Rosie's Diamond - Chapters 51 to 55

THE story so far: Gerald and Rosemary had not been in Spain long when odd things started happening.

THE story so far: Gerald and Rosemary had not been in Spain long when odd things started happening. There was nothing tangible but they were both aware of it. Jennie and Charlie Randle had arrived from South Africa and Bill had picked them up from Heathrow. Terence Cragge had discovered that Rod's old records of his activities had been transferred to micro-film and he was still convinced that rosemary had them somewhere. He sees Vic leaving Rosemary's house with luggage in the back of his car and suspects that the house may be empty over the weekend. Now would be the time to break in and look for the film.

Chapter Fifty One

Bill kept the same jeans on but changed his shirt, this time only folding the sleeves half way up his forearms. He took his sneakers off and put on a pair of slip-on, mid-brown shoes. When he got down stairs, Charlie was already at the bar, a pint of lager in front of him.

"What do you want Bill?"

Bill looked at the beer pumps. "A pint of ESB please."

The barman had heard him so Charlie merely nodded to him.

"Your health Bill."

Bill raised his glass in return.

"Cheers."

"Charlie I've got a name to throw at you in connection with Van der Velde."

Charlie looked interested.

"It's only a Christian name, 'Terence."

"Oh, my God, is he around?"

"You know him?"

"Only too well. He took over from Rod after he died. He's not as bad as Rod – but then again no one could be – but he's still an evil bastard. He's quietened down a lot in recent years but I still wouldn't want to upset him. If he's here then I'm sure it's not for a family vacation. We'll talk about it later," he said, looking over Bill's shoulder and seeing Jennie and the others emerge from the lift.

"You can tell the waitress that we're ready for a table now," he said to the barman. The barman waved his hand in the air and the waitress arrived at the same time as the others. Charlie stood up. "Let's get seated and we'll order your drinks from the table."

As they sat down Bill could see that the others were ensuring that he and Jennie were seated next to each other.

Charlie sent the waitress off to fetch two more pints and a martini.

"That was one of the best showers I've ever had. I feel like a new woman."

She instantly glared at her fellow South Africans as if to warn them not to come up with any smutty remarks. They all picked up on the glare and smiled, but said nothing.

Bill had only seen her twice. At the airport she looked good. Now she looked even better. Her pale blue shirt showed just the slightest hint of cleavage. She had very little make-up on yet had used it to tremendous effect. He wanted to tell her how good she looked but with the other three there he decided to wait.

The waitress returned with the drinks on a tray with five menus resting on top of them.

"I'll give you a few minutes to look through the menus," she said while handing them out and distributing the drinks. "If you're ready before I get back, just give me a wave." She picked up the tray and left them.

They were ready first so they duly waved and she came over to them. The men all ordered steaks, but Jennie, who was trying to talk herself into vegetarianism, but wasn't having quite the success that she wanted, settled for the Dover sole.

When the waitress asked them if they wanted to see the wine list Jennie took the initiative by ordering another martini and declining the wine list realising that it was more than unlikely that the men would be prepared to switch from beer.

The food was superb. They all remarked on it. It was so good it kept the conversation down to a minimum.

Charlie finished first and noticing that Bill had almost finished nudged him on the elbow.

"Finish your dinner and then you can give me a hand to carry over another round of drinks." Bill was about to suggest that they just call the waitress over and that she would take the

order when he became aware of the look in Charlie's eyes that seemed to say 'let's talk.' He put the last piece of meat in his mouth, pushed his plate back and stood up in unison with Charlie.

When they reached the bar Charlie ordered two halves. "We'll order the round when we've had these. It'll give us a few minutes to talk about Terence."

Bill turned his bar stool to face Charlie.

"His full name is Terence Aaron Cragge. No one calls him Terry, he doesn't like it. He was, as you know, Rod's lieutenant and he did all Rod's dirty work for him. He was afraid of no one except Rod, but he never really had any reason to be afraid of him because they got on so well together. It was, I think, just that he knew what Rod was capable of and that Rod was the only man he ever knew who was tougher and harder than he was. I suppose they developed a mutual respect over the years they worked together."

"Why is he here?"

