Law of Attraction (11 page)

Chapter Eleven

Kay was up early at the weekend. The dance class the previous evening had been most enjoyable and she’d been pleased to have Len as a dancing partner again. He seemed to enjoy dancing as much as she did. During the break he’d confided to her that he’d been a champion ballroom dancer in his youth, but had felt it was time to give the youngsters a turn so had given up regularly competing in favour of instructing. George had been a very particular partner wanting Kay to move in precise ways, but when Kay danced with Len he allowed her a fluidity of motion which enlivened her.
However, it wasn’t the same as dancing with Michael.

Now she hurried to the shops to get the list Olive had presented her with at breakfast. The butcher gave her a pound of beef skirt and then she called at the greengrocer a few doors along the road where she handed over the list. When he’d packed it all in a bag, she returned home.

“That was quick,” remarked Olive. “I’ve only just finished washing up.”

“I’m anxious to get going with this stew,” smiled Kay. “I hope you can put up with me in the kitchen. I did warn you I was hopeless at cooking.”

“You’ll be fine. If you write it down as we go along you’ll be able to do it on your own another time.”

“Haven’t you got a recipe book?” Kay was intrigued. The kitchen shelf at her parents’ home included many cookbooks, but now Kay came to think about it, she’d never seen her mother refer to them when she’d been cooking. She didn’t always use the weighing scales either, just a tablespoon or a measuring jug.

“I know this one by heart,” Olive assured her. “It’s been my mainstay for a very long time. During the war years, it was mostly vegetables.”

Under Olive’s instruction, Kay chopped meat and vegetables and let them simmer away under a low gas. “It’s kind of you to let me invite Michael to eat here this evening,” she said. “You don’t have to go
out, he’s very taken with you.”

“If only I was ten years younger,” sighed Olive, patting her hair. “Better make that thirty years.”

Kay impatiently lifted the lid of the saucepan letting loose a wonderful savoury aroma into the kitchen. “How long does this take?”

“About an hour and a half,” said Olive, “and put that lid back on, we don’t want it drying out. I’m going to visit the lady next door this evening. She’s just come back from a holiday and we’ll have a cosy chat about it. I told you that Michael was very welcome here. There’s the television you can watch if you can’t think of any better way to pass the time.”

“Olive Carter, I don’t know what you mean,” teased Kay. The thought of the time ahead with Michael was a very pleasant one. She’d made the tentative invitation to him on Friday afternoon when he’d signed the final letters of the week. He’d accepted immediately and looked pleased.

While the stew was cooking, Olive supervised Kay making a trifle. “It’s quite easy when you know how, isn’t it?” said Kay, frowning as she put glace cherries on top of
the cream. “The custard was a bit difficult, but that tip about keeping stirring did the trick. You’re so clever to be able to cook, Olive. I do envy you.”

“And
I
envy
you
and your young man. I had a boyfriend many years ago, but not all the men came back from the Great War. No one else measured up to anything like him, so I stayed single. I’m having a very happy and fulfilled life and I’m really enjoying having you here living with me, Kay. You’re like a daughter to me.”

“Do you think the stew’s done now?” asked Kay, her hand hovering over the saucepan lid.

“Give the meat a test, stick a knife in and see if it’s tender,” smiled Olive.

“Like potatoes?” asked
Kay. “I’m happier with vegetables. I sometimes helped Dad dig them from the garden and then cooked them on a Sunday at home.”

“You can do potatoes this evening, then,” said Olive, peering into the saucepan.

“I wanted to do dumplings, but they’d be as heavy as lead, I’m sure. They’d probably be too filling on a day like this. Yes, I’ll stick to what I know.”

With the evening meal prepared ahead of time, Kay and Olive made sandwiches for their mid-day meal and then Kay changed into her old clothes and tackled the garden. It was a beautiful afternoon and Olive brought out cups of tea and sat on the seat at the edge of the lawn, watching Kay work.

