Echo by LunaFlower

(Disclaimed: 'Insatiable', Darren Hayes)

'I like the sense of history and of whispered conversations long since forgotten in the hallways. I don't want to say 'haunted'.. but there's definitely a sense of the past here..'

Darren Hayes - Journal

18.04.02

'When moonlight crawls along the street...chasing away the summer heat...'

Darren moseyed down the grand sweeping staircase, humming one of his latest tracks, resisting very hard the urge to swing one leg over the highly polished wooden banister and slide down its gentle curves as, in his opinion, an infinitely more pleasurable way to reach his destination.

The banister smelt of beeswax and elbow grease, the shine on its surface owing as much, no doubt, to countless generations of young (and he suspected not quite-so-young) boys doing just what he had been contemplating, as it did to the diligence and hard work of the housekeeping staff. It was, after all, simply crying out to be slid down.

Instead he made his way to the bottom using the more traditional method known as putting one foot in front of the other.

The mansion, to his mind castle, in which he currently found himself was in the middle of absolute nowhere, tucked away discreetly in the Scottish highlands, run by an elderly couple and their small army of loyal staff.

It was this isolation, plus the fact that the owners didn't have a clue who he was, that led to Leo, his manager, decreeing that it was the perfect place for him to take an extended break. A place to chill and recharge before he embarked on the second leg of his, what at times could be, punishing promotional tour in support of his third album.

If he were to close his eyes Darren imagined that he would still be able to make out the figures of those whom had inhabited this sumptuous building in the past. In its heyday.

The beautiful daughters of local lairds walking down the staircase as he had done, their long silk dresses rustling exotically behind them. Being met at the foot by young, rich noblemen resplendent in brocade and velvet frock-coats who, clicking their heels together politely, would offer their hands to the beautiful daughters, who in turn would incline their head in acceptance and take the offered hand, allowing themselves to be escorted into the grand hall for dinner, to followed by dancing the night away in the magnificent ballroom.

Reverently he ran a hand along one plastered wall. 'Ah,' he thought to himself, 'if only these walls could talk I bet they would have some tales to tell.'

Another image, this one unbidden, came to Darren's mind. Still of the young noblemen but this time as they would have appeared when returning from an early morning ride.

The upper legs of their trousers splattered with clods of dark earth. Knee length boots with droplets of dew still adorning them. Silk shirts clinging to their sweat-soaked torsos. Hair awry; strands escaping errantly from the confines of elegant ponytails to fall down around their flushed faces. A couple of loyal hounds at their side and a leather riding crop in their hand as they strode across the stable yard.

Darren pulled himself up short, realising that if he continued down this path then he would be forced to return to his room and that would further delay him in meeting Leo for the evening meal as planned.

Trying to remember which room, amongst the many he had had pointed out to him when they arrived that afternoon, was the dining room, he experimentally pushed open a heavy oak door.

To his relief Darren saw that it was indeed the dining room and there was Leo, lounging on one of the elegantly upholstered sofas, a glass of pre-dinner Scotch in his hand, patiently waiting as ever for his tardy star to grace the meal table with his presence.

'At last, the Diva arriveth.' He said not unkindly as Darren approached him.

'Yeah sorry about that, forgot the breadcrumbs.'

'Come on, apparently they do a great wild salmon here and I am anxious to sample it.'

Standing Leo led the way to a table set for two situated in a corner by the floor to ceiling windows that looked out over the nearby loch.

Leo, nobody called him Leonard unless they had taken care to sign their will that morning, had been Darrens manager from day one. Had guided him through the often thorny world that was the entertainment industry and had seen his protégéé grow from a small town boy with big ambitions to one of the most bankable pop stars the world had ever known. He knew Darren possibly better than anyone, possibly even his own mother. He certainly knew things about her son that would have made Mrs Hayes blush. But not even he knew everything. He had his suspicions of course but wasnt about to make them public and watch his carefully nurtured goldmine disappear down the toilet.

As long as Darren was discreet, and up to now he had been, Leo wasnt about to start calling him on his choice of bed partner. If the person involved was of a legal age and hadnt been coerced or paid for, who Darren chose to spend the night with was of no concern to him. It wasnt as if a girlfriend or wife dripping off his arm would have made him feel any better. He needed his star to be single, at least in outward appearances, it made for much better mileage out of the female fans if they thought they stood even the remotest chance of bedding the man that formed the subject of their countless wet dreams.

