She went out to the kitchen and made herself a cup of coffee. Was Alexandra right? Even if Chris went to see that woman, would she want anything to do with him after the way he’d treated her? Hardly, if she had any pride at all.
Maybe she was neglecting Chris, she reflected as she listened to the twins squabbling in the playroom. How did you balance it all? Husband, children, housework, social life. Men had it so easy.
She glanced at her watch. Four-fifteen. She supposed she should start making dinner. It was such a chore, day in, day out. Before they’d had children they used to eat out all the time. Suzy went to explore the fridge to see what culinary delights she could fling at her unapprecia-tive husband.
She had just put the twins to bed and was straining the spaghetti when she heard Chris’s key in the door.
‘Hello,’ he said warily when he walked into the kitchen.
‘Hello,’ she answered coolly. ‘I’m just going to serve up dinner.’
‘It smells nice.’ He lifted the lid off the saucepan where the meaty bolognese bubbled, and sniffed approvingly.
Well that was something, she thought. Lately he never commented one way or another on the food she cooked for him. He placed his briefcase on the worktop and clicked it open. He drew out a long slim gift-wrapped package and a smaller square one.
‘Here’s a present for you. I’m sorry I upset you. And I want you to know that Ellen means nothing to me. I finished our relationship before I got engaged to you. That was a long long time ago. You’re my wife, Suzy. I love you and I hate it when we row.’ He handed the two packages to her.
Suzy was stunned.
‘Open them,’ he urged, giving her that charming boyish smile that was so hard to resist.
With trembling fingers she opened the oblong box. The sight of the exquisite gold rope chain made her gasp.
‘It’s beautiful, Chris.’
‘It’s eighteen-carat gold. I got you earrings to match,’ he said proudly. ‘Here, let me put it on.’ He took the chain and fastened the clasp around her neck. She could feel the warmth of his breath on her neck.
‘I know I’ve been hard to live with lately. Work’s been tough. I’m sorry.’ He kissed the nape of her neck.
‘Is there someone else?’ Suzy whispered.
‘No. I swear to you, love. I haven’t been seeing anyone. You’re the only one I want.’ He turned her to face him. ‘I love you,’ he said.
‘Do you?’ Suzy badly needed reassurance.
‘Yes I do.’ He kissed her. ‘Let me show you.’
Suzy remembered the hurt she’d felt when he’d said that woman’s name during lovemaking. She hated him for it. But she had to believe him when he told her he loved her. Otherwise she’d go crazy. It was horrible to be fighting all the time. She’d let him make amends – just this once. She needed to be hugged and cuddled, and to be told that he loved her.
‘What about dinner?’ she murmured.
‘We can have it later.’ Chris slipped his hand under her jumper and cupped her small breast.
‘I want you,’ he said huskily.
‘I want you too.’ Suzy’s arms tightened around him. Sleeping alone was no fun. Did she want to be miserable for the rest of her life? He wouldn’t have bought her such lovely expensive jewellery if he didn’t love her. She had to keep that thought in her head. She was being paranoid and silly and she was going to stop it right this minute.
‘Let’s do it here, now,’ Chris urged as he hurriedly undid the zip of her jeans.
It was the best sex she’d had in months.
Chris sat watching The News. He could hear Suzy humming to herself in the kitchen. She was making coffee. He smiled. That trip to the jeweller’s had been a brainwave. Suzy’s fears had been allayed. Things were back to normal between them. He didn’t want strife. What she didn’t know wouldn’t hurt her.
If Ellen agreed to see him, it would be the most wonderful thing. If she didn’t . . . well that was something he didn’t care to think about. But, either way, at least Suzy wouldn’t be giving him grief any more. The less hassle he had to cope with, the better.
The phone rang. Ellen’s heart started to pound. Maybe it was him. What would she say? She was nervous.
‘Hello,’ she said quickly.
‘Hi Ellen.’ The sound of Miriam’s voice made her feel ridiculously disappointed.
‘I was just wondering if you could babysit for us tomorrow night. Ben won two complimentary tickets to the theatre in a competition at work. If you could, it would be great. You and Stephanie can sleep in our room. We’ll sleep on the bed settee.’
