Page 51 of The Price of Love
At lunchtime, I paid a quick visit to Bree, delivered a pile of magazines, and had a trepidatious first cuddle with my new niece. (‘I’m thinking of calling her Grace. What do you think?’ Actually that’s the quickest way to ensure you have the clumsiest child in the county, but never argue with a post-natal woman.) Then I tied up with Luke (and I use the term advisedly) in our new flat.
‘Why don’t we move in? Properly? I mean, this would all be far more comfortable if we had, say, a bed,’ I suggested from a section of floor by the balcony doors, a moisturising film of sweat being all that was between me and the beech laminate.
Luke was outside, on the balcony. His shirt was unbuttoned and hanging loose over his tan, trousers undone. He didn’t seem to mind that he was giving all of York a prime opportunity to ogle the contents of his underpants. (Lycra shorts, if you must know. Those ones that hug it all close to the body.) ‘Sorry? Wasn’t listening there.’ I repeated my question and he turned slowly away from the view to face me. ‘Well, yes, obviously that would be great. Unfortunately’ — and he stepped through the double doors to stand in front of me, a wayward breeze lifting his hair and tugging at his shirt — ‘although the sale has gone through, we can’t actually moveinfor a few more weeks.’
‘But why not? We own the place. Surely we can move in when we like?’
‘Oh, I don’t know. Don’t ask me.’ He crouched down beside me and rubbed a finger over my bare shoulder. ‘Some kind of estate agent thing. But, I was going to tell you, I’ve met a bloke. He’s something to do with custom-built furniture. If you like, and if we can shell out a few grand upfront, he’ll come and measure the place, and start making some bits and pieces for us ready for when we can move in. How does that sound?’
‘What “bits and pieces”?’ I rolled beneath the pressure of his hand, like a puppy wanting its tummy tickled.
‘Well, I’ve seen some designs he’s done for beds.’ Luke lowered his head and nibbled at my skin. ‘Very modern, all curves and arches. Erotic. Is that what you’d like? Oh, Iknowwhat you like.’
‘The people opposite . . .’ I started.
‘They’re across the river. What can they see? Anyway, let them look. We’re worth watching, aren’t we? Don’t you think? I think they shouldpayto see this.’
They would have got their money’s worth, that’s all I’ll say.
* * *
Back at the office, some time later. Who am I kidding — I was severely late, bursting in through the doors with my jumper on backwards and a pink, post-coital glow that was probably visible from the moon. I looked like someone had tried to fry my face. I was also down another five grand, having written Luke a cheque for a deposit on the new bed.
Katie was waiting. ‘Here’s the number. You promised Cal you’d ring, and you wouldn’t want to disappoint a man like that, would you?’
‘I swear you’re a witch, Katie Gardner.’
‘Yeah, of course. By the way, Will, how did Cal get the phone number? You don’t know anything about this James.’
‘I dunno. He just did. Where’s the number?’ There were more digits than in the amount I owed my credit card company.
‘But, it’s not like you can, say, ring Directory Enquiries, is it? Excuse me, I’m looking for the number for a James Fry, justaJames Fry.’
‘I said, I don’t know. Why don’t you ask him yourself? Oh. Sshh.’ The telephone rang in the distant United States and I held my breath. ‘What am I going tosay?’ I whispered.
‘Hello?’ The voice was definitely British.
‘Is that James? James Fry? Luke’s brother?’
‘Uh, yeah. I guess. Who’s that?’ American phraseology, a slight accent.
‘Look, this is going to be a surprise but, I’m engaged to your brother. We’re getting married next summer and I wanted to introduce myself. That’s all.’
‘Oh, yeah, hi there. Yeah, Luke told me he had a girlfriend — you’re getting married now, huh? How is he, the old bastard?’
Katie tapped me on the shoulder and mouthed, ‘What’s he like?’
I mouthed back, ‘Sounds really nice,’ and listened to James going on about Luke and how he’d done nothing but talk about ‘the fantastic girl he’s going with’ and how Luke was going to make his millions. James clearly liked the sound of his own voice bouncing off a satellite, so I let him jabber away, interjecting every now and then with an ‘is that so?’ and ‘sounds great’. I heard that the weather in Boston right now was hot and humid, the air conditioning was bust yet again, that Luke had promised to visit sometime soon, did I know when, and that James had met a gorgeous New England girl and he hoped to be settling down, maybe just after Luke and I. ‘So you’ll be sure to fly over for the wedding.’
‘It will be lovely to meet you.’
‘Yeah, you too. Luke’s been real different since he met you, you know. I know he’s had his problems, but this past year he’s less restless than he was before.’
‘I’m sorry?’
‘Well, since he met up with you, what, last fall, he’s been like a different guy.’
‘James, Luke and I have only been together since March.’ Behind me, Katie moved closer, put a hand on my arm.