"Well," said Charlie, answering his own question, "just before I left I heard a rumour that Rod had kept a record of all his business transactions and I suppose that Terence also heard the rumour. Now anything that Rod had recorded would seriously implicate Terence and would allow us to close down all his businesses with one blow. Not only that, but it would put Terence and a lot of others away for a long time. Remember that I said that he is no longer as bad as he used to be."

Bill nodded.

"This however would change all that. He would do anything to protect his present lifestyle and that spells trouble for Mrs. Van der Velde, because the fact that Terence is over here suggests very strongly that he thinks that she has Rod's paperwork, although if she has, I doubt that she knows it.

As I said, this only came to light just before we left and I have a good man following it through. If anything further comes to light he will call me immediately and, obviously, I will let you know as soon as I hear anything."

"I appreciate that Charlie."

"We'd better get back to the others. I have a free day next week and, if you like, I could come down to Wulfrum and go through everything with you in more detail. I imagine you intend taking Jennie out tomorrow?"

"I was hoping to and yes, I would be more than happy to see you next week."

"Right then, that's settled. Let's order the drinks and get back."

The rest of the evening went without further mention of Terence Cragge or the events in Wulfrum and, although none of them drank too much, the evening lasted longer than they had intended. They eventually went upstairs just before midnight.

Bill walked Jennie to her room and after asking her out on a sightseeing tour the next day, an offer which she readily accepted, gave her a quick, proprietary peck on the cheek and went off down the corridor to his room. When he got to his door, which was at the far end, he turned back. She had opened her door and was standing half in and half out as she gave him a quick wave. He waved back as she disappeared into her room.

Chapter Fifty Two

There was almost a full moon that night and it was easy for Terence and Stan to find their way through the field to the rear of Wulfrum Manor.

They had parked on the edge of a small housing estate so that their vehicle would be inconspicuous with the home owners' vehicles. They would be back to move it before anyone was up and about. It was almost a mile across the fields and the ground was rock hard, but was an easy trek. There had been no rain so they wouldn't leave any signs of their approach.

The alarm was an old one and provided no problems for them. After all, he had got past it once before. It was then that it clicked in his head that that was how the boy who had been shot had got in. He had somehow picked the time to break in when the alarm was off. He had turned it on again as he had made his exit. He thought that doing so would serve to confuse the police.

When they got there he neutralized it again. He could reach it by standing on the window sill and hanging on to the drainpipe. What a stupid place to put it.

Had it been daylight he would have seen that he was wasting his time. Where the wires went into the top of the window they had already been snapped. Whether it had been deliberate or they had been worn through the ravages of time and constant beatings by the window being opened and closed was anyone's guess.

Having, as he thought, made the alarm safe, he got down and then forced the window open. That was even easier. Country people were so much more trusting than those in the cities.

Having been in the house before, he had an idea of his way around. "We'll try the basement first," he whispered to Stan, immediately realising that he had no need to whisper as the house was empty.

"There are still a few unemptied packing cases down there," he said, in an almost normal voice. "Seems like the place to start and there are no windows, so we can turn the lights on."

As they went down the stairs to the basement he found the light switch and told Stan to close the door. As the door closed he turned on the lights. The packing cases were in the far corner.

"Take everything out Stan and check it very carefully. We won't be back here so if you need to break something, then break it. We're all in trouble if we don't find the film. Rod was always so careful I can't believe he was so bloody stupid over this."

It took them an hour and a half to go through everything. They found nothing.

The thing that disturbed Terence was that in one of the crates was an empty cardboard box that had been opened. This not only disturbed him, it scared him. It was the only thing that had been opened and it must have been opened for a reason.

His mind was running riot and he convinced himself that that was what was in the box. "The woman must have found it, Stan. If she had given it to the police we would have heard something by now."

"What do we do?"

"Let's go upstairs and check the rest of the house. Make sure all blinds and curtains are closed before you turn on any lights. If it looks like there are any gaps that would let the light be seen from outside, then only use your torch. Look inside and behind everything. We've got about three hours. That'll give us time to get back to the car before daylight."

They went back upstairs leaving the basement floor strewn with paper and many of Rosemary's long-forgotten items, some of which were now broken.

Back upstairs they separated. "Call me if you find anything that could be remotely like what we're looking for."

