‘At times,’ he reasoned. After all, he had actually shagged her in the hot tub whilst her husband was downstairs. ‘It’s not you, Samantha, it’s me,’ he finished, trying to look as sorrowful as possible. It worked.
‘Right, well… perhaps you’d better go,’ she mumbled. As he was leaving she called to him, ‘And, Dylan!’
‘Yes?’ He turned to look at her.
‘Not a word of this to my husband. Or anyone else, for that matter. Do you understand?’
‘Of course.’ He closed the door behind him and gave a huge sigh of relief. He drove home with the windows down, the air brushing through his dark curls, the music at full volume and a wide smile on his face. He’d done it! He got the demanding Samantha off his back whilst still keeping her as a client. He felt buoyant, elated as he entered Flora’s house. She was asleep in the armchair. A book lay discarded by her lap. Picking it up, he smiled. it wasBlack Beauty. She’d told him it was her childhood favourite. He examined her peaceful face in slumber and marvelled at her fair, smooth complexion, full red lips and pale eyelashes. He bent down and kissed her cheek, he couldn’t help it. She stirred a little.
‘Shush,’ he gently whispered and stroked her hair. He couldn’t leave her. He didn’t want to go home alone.
That evening he made them a roast chicken dinner with piles of vegetables. ‘I’ll never eat this, Dylan.’ Flora gazed at the plate in front of her. They were sitting at the kitchen table.
‘Try. It’s all good for you.’
‘You sound like my dad,’ she laughed. Dylan didn’t.
‘Do you think I’m old, Flora?’
She laughed again. ‘No! At thirty? I was only joking.’
Dylan’s eyes narrowed, deep in thought.
‘Flora, I’ve been thinking. Why don’t you come back to mine for a few days, just until you’re fully recovered?’
‘Your house?’
‘Yes. At least there I can get a decent night’s sleep. Not that I mind sleeping on your bedroom floor,’ he quickly added. He could see she was mulling it over. ‘You’ll have your own room, promise.’ His blue eyes twinkled with mischief. Her heartstrings started to pull; he really was a lovable rogue.
‘I’m not sure…’ She was stalling and they both knew it. Dylan pushed further.
‘That way I could get all the equipment sorted.’
‘Sorry, Dylan, I’ve been holding things up, haven’t I?’
‘Don’t be silly, you can’t help being ill.’
Feeling slightly guilty Flora relented. ‘Yes, I’ll come back with you.’
‘Good, that’s settled then.’ Tactics worked; and bollocks to the separate rooms.
