Construct a Couple (25 page)

I nod, but we both know it will be an uphill battle if the charity’s founder is missing in action. “Call me as soon as the meeting is over, okay?”

“Of course. And Serenity, thank you so much for all your help. I hope Jeremy realises what a special person he has.”

I swallow hard, trying to keep back my tears.

“Good luck,” I manage to get out as I head down the corridor and into the street. Standing on the sidewalk, liquid blurs my eyes. Does Jeremy think I’m special? He’s been silent for so long, I don’t even know what to believe any more.

I can’t face returning to my bedsit, so I head towards Camden Market. Although it’s Monday, the streets are jammed with tourists on extended holidays and teens on their Easter break. Passing by the clothing stalls, I wander over the canal lock and through Stables Market, a rabbit warren full of everything from plastic glasses to punk gear. Leaving the chaos behind, I plod past Chalk Farm tube station and up the incline, pausing to rest outside the restaurant where Jeremy and I celebrated the charity’s donation. God, that seems so long ago, as if we were two different people.

Before I know it, I’m at Primrose Hill. The grassy space spreads out before me, and I force my legs faster and faster up the steep rise, as if the harder I work my body, the less pain I’ll feel inside. My lungs burn and my muscles ache, but I won’t slow down. I can’t. The second my limbs stop pumping, the tidal wave of emotions I’m trying to block will engulf me.

Just as I’m nearing collapse, I reach the bench Jeremy and I adopted as our own. I can’t take another step or even sit upright, so I plop down on the freshly green grass, chest heaving as I stare at the vapour trails of airplanes criss-crossing the sky. Unable to push them away, feelings flood into me – a strange mixture of longing, regret, and hope. The city below gave birth to our relationship; cradled the two of us in its arms. Will we ever be able to experience it together again?

I glance at my phone: twelve-thirty. The meeting’s gone on now for ninety minutes, and since Karen’s yet to call, I guess it’s still going. If it’s taking this long . . . I sit up and flip to my inbox, trying to escape the negative thoughts. But my eyes start to water when I see message after message I sent to Jeremy, with nothing in response.

I draw in a lungful of spring-scented air. I’ve done everything I can, but ultimately, I can’t make this work on my own. I’ll send him one more text, and then . . . well, I’ll just have to hope he’ll meet me halfway. Tears streak down my cheeks as I slowly tap out a message.

At our bench on Primrose Hill. Wishing you were here. I love you.  

I pause, wondering what else to say. The trustee meeting is in progress? I did my best to save the charity? Really, it boils down to the words on the screen: the life we’ve built in London; the love between us. Clicking ‘send’, I watch the text fly off into cyberspace, praying something comes back.

As the minutes pass, the silence of my mobile gets heavier and heavier, until it’s a weight pushing against my chest and I’m struggling to breathe. Finally, I can’t bear waiting any longer. I’m just about to head back to the office to stalk the board meeting when a shadow looms over me. I sit up quickly, shading my eyes from the bright sun.

My mouth drops open.

There, right in front of me – silhouetted against the tree-dotted skyline of London Town – is Jeremy.

I gasp, looking up into the familiar face. His skin is nut-brown with tan, making his eyes look even greener. His normally short hair is longer than usual, waving around his temples. He looks healthier than I’ve seen him in months, and relief pours into me.

Jeremy’s lips lift in a smile. “You did say you wished I was here . . . “ He waves the mobile in his hand.

“You got my text!”

“I did, along with eighty voicemails from Karen and quite a few other texts from you about today’s meeting.” Sinking onto the ground, he swivels to face me. “They all came through early this morning when I turned on my mobile driving home.”

“You had your phone off?” God, no wonder we couldn’t get in touch.

 “I needed some head space, some time to think,” Jeremy says. “With everything that happened . . . I was so tired, Ser. I didn’t have reception at my B&B in the Black Mountains, so I switched off the mobile. I didn’t mean to stay so long, but once I got up there, I realised how desperate I was for a break.”

Nodding, I study the grass, both eager and fearful for what he might say next.

 “Serenity . . .” Gently, Jeremy reaches out, tipping up my chin. I meet his gaze, my heart pumping painfully inside my chest, as if it’s too big for the space.

 “Karen told me everything you did, from developing the fundraising plan to working with the market. The money order convinced the trustees if we put together a regular rota of activities, it will be possible to cover our costs without relying fully on corporate donors.”

“Oh, thank God.” A small whoosh of victory washes over me, and the weight on my chest eases slightly. I did it! I managed to save the charity. But has it shown Jeremy we can count on each other when times are tough? That we can share our worries and fears? That we’re strong enough to move past all this?

A million questions spring to mind; words I want to pour out. But before I can say anything, Jeremy takes my hand, interlacing his fingers with mine. I stare at the olive skin against my pale white, still unable to believe he’s actually here.

“No relationship is ever going to be perfect, as much as we want it to be. Of all people, we should understand that.”  He tucks a wayward strand of hair behind my ear. “But I know you’ll be there for me when I need you. Everything you did to stop the article – to help save the charity – more than proves it. I have to learn to trust you. With the past . . . Julia, and all that . . .  I just got a bit shaky.”

 “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about the story, or that I knew of Julia’s donation. I didn’t realise keeping it in would complicate things.” The words burst from me. “From now on, we’re going to be the most open and honest couple out there. We’ll share everything, no matter how small.” My voice trembles with conviction. 

Winding his arms around me, Jeremy pulls me against his solid form. I bury my nose in his neck, breathing in the scent I missed so much. I swear, if I could magically meld my body to his and stay here forever, I would.

