Page 115 of Duplicity

I forget to be amused, because he’s now wearing nothing except for a pair of sky-blue swim shorts whose low cut showcases that happy trail I used to lick down. His body is smooth and bronzed and cut, and I’m hit with a shot of lust so potent that it makes my breath hitch. I haven’t seen him naked since… probably that day I fell asleep on him at the Kingsley. I’ve tried very, very hard not to think about what I’m missing out on in my “new normal” with Brendan, and this reminder is very fucking unhelpful. I can just about keep myself together at work, but I’m only human. This level of exposure he has going on is frankly indecent.

Right now, I would gladly empty the pool area of everyone, including my beloved daughter, so I could yank those shorts down and get my mouth on that cock of his before pulling himdown onto the lounger and grinding on him so shamelessly that?—

Brendan throws his t-shirt at me. ‘See something you like?’

I glare at him, feeling totally busted. ‘That is very inappropriate,’ I spit.

He bends down so he can whisper in my ear, and I can smell his sun-warmed skin. God, his shoulder is so close to me. So tanned and huge. I just want to sink my teeth into it. ‘That eye-fucking you were giving me was even less appropriate,’ he whispers, his breath warm against my jaw. His fingertips skim discreetly over the skin of my back, and I shiver. ‘There are children around. Try to have some self-control. Nice bikini, by the way.’

When he straightens up, he’s grinning at me. I shake my head at him, trying not to smile and failing miserably. The man has far too much swagger. He’s a danger to himself and to society.

He turns away. ‘Cannonbaaaaaall!’ he shouts, leaping off the edge and tucking his legs in so tightly that, when he hits the surface of the water, he soaks every last one of us.

Cocky little shit.

Tabs may have a fully functioning pulmonary valve now, but she’s just had major surgery, a fact of which I grow increasingly aware as the antics in the pool escalate. Still, the fear can’t detract from the sheer joy I feel at watching her splash and swim around like a normal little girl. Just when I’m thinking she should get out and rest, Brendan procures a large watermelon-shaped floatie and has her get up on it. He drags her around the pool in it for a few minutes, sprinkling herwith a tiny pink watering can until she squeals, and I realise it’s his way of getting her to take some time out without missing out on the fun.

‘He’s very devoted,’ Mairead observes. She and Athena are flanking me; Gabe and Peter are in the pool with the four kids.

‘To Tabs or Marlowe?’ Athena quips, and I glare at her.

‘Both.’ Mairead turns and slides her sunglasses down her nose so she can give me a pointed look. Unfortunately, I suspect this woman doesn’t miss a thing.

‘Agreed,’ Athena says decisively.

‘I don’t think so,’ I protest, embarrassed. ‘He’s very sweet, but he’s just having fun with her. He seems great with kids.’

‘Probably because he’s been a big kid all his life,’ Mairead agrees. ‘It’s not weird for him. He treats them like equals.’

I think of the hours this restless, distractible man spent closeted in a hospital room last week, painstakingly building a LEGO villa with my daughter while chattering away with her easily.

Mairead cuts through my thoughts. ‘You know, he’s never brought a woman home with him before.Andhe messaged me earlier this week to ask what kind of food kids Tabby’s age like.’

My cheeks are growing hot, and not from the sun.

‘He’s very sweet,’ I repeat lamely.

‘He’s not, though,’ she muses. ‘Not really. He doesn’t do things he doesn’t want to do. Ditching the summit and flying out to be with you in the hospital? That isnotin character for Bren. He’s been harping on about that summit for months. I thought Dad would blow a gasket when he found out he’d bailed.’

‘To be fair,’ Athena says, ‘he’s been pretty shitty to Marlowe. He owed her one big time, so when he found out about Tabs, it really shook him up.’

‘Yeah,’ Mairead says. ‘Gabe filled me in on how it all went down. I have to say, I can see how that would have been a hugebombshell for Bren to process. It’s all sunshine and roses in his life. His biggest headache in life is which of his cars to take for a spin.

‘And then he starts falling for you, freaks out,actsout, and then finds out that while he’s been behaving like a spoilt toddler, you’ve been dealing with some real-world shit that’s so horrific as to be unimaginable.’ She takes a sip of her iced rosé. ‘I think that’s what we call acome to Jesusmoment—am I right, ladies?’

She may not be aware of the Seraph piece of this entire puzzle—at least, I hope she isn’t—but she’s nailed it, basically.

‘You are,’ Athena says. ‘Do you think it’s fair to say it might be the kick up the arse he needed? Not just with Marlowe, but for his life in general?’

‘I think,’ Mairead muses, ‘that our little Bren has wanted more meaning, more purpose, in his life for quite some time, even if he was completely unaware of that fact, bless him. I have a feeling that you and Tabby are exactly what he needs, and that’s why he’s risen to the occasion so readily. He’ll probably be telling himself that he wants to be your knight in shining armour, to swoop in and save you both. But don’t be fooled for a moment, because I’m quite certain it’ll be you two who save him.’

When I put Tabs to bed, it’s clear she’s tired in the best possible way, in a way that kids should be after a day in the countryside. She’s swum and laughed. She’s made new friends and learnt new games. Her body is working as it should, and it’s a revelation.

‘Elsie’s really naughty, Mummy,’ she tells me as I sit on the edge of her bed, stroking her hair. ‘She poured her daddy’s gin and tonic into the hedge and filled the glass with water from the swimming pool. When he got out of the pool, he took a big gulp and spat it all out.’

I laugh. ‘Oh dear. That is very naughty. Poor Peter. What a horrible prank to play on her daddy. Have you had a good day, my love?’

‘I’ve had the best day ever.’ She sighs sleepily. ‘Can we swim again in the morning?’

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