Getting Dirty

‘Truth is I’m not averse to bringing women home...’ I see her swallow, her cheeks pale a little, and I push on. ‘I just haven’t had the inclination in a long time. In fact, if you must know, I can’t even remember the last time I got laid.’

I laugh on the last. It’s awkward, but it’s honest, and her smile, the warmth reigniting in her cheeks, makes it worth it.

‘Well, in that case, I’m honoured.’

She’s suddenly gone all shy and, God help me, I’m falling so quickly and deeply that my heart pulses in my chest and tells me exactly what I’m feeling for her. It doesn’t matter how impossible it all is—it’s there. My absolute love and affection for a woman who’s been in my life for weeks but doesn’t know me from Adam.

I return her smile—although mine is more of a grin—to hide the chaos within, and slide the tray onto the bedside table.

It can’t be love—not yet, it can’t.

‘So, my lady, we have options: coffee, juice, granola, toast and eggs—oh, and fruit. So what’s your poison?’

‘You.’

My heart leaps and I don’t look at her straight away. I know if I do she’ll see too much. Christ, she probably already has.

‘But you’d best make it quick as I have a brunch date with Granny and she doesn’t take kindly to tardiness.’

Ah, fuck it—breakfast can wait.

My heart, though... That’s another matter. But I’ll deal with that when she’s safe from her brother.

And from me.

* * *

I let myself into the house and my well-practised mask falls into place.

Our housekeeper gives me the look as she bustles into the hallway—the one that says, Out all night again?—but I simply beam at her. ‘Morning.’

She shakes her head, but her face softens a little as she smiles back. ‘I’ll bring brunch up shortly.’

‘Thanks, Sue.’

I take to the stairs, my mood a weird mix of light and dark. On the one hand I’ve had the best sex of my life—no, the best night of my life. On the other hand I can’t keep having it for ever and at some point it has to end.

But that point isn’t now, and maybe that’s why the lightness is winning out.

I walk along the galleried landing and down the east

wing of the house to Granny’s room. I can hear voices. It’s Philip. Great. He won’t waste any time before remarking on my night out.

‘She hasn’t come home again,’ he’s saying.

‘She’s a grown woman. I don’t expect her to always be here.’

‘It’s not the fact that she’s out all night—it’s what she’s doing that has me—’

I push open the door and he stops abruptly, turning in my direction.

‘You were saying, Philip...?’ I say smoothly.

‘Ah, so good of you to return, Coco.’

He turns back to Granny, who’s sitting ramrod straight in bed, the mountain of cushions at her back helping to keep her there. Her eyes narrow on me, sharp as ever, and then return to Philip as he bends to kiss her forehead.

‘I’ll call in later to check on you.’