Getting a Life (11 page)

'Are you all right?' he asked, coming into the room. He slipped his arms round her middle from behind her and held her close for several moments. 'Look I'm sorry. It was a crazy idea.'

'No worries. I'm sort of over the initial shock. I'll think about it. Or do my best to forget about it. That feels nice,' she said turning and snuggling against him.

'Don't worry about it. It's just a date.'

'When is it to be?'

'Does it matter?

'Of course it matters. It will be another evening I'm going to be on my own.'

She turned back to the meal she was cooking and stirred it some more. He leaned over the back of her and dipped a finger into the sauce.

'Mmn. That is so good. What's in it?'

'A couple of frozen frogs I found on the back door step this morning. Onions, herbs and a can of tomatoes. That's about it.'

'Excluding the frogs, I trust.'

'Excluding the frogs of course.'

'Now, is that food ready to be eaten? If not I'm going to have to take a run round the block.'

'I think it is. Let me test the pasta and if that's done, we have a go situation.'

They ate and drank and talked more about his work. She remembered his comment about Mel and asked what the trouble was there.

'Oh nothing all that much. He just wants to move his girl friend into the flat and I said it wasn't acceptable. He threw a wobbly and asked if I was planning to move out. That's why your comment about me moving in here surprised me so much.'

'I hadn't realised it did. Make you feel surprised.'

'I had already wondered about it but realised that it was all too soon for you. I also realised that I'm your first proper boy friend and that is also quite some responsibility. You really should go out with other men. Don't rely on me so much. I'm not at all reliable. Besides, I don't ...'

'I'm glad you see it that way.' She sat back, thinking about him and what he had come to mean to her in so short a time. She already knew she was in love with him but was it because of the fact that he had been her first lover or because he was truly special? 'I'm sorry if you think I care too much.'

'Let's go to bed.' He said it quietly and without any emphasis.

'I'd love to but I do need to wash up and clear the kitchen before morning. I assume you're staying the night?'

'Am I invited?' he asked cautiously. 'After what I've said?'

'Oh yes indeed. You are expected to stay.' Her words were equally quiet. They went into the kitchen together to wash their plates and the pans. 'You want to wash or dry?'

'I'll wash. Then you can put things away where they go.' As they worked, she realised that it seemed to be like an old married couple working together. She loved seeing him standing by the sink and forgot all about drying the dishes. 'So, are you expecting me to dry as well?' he asked after the dishes had built up on the draining board.

'Sorry. I was thinking. Thinking what it would be like having you around much more of the time. I quite like the idea actually.' She couldn't see the look that crossed his face and didn't know what was going through his mind. She went up to his back and slipped her arms round his waist. 'Bed now?'

'I should think so. After all, it's already just past nine o'clock. Way past my bedtime.'

'Mine too.' Gently kissing as they went, he led her upstairs to her room. Once there, he undressed her, slowly and gently. When she was naked, he laid her on the bed and began to kiss her whole body. She closed her eyes and lay back, loving the attention ... loving what he was doing to her and the sensations it was causing. He stopped for a moment, to undress himself. She opened her eyes and watched as his body was revealed.

'You are very lovely,' she whispered aloud.

'Thank you. You like this?' he said as he kissed her breasts.

'It's all right. Mmm.' She giggled and then fell silent again. She tried to speak but he kissed her mouth to quieten her. It felt so good.

Neither of them spoke again for a while. They made slow and gentle love together. It felt wonderful as he entered her once more. She sighed deeply, wanting this feeling of fulfilment to continue forever. She could say nothing to him, so full of emotion she was feeling. She kept touching him as if she could scarcely believe what was happening ... had happened to her.

'That was wonderful,' she managed to say when they had finished. He leaned over for one last kiss. They settled down to sleep. When she awoke the next morning, she looked at her still sleeping companion. She knew that she really loved him ... not just a passing fling but she really did want him to ask her to marry him. Having slept on the thought, she knew now that she wanted to marry him. But, she would wait to be asked properly. No way could she ask him. She leaned over to him and kissed him. One eye opened and he smiled.