Dinner was an amicable affair, Darren more than happy with the roast vegetables and local goats cheese salad that the chef prepared for him. Sure beat the usual offering of some tomato based dish that was then smothered in melted processed cheese.

The talk was of inconsequential things; the prospect of a walk tomorrow if the weather was fine, Leo's desire to visit a local distillery and indulge in his passion for finely matured whiskies, whether Darren was happy with his room and did he have everything he required?

'Yes, will you stop worrying. This place is perfect, I love it here. It's wild, it's rugged, the bed doesn't sway from side to side when I try to sleep on it and I don't have brace myself every time I go to the bathroom.'

Leo laughed. They had spent rather a lot of time both in the air and on the road lately. That was one of the reasons he had suggested this short holiday. The one thing he couldn't afford to let happen was for Darren to get burn-out.

'Just as long as you like it.'

'I like it. Now will you quit fussing and put that poor fish out of its misery.'

Afterwards Leo announced his intention to retire to his room, ordered a bottle of the hotels finest malt to be sent up and went on his merry way, leaving Darren with strict instructions not to stay up too late and turn in himself before he metamorphosed back into a pumpkin.

Shaking his head Darren watched him go and then signalled for a coffee, relocating to the sofas whilst he waited for it to arrive.

'Perhaps you would care to take your coffee in the library?' The lady of the house suggested in a soft voice at his shoulder.

'May I?' Darren asked. He had seen it briefly that afternoon and his attention had immediately been taken with the rows upon rows of books that formed the walls of the room.

'But of course. I'll have Harry make up a fire in there for you.'

That sounded even better.

'Thank you.' Darren touched her arm gently. 'Thats sounds very nice indeed.'

'No problem pet, you go on through and I'll have someone bring your drink in shortly.'

Thus, half an hour later Darren was happily curled up in one of the big leather armchairs, a cup of coffee in a bone china cup on the table by his elbow, a roaring fire in the grate and a hardback copy of Keats poetry open on his lap.

He loved Keats, especially 'The Eve of St Anges', he found it such a romantic, touching tale. Darren admired how the poet could weave a story with his words. It was all there; love, longing and ultimately a happy ending.

As he sipped at his coffee, the logs occasionally snapped and popped as the fire burnt down but apart from that the room was silent and Darren undisturbed.

At some point he must have fallen asleep for when he looked up he was surprised to find that it was no longer just himself and John Keats enjoying the solitude of the library.

It struck Darren that the newcomer was dressed somewhat oddly. His attire more fitting to a bygone era than the 21^st century. He was wearing a pair of dark moleskin trousers, a cream shirt buttoned up to the neck and fastened with a flowing cravat and a snugly fitting black waistcoat that Darren judged to be silk in origin. In fact he looked exactly as if he had just stepped out of one of the portraits that hung at intervals along the hallways and up the staircase. Maybe the house also ran tours or something and this man was a guide, costumed in period clothing to add a sense of history to the old building. Though Darren couldnt remember anything of that nature being mentioned in the brochure that he had quickly skimmed through before coming down to dinner.

The man smiled and nodded his head in greeting.

'Good evening.' He said politely.

'Good evening.' Darren replied equally politely.

His companion was sat in a high-backed chair by the fire, no more than ten feet from Darren and Darren could see the firelight reflect in his green eyes as the stranger got up and walked towards him.

He guessed his age at roughly that of his own but it was difficult to tell. This man conducted himself as one much older, one who had seen much and experienced much over the course of his life.

'My name is Daniel and yours would be?'

'Erm, Darren.' Darren managed to remember.

'Pleased to meet you Darren.' And he put out his hand for Darren to shake which after only a moments hesitation he did. It was all too uncanny for belief, Daniel even had his sandy blond hair tied back with a black silk ribbon, the obligatory locks escaping round the sides.

'Forgive me for asking but do you work here?' Darren asked.

Daniel laughed, a soft musical sound that instantly sent shivers down Darren's spine.

'No, I live here. Have done for many years now.'

'Oh.' Darren wasnt sure how to respond to that and was saved from having to by Daniel peering down at the finely bound volume that still rested on Darren's knee.

'Keats.' Darren said by way of explanation, lifting the book up and presenting the gold embossed cover for Daniel's inspection.

'Can't say I care for the chap myself,' Daniel replied. 'I prefer something a little more classic, Homer for instance.'

'The Oddessy.' Darren volunteered.

'You know of his work I see.'