‘Sure, Miriam, no problem,’ Ellen said brightly but her heart sank. What if Chris phoned tomorrow evening? He might think she was avoiding him. Now that she’d seen him, Ellen wanted very much to see him again. For one brief moment she was tempted to tell Miriam that he’d called. She’d been dying to tell her at teatime, when she’d driven over to collect Stephanie, but something held her tongue. Miriam would not be impressed. Ellen was afraid of what she might say. But it was difficult keeping her momentous news to herself.
They chatted for a while and all the time Ellen was conscious that Chris might be trying to get through. She knew he’d said he’d give her a few days to think about it but deep down she hoped that he’d phone sooner.
When she went to bed around eleven, she found it hard to sleep. She kept thinking about the way he’d kissed her with such passion. She knew she was weak and pathetic but it made her feel so good about herself and her love for him, to know that he’d come back to her.
By the time Thursday arrived and he hadn’t phoned, she was in the depths of depression. Babysitting on Tuesday night had been a nightmare. She kept imagining that he was phoning and she wasn’t at home to answer it. Even at work, every time the phone rang, she’d wondered if it was him. But each time it wasn’t and she was gutted. He’d changed his mind. It hurt. Desperately.
She’d just put Stephanie to bed that evening and was washing up the tea dishes when the phone rang. She raced into the hall to answer it.
‘Hello.’
‘Hello, Ellen.’
Oh thank you, God. She sent up a silent prayer as she heard his deep voice at the other end.
‘Can I come and see you again?’
‘Yes,’ she said softly as happiness and relief flooded through her.
‘When?’
‘When would suit you?’
‘Now?’
Ellen laughed. ‘Chris,’ she remonstrated.
‘I mean it.’
‘Could you come tomorrow? I’ll ask Mam if Stephanie can stay over.’ There was silence at the other end of the phone.
‘Does tomorrow not suit?’ She couldn’t keep the disappointment out of her voice.
‘Tomorrow’s fine. So we’re going to be alone?’ He sounded surprised.
‘Yes.’ Ellen bit her lip. She knew she should play it cool and keep him dangling but she’d never been good at playing games.
‘I won’t be able to keep my hands off you.’
‘I don’t want you to.’ There! She’d said it.
‘Ellen.’ She knew he was smiling.
‘What?’
‘I’m dying to see you.’
‘I’m dying to see you too.’ Ellen was so happy she thought she was going to burst. A thought struck her. ‘Listen, will you bring a . . . well you know. I don’t want to take any risks.’ She blushed.
‘I’ll look after it. Don’t worry. I love you, Ellen.’ All the hurt and unhappiness he’d caused her couldn’t diminish the joy she felt at his words.
‘I love you too, Chris. Will I cook dinner for you?’
‘That sounds good. I’ll be over around seven.’
‘Chris, would you park across the road? I have to be careful. I have Stephanie to think of.’
‘Of course. I’ll be very discreet,’ he assured her. ‘See you tomorrow.’
Ellen replaced the receiver and caught sight of herself i
n the mirror. She was glowing. Her eyes sparkled. She felt incredibly happy. Miriam would call her a fool. Sheila would go spare, if she ever found out, but Ellen didn’t care. She had to live her own life. And after all the years of misery she wasn’t going to pass up this chance of happiness. She and Chris were destined to be together. No matter what anyone else thought.
She lifted the receiver again and dialled her mother’s number.
Sheila answered.
‘Mam, Stephanie was saying she’d like to stay over with you some night. I was wondering if she could stay tomorrow night, seeing as she won’t have to get up for school on Saturday morning. I’ll collect her early,’ she fibbed.
‘That would be lovely. I’ve promised her we could make chocolate Rice Krispies. And was she saying herself that she wanted to stay?’ Sheila sounded pleased.
‘Oh she was. She misses you and Dad,’ Ellen assured her mother.
‘I’ll look forward to that immensely,’ Sheila said crisply. ‘Will I keep some dinner for her? I could collect her from Miriam’s.’
‘If you like. If it’s no trouble.’
‘I’ll make steak and kidney pie, it’s her favourite.’
