Chapter 26

We should both have slept for several more hours. The events of the previous night, followed by our repeated love-making, had left us close to exhaustion. I insisted we move on, however. There would be ample time to catch up on our sleep the next night, but it was vital that we made our way home as soon as we could. My bed was waiting, I reminded her, and it was even more welcoming than the one we’d just occupied.

     ‘Let’s get moving, then,’ she said, smiling broadly despite her obvious weariness. ‘I hope you’re going to reveal your plans for our honeymoon now?’

     ‘We’re going to London. On the bike – it’s so much easier to park.’

     She had been about to turn the ignition key, but dropped her hand from it as if it had suddenly become red-hot.

     ‘You’re out of your mind! In case you haven’t heard, they’re on the verge of civil war down there!’

     ‘You know how the media exaggerate everything,’ I responded calmly. ‘You can be sure the worst of the trouble is confined to the big housing estates, well away from the centre. Those aren’t exactly major tourist attractions, and even this Government should have matters in hand soon. Anyway, I’ve got us tickets for a West End play the first night, and the LSO the second, so we’re jolly well going. Didn’t I recently promise to safeguard your welfare at all times?’

     ‘It still seems crazy to me,’ she protested, but she was weakening. I moved in to finish her off.

     ‘Oh, we’re also having afternoon tea at a posh hotel. With liveried waiters, and a string quartet playing.’

     ‘You fiend! Going for my weak spot, by promising to fulfil my life’s ambition… I’ve a good mind to divorce you.’

     ‘You know you don’t mean that,’ I chided as she turned the key.

     The journey back passed without incident. Neither of us drove for more than half an hour at a time, and we took every opportunity to stop for coffee. Near Stafford the traffic was thickening ominously.

     ‘Remember when the roads were quiet on Sundays?’ I remarked. ‘I don’t know about you, but I think we’ve seen enough of the M6.’