by F. C. Clark
‘Yes.’
‘Oh. Like I said, Mr Jones didn’t really say much. Actually, you may be able to shed some light on something.’ I pick up the diary and flick through the pages. ‘Here, read this,’ I say and pass him the book.
He reads the page and takes a deep breath before closing the diary.
‘G – do you know who that was?’ Then a thought occurs to me. Shit! ‘Are you Gerry with a G or a J?’
‘G.’
My mouth snaps shut. ‘Oh! But…’
He gazes out of the full-length windows that overlook the historical buildings surrounding Sutton Global.
‘Was Mr Jones gay?’ I ask.
‘Kate, things were very different back in our day.’
‘I understand. My best friend is gay.’
‘I’m married with two children.’
‘So, you’re not gay?’ I ask.
He shifts in his seat, looking uncomfortable.
‘Jefferson and I have been friends since – well, ever since I can remember. He knew he would eventually inherit his family business and I had a job working in a bank alongside my father.’
‘Your lives were already mapped out for you – Mr Jones said so himself.’
‘Quite right. Most of our friends drifted off to pastures new, but we remained close.’
‘Did he ever have a girlfriend?’
‘I would say he had acquaintances more than relationships.’
‘So you and he never – sorry, I don’t mean to pry.’
‘No, I understand. We went to Europe for a couple of months. Our fathers thought it would benefit our careers – mine for the language and Jefferson for a history of European fashion. I have to admit, it was one of the best times of my life.’
I reach across and touch his hand.
‘We had a lot of fun, too much wine and one night of passion – a passion that would never be allowed.’
‘Crap! He loved you. Poor Mr Jones, he lived with this secret for his entire life.’
‘He knew it was not something either of us could revisit, and I doubted whether that path was for me… Do you understand?’
I nod. ‘But you remained friends?’
‘We did. He was the best man at my wedding.’
I raise my brows. ‘Christ, poor Mr Jones.’
‘We’ve been friends for years, so nobody was ever suspicious when we met up for dinner.’
‘Did he try to meet someone else?’
He shakes his head. ‘Sadly, no.’
‘Reading between the lines, I think he never got over you. I asked him about the fabric and he mentioned a lost love. He said it was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.’
‘That sounds like him.’
‘I’m really sorry for dragging up the past. I didn’t mean to cause you pain.’
He sighs. ‘Bizarrely, I feel relieved to share his secret.’
‘I won’t tell anyone. I will honour his memory forever.’
‘I know, and I know how much you meant to Jefferson. He once said you were like the daughter he never had. That’s why he was thrilled you used the fabric for your wedding dress. I know he helped you get ready on your special day, Kate, and that made him happy.’
‘Me too.’ Tears roll down my cheek. ‘I am so fed up with crying.’
He reaches inside his blazer and retrieves something from his pocket.
‘I would like to give you this.’
He passes me a white cotton handkerchief. Inside is a pocket watch.
‘This belonged to Jefferson’s grandfather. He gave it to me many years ago.’
‘No, I can’t… He gave it to you.’
He covers my hand with his and shakes his head. ‘Honestly, I would like you to keep it. My children never had a relationship with him, for obvious reasons. I trust that you will treasure this as much as I have. Maybe you will have a son one day. It would mean a great deal to me if you accept it.’
‘I will.’ I reach across and pick up the tape measure. ‘This was his favourite.’
‘See, you understand him.’
‘God, I miss him.’
‘Me too.’ He takes my hand and squeezes my fingers. ‘I must go.’
We stand. At the same time, Luke appears at the door.
‘Bye, Gerry.’
‘Goodbye, Kate. It has been an honour to meet you,’ he says and leaves.
‘Is everything all right?’ Luke asks.
‘I want to go home.’
‘OK.’
‘I don’t have the energy to say goodbye to everyone, can we just leave? I’ll message Mum and Harry.’ I collect my bag and slip the book, watch and tape measure inside it.
Luke takes my hand and we walk past the conference room and head towards the bank of lifts.
‘Bath and food… You look exhausted.’
‘Mr Jones was gay.’
Luke turns to me. ‘What?’
‘I know. Holy cow. I wanted to say that earlier, but Gerry – with a G, not a J – probably would not have approved.’
‘He’s the G from the diary?’
‘The very same. I didn’t twig when he introduced himself because our Jerry spells his name with a J.’
‘How did this come about?’
‘I asked him about France and the fabric, which he knew all about because he was there. Apparently they took a trip to Europe years ago, had a great time, and shared a night of passion. A night that would never happen again.’
‘Times were different back then.’
‘I know. Now Gerry is married with two children. Poor Mr Jones was his best man.’
‘That’s tough.’
‘Can you imagine how bloody awful it must have been for him? He died with a broken heart. He was such an enigma. I feel like I really didn’t know him.’
‘You did, Kate. You knew him, and he loved you. Everyone could see that.’
‘Maybe. Christ, Luke, today has been hard, too bloody hard.’