 Jeremy lifts his head, raising an eyebrow. “Now that we’re being open and honest, are pasta balls
really
an exotic delicacy?” His eyes twinkle.

Uh-oh. I almost start protesting, but I swallow it back. “Well, not exactly.”

He laughs softly. “I kind of figured that. And Serenity, there’s just one more thing I need to tell you.” His face resumes its serious look, and my heart drops. Do I want to hear what he has to say? Then I remind myself keeping quiet was what got us into this mess.

“Okay,” I say, trying to stay calm.

 “Well, when times were tough, I poured a lot of my own resources into the charity. If the trustees had called in my personal guarantee . . .” He shakes his head. “It wouldn’t have been good. Things are a bit tight with money right now.”

“That’s fine.” I shrug. Things have always been tight for me – if Jeremy needs to cut back, at least we’ll be on the same budget for once.

“So here’s what I’m thinking,” he continues. “Julia and I bought the Marylebone house at an auction without a mortgage, and it’s pretty much doubled in value since I restored it. With all the money difficulties at Top Class, I reckon Julia will be keen to sell and get some extra cash, too.” 

“Where will you live?” I try to imagine Jeremy in another place.

“Well . . .” A tender look slides across his features. “I was hoping we could decide that together. How would you feel about moving in with me? I want to start somewhere new – make a home, just the two of us.”

A volcano of happiness erupts inside, and the corners of my mouth stretch in a wide grin. “I’d love that. I really would.”

Jeremy’s face lights up, and he lowers his lips to mine. I freeze for a second, almost afraid to move in case everything vanishes. Then I let myself fall into him, relishing his soft kiss.

He touches my cheek. “Come on. Let’s get this new beginning started.”

Hand in hand, we wander down the hill and into the city, the sun bright in the sky behind us.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Back at Jeremy’s, our new beginning kicks off with a vengeance. I’d love to share details, but some things are better left to the imagination – although Mom maintains when it comes to lovemaking, there’s no reason for embarrassment. I’ll just say distance
does
make the heart grow fonder . . . among other things.

Lying in a glorious post-sex daze, Jeremy wraps his arms around me and pulls me close.

“God, I missed you so much,” he murmurs, sliding a hand down my back.

I cuddle into him, and we both drift off to sleep as London throbs and buzzes outside. When I lift my lids a few hours later, the sun is still high in the sky, and Jeremy’s clanking around downstairs, whistling. The scent of toast and coffee drifts towards me, and my tummy grumbles in response. It’s been ages since I consumed something non-Jaffa or wine-related.

I throw off the covers, pull on my jeans and sweater, then head to the bathroom, where I splash my cheeks with cold water. Despite the lack of sleep, my eyes are bright and my face glows. After tidying my hair as best I can, I pad down the stairs to the kitchen. Pausing in the doorway, my heart fills up when I spot Jeremy at the stove, expertly flipping an omelette.

As I stand there, images of our future pop into my mind. Building our own place, shaping it to fit just so.  Days like this, rolling out of bed and enjoying each other’s company. And growing even more solid as the walls of our relationship strengthen, with the knowledge there’s nothing between us. A rainbow of happiness bursts inside, and I’m so full of joy I almost do a jig like a leprechaun who’s found the pot of gold.

“That smells good,” I say, pushing back from the wall and crossing the room.

“You’re up!” Jeremy spins to face me. “Hope you’re hungry?”

“Starving.” And it’s not just my stomach that’s ravenous. I’m hungry for our life ahead.

My tummy lets out a giant rumble, and Jeremy grins.

“I can hear that!” He plates up the omelettes, butters some toast, and places two heaving dishes on the table.

We’re silent for a minute as we tuck into the food, and then Jeremy glances over.

“Karen told me what a star you were with the fundraising strategy,” he says, “and how you even managed to recruit a volunteer. How do you feel about helping us with fundraising for the next little while to get our plan underway? I know you’re going to be busy at work, but I don’t think it’ll take too much doing. I could use you on board.”

I stare into Jeremy’s hopeful face, turning his words over in my mind.

“I’d love to,” I say, meaning it with every fibre. Already, ideas are flooding my head. Tomorrow, I can try ringing the street-trading team again. And then—

“Brilliant! Now come on, finish your plate. You’ll need all your energy for what I’m about to do to you.” He raises his eyebrows suggestively, and I grin back as desire rises inside.

“Forget the food,” I say as I drag him away from the table and up the stairs. “We’ve got a future to start building. We should make sure we’re in synch, don’t you think?”

Jeremy laughs, allowing himself to be tugged into the bedroom. “The sooner, the better,” he says, sinking onto the fluffy duvet.

I fall on top of him, relishing the heat of his body beneath me. No more secrets; no more deception. Whatever happens, we’ll face our future head-on – together.

I can’t wait to see what it brings.

THE END

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Construct A Couple
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Coming in 2013:

Serenity Holland, Book Three

Marriage To Measure

COMING IN AUTUMN 2012

The Pollyanna Plan

Is finding true love as easy as an attitude change?
Thirty-something Emma Beckett has always looked down on 'the glass is half full' optimists, believing it's better to be realistic than delusional. But when she loses her high-powered job and fiancé in the same week, even Emma has difficulty keeping calm and carrying on.
 
With her world spinning out of control and bolstered by a challenge from her best friend, Emma makes a radical decision. For the next year, she'll behave like Pollyanna: attempting to always see the upside, no matter how dire the situation.
 
Can adopting a positive attitude give Emma the courage to build a new life, or is finding the good in everything a very bad idea?

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