This London Love

by Clare Lydon

  The rush was building in Meg’s body as she picked up her speed. She smiled down at Kate’s gorgeous form, soaking up this moment of poetry. Meg pushed Kate higher and higher, until eventually her body spasmed and she flew over the edge with a strangled cry, sinking forward and then pushing back onto Meg with another cry.

  But Meg didn’t let up. She was still behind Kate, still going, now circling Kate’s swollen clit. Very soon, Kate threw back her head and came again, riding out her orgasm to the end before collapsing under Meg.

  Meg allowed Kate to lie flat before extracting herself. She then lay fully on top of her, their hot skin mingling deliciously. The sheets smelt of their warm bodies and the moment was captured in slow-motion — it was raw, intimate and blissful. Meg was folded around Kate and she wanted to stay there forever.

  They lay there for a while getting their breath back, then Kate began to giggle.

  “You think your neighbours heard any of that?”

  Meg smiled into Kate’s shoulder. “They wake me up enough, so if they did, it’s about time.” She kissed Kate’s back and ran a hand over her bum cheek. It fitted neatly into Meg’s hand, which she absolutely loved.

  “That was… You are… Incredible.” Kate rolled Meg off of her gently, before running a hand down the side of her face and kissing her softly.

  “I know,” Meg said. “You make it pretty easy, though.”

  “So do you,” Kate replied.

  They lay there, staring into each other’s eyes, lost in the moment, their breathing returning to normal.

  “I missed you,” Kate said.

  Meg kissed her lips softly. “I missed you too. More than you can possibly imagine.” Kate had cinema skin, a superstar smile.

  “If we ever have another disagreement, can you do me a favour?”

  Meg nodded. “Whatever you like.”

  “Just remember this, remember us. And remember we should not be apart. Deal?”

  A 100-watt smile lit up Meg’s face. “That’s a deal I have no problem signing up to.”

  Kate jumped out of bed and scrabbled in her bag.

  Meg frowned. “What are you doing?”

  “Getting something for us to sign.” Kate scooched back onto the bed, clutching her wallet and a pen.

  Meg shivered and wrapped the duvet around her again. “You’re letting the cold in.”

  Kate produced a Sainsbury’s receipt and, using her wallet as a surface, wrote on it.

  “I, Kate Carter,” she spoke as she wrote. But the pen wasn’t playing ball — Kate shook it and scribbled until the ink ran free. Then she returned to her writing space on the edge of the receipt. “I, Kate Carter, promise to remember our brilliant morning sex the next time we have a row. We should not give that up. Signed, me.”

  Kate offered the receipt, wallet and pen to Meg.

  “You really want me to sign a Sainsbury’s receipt?”

  Kate nodded. “Yes. We’re incredible together. We should never forget that.” Kate put the pen into Meg’s hand.

  Meg signed her name and gave it back to Kate. “You’re crazy, you know that, don’t you?”

  Kate smiled and put the receipt in her wallet, before grabbing Meg under the covers. “And you’re a lover of crazy, if I remember correctly.”

  33

  One week later, and life was almost back to normality. With Olivia was out of hospital, and Kate and Meg back on, tonight was Vicky’s big party.

  “You think it’s going to kick off tonight?” Jess was leaning in their kitchen doorway, examining her fingernails.

  Kate was loading the dishwasher, filling the top tray with mugs. There was a waft of fish as she shut the door, and Kate wrinkled her nose as she straightened up.

  “Vicky has talked herself off the cliff — or perhaps I should congratulate your big brother for that — and now she’ll be all sweetness and light. At least in front of Mum. Plus, it’s her birthday, so she’s got tons of mates to distract her. It’ll be fine,” Kate said. “I hope. What time’s your girlfriend getting here?”

  Jess checked her phone. “Any minute now.”

  Right on cue, the doorbell rang.

  Jess looked panicked. “Shit, I’m not even changed and she’s bang on time. Damn her.”

  Kate chuckled as she heard Jess take the stairs too quick, swear as she hit Kate’s bike at the bottom, then heard the sound of lips connecting.

  A few seconds later Lucy appeared and gave Kate a hug. “Big night tonight!” Lucy was loosening her shoulders, as if she were about to compete in some Olympic-style javelin tournament.

