Page 82 of A Little Light

“But it’s all I ask of anyone. I’ve spent so many years hearing all the things you said. None of it was new to me. I don’t expect it’ll change until the day I leave the agency. To think this could run smoothly would be stupid on my part. And I don’t know…maybe in six months’ time, Andi will decide she can’t be with an escort, or…she just can’t find it in herself to love me in some way, but until then, I plan to just make her happy, Sally.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about your future with her.” Sally slid a hand across the table and placed it over Rachel’s. “I see what you mean to her.”

“Maybe,” Rachel said, her voice wavering. “But it’s very easy for people to not love me. I’m paid to sit with women to make them feel good about themselves. I dress up and play the part. But the reality is that nobody returns that favour for me in my private life. Nobody wants to be seen with me or to spend my personal time with me…until Andi came along.”

“I’m sorry you’ve been treated that way.”

“I went into escorting knowing that would likely be the direction my life took. I’ve had to fend for myself for a very long time now. Being with Andi, having someone who appreciates me for me…I really hope she sees a future that includes us together.”

“Oh, she does.” Sally grinned, getting to her feet when the timer on the oven sounded. “I’ve known Andi for over twenty-five years. Before she met Jane, even. What you see is what you get with her. If she says she wants a relationship with you, then she means it.”

Rachel relaxed into her seat, allowing that to sink in. The fear of rejection down the line was something she would have to deal with herself but to hear Sally say that meant a lot. “Thank you.”

“It may take some time for you and me to build some kind of friendship after how I’ve behaved, but I do hope we can get there eventually. I expect you to join in with our traditions throughout the year, and I know Andi wants you to be a part of our circle.”

“I think that you’ve apologised enough, and I can understand where your worries came from. There’s no reason to keep going over something that isn’t going to help in any way. I’d rather get to know Andi’s friends as me. Rachel. Rather than as Rachel the escort. Because who you know is the real me.”

“Then I look forward to bringing in the new year with you.” Sally lifted a glass of champagne that she had set out on the worktop and offered another to Rachel. “To you and Andi.”

Rachel beamed a smile, feeling as though she would fit in here after all. “To…all of us.”

* * *

Oh, what a beautiful night…

Andi looked up at the clear sky, aware that there were only two minutes to go until the clock struck midnight. Never in her wildest dreams did she think she would be in a relationship going into the new year, but she really had soaked up every moment of her recent time with Rachel. Knowing they would wake up together tomorrow and make plans for now and for the future, she couldn’t help but smile as the moon shone bright.

“You okay, babe?” Andi felt an arm around her as Rachel stood beside her, looking up at the sky with her. “Do you…want me to give you a minute?”

Thoughtful as ever, Andi smiled. “No. It’s almost midnight, and I don’t want you anywhere other than right here with me.”

She side glanced at Rachel, adoring how those blue eyes shone against the moon. Tonight had been quite something for Andi. Having Rachel with her while she celebrated New Year’s Eve with Sally and Claire hadn’t felt possible just last week. She thought she would have had to choose one or the other. But she was here, lucky to have everyone who meant something to her.

Sally and Claire’s neighbours started to leave their homes, joining them in the street. Andi always felt sad when the crowd dwindled year after year, fewer people choosing to come out and get involved with the festivities, but this year seemed to be shaping up to be a good one.

“Andi?”

Andi turned to Rachel, the crowd around her chatting amongst themselves. “Yes?”

“Thank you for having a little faith in me. For trusting me with your heart.”

She lifted a hand and brought it gently to Rachel’s cheek. Rachel leaned into her touch, the sound of the ship horns in the distance signalling that a new year was about to begin, and then the fireworks lit up the night sky. Andi leaned in, kissing Rachel slowly and conveying everything she felt about her. The excitement she brought to Andi’s life, the hope when she felt as though she had none, the love she felt budding between them. She drew back slowly and placed her palm on Rachel’s chest. “Happy New Year, Rachel.”

Rachel wrapped her arms around Andi’s neck, grinning. “Happy New Year, gorgeous.”

Pulled apart by Sally, they linked hands for a rendition of “Auld Lang Syne,” the circle growing as other neighbours joined in. Andi scanned the faces of people she knew and people she didn’t, admiring every last one of them as they smiled and laughed their way through the song. The fireworks continued, while the boom as the sky continued to brighten was drowned out by people’s voices. Most of all, Rachel’s hand was safely in hers.

Life may be significantly different now, but Andi couldn’t imagine a better woman to have by her side as she transitioned into an entirely different time.

Epilogue

Six months later…

Rachel waved in Kelly’s direction, smiling as her best friend approached from across the street. She held her phone between her ear and shoulder, wishing Andi could have made it today. “I don’t know how long I’ll be, but if you let me know what time you’re finishing work, I can be available.”

“Oh, don’t worry. Come over to my place whenever you like.” Andi sounded tired. The property market was booming at the minute so Rachel wasn’t surprised. “Do you have to work tonight?”

“No. I finished with a client about thirty minutes ago. Once I’ve had coffee with Kelly, I’m all yours.”

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