He reaches across and touches my knee. ‘It’s over. Now we need to move on, taking his memory with us.’
‘You’re right. I do feel a bit better. Thank you for everything – I don’t know what I would have done without you.’
‘We’re in this together, remember?’
‘I love you – just in case I don’t tell you enough.’
‘You tell me all the time.’ He flashes me his best Sutton smile. ‘Promise me you’ll never stop saying it.’
‘I won’t. Life is too short. I’m going to tell our babies every day how much I love them.’
Shortly, we arrive at the palace. I input my code and walk through the door.
‘Are Rosie and Jerry coming back today?’
‘No.’
‘Good.’ I loosen my tie and begin to unbutton my shirt. Luke looks surprised.
‘I need to take off these trousers and wash the day away.’ I hold my hand out for him. ‘You promised me a bath.’
We walk hand in hand to our bedroom. I remove the remainder of my clothes and hang my suit in pride of place. I stand back and admire it as Luke enters the dressing room.
‘I need to carry on.’
‘Carry on what?’
‘Harper Jones. This morning I wanted to close the business or give it away to the girls.’
‘Give yourself time.’
‘Gerry with a G said that Mr Jones was so excited about the business, watching his dream come alive.’
Luke stands in front of me, naked.
‘Hmm, just how I like you, Sutton.’
He smiles at me. ‘You never cease to amaze me.’
‘Back at you. You looked after all our guests today, and I was beyond useless.’
‘You just buried your friend.’
‘Today is over. I can’t talk about it any longer. What I need is you.’
Luke frowns. ‘I don’t—’
‘Shh. This is about love. We’re lucky to have each other, Luke. I will never take what we have for granted.’
My lips reach his before he has a chance to say anything. For the first time in days I feel alive: blood pumps around my body and wakes my soul.
I pull away and take his hand, guiding him onto our bed. He kneels in the centre.
‘Kate…’
‘Don’t question me. I want to be close to you; this is what we do.’
His mouth gently closes over mine. I run my hands through his hair, drawing him closer. ‘I want to make love to you, Kate.’
This time I reach for his mouth with tenderness and all the passion I can muster. His tongue brushes against mine, and I feel my body surrender to him. I reach down and grip his erection while he slides his fingers inside me.
‘I’m ready, Luke.’
He lies down and I straddle his lap. Holding his erection, he slowly sinks inside me. We wait for a few seconds, allowing my body to adjust, before I take him deeper. As I begin to move, Luke holds my hips and gently thrusts, as the head of his erection touches me where I need it.
Soon my rhythm changes and the speed increases: we both need more power to reach an orgasm. Thankfully, Luke continues to meet my thrusting. In no time at all I begin to lose myself to him. I watch his muscular torso tense and he tightens his grip on my hips.
My body responds, feeling the onset of an orgasm, and a rush of sensation overwhelms me. I come hard. Luke follows me; his breathing is laboured and his lips parted.
Our eyes meet with a connection that electrifies us both, an undeniable pull that I pray we will always have.
‘I love you,’ I manage to whisper as my orgasm continues to roll through me.
Afterwards, I lie on my side and smile.
He runs his hand down my face. ‘Do you feel better?’
‘Yes. It might be cheesy, but that was beautiful.’
‘It’s always about love, Kate.’ He pulls me close to his chest.
‘I let him go to the angels today.’ A single tear trickles down my cheek.
Goodbye, Mr Jones.
17
‘Luke, stop,’ I yell, laughing uncontrollably.
‘No,’ he says and continues to nip at my ear, then moves across to my jaw, keeping my arms pinned above my head. ‘You started it.’
‘OK! I surrender.’
His mouth works south towards my ribs and finally my stomach. ‘Mummy is happier today.’
‘Luke.’ I giggle.
He shifts his focus back to my face. ‘It’s good to hear you laugh.’
I run my hands through his hair. ‘Today is a new day.’ Four days of resting and sleeping as much as possible since the funeral have helped.
‘You could stay at home forever. I told you, this is the only place you should visit.’
‘What, our bed?’
‘At last she sees reason. I think hormones are helping you make the best decisions.’
‘Oh, really?’ I push him onto his back and straddle him. ‘You think you’re always in control. Sorry, but you’re not!’
‘That’s what I let you think,’ he says, laughing
I shift further down his body, scattering kisses across his skin. ‘Care to take a wager?’ I say, just as I take him in my mouth.
***
‘Here.’ I slide another pancake onto his plate.
‘Kate, I’m full. I’m pleased you’re feeling better, but you have to stop feeding me.’
‘I’m making up for lost time. Besides, I love taking care of you.’
‘You did this morning – twice.’
‘Very funny.’
He scans my body. ‘You look beautiful.’
‘You mean, thank God your wife actually got dressed? I needed to make the effort before you ran off with a supermodel.’
He pulls me between his legs. ‘Been there, done that.’ He flashes me a wolfish grin.
‘You’re such a shit – but I guess you’re mine.’
‘I am. Honestly, you look stunning.’
