by Anita Notaro
Afterwards, he took her to lie on his bed and they held each other and said very little until she asked, ‘How’s dinner? I’m starving.’
‘Dinner might have become a takeaway at this stage I’m afraid.’
‘No way, you’re not getting off that easy. Go rescue.’
He kissed her on the forehead. ‘Why don’t you change into something comfortable – there are lots of clothes in the wardrobe – and I’ll go check on the food.’
Her overnight bag was still at the front door so she searched in his closet and smelt the almost familiar scent of him and found a pair of jeans and one of his big white shirts. She liked knowing she was wearing his clothes. The shirt was miles too long so she tied it at her waist – abandoning the heavy bra and pinching stay-ups with glee.
Back in the bathroom she laughed when she saw her hair so she unpinned it and left it loose and decided against applying more make-up, even though the original had been seriously damaged in the earthquake.
When she reappeared in the kitchen he was indeed busy rescuing the food.
He handed her a fresh glass of wine, which she gulped thirstily as she resumed her position on the stool and watched, much more relaxed with him now.
‘You look about fifteen.’
‘I wish. How’s the food?’
‘Well, it’s pasta and I had only done the sauce so I think we’ll be OK.’ He was boiling the kettle and opening some vermicelli as he spoke. ‘Are you hungry enough to risk it?’
‘Definitely.’
She set the table while he put the finishing touches to the meal and they ate in the kitchen with the help of a creamy, fat candle and a paper-thin, fingernail moon and it all tasted delicious, their appetites improved by the spontaneous exercise.
Dessert was simply fruit and cheese. They sat and chatted for ages, sharing stupid little nothings and being giddy. Afterwards, they cleaned up together and forgot to walk Charlie because they both wanted to go back to the closeness of the bed, where they watched TV in the dark, kissed and touched, and generally behaved like lovers.
Eventually Lindsay got up, removed what was left of her make-up and cleaned her teeth, and Chris got the house ready for bed. They tried to sleep but ended up talking for ages. She told him more about Paul and how she feared at the time they broke up that she would never be happy again.
‘And now look at you, new job, new life, everything going for you.’
‘Yeah, I don’t think he’d even recognize me, I’ve changed so much.’
‘How do you mean?’
‘I dunno, I’ve just become more laid-back, less of a worrier, I live life more day to day now. I seemed to be always rushing around, wanting more, trying to manipulate things to go my way. Then, when the break-up happened it taught me that you can’t always control things. I also became so self-obsessed, I don’t know how the girls put up with me. I kind of prefer the new me, I’m a bit softer, all my hard edges have been chipped away.’
‘Thanks for telling me.’
‘Have you ever felt like that?’
‘Sure, I think being in this business, especially when you’re in the public eye, makes you go into yourself a bit. Sometimes, it feels like people expect you to be a certain type of person, because you’re a “celebrity”. At times I find myself performing and then I get really annoyed so I sort of retreat back to my small circle of friends who know me, so I can be myself. I’ve had my share of knocks too.’
‘Like what?’
He hesitated, but only for a second.
‘I went out with this girl once, a good few years ago. I really liked her, introduced her to all my friends. She’d even come home with me several times to meet my family. She seemed to be mad about me, then I discovered she’d slept with me for a bet. That did my ego a lot of good, I can tell you.’
‘How did you get involved with her in the first place?’
‘I met her in a nightclub. I wasn’t very well known at the time but her friend recognized me and bet her £500 that she couldn’t get me to sleep with her. I found out months later when the same friend got drunk at a party and thought it would be hilarious to tell me all about it.’
‘And were you still going out with the girl at the time?’
‘Sure was. She swore that she hadn’t taken the money and that she really loved me but do you know something, I didn’t believe her and there had been lots of other, little things . . .’
‘I’m sorry that happened to you.’
