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'Pleased to meet you, Beth'

As Mavis turned to her, Beth becahly by a pair of blue eyes surrounded by panda make-up A little taken aback, she murmured, 'Hello, Mavis I'm pleased to meet you too'

'I've kept your table once Dave said you were co, 'Your jeans are wet What on earth have you been doing?'

'Washing Beth's dog We took hirace himself'

'Right' Mavis nodded 'Bad as your two then, is he?'

Beth didn't know if Travis are that Mavis had put two and two together and made ten with that statelealanced at them both Quickly now she said, "Travis arrived on oodies in the local delicatessen, so if I don't do full justice to your lunch it's his fault'

'Oh, don't you worry, dear, we've all sorts to choose from

If you want soht the salh to the garden and I'll bring your drinks to you What are you having?'

Having given Mavis their order and waved at Dave, asthe bar with the help of a couple of barh the pub and out into the garden It wasn't at all what Beth had expected, having an aley feel to it rather than the smooth lawns covered with umpteen picnic tables such establishht iron tables and chairs were dotted here and there between riotous flowerbeds and sweet-s welcoarden was on a very slight slope which led down to the banks of the river, a s protection for children from the deep water, and an ar the bank on the other side

Travis stopped at a shtly apart from the others under the shade of a silver birch tree which overlooked the glittering water, pulling out her chair and then, once she was seated, sitting down himself It was only then he said, and very quietly, 'Why so defensive, Beth? Is it really so unthinkable for anyone to iht be lovers?'

She stared at hi 'I don't knohat youlovers'

'I saw your face' The grey gaze was unblinking

'Travis—'