"Sure thing."

They started with the bedrooms. Terence took the master and sent Stan off to check the other three. It was very unlikely that there would be anything in any other bedroom except the master.

He took it to pieces. He pulled up carpets, moved pictures, turned over the bed and even ripped the linings from the curtains. The latter he did last by feel with the lights out as he didn't want any light shown to the outside world.

They both drew complete blanks and proceeded downstairs. Terence again took the most likely rooms, the lounge and dining room, and left Stan to check elsewhere.

This time he had no need to rip up carpets, but pulled all the furniture apart and took down all the pictures. All the furniture units were emptied. He succeeded in opening the safe – God, I've opened harder money boxes – there was nothing in there that he wanted. He took the money, probably around two thousand pounds. It meant that he wouldn't have to visit another bank. The curtains here were thick enough not to be lined so this time he left them alone.

Stan came in.

"What did you find?"

"Nothing."

"Shit."

"What now?"

"Nothing more we can do here. We'd better get the hell out of here and back to Cheltenham before it gets light. I'll give Alvin a call and push him along. Who knows, maybe he has something else for me by now."

Outside the moon was still bright and they easily found their way back to the car. Back at the bed and breakfast they crept quietly back in and up to their rooms.

At eight thirty they went down to breakfast. For all intents and purposes they had been there all night, giving them an alibi – albeit not a strong one – should it turn out that they needed one.

Chapter Fifty Three

The break in Spain had been the success they had both hoped for. They had a few days left, but had already realised just how much they enjoyed each other's company and how much they both wanted to continue with the relationship.

It was still far too soon for either of them to have mentioned any of the words that would suggest the permanency that they would almost definitely reach one day, but that couldn't be too far away.

There had been something strange in the air. Gerald had felt it and had frequently found himself glancing suspiciously over his shoulder only to find nothing there. He had had these feelings more when he was in the car driving and it was the only time that it made him at all nervous, very likely because it was at these times that he half expected to see something. He never actually admitted to himself that it was Rod he was expecting to see, but the thought did often flash through his mind only to be quietly dismissed by his rational thinking.

Rosemary had said nothing more to him on the subject although on several occasions he had caught her looking blankly into the room behind him only, as with his own sense of feeling something behind him, to turn and find nothing there. On one occasion she offered the weak explanation that she was merely thinking about how Vic was getting on. He could tell that that was not the case and knew that she was picking up the same strange sensations that he was.

There would be plenty of time when they got home to talk about it more. Having already broached it in the restaurant on their first night in Spain he had at least made her aware of his thoughts that something strange was in the air and now it would be easier to bring up the subject again. In the meantime he was determined that she would enjoy the rest of her holiday – that they both would.

Chapter Fifty Four

The London morning was noisy, even for a Saturday. Bill had been up early and had been for a walk through St. James Park. Traffic was busy on both sides, Birdcage Walk and Pall Mall. The park itself already had a lot of people in it, some for their morning constitutional and others just using it as a short cut.

The sun was out and looked impressive as it glittered on the gently rippling water of the lake. He sat down by the lake for ten minutes just to watch it. He had woken in a mood of anticipation and was hopeful that the day would be at least half as good as he wanted it to be.

When he got back to the hotel they were all at the breakfast table reading the menu. After breakfast they all headed out of the hotel. The three men were heading off eventually to Highbury to see Arsenal play Southampton in the premiership.

"You won't have any trouble getting tickets for that one," Bill had told them. "Mind you, had it been Liverpool or Manchester United, then you would have had problems."

The men went off towards Whitehall and Trafalgar Square for some sight seeing before catching the underground to Highbury for the three o'clock kick off.

"Right," said Bill. "Seeing as we are here we might as well start with Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. If that's okay with you," he added, not wanting to sound pushy.

She smiled. "Let's go. I'm happy to go wherever you take me. You know what to see and how to get there, so I'm in your hands."

He turned towards Westminster Abbey and she put her arm through his and walked along by his side. It felt good. It felt really good.

It was approaching ten thirty and all the tourists had finished their breakfasts and were now out and about, as evidenced by the amount of people milling around the Abbey. As they stood on the corner outside the Midland Bank, waiting to cross the road, she reached over with her other hand and held on, ready to dodge across through the traffic. However he waited for the traffic lights – but she still hung on until they got across. This excited him as he could feel her breast pressing into his arm.

