This is the hotel where they are about to spend three nights together. They have not spent a night together since Bordeaux in December 2007. Coppelia dare not believe it will really happen, but she is now packed and will be leaving the house in an hour.A plea from H's daughter for her and her mother to spend a few days together - just the two of them- means H is doing just that. Now much more relaxed with things H feels confident about leaving him behind on his own...so after he has taken H to meet the daughter, he will return - to Coppelia.
He has booked her into a large hotel on the outskirts of Peterborough - it would now be impossible for her to stay at his home - and he will join her there this evening.
The weather is very warm, tomorrow is predicted to be nearly 30 degrees. Her pink cotton sunhat lies on her blue suitcase. Her lavender rucksack beside it, ready for long days of walking around Rutland Water. They have always wanted to return there. Now they will.
Coppelia will treasure every second, and live it as fully and deeply as she has ever lived anything.
Three nights.
