And Then There Was You

  'That too.' He winked.

  'It seems they have more in common than they do with you and me,' I sighed.

  'I know, weird right?'

  I nodded.

  'I was actually thinking of moving, this morning,' I admitted.

  'Moving? You mean moving house? Why would you want to do that?'

  I shrugged my shoulders and looked at him. 'Isn't it obvious?'

  'Oh, I suppose it is. But there's no need to do that. I'm sure we can resist each other, can't we?'

  I could practically hear my heart thudding in my chest, and the hairs on the back of my neck stood on end just thinking about him in that way. 'I...I don't know, Adam,' I whispered, before I stood up quickly. 'I think I should go now. Thank you for the coffee, even though it was supposed to be my treat.'

  'Oh, yes, of course. My pleasure.'

  I had forgotten about my painful leg, of course, and when I turned to walk out, it hit me and I felt a little sick. 'Oh,' I uttered under my breath.

  'Are you alright?' he asked, rushing to my side and taking my weight.

  'Who'd have known a few cans of beans could cause such pain,' I said, trying to smile. 'Just help me to my car please, Adam.'

  He nodded and carefully took my arm. 'Lean on me as much as you can,' he whispered as we walked between the tables and out into the fresh air. Then he lifted me up into his arms again and walked back to my car.

  'I'm not sure you should drive like this, Eve. Let me drive you home?'

  'No, I can drive. I'm sure I can. Let me try.'

  He nodded and took the key from my hand, unlocking and opening the car and I slowly placed myself into the seat. But when I turned and put my foot on the clutch, pain shot up my leg, and I let out a little yelp.

  'No, you'll have to come with me,' he insisted. 'Wait here and I'll and bring my car over. We can put your groceries into my boot and Adam can come and pick your car up later. I presume he's insured to drive it?'

  I nodded.

  'I'll be right back. Stay here.'

  I nodded again and waited while he walked away towards his black BMW. Moments later, he pulled up beside me and transferred all my shopping bags into his car before he turned his attention back to me. He was such a gentleman as he opened the door and helped me, putting the seat back as far as possible so I could keep my leg straight out in front me.

  'Thank you, Adam. I do feel like a moron, though.'

  He smiled at me sideways as we drove out into the traffic. 'It could have happened to anyone.'

  'Yes, but it happened to me. I'm an idiot.'

  'Don't be silly.'

  I shrugged and relaxed into the seat. I didn't want to go home. I didn't want to think about anyone else. I just wanted to be with him. But it was impossible; I had to go home. I had to unpack my groceries, and I had to think about dinner for me and Matt. Not dinner for me and Adam. I sighed heavily.

  'What's up?'

  'Nothing,' I offered. 'Everything. Life.'

  'Is it that bad?'

  I turned to look at him as he concentrated on the red light ahead of us. 'No, of course not. I have a good life with Matt. We've been together a long time. We always used to say we were soul mates.'

  'Used to?'

  'Sorry?' I said.

  'You saidused to say you were soul mates.'

  'Did I?' I hadn't even realised. When was the last time we'd really told each other that we loved each other? Not the everyday words that had become a habit, but the deep, meaningful words meant for two people so desperately in love that they can barely let each other out of sight? A year? Two? Three? Maybe even longer.

  'Maybe you’ve both grown apart?' he whispered, pulling the car into the driveway.

  I ignored his suggestion and answered with my own question. ‘I wonder if they’re home yet?’

  The garage door was closed, and there was no sign of them anywhere.

  'It must be a long cycle route,' Adam said.

  As I rifled around in my handbag, I picked up my mobile and looked at the screen.

  'There's a message,' I said. 'Got side-tracked. Cycled for miles. A bit tired so we're stopping for lunch. Be home late this pm. Luv x'

  'Well, looks like it's just me and you.' Adam smiled as he helped me out of the car.

  I hobbled over to the front door.

  'Wait, don't walk. I'll carry you,' he offered.

  'No need. I'm here already,' I said, putting the key into the lock.

  'Well, at least let me make sure you get to a chair safely,' he said, picking me up again and carrying me over the threshold.

