Somewhere in Sevenoakes (4 page)

”I know,” smiled Maddy nervously, ”if it all goes horribly wrong we'll have to decide who has to change their train times.”

James leaned forward from his seat to catch her hands in his.

”I'm kind of hoping it's not going to come down to that Maddy.”

His eyes seemed to bore through to her soul. James came out with the right thing to say at the times when she was at her most vulnerable. From a distance he'd been great to fantasize about but the reality of actually dating him, seeing if there was the potential for a relationship between the two of them was overwhelming. Maddy hadn't dated in two years. She hadn't even kissed a guy. Her ex-fiancé Rick, had burnt her badly. She'd been glad to lose herself in work. The situation ahead tonight should have been a normal, exciting time for Maddy, but at that moment she felt out of her comfort zone; unsure as to whether she'd cope or not. Cancelling would have been a viable option. However something deep within had insisted she carry on with the date.

She closed her eyes in a bid to regain her composure. If things backfired tonight, there was every chance she'd never risk going on a date again. The whole incident, introduction and invitation with James yesterday remained unspoken by Maddy to her closest friends, family and work colleagues. The last thing she wanted was the pressure of having everyone involved, imparting words of wisdom on her as to how to ensure her date was a success. She'd kept her crush on James private, not wanting well-intentioned advice from people concerned about her single status and growing reputation in the office as a sad, cat-loving spinster. If anyone ever found out she had accepted a date from someone who was pretty much a random stranger, it would warrant even more interference from those who thought she was incapable of emotionally managing her heart effectively.

The real truth was, she'd already invested daydreams and more recently, sexual fantasies involving James.  If the evening turned out to be a disaster, she wanted to nurse her wounded pride and dashed dreams in the privacy of her own home. Being dumped days before she was due at the altar had been a mammoth obstacle to overcome in the last two years. Even something as tiny as a date was magnified in its importance in Maddy's eyes. While many would laugh about the odd awful date, Maddy didn't want to risk her love life becoming the laughing stock of the office. She genuinely felt it was time a little good luck and love entered her life. She hoped, with fingers crossed, it would be James to bestow that gift on her.

The train slowed at Orpington. For the first time in six months both Maddy and James got off together.

”Are you familiar with Orpington?” enquired Maddy, instinctively linking her arm through James'.

”Only a little. I've a car so I've driven through it to get back to my place in Sevenoaks, but in all honesty it's not an area I've spent a lot of time in.”

”Nor would you want to.”

”It's not that bad, is it?” James asked, half serious.

”Not at all. It's peaceful and residential, but there's not a lot going on here. I guess when you work in the heart of London, it's nice to have a little peace and quiet in your private life.”

The new bar was pitched close to the train station, attracting the commuter clientèle who had greater finances and an even greater thirst in the evening. The two of them sauntered into the premises, taking in their surroundings.

”It's not so bad, is it?”

”I'd say it's fairly decent,” agreed James. ”The menu looks good. Are you hungry at all, do you fancy something to eat?”

Maddy put her hand on James to calm him.

”Sorry. I'm a bit nervous. It's a new situation for me,” said James, surprising himself with his frankness.

”Me too. I don't habitually throw my personal hygiene products on the floor of the train to try and get a date from a handsome stranger.”

”I can tell you if you did, you'd probably score a lot of free meals from it. Every guy wants to be a knight in shining armour!”

”Do you think?” asked Maddy seriously.

”Yeah I do.”

Maddy put on her reading glasses and took the menu. She didn't want to dwell on the past but it was hard not to reflect on her time with Rick. He'd never been a knight in shining armour or if he had been, it wasn't Maddison he'd wanted to rescue. At the time, she was totally devoted to him, prioritising their relationship over every other element of her life. It was only when everything fell apart that Maddy realised she needed more than a man in her life. It concerned her now that the title of Assistant Financial Director may turn men off. Perhaps her lack of a love life was as a result of men being intimidated by her accomplishments and qualifications at a young age.

”You look a million miles away.”

James' attentive tone, dragged her back to the present.

”I'm sorry. I was trying to figure out what men really want in a woman.”

”Ask ten different men and you'll get ten different answers Maddy. Speaking as a man, I appreciate I'll never know what any woman wants,” his attempt at a joke cajoled her into a lighter frame of mind.

”I don't think,” she contemplated, stirring her cocktail, ”I don't think I'm the kind of woman who needs rescuing. I have a great job where I'm secure and fulfilled by my work, I have my own place, I'm financially independent but while I'm proud of all that, I wonder now, is it a massive turn off for a guy to know he's not needed?”

