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Tilly winked at her, but before she could say anything, it was their turn to sing.

“Not bad,” Billy said when they were done. “You need a lot more practice, though. Can you commit to seeing each other outside of rehearsal?”

Sophie choked back a laugh as Tilly agreed rather too enthusiastically.

“Good,” said Billy. “In fact, you can stay here now if you like. Just be sure to turn out the lights when you’re done. The hall will be open until ten.”

She dismissed the rest of the choir and they left, Jules dropping a lascivious wink in Sophie’s direction as she went out.

And then they were alone again.

“Ours until ten,” Tilly said, taking a step forward.

“That’s only fifteen minutes,” said Sophie, not quite daring to reach out and touch Tilly.

“That’s plenty of time for what I had in mind.”

Sophie laughed and shook her head. “Not here. It’s cold. It’s… just not here.”

Tilly nodded. “Fair enough.” She stepped forward again anyway, putting her arms around Sophie’s waist. “Do you know I’ve only kissed you once?”

“Ah,” said Sophie, her eyes fixated on Tilly’s rosy lips. “That means it’s my turn to kiss you, doesn’t it?”

She didn’t wait for an answer, leaning in, letting her lips brush Tilly’s, driving the kiss, putting more pressure on, until her hands were on Tilly’s face, until Tilly’s hands were pulling at her waist, pulling her in, closer.

She stumbled and Tilly took her weight for a moment, lifting her, positioning her until she was backed up against the piano and she could feel Tilly’s body pressed up against her own, could feel the firmness of her breasts, the sharpness of her hip-bones.

It was Tilly that stepped back, taking a gasping breath. “Jesus,” she said. “Jesus.” Another breath, slower this time. “Not here, right?”

Sophie shook her head. Anyone could come in. And she didn’t want things to be this way. She did want Tilly, however. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry. We’re adults, you’re right, we shouldn’t be fumbling around in public places. I’m a police officer. I don’t need a public nudity charge.”

Sophie snorted a laugh. “Naked in the village hall.”

“Not a good look.”

“Even if you’re very attractive?” Sophie asked.

Tilly didn’t answer. “Listen, the night after tomorrow, I’m babysitting at Max and Mila’s. Why don’t you come over? I’ll textyou when the kids are in bed. I’m sure Max and Mila won’t mind, but I’ll ask them, anyway. We could have a little privacy, have some dinner maybe. No expectations, I promise.”

Sophie bit her lip and nodded immediately. “No expectations,” she said. But her head, her stomach, her core were all swimming with expectations. She shivered against the cold. “It’s a date,” she said.

Tilly smiled. “Good. Now, do we need to leave separately?”

“Maybe?”

“You go first,” Tilly said. She leaned in and brushed Sophie’s lips with her own. “Best go before I change my mind.”

And Sophie ran off, warm and, for the first time in a long time, happy.

Chapter Twenty Two

Tilly was in such a good mood that even Ag banging out a rousing rendition of her concert piece at six thirty in the morning didn’t bother her in the slightest. “Nice job, Ag,” she called through to the living room as she went into the kitchen.

“It’s the zillionth time I’ve heard it,” Dash was moaning as she went in.

“Your sister has to practice,” said Mila.