by Paris, B. A.
I hesitate a moment. Back in Harlestone, I wouldn’t have a problem leaving the door open but living in a city is different. Sensing my unease, Leo kisses the top of my head.
‘It’s fine,’ he says. ‘We’re in a gated street, no-one can get in unless they’re let in.’
I give him a smile. He’s right, and anyway, I need to shake off my preconceptions about living in London. I go through to the hall but before I can unlatch the door, there’s a ring on the bell. ‘I’ll be out in a minute!’ I call over my shoulder to Leo. ‘I’ll just get this.’
I open the door to a tall, good-looking man dressed in smart chinos and a beautiful linen jacket. He’s standing a few steps back, looking down at me from slightly hooded deep-set grey eyes.
‘You must be Tim,’ I say, smiling. ‘I’m Alice – come in.’
‘Hi, Alice, lovely to meet you.’
He steps into the hall, ducking his head below the glass pendant lightshade. For a moment, neither of us speaks.
‘Did you know the house before?’ I ask, breaking the silence.
‘No, not really. I know you’ve had some work done, though.’
‘Only upstairs. We created a bigger bedroom by knocking down a wall.’
‘Sounds fascinating. I’m trying to imagine it.’ He looks towards the stairs. ‘At the front or the back?’
‘The back. I can show you if you like,’ I add with a smile, because it isn’t the first time I’ve traipsed up the stairs this evening. All twelve houses in The Circle were originally identical, although some have been extended since. People are interested to see how we’ve used the same space.
‘Great, I’d love to see it,’ he says, following me up.
‘So, Maria drew the short straw,’ I say, when we reach the landing.
‘Sorry?’
‘She got to stay home and look after the boys. She said you were having trouble finding a babysitter.’
He nods. ‘That’s right, we couldn’t. Beginning of the school year, so I guess they prefer to catch up with friends.’
I open the only door on the right-hand side of the landing. As he follows me in, the sound of people chatting and laughing in the garden floats in through the open windows.
‘Amazing,’ Tim says, looking around. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a big bedroom.’
‘It was Leo’s idea,’ I say. ‘We didn’t need three bedrooms so he had two of them knocked into one.’
‘I hope this doesn’t give Mary ideas.’
‘Mary?’ I can hear Eve’s infectious laugh and suddenly, I’m desperate to get out there and be part of it. ‘I’m sorry, I thought your wife was called Maria.’
He smiles. ‘She is, but I call her Mary. It started off as a joke because she went to a convent school, and it kind of stuck.’ He looks at the wardrobe, which runs half the length of the wall opposite the windows. It’s extra deep and has beautiful wooden-slatted doors. ‘I wouldn’t mind a wardrobe that size.’
I laugh and he moves out of the room, letting me go past him down the stairs.
‘Thank you,’ he says gravely when we get to the hall. ‘For the grand tour.’
I point towards the garden. ‘Everyone is outside so grab a glass and help yourself to anything you like. I’m just going to close the door.’
I take a moment to breathe in the quiet air at the front of the house before going to the garden. As I pass the kitchen, I see Tim at the sink, filling a glass of water from the tap. I want to tell him that there’s chilled, bottled water in the ice-bin outside but I can see Leo waving at me, so I start to weave my way through the throng of people. He’s standing with Will, who is gesticulating theatrically with his hands as he explains something to Leo. Will is an actor, a rising star and, with his thick dark hair, roman nose and chiselled lips, on his way to becoming a rising heart-throb. Eve complains that they can’t go out without him being recognised but I can tell she’s secretly thrilled.
As I get nearer, they’re joined by Geoff from number 8, who’s divorced, and – no, I can’t remember the name of the other man with the tawny hair. He came with Tamsin, so I’m a bit wary. To be honest, after what I’d overheard, I was surprised when she eventually replied to my invitation on the WhatsApp group and said she and her husband – Cameron? Connor? – would see us on Saturday. Maybe Eve persuaded her to come.
I smooth my white sundress self-consciously, scanning the garden for someone standing on their own. But there are only groups of people who’ve known each other for years and are happy to catch up with each other after the holidays. I’m a stranger at my own party, I realise.
