page36 (2/2)

But if that was the case then what har weekend like any other, she re, a chance to prove to herself that she was in control, in every way ‘It sounds perfect,’ she said ‘Count me in’

CHAPTER SEVEN

‘WHAT A SHAME we didn’t get to see some of Paris, but it was easier to fly in to Toulouse I would have liked to have shown you around Des the crea introduction

Now they were in his country, on his turf, Gabe was back behind the wheel, waving a protesting Polly into the passenger seat, refusing to listen to her attempts to direct him; no phone sat nav could possibly know the roads, the shortcuts better than the returning native

‘I’ve never been to Paris’ She was looking out of the , see at, the undulating hills and bright fields of lavender and sunflowers At one point Provence had felt too rural, too stiflingly parochial to hold him Now his blood thrilled to the scented air He was home

‘You ’

She was shaking her head ‘Nope Business I conduct in London Romance?’ She smiled wryly ‘I didn’t really take time in my twenties for romantic breaks and the least said about this year, the better’ She rubbed her stomach Gabe had noticed how often her hand crept there instinctively, unthinkingly, as if she had a primal need to connect with the life within

‘And I shop at Rafferty’s of course Or Milan or New York if I do want a busman’s holiday’

‘But’ He was incredulous Surely everyone came to Paris at some point in their lives ‘But what about fashion week?’

She shook her head ‘That’s the buyers’ job I can’t predict the next season’s hits and I don’t need to I pay people with far more flair to do it’

Oh, she had flair It helped that she was almost model tall and ned y slenderness in mind But she wore thener It was innate Even today, casual in a pair of skinny jeans and a yelloery top, she turned heads