  “Yep — Vicky finally grows up, age 38.”

  “I didn’t mean that — I meant you introducing Meg to the family. That’s a big deal.” Lucy elbowed Kate in the ribs.

  Since when did she take over Jess’s wind-up duties? They’d clearly been spending far too much time together.

  “No biggie,” Kate lied. “It might have been normally, but everyone’s going to have their eyes glued to Vicky instead — there’s no room for me and my new squeeze. Tonight is going to be a drama-free evening with no heart attacks or tantrums or anything else of that nature. Everybody got that?”

  Jess and Lucy both nodded.

  “Good,” Kate said. “Anyhow, I better go and get ready. Half an hour till we leave?”

  ***

  “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto.” Jess swiped her Oyster card over the reader and the gate opened. Lucy and Kate followed her out.

  “Finchley has its charms,” Kate said.

  “There are so many places on the tube that you never go to. Cockfosters. Morden. Epping. Maybe we should have a day where we go to all the places we’ve never been. Drink a half at the end of every tube line. What do you think?” Jess’s face lit up.

  “I think you’d spend half your day on the tube, and the other half in dodgy pubs. I’ve told you before — there’s a reason we live in the inner city. It’s got better stuff in it.” Kate scratched her cheek as they began the walk up the High Street.

  “Killjoy. What do you think?”

  Lucy wrinkled her nose and took Jess’s hand. “I’m with Kate on this one. Take some photos, put them on Instagram, and we’ll see you back at the flat with a glass of wine.” She grinned broadly at Jess.

  Jess shook her head. “You can tell we’re not in the honeymoon period anymore.”

  A couple of minutes later, Kate pointed out a couple of prime landmarks — the Pret where she’d first bought coffee for her and Meg; and then Fabulous Flowers, which they stopped in front of now, peering in the window.

  “Nice display,” Lucy said.

  Kate smiled. “Pretty good, isn’t it? Artistic.” An autumnal scene played out in the window, all shades of green, mustard yellow and golden brown to the fore. “Don’t ask me what they all are, but Meg’s got an eye for colour.”

  “True,” Jess said. “But while we’re here, can you re-enact that day you fell over on the pavement?” Jess’s shoulders shook with laughter. “Was it about here?” she asked, pointing to the pavement. She shifted marginally left. “Or about here?”

  Kate pursed her lips, but couldn’t stop a smile coming through. “Yes, very funny. I’m going to treat that comment with the disdain it deserves.” Kate shook her head and walked away, but was still smiling.

  “Spoilsport,” Jess said, catching her up.

  “Talking of Meg — where we meeting her?” Lucy asked.

  “She’s coming straight to the party, probably around nine.”

  “And is she bringing her housemate?” Jess backed away as she asked.

  Kate gave Jess a withering look. “I hope so. Because there won’t be enough tension tonight.”

  “I thought you said there wouldn’t be any tension?” Jess said.

  “It’s Vicky. I lied.”

  They hailed a cab, stopping to pick up supplies for the party — beer, red wine, fizz. At the door, they were greeted by Jess’s brother Jack, who was dressed in
a vibrant floral shirt. His cheeks were flushed as he greeted the trio, taking coats and brushing cheeks with his lips.

  “You’re looking very Noel Edmonds tonight,” Jess told him. “Are we the first here?”

  “Almost — how terribly unfashionable you are,” Jack said. “Where’s number four?”

  “She’s the fashionable one, clearly.” Kate gave Jack a hug.

  “What you lack in timings, you more than make up for in diversity. Three lesbians to add to the party mix - we’re all for equal opportunities in the suburbs.”

  In response, Jess whacked him on the arm.

  Jack laughed in the way only brothers can, carrying the coats upstairs.

  The trio walked through to the kitchen, where the table was laid with a party buffet where surprisingly, not everything was beige. As well as having two types of hummus, quiche, a whole salmon and assorted dips, there was even a cheeseboard with grapes and quince — terribly cosmopolitan. Vicky was busy eating cocktail sausages when they walked in — she had four empty cocktail sticks in her hand already. Cocktail sausages were Vicky’s kryptonite.