He did his best not to react. It only lasted for a few seconds but again, it felt really good.

"I take it the big one is Westminster Abbey?"

"Yes, the small one is St. Margaret's. It's a separate church but I don't know if it has any connection with the Abbey or not. We'll get a guide book on the Abbey and that should tell us.

They spent around an hour in the Abbey and a further ten minutes in St. Margaret's church. He was impressed with the interest and enthusiasm Jennie was showing.

They did the Houses of Parliament next and then followed Charlie, Dave and George's footsteps up Whitehall to Trafalgar Square, stopping to look at the household cavalry on the way.

Neither of them really fancied the National Gallery so after walking around Trafalgar Square they decided that it was time for lunch.

"I know an ideal place and it's not far," he informed her.

"Lead on."

Instinctively he took her by the hand and led her up St. Martin's Lane, turning right a little way up, towards Covent Garden.

"Here we are," he said, somewhat short of Covent Garden. "It's a pretty traditional pie and mash shop."

Inside the lighting was a little subdued but the buzz of conversation indicated that it was well patronised. The tables seemed to go a long way back but they weren't sure just how far as they were led to a table to the right of the door, which was up a few steps and only about ten paces inside the restaurant.

Bill had a steak and kidney pie while Jennie had a chicken and mushroom one.

"I don't know how you can eat kidneys."

"I wouldn't eat them on their own but in a pie with steak and gravy I can hardly taste them."

She still turned her nose up.

"What do you want to do this afternoon?"

"Well, I can leave the shopping until one evening next week."

The look of relief on his face did not escape her.

"I'd like to see St. Paul's."

"Okay, that's not too far away. We can walk down to Fleet Street and it's at the far end. On the way I'll show you the Inns of Court where many of London's top barristers have offices. It has a couple of entrances off Fleet Street. Don't be surprised when all of a sudden you don't see many people. Where we are going is all offices and as hardly any offices open at weekends no one goes to the area."

"That was one of the best pies I have ever had," she said, pushing her plate back to the centre of the table to join Bill's, which had been emptied some minutes before hers.

"Coffee?"

"No, not for me."

"We can always get one later," he said, laying his master card down with the bill.

"Hey, let me pay my share."

"No, I want to do it," he said in such a friendly way that she didn't argue.

"Thank you," she said, reaching forward and squeezing his hand as the waiter picked up the card.

"Bill," she looked down at the table for a moment and then looked directly into his eyes, "it would be great if you could stay until tomorrow." She took hold of both of his hands this time.

"Wouldn't it?" he said, rubbing her hands in return. "Hold on a moment," he said, retrieving his hands and taking out his cell phone. "Damn, I'll have to go outside, I can't get a signal in here. Will you be okay for a couple of minutes?"

"Of course."

He came back in just as the waiter returned his card for signature. "Well?" she said impatiently.

"No problem."

"Great." Her face beamed her pleasure and she had said it so loudly that heads at other tables turned towards them.

"Sorry."

"That's all right, nobody minds. The room was not booked and my boss, Gavin, told me that I needn't get back till Monday morning, so I booked the room for tonight and tomorrow night."

"Th …" she started and then realised that she was about to turn everyone's head towards them again. She then hunched forward over the table and yet again took hold of his hands. "That's great," she said, but this time it was in an emphasized whisper. They both smiled.

Bill signed the bill and they left.

They had both been in good moods all day but now they must have looked like a couple of love struck teenagers. No one would have picked them out as police officers. Neither one of them cared.

"Do you like musicals?" he asked as they came out of Covent Garden.

"I love them." She was hugging his arm again with her head on his shoulder.

"Let's call in to the Theatre Royal," he said as they approached Drury Lane. "Maybe we can get a couple of tickets for Miss Saigon tonight."

There were only two other people at the ticket box when they entered the foyer and they were almost finished. There wasn't a lot of room in front of the box so she stood back while Bill spoke to the woman. "Yes, that'll be fine," she heard him say. Again he took out his master card. When he turned back to her with the tickets in his hand he found her glaring up at him in mock anger with her head on one side.