‘I got over it but it made me much more careful of people. And in a funny way I suppose that’s what I was saying to you earlier. You see, she was absolutely stunning to look at and the sex was amazing and I thought I was really lucky to find her. But as it turned out she wasn’t so nice after all. It taught me a lesson.’
‘What?’
‘That looks aren’t really that important . . .’
‘That’s easy for you to say . . .’
He looked a bit sad for a moment. ‘But relationships aren’t really about looks or sex, although looks are the initial attraction and of course sex is very important. You have to really like the person, be able to trust them, know they’re honest with you – otherwise it’s all pointless really.’
‘Thanks for telling me.’
‘So now you know. And that’s one of the best things about me now, funnily enough. I won’t lie to you and I won’t cheat on you and I’ll always be honest with you, even if it hurts. I think it’s the only way for a relationship to have any chance of surviving.’
She held out her hand. ‘It’s a deal.’
Chapter Twenty-Four
LINDSAY WOKE TO find two mouths very close to her face. One kissed her and the other one licked her.
‘I was very relieved when I woke up and found it was your dog on top of me and not you, otherwise I’d have had to tell you about your weight problem.’
‘Well, I thought you had very bad breath for a moment there. How the hell did he get in here?’
‘The door was open. I heard him around four and he was on the floor. At five he was at the end of the bed, snoring. By seven he was trying to have sex with me.’
‘Get off, you big oaf, you’re not allowed on the bed.’
Charlie ignored her, rolling over and demanding to be played with.
‘I’m really sorry.’ She heaved her body and threw him off the bed.
Chris was already up. ‘I think the poor dog is trying to tell us he needs to pee. So I’ll put on the kettle and dash out for some croissants and papers and bring him with me, how does that sound?’
‘Too good to be true. What’s the catch?’
‘You’re making breakfast AND cleaning up.’
‘Done.’
Lindsay lay there when they’d gone and savoured the moment. It had been a funny night and she was happy that it had happened the way it did, glad she’d allowed herself to be vulnerable with him and that he’d paid her the same compliment. Funny how admitting your weaknesses makes you more attractive to another person, sometimes, she thought, as she hopped out of bed and went to make some coffee.
She was standing in the kitchen in his white shirt, all legs and hair when Charlie bounded into the room, sending a book flying with a swish of his tail. Chris followed, grinning.
‘What?’
‘Nothing.’
‘WHAT?’
‘You snore.’
‘I DO NOT.’
‘You do – you did in the hotel but I didn’t know how you’d take it if I told you. And you did it again last night.’
‘Oh my God, that’s impossible. It must have been Charlie.’
‘Nope, sorry. Anyway, it was kind of cute. You sort of make little whale noises, all puffing and blowing with a big round mouth.’
‘I’m leaving now.’
‘You are not, not until you’ve made breakfast and cleaned up.’
They slagged each other for the next ten minutes but she was secretly mortified. Nobody had ever said that to her
before. How come Paul had never told her?
Just another thing he never said, a little voice reminded her as Chris came up behind her and gave her a hug. ‘Want to have breakfast in bed?’ she said. He kissed the back of her neck.
‘Only if you lock that animal up.’
‘I will if YOU promise to get on top of me instead.’
‘OK, but one lick and you’re history.’
The morning passed far too quickly and it was time to leave and start cooking for Debbie. Lindsay phoned her friend before she left to see if anything was needed.
‘No, just get over here as soon as you can. Tara is trying to organize me to death and I need backup fast. Where are you?’
‘I didn’t go home last night.’ Lindsay was trying to be diplomatic because Chris was reading the papers beside her.
‘I know that, idiot, didn’t he ask you to stay? Are you still there?’
‘Yes.’
‘Damn. I need more glasses. I don’t suppose he’d have any.’
‘I’ll try.’
‘Great. Get here as soon as you can.’
‘Well, is she all set for the party?’
‘No, Tara is trying to organize her. She needs some glasses. I don’t suppose you have any you wouldn’t mind lending?’
