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Chapter 39
The Bentley slid into my usual parking space in front of my flat, a brilliantly executed piece of driving ... after only six tries.
It was later evening and my local bar beckoned. Perhaps the two giggling girls might be there again and willing to share a few companionable drinks before bed. Not their bed of course. The thought was tempting but their slim figures, short skirts and all too young cherubic faces spelt trouble with the the law courts if I went beyond just buying them a drink.
But the day had been a long one so I popped down to the local wine shop and bought myself a litre bottle of French red wine from the Provence region. Being by myself in my own flat would give me the time to think. The bottle of wine would make sure that it wasn't too clearly.
Hopefully, as the bottle emptied, the alcohol would fill me full of sleep and the night would fill me full of good ideas and energy to put my best foot forward.
So I decided to stay in but the door was already open when I got to the foot of the stairs and there was a smell of toast drifting out of my kitchen. A low light shone from one of my spare bedrooms and the apartment had a lived in feeling. Jennifer was there in the kitchen, an apron around her waist, a smile on her face and a pair of large red lips that raised themselves towards me.
"Hi, you," I said. "This is a nice surprise!"
I put the bottle of red wine on the work surface of the kitchen and rummaged around for a corkscrew. Jennifer came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist covering my back with her front and making me feel very close to her.
"Did you miss me." Her voice was low, purring like a cat glad to be home.
"Yes," I said, very simply, pouring the wine into two glasses."
"That's exactly the right reply," she said, hugging me tighter.
"Why did you disappear?"
"It's very difficult to say. Perhaps one day you'll understand. But I don't think I can explain it now."
I turned round slowly in her arms so the wine didn't spill from the glasses and kissed her again. We held each other tightly and walked into the lounge. She must have been there all evening because the room already had a woman's touch. It looked tidy and there were flowers in a vase by the window. I felt a rush of belonging that hurt so much that I pushed it aside.
"I now know that much of what you have told me isn't true. Are you going to tell me more stories?"
"Only if you ask me the wrong questions..."
"But I want to know more about you, the real you, and I want it to be the truth."
"Truth? What is truth? I am here - that is the truth!" Her voice was low and intense.
"I dreamt you were here last night when I got back from the pub."
"I was..."
"It was beautiful."
"It can be beautiful again."
Her kingfisher blue eyes were dancing inches away from nine, her arms were around my neck and her lips looked inviting. She had slipped off her apron and all I could think of now was what she would look like without her T-shirt and jeans.
But I was afraid for things to go too fast. Soon after we had made love last time, she'd left.
We sipped the wine and she sat on my lap on my sofa in my apartment but the wine didn't seem important any more. Her company had me intoxicated already. Both of our glasses stood side by side on the glass topped coffee table in front of us so perhaps she felt the same. She held my cheek in the palm of her hand and kissed me again.
"You are still with Bruno, aren't you?"
"I'm not with Bruno at all; certainly not the way I am with you." There was a slight tone of irritation in her voice but I pressed on.
"I thought you are trying to get away from him."
"I was!"
"Was?"
"It's complicated..."
"Why is it complicated?"
"Because not all problems can be solved by running away. I tried and it didn't work. Perhaps sometimes it's better to accept the way things are and to work with them."
"You said Bruno was jealous even if you talked to the milkman."
"It wasn't exactly jealousy."
"What you mean?"
"It was more about control ... he wanted to know what was happening and to make sure I couldn't get away from him."
"But you said he was jealous."
"It was easier than explaining the whole situation."
"He's still watching you from across the road."
"I know."
"Do you mind?"
"As long as I don't see him too often and he keeps to himself, perhaps it's better not to mind."
"How did you manage to get away from him tonight?"
"He's out with his new girlfriend so I took the opportunity. Are you glad?"
"I'm glad."
"Do you love me?"
"Yes..."
"I love you too ..."
It had happened ...
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