Reversing Over Liberace by Jane Lovering Page B

I turn into when the moon gets up, so you ought to hurry.” Brisk now, no nonsense, he turned back around, no sign on his face that he’d been anything other than joking. Unless, if I looked closely there were lines of strain around his eyes that hadn’t been there a few minutes ago.
    â€œThe moon’s up already.”
    â€œIs it? The tablets must be working. Right, here’s the laptop. I’ve checked it and it’s running fine, but any problems—you know where to find me, don’t you?”
    I found myself hustled out of the door and went out onto the street with a feeling that something rather odd had happened, but not sure what it was.

Chapter Ten
    The week continued to give the illusion of spring, and after he picked me up on Wednesday evening, Luke suggested that we should go for a drive to the coast. This we did, and ended up sitting on a beach in a secluded cove.
    â€œAre you all right? You’ve been a bit quiet this evening.” I nestled myself closer to Luke against the chill of the incipient night.
    â€œYeah, I’m fine. It’s just, oh, work, money, stuff like that. You wouldn’t be interested.”
    â€œTry me.” I pulled his jacket around the pair of us, leaning into the smell of Aramis and snuggling into his shirt. His body was very warm.
    â€œIt, ah, it’s stupid stuff. You know how it goes. All the cash is tied up in Boston with James. I want to start looking at houses here in York but there’s nothing available to buy with until I start the business up and running, and I can’t do that without cars, which there isn’t any cash to buy because it’s all tied up in Boston. D’you see?” Luke looked down at me and curled his arm around me to pull us closer together. “Stupid stuff, as I said.”
    â€œHow much cash do you need?” My mouth was slightly dry.
    â€œOh, I dunno. ’Bout ten grand I think. Nothing amazing, only a bit more than the bank is prepared to lend, on top of the business loan we’ve already got. They’re saying maybe we should relocate where the stock might shift a bit faster. D’you know, yesterday my bank manager suggested that I’d be better off setting up the showroom down south, somewhere-on-Thames? Bloody cheek. I promised I’d think about it, but I reckon it’s a stupid idea. There’s plenty of classic car salesmen down there already. Still, if that’s what it takes to get the extra, maybe I should think about it. Always room for another Lamborghini in London.”
    All right, I admit it. I panicked. He was thinking about leaving , for God’s sake. I’d only just got him, and he was thinking about moving on. What was I supposed to do? “I could let you have the money,” I said.
    Luke smiled and kissed the top of my head. “Ah, sweetie, I know you would if you could, but it doesn’t matter. Things will turn out for the best eventually.”
    â€œBut I have got it.”
    I explained, fairly briefly and without reference to allotments, spaniels, books or boots. Luke’s mouth fell open and his eyes went very round. “I don’t believe it.”
    â€œSo if we’re only talking about ten thousand pounds, then I could get it for you tomorrow.” I paused. “Or, at least, as soon as the bank can transfer it.”
    â€œNo.” Luke shook his head. “I can’t let you, Willow. It’s not fair. James and I already owe our dad fifteen thousand for money he’s put in. We’ve got round that by making him a silent partner in the business, which means he gets a share of the profits, when we make any, but…”
    â€œThen make me one,” I said quickly. “A sleeping partner, or whatever. Then I know I’ll get my money back eventually. It’ll be like investing it. Oh, go on, Luke. Please.”
    â€œWell.” Luke ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know,