A Time for Friends by Patricia Scanlan

Author:Patricia Scanlan [Scanlan, Patricia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781471110832
Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

‘Are you sure I can’t drive you to the airport?’ Hilary offered as she neatly folded a set of plans they had been working on and placed them in the large green folder on her desk.

‘Not at all, Hil. Go home and spend time with the girls. You said you were going to.’ Jonathan scrolled down through his phone for the number of the taxi firm he used. He gave them the address and glanced at his watch. ‘I’ve loads of time before check-in. I’ll have a coffee and a mosey around while I’m waiting for Leon, and get myself in holiday mode.’ He and Leon were going to London for a short post-Easter break that had been arranged on the spur of the moment. He still couldn’t quite believe that it was happening.

‘Are you excited?’ Hilary asked him fondly, delighted that his new relationship was progressing so well.

‘Yeah! And a bit nervous. I really think this is it, Hilary. At long, long last I think I’m going about it the right way, taking things slowly and really enjoying being friends first. We get on very well. We’ve got so much in common. He’s fun to be with and I fancy the pants off him. Tonight’s gonna be the night.’

‘I hope you’re staying somewhere nice.’ Hilary sat back in her chair and stifled a yawn.

‘He wanted us to book a Jurys Inn, but I wanted somewhere a little bit more special, so we’re taking cheap flights, and I’m paying for the hotel. That’s why we’re flying Ryanair,’ he grimaced. ‘Imagine having to stand queuing, and then being told the gate has changed and then that mad gallop to get seats when you’re boarding. Only for love, I tell you, only for lurv!’ he declaimed, throwing his hands wide in a Shakespearean gesture.

Hilary laughed at his theatrics. ‘So where are you staying?’

‘The Franklin.’ He sat down on the edge of her desk. ‘It’s a lovely, quirky, five-star townhouse hotel just off the Brompton Road. I love it. The rooms are fab, all designed very differently to suit their size and shape and orientation. I get great ideas when I’m there. It’s got an honesty bar and a pretty little garden. And Knightsbridge is just a stone’s throw away. Harvey Nicks, Harrods, the V&A across the road – what more could you want? And I just can’t wait to show the Brompton Oratory to Leon, he’ll adore it. You know all that over-the-top High Renaissance Baroque-style architecture, and the stunning murals and paintings. Fabuloussss!!’ Jonathan was giddy with excitement.

‘Sounds amazing. You’re going to have a brilliant time and you deserve it.’ Hilary jumped to her feet and gave him a tight hug.

‘Well it’s only for three days. It was all he could get off, but it’s fine because it’s our first time away together.’

‘London is perfect for a short getaway; I used to love visiting Colette before both of us got married. Haven’t been in ages. I might suggest a trip to Niall sometime.

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