‘Have a look over there, I’m afraid glasses aren’t my strong point. I think I only have the few I bought when I moved in.’
‘No, I need a couple of dozen, I’d say.’
‘I could go and borrow some from Maurice, if you like. The hotel must have hundreds.’
‘No, that’s too much trouble.’
‘No problem, if he has them. I’ll ring him while you’re in the shower.’
‘Great, thanks.’
Lindsay washed and changed into her own clothes and was sorry to be leaving him, especially on New Year’s Eve. He walked with her to her car and promised to see her later.
Tara was organizing and Debbie was resisting so she had arrived just in time.
‘Did you get the glasses?’
‘Chris is borrowing some from Maurice and he said he’d drop them over later,’ she replied nonchalantly although she didn’t feel in the least bit nonchalant.
‘Whoopee, we get to meet him at last.’ Tara and Debbie did a little dance, animosity forgotten. ‘We’d better get into our glad rags before he arrives.’
They worked like mad and soon there were plates everywhere. Debbie made lots of spicy samosas and spring rolls and Tara took care of desserts. Lindsay did the main course – two huge casseroles of coq au vin and a vegetarian lasagne, rice to be organized later. They made popadoms to go with the dips and ate most of them, then got together for a massive clean up, dishes first and then themselves.
They were sitting in Debbie’s bedroom, drinking champagne and doing their make-up when the doorbell rang. Lindsay felt funny. It was the first time he’d met any of her important friends and it made their relationship seem real.
She ran downstairs, closely followed by the other two. ‘We’ll be in the sitting room, pretending not to be interested.’
‘Hi, you found the house.’
‘Yeah, no problem.’ He kissed her and grinned. ‘How’s it all going? You’ve got flour on your nose.’
‘You say the nicest things. I wasn’t allowed a shower because I’d already had one in your house. Then by the time I got to do my make-up the others had hogged the mirror.’ She had changed, however, into a new black dress – tightly fitted, strappy bodice top with a silk skirt that flowed from just below her boobs, the entire thing covered by another long-sleeved dress in really fine fishnet. It revealed a lot of skin through the net and it looked expensive and sexy, especially with the sheer stockings and high, black heels and she felt great that he’d seen her in it.
‘You look gorgeous, far too good to be out on your own.’
They seemed to be occupying a little world of their own when Debbie and Tara ‘casually’ emerged, terrified in case he just dropped the glasses and left.
‘Hi. Come in.’
Debbie had decided to be the perfect hostess, in black leather and masses of copper curls.
‘Hello, I finally get to meet you two. God, I’d say you’re a dangerous threesome when you get out together.’
‘Nonsense, we’re pussycats. Well, I am anyway and I try to keep them in check.’ Tara looked brilliant in a tight, blue, knitted dress, all blond hair and big eyes. They made quite a picture as they unknowingly posed together and grinned at him.
‘Glass of champagne?’
‘I’ll tell you, I’ve had more champagne since I met Lindsay . . . Yes please.’
He came and chatted and Lindsay watched him and her stomach lurched. He looked fantastic in a big, soft, dark grey suit and white shirt that showed off his tan. He’d showered and he smelt great and his hair was wet and she wanted a repeat of the bathroom scene. He caught her eye and winked at her and for a second she thought he could read her mind and she turned puce.
‘I’d better leave, I’ve got to go home, dump my car and get to Sandycove. I hope the night goes well. I’d say the guys haven’t a chance.’
‘We’ll try.’
They made themselves scarce while she led him to the door.
‘What were you thinking of that you blushed as soon as I caught you looking at me?’
‘Mind your own business.’
‘Bet it was the same thing I was thinking when I saw you at the door.’
‘You go first.’
‘Bathroom.’
‘Bingo.’
‘Let’s do it again soon. I’ll call you next year.’
‘Better make it early in the New Year. My diary’s already pretty full.’