'Before I went into my current profession I was an English student, I studied his work at university.'

'Ah a man of learning as well.' For some reason this seemed to please Daniel. 'So tell me Darren,' he walked over and stood with his back to the embers, placing his hands behind his him, looking as if he did indeed own the place, 'what brings you our tiny corner of Scotland?'

'I'm on holiday.' Darren answered, unable to take his eyes off of the man before him, back lit as he now was by the dying glow of the fire Darren was able to make out the clearly defined muscles of his legs under the cloth of his trousers, the smooth curve of his neck that was just visible above his cravat. And he was enraptured.

'Well you have certainly picked a very lovely spot in which to sojourn. Perhaps you will allow me to show you around some of it.'

'I'd be delighted.' The words were out of his mouth before Darren could stop them. 'In fact I was thinking of going for a quick stroll down to the loch before bedtime if you would like to join me?' Idiot, idiot, Darren cursed himself. That was way too forward. Daniel would be sure to decline his invitation.

'Yes, the loch.' Daniel said sadly and Darren mentally kicked himself once more.

'But of course if you would rather not...' He added hurriedly.

'No, I would love to accompany you as you take the night air.' Daniel told him. 'The water is always so peaceful this time of night.'

'Then shall we?' Ignoring the fact that the rather impressive Grandfather clock that stood guard against the opposite wall showed the time to be well after one, Darren laid down his book and rose to his feet.

Daniel nodded and together they left the cosy warmth of the library and headed for the front door.

The door had of course already been locked up for the night but a key hung on a hook just beside it for the convenience of any guest that wished, as Darren did, to leave the premises after hours.

Taking the key Darren drew back the bolt and opened the door, allowing Daniel to pass through ahead of him.

The air outside was chilly but not unpleasantly so, the day had been bright and some heat still lingered, enough to bring goosebumps to Darren's arms initially but not enough to prompt him to turn back.

The sky was clear and devoid of cloud, thereby permitting a myriad of stars to be displayed upon its inky cloak. A full moon gave just sufficient light for them to be able to discern their path and added to the surreal atmosphere that his being here with Daniel had created.

'I used to love walking down here.' Daniel said, breaking the companionable silence that had enveloped them as they made their way down to the gently lapping water.

'Used to?' Darren enquired cautiously, not really wanting to probe. A sense of sadness had returned to Daniel's voice as he spoke and Darren knew enough about wanting to retain ones individual privacy to not wish to cause the man any discomfort.

'This was once the place where I would meet up with someone whom I loved very much.'

The words were spoken softly as if Daniel was remembering.

'Oh... I'm sorry. Look if you want to we could go back to the house, perhaps have a nightcap in my room?'

The man had just more-or-less informed him that he had lost someone very close to him and here he was practically propositioning him. Bad Darren, he told himself but couldn't help it. Every time he glanced at Daniel he took Darren's breath away. Just to be near him made his heart speed up. It wasn't the first time he had felt like this around a complete stranger but it was the strongest. Maybe it was the location, the condition of the sky, heck maybe it was even the full moon but Darren was attracted to Daniel like he had never been attracted to anyone before. Not even Cam and that one had lasted almost eighteen months; a record in Darren's book of relationships.

'No, it is fine.' Daniel said in response to Darren's question. And he smiled, his lips curving in a gentle arch to show that he really did mean it and that Darren had caused him no offence.

'You must have loved her very much.' Darren said, even though saying 'her' pierced him to the very core but suddenly finding it important to know just what kind of playing field he was being presented with here. After all Daniel had agreed to come with him on this walk when he could have just as easily declined and gone to his own room leaving Darren to stroll alone.

It wasn't usually in Darren's nature to be this predatory nor this forthright but there was something in Daniel's posture, something about the way he kept meeting Darren's eyes, the little smiles of reassurance, that made him willing to bet his next Platinum record that he was right about this one.

Daniel stopped walking, paused before answering. 'Yes, yes I loved them very much.'

Bingo! Darren thought with a faint sense of triumph. He had said 'them'. Dead giveaway. People only said 'them' when they were trying to be ambiguous about the gender of their partner. He should know, he said it all the time in interviews. To say anything else would probably give Leo the long overdue coronary that a lifetime of red meat, fine wines and horrendously smelly cigars had so far failed to achieve.

'Them?' Darren enquired gently, 'you said 'them'.'

Daniels face flushed. 'I am sorry for my lapse, I meant 'her'.'

