Summer of Love (45 page)

They could see Gus pacing outside on the terrace and Rory racing down to the shelter, his arms outstretched. Fiona started picked dead bits off the geraniums and Sian waggled her toes, testing to see if her ankle was improving. James put the chess pieces in their proper places.

Then Gus walked back in. He seemed subdued.

‘What? What’s the matter?’ said Sian.

‘That was Rollo.’

‘Yes? We’d kind of assumed it was,’ said Fiona.

Gus looked pale, as if he was in shock.

‘Darling, please tell us! If it’s bad news we can cope,’ said Fiona, taking his arm.

‘And we don’t need a house any more,’ said Sian, trying to reassure him.

‘Would you like a brandy?’ suggested James.

Gus began to smile. ‘No, it’s good news. It’s an amazing deal. Enough money to set up the business and maybe even put a deposit on a house!’

‘That much?’ said Sian. ‘Surely not.’

‘Two-book deal and’ – this seemed to be the most exciting part – ‘they’re talking about a television programme. One of the people at the meeting was from a TV company apparently. That’s why they can offer so much.’

Fiona went to him and hugged him. ‘Darling! This is wonderful.’

Sian, slower because of her injured ankle, got there next, and put her arms round him.

‘I think I’ll fetch that other bottle of fizz,’ said James to no one in particular.