Chapter Forty-Eight
There was a long silence as Dylan digested my words.
My hand immediately fluttered to my mouth. Oh Lord. What had I said? But it was done now. I couldn’t unsay it.
Moving in with me might resolve Dylan’s immediate problem with Jill, but it could potentially create two issues for me.
First, the kids.
I mentally flushed to my roots at the thought of my children’s faces when they next came over for Sunday dinner. Dylan sitting at the head of the table – once Greg’s place. Ella, trying not to look irked, while Ruby threw Tim a questioning look.
I thought you said Mum and this Dylan dude were just companions?
Tim volleying back a shrug.
How was I to know this man would move in? Anyway, don’t worry, Rubes. If they ARE having sex, it’s likely to be infrequently.
Ruby raising her eyebrows.
Infrequently – is that one word or two?
Second, my parents.
Both were old-fashioned enough not to approve of a live-in lover, especially if they found out I’d only known Dylan not quite three months.
‘Shame on you, Maggie.’ I could already hear my father’s voice in my head. ‘I can’t believe my daughter has shacked up with another man.’
‘Isn’t shacking up what teenagers do?’ This from my mother. ‘Oooh, Maggie! Does this mean you’re a teenager again? In which case, I can’t be ninety-one years old. Shame on YOU, Trevor King, for having me believe otherwise.’
Cue my mother walloping Dad with her handbag. My father, bristling with hostility, then getting to the crux of his fury. For what he’d really want to know was how this new situation would affect him and Mum.
‘What about us, Maggie?’ he’d rant. ‘We are the ones who should have moved in with you.’
Maybe I shouldn’t tell the family. Perhaps I could get away with it if I banished Dylan every time the family came over. I had a mental picture of shooing Dylan out the back door.
‘Sorry, darling. I know it’s pouring with rain and – oh dear, yes that was a clap of thunder – but never mind! Look what I’ve got for you. A Captain Birdseye sou’wester and matching hat! That’s it, pop them both on. Oh, perfect. Yes, you do look a bit like Paddington Bear, but never mind. Off you go. Bye-eee.’
And then I’d slam the door on Dylan only to find Charlie sitting at my feet wondering why Daddy had gone for walkies without him. How would I explain the presence of a second dog?
Tim: Another dog, Mum?
Ruby: There’s a medical name for people who rescue lots of dogs.
Ella: Yeah, it’s called a Roverdose.’
My thoughts fragmented as Dylan finally spoke.
‘Maggie,’ he said tenderly. ‘I truly appreciate your offer. But I’m not going to take you up on it. This is my problem. Not yours.’
‘Okay,’ I said, feeling a mixture of both regret and relief.
‘However, your suggestion has given me a lightbulb moment. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before. I’m going to rent something. A place that’s dog friendly. After all, it might take a few months to resolve this matter. Also, there’s a local firm, Gardener and Stewart Solicitors, who have a good reputation. I’ll give them a ring and make an appointment.’
‘I know the firm,’ I said. ‘My father is one of their clients. I also know of Gabe Stewart, one of the partners. He married Wendy Walker who lived in the village with her first husband. Derek Walker was rather–’
‘Peculiar.’ Dylan finished my sentence. ‘Yes, thanks to the gossips, I did hear about Wendy’s bit of bother. I think Gabe is the divorce lawyer. It’s the other chappie I’ll see. He can sort out Jill’s eviction order.’
‘Just remember, Dylan, that if you get stuck, my offer remains.’
‘I truly appreciate your kindness, darling,’ said Dylan softly. ‘And maybe one day…’
He trailed off, leaving the words unspoken. Even so, they hovered in the air.
Maybe one day, we will move in together.
‘However, before that ever happens’ – Dylan’s voice took on a playful tone – ‘I need to get around to the matter of holding you tight and giving you ten thousand kisses.’
I squirmed deliciously on the sofa.
‘It certainly is a little overdue,’ I said teasingly.
‘In which case’ – Dylan’s voice had taken on a suggestive tone – ‘now that you know the situation, and a cunning plan has been devised, how about I take you out for a romantic dinner on Saturday evening?’
‘Only dinner?’ I said mischievously.
‘Did you have something else in mind?’ said Dylan, feigning innocence.
‘I most certainly did,’ I said huskily.
God, this was thrilling. I was zinging all over the place and Dylan wasn’t even here. Heaven help me when we did finally go to bed together. The duvet might go up in flames.
‘Are you suggesting I bring my toothbrush?’ said Dylan, sotto voce.
‘Go mad,’ I whispered. ‘Bring your pyjamas too.’
‘I have two more confessions,’ said Dylan. Oh God. What now? But I needn’t have worried. ‘First, I will have to bring Charlie with me.’
‘That’s fine. He can sleep downstairs with Bess. What’s the other thing?’
‘I don’t wear pyjamas,’ Dylan whispered.
Zinggg.