This time it was Darren who stopped walking. 'No you didn't,' he said in a whisper, 'you meant 'him' didn't you? It's ok I understand. I say it myself.' He confided. He would never have dared say such a thing to someone before, to do so was to blow his cover but he instinctively knew that he could trust Daniel with his secret.

Daniel went down to the water's edge, picked up a random stone and set it skimming over the glass like surface of the loch. 'Then you understand?'

'What?' Darren replied selecting a stone of his own, 'The lies, the deceit, having to keep up a constant presence in front of your family and friends. Yes Daniel I understand.'

Two stones went skipping out to land with a gentle 'plop' into the depths.

'So nobody knew?' Darren prompted.

Daniel sat down on the damp grass, picked idly at a blade of heather. 'Not at first, we kept it a secret but we were found out. My father sent him away, forbade me to have any more contact with him.' A solitary tear began to seep down Daniel's cheek and without thinking Darren went and wrapped his arms around Daniel's sagged body. There were no ulterior motives in his actions, just a desire to comfort this man whose pain he felt as if it was his own.

'That's terrible.' He said as he rubbed his hands soothingly over Daniels back, feeling his whole body shudder as the tears came unchecked now.

Daniel brought a hand up and wiped away his tears. 'The worse thing was that I never got to say goodbye to him. I loved him and he never knew it.'

'I'm sure he knew.' Darren tried to reassure him, pulling him closer and placing a soft kiss in his hair.

Afterwards Darren was never quite sure what made him do what he did next except that it just felt 'right' to slowly untie the ribbon from Daniels hair, to shake out the blond locks, to cradle Daniels face in his hands, to lean in and close the last few inches between them, to tenderly kiss the seductive bow of Daniel's lips.

He expected Daniel to push him away but he didn't. Instead his own hands came to rest on the back of Darren's neck and the next thing he knew Daniel was kissing him back, gently parting his lips with his tongue, easing him back so that they were both laid on the dew crusted grass.

'I'm sorry.' Darren breathed when Daniel drew back, his lips going to suckle gently on the soft skin of Darren's neck.

Daniel looked up, stroked back a strand of Darren's hair that had fallen into his eyes. 'Sssh,' he placed a finger over Darren's wet lips, 'don't ever be sorry for who you are.'

The finger was removed and replaced by Daniel's lips.

Darren sighed and gave in. He had never tasted anyone as sweet as Daniel. He felt the soft brush of Daniel's hair as it ghosted over his face, felt his hands as they caressed his lower back, felt the urgency take over as his hips moved of their own accord to meet Daniel's, felt the hardness that pressed against his own, discernible through the fabric that still clothed them both.

'Are you sure you want to do this?' Darren asked as his hands drifted down to rest on Daniel's hips, as Daniel's lips nipped at Darren's collarbone.

'You are so beautiful.' Daniel said, sitting back on the heels of his elegant boots, his hands gliding over Darren's chest.

Darren took this as a 'yes'.

Their lips met again.

Boldly Darren slipped his tongue between Daniel's soft lips, felt Daniel sigh gently into his mouth before their tongues touched, before Daniel's hands tangled themselves in Darren's hair, twisting the strands and pulling him even deeper into the kiss.

One of Daniel's legs slipped between his and Darren gasped as the muscled flesh rubbed over his rapidly growing erection, the friction as Daniel moved up and down his body deliciously frustrating.

Darren's hand moved down Daniel's back to his buttocks, held him to him, urged him on.

Somehow buttons were undone, skin met skin, Daniel's chest feeling smooth and cool against the heat that was rapidly rising in Darren. Trousers were pushed down to knees and before Darren could even raise the obligatory question about protection Daniel's cock was poised at his entrance, causing his whole body to tingle with anticipation and want.

The need to have Daniel inside him took over and wordlessly he used his hands to help guide Daniel in, sighing as Daniel's body covered his own and inch by inch he made his way in.

Once fully sheathed Daniel didn't hang about, giving Darren no time to settle before pulling part of the way out and thrusting in again.

Darren gave himself up to the Earth and to the all consuming feeling that only the presence of another man could produce. He knew that if he lived to be a hundred being with a woman would never make him feel so good, so complete. It was something he had figured out many years ago and had never regretted his choice of lifestyle. True having to keep it hidden, even from his family, hurt him but it was the price he paid for wanting both a career and a love life.