"Tonight," she said, "either before or after the show, I don't care which, I'm getting dinner and there will be no arguments from you." She prodded him on the chest. "Do I make myself understood?"

He smiled. "I think it came over very clearly."

She put her arms around his neck and, reaching up, gave him a short kiss on the lips. It was only a short one but it was more than a peck.

"Come on," she said, stepping back and taking his hand again. "Let's go and see St. Paul's."

They walked through the Inns of the Court and back out on to Fleet Street.

"Wow, that's one impressive looking church," she said as she looked up the hill at St. Paul's. "It's huge."

As they got closer there were people around them again.

They spent about two hours in the cathedral and at least three quarters of that was at the top of the dome looking over London. When they finally emerged from the cathedral it was almost five o'clock.

"If we're going to be on time for the theatre we'd better soon start thinking about getting back to the hotel and getting changed."

"Are we getting dressed up?"

"Not unless you want to."

"I'd rather keep my jeans on and just change my top."

"That works."

"How far are we from the hotel?"

"Fifteen minutes on the tube or about a thirty-five minute walk."

"Can we walk back along the river?"

"Yeah, that'll bring us out near the hotel. I wonder if Charlie and the others will be back when we get there."

"Bill, God bless you, are the pubs open?"

"Yes."

"Well then, there's your answer."

It was near six when their stroll got them back to the hotel. Given the time, they decided to eat after the show but agreed to meet in the hotel bar after they had had showered and grab a quick snack.

They got to the theatre twenty minutes before the show started, which gave them plenty of time to settle into their seats which, considering that it was a Saturday and that they had only bought the tickets that afternoon, were fairly good seats. They were in the seventeenth row in the centre of the left-hand side of the stalls.

As the lights dipped and the show started she took hold of his hand and held it all through the show with the exception of the intermission, when they each had a grossly overpriced ice cream.

"What did you think of it?" he asked as they hustled and bustled their way through he crowd in the foyer and back out on to Drury Lane.

"I loved it."

"Where shall we eat?"

I've no idea. All I know about London is what I've seen today."

He tutted as if to admit that it was a fairly stupid question.

"What I should have asked was, what kind of food would you like?"

"Ah, now that's an easier question to answer. At this time of night the only food to eat is Chinese. I love late night Chinese meals."

"Then Chinese it is."

"And don't you forget who's paying" she said sternly.

"Ok," he smiled.

"Do you know anywhere?"

"Not specifically, but it's an easy walk to Soho and Soho is full of Chinese restaurants. Whichever one you pick is bound to be good."

Retracing their steps of the afternoon they walked back through Covent Garden. Crossing over St. Martin's Lane, Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue they found themselves in Soho.

"I've never seen so many people at this time of night."

"It's pretty much the same most nights but I suppose Saturday is probably the busiest."

"Let's try that one," she was pointing at a restaurant whose entrance was set at the top of a set of about fifteen or sixteen steps. "I like the way it seems to be set out and maybe we can get a table near the window and do some people watching."

"Come on then," he put his arm around her shoulder and shepherded her towards the steps and subsequently helped her up them. She didn't need any help but it seemed the right thing to do.

"Table for two, sir?"

The waiter, who greeted them spoke perfect English but there again, thought Bill, he was more than likely born in London.

"Yes please, any chance of a table by the window?"

"About ten minutes or so if you don't mind waiting."

He looked at Jennie, who nodded. "That will be fine."

"Let me show you to the bar sir, and I will call you when your table is ready."

They both duly followed him and when seated ordered a martini and a half of lager. Bill had not quite finished his drink when the waiter returned.

"Your table's ready sir, if you would follow me."

Bill left his glass on the bar, Jennie picked hers up and they followed the waiter. The table was right in the middle of the window thus affording them both an excellent view of the to-ing and fro-ing of the late night Soho pedestrian traffic.

The menus were already on the table along with the wine list.

"Do you like wine Bill?"

"Yes I do, but…"

She cut him short. "When I said that I was buying, I meant everything and if you want to argue the point we could easily step outside for a few minutes."

He raised his hand in surrender.

"Good, now do you prefer red or white?"