”If you're asking me. I'd far rather be with a woman who wanted me, than one who needed me.”

”The difference being?”

”The difference is that if someone wants to be with you then the relationship has a greater chance of lasting longer. If a woman 'needs' you it can put a huge amount of pressure on the guy to perform or  cater to her needs. A clingy, vulnerable woman can turn from sweet into a burden very quickly. When both partners are equal, there exists a mutual respect. The fun lasts a lot longer when you can spend your time enjoying the other person's company, rather than having to focus on how to provide for them or what the next big histrionic drama will be.”

”Wow, you sound like a man who has had his fair share of women draining his resources.”

James threw his head back and laughed. He shifted his chair closer to the table where he could lean into Maddy.

”You're not wrong. It's mainly been on my wallet.”

”Don't worry, I'm a modern girl,” assured Maddy. ”I was going to suggest we go Dutch tonight rather than leave you with the entire tab.”

”I'm a gentleman so you won't be paying. But do you know how refreshing it is to find a woman prepared to do that? It makes you phenomenally attractive Maddy. That you have built a life you love is not only admirable but inspirational. I see it as a privilege that you'd entertain the idea of considering me as someone you may want to share in your life.”

Maddy blushed.

”I don't think I've ever met a man who's been this open on a first date.”

”Is it a bad thing?”

”Not at all,” said Maddy.

”It would probably shock my friends and family to hear I'm not a player. They hear I'm a lawyer and assume my reputation and profession allows me to live a rich playboy lifestyle, but it couldn't be further from the truth.”

”What's the truth then?” challenged Maddy.

He leaned across the table, his face inches from her. James was so close, Maddy could smell his aftershave and see how closely shaven his face was. His blue eyes were piercing, she could feel his breath and without warning, he caught her lips with his. It was barely more than a peck. She couldn't help but respond, catching his lips before he had time to pull away.

It wasn't Maddy's style to make out in public. The intensity of the sexual charge was too great to resist. Her hand reached for his cheek as she let her kiss linger longer than necessary. Hoping she hadn't over-stepped the line she leant back in her chair, her hand dropping from his face to James' hand. James laced his fingers through Maddy's.

”The truth is, in my twenties I did like being the playboy, but the women you attract when you behave like that aren't the kind you want to spend the rest of your life with. One night stands and trophy girlfriends have a very limited appeal. I want to be loved, not used. My spare time is precious to me because I have so little of it. I want to make sure I spend it with the right woman, not an endless stream of wrong women. Work takes up most of my time and I love what I do, but I don't think it's wise to shut all the other doors in your life. Even jobs have an expiry date. '

”Not mine,” said Maddy resolutely, ”our company continues to increase its profits. I've been there eight years and Geoff will retire in a year or two and then I'll be promoted to Financial Director.”

”That's an impressive statistic to hear in the current financial climate,” said James, switching into work mode. ”What's the name of the company you work for?”

”Yearwood, Angus and Port. They're chartered surveyors.”

”You guys are making a profit and expanding in the property industry?” he asked in disbelief.

Maddy nodded proudly, discussing their strategies and how the company operated to have succeeded where many were trying to stay afloat. James couldn't resist how cute she was with her passion for the company and her role within it.

”Sounds like one big family,” he remarked.

”It really is. I think that's why we've flourished. Everyone feels a part of it. It's not merely a nine to five job to pay the rent. Each and every employee contributes actively to the company and are rewarded in the process. It's transparent. I think feeling involved makes you care more. It's why we have such a tight company and a tiny turnover of staff.”

The evening continued smoothly with no awkward silences and the couple rarely stopping to break the conversation. Last orders were called and James got them both a final drink for the night.

”We should ask for the bill,” commented Maddy.

”I've already settled it.”

”I thought you liked independent women.”

”I adore them, but as I've discovered tonight, Maddy you are far more than just a woman.”

”Isn't there a disco song about that?”

James put his fingers to her lips to shush her.

”Don't make light of yourself Maddy. You are more than most women. You're a lady and you should be treated accordingly. You may not need rescuing, but I think you deserved to be treated once in a while. I'd like to be the one to do that tonight.”

His eyes were serious and Maddy felt frightened by how rapidly things were moving between the two. She'd not dated in two years and this man was wearing his heart on his sleeve. Part of her wanted to run away, frightened he would only break her heart. Another part of her wanted to throw herself in his arms and stay there forever.