On one particularly benevolent golden morning it was difficult to resist the treacherous invitation of the sea. Swimming was dangerous because of the strong tides that swept in both directions around the headland, so they walked as usual. Noel was not the kind of man to keep his hands by his sides on these occasions, but he guarded against a recurrence of that first morning and passions never again flew out of control. The rest of the time Leonora’s objections were overcome and she accompanied them on the excursions by car. Guided by whim, sometimes they ate out at the local hotel or, more often, farther afield; sometimes they returned to the cottage for their evening meal, buckling down to the chores together in friendly compatibility. Once, Noel locked Lorraine and her aunt out of the kitchen, insisting on cooking the meal without female help. Although his voice was quieter on the subject of washing up, Lorraine was impressed. She hadn’t expected him to be so domesticated or such an expert.