"I really don't mind. I'm not one of those who has to drink a particular colour with a particular meal, so surprise me."

No sooner had they decided on their food and laid their menus down than the waiter reappeared.

"Are you ready to order?"

They were, but like ninety-five percent of the population they immediately picked up and re-opened the menus as if they were only just deciding. As they completed their ordering the waiter took the menus and inquired what drinks they wanted.

Jennie opened the wine list and pointed, "A bottle of this please."

"Certainly. Would you like chopsticks with your food?"

Bill raised his eyebrows.

"Yes please," she said.

"I ordered a bottle of red."

"Not too expensive I hope."

"Let's just say that I'm not a connoisseur and I hope you're not."

"Sounds like my kind of wine."

When the food arrived it quickly became apparent to each of them that both had used chopsticks before.

"I didn't ask for chopsticks straight away because I didn't know whether you had used them before."

"Same here," she smiled back at him. "This food's good."

"Isn't it?"

Altogether they had ordered twelve different items, not huge portions, but plenty for two people. They shared each of the portions, sometimes feeding each other. After dinner and a cursory glance from Jennie he let her pay the bill without any remark.

"Now the hard part, trying to get a taxi."

"It's a nice night, let's walk."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, it'll give me a chance to take in some more of London and apart from that, it'll make the night last longer."

"You'll get no complaints from me about that," he turned his head towards her as if he was going to kiss her, but then stopped.

"Don't be shy," she said reaching up with her hand to his cheek and pulling his head down so that his lips touched hers. This time the kiss lasted longer and initiated a soft wolf whistle from a passer by, which they both ignored.

Afterwards they said nothing. He put his arm around her shoulder, she put hers around his waist, and they started walking down towards Piccadilly Circus.

The walk to the hotel was probably only about a mile and a half but it took them nearly an hour. They stopped, they talked, they kissed some more and strolled very slowly and contentedly. At ten minutes to two they walked into the hotel.

By the sounds coming from the bar they knew that the others were back and that they had had a good day.

Charlie saw them first. "We thought you two had eloped." Jennie's arm extended and her forefinger pointed directly at him, but she was smiling.

"Ok, I'll say no more," Charlie said returning the smile.

Dave and George were grinning.

"Come and join us for a last one," offered Charlie.

"Let's do that Bill, seeing as Charlie's paying," said Jennie, not wanting the evening to end.

"How did I walk into that one? What do you want Bill?

"I think I'll have a rum and shrub with lots of ice."

"Rum and what?"

"Shrub. It's an alcoholic cordial designed specially to go with rum. Don't ever drink too many though or you'll feel it the following morning."

"Sounds good to me, how about you lads, fancy trying one?"

"Yeah," they chorused.

"Jennie?"

"Why not?"

At that moment in time she would have tried anything that Bill suggested.

"Five rum and shrubs," he called over to the barman, "and then we'll let you go to bed."

"Don't have any shrub, Charlie," the barman called back.

"What?"

"Just kidding," he said with a huge grin all over his face.

Charlie might well have retorted but as Jennie was present he bit his tongue.

Apart from them the bar was empty. "You can pull the shutter down after this. In fact, pour an extra one and come and join us. It's been a long night."

"Thanks, Charlie, I will."

Chapter Fifty Five

They had spent the last two days lazing around the villa and the pool. The relationship had clearly developed way beyond mere friendship. They found themselves constantly looking at each other and could not pass without a touch of the hand or similar touch of reassurance and affection.

Each one was doing their best to portray an air of total relaxation and contentment with each other's company, yet both of them had their own worries. Even though Gerald still basically believed that when someone dies they simply stay dead, he could not, the more he thought about it, explain away what he had seen in the rear view mirror that night nor could he explain why he kept sensing that someone else was around them. He had never felt that before, even as a kid when he had played with his imaginary friends.

That's all they had been, pure figments of his imagination. He had made them up and even back then he knew that, but this wasn't the same. He was sure that someone else was there and this wasn't something that he had made up. It was something that had worked its own way into his head. He couldn't see it, yet it was there – wasn't it?

To back this up he could see that Rosemary was aware of something. Apart from what she had told him in the restaurant that first night he had not yet broached the subject a second time, but was becoming concerned enough about it to renege on his intention of leaving it until they got back to Wulfrum.

