Chapter 3 – Sightseeing

The next day, Vincendo and Vesha arranged to meet at the lakeside and when he arrived she was already there, sitting on the bank and dangling her bare feet in the cold water.

“Greetings on this occasion, Vesha,” he said, before cursing under his breath. Why so formal? The customary, respectful greeting was totally out of place.

Vesha must have felt the same way, for instead of replying in similar vein she settled for a simple, “Hello, Vincendo,” but with a smile that bore a suggestion of nervousness. She studied him carefully for a moment or two, until she must have realised that he was watching her doing so, because she laughed. “Sorry. Just making sure my recollections from last night were accurate.”

Vincendo grinned. He was also refreshing his memory. She was every bit as beautiful as he recalled.

Vesha jumped up and slipped her shoes back on, then bent to pick up a basket. “I thought we‘d start with a walk around the local area,” she said, indicating the basket. “I’ve brought us a picnic lunch.”

“Great. That’s great.” Vincendo was genuinely happy with the idea, but he was also a little concerned.

Perhaps that reflected in his tone, for Vesha looked up sharply. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

He shook his head quickly. “Nothing, Vesha. It’s just that – - well – - it seems a bit of a cheek to expect you to give up your time in this way, and it’s been worrying me ever since you volunteered. Are you really sure you don’t mind?”

For a moment Vincendo was afraid that she was going to make some excuse, and back down; he certainly detected a brief look of relief flash across her features when he asked the question Then she gave a slight frown and shake of the head, followed by another of her disturbing smiles, before replying in a combination of words and deed. She reached out to take his hand then walked off, pulling him

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