Games Lovers Play (15 page)

Between them, their solicitors had come to an agreement over finances. She was to remain in the house. John would pay half the mortgage and give her maintenance for Susan. The savings they had in the bank were to be halved and John could collect any personal articles that were in the house belonging to him. He wasn't contesting the divorce, so she wouldn't see him in court, for which she was grateful. But to this end, she'd had to cite irreconcilable differences as the reason for the divorce, rather than adultery. This way, it would not undermine John's character so much at work. They both knew the divorce would be written up in the local paper and both wanted to play it down as much as possible to save embarrassment all round.

‘After all, I have a position to maintain,' he'd said when they met to finally sort things out – and she had agreed. Besides, it was less messy.

Kay hadn't told anyone she worked with about the divorce. All they knew was that she was separated from her husband, and they had no idea who he was at this point and she hoped it would remain so. But the day after the case came to court and the report was in the paper, it was the gossip of the following morning among her colleagues.

‘I didn't realize you were married to John Baker at Tyrell's,' said one of the typists. ‘Good-looking chap, I always thought.'

‘Yes, I thought so too,' said Kay, trying to keep calm.

‘Married long, were you?' another joined in.

‘Seven years,' said Kay, and as she could see there were many questions yet to be asked she made her excuses. ‘Sorry, I've a lot of work on hand,' she said, and she made her escape.

As she walked to her desk, she was called to the telephone. ‘Kay Baker speaking.'

‘Hello, Kay.'

She recognized the voice immediately. ‘Hello, what can I do for you?' She was careful not to give away who was on the line.

‘I see you are now a free woman – well, almost – and I wondered if you'd like to come out to dinner with me tonight and celebrate? Or commiserate, whichever is appropriate.'

She had to chuckle at this. ‘I would love to!'

‘Can you get a babysitter at such short notice?'

‘Yes, my mother will look after Susan for me.'

‘Splendid. I'll pick you up at seven. See you then.'

She returned to her desk. Yes, it was something to celebrate, she decided. The past was behind her. She'd remember the good days and forget the others. In another six weeks she'd be a free woman – and she wanted to sleep with Edward Harrington!

John Baker realized he was the object of discussion among the staff throughout the store. Whenever he approached any of them, conversation stopped and an embarrassed silence would fall. He did his best to ignore it but was greatly relieved as the end of the working day grew nearer. He prayed it would be a nine-day wonder.

He wasn't the only one to feel this way. Connie had seen the headline in the paper and her heart had nearly stopped beating. STORE MANAGER DIVORCED it said. Taking a deep breath she'd read the report, looking for her name. But it wasn't there. He hadn't been divorced for adultery after all. She shut her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief.

‘Thank you, God!' she murmured.

During the following day she'd seen how everyone had reacted towards him and couldn't help wondering what would have happened to her, had she been named as correspondent! It didn't bear thinking about, and Sam, her lovely Sam, had been spared the knowledge of her sordid affair.

When Kay asked her mother to look after Susan and told her she was going out to dinner with Edward, her mother had been pleased.

‘Go and celebrate, Kay. It's a new beginning for you. Enjoy it, darling.' She added, ‘Susan can stay the night, then you won't need to worry about getting home and putting her to bed.'

Kay knew what she was implying from the way the corners of her mouth were twitching, trying not to smile. ‘You are naughty, Mother!'

‘Not me, Kay, but with a bit of luck …' She laughed. ‘Just be careful, that's all.'

Kay walked down the road shaking her head – her mother! But she thanked God for such an understanding woman. At least if she slept with Edward, she wouldn't feel guilty. But of course he may have very different ideas.

However, when she'd showered that evening, she sprayed her body with cologne and chose her most attractive underwear … just in case.

Edward was as punctual as usual, looking immaculate in a dark-grey suit, white shirt and striped tie. Kay wondered if there was ever a time when he was dishevelled? Was he a handy man? Did he garden? She realized she knew so little about him … except that she was attracted to him, liked his company and wondered just how the evening was going to end.