  'Oh Adam, I'm fine,' I said, as he carried me into the living room and placed me on the chaise-longue, my favourite piece of furniture. He very carefully lifted my leg up and untied the laces on my trainer, slowly pulling it off my swollen foot. I winced as he removed the sock like a surgeon.

  'Oh Eve, it's black and blue. Keep it elevated for a bit. I'll go and get everything out of the car. Can I get you a drink first?'

  I shook my head. 'No, I'll be okay. Just... just... come back quickly,' I said, looking at him intensely. He kissed me on the forehead and smiled.

  'I'll be right back, I promise.'

  CHAPTER SIX

  I must have dozed off, because when I woke up, Adam was sitting beside me, my foot resting carefully on his thigh as he wrapped it in a wet bandage.

  'Oh, did I fall asleep?'

  He smiled and nodded. 'Not for long, though, don't worry. Only about twenty minutes.'

  'What's that smell?' I asked, looking at the bandaged foot.

  'Witch hazel. It's good for drawing out the bruise.'

  'Really? How do you know all this stuff?'

  'My ex-wife was into it.'

  'Gosh, you have a good memory.'

  'Actually, I don’t. I called her.'

  I smiled before blushing. 'What did you tell her?'

  'That a very good friend of mine had been in an accident and ended up with a badly bruised foot and a bloody leg.'

  I groaned. 'Thank you for not including the baked beans.'

  'Well actually, now that you mention it...' He laughed.

  I smacked my forehead.

  'She was amused but concerned. She wanted to come and tend to you herself.'

  'Really?'

  Adam nodded. 'But perhaps that's more because she wants to meet you.'

  'She wants to meet me? Why on Earth would she want to meet me?' I waited for a moment, my imagination going wild. 'Oh Adam, she knows, doesn't she?'

  He looked away, embarrassed.

  'How could you? How could you tell anyone?' I tried to remove my foot from his thigh, but he held my leg firmly, not letting me go.

  'Please don't be upset,' he replied, 'it was after London. Before the wedding. She knew something was wrong, and she kept on insisting I tell her, so I did.'

  'But you told her about me here, now?'

  'She knew. She said it was my voice. It gave me away.'

  'Let's hope that your current wife isn't as perceptive as your ex-wife,' I said bitterly.

  'Please, Eve. Don't be like that. Lisa is different. I've always confided in her. She's a friend. Don't worry about her. She won't tell a soul, I promise you that.'

  I closed my eyes and breathed loudly.

  'I'm sorry to have upset you. Would you like me to leave?' he asked.

  My eyes shot open and I shook my head. 'No, I don't want you to leave... And therein lies the problem,' I added with another sigh.

  With the bandage firmly in place, Adam began to make circles on my ankle with his thumb. The slightest touch had such a massive effect and I felt like I might explode.

  'A-A-Adam. Don't.'

  'I can't help it, Eve. I want to touch you all the time. Every minute of every day.'

  'I know.'

  Slowly he scooted forward so that my legs were straddling him. He leaned over and kissed my neck, upwards towards my ear, cheek and then he pecked the tip of my nose. I closed my eyes and groane
d. He kissed my left eye and then my right, then back down, kissing my cupid's bow before he opened his mouth and pushed mine open with his tongue. It was delicious. I throbbed everywhere, from the soles of my feet up to my knees – up, up, up – and bang between my legs. like a firework had gone off inside me.

  'Oh Adam,' I groaned. 'I want you so much.'

  His hands moved carefully over my shoulders and down each arm, circling, probing, across to my breasts, which were aching to be touched. He slid his hand down my top, carefully moving my bra to one side so he could trace my nipple.

  I was on fire, and no amount of water could put me out.

  That is, until there was a knock at the door.

  'Shit,' I exclaimed, pushing myself off him guiltily.

  Adam swallowed loudly and sat back, closing his eyes, trying to contain himself and calm down the massive erection bulging in his trousers.

  I rearranged my bra and brushed myself down, using my hands to flatten my hair.

  'I'd better get it,' he said. 'You shouldn't walk.'

  'Ahem,' I said pointing to the continued bulge.

  'Oh, I'm trying to...'

  'I'll go. It is my house, after all.'

