Gina nodded. “Me too.” She slid her fingers into Kate’s long, red hair and scratched her nails over her scalp, delighting in the shiver it generated. “Last first time.”
“The last first time.” There were tears of joy in Kate’s eyes as she kissed her and laid them down on the bed. Every touch was a whispered promise of love, every kiss a vow pledged and agreed that this was forever.
When Kate finally slipped inside Gina’s body, she claimed her heart, her soul, everything and brought them both home.
Epilogue
“Okay, this one’s from me.” Kate handed Sammy a huge box wrapped in paper covered with snowmen.
Sammy shook it and listened to the dull rattle. “What is it?”
“Open it and find out.”
Sammy was already surrounded by a small mound of wrapping paper and packing boxes and a growing collection of clothes, toys, and sweets. But she tore into Kate’s gift as though it were the first of the day.
“Oh my God! This is awesome!” Sammy opened the box and pulled out a pair of roller blades. “So cool.”
Gina groaned and scowled at Kate. Roller blades and Sammy were a number of trips to the A&E waiting to happen. Kate shrugged and offered her an unrepentant grin. She sighed and shook her head. “You can take her to the hospital when she breaks something,” she said quietly enough for only Kate to hear as she sat curled against Kate’s side. “What do you say?” Gina prompted.
“Thanks, Kate.” Sammy jumped up and ran to Kate, throwing her skinny arms around her neck.
“You’re very welcome.”
“Sammy, go and grab a black bag for all the rubbish. We should at least tidy up a bit as we go along.”
“Okay.” Sammy hurried away and was back in seconds to continue opening more gifts.
Merlin sat under the tree guarding on her own Christmas present—a large, multicoloured ball that she would roll to Sammy on occasion in the hope a game would begin.
Gina’s phone rang, and Kate passed it over to her, frowning as it came up unknown number. Gina touched the screen to answer. “Hello?”
“Gina, it’s Alison.”
“Mum, new number?”
“Yes, I was just calling to tell you I’m running a little late. But I should be there in plenty of time to help with the cooking.”
Kate ran her thumb across the back of Gina’s neck, and Gina almost forgot she was in the middle of a phone call.
Kate smirked at her knowingly.
Gina shook her head. “No worries, Mum. We’ll see you soon.” She dropped the phone onto the sofa beside her and kissed Kate’s cheek. “Behave.”
“I don’t want to.” She cupped Gina’s cheek with one hand and leant in for a proper kiss. The gentle press of Kate’s tongue against her lips spurred Gina into action as she wrapped her hand around Kate’s bicep and opened her mouth, groaning at the delicate contact and tender caress. And Gina let herself get lost in that kiss, in Kate.
Loud kissing noises from the floor and a sharp bark from Merlin tore them apart.
Sammy had her arms wrapped around her body, back to them, rubbing her hands up and down her back as she made smoochy sounds through her giggles. Bloody kid.
Kate gasped, then sprang from the sofa and lifted Sammy into the air, twirling her tucked-up form into a spin until she was hanging upside down, arms and hair trailing on the floor as she giggled louder while Kate tickled her ribs.
“Let me down, let me down!” Sammy shrieked through her laughter even as she tried to reach up and cover her tummy. Her pyjama top rode up, exposing her belly. “Let me down, Kate!”
“Nope.” Kate swung her up over her shoulder and started for the back door. “I’m hanging you on the washing line so I can kiss your mum in peace.”
“Abuse! Abuse!” Sammy playfully pounded her fists against Kate’s back. “Gonna tell Stella, and she’ll lock you up.”
“Nah. She’ll take pictures and save them to show your boyfriend years from now. Like, thirty years from now.”
Gina chuckled as she watched them cavorting around the room, then frowned as her phone rang again.
Kate stopped, Sammy still dangling over her shoulder, as she looked at Gina.
“Unknown number,” Gina said and touched the screen to answer. “Hello?”
