This London Love (27 page)

“I can’t believe it was only last night Meg was telling us all about how you hadn’t responded to her flower assault…” Greg was cut off as Jamie kicked him in the shin.

Greg bent down to rub his leg, then stood up, looking sheepish. “Sorry,” he told Meg.

Meg simply shook her head.

Kate smiled. “I was planning to react, I was just waiting to see how many she was going to send. I actually cycled round to the florist this morning to call off the flower war as I’ve run out of vases, but then it wasn’t open and all roads led to here.”

***

Meg and Kate walked out of the hospital two hours later, leaving Olivia to get some rest. Jamie and Greg were coming back for evening visiting, and Olivia had urged Meg to take a break and spend time with Kate. Meg had reluctantly agreed and now here they were, hand in hand, passing under the hospital’s entrance awning.

Meg looked straight ahead as she began to talk. “So I’m not sure what to do now. This morning we weren’t talking and now we’re together in hospital. Bit odd, isn’t it?”

Kate squeezed Meg’s hand. “You could say that. But look at it this way — we’ve got a whole day ahead of us and we can do what we like. Together.” Kate stopped walking. “I’ve got an idea — you happy to follow?”

Meg nodded. “I don’t want to make any decisions today, so I’m all yours.”

***

A London village on the Thames, Greenwich was the perfect backdrop for an impromptu date. Stepping off the boat was like stepping onto a giant film set, with history and glamour oozing from every building, choreographed green spaces and sunlight glinting off every surface. Yes, even the weather was better in Greenwich — when they’d boarded the water taxi in central London, the air had been lank and greasy.

“I haven’t been here in ages,” Meg said, as they strolled up the boat ramp. “I came for lunch with Jamie a few years back when he was doing a property down here, but not since then.”

“I love it.” Kate paused. “Still in central London but you really could be in a seaside town. It’s a breath of fresh air and I thought we could do with that today. Wipe the slate clean. Start afresh?”

A warm surge flowed through Meg’s body. “I like the sound of that.”

Their feet crunched on the gravel in the university grounds as they strode across it, the strained sound of an out-of-tune trumpet floating from the window of the music building. The gloriously statuesque buildings were light grey in colour, with intricate stone work, thick wooden doors and grand arches, history compressed into their bricks.

They chose an historic riverside pub and snagged a table by the window — so close to the river they could smell its maritime glaze. Over doorstep sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese alongside hot, salty chips, Meg noted the rise and fall of Kate’s chest as she spoke, and imagined her delicate skin beneath her top. She ran her tongue across her bottom teeth as Kate chatted about work, her colleagues and her past week. Meg listened, as well as taking in the wrinkles around Kate’s piercing aqua eyes, the square of her jawline, her strong neck and her calm, assured presence.

When they’d finished eating and were feeling more human — neither had eaten breakfast — Kate led Meg out of the university grounds and up into the royal park. They passed a packed kids’ playground and skirted a myriad of dogs and runners, walking up the steep incline to the top of the park. From this vantage point, London was laid out before them across the river, looking larger than life.

Meg fixed her scarf tighter around her neck as she surveyed the scene. “You think there are some people squinting out from one of the pods on the London Eye right now, trying to make us out in the distance?”

Kate’s body shook as she laughed. “Nah, they’re probably just trying to tune out the bunch of teenagers they’ve got in the pod with them.”

Higher up now, the wind swirled around the pair and when Meg shivered, Kate put an arm around her.

After some moments taking in the sprawling, widescreen view, Meg spoke. “I’m glad they worked, you know.”

Kate turned her head. “Worked?”

“The flowers.”

Kate smiled. “Me too.”

“I’m sorry everything got so messed up. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest with you in the first place.” Meg moved her jaw one way, then the other. She kept looking straight ahead — it was easier that way.

“Me too.” Kate matched her stance, looking into the distance. “Why weren’t you, though? I mean, living with your ex isn’t unheard of.”

