by Anne Fraser
‘Can we go now, Mummy?’ Jess asked plaintively. ‘I’ve been waiting for ever.’
‘I just have to pack the cool bag with our picnic, then I’m ready.’
Georgie was grateful she had something to occupy herself with. She needed to get her heart rate under control. How was she going to manage a day without giving herself away?
Logan stooped and placed the backpack he always carried on the table. ‘I brought something too,’ he said. He fished around in his bag and brought out a couple of books. They were the same series he had been reading to Jess that first day back in Fort William. Georgie was surprised and touched he had remembered.
‘You can look at them in the car,’ Logan promised Jess, before pulling out a large box of chocolates. ‘And these are for your granny. We can’t leave her without anything, can we?’
Georgie’s mother accepted the gift. ‘My favourites,’ she said warmly. She turned to her daughter, ‘Darling, it’s such perfect weather to do some gardening. I want to get the lobelia planted before it’s too late and this afternoon there’s an old movie I’ve always wanted to see but managed to miss every time on the television. It’ll be such a treat to finally watch it and—’ her eyes sparkled happily ‘—enjoy these chocolates at the same time.’
Georgie felt a brief pang of guilt. Her mother should be able to put her feet up whenever she wanted to, not just as a special treat. Maybe it was time she seriously pressurised Mary to go back to Fort William and her own life? She and Jess would cope. She decided to discuss it with her mother later that evening.
‘Okay,’ Logan said. ‘Let’s get the troops on the move. Quick march to the car.’
The park was reasonably quiet when they arrived and they found a parking spot easily. It would be much busier in an hour or so, Georgie knew from experience.
Jess was in a frenzy as she tried to decide what to do first. In the end she decided on the bouncy castle, telling Logan and Georgie firmly that they had to watch her as she bounced.
Georgie slid a look in Logan’s direction.
‘I hope you aren’t going to be bored out of your mind,’ she said. ‘This must be as far away from your usual life as it’s possible to get.’
Logan looked into the distance, his eyes hooded. Then he smiled.
‘You could say that. But it’s great. Makes me realise what I’ve been missing.’
The expression in his eyes caused Georgie’s heart to falter. What was he suggesting? Could he possibly mean that he was getting tired of his nomadic existence in the army?
Before he could say anything else, Jess was off the bouncy castle and had grabbed Georgie and Logan by the hand.
‘I want to go on a ride now,’ she said. ‘I want to go on the train and I want to go on the horses and I want to go on the big wheel and the boat on the lake. After that I want—’
‘Hold on.’ Georgie laughed. ‘One thing at a time. Why don’t we go on the boat, then you can go on the carousel? After that we can have our picnic lunch and do some of the other rides. Okay?’
There was no queue as yet for the boats so they were able to get out on the lake quickly. Logan picked up the oars and began to row.
‘Hey,’ Georgie protested. ‘How do you know I didn’t want to row?’
Logan looked at her in surprise. ‘Do you?’ he said.
‘No, not really. I just want you to know I could, if I wanted to.’
Logan’s eyes travelled the length of her body. Georgie was convinced that the temperature had risen a couple of degrees in the last ten seconds, and she knew he was also remembering their day on the island.
‘I’m sure you could,’ he drawled, looking unconvinced.
‘I’ll have you know I’ve been at the gym four times in the last week,’ Georgie said defensively. Then, catching the laughter in his brown eyes, she flushed. ‘Okay, maybe three times, but I am getting fitter. Another few months and I’ll be back to the same weight and level of fitness I was before Jess was born.’
‘I like you just the way you are,’ Logan responded lazily. ‘Far too many women think being stick thin is the only way to be. I prefer a few curves myself.’ This time Georgie knew it wasn’t the heat of the sun that was making her temperature rise. The look in his eyes told her that he too was thinking of their love-making and the way he had explored every inch of her with his eyes then his lips. A delicious shiver coursed through her body.