If there was something, then he had made up his mind that if they talked about it again they could, instead of each handling it on their own, do it together, and that had to make it easier for both of them.

He kept looking at Rosemary, not just out of love but out of concern. If she was worried she seemed to be either hiding it or handling it well. If it hadn't been for the occasional stares into space, or if he thought that he was the only one feeling it, then he would have left it until they got home.

It kept whirling around and around in his mind. He didn't want to appear ridiculous. He didn't want Rosemary to feel that he was intruding into her private thoughts. He didn't want to put a damper on the holiday. There were many reasons he could think of for keeping his own counsel but they were all overridden when he put Rosemary to the fore and realised just how deeply he was falling in love with her.

That was the most important thing in all of this. He decided that he would definitely talk to her later that night. He must have been looking pensive.

"A penny for them."

"Uh!"

"A penny for your thoughts. You seem to be miles away."

"Not really. I was just thinking that of all the times I've been here none have been as good as this."

Although it wasn't the answer to her question it was the truth and it was an answer she liked. He went over to her at the far end of the pool and put his arm around her, turning her towards the sea. "This place has always been magical but you being here has given it that extra edge."

The arm that was around his waist tightened a little. All thoughts of anything appertaining to Rod had suddenly vanished. They stood arm in arm looking out at the ocean for a good ten minutes in silence until Rosemary turned towards him and looked up lovingly at him. He realised that she wanted to be kissed.

He had no problem with that.

It was a long kiss. When it was over they sat down, still arm in arm and still gazing out over the Mediterranean.

The afternoon had drifted slowly by. Most of it had been spent sitting quietly together, totally lost in each other. They were both almost certain now that whatever the future had to offer them that they would accept it together.

Gerald had asked her if she wanted to go out to eat and was pleased when she declined, saying that she would rather spend the evening alone with him. As the day wore on they showered early so as to be ready to eat in time to watch the sunset.

Gerald was first down and went straight outside to start the barbecue. He had the steak, sausages and jacket potatoes well on the way when Rosemary joined him.

"Something smells good."

"You just sit yourself down, it's all under control. There's red wine breathing over there and white in the fridge."

"Do you want a glass?"

"Yes, please. The heat is giving me somewhat of a thirst. Whichever you want is fine with me."

She stayed outside and poured two glasses of red. "What a lovely evening."

He smiled, hoping that she thought so because of the way the afternoon had gone. "Yes, it's going to be a superb sunset."

"Mmm," she purred contentedly as she sat down, again facing the sea. He looked over towards her appreciatively. She had let her hair down and it was cascading over the silver and black striped silk blouse she was wearing loosely over her tight black trousers. She had matching silver shoes, neither high-heeled nor flat, and a matching silver handbag.

He shook his head to himself. Why do women always need a handbag?

She looked good. He knew that she had dressed for him.

"That something that smells good is ready," he announced. "Let's just hope that it tastes the way it smells."

"I'm sure it will."

He filled two plates. "Let's find out," he said placing one of the plates in front of her and taking the other one round to the opposite side of the table where he sat down. The sun was, by now, almost touching the horizon and had turned to a deep orange. It looked twice the size it had earlier. The table was set so that the sun was to the side of each of them.

"I told you it was going to be a good sunset tonight."

"Yes, you did and the food is as good as the smell suggested. To the future," she added raising her wine glass.

"To our future," he touched his glass to hers.

"WHOOSH"

The sudden sound almost caused them to spill their wine. They both jerked their heads towards the barbecue just in time to see the huge flame returning to normal.

"What happened?"

"I think some gas must have come through quicker than it should have done. It seems to be alright now. Some more wine?"

He thought that he had passed the incident over without alarming her and that his explanation seemed logical. I suppose that could have caused it, he thought, but he considered the timing of it was just a little too coincidental.

Rosemary appeared to accept it but he was uncomfortable and the hairs on the back of his neck were prickling. He no longer thought that tonight would be an appropriate time to talk to her about his feelings and the possibility of something strange going on. He would, however, bring it up before they left Spain.

"Yes please."

"What?"

"Some more wine."

"Of course," he picked up the bottle and half filled each glass.

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