Thirty-four
Waking up in Luke’s bed was a novel experience. At first, Rachel didn’t know where she was. Then it came back to her – dinner, the fireworks, Luke’s kiss, sneaking into the house then making love. It had been so long – for both of them. So much suppressed emotion, so many lonely nights. She looked at the man sleeping beside her, unable to believe that after all these years, she had made love with Luke Findlay.
It was still early, the sun only just peeping through the venetian blinds. Rachel was tempted to cuddle up again against Luke’s warm body, but knew she needed to move. She pushed herself up, only to see Luke’s eyes open.
‘Where are you going?’ he asked in a sleepy voice.
‘I can’t stay. I…’ But she didn’t resist when he pulled her into his arms. It felt so right to snuggle up to him. She remembered the previous night, their sense of urgency, the way their bodies had melded into one, how tender Luke had been, how he’d made her feel young again. For a few moments, Rachel allowed herself to sink into his embrace, then she remembered. There was Molly to look after, Alexander and Verity. What would Alexander think about his mother staying out overnight?
‘I’m sorry, Luke. I need to go home.’ She pulled away.
‘I’m sorry too, but I understand.’ He sat up and dragged a hand though his hair. ‘I’ll drive you.’
‘No need. I can walk across the bluff.’
‘In those shoes you wore last night? I don’t think so.’
Rachel looked across the bedroom floor to where the high heeled sandals she’d worn to the yacht club were lying, alongside the heap of her and Luke’s clothing which they’d discarded hurriedly, overtaken by their need for each other.
‘Oh!’ she said blushing at the memory.
‘Give me a few minutes to get dressed, let Nelson out and fill his bowls, and you might want to do something about…’ He ran his fingers through her hair, making her realise how dishevelled she must look. ‘I love your morning-after appearance, but your son might get a shock.’
Rachel grinned. ‘You’re right, I’ll have a quick shower too, if I may.’ She could imagine what the night must had done to her carefully applied makeup.
‘Of course. Help yourself.’ He gestured to the ensuite.
When Rachel joined Luke in the kitchen, Nelson was tucking into his breakfast and Luke was dressed in shorts and a tee-shirt, his hair wet from the shower which he must have taken in the other bathroom.
‘Good morning again, beautiful. Happy New Year!’
‘Didn’t we say that last night?’
‘In oh so many ways.’ He grinned.
Rachel blushed.
‘Ready to go?’
She nodded, hoping she’d be back before Alexander and Verity were awake.
It was a forlorn hope. Verity and Molly came running towards Luke’s car as soon as she opened the door. ‘Did you see the fireworks last night, Grandma? We watched from the beach, but we left Molly inside. They were so many colours. It was like a giant ’splosion and made a lot of noise.
‘Sounds lovely, darling. Yes, I saw them too,’ Rachel said to Verity with a forced smile, her heart sinking. ‘Thanks,’ she whispered to Luke.
‘Wait,’ he said. ‘Can I see you tonight?’
Rachel wanted to say “yes” with every fibre of her being, but, ‘Oh, Luke, I’d love to, but we’re having dinner with Steph and Chloe tonight. I’m sorry.’ Her disappointment was mirrored in his face, giving her a frisson of pleasure.
‘When then?’
Rachel could see Verity hopping impatiently from one foot to the other as she waited for her to get out of the car. ‘I don’t know. It’s difficult… with Alexander and Verity…’
‘Why don’t you all come to dinner tomorrow?’
Rachel hesitated. ‘Can I let you know?’ Rachel had no idea how Alexander was going to react. There was no reason for him to be annoyed, not even surprised, so why did she feel like a teenager about to face a disapproving parent?
‘Sure.’
Luke kissed her gently, then Rachel followed Verity and Molly inside and into the kitchen where Alexander was making coffee and pancakes.
‘I remembered you always used to make us pancakes on New Year’s morning,’ he said, ‘and Verity loves them. Have a good evening?’ He winked.
