Page 97 of Glow

“Me too. Even if we find ourselves here anyway.”

“Pah,” Scott said. “On very different terms.”

Prin leant up and kissed him. “True. Come on. Let’s get dressed.”

Scott groaned. “Out into the abyss. The heat that will kill me. Maybe I should stay here.”

“Scott!”

“I know, I’m only joking. Kind of.”

“How about I let you shower with me?” Prin said, getting off the bed.

“Now you’re talking.”

They met Nanny in one of his favourite restaurants overlooking the canal. He had been there many times with her over the years. Nanny had instilled a love of food in him early. She professed that the three things to give a child was appreciation of food, books and travel. She had succeeded.

“You look well, Nanny,” Prin said.

And he meant it. She had recently celebrated her seventieth birthday. Yet she didn’t look any different. Her eyes shone as she stared across the table at him.

“I am,” she said, still clutching his hands. “And all the better for seeing you.”

She turned to Scott.

“And who might you be?”

“Nanny. This is Scott.”

She appraised Scott for longer than was entirely comfortable. Prin feared she would trigger another sweating episode. But Scott held her gaze valiantly. If there was one thing Scott Fitzgerald knew, it was how to find a way to get on with someone. Prin had no doubt that he would charm Nanny at the first opportunity.

“You must forgive me,” she said. “This one’s happiness means everything.”

“I totally agree…”

Nanny glanced at Prin. “The perfect response. Tell me three things about yourself.”

Prin shuddered. She used to play this game with friends of his from school that he would invite back.

“Oh, gosh,” Scott said. “Right. Let me see. I look like my father but am more like my mother.”

“That is true,” Prin added.

Nanny nodded. “You’ve met the family?”

“Only my mother,” Scott said. “But my father will love him. Okay, second fact—I can juggle.”

“Can you?” Prin asked. “I didn’t know that.”

“You’ve a lot to discover yet, my friend.”

They both chuckled.

“And third, I’m head over heels in love with this one. How’s that, Mrs…?”

She reached across and squeezed Scott’s hand. “You can call me Nanny. If you’re to be part of the family.”

Prin gasped.