Chapter 49
Chapter forty-nine
The sheets tangled around limbs and torsos as both bodies writhed against one another, slick with sweat and lovemaking.
“We should get up and do something,” Billy said, as she reappeared from between Rosa’s legs, kissing her way up and loosening the sheets.
“Like what?” Rosa asked, craning her neck to find Billy’s lips and taste her own essence on them.
“I don’t know…go somewhere. We know where Imogen will be until at least five, and even then, she’s with Robbie, so might be out all night.”
“True,” Rosa said, pushing herself up. “I guess we should at least try to do something more than sex every time we see each other.”
“I do like the sex.” Billy grinned before launching herself down and pressing her mouth to Rosa’s neck. Rosa giggled and pushed her off.
“Not the way to get me up and out of bed, Billy.”
“I know, but…” Billy pulled up onto her knees and stared down at Rosa’s naked body. “It’s a rock and a hard place, having to choose.”
“Do you want to go out or not?” Rosa said firmly.
Billy climbed off the bed and pulled on an old hoodie. “Let’s go get lunch. We can avoid the Riverside.”
“I’d rather go further afield.”
“Alright, what about the Frog and Whistle?”
“Where is that?”
“Sandham.” Billy ruffled her curls into a manageable style. “They do a great lunch menu there.”
Rosa thought about it. The smaller village was in the opposite direction to where Imogen would be. It was relatively safe, wasn’t it? She barely knew anyone who lived there.
“Alright, let’s do it.”
“You know, this will be our first proper date.” Billy grinned, happy at that idea. “Unless you count lunch at the spa.”
“I’m not sure I’m counting this, seeing as we’ve spent all morning jumping each other’s bones.”
Billy laughed. “So, we should shower separately, right?”
Rosa threw the sheets to the side and swung her legs off the bed to stand up. She met Billy at the end of the bed and threaded her hands around Billy’s neck, into her hair. “We should, but then that would still take just as long.”
“Good thinking.” Billy’s palms gripped Rosa’s waist, pulling her closer. “So, shower sex, then lunch.”
“Do you think she’s having a good day?”
Billy frowned. “Imogen?” she asked, turning into the car park behind the pub.
“Who else?”
“Well, honestly, babe, I was kind of hoping your thoughts weren’t with our daughter right now.”
“I can’t turn off worrying about her. It’s been the norm since the day she was born,” Rosa said.
The car skidded slightly on the pebbles as Billy parked and pulled the handbrake.
She turned to face Rosa. “I think you already know the answer, and that this worrying is something you’ve learned to do and can unlearn.
She’s fine. She’s with her bestie, and everyone around her will take care of her.
And she’s getting paid and, knowing our daughter, earning tips.
” She reached out and touched Rosa’s cheek.
“She’s living her best life, just like we should be. ”
“You’re right, of course.” Rosa covered Billy’s hand with her own. “She’s fine. Georgia and Pippa wouldn’t let anything happen to her, I know, but accidents happen.”
“And when they do, we deal with them. We don’t worry about them before they happen.”
Rosa took a deep breath and released it slowly. “You’re right. Lunch then?”
“Yes, lunch, and you, and me, and these beautiful surroundings.”
Lunch had been just as good as Billy had promised.
“One last mouthful,” Billy said, holding the spoon to Rosa’s lips. The shared dessert had been an inspired idea. Rosa’s lips parted, her tongue accepting the bite of apple tart and custard.
“Mm, that was so good,” Rosa murmured once she’d swallowed.
“Coffee?”
“Yes, why not.”
Billy signalled the waiter and ordered. When the waiter had gone, she said, “Let’s go sit by the fire.” She stood up before Rosa could argue and helped pull her chair back.
The seats by the fire were close together—two high-backed leather armchairs. Rosa sat back down and smiled as Billy brought their coats over.
“So chivalrous.”
“Just taking care of you, like I should have done.”
“No more ‘should have dones’, this is a fresh start for both of us,” Rosa said, watching as Billy took the seat beside her.
“You’re right. No looking back. So, tell me about your job, and what’s his name? Roger?”
“Roger Atherton, yes. He’s interesting, quirky.
But a good man. I can’t complain too much.
He pays me very well and I do a lot more than a usual research assistant would do.
I’m basically his personal assistant at this point.
He’s so focused on his work at times that I think without me, he might forget to eat. ”
Billy smiled. “Sounds like you’ve got this parenting lark down pat.”
“Like I say, he pays me well, and I’m good at what I do.”
“So, you enjoy it?”
“I do. Although this last week was a little unnerving. He’s writing a series of serial killer novels about a detective with one leg. I’m not sure what the relevance is yet, but he tends to come up with some very exciting twists, so I’m sure it’ll be integral to the plot somewhere.”
Billy tilted her head and smiled. “I love it when you get all excited about something. I remember the day we found out you were pregnant, how excited you got when I asked how your day had been and you said you wanted to do a test because you just knew.”
“I did know, and I was right.” Rosa winked.
“Yes.” Billy nodded, still grinning.
Rosa’s phone buzzed against the tabletop. She snatched at it and read the screen. “It’s Imogen,” she said with a little anxiousness.
Billy watched her face move through the emotions of the text as she read it.
Imogen: Staying at Robbie’s. I’ve got spare clothes there, so no need come home after work.
“After work…” Rosa shook her head and smiled at Billy. “One day and she sounds like she’s already a grown-up.”
“It won’t be long before she is,” Billy said, her palm resting gently on Rosa’s thigh as she drove. “So, she’s staying out, do you want to do the same?”
“I don’t have any spare clothes.”
“I see…the walk of shame no longer an exciting prospect?” Billy chuckled. “How about we swing by yours, pick up some of your things, and then you stay the night?”
“Why don’t we park your car up and you come home with me?”
Billy turned to look at her quickly. “Really?”
Rosa shrugged. “Why not? Imogen is out all night, and I’ve got some chicken in the fridge that I don’t want to go to waste. I was planning on making a casserole.”
“I think I’d enjoy a casserole at Casa Cafferty.”