“Don’t wear yourself out,” she called.

“I enjoy it
, it’s relaxing,” Kay assured her, turning the earth which was earmarked for the vegetable patch. Although she’d already made a start on it, there was still a lot to do. She found that the physical effort involved took her mind from wandering too much in the direction of Michael. The sun warmed her and she paused in her efforts in order to shrug off her jumper and roll up the sleeves of her blouse. Standing observing what she’d accomplished, she was pleased with the results her exertions were reaping. As she picked up the garden fork once more, she saw that Olive had gone from the garden. Kay reflected on what she’d said about her being like a daughter; it was a pleasant notion.

Then she remembered that Olive was involving herself in the business of finding out what Charlie Spencer was up to and she decided to stay outside for another half hour before going indoors to talk seriously with Olive. It was imperative that she didn’t endanger herself. Kay knew Charlie was an unscrupulous person, but she hoped he wasn’t a dangerous one.

“You’re not to worry about me, Kay,” Olive assured her after Kay had voiced her fears. “I can take care of myself and I’m sure no one’s going to physically harm an old woman in a solicitors’ office, are they?”

While Olive laughed, Kay puckered her brow, hoping the older woman was right.

* * *

“I’ll be off then,” called Olive to Kay who was in the kitchen making sure things were all in place for the evening. The front door bell rang and Olive opened the door to Michael.

“Hello, Olive. I hope I’m going to have the company of two beautiful women this evening. It’s kind of you to allow me into your home so often.” Michael smiled and came through into the hallway. “Something smells delicious.”

“It does,” replied Olive. “Have an enjoyable time, the two of you, I’m off to see a friend.” She pulled the door shut firmly behind her.

Michael went through to the kitchen where he greeted Kay with a smile and a hug. “Here’s some wine,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what we’d be eating so I brought a bottle of white and a bottle of red.”

Kay hadn’t thought to buy any. When she was at home they rarely had wine. “How kind,” she said.

“The white one’s already chilled. I put it in my refrigerator at home.”

“As we’re having beef, I suppose the red wine is the one to go for,” said Kay, lifting the bottle and inspecting the cork. “I’ve never opened a bottle of wine before,” she confessed.

“Lucky for us I have,” laughed Michael. “And I’ve brought a corkscrew in case there wasn’t one in Olive’s drawer. Perhaps that’s another item to add to your essentials at the office.”

As they sipped their wine, Kay suggested they went into the sitting room.

“Nothing beats home cooking,” remarked Michael.

“Well, I did cook the meal myself, but it was under Olive’s instruction. I’m hopeless at domestic chores.”

“Please stop putting yourself down, Kay. You do so many things and you do them well.” Michael looked at her seriously. “Come and sit beside me and tell me a bit more about yourself.”

“I think you know most of it. The latest thing is the dance competition. I’m really looking forward to that. I hadn’t thought of myself as a particularly competitive person, but I hope Len and I win,” admitted Kay.

“Len?” Michael arched his eyebrows. “Is that the new boyfriend?”

“Boyfriend? Where did you get that idea? He’s even older than you are,” Kay giggled. “In fact he’s probably about the same age as Olive. He’s the instructor and sometimes we dance together. Talking of boyfriends, I didn’t realise Vanessa was engaged. Her fiancé was asleep when I saw him, but I’m sure he’s a very nice person.”

“He is. I think they are getting married at the end of the year and I’m not sure whether Vanessa will want to carry on working.”

“I really like her now I’ve got to know her. I should have trusted your judgement. I apologise,” said Kay, wanting to be fair to Michael. “But what about you? Have you ever considered getting married?”

Kay watched as Michael hesitated and was perplexed to see colour rising in his cheeks. He cleared his throat before replying, “Yes, I have.” He looked at Kay and then fixed his gaze on the fireplace. Standing up, he took a sip of wine and paced to the window. Without turning he added, “But I felt the woman in question had been hurt in the past and might not be ready for commitment.”

