped something to the floor. The next moment, he lifted one of her feet, sliding her foot into a shoe. She lifted her leg and looked at the black shoe she’d once abandoned.

‘Last time, I got this wrong. The shoe fits. It’s part of a pair. I’d like us to be a pair. Two. Together. I love you.’

She laughed, although inside, her heart tingled at the tender words and the warmth glowing in his eyes. ‘You know romantic gestures are wasted on me, right?’

With a mock-mournful sigh, he shook his head. ‘There really is no romance in your soul, is there?’

‘Sorry,’ she grinned unrepentantly up at him.

‘So I had to come up with something practical to win your heart, as you completely misunderstood my gesture with the shoe.’

‘It wasn’t exactly obvious.’

‘In my head it was. The handsome prince returns the shoe to his love.’

‘Mmm. Or the bounder gets rid of the last piece of evidence.’

Conor laughed. ‘We’re going to have to work on your sensibilities, mo grá. But I have something for you.’

He reached under the sofa for a manilla envelope that he must have put there while she’d had her eyes closed.

‘What’s this?’

‘You could open it and find out.’

‘I don’t like surprises, remember?’

‘You’ll like this one.’

‘So confident, so cocky.’

‘That’s me. Now, are you going to open it or sit here and call me names all night?’

Kissing him on his nose, she slid a finger under the flap of the envelope and pulled a couple of sheets of A4 paper from the envelope, really puzzled now.

Law Society of Ireland

Then the bold heading beneath.

Certificate of Admission England and Wales

Her eyes stumbled to the first line below.

This form is for use by the following qualified lawyers who wish to apply to go on the Roll of Solicitors in the Republic of Ireland:

She lifted her head, her eyes meeting Conor’s. It was the application form to practise in Ireland.

‘When did you print this off?’

‘Earlier this evening, before the party. I want you to stay,’ he said softly. ‘More than anything.’

Hannah smiled mistily at him, holding the sheet of paper. ‘Now this is what I call a romantic gesture.’

THE END

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