They drove out to the Clump Inn at Chilworth. It was a nice change to get out of the confines of the town. They sat chatting over a drink before choosing from the menu at the bar.

He held up his glass and asked, ‘Are we celebrating or drowning your misery?'

‘I'm definitely not miserable,' she said, laughing. ‘All right, divorce means failure, but I've decided that I can now start life all over again, without the worry of knowing my husband is with another woman. I have to tell you, that's liberating. So cheers!'

He smiled his approval. ‘Cheers, Kay. I'm delighted for you. A liberated woman sounds very promising!'

Over dinner they discussed many subjects, some serious. The situation in Cyprus, how Makarios was an evil influence, how the Queen Mother's horse Devon Lock fell and lost the Grand National – and about the buildings being overseen by the Council.

When they got to the coffee and liqueurs, Edward stared at her and asked, ‘Have you still got feelings for your ex-husband, or is that all behind you?'

She hesitated, knowing that her answer was important. ‘Because of Susan, there will always be a bond, but apart from that, there's nothing.'

‘Are you absolutely sure of this, Kay?'

‘Absolutely!'

His expression was unfathomable, and she felt a fluttering of excitement in her stomach as he just gazed at her, as if trying to gauge her conviction. Then he spoke.

‘I'm so very happy to hear this, you have no idea.' He looked at his watch, then he asked, ‘What time have you to be home?'

Kay felt her cheeks flush as she told him, ‘Susan is staying overnight at my mother's. She'll take her to school in the morning.'

‘In which case, would you like to come back to my place for a nightcap?'

‘Yes, I would.' Her answer was decisive.

He called the waiter over, paid the bill, rose from his seat and, without saying a word, held out his hand.

Kay took it and they walked outside to his car.

Edward didn't speak as he drove and Kay wondered where he lived – was it a house or a flat? She had no idea.

He drove away from Chilworth and then into Basset Avenue, a very prestigious part of the town, and turned into the drive of an impressive-looking house with a manicured front garden that had a small lawn and shrubbery. Kay found herself wondering if he tended the garden himself, or did he employ a gardener?

He stopped the car in front of the large porch, climbed out of the driving seat and came round to her door and opened it.

‘Well, here we are.'

The entrance hall was spacious with a large round mahogany table in the centre and a chandelier hanging above it. The staircase was wide with paintings spaced along the cream wall, the stair carpet was a dark, rich green but parquet flooring covered the hallway. It was exquisite.

‘Did you design this house, Edward?'

‘Yes, I did, do you like it?'

‘From what I've seen. It's beautiful, but isn't it too much for one person?'

Chuckling, he said, ‘Yes, of course, but when I built it I envisaged it to be a family home, which one day it might be. Come into the sitting room.'

The room was large, light and airy, with French windows leading on to the garden. Two large sofas were either side of the fireplace with a long coffee table in between. A basket of logs sat beside the fireplace, and Kay could envisage sitting there on a cold winter's day, beside a roaring fire, the smell of the logs filling the air. Around the room were other easy chairs, an odd table, here and there, and wall lights and standard lamps lit the room. Although it was all furnished in good taste, it had the warmth of a home – not a showpiece. She was enchanted.

‘Oh, Edward, this is beautiful!'

Walking over to one of the tables, he took out a bottle of champagne from an ice bucket, popped the cork and poured two glasses. Handing her one, he said, ‘Come and sit down,' and led her to one of the sofas.

As she followed him, she laughed and said, ‘You are well prepared.'

He shrugged. ‘Well, let's say I was hopeful.' He raised his glass. ‘Here's to your liberation!'

They both sipped the champagne.

Putting an arm around her shoulders, Edward asked, ‘Have you made any plans for the future?'

‘Not really,' she confessed. ‘I'm just glad it's all over. We have sorted the finances. I stay in the house with Susan and, of course, I'll still have to work, but that's as far as it's gone, really.'

‘And your ex?'

‘He's no longer my concern.'

Staring into her eyes he asked, ‘Do you have room for me in your new life?'