Meg paused, looking pensive. “I think I was embarrassed. I didn’t think I’d ever meet someone again and I wasn’t really pushing Tanya to sell the house. It kinda… Suited me a bit, I guess. And then when you came along, I panicked. I thought you’d think less of me for still living with her. So I figured I could hide it and get her to move out before you found out.”

Kate laughed. “That’s a lot of thinking.”

“Not the best thought-out plan, I’ll admit.” Meg paused. “And that was certainly the case when you turned up on our doorstep that night. God, I wanted the ground to swallow me up.”

Kate tightened her grip around Meg’s shoulders, risking a glance right. “And what do you think now?”

Meg glanced left. “That I was stupid. That I should never have done it. And that I’m glad we’re here together today, that my mum’s on the mend and I’m not home alone feeling miserable.”

Kate placed a kiss on Meg’s rosy cheek. “That makes two of us.”

They turned and walked along one of the many paths available, which eventually brought them out near to the park bandstand. Kate grabbed Meg’s hand and ran towards it, pulling Meg with her. She kissed her knuckles and bowed, before motioning for Meg to get up on one of the benches that lined the bandstand’s interior.

“What?” Meg narrowed her eyes at Kate.

“Up,” was Kate’s simple instruction.

“Why?”

“Why?” Kate’s tone was raised. “We were only talking about The Sound Of Music recently. It’s your favourite film, isn’t it?”

Meg laughed, before getting up on the bench. “Don’t tell me you want to re-enact the scene, line by line.”

“If you could do that, I’d be forever impressed.”

“Be careful what you wish for, captain.” And with that, Meg began walking around the edge of the bench, leaping dramatically when she came to the end of one and had to make it to the next, even though the gap was almost non-existent. “So are you going to start, or shall I?”

Kate held out her hand and Meg took it as she continued her movement around the circle of the bandstand, atop the circular arrangement of benches.

“Start what?” Kate asked.

“The singing.” Meg had a wicked grin on her face.

Kate stopped moving. “You really want to sing?” Her mouth had dropped open slightly.

Meg started walking again, which jolted Kate into action as she accompanied her around the bandstand.

“Okay, I’ll start.” Meg cleared her throat. “I am 32 going on 33, and I really like to pose,” she sang. Meg broke out some model poses, before carrying on.

Kate began to laugh as she continued to follow Meg around.

Meg grinned at her delight. “Women in caps, and jeans and hi-tops, honey I know of those!”

Kate laughed loudly, dropping Meg’s hand to clap her. “Making it your own, Ms Harding.” Kate still walked beside her.

“I am 32 going on 33,” Meg continued, punching the air. “But I’m hoping, I’ve met my match.” She pointed at Kate. “She’s sexy and great, makes my heart beat at rate, I think she’s quite the catch.”

With that, Meg jumped down from the bench, bowed to Kate and kissed her hand. “Madam,” she said, bowing again.

“That was some performance,” Kate said.

“No performance,” Meg replied, shaking her head. Her heart truly was thumping in her chest. “I meant every single word.”

They were standing in the centre of the bandstand now, facing each other. Meg was breathing heavily, getting her breath back. After a few seconds she joined her hands with Kate and they stood, staring at each other.

“It’s kinda apt being here, isn’t it.” Meg motioned with her head at their surroundings. “A grand space, full of possibility. Just like our relationship so far, wouldn’t you say?”

Kate nodded her head. “I would.”

Meg stared into Kate’s eyes, ensuring she felt the connection too. If the spark behind Kate’s pupils was anything to go by, Meg was pretty sure she did.

“The past week has been a rainy parade of what-ifs and coming to terms with the fact that you might not want to see me again.” Meg gulped in some air. “But whatever the outcome, the house is on the market and I’m ready to move on.” Meg met Kate’s gaze full-on and entwined their fingers even tighter. “I can do it on my own, but I’d rather not. I’d rather do it with you by my side. So what do you say, captain Carter? Shall we give it another go? Double or quits?” Meg stroked her thumb up and down Kate’s hand.

