14 Chapter 14: Breakfast Plans

Oliver required only a few hours' sleep, and early the following morning, while Natalie remained blissfully in the land of nod, he slipped into the moat and swam endless laps. When he finally lifted himself out, dried off and padded into the house, he could smell an inviting aroma, and moving into the kitchen he found Natalie plating a Spanish omelet, hash browns and fried tomatoes.

"Your timing is perfect. I woke wondering what to do with myself," she grinned as he walked over and lightly kissed her. "I'm under orders not to leave the house."

"And you'd better follow them."

"No problem there, Captain."

"This looks great. I don't remember you being handy in the kitchen."

"I never got the chance, you always beat me to it," she said, setting their full plates on the kitchen island. "I even made you a pot of tea."

"Excellent. Just what a chap needs after a long swim. You might be worth keeping around, but if you're going to serve me you should be suitably attired."