'What a delightful way to be woken,' he murmured somewhat sleepily. 'Come here.' She rolled over to him and kissed him again.

'I'm glad you liked being awoken by me. I'm sorry but I have to get up now. I have an early lecture today.'

'Blow lecturing. Come here and ...'

'Sorry,' she laughed as she got up quickly. 'You'll have to wait. Come on. You don't want to be late yourself , now do you?'

'You know something? I really don't give a damn. My father can stew in his own juices.'

'You really don't mean that, you know.'

'You may be right. Of course you're right.'

They both prepared for their days, stopping only to drink coffee and eat toast before setting off for college and the factory.

'Will I see you this evening?' she asked.

'Sorry but I'm busy. I'll call you later. Bye now.' He kissed her and made everything swim around her brain once more.

She watched as Mike roared off down the road. She wondered what she was going to say to Trisha when she saw her. Perhaps it would be best to pretend she didn't know about her date. She decided that would be the best way to handle it. She set out for her days work. It seemed strange to be working when something so momentous was happening in her life.

'Joanne. I'd like a word with you,' her boss told her when she arrived at college.

'Fine. When do you want to see me?'

'I'd like you to have lunch with me. I've booked a table in the catering restaurant. One o'clock.'

'Oh. All right. Is it something special?'

'Wait and see,' he said, suggestion implicit in his gaze.

Joanne worked through her mornings lectures, her mind somewhat distracted by her boss's invitation. What on earth did he want? She could hardly wait for one o'clock and arrived at his office slightly early. She knocked at his door.

'Ah Joanne. Good. Shall we go?'

'What's this all about?' she asked.

'I'm reviewing the staff in the department. I wanted the chance to get to know you a bit better. That's all.'

'I see.' She felt very relieved. If all he wanted was to get to know her a bit better, that was fine by her. 'That's nice of you to take the trouble.' As they walked, she looked at him surreptitiously. He was somewhat overweight and considerably older than she was. He wore a rather strong aftershave that almost sent her reeling the first time she'd been aware of it.

The catering restaurant was a rather formal place, designed to give students their first experience of serving meals. It was all silver service and somewhat restrained. Her boss had booked a table for two, one which was tucked away in a corner. She felt less happy about this as most of the tables were for four and much less intimate.

'Now then, we have several choices. What do you fancy?' he asked once they were seated.

'I'm not really sure. Don't we have to decide between us which of the dishes we want?' She had only eaten there once before and had memories of having to choose between what was on offer.

'You choose and I'll take what's left.'

'Thank you, Mr Taverner. That's nice of you.'

'Oh but I am nice. And it's Richard. Please call me Richard.' She found it difficult to call him Richard but she tried her best. He talked incessantly and she felt she was getting to know him rather than the other way round. 'I was wondering whether you'd like to go out for a drink with me one evening?' he asked her towards the end of the meal.

'I'm not really very free in the evenings. My boyfriend wouldn't be too pleased if I wasn't there for him.'

'Is this the one you brought to the college dinner?'

'Well, yes.'

'But you paid for him to accompany you didn't you?' She blanched. How did he know that? She had only ever mentioned it to Trisha. She would never had told anyone. Surely not?

'I ... well, I've moved on from those days.'

'But you did pay for him, didn't you?'

'Well yes. I suppose I did.'

'So why be so high and mighty about coming out with me?'

'Because, well because you have a wife and family. And in any case, Mike is ... How did you know, anyway?'

'We recognised him. He goes under the name of Rudy when he's out working. He was at a party with one of our friends. I knew him immediately when I saw you with him. I thought you might enjoy a drink one evening. So, how about coming out with me?'

'I'm sorry Mr Taverner. The answer is no. I'm sorry but I couldn't possibly.'

'That is such a pity. Think about it. I'm reviewing the departmental staffing and I have a senior lectureship to offer to the right person.'

'So if I agree to come out for a drink with you, you're saying I might be in line for a promotion?'