‘Don’t you think your mummy is perfect the way she is, Jess?’ he asked.
Jess, who had been listening to the adults, confusion written all over her face, giggled. ‘I think she’s the beautifulest mummy in the whole wide world.’
Logan’s grin grew wider. ‘And I agree with you,’ he said.
After their boat trip, they watched in companionable silence as Jess rode on the carousel. Logan showed no sign of impatience or boredom despite Jess insisting on staying on for several goes.
Eventually, Georgie managed to extract her daughter from the ride. The park was beginning to fill up as people continued to pour in.
‘Let’s find a spot for our picnic before the best are all taken,’ Georgie suggested.
They found a place in the shade under an oak tree, a reasonable distance from the rest of the picnickers.
Georgie spread the thick tartan rug she had brought from home on the ground and tossed a few cushions on it. A short distance away, a miniature train was making its way round a track, towing several carriages with children.
‘Can Uncle Logan take me on the train before we have our picnic, Mummy?’
‘I’m not sure he’ll fit on that train.’ Georgie laughed. ‘He’s a bit big.’
‘There’s other daddies on the train,’ Jess persisted. ‘Look!’ She pointed her finger, and, sure enough, several fathers as well as mothers were perched on the train, holding their children. But Georgie wasn’t really looking. Her daughter’s words were ringing in her ears. The other daddies. Oh, no. Her worst fears were being realised. Jess had latched onto Logan and had clearly decided that Logan was the nearest thing to a daddy she had. Georgie slid a horrified glance at Logan. Sure enough, he looked dismayed. All this was probably more than he had bargained for when he had agreed to the day out. Georgie wondered if, after today, he would be in full retreat. Well, there was nothing she could do about it. She and Jess were a package and she had never pretended otherwise.
Logan recovered quickly. ‘Sure, I’ll go with you,’ he said. Jess squealed with delight and Logan took her by the waist and swung her onto his shoulders. Georgie’s heart stumbled as she watched them move towards the train. Anyone watching would assume they were father and daughter.
As she unpacked their picnic she continued to watch them with half an eye. She saw them get on the train, Logan placing Jess carefully in front and then climbing on behind her. She had to laugh. His legs were so long that bent they were practically up to his ears. He looked as awkward as she had ever seen him and when the child-sized train puffed its way past her, he raised his hand in a wave and smiled wryly. Jess had no such qualms. She yelled and waved vigorously at her mother, clearly having the time of her life.
Georgie had their picnic laid out, the bread buttered and the salad tossed, when Jess and Logan returned.
‘You should have come too, Mummy. It was so much fun. You liked it too, didn’t you, Uncle Logan?’
‘Sure did, honey. I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.’ His smile was wide. ‘But next time’s Mummy’s turn.’
As they ate, Jess chattered non-stop. ‘I’m having so-o-o much fun. I wish we could do this every day.’
‘Me too,’ Logan said quietly. This time his eyes were serious. Georgie’s world tilted as he held her gaze. She knew she had been kidding herself. She didn’t want a short-term relationship with this man. She loved him. Heart and soul. Whatever fears she still had and whatever the future held in store, she knew that she would rather face it all than a life without this man.
By the time they left t
he park, Jess was flagging. She had done so much running around she had exhausted herself. Logan picked her up and she buried her face in his neck and promptly fell asleep.
She was still dead to the world when they reached Georgie’s house. Logan carried the sleeping child inside.
‘Where do you want her?’ he asked softly.
‘I think I’ll just put her to bed. She was up so early, she’ll be out for the count until morning.’
She led the way to Jess’s bedroom, peeling back the pink duvet so that Logan could lay her down. She quickly removed her daughter’s outer clothes, covered her up and tiptoed out of the room.
Georgie peeped into the sitting room. Her mother was dozing in front of the television, the open box of chocolates by her arm.
Silently, she slipped into the kitchen. Logan was leaning against the counter. He reached out and pulled her against him. She revelled in the feel of his hard body against the length of hers, and warmth spread from her lower abdomen.
