Clara nodded.
‘And he likes you?’
If she hadn’t seen it with her own eyes Miriam would have said it was impossible, but Clara actually went pink as she said, ‘He says he does.’
Miriam thought for a moment. ‘Well, look at it like this. You’ve always gone for edgy, shall we say somewhat…outrageous types, yes? Which with the way you are is probably to be expected. By going out with someone like…’
‘Brian,’ Clara supplied.
‘Really? Brian?’ Miriam couldn’t think of a more circumspect name. ‘OK, by going out with Brian you’re actually breaking away from tradition. For you, that is.’
Clara’s eyes lit up. ‘I hadn’t looked at it like that.’
‘And he’s probably doing the same. I bet he hasn’t gone out with anyone like you before.’ In fact, Miriam could guarantee it. And that without meeting the man.
Clara grinned. ‘You’d better believe it. His last girlfriend was the tweeds-and-pearls type and had an “honourable” before her name.’
Miriam found she couldn’t wait to see this Brian.
By the time Clara left after several cups of coffee and a plate of toast it was ten-thirty. Miriam just had time to change into smart black trousers and a bubblegum-pink top and do her make-up before the buzzer told her Jay had arrived.
She found her heart was racing as she hurried down the stairs and stopped abruptly. Taking several deep, calming breaths, she then proceeded at a more sedate pace and, once in the hall, walked steadily to the front door. When she opened it Jay was standing on the pavement talking to a tall young man with a short, neat haircut and spectacles and very polished shoes.
Jay’s face was absolutely deadpan when he looked at her. ‘This is Brian Mason—he’s here to see Clara.’
His careful lack of expression told Miriam he found the situation hilarious. Miriam ignored the wicked glitter in his eyes and directed her gaze at Brian. Smiling, she said, ‘Hi, I’m Miriam, Clara’s friend from the top floor. Is she expecting you?’
Brian smiled at her, revealing pearly white teeth and dimples. Miriam could immediately see what had captured Clara. There was something terribly ingenuous about that smile; not naive exactly, more honest and sincere.
‘I said I’d pop round at some point today,’ said Brian, nervously adjusting his scarf more securely into the lapels of his overcoat, ‘but if it’s not convenient…’
‘I’m sure she’s in. Wait just a minute and I’ll check.’ Miriam left the pair of them and darted across the hall, knocking on Clara’s front door.
When her friend opened it she was still in her nightie and bathrobe. ‘Brian’s on the doorstep.’ Miriam gestured behind her. ‘He’s talking to Jay.’
‘Brian?’ Clara was suddenly all of a dither, which was a first. ‘But I haven’t done my hair or anything.’
‘You look lovely,’ Miriam said with sincerity. In fact, she thought Clara au naturel, with her face free from layers of make-up and her hair softly framing her sweet face, might test Brian’s vow of celibacy to the limit, even without the added titillation of the black nightie. ‘Shall I tell him to come in?’
Clara nodded, still flustered. ‘The place is a mess.’
‘When isn’t your place a mess?’
‘True, but Brian’s so tidy. You only have to see his desk at work to know that.’
‘And I bet your desk is like the bedsit, so don’t worry. It’s you he likes or he wouldn’t be here.’
Outside the two men were chatting away quite easily when Miriam called Brian to say Clara was at home, and once she was sitting beside Jay in the car she asked curiously, ‘What were you and Brian talking about?’
Jay leant across and kissed her soundly. ‘First things first,’ he murmured softly. ‘Good morning, Mrs Carter.’
Miriam’s heart quickened, her senses instantly alight. The kiss hadn’t been overtly sensual but his words were like a warm, intimate stroking of her whole being. Shakily, she responded, ‘Good morning.’
‘Good morning, Mr Carter,’ he corrected with a lazy smile, his eyes dancing as they mocked her pink confusion. ‘I’m your husband, remember?’
‘Isn’t that rather a formal way to talk to your husband?’ Miriam managed with a brave attempt at nonchalance.
‘Absolutely,’ he agreed immediately. ‘If it’s intimacy you’re looking for—’