'It could most certainly happen.'

'I'd expect to get a promotion on merit, not on socialising with the head of department.'

'Anyone who pays for sex is fair game. Why so prissy now?'

'I never paid for sex,' she protested, almost spluttering with her answer to this detestable man.

'Your loss, my dear.'

'Thanks very much for lunch.' She tried her best to remain on civil terms with this man but it was becoming more and more difficult. She had scuppered her chances of getting a senior lectureship in the college but so what? Would she ever get over having booked Mike to accompany her? 'I'd better go or I'll be late for my lecture.'

'Of yes, you mustn't be late or the boss will have to scold you.' He licked his lips suggestively. She gave a shiver. Hideous man she thought. She nodded to him as she left.

It had completely unsettled her and she felt slightly sick. She longed to be cuddled by Mike but it was going to be a while before that could happen again. She picked up her mobile and texted him.

How are you doing? Hope all is well with you. Love Jo xx

She kept on looking through the afternoon but heard nothing back from him. She gave a sigh. It was tough when you fell in love, she decided. She gave a shudder at the very thought of Richard's suggestion. Now all she had to face was Mike taking Trisha out for an evening. No problems there she thought sarcastically. Why on earth was she doing it? Was it to spite her Dave? Or was there some other purpose? At last she decided to call him.

' Will you be coming round tonight?'

'I'm sorry but I have an engagement. I did say so this morning.'

'Oh.'

'Sorry. I can't avoid it I'm afraid.'

'I wish you didn't have to do it.'

'For heavens sake Joanne. I've told you it doesn't mean anything. I get paid well. I need to have money.'

'Okay, okay. I know all of that.'

'Good. Maybe we should have a bit of a break for a while. It's all getting too intense. Too intense for me at least.'

'But ... I see. Let me know when you want to see me then.' She hung up. She wished she had never called him. Her world was rocking around her. She had thought everything was so safe with Mike but now here he was telling her he needed a break for a while. How long was
a while
? Everything had seemed so good last night. Even this morning, he'd been lovely. Maybe it was just a blip. Something that had happened during the day. She swallowed her tears and tried to work.

Trisha came into her office. She felt tempted to pour out her heartbreak.

'So how are things with you and your man?' she asked instead.

'I think we're going to work through it. It isn't easy when you've know each other for so long.'

'Good. That's very good news. So why on earth are you ...' She stopped herself. Then she subsided into another mood of silence and wouldn't be drawn on what was wrong. Whatever she felt about it, now she had to live with it. But, as she believed she was in love with this man, it was very difficult.

'What's up?' asked Tricia. 'You don't seem your usual self at all.'

Joanne stared at her. Should she say anything or not? She decided against it.

'Just work problems.'

'Oh? In what way?'

'Oh Mr Taverner. It's nothing really. Only I've scuppered my chances of getting a senior lectureship.'

'Oh no. How did you manage that?'

'I don't want to talk about it.'

'I was going to tell you something. Oh never mind. I'd better go. I'm out this evening.'

Joanne was about to ask if it was with Mike but she decided against it. She'd really prefer not to know. She was somewhat curious about why she wanted to go out with Mike however, especially if she and Dave were back together. But, overwhelmingly, he wanted to take a break. Misery crept back into her heart.

'Must get on now. Was there something else?' she said, as brightly as she could.

'No. There's nothing else. See you.'

'Yes. See you.' Trisha left and she turned back to her own woes. What was she going to do? Somehow, life without Mike was hardly appealing. She really must pull herself together and go out there. Someone would want to go out with her but who? Mr Taverner, undoubtedly. Perhaps she should call him and suggest a date!

Chapter Ten

For almost a couple of weeks, Joanne sat at home in the evenings, quite alone. Mike had gone from her life, seemingly for good. He hadn't been to her lectures and she had seen nothing of him at all. She knew it was wrong to sit festering at home and was determined she would go out with the college crowd, if anyone asked her. The trouble was, nobody did. One Friday evening, she took the initiative.