Logan brushed a hand along her jaw down to her neck. Shivers of desire coursed through her body.
‘Come home with me,’ he whispered into her ear.
‘I can’t,’ she pleaded softly, turning her face up to his. His lips came down on hers and he kissed her hungrily as if it were the first and last time.
‘I’ve been thinking about making love to you all day.’ He groaned against her mouth.
A sound from the sitting room alerted Georgie and she jerked away from Logan, hoping desperately her flushed cheeks wouldn’t betray her.
Her mother came into the kitchen, blinking sleepily.
‘I didn’t hear you come in.’ She yawned. ‘You should have woken me.’
‘We haven’t been back very long.’ Georgie struggled to keep her voice steady. ‘Anyway, you looked so peaceful, Mum, I couldn’t bear to wake you.’
‘Where’s Jess?’
‘She’s in bed. Absolutely exhausted. I think that will be her until morning.’
‘In which case, what are you two still doing here? Away the pair of you go and have some fun while you can.’
Georgie felt her face grow even redder, if that were possible. ‘I don’t think…’
Logan grinned wolfishly, before flashing a smile at her mother.
‘I was just trying to persuade your daughter to do just that. Are you sure you don’t mind babysitting?’
‘Goodness, no. Jess is in bed and I’ve had the whole day relaxing. You two youngsters should make the most of the opportunity to have some adult time.’
Georgie hid a smile at her mother’s choice of words. Until today when she had seen him on the train, she couldn’t have imagined anyone thinking of him as a youngster. She bent and kissed her mother’s cheek.
‘I’m not going anywhere until I have had a shower and a change of clothing,’ she said firmly. ‘So if I can trust you not to bring out the baby albums, Mum, at least not of me, I’ll leave you two for twenty minutes.’
‘Baby photos. Now, there’s a thought,’ Logan said. ‘Any chance of a peek, Mary, while we’re waiting?’
Knowing that there was little she could do about it, Georgie left them alone. She showered quickly, every nerve cell in her body tingling with anticipation. She doubted they would be getting to dinner any time soon.
Selecting her favourite undies and a summer dress, she slicked on some lipstick and mascara. Her cheeks were already bright with colour so there was no need for any blusher.
When she returned to the kitchen, she was relieved to find the baby albums weren’t out. Instead, Logan and her mother seemed to be engaged in a serious discussion. Hearing her approach, Logan stopped in mid-sentence and let out a low whistle of approval.
There was no doubt in Georgie’s mind that her mother had been quizzing him thoroughly about his private life. Logan would be no match for her highly developed interrogation skills. The sooner she got him out of there, the better.
Logan got to his feet. ‘Dinner?’ he said mildly.
Georgie’s stomach was churning so much she couldn’t imagine being able to chew a mouthful. She nodded mutely.
When they got into the car, Logan looked at her.
‘You are so very beautiful,’ he said, pulling her towards him and kissing her gently on the lips. ‘I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I could eat a thing—not at the moment anyway.’ From the hungry look in his eyes there was no mistaking his intent and Georgie couldn’t bring herself to play games. The truth was, all she had been thinking of the whole day was being in his arms again.
Logan’s flat was in a new development overlooking the Clyde and his flat on the tenth floor had impressive views of the river.
It was sparsely furnished and Georgie formed the distinct impression he hardly used it. There were a few books lying on the coffee table—an autobiography by the American president and biographies of Churchill and Napoleon amongst others. In one corner, a steel string guitar was propped against the wall. There was also a state-of–the-art music system, the speakers dominating the room. Apart from these items, there were no personal effects. No photos, no little knick-knacks, no soft furnishings. It was the flat of a man who used it to eat and sleep in. It was not a home.
But she only had time for the briefest inspection before she was in Logan’s arms. He kissed her hungrily and she responded, hooking her legs around his hips. He cradled her bottom in his hands and, still kissing, he carried her towards his bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. Then they were pulling at each other’s clothes, touching each other, as if the world was about to come to an end.