Kate put Sammy down and sat beside her close enough to hear the voice on the other end.
“Miss Temple?”
“Who’s this?”
“Sorry, it’s George. George Boyne.”
Gina paused a moment, and Kate moved away.
“I know you probably don’t want to speak to me, after what I told you. I understand that, but I was wondering if I might have a few moments of your time?”
“Actually, Mr Boyne, I’m really glad you called. I wanted to apologise for the way I behaved last week. I had no right to do that.”
“It’s okay. I understand what a shock it must have been. I probably shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, it’s not okay. I was rude, and I had no right to be. You were right when you said I had no idea what it was like to be there. To face what you were facing. I was judgmental, and like I said, I really had no right to be. I’ll work on that in future. I’m really very sorry.”
George cleared his throat. “Thank you.”
“No problem. So, what can I do for you today? Oh, Merry Christmas, by the way.”
He chuckled. “And to you. And I was hoping I might come and see you. I’ve found out some things, and I’d like to talk to you about it.”
“Me? What things?”
“I’ll explain when I see you. It’ll be easier to show you the documents and so on.”
“Well, okay. I must admit, you have me curious now.”
He laughed again. “Well, then you’ll have to see me soon. I could meet with you today.”
“It’s Christmas Day.”
He waited.
“I’ve got a dinner to cook.”
“I could come to you?”
“I’m sorry?”
“I didn’t mean for Christmas dinner. I just meant I could come there while you’re cooking, or after, and show you what I’ve found.”
“Just a second.” She covered the microphone and looked at Kate. “George wants to come and see me.”
“Okay.” Kate shrugged.
“Today.”
Kate’s eyebrow hitched upwards in surprise. “Well, we’ve got six chairs and only four of us for dinner.” She shrugged again. “Whatever you want, sweetheart.”
“Mr Boyne. Do you have a pen handy?”
“Yes, fire away.”
She quickly gave him Kate’s address.
“I’ll leave now. Should only be a couple of hours.”
“You’re keen.”
He chuckled again. “Miss Temple, when you see what I’ve found out, you’ll understand why. See you soon.” Then he ended the call.
“Well, that was odd.”
“When’s he coming?” Kate asked.
“He said he was leaving now, so a couple of hours.”
Kate’s eyebrow rose. “Well, I’ll start peeling some extra spuds, then.”
“I didn’t invite him to eat with us.”
“No. But I’m not sure I could send him away to spend Christmas on his own once he’s here,” Kate said quietly. “He’s got no family, remember.”
Gina nodded. “I remember.” She kissed her lips gently. “You’re very sweet, Kate Brannon.”
Kate clapped a hand over Gina’s mouth. “You’ll ruin my reputation,” she said with a wide grin.
“Too late.”
The next hour and a half flew by as Sammy opened the last of her presents and Gina prepared the dinner. There was a mountain of food, as per Christmas tradition. Kate wanted a traditional family Christmas, so Gina was bound and determined to do all she could to give her one.
Gina opened the oven and spooned juices over the top of the bird. The turkey was cooking well but still needed a good
hour or so before it would be ready.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Sammy shouted. Then Gina heard the follow-up of “Grandma!”
“Happy Christmas, Sammy.”
“Happy Christmas. Did you bring me presents?”
“Sammy!” Gina shouted through the house. “Come on in, Mum. I’m basting the turkey.”
Alison staggered in with Sammy wrapped around her like an octopus, Merlin trotting along at their heels.
“Sammy, give over. Your Gran can’t walk like that.” The girl tutted and pulled a face but did as she was told.
Gina pushed the roasting tin with the covered bird back into the oven as her mother approached, offered her a tentative hug and kiss on the cheek, and wished Gina a happy Christmas. She was clearly uncomfortable, but Gina was still unsure if she was uncomfortable with physical affection or if it was just with Gina and would dissipate as their relationship got closer. She hoped that was the case, as she didn’t seem to have too big an issue being affectionate with Sammy. But then again, that could just be Sammy.
