Page 23 of Waiting for a Bright New Future

Chapter Fourteen

“You’ve changed,” William said brusquely the next morning. “I’ve never heard you whistle before and you’ve got bags under your eyes. You’ve pulled, haven’t you?”

Stuart smiled and helped the old man from the chair to the commode. It felt as though he’d been grinning since the moment of that kiss.

“It’s Florence, isn’t it? It’s not possible for a man and a woman to live together under the same roof without a bit of how’s-your-father. I could’ve told you that if only you’d asked.”

“It’s not Florence. I’ve already told you, she’s not my type. I’ll leave you in private while I make the breakfast.”

William’s kitchen looked out over his back garden. The beds were overgrown and the lawn was just about kept in check by a man who arrived fortnightly with a mower in the boot of his car. Today, the depressing view carried a sheen of happiness. Today, everything carried a sheen of happiness. Today was the start of his bright new future. Jayne still found him attractive. Still liked him after all these years. The connection between them was still there. For the first time in decades, he felt confident about life.

What a turn-up for the books. Stuart and Jayne back together.

“What’s that supposed to mean, Sandra?”

Nothing. Personally, I don’t know what your attraction is, but that’s sisters for you. Perhaps you’ve got some innate animal magnetism that I can’t feel.

“If you haven’t got anything positive to say, please don’t speak.”

Ooh! Are you trying to get rid of me? It doesn’t work like that. I kept you company when our parents and big brothers were too busy to notice your existence. I was the one who walked beside you at our mother’s funeral when Dad went to pieces. I was the one who held your hand when Carl came on the scene.

“I don’t dispute any of that but right now I need the privacy and free will to conduct my own love affair.”

No fear. I’m not coming into the bedroom with you. But after all these years, that will be a hurdle, won’t it?

“Go away, Sandra. You’re messing with my head.”

Ooh! Look who’s throwing their toys out of the pram. I’m going nowhere. Your life’s just starting to get interesting. I don’t want to miss the best bits.

Stuart gave himself a slap on both cheeks and went to clean up William.

“Talking to yourself again?”

“My sister gets on my wick.” Stuart suddenly realised what he’d said and added quickly, “She always phones at awkward times.”

“That your phone over there?”

Stuart snatched his mobile from the sideboard alongside William’s door key. He’d deliberately taken his phone out of his pocket and left it there to remind himself to complete William’s notes on the app before leaving and putting the key back in the safe.

“Want to talk about it?”

“Nothing to say. There was a cat in the garden. I was talking to it through the glass. Mouthing off about my sister. It’s a stupid habit I’ve had since childhood and I rarely admit it to anyone.”

William nodded at him, obviously not believing a word. Stuart heard Sandra’s laughter in his head. The magic of last night with Jayne had dissipated like mist in a hot morning sun. Stuart gritted his teeth and opened a drawer to get clean underwear for his client.

William was obviously enjoying the diversion of Stuart’s behaviour and wouldn’t let it go. “I’ve never seen a cat have such an effect on a man through a barrier of glass. This may be a true case of the cat having got your tongue. The moggy’s stolen the sunshine of your mood too.”

Stuart kept himself half turned away from the old man; he wasn’t going to be drawn any further.

“Now you’re clean and dressed, I’ll fetch the porridge through.” He stripped off his gloves and went back into the kitchen.

* * *

“I’m going away for a few days.” Florence was manoeuvring a suitcase down the stairs when he got home.

“Oh?” Stuart’s mind was still on his anger with Sandra and William.

“Going to see my daughter down in London. And the grandkids.”

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