I lift my shirt to show Luke that my jeans just about fit under my bump. ‘I aim to please.’
‘In that case, get rid of your jeans and shirt. I’m thinking hot lingerie instead.’
‘Go to work! Global domination is calling you. Anyway, the Harper Jones crew are arriving at eleven and I want to get your office ready.’
‘You could meet them at Sutton Global.’
I shake my head. ‘Not yet. I want to spend a day there on my own. I owe Mr Jones that.’
‘Whatever you need.’
‘I’ll have dinner waiting for you – and if you’re good I may dress for the occasion. Oh, and think of me when you’re at your desk, doing what I did to you this morning.’
His hard-hitting kiss takes me by surprise. Now the day will be long and hard for us both.
‘Rosie, can you answer the buzzer?’ I remove the cakes from the oven and put them on the counter.
Rosie returns with Valerie and Maria.
‘Hi.’ I greet both women with a hug.
‘How are you?’ Valerie asks.
‘I’ve been cooking, and I’m dressed – so, today is a good day.’
‘Well done,’ she says and smiles.
I look at my colleagues and realise this is what I need. ‘I can’t wait to hear how your meeting went in France.’
Within half an hour Tanya arrives. We sit around the boardroom table in Luke’s office and make a plan.
‘OK, so we’ll stick to our original idea. Here, look at these.’ I open the sketchbook I found in Mr Jones’s office. ‘He was obviously working on some new ideas.’
‘I love them.’ Maria passes the book round the table.
‘Girls, I have to be honest. Last week I wanted to chuck in the towel. Even now I feel fragile – and slightly disloyal – moving forward without him.’
‘Oh Kate, I understand. I was talking to Max about it last night. I wondered whether you would continue.’ Valerie reaches for my hand. ‘I’m sure I speak on behalf of everyone. Mr Jones will always be here – he is Harper Jones so let’s honour his memory.’
I raise my mug. ‘Mr Jones.’
This is just what I need: something to focus on for the future, a future that I began with Mr Jones. Today I kick my self-deprecating arse to the kerb and feel mentally ready to chase our dream.
The afternoon continues. We plan where we want to go from here with regards to launching our product line. With a few companies showing interest, we need to make a quick decision. The phone rings.
‘Hello?’
‘How is my gorgeous wife?’
I smile. ‘Fine, and how is my delicious husband?’
‘Missing you.’
‘Good. Remember our deal for this evening?’
‘Every word.’ He laughs.
‘May your day be long and hard.’
‘Argh – thank you for the distraction.’
A chuckle escapes my mouth. ‘As much as I love speaking to you, I do have a house full of girls.’
‘OK. See you later.’
‘Goodbye, love of my life.’
I return to the crew and bring our meeting to a close. This might be the best job in the world.
After I prepare dinner – chicken stew with lentils – I have time to kill. I need a distraction.
‘What are you looking at?’ Rosie looks over my shoulder.
‘Nurseries. Look at this.’ I pull a stool out for Rosie to sit and turn the laptop. ‘Probably a bit too soon, but…’ I need time to adjust.
‘There’s no harm in looking, Kate. I love that cot,
’ she says.
‘Me too.’
‘I spoke to Luke about using the spare room opposite ours for a nursery. What do you think?’
‘You’ll want them to be near you.’
‘We can give them a room each when they get older.’
‘It’s so exciting – babies in the house, children running around,’ Rosie says.
‘Be careful what you wish for. They can sleep in with you.’
‘I don’t mind. Actually, I said to Jerry that I’d be happy to help – but only if you need it.’
‘That goes without saying. I still want to run Harper Jones.’
‘That’s a lot to take on, Kate.’
‘Listen, I was going to speak to Luke. This house is a lot of work, right? And I know nothing about babies.’
Rosie giggles. ‘You’ll pick it up.’
‘I hope so. But I was thinking about getting you some help.’
‘Here? But we have the cleaners, Kate.’ Rosie says, her forehead creasing in confusion.
‘Yeah, but I’m being selfish. You’ll have more time to spend with me.’ I laugh. ‘Bloody hell, that sounds awful and like something my husband would say. What I mean is, I’ll need help with the babies, especially if I want to continue to work – which I do, and I want them with me all the time.’
‘Of course.’
‘If we got someone in, let’s say for a couple of hours every day, just to keep on top of things, you’ll have time to be with me and the babies.’
‘A nanny?’ she says.
‘More like a grandmother. What do you think?’
In answer, tears roll down her cheeks.
‘Crap – you hate the idea!’
‘No, I’m just shocked you asked. You have your mum and Livy.’
‘I know, but Livy works full-time and I don’t want Mum to give up her job at the bakery – she loves it. You live with us, the children will know you and Jerry like grandparents. Besides, I trust you both with my life.’
‘Of course I would love to help, and I can babysit so you and Luke can have time together.’
‘OK, that’s sorted. I’ll speak to Luke tonight. So, back to the nursery. Shall we go upstairs and have a look?’
‘Good idea.’
The security buzzer rings.