Why she had asked the question Kay didn’t know. She swallowed a lump which had lodged in her throat and forced a smile. “You’re a thoughtful man,” she said.

The silence between them lengthened and Kay knew she ought to change the subject. Hoping she was on a safer footing, she said, “You’re also a very good solicitor. The way you run the office is second to none. Susan and Vanessa agree.”

Michael returned to sit beside Kay. “So you gossip about me when I’m not around, do you?”

“Of course,” joked Kay, glad the atmosphere had lightened. “Isn’t that what makes a good employee?”

The repartee continued until Kay remembered the food. “Please excuse me, I’ve got to heat the supper.”

Thankful to escape to the kitchen, Kay hurried to put the potatoes on to boil and put a light under the stew. Then she took time to admonish herself for thinking that Michael would have got to thirty odd without considering marriage. It was nothing to do with her and she must try to put aside her feelings for him. They had a whole evening together and Kay was determined to enjoy it.

“This is very good. Cookery can definitely be added to your many attributes,” said Michael spearing a potato in order to mop up the last smear of gravy from his plate.

“Thank you, but I’m not sure you’re right about that. However, I would like to expand my experience as far as work is concerned. I like working for you and taking shorthand notes and typing letters, but it would be exciting to have something a bit more demanding to do if you know what I mean.”

“I do and I’m sure I could involve you a bit more and let you deal with some of the less complicated work. Under my supervision, of course.”

Kay felt let down somehow. She didn’t know what she’d expected Michael to say, but she’d hoped he might have thought more of her ability.

“Now, if we can move after that enormous meal, why don’t we practise your competition dances? If we push the furniture up to the walls I’m sure there will be room.”

Kay didn’t think Olive would mind so long as they put everything back in place afterwards so she helped Michael who had already started rearranging the room. She put the radio on.

“Oh, dear, that’s not the right sort of music. What can we do?”

“Hum? Sing?”

Kay started humming and Michael quickly joined in. He had a rich, powerful voice. He was also quick to pick up the steps of the two competition dances. He was clearly an amateur, but his enthusiasm more than made up for his lack of skill.

“What do you think? Am I nearly as good as Len yet?” he asked, smiling.

“He’s been dancing all his life and is a natural. But you’re very good considering you’ve only just started. It’s been a great help going over the steps with you. I feel quite confident. My only problem is… Oh, it doesn’t matter.”

“Go on, tell me.”

Kay was aware of their closeness. He stroked her back gently. They were standing ready to dance again.

“I really need some new shoes for the competition. They’re quite expensive and I can’t afford them. I don’t want to ask Mum and Dad for a loan. I shouldn’t have told you.”

“When’s your birthday?”

“It’s in July.”

“I’ll buy them for your birthday.”

“You can’t possibly do that.” Kay’s mother was always telling her to think before she spoke and now she’d opened her big mouth and Michael would think she was awful.

“I don’t see why not. I’d be delighted to. Please let me. Maybe they’ll be lucky shoes. We’ll go shopping for them one lunchtime next week. Can we get them in Blayton?”

“Yes, we should be able to. Thank you, Michael, but I feel awful saying anything about it.”

“Well, don’t say any more.” Michael took her in his arms and pulled her close. Kay was aware of the scent of his body and inhaled deeply. When his mouth met hers she responded in a way she hadn’t thought possible. She wound her arms around his neck and gave herself up to the sensation.

“You’re not watching the television then?” Olive chuckled as she threw herself down on the settee.

“I didn’t hear you, Olive,” Kay said as she and Michael quickly pulled apart.

“That’s quite obvious. No need to ask if you’ve had a good time. I should have stayed at my friend’s a bit longer.”

Michael sat down and chatted to Olive. Kay was in a dream. She had truly thought she’d loved George, but she could see that hadn’t been love. Now that she’d got to know Michael she felt that she could really say she knew what love was.