“So, did you bring me a present?” Sammy asked again.
“God, anyone would think it was Christmas or something.” Alison winked at her and plopped a bag onto the table. “I might have. Does she deserve a present, Gina?”
“Hm, not sure.”
Sammy’s face fell, and her shoulders slumped. “But I’ve been good.”
Gina lifted an eyebrow.
“Mostly.”
Gina folded her arms over her chest.
“Well, I tried to be.” Sammy sighed heavily. “Guess it’s going to the charity shop, then.”
Alison sniggered. “Charity shop?”
Sammy nodded. “That’s where all the naughty kids’ presents get sent.” She shot Gina a withering look. “Apparently.”
Gina couldn’t hold back her laughter anymore as Sammy dropped heavily into a chair, swinging her feet moodily. She bent and kissed the top of her head. “Go on, I’ll give you a break.”
“Yay!”
“But only because it’s Christmas.”
“Less yay.”
Alison pulled a brightly wrapped box from the bag and handed it over.
“Thanks, Grandma.” She tore the wrapping away to unveil a large box. “Oo. A 3-D marker. That’s so cool!” She kissed Alison’s cheek and ran into the front room.
“Where’s Kate?”
“Shower. She won’t be long.” Gina pointed to a chair. “Brew?”
“Hm, coffee would be lovely, thanks.” She slouched in her chair and rested her head on one hand, exhaustion evident in every line on her face and in the dark smudges under her eyes.
“You okay?”
Her mother nodded, then shrugged. “Ignore me. I just didn’t sleep very well last night.”
“Is that normal?”
“Only when your father tries to get in touch.”
“Oh.” Gina wasn’t sure how she felt about that. How she felt about her father even being mentioned, let alone still being in contact with her mother. “Do you…is he…I thought you didn’t keep in touch?”
“I don’t. I’ve changed the number at the house, my mobile, everything. The only thing I haven’t changed is the house, and that’s because it’s so bloody difficult to find somewhere else to live that I could afford to. It’s so bloody expensive around here.”
“If you sold the house, wouldn’t you have enough?”
“When the house gets sold, he’s entitled to half the value. He’s not bothered now, because he’s in prison and can’t use it, but when he gets out, I’ll have to sell or figure out how to pay him half of the value of the house. If I could figure out where to get the money to do that, I’d have sold it and moved long ago.”
“I hadn’t even thought about that.”
“Yeah, well, half the value of my little cottage won’t get me much of anything at all around here.”
“Is that why he was contacting you?”
“Nope.” She shook her head. “I got a letter from his solicitor yesterday. He’s up for parole in February and wants me not to give a statement at the hearing or, failing that, at least do nothing to block his release.”
“Bastard.”
“Yup.”
“So, what will you do?”
“Speak at the hearing and do whatever I can to ensure he stays behind bars.”
“You’re not tempted to let it go?”
“Not even a little bit. I wish he was in there for life, Gina. And I’m sorry if that sounds cold, but that’s the way I feel about it.”
Gina wrapped her arms around her mother’s shoulders and squeezed. “I’m very proud of you. Would you like me to come with you?”
Alison frowned.
“To the hearing. I’ll come with you if you want.”
Alison smiled as tears slipped over her eyelids and snaked a path down her cheeks. “I think I’d like that very much. If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. We’ll face him together.”
Footsteps at the top of the stairs alerted her to Kate’s presence. Gina looked up and smiled to reassure Kate that everything was all right. Because it was. She had everything she could ever want, right here in the house. She had a wonderful partner, a precocious child, and a mother she was getting to know, and a future she was looking forward to. This was truly the happiest Christmas she could remember. Probably ever.
Gina gave Alison’s shoulders one last squeeze and then stood up to finish making their drinks when the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” Sammy shouted. Then Gina heard her ask, “Who’re you?”
“I’m George. Who’re you?”
“Sammy.”