'Daniel,' he managed to gasp as another thrust hit his pleasure spot and sent him soaring, spiralling out of control.

He looked into Daniel's eyes and was a little surprised to see a faraway look in them as if he was lost in another time and place. Still Darren knew enough about sex to know that it affected some people that way.

He certainly wasn't complaining as they rocked together, each movement Daniel made feeling better then the last one. He might have been locked in another place but the look on Daniel's face told Darren that the experience was proving as pleasurable for his companion as it was for him.

When his climax hit it hit with a shuddering force causing Darren to close his eyes and moan out Daniel's name over and over again.

A cold breeze washed over him and he heard Daniel faintly whisper. 'I love you.' A soft kiss was placed on his forehead. 'Goodbye my darling.'

And then Darren did something that up until now he thought only occurred in fairy stories.

He passed out.

When he came to purple ribbons were streaking the sky and Daniel was gone.

He ached all over, his back already protesting the awkward position he had left it in. Getting up he rubbed at his protesting muscles and surveyed with a resigned dismay the grass stains that adorned his shirt and the seat of his trousers. Somehow his clothing had all been returned to its rightful place and to the casual observer it would appear as if he had done nothing more alarming then spend the night sleeping out under the stars.

Making his way back up to the hotel he had the misfortune to encounter Leo in the lobby.

'Just don't ask ok.' He said, holding his hands up to signal that he was not going to discuss the matter further.

Leo shook his head as if to say 'Whatever, you're the Diva in this relationship' and grateful for his manager's indulgence in his sometimes eccentric behaviour Darren headed up to his room.

As he climbed the staircase he began to wonder whether he hadn't just imagined the whole thing but seeing how his back wasnt the only part of his body that was aching Darren knew that he hadn't. He and Daniel had really made love last night and it had been wonderful.

He was a little hurt that Daniel hadn't hung around for the morning and he resolved to ask at reception to see if he could at least find out what room he was staying in. It would just be his luck to find out that Daniel was a closet case and was probably here on honeymoon or something.

His admission of having loved, and lost, a male lover didn't necessarily mean that he was out or had even admitted the truth to himself but somehow Darren hadn't picked up that vibe from him last night. Closet cases were usually more restrained in their actions, Daniel hadn't even once glanced over his shoulder or shown any hesitation in responding to Darrens advances.

A few hours later, freshly showered and with a clean change of clothes on, Darren strode casually down to reception.

The elderly proprietress was manning the desk and seeing Darren approach she smiled.

'I trust everything was to your liking last night?' She asked and Darren felt himself blush before he realised that she was only referring to the library.

'Yes, thank you.' He returned her smile. 'Actually there is something I would like to ask you.'

'Yes?'

'Erm, about another guest, I mean I'll understand if it's confidential or whatever...' Darren knew he was rambling and catching himself mid-breath he asked his question. 'You have a guy staying here, about my age, perhaps a little taller, collar length blond hair?'

The women looked a little puzzled. 'I'm sorry but there is no one staying here who matches that description. You are our youngest guest at the moment by quite some way.'

Darren was confused. 'Then perhaps he works here? I saw him last night, in the library, he was dressed a bit oddly, kind of in period costume?' He continued hopefully.

Her expression changed and coming round the other side of the counter she took Darrens hand in her gnarled one. 'Come with me, there is something I would like to show you. I think I know who your mystery man was.'

Silently she led Darren back up the stairs and through a door marked 'Private'. They came into a gallery that had yet more portraits hanging on either side. She stopped them in front of one and pointed. 'Is that who you saw?' She asked gently.

Darren took a step forward in order to get a better look and in that moment his heart skipped a beat.

There in a suit of clothes very similar to those that he had been wearing when Darren met him was Daniel. Whoever had painted the portrait had done a very good job indeed, capturing the sparkle in Daniel's emerald eyes, the soft curve of his smile, the way he stood so proud and tall.

'Yes...' Darren said in little more than a whisper. 'But that's impossible. Who is this? Some ancient relative of the guy?'

The women shook her head and indicated the brass plaque that was mounted on the bottom of the painting.

Darren suddenly felt very light-headed and gripped onto the back of a nearby chair for support.

Motherly the proprietress made him sit down with his head between his knees before she spoke again.

'The man in the picture is my great-grandfathers brother. By rights the house should have gone to his issue but he never produced any heirs.'

'Why not?' Darren asked, already instinctively knowing the answer.

'I think you know why Darren.'

