‘The reason I couldn’t talk to you. The reason I turned into such an absolute mess whenever you were around?’ He screwed up his eyes. ‘Youmusthave been able to see it?’
Annabel shook her head. ‘See what? You were so standoffish whenever I tried to talk to you,’ she said with a shrug, ‘I just assumed you didn’t like me!’
James groaned and buried his face in his hands. Then he looked at her again. Annabel saw that his colour was up, he seemed uncomfortable. He moved away from her and sat on the edge of the sofa.
‘You turned me into a bag of nerves, Annabel! You were so beautiful and so damn cool! From the moment I first saw you in the quad at Trinity during Freshers’ Week, I was well and truly smitten. Head over the proverbial heels.’ He sighed as Annabel’s eyes grew wide in surprise.‘For the first two years I tried to work up the courage to ask you out. But I gave up on the idea when I overheard you talking with your oh-so-cool mates at the Valentine’s Ball in the second year. If I remember correctly, that Hugo Sotheby-Waugh was holding court with you and a few of his other female friends. He was working his way round all the guys in our corridor, asking how interested you were indating them. What was it you said to him when he asked about me? You could never date someone who “swam like a fish and had the personality to match,” I think that was it.’
Annabel closed her eyes and cringed as she remembered that drunken night, so many years ago. She felt ashamed that she had cared so much about impressing the ‘cool’ gang with her witty, snide comments. That wasn’t who she was. Dating Hugo had been a big mistake and she had soon come to her senses. But it seemed the damage had been done.
‘Oh James,’ she whispered.
He cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘Well, there we go. Nothing to worry about, it’s no big deal.’ He shrugged. ‘It’s all in the past. Ancient history!’ He tried to force a smile but she wasn’t convinced.
‘Anyway, are you hungry? I could make us something to eat?’ His tone was overly bright and he seemed keen to change the subject. He started to get up, but Annabel put her hand on his thigh to stop him.
‘Don’t go, James.’ She pushed herself up and sat next to him. Then she reached out and touched his cheek. ‘I had no idea,’ she whispered. ‘I’m sorry. I was a bitch around that time, I wasn’t myself. Call it a serious lapse in judgement, but I was desperately trying to impress the wrong people. I’m not proud of it.’
Hesitantly, she leaned in against him and rested her head against his chest. Relief flowed through her when she felt his arm move around her shoulders. She looked up at him and whispered, ‘I’m so sorry.’ She smiled coyly. ‘I had no idea that you liked me. But I’m quite glad that you did. And hope that maybe you still do?’
James bent down and gently touched his lips against hers. She held the back of his neck and pulled him closer. Between kisses she murmured, ‘I’m not missing out a second time around. We’ve got a bit of catching up to do, don’t you think?’
He pulled back and gave her a questioning look. ‘Are you sure?’
She nodded her reply with a smile, then kissed him deeply, her hands in his hair while he stroked her neck. His fingers were gentle but decisive as they made their way along her collar bone then down her chest. Carefully, he undid the first couple of buttons on her top. Every touch made her tingle with pleasure and she moaned when, at last, his hand slipped under the fabric and caressed her breasts.
At that moment, James’s phone started buzzing. He pulled away with an apologetic smile and checked the screen. ‘Ugh, lousy timing! I’m so sorry, do you mind if I take this? It’s Jessica.’ He checked his watch. ‘I promised to speak to her before school, she’ll be heading off shortly. I’ll keep it brief.’
Annabel smiled and nodded, and was surprised that James stayed on the sofa to take the call. She discreetly edged further away from him, ran a hand through her hair and quickly did up the buttons on her top. James clicked the ‘answer’ button on his phone and Jessica appeared, dressed in her blue gingham school dress.
‘Hi, Pumpkin! How are you today?’ he began, a smile lighting up his face.
‘Hi, Daddy.’ The little girl beamed back with a gap-toothed smile. ‘Look!’ She pointed to the missing front tooth. ‘It came out!’
James laughed, a happy, carefree laugh that made Annabel smile. It was lovely to see this relaxed side of him.
‘Well that’s great news, congratulations!’ He chuckled. ‘Did the Tooth Fairy come?’
Jessica nodded and excitedly told him that she had earned two whole pounds for her tooth, which was double what she’d got last time.
Annabel reached forward for the crisps on the coffee table, but her efforts to be discreet were in vain and, before she knew it, she’d knocked over her wine glass. The sound was clearly audible on the other end of the call.
‘What’s that noise, Daddy?’ The little girl’s forehead creased. ‘Is there someone there?’
‘Um, well, yes actually.’ Suddenly put on the spot, James’s tone became awkward as he passed Annabel the box of tissues to mop up the spillage. ‘My friend Annabel came round to visit.’
‘Annabel? Who’s that?’ Jessica looked confused.
‘Just my friend. She’s visiting Singapore because her granny used to live here a long time ago, during the Second World War. Amazing, hey? Annabel wants to find out more about her granny’s time here and I’m helping her. It’s very interesting actually, and you know how much I love history!’ James chuckled. He was gabbling now and Annabel could feel the awkwardness of the moment. Jessica did not seem impressed.
‘Anyway,’ he continued, changing the topic, ‘how’s everything going at your new school? Have you made some nice friends?’
But Jessica wasn’t interested in talking anymore. Annabel could detect the signs of jealousy and betrayal. The little girl couldn’t hide her upset that her father was spending time with a female that wasn’t her or her mum. With a face like thunder, she said that she had to go. Seconds later, ignoring her dad’s protestations, she ended the call.
James looked crestfallen. He put his phone on the table and, with his elbows on his knees, dropped his head into his hands. He looked defeated. ‘I can’t seem to get anything right.’
Annabel sighed. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she began.
He shook his head. ‘It wasn’t your fault. Jess has really struggled with the separation and it’s hardly surprising, really. Herseemingly perfect, happy life has been turned completely upside down.’ He sighed.
