16 |                                  NEIL MAVRICK                                

“No. Well, yes, I was. But as it happens I’m taking a holiday when I get back, and I’ve nothing special planned.” That was not strictly true, but there was nothing he couldn’t re-arrange.

“I can switch my schedules.” Vesha took his hand for a moment, then let it go, but he could still feel the touch as she spoke again. “Why not stay on for a while, and I can show you around?”

Vincendo was about to protest. He couldn’t ask her to do that. Then she caught his eyes and held them. “I’d love to. If you really don’t mind.”

She smiled a glorious smile, and Vincendo felt that same stirring sensation deep within him. “I don’t mind at all, Vincendo.”

He agreed immediately. Indeed, when reflecting upon the occasion some time later, he had to confess that he would have stayed on even if Dallishes Land had been an industrial wasteland.

* * *

Why did I do that? Vesha asked herself later that evening. Why on earth did I do that? That’s not me.

It really was uncharacteristic. But from the moment she caught sight of Vincendo as he approached the lakeside spot where she was sitting, and watched his face in the faint glow of the setting sun, she sensed a kindred spirit.

He was good-looking, too. Four or five years older than her, she guessed. Tall, and pretty trim with it. Definitely her type. The look he gave her when they emerged into the lights of the town didn’t help. That, and those blue eyes, gave her goose pimples. But Vincendo was a foreigner, and the last thing she wanted right now was to become involved with someone from overseas. Yet even as she thought that, something told her she had triggered events that would change her life.

No. She shook her head. This was still crazy. And all because of one small question. ‘Busy tomorrow?’