Chapter 16
The weekend passed slowly. On Sunday morning, Eve woke feeling listless and deflated.
At half past nine, the local church bells started up their usual ringing and it reminded her of how upbeat she had felt this time last week.
She remembered the intoxicating blend of dread and excitement that had coursed through her as she washed and straightened her hair, gearing herself up to go to Norham Gardens and surprise Joe.
She’d been nervous, but in a good way. She’d had everything to look forward to.
And then she realised she couldn’t stand not knowing – not knowing if Joe had been recalled to prison; not knowing if he was guilty or innocent.
By lunchtime, she realised she couldn’t go back to work the next day feeling like this.
She needed answers. The same blend of dread and excitement began to creep through her as she made her decision, as once again she washed and straightened her hair, put on a bit of mascara and eyeliner and set off across the Parks.
Joe might not be at home, she told herself.
He might be in prison. But she wasn’t going to find out by doing nothing.
When she arrived at Norham Gardens, the Volvo was outside, but she realised she didn’t even know if it belonged to Joe or Chas. Chas, most likely, she decided. How could Joe own a car?
She walked onto the driveway and peered through the metal bars of the gate into the back garden.
She couldn’t see anyone, but the garden hose was out on the path, snaking its way from the tap on the wall onto the grass by the planters, which looked wet.
She could also see Joe’s radio and jacket on the bottom scaffolding plank.
The radio was playing softly. She couldn’t hear the song, just the sound of the notes pulsing through the still air.
She hesitated, her heart beating faster as she pushed open the gate, stepped over the hose and walked towards the back door.
She paused, ready to knock, and then she saw him at the window and her heart skipped a beat.
He disappeared out of view for a second and then appeared again right in front of her, unlocking the back door and opening it.
His eyes were wide and fearful, but he said nothing.
They stood staring at each other and then he stepped back a little so that she could come in.
He closed the door and stood beside the sink, still looking at her.
He was wearing a white T-shirt and jeans, a simple combination that Eve found attractive.
His expression, his hair, his face, his posture all felt so familiar to her.
He looked as though he wanted to cry, and Eve felt a strong urge to comfort him.
She stepped forwards, uncertain, and reached up to stroke a strand of hair away from his forehead, then moved closer until he was right there in front of her.
He leaned in, his breath stirring her hair as he murmured, ‘Eve.’
And then his hands were either side of her head and he was looking into her eyes, and he was kissing her, his mouth soft and warm on hers.
He leaned against her and she had to step backwards, then at the same time he stepped forwards, so that she was pressed against the wall next to the door.
Eve felt a thrill rip through her as his chest pushed up against hers and squeezed the breath from her.
He lifted her into his arms. Eve felt dizzy with longing.
She knew that she was going to allow herself to fall off the cliff edge and into the abyss.