Shocked Darren looked up and she nodded.

'They were very much in love weren't they?'

'Yes.' She answered. 'Family history has it that they met whilst Daniel was studying in London. When he finished his studies he moved back up here to the ancestral seat in order to fulfil his duties as the eldest son of a laird was expected to and he brought his lover with him. Of course nobody suspected that they were anything other than friends. I guess that sort of thing just wasn't even imagined in those days.'

'But they got found out.' Darren remembered his conversation with Daniel. 'And the lover was sent away.'

'They fell into the habit of going for long walks down by the loch and one evening they were seen in an embrace by Daniel's father. He went into an almighty rage and immediately sent Dominic, yes Darren that was his name, away. Daniel was heartbroken and begged his father to let him go as well but he would hear none of it.'

'What happened?'

'Nobody knows exactly but as he rode away that night Dominic's horse threw him, he broke his neck and died instantly.'

'He never got to say goodbye.' Darren whispered, gazing up sadly at the portrait.

'Sorry?'

'He told me last night, he never got to say goodbye, never got to tell him that he loved him.' With a shock Daniels final words came back to him. 'Oh shit!'

'Darren?'

'He told me he loved me and then he said goodbye.'

'Daniel?'

'Yes last night, he told me he loved me and then he said goodbye.'

Instead of dismissing Darren's words as the ramblings of a madman the proprietress smiled at him in understanding.

'I'm sorry, please finish your story.'

She shrugged. 'There is not much left to tell. Daniel fell into a deep depression and used to spend hours just gazing out of the window, some say waiting for his lover to return to him. One night he went missing and it was feared that he had run off back to London.'

'But he hadn't.' With a shiver Darren knew how the story ended.

'No. The following morning his body was found washed up on the shore. He had drowned himself in the loch.'

'That's terrible.' Darren felt the tears begin to well up in his eyes. Nobody should ever have been treated like that. Driven to that. Least of all someone as beautiful as Daniel.

'Over the years various members of the family reported seeing a young man walking the house or down by the loch, always in the wee small hours. Daniel searching for his lost love.'

Darren bit back a sob.

'But somehow I don't think there are going to be anymore sightings. Do you?'

'Excuse me?' Darren looked up, smiled through his tears as she kindly took his hand in hers again.

'I think Daniel finally found a way to say goodbye and be with his lover one last time.'

'How did you know...I mean that we...?'

'Darren the look in your eyes, the expression on your face when you were describing him to me. I knew straight away that this was someone very special to you.'

Darren sighed. 'Are you telling me that what I...saw last night was a...'

'Yes and you mustn't feel frightened because of it. What you did was a very special thing and helped Daniel to find the one thing he had been searching for for over a century. Peace.'

Darren rose to his feet, offered his arm to the elderly women who was indeed a true embodiment of the old adage that age brought wisdom and together they made to leave the gallery.

Just before they passed through the door Darren turned round and took one last look at the portrait that hung there. 'Goodbye Daniel.' He whispered. 'Sleep well with your love.'

One Year Later

'Darren, it is good to see you again.'

'You remember me?' Darren smiled at the elderly lady behind the front desk.

'But of course I do. How are you? And who is your lovely companion?' She said with a twinkle in her eye.

'Ah,' Darren blushed but didn't loosen his hold on his companion's hand. 'This is Lee.'

'Very pleased to met you Lee.' She nodded at the dark-haired man stood shyly beside Darren.

'Likewise.' Lee returned.

'Well,' she addressed Darren again, 'your room is all ready for you.'

'Thank you.'

'I've put you in a very special room. It used to be my great-grandfather's brother's. I hope you don't mind.'

'Not if he doesn't'. Darren said with chuckle.

'No, somehow I think he would whole-heartedly approve.'

'Actually I was wondering, that is if you dont mind, whether I could show Lee the gallery at some point.'

'Be my guest.'

'Shall we then?' Darren indicated with a slant of his head towards the staircase, his right hand drifting down to the small velvet box that sat in his trouser pocket.

Lee nodded and bent down to pick up their overnight bags.

As he did so the proprietress leant over and touched her hand to Darren's arm. Lowering her voice she smiled and asked. 'So what time shall I have the champagne sent up?'

Darren just laughed and shaking his head gave her a small kiss on the cheek. 'You really don't miss a thing do you?'

'I could see it in your eyes.'

Still laughing Darren took his bag from Lee and led him up the grand sweeping staircase.