Page 27 of An Ill Wind in Seabury
‘So, said George, doing his best not to follow her every move, ‘what’s the plan, then? Are you going to report back and tell them the Peppers aren’t good enough for Freya?’
‘No way!’ said Claudia. ‘Matt and Ewan seemed lovely. Mildly terrifying… but then, I did stomp up to their front door and basically demand to know if they were worthy of my precious sister. I’m amazed they didn’t set the dogs on me.’
‘They don’t have dogs,’ laughed George. ‘Just Connie and Ewan’s baby… and I’ve been assured that Melody doesn’t bite.’
Just thinking about the chubby tot brought a smile to his face.
‘You like babies,’ she said. It wasn’t a question.
‘I likethatbaby,’ said George, feeling his cheeks grow warm. ‘Little Melody’s got this way of looking at you like you’re the most interesting person in the world. It makes you feel about ten feet tall.’
Claudia smiled at him, her eyes sad and soft. ‘Do you want kids?’
George hesitated. This wasn’t exactly a first-date topic of conversation, was it? But then, this wasn’t their first date. It wasn’t a date at all. He shrugged. She’d been honest with him…
‘I’ve never really thought about it,’ he said. ‘Not seriously, anyway. I mean, it’s not like there’s ever been anyone I wanted to have kidswith.’ He paused, then shrugged again. He might as well tell her everything. ‘I held Melody this morning, and something just… shifted. And… yeah. I think I do want kids.’
Claudia nodded slowly. ‘Now, that reallywouldbe an adventure!’
‘Right up your alley, then?’ he laughed. ‘You were always up for an adventure!’
‘I used to be,’ said Claudia with a sigh. She was quiet for a long moment. ‘George?’
‘Yeah?’
‘What was I like? Before, I mean. Back when we were together.’
George smiled. ‘You were brilliant. Completely Fearless. You had all these big dreams and this way of making everything seem like an adventure. Even something as simple as walking to the corner shop became this epic quest when you were involved.’
‘I don’t feel like that person anymore,’ said Claudia softly. ‘I can barely remember her.’
‘I’m sure she’s still in there somewhere,’ said George. ‘Maybe she just needs reminding that it’s okay to dream big again.’
‘Maybe, but I don’t think I’m really interested in travelling the world anymore.’
‘Hey, no one said the big dreams have to be the same dreams you had ten years ago!’ said George with a shrug.
‘I’ll toast to that,’ said Claudia, grabbing her glass and holding it out.
George raised his beer and took a sip.
‘I don’t want to go back,’ she said suddenly. ‘To my mother’s house, I mean. To that life. I can’t keep pretending to be someone I’m not just to keep the peace.’
‘So don’t,’ said George.
‘It’s not that easy…’
‘Isn’t it?’ said George. ‘You don’t need anyone’s permission to live life the wayyouwant to.’
Claudia nodded slowly.
‘When were you planning to leave Seabury?’ he said, doing his best to make it sound like a throwaway question… though the fact that his knuckles had just turned white, and he was threatening to strangle his glass would give him away if she noticed.
‘Tomorrow,’ she said, looking thoroughly miserable.
‘So, stay a few more days,’ said George.
‘I mean, I wish I could,’ said Claudia, shaking her head, though her face had lit up.
