Singing in the Wilderness (22 page)

‘I like yours too,’ she said. ‘Amber is on her way to her husband. She came to thank us, though she has nothing to thank me for. She wants us to visit them some time in Beirut.’

‘And shall we?’

She stood up and nodded. ‘Cas, have I told you that I love you, and how grateful I am for clearing my father— and me too
?
You couldn’t have given me a nicer present!’

He took the writing block from her, his eyes falling to the page she had just written. His eyebrows rose. ‘A motet for our first child’s christening?’ He gave her an amused look. ‘I knew you’d think of something!’ He threw the pad down on the floor and held out his hands to her. ‘You’re slipping, honey. Aren’t you going to pick it up and tidy it away
?
’

She shook her head, making no effort to move at all. ‘It isn’t worth nagging you about. I’m sorry, Cas, that I ever thought it was.’

He pulled her closer into his arms. ‘If you leave it there, it’ll still be there in the morning. Speak now, or forever hold your peace!’

She looked down at the pad and then up at him, the smile growing in her eyes. She lifted her face for his kiss and her arms crept up round his neck in total abandonment to his caress.

‘Oh, phooey,’ she said. ‘Who cares about it anyway?’