He gives me a sheepish smile. ‘I’m trying my best. I went back on social media stuff earlier and it was nice. Getting back into it.’
‘This is progress.’
I check the time on my phone and suppress a yawn. ‘It’s nearly nine. Do you fancy an early night?’
He smiles. ‘Another instalment of the footman and the maid?’
I start to giggle, and we both laugh.
He looks like a different Oliver to the one I saw in my kitchen a few weeks ago. There’s a brightness to his eyes, his brow is not as furrowed and his shoulders are relaxed.
We get up from our seats. I’m so busy thinking about how handsome he looks and how fabulous his birthday surprise has been that I don’t spot Lenny weaving himself through my legs. I try to move away from my chair, but trip over the cat and crash into Oliver.
I look up and find myself in his arms.
39
‘Can I kiss you, Nelly?’ His voice is soft and smooth. ‘Lenny is fine… before you ask.’
Without hesitation, I nod, and our lips touch. There is no vision, but I am too wrapped up in him to care. It’s a slow and tender kiss. As he pulls me closer and our kiss intensifies, I can’t help but compare his style to Sam’s. If I am honest, Sam’s kiss was more like a fast spin on my washing machine, whereas Oliver takes his time to kiss me properly.
We both come up for air and exchange shocked looks.
‘Wow, Nelly,’ he gushes, ‘that was some kiss.’
I cast him a nervous smile. ‘You’re not so bad yourself.’
‘Happy birthday.’ He beams and strokes my hand.
What happens now? Anxiety is coursing through my veins.
‘Don’t worry,’ he says, sensing my worry. ‘I’ll stay behind my pillow wall tonight.’
‘Really?’
He nods. ‘I sense you’ve been badly hurt in the past and I’m not going to rush you.’
Relief floods through me.
We change into our pyjamas in separate rooms. Once finished we get into our respective parts of the bed either side of the pillow wall. ‘Have you seen Alfie today?’
‘I saw my little boy earlier,’ he gushes. I can hear the excitement in his voice. ‘Rory was at work.’
‘How was he?’
I hear him chuckle. ‘Kept showing me his new truck. We played with his toys for ages.’
Hearing this makes my heart swell. ‘That’s nice.’
‘It is different when Rory isn’t there. I can relax and focus on Alfie.’
I position my pillow next to the wall. ‘Alfie is your priority.’
‘I never feel like I am a good father to him.’
‘You’ve moved here to be close to him. You do bedtimes, bath times and you play trucks. You talk about wanting to share your life with Alfie. That’s the important stuff.’
I can feel him edging closer to the pillow wall. ‘Yes, you’re right.’