‘Yes, thanks. I’ll just go and get changed.’ Rachel hurried into her bedroom before she blushed again. She was too old for this – though last night had proved that she wasn’t. She smiled as she remembered how good it had felt to be desired by a man again.
When she joined them, Verity was pouring maple syrup onto a large pancake, while Molly was bouncing around her chair – she had certainly recovered from her tick. Alexander was looked frazzled and pouring himself coffee.
‘Mum,’ he said with relief, ‘pancakes are ready. Coffee for you?’
‘Yes please.’ Although Rachel normally preferred her herbal tea at this time of the morning, today coffee sounded good. She gratefully accepted the proffered cup, took a seat beside Verity and helped herself to two pancakes, after rescuing the maple syrup container from Verity who seemed about to empty it over her breakfast.
Alexander seemed flustered was when he finally joined them.
‘What did you have for dinner last night?’ she asked.
‘Pizza,’ Verity said with glee before Alexander could speak.
Rachel glanced at her son. Maybe she’d been wrong in thinking he was a competent cook. She wondered how he was going to cope with Verity when they returned to England. They couldn’t live on pancakes and pizza and, while he’d assured her he was accustomed to looking after himself, caring for a three-year-old was a different kettle of fish.
‘Luke has invited us to dinner tomorrow,’ she said, forking up a piece of pancake. ‘I said I’d let him know.’
‘Can Molly come?’ Verity wanted to know. She had become so attached to Molly, Rachel could predict she’d be asking Alexander to get a dog when they went back home.
‘Yes,’ Rachel replied. ‘Luke has a dog too. A big dog called Nelson. Remember he was here on Christmas Day? He and Molly are friends.’
‘Are you sure he wants us to come, Mum?’ Alexander said awkwardly. ‘I mean… he’s your friend.’
‘And he wants to meet you again. I’d like you to join us. It was kind of him to invite you.’
Alexander sighed. ‘Okay, Mum. You do remember we’re having dinner with Steph and Chloe tonight?’
‘Of course. They always have the family over on New Year’s Day.’ She wondered again if there was any news yet, or if it was too soon. Steph certainly hadn’t given any indication at Christmas, but Rachel had noted she’d avoided alcohol. She wondered if Steph and Chloe had shared their plans with Jess, and thought it likely they had, but probably not with Alexander. It seemed he’d had as little difficulty in making Anthea pregnant as Jess had becoming pregnant with her three. Hopefully it would be the same for Steph.
‘She called,’ Alexander said.
‘Oh!’
‘I told her you hadn’t come home yet.’
Rachel flinched. Now Steph knew, Jess would too. She shouldn’t have stayed overnight at Luke’s while Alexander and Verity were still here, but last night had been so…
‘She wants you to call her.’
‘Right.’ Rachel flinched. Was this going to about her staying overnight with Luke?
She waited till breakfast was over and Alexander and Verity had gone to the beach with Molly, before calling Steph.
‘Oh, Mum, I’m so glad you called,’ Steph said, then instead of commenting on Rachel and Luke, said excitedly, ‘We plan to announce it tonight, but wanted you to be the first to know…’
Rachel felt a bubble of happiness well up.
‘We’re pregnant! I did the test last night after we got home from the club. We’re going to have a baby!’
‘Oh, my darling. Congratulations! I’m so happy for you,’ Rachel said, again overcome with emotion. She patted her eyes which had filled with tears.
*
When Rachel, Alexander and Verity arrived at Steph and Chloe’s townhouse, Jess and her family were already there. The twins were running around as usual and were disappointed Rachel had left Molly at home. Verity had wanted her to bring the dog, but Rachel decided four children and a dog would be too much for Steph and Chloe’s townhouse, which was a lot smaller than Rachel and Jess’s homes.
Before leaving home, Rachel had popped the baby gift into her bag. It was a tiny koala onesie complete with hood and ears. She’d been keeping it till there was news. Steph’s eyes were bright with excitement as she greeted her mother with a hug. Chloe wasn’t far behind her. ‘Isn’t she clever,’ Chloe whispered to Rachel. ‘First time!’
