The Reunion (33 page)

“Yes, but...”

“Look Wayne, it’s done. Period. We’re not going
to cancel, so either make the most of it or don’t bother to come and I’ll go
alone.” Rat-tat-tat went Clarissa’s left eyelid.

Wayne stood, walked round to Clarissa’s side of
the table, lifted up her mane of jet black hair, and planted a kiss on the nape
of her neck. He turned to face her.

“You’re right, that’s it then, no more moaning I
promise.” He planted a kiss on her lips. Clarissa expected a longer embrace
but Wayne backed away. “Though if you don’t mind a final thing. I’ve had Lil
on at me for not inviting her to the party for our friends. You know she’ll
hate the parents do.”

Clarissa saw red. Wayne’s sister was thick, a
tart, devoid of social skills and malicious. There was no way Lil was going to
be given the opportunity to mess up the event that she was planning for her
friends. “Right, that’s it Wayne!”

She leapt up, stormed to the bedroom to collect
her things, grabbed what she needed, slammed the bedroom door behind her,
strode across the lounge to the front door, then slammed that one shut, leaving
without a goodbye. Later that morning she sent Wayne a text:
i am fed up
with u, keep out the bedroom 2nite.

And for four nights he’d kept out. To his credit
in their brief curt exchanges over meals he hadn’t mentioned the forthcoming
event, but that hadn’t stopped her becoming increasingly edgy about the engagement
party and she held Wayne responsible for making her feel that way.

However, four days was enough of a punishment and
it was probably time to let him back in. Anyway, she was missing him. So when
he gently knocked on the bedroom door that Saturday morning she resolved to be
tranquil and loving.

“What do you want, Wayne?” she snapped.
He couldn’t expect her to change tone instantaneously.

“I just wondered whether you’d like a cup
of tea, Clarissa.”

“That’s sweet of you, but no thanks. I’ll
get up too, let’s have breakfast together.”

Half an hour later they were at the table
just like they’d been on Tuesday, sitting in the same chairs, the same crockery
laid out, the croissants and coffee set out by Wayne as per usual. Everything
back to how it was, how it should be. Being a Saturday there was no work to
rush off to. They made light and friendly conversation about Wayne’s eviction.
Their shared difficulty in getting to sleep. Missing each other with severe
sex deprivation. Wayne having to wear the same clothes too often as he didn’t
want to get to the wardrobe early morning whilst she was still asleep in case
he disturbed her. Clarissa joking about wading through his dirty clothes
strewn across the lounge floor.

Wayne took a gulp of cappuccino which left
a milk foam line on his upper lip. Clarissa smiled as she lifted her
serviette.

“Look at you. Come here,” she said with
affection as she leaned across the table and dabbed his mouth. She blew him a
flamboyant kiss before sitting back down and taking a bite of croissant.
Flakes of pastry adhered to her left cheek.

“My turn,” Wayne said as he stood and
walked round to her side of the table, serviette in hand. But instead of
wiping it he licked her cheek and ate the crumbs.

Clarissa looked up. “I love you.”

“Love you too, Riss.”

Clarissa smiled as Wayne returned to his
side of the table. She lifted yesterday’s newspaper and began to read the film
and music reviews.

Wayne stood up again. “If you’re reading
I’ll get my book. It’s been stowed away in the bedroom since I was banished,
I’ve pretty well forgotten what it’s about.”