‘My first appointment’s in York so it’s not too much of a detour. And I can’t leave a beautiful lady stranded.’
As we drove back towards Whitsborough Bay, I thought about Michael’s comment. I knew that if I didn’t ask Daniel what he meant, it would niggle at me and then doubts would creep in about whether he was being honest with me. After what I’d just been through with Gary, I had to know.
He laughed when I told him. ‘He really said that? My brother’s such an arse.’
‘You know we were talking this morning about how the lies were the worst part of what we’ve been through? You have been honest with me, haven’t you?’
‘About what?’
‘About your sex life since splitting up with Amber. If there’ve been others, I don’t mind. Just be honest. I wouldn’t blame you if you’d slept around.’
Daniel pulled into a side-road, stopped the car and turned to face me. ‘Do you really think I’d lie to you after what you’ve been through?’
I shook my head. ‘No. It’s just that—’
‘It’s just that my idiot brother’s done what he likes to do best: screw things up for me.’ Daniel banged the palm of his hand on the steering wheel. ‘He’s such a shit.’
I wished I hadn’t said anything. ‘Sorry,’ I muttered.
He turned back to face me. ‘Don’t be. It’s him. I told you we don’t get on and I think you’ve seen plenty of evidence of that last night and this morning. I didn’t tell you why, though, did I?’
I shook my head. ‘You don’t have to if it’s too personal.’
‘It’s fine. I want you to know. Michael’s two years older than me. When we were kids, we got on as well as most siblings do. You know how it is? Play great one minute, fight the next. Everything changed when I brought Amber home. Michael was eighteen, single and desperate to find a girlfriend. I could tell he liked her instantly. I only found out how much when we were at a family party and I overheard him trying to convince her to dump me and see him instead. He tried to make out he was joking, but he wasn’t. He made a pass at her a few years later. This time his excuse was that he was drunk, it was dark and he thought she was someone else.’
‘But you didn’t believe him?’
‘No. I saw the way he looked at her. We had a huge fight about it one day and he told me I wasn’t good enough for her, never would be, and he’d never stop trying to convince her of it. We’ve barely spoken since. I know he’s my brother, but I can’t stand him.’
‘I’m not surprised. Why do you share a house, then?’
He rolled his eyes. ‘Good question. Nan decided she was too old to deal with the hassle of renting it out as a holiday home so was looking for a permanent let. Michael’s a photographer like my dad. They’d returned from a shoot in South Africa and Michael needed a place to rent so Nan agreed to let him have the cottage on the proviso that I could use it too. I’d stay over occasionally if I had appointments in this area or further north, rather than trek back home to Lincoln. Then, when Amber and I split up, it made financial sense for me to move in permanently. Work-wise it’s better because I now live in the middle of my patch instead of at the bottom. As for Michael, my dear brother is happy to take half the rent off me, but he still likes to swan about as if he owns the place. The comment he made was nothing to do with me bringing other women back. You’re the first. He thought it was “inappropriate and disrespectful” when I couldn’t sleep and put the TV on too loud. And when I burned a pizza. And when I forgot to take my washing out of the machine so he had to. It’s his favourite phrase. I think it makes him feel important. I’m sorry if he made you uncomfortable and dragged you into our little war.’
‘Why didn’t you move in with your dad instead of Michael? I thought you said he was local.’
‘I don’t get on very well with my dad either and I don’t like being in that house. My mum had leukaemia and he didn’t want her to go into a hospice, so she died there. Too many memories.’
‘I’m sorry about your mum.’
‘It was years ago.’
I leaned over and gently kissed him. ‘Thank you. I didn’t mean to question you.’
‘Feel free to question me any time,’ he said. ‘I’d rather you did that than you worried I was about to hurt you like Gary did because that’s the last thing I’d ever want to do.’
When we pulled up outside Seashell Cottage he checked I was still okay for a date the next night before kissing me again.
Curtis had been right. I really had needed a ‘damn good shag’ as he’d put it and Daniel had absolutely delivered the goods. I danced up Kay’s path, feeling all light-headed and girly.
18
✉︎ From Daniel
Can’t stop thinking about you. Counting down the hours till I see you tonight. Bad news, though. Michael isn’t going out after all. If I cook for you, he’ll only make things awkward. Can I take you out for a meal again instead? xx
✉︎ To Daniel
Sounds great, but a bag of chips on the seafront would be fine by me xx
✉︎ From Daniel
A meal it is then! I’ll book a table at that vegan place by the harbour so perhaps we can have a walk along the beach afterwards. Can’t wait to see you later xx
‘Wow! You look stunning,’ Daniel said as soon as I opened the door to Seashell Cottage. He gave me a gentle kiss and, as I wrapped my arms round his neck, my heart fluttered and so did other parts of my body. I liked the sensation very much.
‘I don’t look too casual?’ I’d opted for some sparkly flip-flops and a long, floaty cream summer dress with small burgundy flowers embroidered round the hem and bodice.
‘You look perfect.’
‘As do you.’ He looked sexy in dark jeans and a light grey short-sleeved shirt. He smelled good too.
Daniel took my hand as we strolled into town. I was surprised at how natural it felt to be holding another man’s hand after years of only Gary. Mind you, I’d been surprised at how natural it felt to have sex with Daniel after only ever being with Gary. I wondered whether it would have felt that way with any man or whether Daniel was extra special.
A waitress led us to a small booth in Bean Cuisine, a restaurant overlooking the harbour at South Bay. A trio of candles in the middle of the table and a string of fairy lights across the wall provided mood lighting. The whole place had a very chilled, relaxed ambiance thanks to the lights, cushions and ambient music. ‘Good choice,’ I said.
While we pondered the menu, my phone beeped in my bag. ‘Would it be rude if I checked that while you’re still deciding?’ I asked.
‘Go for it. I may be some time. It all sounds delicious.’
✉︎ From Gary
Had a last-minute viewing on the house earlier. They seemed keen. Sitting here looking at everything we’ve collected over the years and feeling melancholy. I know it’s the right thing, but I hate the thought of a stranger living in our beautiful home. Hope you’re coping better than me