The others came forward to greet the newcomers before Rachel could respond, any reply she might have made drowned out by the twin’s exuberant welcome. She was pleased to see Verity allowing herself to be dragged away by them, with only a slight backward glance at her dad.
Steph and Chloe waited till the meal was over – a vegetarian korma of sweet potato, cauliflower and chickpeas, served over cauliflower rice, accompanied by a green salad and followed by a delicious pavlova. Then, having filled everyone’s glasses with prosecco, the two women stood up. ‘We have news,’ Chloe said, before turning to Steph who clasped her partner’s hand. ‘We’re having a baby,’ Steph announced.
‘Congratulations, what a wonderful start to the year, ‘Rachel said, her eyes moistening again.
‘Congratulations,’ said Jess and Paul together. ‘That’ll slow you down,’ Jess added, ‘but what wonderful news.’
Rachel fished her gift out of her bag. ‘Baby’s first gift,’ she said with a smile.
‘You knew!’ Jess accused her.
‘Only today,’ Rachel smiled. ‘I do believe I was the first to know about your pregnancies too.’
‘Apart from Paul,’ Jess said, giving her husband an affectionate glance.
‘Oh, this is so cute,’ Steph said, holding up the tiny outfit so everyone could see.
‘We’re going to have another cousin,’ Gemma said, the twins realising the implication of the news. ‘When will it be born, and will it be a boy or a girl?’
‘We don’t know yet, Gemma. I only did the test yesterday,’ Steph said, turning to the others. ‘I didn’t really expect it to be positive.’
‘The father?’ Jess asked, when the younger members of the group had lost interest.
Steph and Chloe glanced at each other, then Steph said, ‘Denny from Books and Coffee .’
Rachel nodded. He was a good choice with his blond Scandinavian looks. He and Steph would make a beautiful baby.
‘Let’s drink to the new member of the family,’ Paul said, reminding everyone they had been so busy talking they had forgotten to raise their glasses. ‘To Steph and Chloe’s baby, to the new year, and to new beginnings,’ he said, as they all raised their glasses in a toast.
‘And how about you, Mum?’ Steph said, when their glasses were empty, and Chloe had disappeared to make coffee.
‘Me?’ Rachel pretended ignorance, but she knew what was coming.
‘Where were you when I called at seven o’clock this morning? As if we didn’t know.’ She grinned and winked.
Rachel had no idea what to say, so she said nothing.
It was Jess who rescued her. ‘It’s okay, Mum. We approve. It’s time you did something for yourself. You’ve kept so busy since Dad died – and I haven’t helped, dumping the twins and Emily on you so often. No,’ she said as Rachel opened her mouth to object, ‘I know you love having them, but it was an imposition. I knew you’d always be available. And, even if nothing comes of this thing with your old flame. Sorry, he was Aunt Becky’s old flame, wasn’t he?’ She chuckled. ‘If nothing comes of it,’ she repeated, ‘it will give you something to look back on in your old age.’ She chuckled again.
Rachel wanted to throw something at her daughter, at both of them, as Steph chuckled too.
Rachel looked at Alexander for support, but he was busy organising the children who, tired of the adult talk, wanted to watch something on television.
‘Leave it, Jess,’ Paul said, coming to Rachel’s rescue. ‘They’re only teasing, Rachel. We’re all pleased you have a man friend who…’ He ran out of words.
‘We’re happy for you, Mum,’ Steph said. ‘We want you to know that, and to know that whatever you do, we love you.’
‘Thanks… I think,’ Rachel said. She picked up her glass to hide her confusion, but it was empty.
Luckily, Chloe appeared with coffee for everyone, and the conversation changed. But, despite the teasing, her daughters’ words had left Rachel with a warm glow. It was true she’d been on her own for a long time and had managed to fill her life, but there had always been an empty space – a man-sized empty space. And if Luke could fill it, even for a short time, she knew she’d be a fool to reject the happiness he could offer.