  “You’re here!” Vicky walked around the table and hugged Kate first, before turning her attention to Jess and Lucy.

  “We thought we better come.” Kate brandished the present bag under her nose. “Happy 38th, older sister supreme!”

  “Thanks.” Vicky plucked the Champagne from the bag, then stashed it away in a cupboard. “That’s not being touched — I’ll save it for a special occasion.” She took the bag Lucy was holding up and repeated the trick. “I’ve got Prosecco for tonight,” Vicky confided.

  “Mum here yet?” Kate asked.

  Vicky nodded. “In the lounge with the boys and the other guests. And Lawrence, of course.” She whispered the last bit.

  “And did you play nicely?” Kate braced for the worst.

  “Like a model child in a model playground,” Vicky said. “No hitting, punching or kicking.”

  Kate gave her a hug. “Proud of you, sis.”

  “Early days, mind,” Vicky added with a grin.

  Jess opened the fridge and prised a bottle of Prosecco from the door. “Shall we get this party started, then? Got some glasses?”

  Vicky rounded the table and set up four plastic flutes on the counter-top. “Saves on washing up,” she said.

  ***

  Half an hour later and the party was beginning to rev up, the living room stacked with starched men and bronzed women, an overspill in the hallway and kitchen. On the stereo, 70s and 80s party classics were caressing the room, Billy Joel following Kylie, Kool And The Gang cheek-to-cheek with Rick Astley.

  In the kitchen, the buffet on the dining table was already half-eaten, which Kate’s mum was inordinately pleased about.

  “Sometimes, you put all this food out and nobody eats it. Criminal. So it’s good to see it not going to waste,” she’d told Kate ten minutes previous. Kate hoped she got as much pleasure from such small things when she got older — satisfaction had oozed out of her mum.

  Kate checked her watch — nearly nine, so Meg should be here soon. She was looking forward to showing her off to friends and family as her girlfriend. Olivia had been released from hospital the previous day and seemed to be coping fine at home. Kate had told Meg she didn’t need to come tonight if she wanted to stay with her mum, but Olivia had insisted.

  “Fantastic spread, isn’t it?”

  A voice disturbed her thoughts as Kate’s hand hovered over the home-made sausage rolls, which were delicious. She turned her head to see Lawrence smiling at her.

  “Yeah, great, isn’t it?” Kate’s mind flashed an image of Lawrence lounging in her mum’s bed, smoking a post-coital cigarette after she’d gatecrashed their slice of afternoon delight. Kate shook her head briskly, trying to dislodge the scene. Luckily, it worked.

  Lawrence had a white paper plate in his left hand, already adorned with quiche, nachos, cheese and dips. “We ate before we left, but I just can’t resist — I love a party buffet.” He smiled broadly as he popped a cocktail sausage into his mouth. “Your young lady not here yet?”

  Kate moved out of his way so he could get to the salmon. “Any minute now.”

  “Looking forward to meeting her.”

  Kate nodded and walked out into the hallway. She wasn’t sure why, but that last comment grated. He wasn’t her dad, so what did it matter to him about meeting Meg? Right at this moment, she had sympathy with how Vicky had been feeling. Lawrence wasn’t their dad and could never replace him, but clearly he considered himself a fixture in their lives now.

  Kate was still bristling when the doorbell chimed. She immediately went to open it and there stood Meg, looking tantalisingly gorgeous, giving Kate an instant smile.

  “Hello beautiful,” Kate said, welcoming her in.

  “Back at ya,” Meg replied, taking Kate into her arms and giving her a squeeze. Then she pulled back and planted her lips onto Kate’s.

  The usual Meg effect rippled through Kate’s body, and she relaxed into it. When she opened her eyes, Meg’s reed-green gaze was staring right into hers.

  “Your eyes look greener today.”

  Meg smiled. “They do that — change colour.”

  Kate raised an eyebrow. “Aren’t you a woman of mystery.”

  “I do my best,” Meg said, kissing Kate on the cheek. When she pulled back, Meg held up a carrier bag that clinked when it moved. “I brought supplies — where shall I put them?”

  “In the kitchen.” Kate flicked her head over her right shoulder and took Meg’s hand in hers. “Follow me.”

