Dare to Love (35 page)

He was gentle where he needed to be and pressed when I appeared welded to my guilt. One day I realised I had a right to happiness. I finally understood my own rhetoric to clients, that you cannot make someone else happy by being unhappy yourself. I thought of my lecturer client and wondered what he’d decided to do. I sent him an email asking if he would mind a quick call. He responded immediately. We met for a coffee. He bounced to my table in the café, looking ten pounds lighter. I didn’t have to wait for him to tell me he’d left his wife and that things had turned out better than he’d originally imagined. It was written all over him.

He was sorry to hear of my husband’s death and wanted to thank me for the help I’d given him. Did I still have that plaque over my desk? I didn’t have the office any more but I still had the plaque. I thanked him for reminding me I needed to get it out of the box and put it up again. Was I working again now? He had a friend he’d like to refer to me. I told him I might take a holiday first, but I’d let him know as soon as I’d decided. He thanked me again, gave me a hug and bounced back to his new life.

When I got home I headed straight for the box. I sat staring at the plaque for five minutes before reaching for my phone. If I didn’t make the call, I’d never know. He answered on the first ring.

‘Hi Grant, it’s Josi.’

‘I know.’ I couldn’t work out what he was thinking.

‘How are you?’

‘Better now I hear from you.’

‘I don’t know what to say.’

‘How about I love you?’

That was last week. He’s got a regional job and he’s in Barbados for two weeks, then he’s back in Grand Cayman for a month before going to a site in Jamaica. It’s going to be strange being in Barbados and not staying with Celia. Of course she knows I’m coming but Grant’s meeting me at the airport. I’ll catch up with them later.

I don’t know where this will lead, but the thought of him makes my heart pound and my palms sweat. As I walk through customs, I scan the crowd for him. Then I see them waving at me. Grant, Celia and Kenny. Celia’s the first to break rank and hugs and hugs me. Then it’s Kenny. Grant waits his turn. He steps forward. I slide into his arms. There’s only the two of us on the concourse as he kisses me. He smells of sunshine and tastes of love. When I finally catch my breath I look from one to the other.

‘How?… I didn’t know you guys were in touch.’

‘Who do you think kept him up to date with what was going on with you?’ Celia winks at Grant and they both laugh.