He laughed and was gone and she rushed back in to hear their reaction.
‘My God, he is seriously gorgeous, much better than he looks on telly. Why didn’t you tell us?’
‘Now I understand why you couldn’t wait to get his clothes off.’
‘He kept looking at you and grinning.’
‘He did not.’
‘He did and you were being all girlie.’
‘I was not.’
‘He’s so . . . I dunno, normal. Not like you’d expect.’
‘I know, that’s what I thought.’
‘He’s really nice. Oh, I’m so happy for you, you deserve it.’
They danced round the kitchen hugging and laughing and the night continued as it had started, with music, mayhem and mirth. The house was soon crammed and the party took off.
By midnight it was heaving. Even Charlie looked the part, in a ridiculous, cone-shaped, paper hat with streamers flowing from his collar. Like millions of others they took their countdown from TV then made complete fools of themselves by forming a snake and zigzagging up and down the road, kissing everyone they met.
As soon as they got back into the house Lindsay went to ring her mum and sister and chatted to them for ages. Then Tara borrowed her mobile because she couldn’t find her handbag and the house phone was ringing non-stop.
It was after one by the time she got her mobile back and she had a text.
H.N.Y. ANY CHANCE OF A DATE B4 OCT?
She was delighted and dialled his number.
‘Happy New Year.’
‘Hi, same to you. How’s it going?’
‘Great. I miss you.’ Oh oh, that was definitely the champagne talking.
‘Me too, I keep thinking about that dress and what you’re wearing underneath.’
‘Nothing.’
‘That’s what I was afraid of.’
‘I’ll save you a sneak preview.’
‘You’d better and keep away from those pilots.’
The noise was deafening on both ends of the phone so they agreed to talk in the morning. She hung up and went back to the party, hugging everyone again. It was the first big occasion that she hadn’t thought of Paul.
It was five-thirty before Lindsay decided she couldn’t take any more and crawled into
bed in Debbie’s spare room. Tara joined her almost immediately and tried to chat. They were both asleep within minutes.
Next morning, very late, Lindsay woke to find Tara standing over her with a mug of coffee.
‘Debbie never went to bed. There are about five of them downstairs making pancakes for breakfast.’
‘OK, come on, let’s go down, we might as well see this thing through.’
It was four in the afternoon before a weary Lindsay and a bleary-eyed Charlie – still wearing the hat – arrived home. She forced herself into the shower, changed into her comfiest stretch jeans and tight red cashmere top, tied her hair back with a ribbon and drove out to see her mum. Charlie was flat against the Aga when she left and hadn’t moved an inch when she returned two hours later.
Chris rang just as she arrived home.
‘Hi, it’s me. How did it go in the end?’
‘I’m wrecked.’
‘Me too, and I’ve another drinks party to go to this evening. Actually it’s just around the corner from your house. Do you fancy popping in or are you doing something?’
‘No, I’d planned to go through some stuff for work tomorrow. Anyway, I couldn’t simply arrive at a drinks party, I won’t know anyone.’
‘You’ll know me. Listen, no pressure, why don’t you see how you go and give me a call. You could walk round for an hour, it’s literally the next street to yours.’
‘I think I’ll stay put, thanks anyway. If I don’t see you I’ll talk to you tomorrow.’
‘OK, I may have to go back to London but I’ll let you know. Take care of yourself.’
‘You too.’ Lindsay hung up and settled herself down with her files and a glass of wine. She just about had the energy to put a match to one of those instant bags of coal and she sat and stared at the hot orange icepops, wondering why she’d suddenly felt too shy to walk into a party and announce that she was with him. It was still all so new and flimsy and delicious and she hugged it to her. Don’t be greedy, she warned herself. Don’t want too much. She was very happy with what she had. Plenty of time for confidence and showing off later. Contentment was not something she’d felt often in a relationship, but now she savoured it, even more so since she’d spent the night at his place. She knew they’d taken things to a different level.
