18 |                                  NEIL MAVRICK                                

along. “Come along. Don’t be so silly.” They headed away from the water’s edge and into the nearby trees.

“Hang on,” Vincendo said, taking the basket from her. “Let me carry that.” He was rewarded by a warm smile of thanks as they set out at a measured pace, steady, but easy to maintain, and Vincendo fell in beside her. She had not let go of his hand.

* * *

“Well, girl, you had your chance and you blew it.” Vesha looked at her reflection in the mirror. She was using her full-body drier after taking a shower, talking out loud as she did so. “He gave you the opportunity to pull out, but you couldn’t take it, could you?”

She was nervous waiting for Vincendo that morning. Well, nervous and excited. She’d deliberately steered clear of any kind of relationship since her parents’ death, not wanting to risk being hurt again should she become emotionally attached to anyone, but here she was, waiting to meet a guy from the other side of the continent. How stupid was that? On a couple of occasions, part of her wanted to run back home and forget all about him, but stronger feelings urged her to stay. Then he actually asked her if she really wanted to give up her time. For a moment she almost seized the opportunity to escape, but that stronger urge wanted to know more. No contest. But it was a good day. They got on really well. She enjoyed herself, and she was pretty sure that Vincendo did so also.

But now?

The face in the mirror looked back at her, and spoke again. “OK, you like the guy, but face facts, girl, could you really consider leaving Dallishes Land? That’s what it would mean.”