“Fuck, no,” I said. “Do you have a problem with it?”
Seph gave us one last stare and hotfooted it back to the house, probably anxious to share exactly what he had seen.
She pulled my head down to her and started to kiss me again, slower this time, and I felt her body press against mine, one hand dropping to her ass and pulling her against me. “Shit,” I said, breaking away. “I’m reconsidering dinner.”
She shook her head. “I’ll get hangry. That hasn’t changed.” Her hands gripped my arms. “These have though. I thought you were built when we were younger but now you’re like a brick wall.”
“Is that good?” I muttered. I hadn’t been celibate, nowhere near it and while I lifted weights at the gym and looked out of myself for my career in the marines and now for the pride of it, it had drawn women too.
“Hell, yeah,” she said, her voice low, thumbs trailing soft, short pathways against my skin. “I’m not complaining. We should eat. Energy and all that.”
I turned, wrapping my arm around her waist and began to steer her towards the path that led through fields to the village. “Anything you’re thinking of expending that energy on?” I asked.
She laughed, her face lighting up and then darkening, eyes dropping to the ground. “We should start slow,” she said. “I’ve kept you at arms’ length for so long, K. I’m not sure that rushing into something would be healthy.”
“I get that,” I said. “And you’re right. And I have more will power than when I was twenty.”
Claire laughed and we started to talk about her brothers as we walked; her wit had sharpened but she still spoke with the same affection about them, and her sisters.
“Are you looking forward to the wedding?” I asked as the village came into sight on the horizon.
She thought for a moment, as she often did, never fully committing until she was sure. “Yes. I worried that they were going into it too soon. But then I hadn’t seen Jackson like that over someone before. It was sweet and nauseating at the same time.”
“He’s taken some shit for it,” I said, her hand now in mine. “Disappearing for half an hour at poker nights to ‘check Vanessa is okay’ leaves him open to all kinds of abuse.”
“He won’t care. That’s been the difference this time. Vanessa has become number one over everything which is the way it should be,” she said. “I really like her too. We were friends before she got together with Jackson and it hasn’t changed.”
The pub was full outside, without a table to spare, but there was a small space available indoors, tucked in the corner and out of the way from prying eyes. The pub was a typically English one with stone floors and wooden beams, real ales on tap, most of them brewed locally. Claire sat down opposite me, her back to the rest of the pub and she toyed with the menu.
“It’s weird being out with you here like this,” she said. “After the time we spent sneaking around and then years of avoiding you, this feels like I’ve somehow escaped into an alternate universe.” She brushed her hair behind her ears and her legs knocked against mine.
I didn’t move, liking the contact.
“It should feel more awkward,” I said, as a waited gestured he was coming over. “But it doesn’t. What do you want to drink?”
“A glass of red,” she said. “Rioja.”
I ordered for us both, starting to feel relaxed rather than apprehensive. Neither of us have to drive anywhere tomorrow or this evening. There’s time to enjoy the sunshine and the mood of the day.
“Your brother seems to be looking after Katie,” she said, her eyes narrowing. “She messaged me this morning to say thank you. Even though her home was broken into, she said she feels safer than she’s done for weeks.”
“He’s good at his job. The fact she’s staying where his kids are means he’ll be extra vigilant anyway. How long until she’s divorced?” I said, not bothering to check the menu as I knew what I’d be having. I’d been here just a few weeks ago with Max and Jackson; we’d spent an evening trying the different brews and relining our stomachs.
“It depends on what she’ll settle for. If she wants to get what she’s entitled to it could take months if not longer. My hope is that Dean Lacey meets someone else soon and wants to get rid of his ex, in a legal manner, nothing untoward. But she’s got evidence one him that could land him in trouble with the police and until he’s confident she won’t do anything with it, she’s at risk,” Claire said. Her hand came towards mine and she tapped my fingers with her own gently. It was a gesture she’d done when we were younger and she wanted to theorise something but she wasn’t sure how to say it.
“What if Katie was to hand over the evidence she’s got?”
Claire shook her head. “He’s obsessed with her as she’s had the audacity to get away from him. From what she’s said he’ll move on eventually but in the meantime she’s scared. She’s got enough on him to have a judge expedite the divorce, even if he contests, but she doesn’t want to use it. He’s things on her and her family. Too much power.”
Our drinks arrived, two glasses and a bottle of the rioja. The waiter uncorked it and poured Claire’s glass first. Rather than sipping it to taste she took a large mouthful and sighed, sitting back. “It’s fine. Have a second bottle ready.” The waiter laughed. He was young and struggled to take his eyes away from Claire, even when he poured my wine.
“I think you have a fan,” I said when he was out of earshot.
“Who?” She turned around. “The waiter? I’m…”
“Not old enough to be his mother,” I interrupted. “He looks around twenty. Poor guy.”
I noticed a shadow crossing her face briefly. “Why poor guy?”
