Helen
She put two coasters down on the coffee table in front of her. He took the hint and sat beside her.
‘I could hear laughter in the kitchen. What have I missed?’ she asked.
‘My beloved little brother has bought Mum a fridge magnet of Elsie.’
‘And I didn’t expect to be banned from the zoo.’
‘I feel awful about that.’
He grinned. ‘It’s not as if I was planning to buy an annual pass. I’m sure we’ll laugh about it in years to come.’
Years to come. She liked the sound of that.
‘I hope we will,’ she said.
He looked at her for a moment longer than he needed to. Was he about to lean over and kiss her? But he seemed to think better of it. You could always kiss him. A quick peck on the cheek to test the waters?
‘I really appreciated it. Not many men would’ve done that.’ She leaned closer, put a hand on his shoulder and brushed her lips against his cheek. His muscles tensed under her touch. Perhaps she’d misjudged how he was feeling.
She instinctively sprang away from him as Klaus walked in.
‘Nancy wants me to ask you to stay for dinner, Helen,’ Klaus said. ‘And of course I would love you to stay for dinner too. Not least because it will reduce the number of days we’ll be eating that vast cauldron of stew she’s preparing.’
Helen chuckled politely. ‘I’d love to stay, but I need to get home to relieve my son of his dog-sitting duties.’
‘I understand. Another time, perhaps.’
‘Definitely another time.’
Nigel was looking lost in his own thoughts.
Helen touched him lightly on the shoulder. ‘I’ll be off now.’
Was that disappointment in his eyes? Wishful thinking again, Helen.
‘I’ll see you out,’ he said.
‘Bye, Klaus. Give my best to Nancy.’ Helen headed out into the hall.
Nigel followed her and opened the front door.
‘Shame you couldn’t stay,’ he said.
‘Rocky’s probably crossing his legs, desperate for a walk because I doubt Harry will have made the effort.’
He nodded. ‘I’ve had a good day.’
‘So have I.’ But she wanted it to last longer.
Helen took a deep breath. ‘It’s only 5.30. Why don’t you come home with me? It’s impossible to talk properly here - there’s always someone else around. We could pick up takeout on the way.’
‘What about Harry?’
‘He’ll say hello, then make some excuse to go to his room and do whatever he does.’
Nigel looked pleased. ‘It’s a more attractive proposition than Mum’s stew.’
‘I should hope so,’ she said, getting into her car. ‘Hop in.’