  As Kate entered the kitchen, Lawrence was just exiting, his plate half-full. “You still in here?” Kate’s voice was light-hearted, trying to cover her earlier irritation.

  But Lawrence simply looked over Kate’s shoulder and said nothing. And when he dropped his plate of food, there wasn’t a great clatter, with most of the contents and the plate itself being shatter-proof.

  Meg dropped Kate’s hand and stopped walking.

  The hairs on Kate’s arms stood to attention, but she had no idea why.

  “Meg?” Lawrence’s voice was barely audible. “What are you doing here?”

  Kate turned, to find Meg’s mouth hanging open, her eyes hardening.

  One of Jack’s friends brushed past Lawrence and Meg in the kitchen doorway with something approaching irritation, but neither Meg or Lawrence registered it.

  Kate couldn’t quite connect the dots. “You two know each other?”

  Lawrence was still staring, as was Meg.

  “We did once.” And with that, Meg turned, bag of drinks in hand and coat still on. She walked towards the door.

  Kate narrowed her eyes at Lawrence accusingly, then set off after Meg, who was just opening the front door to leave.

  “Hey.” Kate grabbed Meg’s arm, but she shook her off. “What’s wrong, what’s going on?”

  “I’m leaving.” Meg shot Kate an apologetic look. “Sorry — I can’t stay with him here.” She yanked the door fully open just as Jess appeared in the hallway.

  “You’re here — finally! Super-fashionably late too.” But Jess stopped talking as she approached and saw the worry etched on Kate’s face. “Everything okay?”

  “He’s a fucker, that’s what’s going on,” Meg told Kate, before stepping out into the October evening.

  Kate held up her hand to Jess. “Give us a minute.” She followed Meg out the front door and up the garden path.

  Meg was already striding down the road.

  “Meg! Stop!” Kate broke into a sprint to catch her up. The night air was cold on her skin and she shivered.

  Meg was paying no attention to Kate’s needs.

  “What’s he doing here? In the kitchen at your sister’s party?” Meg was still walking at some pace.

  Kate ran in front of her and stopped.

  Meg tried to dodge round her, but Kate grabbed her arms.

  “Tell me what’s going on — why
did you freak on when you saw Lawrence?”

  “How do you know him?” Meg’s eyes were wild and watery.

  “He’s my mum’s boyfriend.”

  Meg let out a snort and bent over, putting down the carrier bag of beer, then her palms on her thighs. “Your mum’s boyfriend. Wow. Life is certainly playing tricks on us right now.” She stayed down for a few more seconds before standing up. Then she shook her head. “Go back — everyone will be wondering where you are.”

  Kate shook her head. “Let them wonder — I’m more concerned how you are. Will you tell me what’s going on.”

  Meg laughed a hollow laugh. “Lawrence is my long-lost-fucking-father, that’s what’s going on.”

  The sky’s blackness seemed to fall on them in that moment.

  Now it was Kate’s turn to be stunned. “Lawrence is your dad?” Even Kate couldn’t quite believe it.

  “Yes — and apparently he’s shagging your mum. So we could become sisters. Perfect, wouldn’t you say?” Meg put her fingers to her forehead and trailed them across its width, her eyes closed. When she opened them, she shook her head again.

  “I can’t do this — not tonight. I need to think. I don’t want… Him in my life. Not now. Not with Mum so sick. It’s too…” She sighed. “You take the booze back in, I’m gonna go home.”

  Kate put her hand to her mouth. “No — I’ll come with you. I don’t care about the party.”

  “You should,” Meg said. “It’s your sister’s birthday.”

  “But she’s not the one I’m in love with.” Kate fixed Meg with a steely stare. Then she tried to soften it to reflect the feeling behind her words. It’d just slipped out. This wasn’t the romantic moment she’d been imagining.

  Meg put her hand to Kate’s face and trailed her fingers down one side. She went to say something, pain written across her expression, then shook her head again.

  “I can’t do this.” Meg’s voice was metallic.

  They feel into a sharp silence.

  Eventually, Kate spoke in a whisper. “Do what?”

  “He can’t be involved — this is too messy.”