Page 41 of Waiting for a Bright New Future

Stuart’s defences relaxed. They’d successfully negotiated their first disagreement and everything was going to be OK. He pulled his girlfriend into a hug. “Yes, please, let’s turn the clock back fifteen minutes.”

She smiled at him and kissed him slowly on the lips. His toes curled and he pulled her closer. They spent the rest of the evening snuggled on the sofa.

“I overreacted because I was scared.” Jayne had her head resting on his shoulder, making Stuart feel protective.

“Scared?”

“Scared of Florence’s alien world touching ours and spoiling it. And I don’t just mean the drugs thing. I mean her whole glamorous performing lifestyle. I can’t compete with that. I can’t offer you anything out of the ordinary. You want a bright new future but I don’t understand what that means for you. I can only offer a dull new future. I like being me. Eventually I want to retire and enjoy a slower pace of life, perhaps with the odd sunshine holiday if finances allow. I don’t want new experiences and challenges. I’ve had enough of that over the years. But I really would like to share my future with you. Will that be good enough?”

“Being with you is more than good enough. I never thought I’d get this second chance.” Stuart pulled her closer. “You don’t need to compete with Florence. Nothing is going to spoil what we’ve got.”

“University did. We promised to wait for each other and didn’t.”

Stuart fell back through the decades to their hurried farewell on the gravel drive while his father waited in the car laden with boxes and suitcases. “I . . .”

She interrupted him before he could remind her that she’d been the one at fault. “You were swept into a world completely unknown to me with parties, concerts, halls of residence, freedom. I was sure you’d never keep your promise in the midst of all that temptation.”

“I . . .”

Jayne put a finger over his lips. “I didn’t want to waste three years of my youth waiting to get dumped or cheated on by you. That’s why I started seeing Carl.”

“But I . . .”

“Now I know I was wrong.”

“Absolutely, you were wrong and nothing will ever come between us again.”

It was Stuart’s turn to kiss Jayne. Her admission of the insecurity she’d felt back then and was still feeling now clarified a whole lot of things and evened up their partnership.

When Jayne looked at her watch,Verawas coming to an end.

“I’ve really enjoyed having a break from Mum this evening. Thank you. And sorry about . . . earlier.”

“The enjoyment was mutual.”

“There is something I want to ask you. A big favour.” She paused. “There’s a yoga retreat coming up. I go every year to destress and reflect on life. It’s just one night.” Another pause. “But this time I’m scared to leave Mum. I know I have to tailor my life to suit hers but I need this break. Since she went missing, I’ve not been to yoga. Now I understand why people bang on about the need for respite care and Mum’s not even that bad. Yet.” Another pause. “Would you mind sleeping over at Mum’s? If she wakes in the night, she sometimes loses it.”

“No problem.” It felt good to be wanted and appreciated.

“Thank you.” She kissed him again.

On the way to bed he noticed the door to Florence’s room was ajar. He hesitated and then pushed it fully open.

Every drawer in the chest was open and clothes were spilling out. The duvet was in a scrunched heap as though Florence had just leaped out of it. The wardrobe door was propped open by a shoebox and a pile of high heels were visible under the bed. Florence had obviously packed in a hurry. He wondered if she’d phone while she was away or if the alien world she was visiting would swallow her whole.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Florence stayed away for a fortnight. She phoned twice but from the sparsity of information she offered, these calls were for reassurance that Stuart was OK, rather than looking for support herself. He mentioned staying overnight with Lillian so Jayne could go away.

“And you’re OK with that?”

“Of course I am. Jayne deserves a break.”

“Sometimes I think you’re too good for this world. I bet Audi man didn’t do babysitting.”

“Audi man didn’t grow up with Lillian as an honorary aunty.”

“No one deserves that bright future more than you, Stuart Borefield. Make sure it doesn’t pass you by while you’re looking the other way.”

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