‘Alice, over here!’
I see Eve standing on tiptoes, waving in my direction. Grabbing a bowl of crisps from the table, I make my way over.
‘Nice dress.’ Looking up, I see the man with tawny hair standing in front of me. Judging from the four glasses he’s holding in one giant hand, he’s going to get refills.
‘Thanks.’ I give him a smile. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t catch your name.’
‘Connor. I’m Tamsin’s better half.’ His voice has the trace of a Scottish accent.
‘Well, I haven’t met her properly yet but I’ll keep that in mind when I do,’ I say.
He laughs and moves away.
Creep, I think, watching him go. Then I feel bad, because he was only having a joke.
I carry on to where Eve is standing with her friends and I could swear Tamsin’s eyes narrow a little when she sees me.
‘We were just saying how brave you are, moving in here,’ she says, and gets a nudge from Eve in return. With corkscrew curls framing her face and her pale green eyes, Tamsin really is stunning.
I give her a smile. ‘I’m sure I’ll get used to it. Especially with lovely neighbours like you,’ I add, in an attempt to get her on my side.
She frowns and I sense it then, she doesn’t like me. My heart sinks. Maybe Tamsin is one of those women who guard their friends jealously and my remark has made me seem presumptuous in thinking I can join their group. I need to take things more slowly.
‘Why don’t you get a drink?’ Cara, a pretty brunette says. I know she came with Paul but I can’t remember what number they live at. Two, maybe? She dips her hand into the bowl I’m holding. ‘These crisps are delicious. Where did you find them?’
‘From the delicatessen in Dean Street,’ Tamsin says, beating me to it. She gives a tight smile. ‘I’ve bought them there before.’
The rest of the evening passes in a whirlwind. By the time the last guests have left, I feel more at home than I thought I would.
‘Everyone is so friendly,’ I say to Leo as we stack glasses into the dishwasher. ‘We should start having people around to dinner in small groups so that we can talk to them properly.’
He raises an eyebrow. ‘Let’s take the time to work out who everybody is first.’
‘I already know who everybody is,’ I tease. ‘Did you meet Cara and Paul from number 2? They seem really nice.’
He straightens up. ‘I’m sure they are. But don’t make snap judgements about people, Alice. And be careful what you share about yourself. I don’t want this to be like Harlestone.’
I stare at him, thrown. ‘Why not?’
He pulls me towards him, wanting to take the sting out of his words.
‘Because I don’t want anyone knowing our business. We’re fine on our own, Alice.’ He kisses my mouth. ‘We don’t need anyone else.’
Three
We’ve had a lazy Sunday morning, staying in bed late before going out to the garden, where we’re lying side by side on wooden loungers under an orange parasol that Leo found in the garage. The air is heavy with the heady smell of jasmine and the book I was reading is lying on my chest. I turn my head lazily towards Leo. He’s checking messages on his phone and, sensing my eyes on him, he looks over at me.
‘Paul has invited me to play tennis with him next weekend,’ he says. ‘And Connor has messaged to remind me about a Residents’
Association meeting on Thursday.’ He puts his phone on the grass and reaches for my hand. ‘Luckily, I’m not sure I’ll be back from Birmingham in time.’
‘I can always go,’ I murmur, closing my eyes at the feel of his touch.
‘I think it’s more of a man thing.’
My eyes fly open. ‘Wow, I didn’t realise we’d regressed to the 50s by moving in here.’
He grins and rolls onto his side, his blue T-shirt exposing a line of skin at the top of his shorts. ‘Don’t blame me. From what Connor said, everyone goes back to his for whisky after. He’s a whisky trader and has an amazing collection, apparently.’
‘And women don’t drink whisky,’ I say, dryly. I lean towards him and give him a kiss, happy to see him so relaxed. ‘When do you think your work in Birmingham will be finished?’
‘In another few weeks, I hope.’ He smiles. ‘I can’t wait to be able to come home to you every evening. Ever since you reversed into the front of my car at those traffic lights, it’s all I’ve ever wanted.’
