Thirty-seven
Joe heaved a sigh of relief. After last night, he’d been afraid either Gill would fail to show up for breakfast, or would arrive, only to tell him she didn’t want to see him again. Her agreeing to his suggestion they move their relationship on but take it slowly, was a very welcome reprieve.
All smiles, they stopped to chat with Poppy and Cam on their way out, Joe feeling oddly as if they had suddenly become a couple as their friends talked about going sailing. He chastised himself, told himself to take it easy as they said goodbye to Poppy and Cam.
‘It’s a lovely morning,’ Joe said. ‘Fancy a walk along the beach?’
With another smile, Gill agreed, and, greatly daring, Joe took her hand as they walked across towards the marina.
‘Oh, look!’ Gill said. ‘It’s Freya with her friends. She was late home and didn’t make it to swimming this morning.’
‘She looks pretty wide awake now,’ Joe said, observing the lively group of young people Freya was part of. ‘Isn’t that the two Whittaker boys she’s with?’
‘Rory and Gary. The girl’s Liz’s daughter, Mandy. You remember her from the yacht club? She and Gary are a couple, and Freya…’ Gill’s voice trailed off as Rory helped Freya onto the boat, seeming to hold her hand for a few moments longer than was necessary. ‘It seems she’s getting over the man who hurt her so much in California. Oh, not physically,’ she added, seeing Joe frown. ‘But men hurt women in lots of different ways.’ She bit her lip, making Joe remember she was still battling with the man she’d been married to.
‘Looks like they’re having fun,’ he said. ‘What are your thoughts about going sailing with Cam and Poppy?’
‘It might be fun,’ Gill said cautiously.
‘They mentioned next weekend. It looks as if you’re going to have no need to worry about your daughter.’
‘You’re right.’ Gill’s eyes followed the yacht making its way out of the harbour. She sighed. ‘I wish my troubles could be resolved so easily.’
‘What would it take?’ he asked.
‘To satisfy Max? More than I’m prepared to hand over. But let’s not talk about him today.’
By this time, they had reached the way down to the beach which, given the good weather, was filled with people determined to soak up the sun and enjoy the ocean. Today, there was no sign of any kitesurfers, but the surfers were out in force taking advantage of the large waves. Finn was there with Liz and his small grandson, Sandy, building a sandcastle which Sandy’s dog was destroying almost as soon as they built it.
‘Hi there,’ Finn said, as Joe and Gill approached.
Joe noticed a gleam in Liz’s eyes as she gazed at him and Gill. He felt Gill tense and tightened his grip on her hand. This was going to be a test of her resolve.
‘Good to see you, Gill,’ Liz said.
Gill nodded to her friend, and the four chatted for a few minutes before Finn said, ‘Sorry, guys, we have a castle to build,’ as Sandy pulled on his arm.
‘That wasn’t too difficult, was it?’ Joe asked Gill, when they moved off.
‘I’m not sure,’ she said. ‘I’ll be the topic of conversation at our next lunch. First, Poppy, now Liz. All it needs is for us to meet Rachel too, then all three will know.’
‘Is that a bad thing?’
‘I’m not sure,’ Gill repeated. ‘I’ve been so outspoken about my feelings about men, it’ll be difficult to admit I might have changed my opinion, but…’ she smiled up at him, ‘… I do enjoy your company, and you’re not like any other men I’ve met.’
‘I’ll take that as a compliment.’ Joe chuckled. Barb used to tell him he was a one-off. He’d thought she was exaggerating… maybe not.
As they reached a less populated part of the beach, they took off their shoes and walked along in the shallow water at the edge of the sea. It was beautiful here with the sun on their faces, Gill’s hand in his. Joe wished their walk could last for ever.
The mood was broken by the arrival of a spaniel with her mistress. ‘Nice to see you two together,’ Agnes said. ‘It’s taken you long enough. I knew you’d make a good couple.’
Joe saw Gill open her mouth and, worried she was going to deny they were a couple, quickly said, ‘You always were a good judge, Agnes,’ squeezing Gill’s hand tightly to prevent her from speaking.
‘Why did you do that?’ Gill asked, when they were out of earshot of the older woman.
‘It was a natural thing for her to say when she saw us together holding hands. It’s not the end of the world if people know we are in a relationship. We are, aren’t we?’ Joe held his breath.
For a few moments, Gill didn’t speak, then, ‘I suppose we are. It’s just so new to me, and…’ she shook her head, ‘… I don’t know how to react when people make those sort of remarks.’
‘You’re doing fine so far.’
They stopped and Joe, after checking they were alone on this stretch of beach, pulled Gill into his arms. As their lips met, he was conscious of her initial resistance before she melted into his embrace.
*
After Joe kissed her on the beach, Gill felt more confused than ever. Not about the kiss. It had been a good kiss. And not about Joe. He hadn’t forced his attentions on her. It was her own emotions that led to her feeling awkward. But she hadn’t pulled away. It had felt good. Was that the problem, she wondered, or was she worrying too much, instead of just enjoying the moment?
Now she was home, she wished she’d invited Joe back for coffee. But they’d already spent several hours together, and she needed space, time to herself to think. Changing into an old, comfortable pair of tracksuit pants and an oversized tee-shirt, she went into her home office to study the latest missive from her solicitor. It quickly brought her back down to earth and banished all thoughts of Joe and his kiss. Her rage intensified at the thought of Max with his new partner, at the prospect of him becoming a father again… and expecting her to fund his new lifestyle. How dare he!
When Gill had dashed off her response, she felt a lot better and turned to the client files needing her attention.
She was still engrossed in them when Freya returned.
‘What are you doing stuck in here?’ her daughter asked. ‘I thought you’d still be with the mayor. How was breakfast?’
‘Good. And you went sailing after all. We saw you set off. I didn’t expect you home yet.’
‘It’s after five,’ Freya said to Gill’s surprise. She’d become so absorbed in her work, she hadn’t noticed the time, hadn’t even stopped for lunch. ‘Don’t worry about dinner for me. I’m going out again. There’s music at The Grand tonight, and Rory knows one of the group playing.’
‘Rory again.’ Gill grinned to see Freya blush.
‘We’re just friends, Mum. Everyone else around is married or part of a couple. And he’s fun to be with.’
‘I don’t have a problem with you seeing Rory Whittaker. It’s your life. He’s a nice boy and I doubt he’d hurt you the way the guy in California did.’
‘It’s not like that, Mum, and he’s hardly a boy.’
‘Whatever.’ Gill smiled, hearing her own denials in her daughter’s voice.
Freya spoke again. ‘I had another call from Dad.’
‘You spoke with him?’
‘No way.’
‘You should, darling. Whatever he’s done, he is your dad, and I’d hate to think of you cutting him out of your life completely.’
‘He should have thought of that,’ Freya said. But Gill hoped she’d reconsider. While she was delighted to have Freya with her again, to have regained her affection, she knew what it was like to feel isolated from her daughter. She wouldn’t wish that on her worst enemy, not even on Max.
Once Freya had departed on a wave of perfume with promises not to be late and not to waken Gill when she did – seemingly unaware of the absurdity of her comments – Gill stared at the computer screen. She was a sad case, spending most of her Sunday working. But it was what she did, what she’d done for years. Her mind went back to Joe, to that kiss, to what she’d been trying to forget ever since she got back.
Now, she allowed herself the luxury of contemplating what it might be like to have a relationship with Joe Harris, a proper relationship, one which everyone knew about, what it would be like to feel his lips on hers, not in a brief kiss but in something deeper, more sensuous, to lie in his arms, to… She shivered. It had been so long since she’d been with a man, not since Max left. What if she’d forgotten how?