“But we won’t. Now, do you need to ask me anything before I go back to work?” He managed to sound professional again even though he was still over her.
She thought for a moment, “What should I wear tonight?”
“I liked the vest and virginal knickers.” Jon arched a brow, making her laugh.
“I meant to your dad’s.”
“Ah, maybe not the vest and pants then. I dunno, anything, although it’s a bit more formal than jeans and a t-shirt. I will pick you up at about half past six if you’re going out this afternoon to visit Roger.” Jon kissed her gently before releasing her from beneath him.
“I will scoot out to my dad’s for an hour this afternoon, but I’m on top of stuff here,” she began to explain.
“Darling, it’s fine, take the afternoon if you want to.” He fastened his shirt buttons.
“No, I’ll go for the last hour, thank you. After I have met with Sonia about the Montague deal. Oh, they are coming in on Friday to close things, half past nine in the conference room.” Standing before him she straightened his tie.
“Get Rosie to call Andrea so that I don’t get double booked, now I have to go,” he said preparing to leave, carrying his jacket. “I’m going to see Penny this afternoon . . . to talk to her. I knowthat probably doesn’t make sense, but there are things I need to say, to tell her, even if she doesn’t understand them.”
Steph nodded as she made her way to stand before him at the door where she stretched up to land a single, delicate kiss on his cheek. “I love you. You are such a lovely man, you really are. I would never expect you to cut Penny off, I understand who she is to you, your wife and what she needs.”
Jon dropped his mouth to hers, swallowing her words. “Darling, you might be the loveliest person in the whole world and whilst you might understand what Penny needs, you might have a skewed view on who she is to me. Legally she is my wife but in reality she is my friend and I feel a real responsibility to and for her. My urgent call that held me up was from Kramer, my solicitor . . . I’m divorcing Penny.”
“Shit! God, but,” stammered Steph.
“Ssh, it’s okay. I had already made provision for her long term care and that won’t ever change and she’ll always be my friend, but not my wife, she never should have been. Sorry,” he said looking at her shellshocked expression. “I didn’t mean to spring it on you like this and I am not expecting you to be or do anything. Part of me was just going to do it and not tell you but I don’t want there to be any more confusion or misunderstandings. I started the process some weeks ago before we declared our love.”
Steph nodded. She recalled hearing Jon answer his phone a couple of times and addressing someone called Kramer. A smile curled her lips as she realised that even then he was looking at her as his future, looking at a future together.
“I was always going to tell you about Penny, about everything.”
“I know,” she whispered with total belief in his claim.
“I need to go. I love you,” he told her before landing a chaste kiss to her cheek and then he was gone.
Steph was just slippingon navy polka dot peep toe shoes when she heard Jon arrive.
“Steph,” he called. “Please tell me that you’re here, darling.”
“Just like I said I would be,” replied Steph as she opened the bedroom door and found Jon dressed in black jeans and a black polo shirt.
“I thought tonight was dressier than jeans?” asked Steph confused.
“It is for you,” he said as he leaned in and kissed her gently on the cheek. “I am loving this little number.” He grinned at the navy blue 50s style sundress.
“Thank you.” She gave a little curtsy.
“We could cancel if you are planning on being all compliant with your curtsying and spotty shoes no less.” He laughed but the twinkle in his eye suggested he might be serious.
“We are going out Mr Brooker and I am usually compliant with you.” She grinned as she reached for her phone and threw it into her bag.
“Mmm, if you say so. How was your dad?” Jon asked, dropping an overnight bag inside the bedroom and hanging a suit bag on the front of the wardrobe.
“Fine,” she replied nervously.
“Are you sure? You did go and see him didn’t you?” asked Jon suspiciously.
“Yes, of course I did,” she replied a little offended at the inference she was lying, but then realised she was, kind of. She moved quickly to the front door carrying a white short sleeved cardigan. “I took him for his check-up with Mr Wright, him and Janice.”
Jon followed her knowing that she was keeping something from him, but now was obviously not the time.