‘If you want to be part of it, certainly.' She held her breath.

He cupped her chin in his hand. ‘I most certainly do,' he murmured and kissed her. Then, taking her by the hand, he led her upstairs.

Kay's heart was pumping wildly as they walked into the bedroom. She'd only ever slept with John and was feeling more than a little nervous.

Sensing this, Edward took her into his arms. ‘You don't have to do this, you know … unless you really want to.'

She put her arms around his neck. ‘I do want to, very much,' and this time she kissed him.

They slowly undressed one another, exploring each other's body with tender caresses until they lay on the bed together, entwined. As she ran her hands over his chest, Kay realized how fit he was. His body was muscular, without any spare flesh. The arms that held her were strong, yet he was gentle with her, kissing her eyes, her mouth, her neck, murmuring words of encouragement, helping her to relax as he explored the rest of her body.

Never before had she felt every nerve in her respond to each kiss, each caress, until she was without any inhibition whatsoever. She gave herself to him, completely.

They eventually lay back against the pillows, curled up together, breathless and sated. He kissed her forehead. ‘You are a beautiful woman, and that was amazing,' he said softly. He pulled the bedclothes over them, held her close and said, ‘Now go to sleep.'

When Kay eventually woke, for a moment she was confused, looking up at a strange overhead light, then she felt an arm close tighter around her. Turning she looked into the blue eyes of her lover. He was smiling.

‘Good morning!' He leaned forward and kissed her lightly.

‘Hello. What time is it?'

‘Seven thirty. You slept well, and so did I. Would you like a cup of tea or coffee?'

‘Oh, coffee would be lovely.'

Edward climbed out of bed, walked over to a chair and put on a dressing gown. He took another from the fitted wardrobe and threw it on the bed.

‘Here, put this on. We've got time to have some breakfast and a shower before we leave for the office.'

Kay pushed back the sheet and quickly covered her nakedness with the silk gown.

Edward chuckled. ‘You don't have to be shy about your body, Kay. I now know every beautiful inch of it, and I love it!'

She blushed. It was true. She remembered every touch, every kiss.

She followed him downstairs to the kitchen where, to her surprise, Edward made toast, scrambled eggs, bacon and delicious coffee.

‘You're very competent in the kitchen,' she remarked as she sat at the breakfast bar.

‘I live alone, and I certainly don't intend to starve … Besides, my mother taught me to cook. She said if I was going to university later, she wanted to be sure I could look after myself. I ended up cooking for the other students who shared the accommodation!'

After breakfast they went back to the bedroom. Edward walked into the en suite and turned on the shower. ‘Coming?' he asked.

Kay hesitated, and Edward raised his eyebrows.

‘There's no need to be shy. If I'm to be part of your life, you'll get used to it. Come on!'

As they stood beneath the large shower head, Kay thought this was just as sexually exciting as being in bed with this surprising man as he sponged her naked body, before handing the sponge to her. His broad shoulders glistened, his arms enfolded her until she complained and said he wasn't playing fair. He laughed and kissed her longingly. Eventually, he turned off the shower and wrapped her in a large bath towel.

‘There! That wasn't so bad, was it?'

She had to admit she'd thoroughly enjoyed the sensation.

As they drove out of the house, Kay said, ‘Should we be seen arriving at the office together?'

‘Perhaps not. Not until you get your decree absolute. I'll drop you off at the corner, but after that, what does it matter?'

When he stopped the car for her to alight, he kissed her briefly. ‘I'm away on business this weekend but I'll call you at home on Monday evening … and thank you for a wonderful night.'

Kay walked into the office feeling like a new woman. If only her colleagues knew! That would really give them something to talk about. She gave a gleeful chuckle.

Jake Barton arrived at the council garages beneath the Civic Centre and proceeded to wash Edward Harrington's car, in preparation for the morning's rounds of the various building sites to be inspected. It would take up all the morning; outside visits depended on the work in progress. Sometimes it was later than expected. If the weather was bad it could delay the inspection.