  Stumbling clumsily across the living room, I closed the interior door behind me and leaned back against it. Taking a deep breath, I hobbled to the front door.

  Opening it, I was shocked to find my parents standing on the step.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  'Surprise!' they yelled together.

  'Mum, Dad. What on Earth are you doing here? I didn't know you were in England? This is a surprise.'

  'Well, come on then, love, let us in. We're dying for a cuppa.'

  'Of course. Come on in. Go right through to the kitchen. I'll be right there.'

  Mum and Dad waltzed in and headed straight for the living room.

  'No!' I yelled.

  'What? What's up love?'

  'It's much more comfortable in the kitchen,' I said, sounding ridiculous.

  'Since when?' Mum replied, turning the handle.

  'I found it,' called a strangled voice from the kitchen, and Adam walked into the hallway carrying another bandage. 'What are you doing on your feet? The nurse said to stay horizontal,' he admonished innocently.

  'Oh, who's this?' asked my dad, as he looked at Adam, then the bandage, then me and then my foot.

  'Oh, for Heaven's sake, love, whatever have you done to your foot?'

  'It's nothing, Dad. Nothing to worry about.'

  'Nonsense,' said Adam, as he approached me and forced me to lean on him as he helped me back into the living room, where he placed me back on the chaise-longue.

  'I'm Adam, by the way,' he said straightening up and walking over to my parents and shaking their hands. 'I live next door. I bumped into Eve in the supermarket earlier, just after she'd had a bit of a run in with a few tins of baked beans.' He smiled, returning to sit beside me where he started pretending to re-bandage my foot.

  'Oh, hello dear, nice to meet you. Whatever happened with baked beans to result in that?' Mum pointed.

  'Just some collapsed tins, that's all, Mum. There's no need to make a fuss. Adam was kind enough to drive me home and help bandage me up.'

  'Her foot's black and blue underneath all this,' he added.

  'Shouldn't we take you to the hospital?' Dad asked, intrigued by the bizarre set of circumstances.

  'And where is Matt? Shouldn't he be here taking care of you?' Mum asked, clearly displeased with my husband. She'd always quite liked Matt, but she'd never really wanted to call him her 'son'.

  'He's out cycling, like he does most Sundays, Mum. Don't you remember?'

  'Are you single, Adam?' she asked, as I pursed my lips to try and prevent myself from laughing.

  'Erm, no. My wife, Charlie… Well, she's actually out cycling with Matt.'

  Mum raised her eyebrows and pulled a knowing face rather like Hyacinth Bucket from that old TV show, Keeping Up Appearances, before looking at Matt and then at me.

  'Your husband,' she pointed to me, before pointing at Adam, 'is out cycling with your wife?' she asked, now looking like she'd bitten into a whole lemon. An unripe one.

  Both of us nodded slowly, glancing at each other like a couple of naughty school children.

  'As long as it's only bikes they're riding,' Mum said.

  'Mother!'

  My dad was keeping quiet. Clearly he was quite amused by the whole thing.

  'Well, I suppose I'd better go and make us a cup of tea,' she said, standing.

  'No please let me do it... Mrs... Oh, I'm sorry, I don't know what to call you?' Adam asked, standing up.

  'I'm Mrs. Baggin,' Mum said, in a voice that was more like the Queen's than her real one.

  'Oh, Mum, honestly. Joyce and George, Adam.'

  'I'll make the tea, Mr. and Mrs. Baggin. I'll be right back.'

  'But you don't know where everything is,' I cried, as he disappeared out of the room.

  'I'll find it, don't worry,' he yelled back.

  'So how long has it been going on?' Mum asked innocently.

  'What? What do you mean?' I asked, feeling my face flush slightly.

  'You and Adam? How long have you been sleeping together?'

  My eyes rounded in shock. Mum and I have never had a conversation about sex, or anything like that, especially not in front of my dad. 'Don't be ridiculous, Mum. I'm married to Matt.'

  She narrowed her eyes and stared at me for a second. 'If you say so.'

  'I do,' I snivelled, feeling like a teenager again, not a thirty-nine year old grown woman.

  'Take no notice of her, love. It's been a long day. She's just tired, that's all. How are you? How are the book sales going? Is Matt busy? What have you been up to?'

