Page 96 of A Night with Damien Spur

‘No. I’ve had enough. I’m moving on.’

‘Lucky you. My problem is I’m still obsessed with Elizabeth.’

‘Is it love or passion?’ Sophie said.

‘I don’t know.’ He looked at Sophie like a little boy, his eyes unfocused as she put his pyjama top back on him.

‘I’m really ashamed, Sophie,’ he said. ‘I’ve behaved like a pillock. Letting her kick me in the balls.’

Sophie couldn’t help but smile. ‘Pillock! You really are hilarious, Damien. Come on now. You need to rest.’

Sophie took him to bed, tucked him in and kissed him on his forehead. His skin tasted damp and salty.

‘You’re still sweating.’ She passed him the glass of water on the bedside table. ‘Drink up.’ He obediently gulped it down and she refilled his glass from the jug.

‘So shall we call it a day?’ she said.

Now don’t get any ideas. You’re in no shape to perform, warned the Voice.

‘Yes. I don’t think either of us is ready to begin again.’

Chapter 31

Evelyn rang Anna to tell her what she perceived as very good news.

‘Sophie has been looking after Damien,’ said Evelyn. ‘But my intuition tells me there’s more to it than that. They are each other’s confidants. Damien and his obsession with that hard-hearted Elizabeth and Sophie’s unspeakable relationship with that nasty little rat Nicholas will soon run their course and hopefully they will both see the light. They are made for each other. I just know it.’

Evelyn’s monologue had thrown Anna into a state of confusion.

Sophie had usurped her. Not that Anna would have been a good nurse. But Damien turned her on: mind and body. She missed the sex and fun.

Fuelled by a burning curiosity about her relationship with Damien, Anna orchestrated a rendezvous with her sister.

***

They arranged to meet at the Chelsea Physic Garden. One of London’s secret delights.

Its sheltered walls whispered tales of centuries past, bursting with medicinal herbs and edible wonders.

Anna and Sophie greeted each other with an awkward hug.

But after the initial chill, things warmed up as they walked through the peaceful grounds.

Caught up in another world, the vivid colours of summer flowers and sounds of birdsong were enough to distract themfor a while.

Sophie caught herself thinking of Damien when they walked past the medicinal herbs.

It was one of his favourite places.

He had taken her there after one of their Sunday lunches, which were usually catch-ups about their respective doomed relationships.

‘I never tire of standing in the midst of all these miracles that are so vital to modern medicine,’ he had said. ‘This is one of Elizabeth’s treasured spots too. As a perfumer, she appreciates the magic of these plants. And she’s as fascinated by their history as I am. Did you know that in Mesopotamia the written study of herbs and botanicals dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, who created clay tablets with lists of hundreds of medicinal plants including myrrh and opium?’

Sophie’s mind wandered back to Damien’s drug-infused foray. She wondered how he was. Perhaps she’d call in later today.

Anna cut into her thoughts. ‘Where are you, Sophie? What’s on your mind? You seem so distracted.’

She shouldn’t have asked. Why torture herself? And, yes, the answer came, just as expected.

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