‘She’ll be thrilled Mam, thanks.’
‘Do you want me to put your name in the pot?’
‘No, I’ll be grand. I’ll eat with Doug at lunchtime. Thanks, Mam. See you.’ Ellen hung up. She felt slightly guilty. That was low, using her mother to babysit so she could have a night of passion with the man her parents thought was the lowest of the low. She banished the thought. It was ironic, she reflected ruefully, but, since she’d left home, she was getting on much better with her mother. Sheila would probably never speak to her again, if she knew about Chris.
She ran upstairs to Stephanie’s room. Her daughter was reading Rupert the Bear.
‘Guess what?’ Ellen sat down beside her and gave her a cuddle.
‘What?’ Stephanie was immediately intrigued.
‘Nannie wants you to go and stay with her tomorrow night. She’s going to cook steak and kidney pie and she’s going to get you to help her make chocolate Rice Krispies.’
‘Yummy!’ Stephanie exclaimed approvingly. ‘Is it like going on my holidays?’
‘It certainly is. We’ll pack your case in the morning. And you can tell Nannie and Grandad I said you can stay up late.’
‘Goody.’ Stephanie yawned. ‘Can I bring Mister MacPhearson?’
Mister MacPhearson was her teddy.
‘Of course you can. Lie down now, pet. It’s getting late. I’ll see you in the morning.’ Stephanie wrapped her arms around her neck and kissed her.
‘Night, Mammy.’
‘Night, love.’ Ellen smiled down at her and tucked her in snugly. She wondered how Stephanie would get on with Chris. She’d have to play it by ear and see how it went. She wasn’t going to let him become part of Stephanie’s life until she was sure it would be good for her.
It was a pity things were so complicated, she thought sadly as she went downstairs. But that was the way it was and she couldn’t do anything about it. There was no point in wishful thinking.
By the time Mick closed up shop the following evening, she was a nervous wreck. Even Doug had commented at lunchtime when he’d noticed her picking at her meal.
‘You’re like a cat on a hot tin roof. What’s wrong with you?’
‘Nothing.’
‘And I’m a Dutchman.’
‘Stephanie’s dad got in touch with me,’ she blurted out.
‘Oh!’ He eyed her quizzically. ‘And?’
‘I’m seeing him tonight.’ She couldn’t figure out why she’d told him that.
‘Don’t get hurt again,’ he said quietly.
‘I won’t, Doug.’
‘Just be careful,’ was all he said. But it touched her that he was concerned for her. He was almost finished building the patio for her. She’d miss his company at lunchtimes.
She thought of Doug that evening as she prepared chicken supreme for Chris. She wondered if he thought any the less of her for seeing Chris. His good opinion mattered, she thought in surprise. She hadn’t told him that Chris was married. He hadn’t asked anything about him. Doug was a nice man. A decent man. A man of integrity. Unlike Chris. The thought came unbidden and she pushed it away, cross with herself for making unfavourable comparisons.
She had the dinner ready and was bathed and dressed when the ring of the doorbell made her heart somersault wildly. She took one last look in her bedroom mirror, for reassurance. Her hair was washed and shining. Her make-up was fine. Her flowing chiffon skirt and silky red blouse looked very sophisticated. She was sick with nerves as she hurried downstairs to open the door.
Chris’s eyes widened with pleasure when he saw her.
‘You look gorgeous,’ he approved as he stepped into the hall. He put the bottle of wine he was carrying on the hall table and took her in his arms.
‘Oh Ellen, I’ve thought of nothing else,’ he murmured as he bent his head and kissed her passionately.
Ellen kissed him back hungrily. Now that he was here, her nervousness was gone. It was paradise to be back in his arms. They kissed lustfully, touching, tasting, frantic for each other. He opened her blouse and she strained against him quivering as he slipped his fingers inside her bra and caressed her.
‘Oh Ellen, Ellen. You’re beautiful. You’re so sensual. You’re a real woman,’ he muttered, cupping her breasts. He’d always loved her breasts. Suzy was small and flat-chested compared to her. ‘Let’s go to bed?’ He drew away and stared down at her, his eyes dark with passion.