  I laughed at my dad. 'Slow down, Dad! All in good time. I'm fine, thank you. I'm in the middle of writing my next book at the moment, and sales are going steady. I'd like it to be a bit – well, a lot – more, really, but one day it'll happen. I'm convinced I'll become a household name one of these days.' I grinned.

  'That's my girl,' Dad replied. 'And Matt?' he asked tentatively. 'He been keeping busy?'

  I nodded. 'Very.'

  'Well, that is good to hear,' Mum interrupted. 'So, tell me more about Adam – your...next door neighbour,' she emphasized.

  I smiled at her and leaned back into the chair, readjusting my foot, as it was beginning to throb a little. 'Adam moved in next door just over a month ago and we've become friends. He's a very nice man, and his wife is lovely too,' I added for effect.

  'And children? Do they have any children?'

  'I have a son and a daughter,' Adam replied for me, as he pushed open the door and set the tray on the coffee table. In the middle sat a teapot – one that was a wedding gift, and had probably never been used, and some posh cups and saucers that were only used on special occasions. Clearly Adam knew how to make my mum feel special. I grinned at him as he proceeded to pour tea for us all.

  'Thank you, dear,' Mum said. 'So, tell me about your children. I do like to hear about people's children.'

  I looked down at the floor. She'd been devastated after my hysterectomy. Being an only child meant she'd never have any grandchildren of her own, and that was like the end of the world to her. I don't think she'd ever quite forgiven me for having all my bits and pieces removed, even though she knew it was necessary. I could have died, otherwise, and she understood that. But deep down, she needed to blame someone, and it had to be me. And I understood that.

  When I lifted my head, having zoned out for a bit, Dad was looking at me like his heart was broken. I smiled as he tipped his head and blew me a kiss. He always used to do that when I was a kid, and it never failed to make me laugh. I pretended to catch the kiss, just as I had done over thirty years ago. Dad winked at me before I heard Mum ask Adam even more personal questions.

  'Mum, give the guy a rest, already. Sorry, Adam. She does like to pry.'

  Adam looked across at me and smiled,
'It's fine. I don't mind.' He grinned at her and she blew her chest up like a cockerel. Was it a cockerel that did that? Anyway, she was clearly falling a bit in love with Adam. I knew the moment he'd talked about children, it would change her opinion of him. And the second he'd mentioned that one day he'd like to be a grandfather… Well, if she could swoon, she would have swooned. It was embarrassing.

  'Well, it's just a shame that you two aren't together, that's all I'm saying on the subject,' she said, pursing her lips together.

  'No-one asked you, Joyce,' said my dad, finally, having had enough of her ridiculous comments. 'Just leave the poor kids alone. They're friends.' He turned to face Adam. 'Adam, I'm grateful that my daughter has such a good friend to look after her at times like these. Those blessed baked beans.'

  I couldn't help it. I burst out laughing. Adam looked at me and followed suit, and then my dad cracked up. My mum looked at us all. She tried not to – I could almost feel the strain in her chest – but even she saw the funny side, and soon the laughter was echoing throughout the house.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  'I'm sorry I missed your mum and dad, babe,' Matt said at the dinner table, later that night.

  I smiled, pushing the pasta around my plate. 'That's ok. I don't think you're really sorry though, are you?'

  'Well, you know your mum. She doesn't like me very much.'

  'Yes she does,' I said, somewhat non-committal.

  Matt raised his eyebrows. 'She hates me,' he said, putting the iPad down for a moment to take another mouthful of the bolognese.

  'She so doesn't hate you. Okay, she doesn't love you, but she likes you.'

  'She puts up with me because I'm your husband.'

  'Well, if you put it that way, I suppose you're right.'

  'How long are they in England?'

  'Just a few days, Mum has one of her annual doctor's appointments. Just a check-up. Nothing to worry about.'

  'Where are they staying this time?'

  'Auntie Jean's.'

  He nodded. 'How's your foot?'

  'Better.'

  'I still can't believe you got such a nasty injury from baked beans.' He laughed, almost spitting out the spaghetti that was hanging from his mouth. He sucked it back in with a loud smacking sound and I shook my head.