Page 19 of A Summer of New Beginnings
9
It turned out the phone call Josh had received had been from his mother. She had heard from Katie and was calling Josh with news that his son and ex would be arriving earlier than originally planned. Zara reminded herself that she was absolutely fine about the whole thing and Josh enthused about the day trips the three of them could take. Zara smiled sweetly and nodded but deep inside she wasbeginning to worry that perhaps she wasn’t quite ready to meet Josh’s son. Wouldn’t it be like meeting a stepchild for the first time? She’d seen films about such scenarios where the kid was a delight when everyone was around but then as soon as they turned their backs the stepmum got it. Okay, so comparing herself to a stepmum was probably a little OTT. But it still niggled at the back of her mind.
Josh beamed as he spoke about his son. ‘Yeah, apparently he loves all things to do with science. So he must take after me a bit, eh? I thought we could take him to the Natural History Museum. I used to love places like that when I was a kid.’
‘Look… Josh, I think maybe you should spend time with Caleb on your own. Don’t you? I mean, this is all very new for both of you and I don’t want him tofeel intimidated by you bringing me along.’
Josh’s excited smile disappeared. ‘But I thought you’d want to meet him.’
‘Oh, I do, Josh, absolutely. I just think… he’s coming all this way to see his dad. Not his dad and his dad’s girlfriend. I just don’t want to impose. This is a really big deal for you. For both of you.’
He reached out and took her hand. ‘But I don’t want you to feel left out.Like I said before, you’re important to me too.’
She smiled and squeezed his hand. ‘And I’m so happy you feel that way. But I want you to make the most of seeing him. After all, he’s not going to be here for long. You need to make every single moment count.’
Josh was silent for what felt like an age but eventually he leaned and placed a kiss on her forehead. ‘Thank you. Maybe you’re right. Ijust l…’ He cleared his throat. ‘I appreciate how thoughtful and understanding you are.’
‘I know you do.’
*
Zara was spending her time researching her impending trip north as it loomed ever closer. She had agreed to see Josh on Thursday evening seeing as Katie and Caleb would be up in Newcastle visiting friends and family initially. But she’d continued to tell Josh that he should concentrateon spending time with Caleb alone and see her properly when they had left to return home; eventually, albeit reluctantly, he had agreed.
Thursday night was going to be the last time she saw him for a short while so she wanted to make the most of things. Marco had a hot date, meaning she had her flat all to herself, so she was planning a romantic meal followed by… well, whatever happened.
Marcohad given her some of his favourite Italian recipes and she had prepared home-made pasta with the little gadget her roomy had brought when he moved in. Josh couldn’t fail to be impressed.
He arrived on time and looked decidedly nervous as he stood there in the doorway. He had a bottle of wine in one hand and a small box of chocolates in the other. ‘I thought I’d bring these seeing as you alreadyhad flowers,’ he said as he crossed the threshold.
‘We can enjoy those later. I made Italian.’
‘You made the Italian do what?’ Josh laughed. ‘Jeez, that was such a shit joke. I’m so fucking nervous, Zara. What’s wrong with me? I feel like we’re on our first date or something.’
She laughed. ‘I know exactly what you mean. I’ve been a wreck all day. How daft are we?’
‘Get this bottle opened,eh? I reckon we both need a bit of Dutch courage tonight.’
She opened the bottle as Josh took a couple of wine glasses down from the cupboard. ‘So, are you excited about tomorrow?’
Josh closed his eyes and shook his head. ‘Hey, look, why don’t we forget about Caleb, Katie and all that just for tonight, eh? Let’s make this about us.’
Relief flooded her veins and she stepped closer to him, slippingher arms round him and tiptoeing to meet his lips with hers. Their exchange became heated and soon enough Josh had her pressed against the counter top as his hands roamed her body.
He stopped and pulled away. ‘I know you’re worried about us making everything about sex but right now… I just want—’
‘So do I.’ She grabbed his hand and led him to the bedroom.
There was something a little differentabout how he made love to her. She couldn’t help feeling that he was trying to prove something. He worshipped her with his tongue and with his mouth; teasing and tasting her as if this would be the last time. And then it dawned on her that it might be.
*
After the first meeting with Caleb, Josh telephoned, oozing enthusiasm and praise of the little boy. ‘He’s a really smart kid. I mean, I knowI’m biased, but he really is. He told me all about the marine life where he lives. They’re not far from the Great Barrier Reef. Imagine that! I can’t believe he loves the ocean as much as I do. And he really looks like me. Poor kid. My mum said he’s the spitting image of me when I was his age. And she’s right. When you compare photos it’s like we’re the same person. Except he’s got tanned skinand the photos of me as a kid show me as so pale I’m almost blue.’ He laughed heartily and Zara smiled. He sounded so very happy and excited.
‘So… ahem… how is Caleb’s mum?’
There was a silent pause. ‘Oh, she’s fine. Jet-lagged obviously. Says it’s strange to be back in the UK. She doesn’t miss the weather. Typical it should chuck it down all day today. Oh, you should have seen Caleb’s facewhen he opened his presents. That microscope you suggested was a hit. Thank you for that.’
So he wasn’t going to talk about Katie. Maybe that was a good thing. ‘Well, I’m glad it’s all going well for you.’