Much later, as Georgie, wrapped in a sheet, stood looking out at early evening sunshine glistening on the river below, Logan came to stand behind her, enfolding her in his arms. She leaned against him, revelling in the feeling of security and contentment.
‘Why don’t you have a permanent home?’ she asked. ‘Somewhere to go when you’re not overseas with the army?’
‘I’ve never seen the point. I prefer to visit a different city or country when I have time off, either competing or just touring. There is so much of the world to see, and so little time to see it.’
‘Don’t you miss not having one place to come back to?’ She swivelled round in his arms so she could read his expression.
‘I can’t say I do. In fact, I can think of nothing worse than being stuck in the same spot. I think it would drive me mad eventually.’
Georgie’s heart sank. What else did she expect? She had walked into this with her eyes wide open, but that had been before she had fallen in love with him. All this was great, lovely. Now she was greedy and she wanted more. When he left, as he inevitably would, her heart was going to be shattered.
‘Tell me about your parents,’ she said softly. ‘What were they like? Why don’t you talk about them?’
He stiffened and the now familiar, guarded look returned to his eyes. He moved away and fiddled around with his music system. The sounds of Rachmaninov filled the air.
‘Logan?’ she persisted.
He refused to meet her gaze. ‘I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. Shall we send out for something?’ he said, ignoring her question.
Only moments before she could have sworn food was the last thing on his mind. Something had changed, the atmosphere had cooled. Now she felt as if she’d been slapped and all her misgivings come rushing back. He seemed determined not to let her get too close to him.
‘Why don’t we go out?’ Georgie said. ‘It’s a beautiful evening.’ Off balance at the coolness that seemed to have descended between them, she wanted to put some distance between them, even if for a short while. She couldn’t think clearly when he was so close.
‘Sure. Anything you like. There’s a little place on the river that serves meals until late. Atmosphere’s great and the food’s not bad either. I go there most evenings. Can’t say cooking is my thing.’
They dressed quickly, without speaking, and stepped out into the evening air. Thoughts we
re whirling around Georgie’s head. What was she doing? It was madness spending time with a man who was going to break her heart. A man who wouldn’t open up to her, either because he didn’t trust her or because he didn’t see a future for them. Why hadn’t she got out of the relationship when she still could? But she knew the answer. Because she was tired of licking her wounds and hiding from life. If nothing else, Logan had made her feel alive again, and if that hurt, at least it was better than feeling nothing. Or so she had thought. Now she wasn’t so sure.
The back lane Logan took as a shortcut was quiet, apart from three youths at the other end. Ahead of them they became aware of a scuffle. It looked as if the young men were harassing an elderly man on his own. Georgie sensed a change in Logan. There was a watchfulness, an intense stillness about him as he kept his eyes pinned on them. He pulled her closer to his side as they continued to walk towards the group.
Suddenly one of the trio viciously punched the older man in the stomach. He gripped his middle in disbelief, before sinking to his knees.
‘Hey. Leave him alone!’ Logan shouted, and started sprinting towards them. Rooted to the spot, Georgie could only stand and watch. Thankfully when they saw Logan’s six feet three of solid muscle heading towards them the youths turned tail and ran.
Logan looked after them as if considering whether to give chase, but then he dropped to his knees beside the fallen man, feeling for a pulse.
‘Is he all right?’ Georgie asked as she ran up to them.
Logan ripped open the fallen man’s shirt and examined the wound. ‘He’s been stabbed. Phone 999 and get the police and ambulance here. Tell them to hurry.’
Georgie drew in a sharp breath when she saw the extent of the injury but carried on dialling. The man had been stabbed in his chest and Georgie knew from experience that they had to get the victim to hospital as a matter of urgency. Treating a knife wound was notoriously difficult and fraught with complications as often the worst damage was hidden below the surface.