I can’t help laughing. ‘Good try. We both know that it was you who smacked into my car.’
‘I did not smack into your car!’ he protests, but he’s laughing too. ‘I bumped, and it was a very small bump.’
He’s right, it was such a slight bump that I decided not to bother getting out of the car to check it for damage, mainly because it was a horribly wet January day. But he had come to my window and knocked on the glass, gesturing at me through the rain to open my window.
‘I’m so sorry,’ he said, drops of water rolling down his face. The lights had by this time turned to green and as the cars began to pass around us, he bent closer and I found myself looking into brown-green eyes that managed to be both admiring and apologetic at the same time.
‘There’s no harm done,’ I told him. ‘Really, I hardly felt it.’
‘There might be harm done,’ he replied. ‘I must have damaged your car at least a little bit.’
‘Honestly, it’s fine.’ I liked the way his hair, damp with rain, clung to his forehead, the hint of stubble on his chin, and began to wish he had done some damage, so that I’d have a reason to carry on the conversation. Maybe I should check. I unbuckled my seatbelt. ‘If it will put your mind at rest, shall we have a look?’
I walked to the back of the car, the collar of my coat pulled up against the rain, and bent to inspect the bumper. There was only the smallest of marks and I couldn’t swear that it hadn’t already been there because a few weeks before, I’d backed into my friend Debbie’s horse-trailer.
‘There might be some internal damage that you can’t see, so shall I give you my details in case your bumper falls off further along the road?’
I smiled. ‘If you insist.’
‘I do.’ He took a card from his wallet and handed it to me. ‘And can I insist that you give me your details, in case your bumper does fall off, and you’re too polite to tell me?’
Leo Curtis, I read, looking at the card. Risk-management Consultant.
‘I don’t have a card but I can give you my mobile,’ I told him. He called me that night.
‘I just want to make sure you don’t have late-onset whiplash.’
‘I’m fine, the car’s fine,’ I reassured him.
‘Then perhaps we can celebrate that fineness together,’ he suggested, making me laugh. ‘Can I take you out for dinner?’
‘I think that might be a bit difficult,’ I said regretfully.
There was an embarrassed pause. ‘I’m sorry, I should have guessed—’
‘No, that’s not what I mean,’ I interrupted hurriedly. ‘It’s just that I presume, from your card, that you live in London. I live in East Sussex. Meeting for dinner won’t be easy.’
‘Don’t worry – have car, will travel. Tell me, is there a wonderful restaurant not too far from where you live where I could take you to apologise for crashing into your life?’
‘Believe it or not, there is.’
And that had been the start of it all.
Now, Leo nods towards my mobile. ‘Anyone message you, or am I the favourite?’ he jokes, which niggles a bit but only because of how unfriendly Tamsin was.
‘Just one from Cara thanking us for last night, which is lovely of her as she already posted a message on the WhatsApp group – as did everyone else. They’re obviously very polite here. Did you see all the “New Home” cards we got? I put them in the sitting room, along the mantelpiece.’
‘Yes, I saw them. I suppose they’ll be there for weeks,’ he adds with a smile, referring to the way I keep birthday and Christmas cards on display for ages.
‘I know it’s weird, but people generally put a lot of thought into choosing cards so I can never bring myself to throw them straight into the bin.’ I give my body a stretch, then stand up.
‘Where are you going?’ he says, reaching a lazy hand towards me.
‘To make a salad to have with the steaks.’
He gives a contented sigh. ‘Sounds wonderful.’
I’m woken by a sudden movement, Leo sitting upright in our bed.
‘Who’s there?’ he shouts, his voice loud in the quiet of the night. It’s late, the shadows sitting heavy in the dark of our bedroom.
‘What’s the matter?’ I whisper. It feels like I’ve only been asleep for ten minutes. What time is it, anyway? I try and pull him back down but he shrugs me away impatiently.
‘There was someone here.’ His voice is sharp, urgent.
‘What?’ My heart jumps. I sit up, wide awake now, adrenalin surging. ‘Where?’