Kate’s features softened, and outside the bandstand, she heard some children arguing over a ball. She tuned them out. “I’m not much of a gambler, so double or quits isn’t my style,” she said.

Meg’s face dropped. “Oh.”

“However, I’m pretty confident this isn’t a gamble. Not if what my heart is telling me is anything to go by.”

Meg held on tight. “And what’s your heart telling you?”

Kate allowed a smile to form on her lips. “It’s telling me I really missed you this week. It’s telling me you’re pretty hot. And it’s telling me we should get out of this bandstand before we’re ambushed by kids.”

They looked around and sure enough, five kids were running towards them. Meg tugged on Kate’s arm and they ran off into the park, laughing.

***

They got the tube back to the hospital to see Olivia, who’d looked tired and in need of a good rest — rather like the whole family. They’d lounged lazily around her bed until she’d shooed them out, telling them to go and have a Saturday night out “like young people should”.

Jamie, Greg, Kate and Meg had left the hospital and decamped to the Bull & Bush to talk over the day, eat cheeseburgers and drink large glasses of soothing Rioja. It was the topic of much hilarity that this was their first time out as a foursome, and what a picture they must have painted. But Meg was pleased that Kate was there, and the evening sailed by in a river of good humour which was just the tonic they all needed.

They kissed goodnight outside the pub and the men headed towards the tube, the women towards Meg’s place. Meg was feeling somewhat apprehensive about that, even though her big secret was now out in the open.

“You know that Tanya might be there,” she told Kate, as they turned into her street and strolled along the rows of terraced houses with small front lawns.

“I know, but we’re big girls, we can handle her. You point out something up high and I’ll rugby-tackle her. Simple.” Kate glanced at Meg with a smile as she said the last bit.

“And there was me worrying you wouldn’t know how to act.”

They walked on side by side in silence for a few moments before eventually arriving at Meg’s door. She got her keys from her bag and turned to Kate. “Ready?”

“I’m right behind you — literally and metaphorically,” Kate replied.

However, after all Meg’s fretting, Tanya wasn’t in the house today — the lounge was tidy, the kitchen wiped and everything was presentable. She was audibly relieved — she desperately wanted to make a good first impression on Kate, especially after last time. Meg was also sending up a small prayer of thanks to whatever goddess it was who’d made her change her bed sheets only two days ago.

They went through to the kitchen where the clock read 10.45pm. Meg was beyond exhausted. She leaned against the kitchen counter as Kate stood beside her.

“You want a drink or something? Or shall we just go to bed?”

Kate raised an eyebrow.

“And I might even mean to sleep, more’s the pity — didn’t get much last night, strangely.” Meg slumped into Kate, all at once overwhelmed with the day.

“I’m all for sleep.” Kate placed a kiss on Meg’s blonde head. “Especially if it involves sleeping with you.”

“No tea? Or a beer? I don’t want you accusing me of being a bad host.”

Kate stroked Meg’s face. “So long as it’s me and you, I don’t care what we do.”

“Then I’m knackered — let’s go to bed.”

Meg was asleep within eight minutes.

***

The following morning, and Meg was awake before Kate — it was a florist thing. But waking up to a hot body in her own bed was a novel and most welcome situation. Meg kissed Kate’s shoulder lightly but she didn’t stir. From the sounds outside, she guessed it was still fairly early — pre-9am at least. No lawn mowers were deadening the air, no children shouting, and only the odd car engine could be heard chugging by. Meg allowed herself a moment to relax, sinking into the bed.

Until she remembered her mum. In the hospital. After her heart attack. It was that few seconds in the morning where she didn’t remember and then — boom! A lightning bolt in her brain.

She grabbed her phone from the bedside table and held it up — it needed a charge. She had a text. Meg drew in a deep breath and clicked on it. But then the phone fell out of her hand and landed on her nose, bouncing off it and onto the bedding.