Todd produced a key and openedthe front door. “I took the liberty of making a copy of your housekey. I hope you don’t mind? While you were in hospital, I arrangedto have the paint and mess cleaned up by one of our companycleaning agencies.”
Chloe didn’t mind. In fact, thethought of seeing the damage done by the paint, not to mention theblood, had caused her to lose sleep last night. “I’m very grateful,Todd. You seem to have thought of everything.”
“I also arranged forTruffle to board at a cattery. You don’t need to worry about who’sgoing to feed him. I couldn’t have him in the apartment.Sorry.”
“That’s one of hisstrong points. He’s very ‘take control’, very organised andmethodical, Chloe.” Samantha beamed at Todd and gave him animpromptu hug. She placed the basket at the bottom of the stairs tocollect on the way out. “Okay. Point me in the right direction andwe’ll get you packed and out of here toutsuite. “
“Are you sure you havetime, Sam?”
“Don’t worry, Chloe.I’ve left Daniel in charge of the office. He can manage it for acouple of hours. He’s done it before, many times. He’ll only haveto handle the odd walk-in. Todd cleared his schedule. There were noappointments booked this morning. Anyway, Daniel has my number ifhe needs me.”
Todd walked around checking thewindows and locks were secure, while Sam and Chloe packed whatwould have been enough for a month-long holiday on the Costa Brava.Struggling under the weight of the suitcase and a carry bag full ofshoes, Sam emerged at the top of the stairs and looked imploringlydown at Todd, who immediately climbed the steps two at a time torelieve her of the burden.
Todd’s working days were going tobecome much shorter, at least for the next few weeks. Knowing Chloewould be there to welcome him home each day pleased himimmensely.
On the way home, he dropped intoSouth Melbourne market to pick up smoked salmon, all theingredients for a light pasta dish, a freshly baked sourdough loaf,and salad vegetables. Threading his way through the packed aisles,he noticed a florist with a vibrant display of fresh flowers. Hehad the young sales assistant wrap a large bouquet of bright pinklilies and a posy of pale pink roses.
Chloe loved flowers. Casting hismind back, he remembered how reverently she had touched the fragilepetals of the flowers he had bought for her while in hospital.Adjusting and rearranging them in their containers had been a dailytask. He hoped they brought a smile to her face.
Chloe reclined on a sun loungeenjoying the sun’s late afternoon rays as it filtered onto thebalcony. Her face lit up when she saw him, just as he had imaginedit would. Whether because of the flowers or his arrival, it didn’tmatter. He would take the gift of her smile regardless. The air inthe apartment seemed fresher, the colours brighter, and he was inno doubt Chloe’s presence produced this light-hearted ambience. Shestruggled to get up, but he insisted she stay in exactly the samespot, and promised he would join her. Ten minutes later he emergedonto the balcony, casually dressed in jeans and an open-neckedwhite polo shirt, carrying two tall glasses of ice tea.
“I wasn’t expectingyou back so early.” Chloe accepted the tea gratefully.
“Surprised?” Toddperched on the edge of the chaise opposite.
“Pleasantly. Today hasbeen a blur. It’s lovely to see your smiling face.”
“Were youlonely?”
“No, just surprised athow secluded and quite it is up here. Samantha left right afterlunch. I am afraid I fell asleep on the couch for a bit. I didn’tmake it to bed. The leather is so soft it’s like floating on acloud. I drifted off before I knew it. This luxury will take a bitof getting used to … But once I do, I might never want to leave.”She sighed and closed her eyes, settling herself more comfortablyon the chaise cushions.
“No one is rushing youout the door. Stay as long as you like.” Todd sipped his tea asthat happy thought lingered on his mind for a few minutes longer.“I’m making pasta for dinner tonight. Can I get you anything tonibble on while I cook? Would you like some stuffed olives, or someappetisers?” Todd stood up, removing the empty glass from hergrasp.
“I’m fine, really. Butif you’re going to cook, can I come inside and watch you?” Chloereached out her hand to him.
“Don’t you trust me?”He pulled her carefully towards him, helping her retain herbalance.
“Of course I trustyou. I’m interested. I find it enjoyable to watch a mancooking.”
He held her shouldersfor a second longer than necessary, searching her upturnedface. Do you? Do you trust me,Chloe? “Something you have experienced inFrance, I take it.”
“Yes. I was seeingsomeone in Paris who could cook exceptionally well. He was a chefat a restaurant near the Lido.”
Momentarily thrown bythe mention of another man, the smile almost disappeared. The sharpburn of jealousy edged its way into his thoughts. He pushed itdown, released her and turned towards the kitchen.Keep busy, keep moving. Don’t spoil this nightbefore it has begun.
“Ah, so I have toprove myself tonight. Well, I’m up for the challenge. I’m making myspecial homemade pasta with smoked salmon, capers and dill. I thinkyou’ll enjoy it, because I happen to know you likeseafood.”
Todd observed his guest movingthrough the open-plan apartment as he prepared to make theirdinner. As soon as Chloe had settled herself on the couch and putup her feet, he began to collect his ingredients. He had anunconcious ease and grace in his own environment, thoroughlyenjoying showing off his culinary talents.
Chloe twirled the forkful ofsalmon pasta on the plate, concentrating on sweeping up some of thecream sauce. She took her time as she savoured the first bite,wiping her lips with the linen napkin, taking a sip ofwater
“Todd, it iswonderful. Every bit as delicious as you said it would be. Thesauce is light and creamy. The fresh pasta is al dente. Allperfect! You get a ten out of ten, for effort, table presentationand taste.”
Chloe reached out to fluff up theheads of the small pink roses he had positioned between them in acrystal vase. Then