“Well, Sammy, I’m looking for Gina. Is she in?”
“Mum. There’s an old man at the door for you.”
“Show him in, Sammy.”
“I’m here.” Kate thundered down the stairs and welcomed George. “Sorry about that,” she said. “Come in, come in. Let me take your coat.” Kate held out her hand.
“Here, I brought this for Gina—I mean Miss Temple.” He held out a bottle of wine. “My mother always said you should bring a little something if someone invites you to their home.”
Gina put the kettle on to boil again and wiped her hands on a towel. “Well, technically this is Kate’s home,” she said with a smile. “But I’m sure we’ll all enjoy a glass.” She wrapped her arms around Kate’s waist and kissed her cheek. Sammy stood in front of her, and Gina put one hand on her shoulder. “You’ve already met my daughter, Sammy.”
“Yes.” George held out his hand. “A pleasure.”
“And this is my mum.” Gina held her hand out towards the joining door where her mother stood. “Alison Temple, this is George Boyne.”
Alison stepped forward and held out her hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr Boyne.”
George stared at her, his eyes wide, his mouth agape.
Alison’s welcoming smile slipped to a small frown. “I’m sorry, is there something wrong?”
He shook his head and seemed to snap out of his reverie. “No, no. Sorry. I wasn’t expecting to meet Gina’s beautiful mother this afternoon as well.” He clasped her hand. “Forgive my bad manners.”
“Nothing to forgive,” Alison said, though her voice was a little subdued.
“And please call me George. Mr Boyne is so formal, and this is Christmas.”
She smiled. “Of course.”
“Can I get you a drink, George?” Kate asked, drawing his attention away from Alison.
“Lovely, thank you.”
“Tea, coffee, something stronger?”
“Coffee would be good, if you don’t mind. I’m a little chilled all of a sudden.”
“Are you okay?”
He waved his hand. “Fine, fine. Just a little…well, never mind. I’m fine.”
“Milk? Sugar?”
“Just a drop of milk, please.”
Kate nodded and gathered cups as the kettle
bubbled away.
Gina watched her go and squatted down to Sammy. “Why don’t you go and play with some of your new toys upstairs?”
Sammy nodded and scampered into the front room to choose what she was taking up with her.
When she was gone, Gina pointed to the table and chairs. “Please, sit down.” She waited until George and Alison were both sitting before taking her own seat. “You said you wanted to show me something.”
“Yes, yes.” He placed a manila folder he’d been carrying on to the table. “Before I show you all this, I should probably explain a little of where I got this information from. Or at least what I can explain.”
Gina frowned. It was beginning to sound a bit like a bad spy novel. “Okay.”
“I told you when we met in Cambridge that I worked for the British Army Intelligence Corps.”
Gina nodded but didn’t interrupt.
“Well, as I’m sure you can imagine, finding out information was very much what I did. What I do. I’m very good at it, and I know a lot of other people who are equally good at it, if not better than I am. Especially now with computers and so on.”
“I’m sure you must have been to have remained in the army for so long.”
“Quite. Well, after I left you last week, I had a bee in my bonnet.” He smirked a little. “As I’m sure you can understand, I wanted to find out all I could about the little girl Pat gave birth to and what might have happened to her.”
“Of course. That makes perfect sense, George. I hope you find her and build a relationship with her.” She smiled. “You deserve it, I’m sure. But I’m a little confused, I don’t understand what that has to do with me? Not that I’m not glad to have the chance to apologise for my behaviour the other day, but I truly didn’t expect to ever see you again.”
He nodded. “Neither did I. I thought you hated me. With reason, I might add. But I never expected to cross paths with you again either. Until last night.”
“What happened last night?” Kate asked as she placed drinks for them all on the table.
“A friend of mine in Ireland found the records I was looking for and sent them to me. I got the e-mail about eleven last night. It was the last piece of corroborating evidence I needed to be sure I’d found the right woman.”
The Last First Time Page 32
