‘I’m so, so sorry for all this,’ he whispered into her ear.
‘But it’s not your fault,’ she replied, pulling herself back to face him. Her eyes searched his face, willing the self-reproach to leave him. If anything,he’dbeen tortured enough by Anika. The woman had made both their lives a misery. A surge of resilience pierced through her. ‘Now listen,’ she instructed assertively, ‘we are going to forget Anika Genness even exists, do you hear me?’
Felix’s mouth twitched. He loved it when she was forceful. ‘Yes,’ he obediently replied.
‘She’s well and truly out of our lives.’ Emma gave a firm nod.
‘Never to return,’ agreed Felix.
‘Exactly!’ cheered Emma.
Felix was smiling, already beginning to feel better.
‘Let’s drink to that,’ he said, getting up and heading towards the drinks cabinet.
‘Absolutely,’ affirmed Emma joining him.
After pouring them a couple of very strong gin and tonics, the two clinked glasses and each took a hearty gulp. Felix looked at her, filled with admiration at her fortitude.
‘Once filming is over, I’m going to take you away on holiday and spoil you rotten,’ he told her.
‘Oh, yes?’ Emma raised an eyebrow, liking the sound of that. ‘Anywhere in mind?’
‘Somewhere very private and secluded,’ he replied, kissing her.
‘Hmm.’ She was liking it even more.
‘Yes, where we’ll be totally alone, cut off from the outside world,’ he continued between kisses. Then he stopped when Emma burst into giggles. ‘What?’ he asked, bemused.
‘It sounds like here,’ she said.
Seeing the irony, he too joined in her laughter.
‘Actually, I was thinking of somewhere a little more exotic,’ he went on.
‘I’ll look forward to it.’ She gave him a hard hug. ‘In the meantime, you’ve a drama to finish,’ she said resolutely, kissing his cheek.
Yes, thought Felix, he did, and when it was all over he’d throw the mother of all parties.
Robin was expecting a viewing that morning. He’d already showed someone round earlier in the week and it had proved promising, as they’d asked for a second look. He re-read the email going over the details of today’s viewer. He was unsure if she was single or married, as her title was Dr Tara O’Hara. He smiled at the way her name rhymed. They’d only just exchanged names and email addresses, so he knew nothing more about her.
Dr Tara O’Hara was prompt though, as she rang the bell from the front entrance to his flat.
‘It’s Dr O’Hara, I’ve come to view your apartment,’ she said through the intercom.
‘Great, come on up,’ replied Robin, buzzing her in. He stood at the top of the hallway stairs to greet her. ‘Hi, I’m Robin.’ He held out a hand.
Shaking it, she replied, ‘Pleased to meet you.’
She was smartly dressed in a dark trouser suit and green blouse, which matched her emerald eyes perfectly, with a blaze of red hair, cut sharply into a shoulder length bob. Robin led Tara down the small corridor to his apartment door and showed her inside. Immediately Tara looked impressed with the light shining through from the big picture window, with views of the bay beyond. Luckily, it was a bright, clear morning and the sunshine lifted the place. She was also struck by how empty the flat was. Robin, seeing her brows rise as she scanned over the scant furniture, explained the sparseness.
‘I’m actually in the middle of moving out,’ he said, ‘so most of my stuff’s at my girlfriend’s.’
‘Ah, I see,’ she smiled, then continued assessing the room. Robin watched her eyes quickly flicker around, taking everything in. They rested on the open plan kitchen. ‘May I?’ she asked tipping her head towards it.
‘Of course,’ he replied. He pointed out the integrated fridge and freezer and told her what appliances he’d be leaving. Tara nodded and seemed content.
Again, she was drawn to the window.