‘Here, in the bedroom.’ He fumbles for the switch on his bedside lamp, and the artificial white light momentarily blinds me. I blink rapidly a few times to re-focus my eyes, then scan the bedroom quickly. There’s no-one there, just the built-in wardrobes with their slatted doors and the chair in the corner of the room, piled with our clothes from the day before.
‘Are you sure?’ I ask doubtfully.
‘Yes!’
I raise myself onto one arm and squint through the partly open door into the bathroom, my mind already visualising someone hiding in the shower, a long-bladed knife held high above their head. Leo throws the covers back, startling me, and swings his legs from the bed.
‘Where are you going?’
He stands naked, his body tense. ‘To put the light on in the hall.’
He reaches through the partially open bedroom door and flips the switch on the wall. I listen for the sound of someone leaving the house in a hurry, disturbed by the light now flooding the landing and stairwell. But there’s nothing.
‘Shall I call the police?’ I ask, grabbing my phone from its charging pod.
‘Wait a moment. I want to be sure before we do anything,’ he says. ‘I’m going to check the other bedroom.’
I get out of bed and grab my cotton dressing gown. I feel less vulnerable now that I’m covered, but my heart is racing as I move to the door behind him.
‘I’m coming with you.’
‘No. Stay here, and if you hear anything, call the police.’
‘Wait.’ I hurry to the bathroom, quickly checking there’s no-one there, and grab a can of hairspray. I prise the lid off and hand it to him. ‘If you see someone, spray this in their eyes to disable them.’
At any other time, he’d laugh at this, a stark-naked man with a hair product as a weapon. But he takes it, holding the can by his side, his finger on the nozzle as he moves along the landing. I watch as he searches the guest bedroom, then his study, anxiety prickling my skin, my phone primed to dial 999.
‘Nothing,’ he calls. ‘I’ll check downstairs.’
‘Be careful!’ I wait a moment. ‘Can you see anything?’ He doesn’t answer, so I move to the banisters and look down to the hall below, where he’s disappearing into the sitting room.
He’s back in a few minutes. ‘The windows and doors are still locked and nothing seems to have been disturbed.’
‘Did you actually see someone
?’ I say as we go back to our bedroom.
‘Yes… no… I don’t know,’ he admits. ‘It was just a feeling I had, of someone being in the room.’
‘It could have been a dream.’
He looks a bit sheepish as he puts down the can of hairspray. ‘It probably was. Sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. What time is it, anyway?’
I check my phone. ‘Three-fifteen. You’d better get some sleep, you need to be up in three hours.’
We climb into bed and soon, he’s asleep. But I lie awake, grateful that Leo is here beside me, remembering all the times I’d start awake in my cottage, disturbed by the noises that would echo through it at night. I love that I have him to share things with, that I no longer have to face everything alone. Leo bumping into the back of my car was the best thing that had happened to me for years.
‘Do you know, that’s the first time you’ve shown the slightest bit of interest in anyone,’ Debbie had said, when I told her what had happened.
She was right. I was thirty-five and although I’d had three fairly long relationships, they’d all come to an end, not in an abrupt manner, but in a slow, I’m-not-actually-sure-where-this-is-going kind of way. I’d begun to think that I wasn’t cut out for long-term relationships and although there was a slight sadness that I might not find someone to spend the rest of my life with, it had never become a serious preoccupation of mine. But once Leo was in my life, everything changed.
After six months of the weekend commute, because Leo lived at his flat in London during the week and only came down to Harlestone at weekends, we both began to want more. One evening, we went out to dinner, and when he ordered champagne, my anxiety levels quickly rose at the thought that he might be about to propose. We had never talked about getting married and I didn’t want to spoil things between us by telling him that I needed time to think. As the waiter struggled to get the cork out, I wondered if maybe I should say yes. Spending the rest of my life in Harlestone with Leo suddenly seemed a lovely prospect.
‘Alice, I want to ask you something,’ he said, once the champagne had been poured. ‘I want to be able to see you all the time, not just at weekends.’ He took a deep breath. ‘Will you move in with me?’
