Page 29 of Coming Home
While they listened to the breakfast show, Joel kept the engine running as they ate their Big Mac breakfast, the steam from their breath and two large hot chocolates misting the windows, blocking out the world or, more to the point, the traffic that rumbled along the A34 towards the motorway.
This was how it had been for the past few weeks, snatched moments that somehow meant more than all the hours they’d spent together before he’d gone away. Ever since Joel had arrived back and sent her a text saying,Can we meet?and she’d repliedYesfar too quickly, not actually caring how uncool that was. Then, after their first tenuous, friend-zone embrace, once they’d stopped trying to deny their feelings for one another and they’d kissed in the car park of the pub, clinging on like their lives depended on it, every single second they spent together had become precious, more exciting than the last. Even in a lay-by, not caring that you had brown sauce on your chin and you couldn’t feel your toes.
‘Is that heater actually doing anything or just making a racket? I mean it, next time we eat in mine because this is bloody ridiculous. And what is that funny smell?’
‘I think it’s my work boots, they got wet yesterday.’ Joel leant over and pulled the fleece blanket around her body. ‘There, that’s better. Now stop moaning. I wanted to make it all cosy for our picnic. Look, how cute is that?’ Joel pointed to the dashboard. ‘I got it from the petrol station.’ He flicked the tiny Christmas tree that was stuck to the dash with a sucker, the LED lights reflecting on the windscreen. ‘And anyway, your car is too small: I get cramp. You know that from last time.’ Joel winked at Leonora who gave his arm a thump.
‘Well, just so you know there won’t be any of that malarkey this morning. It’s too cold and these thermals are staying on, okay!’
Joel stuck his bottom lip out as he opened his paper bag and pulled out a hash brown and beamed. ‘It’s okay, I’ll munch on this instead.’
Another thump. ‘You are so rude. Stop it.’
They ate in companionable silence, him dipping greasy potato into barbeque sauce, her sipping hot chocolate. Regardless of her grumbling about the cold, Leonora would have stayed in Joel’s beat-up car forever if it meant she could be with him.The things you do for love,she thought as she wordlessly passed him her last hash brown.
‘See, this is why I love you. Who else would sacrifice such a thing of beauty?’
‘They’re crap and you know it! I only get them because you like them.’
Joel ripped the lid from the ketchup pot as he replied. ‘See, I rest my case. We are the perfect couple. Symbiotic, yin and yang, peas and carrots, Richard and Judy…’
‘Stop, right now before I take it back. Richard and bloody Judy?’
Leonora couldn’t help but laugh while she continued to drink her chocolate and Joel made another meal out of collecting all their wrappers and pots and serviettes, making out like he couldn’t bear his car being a mess. Then once he’d scrunched the paper bag shut, he chucked it over his shoulder to join whatever hideous things were lurking on the back seat and floor of his trusty bone-shaker.
‘You scruff!’
Ignoring her rebuke he took her hand and swivelled in his seat to face Leonora. ‘So, dare I ask what you’re doing tonight, after your shift? I can meet you if you want, get something to eat.’
She knew why he was asking and her heart ached for him because if the roles were reversed it would be killing her. No, she’d be dead from sheer jealousy and rage.
‘Let’s play it by ear. He’ll be in touch soon, checking up on me as always and if we’re lucky he’ll be busy all day. He might even have something on with work then I’m off the hook. Otherwise, I’ll have to see him.’
Leonora could imagine what was going on in Joel’s mind and it was awful, but what could she do? ‘Look, I know this is hard but I’ve swerved him for the best part of a week using work as an excuse and let’s face it, my last period was the longest in the history of womankind but I swear if I give in and go round to his, that’s all I’m giving in to. Do you understand?’
Joel let go of her hand and opened his arms, wrapping her in a hug as he sighed into the top of her bobble hat. ‘Of course I understand and before you ask, yes, I trust you. I just can’t bear you being anywhere near him and this might sound really sad but I’m getting bent out of shape with jealousy every time I think of him spending time with you over Christmas, opening presents, all that kind of stuff. I think it might be sending me a bit mad.’
Closing her eyes Leonora tried to blot out the image of a similar scenario but in hers she was ramming a giant turkey leg down Caspar’s throat while her shocked family looked on, smiling a bit when she thought of Max, Tilly and the twins who would find that hilarious.
‘You already are mad, we established that long ago but at least you’ll be at your mum’s and I bet she’s chuffed to bits that you’re home this year. It makes me happy that she’s happy to have you there and I’ll be thinking of you every minute, I promise.’
Joel gave her a squeeze. ‘Mum’s just as chuffed that we’re back together even though it’s killing her that it’s a secret. She wants me to take you round to see her as soon as you’re free.’
Leonora loved that his mum was happy for them even though she could’ve rammed the other imaginary turkey leg down Joel’s throat when she found out he’d confided in his mum. But then again it was sweet that he was so happy and she’d forgiven him. Looking at the clock her heart dipped, knowing it was time to go so she’d be in Manchester for the start of her shift at six.
‘I can’t wait to see her again and I swear that will be soon. Just a bit longer and we will be together, I promise.’ After waiting a few more seconds to let her words settle, she untangled herself from Joel’s arms and said the dreaded words. ‘I’m going to have to go. I’ll text you when I’m in work and let you know what I’m doing later. Now give us a kiss, saucy lips, and for Christ’s sake clean this stinky car out. I think something has died under the seats.’
* * *
Leonora was exhausted and it was only nine o’clock but her spirits lifted when she was welcomed into the break room with a smile and a wave from Sam who then beckoned her over, motioning to the chair beside him. It was the first time he’d ever requested her presence and as she took the weight off her feet, she got the feeling he’d been watching for her. She was right.
‘I was hoping I’d catch you today because I’m not in tomorrow and I wanted a quiet word.’
Leonora blew on the froth of her cappuccino, her eyebrows raised. ‘Oh-oh, am I in trouble? When my mum wants a quiet word that’s usually what it means. So go on, what have I done?’
Sam chuckled. ‘Nothing at all, Leo, but last night you looked so troubled and when you’d gone I felt bad that I didn’t invite you in so we could talk more or even sit in the car to chat for a while.’
‘Aw, that’s so lovely of you, Sam, but I’m fine. I’ve got so much stuff trapped in my head it’s driving me round the bend so it was therapeutic to blurt it out, but I’m sorry if I made you worry.’ She spoke to his muddy-brown, kindly eyes that seemed to be looking right into her soul, checking if she was fibbing or not.
