In the Mists of Time by Marie Treanor

her.
    â€œWant a ride?” he asked in a sleazy voice that made her laugh before she meant to.
    â€œThierry—”
    His hand reached out and grabbed her, hauling her inside. He’d started moving even before she’d shut the door.
    â€œBandits, twelve o’clock,” he explained, and, sure enough, Harry the solicitor’s car cruised around the next corner, heading into the village. Louise turned her face towards the sea.
    â€œYou’re laughing at me,” she observed when Harry was safely past.
    â€œOnly because it’s funny.”
    She turned back and stuck out her tongue, which seemed to make his eyes flicker, but otherwise he only smiled.
    â€œIt’s all right,” he assured her. “I know how poisonous small-town gossip can be.”
    There was a story there too, she thought, dragging down her hood.
    â€œYou look lovely,” he said.
    Louise flushed. “Thank you.” She’d made an effort, pinned her hair up, applied a little light makeup, worn her least shabby skirt and top and the sandals her parents had given her for her birthday last summer.
    Thierry’s hair would never be anything other than unruly, but with his smart white shirt and dark trousers, he looked much smarter than usual, in a vaguely Byronic kind of way.
    â€œYou don’t look so shabby yourself,” Louise said cordially. “Where are we going?”
    â€œIzzy recommended a hotel restaurant.”
    Louise glanced at him. “We don’t need to go anywhere posh,” she said awkwardly. “Most of my nights out are a couple of pints in the pub and a fish supper carry out.”
    Thierry wrinkled his nose. “A Scottish addiction to deep-fried fat I will never understand. So is Aidan parent sitting?”
    â€œHe and Chrissy are there.”
    He glanced at her. “Do they know you’re with me?”
    â€œYes, but they’re discretion on two legs. Each.”
    â€œDo they mind?”
    â€œI didn’t ask and they didn’t say,” she said, delving around for a change of subject. “The computer’s great, by the way. Super fast! Makes booking over the phone so much easier.”
    â€œAre you getting more bookings now?”
    â€œGot a family for the Easter holidays. And the Ardknocken fishing trips get underway tomorrow, so we’ll be a lot busier after that.”
    â€œThen your business is looking up?”
    â€œI hope so. What about yours?”
    â€œNot many people want a convict repairing their computer. I suppose it might improve with time. I’ve got a few more ideas.”
    â€œIzzy said you were slaving over something.”
    She thought his skin might have darkened, though it was hard to tell in the dark.
    â€œSorry I missed your texts,” he said uncomfortably. “I got involved. Glad you didn’t just give up on me.”
    â€œThe night is young,” she said, and he laughed. She liked his laugh, deep and soft and sudden, almost as if he was surprised to be amused.
    * * * * *
    â€œSo what did Dave do to piss off your mother?” Thierry asked casually, refilling her glass. They were on the delicious second course, and although it may have been the wine, Louise felt quite at ease in his company.
    She shrugged. “Dumped me, probably. She’s biased, bless her. How do you know about Dave anyway? He was before your time.”
    â€œYour mother. Apparently she prefers me to your previous boyfriend who could barely spare them the time of day and treated you appallingly besides.”
    Louise put down her fork. “How come my mother can still surprise me? That’s just not the sort of thing she tells the man who fixes the computer! No matter how helpful he is.”
    â€œHow appallingly did he treat you?”
    â€œHe didn’t,” Louise protested. “He just stopped coming to Ardknocken, took up with someone closer to home. It wasn’t a big deal. Only in