‘Yeah, let’s,’ Ellen breathed. She wanted him as much as he wanted her. They got to the top of the landing before turning to kiss again. She opened his shirt buttons and caressed his chest, bending her head to kiss his nipples. He groaned as her fingers struggled to undo his belt. When she touched him, he was so aroused he thought he was going to come.
‘Ellen, Ellen,’ he muttered harshly, desperate for her. He pressed himself against her as he eased her blouse off and unfastened her bra. The feel of her semi-naked body against his drove him crazy.
‘I can’t wait. I want you,’ he groaned as he unwrapped a condom from its foil and put it on.
‘Yes, yes,’ Ellen whimpered as he slid his hands under her skirt and removed her panties. The feel of his hands touching her sent a frisson of need through her that was almost unbearable.
‘Oh Chris, do that again,’ she begged as he stroked her lightly with his thumb. He eased her down onto the floor. And then he was on top of her and inside her, and both of them were arching and thrusting wildly, moaning with passion and pleasure and relief. ‘You’re the best, baby. You do it to me. Aww Ellen, Ellen, Ellen,’ Chris muttered frantically as he came in a long shuddering climax, as he held her tightly, his face contorted with pleasure.
Her insides quivered as she felt his heat and the ripples of her orgasm engulfed her. She cried his name aloud, her hands digging into his shoulders.
They lay on the hard floor, panting, their hearts pounding in unison.
‘That was incredible, love.’ He raised himself on his elbows and stared down at her a little later when his breathing had returned to normal.
Ellen smiled and touched his jaw. ‘You’ll never know how much I missed you. There hasn’t been anyone else, since you.’
‘I missed you too. I’m sorry,’ he said huskily. ‘I’m glad there’s no-one else. I was sure you’d have someone.’
‘I’ve dated, petted. But I’ve never slept with another man. I couldn’t get you out of my head.’
‘I couldn’t get you out of mine. I called Suzy your name once when we were having sex,’ he said ruefully.
‘Oh!’ Ellen murmured. But she couldn’t help feeling pleased. It was gratifying to know she’d been part of his fantasies during lovemaking. It wasn’t all one-sided after all.
They lay cradling each other, reluctant to break the intimacy. The smell of dinner wafted up
the stairs. After a while Chris said, ‘Whatever you’re cooking smells delicious. And I’m ravenous. Should we eat and get our strength back for later?’
Ellen giggled. ‘You haven’t changed a bit.’
‘I’m older and greyer and you made me feel like an out-of-control teenager when we made love just now. But I’m not finished with you yet, girl. After dinner, I’m going to make it up to you, for all those years we missed. Do you want me to tell you what I’m going to do to you?’ His eyes glittered into hers.
‘Yes,’ she whispered, feeling desire flare again.
He placed his mouth against her ear and whispered into it. ‘Oh Chris,’ she murmured, wishing that dinner was over as he told her in intimate detail everything he was going to do to her, the next time they made love.
He devoured his dinner with relish. He’d always enjoyed her cooking. They drank the wine he’d brought, and lingered over coffee, slipping into the old familiar intimacy. He told her about work and how difficult it had been going out on his own at the beginning.
After a while he leaned across the table and kissed her. ‘I have a little birthday present for you. I know it’s not the exact date but it’s around this time.’ He took a small gift-wrapped box out of his jacket pocket and handed it to her. ‘I think it will fit.’
Ellen tore open the wrapping and opened the black velvet box. ‘Oh Chris, it’s beautiful,’ she cried in delight when she saw the ring.
‘It’s your birthstone.’ He took it out of the box and slid it on to the third finger of her right hand.
‘You remembered my birthday!’ Ellen couldn’t believe it.
‘I knew it was around Valentine’s Day. The day we met.’
She gazed down at the ring sparkling in the lamplight. It meant more to her than anything. This ring was an affirmation of his love for her. She would wear it as long as she lived.
‘Let’s go to bed.’ Ellen reached for his hand and led him upstairs.
This time they didn’t rush things and Chris proved that he’d lost none of his expertise as he satisfied every fibre of her being with his skilful lovemaking. Ellen lay in his arms, replete, wishing the night would never end.
Promises, Promises Page 41
