章節 35: Chapter 35: Beat the heat at the beach

He was up early and walked to the local shops to buy the morning papers and fresh fruit and pastries, leaving Noel dead to the world. She was still sleeping when he returned and after making a pot of coffee for the next two hours he sat on the balcony reading the papers and emptying the pot. He knew when she woke, could feel her gaze. Occasionally he glanced back into the flat but each time met closed lids.

Close to noon she rose and padded into the bathroom. He stripped the beds and took everything down to the laundry at the back of the building. After a time she joined him and they sat under cover waiting for the cycle to finish.

'There's no need for you to do any of this.'

'Any of what?'

Noel nodded towards the washing machine. 'This. And shopping.'