Always There

by Tiara Inserto

  Mitch grinned. “He doesn’t strike me as the kind of person you could refuse a gift from.”

  “If that’s your way of saying he’s obstinate, then you’re correct. He’s played the role of a spy for so long that, sometimes, he falls into that mentality. A few years ago, we were having lunch to celebrate the release of his third movie. Moira and I had just ducked into the kitchen to bring out tea. When we came out, Guy and Mark were punching each other, breaking chairs and a couple of flowerpots as they fought. Whatever it was that set them off, it ended with Guy yelling, ‘Those bullets in the movie are fake, Mark! Fake!’ We never knew what it was about, but ‘fake bullets’ became a code word between us for whenever Mark forgets to be himself.”

  They arrived in Exeter in the early evening. The city had grown in the last couple of decades, helped by a successful university that attracted students from all over Britain and the rest of the world. Her family had contributed to that growth by moving from the seaside town of Exmouth to the city center shortly before her tenth birthday. Da had started his coaching job at Exeter by then, and the idea of shorter commutes to both the hospital and the football field appealed to both her parents.

  Back then, her world was smaller, more intimate. She and Adam had free rein to run through the nearby university campus, feed the ducks at the pond, or pop onto its fields to watch the university athletes’ practice. After school, Rougemont Castle was a dream place for a game of hide-and-seek with classmates. Later, it served as the go-to rendezvous point for hormonally charged teenagers. She had her first kiss at the ripe old age of fourteen in front of the cathedral one muggy summer’s afternoon.

  Francisco, she told Mitch, was an exchange student from Spain who was staying with the vicar that year. He broke up with her when he realized she was a better football player than he was.

  So many memories...

  Liana soon turned into a more residential area of the city, swiftly parking the car in front of a row of white terraced houses. Hand in hand, they walked to the end of the row, up a path to a cobalt-blue door. Before Liana could put her key into the lock, it swung open, held by a petite, silver-haired woman with a warm smile. “You’re here.”

  Liana let herself be pulled into the warm embrace of her grandmother. She hugged the smaller woman tight, inhaling the familiar scent of lilac talcum. She blinked away sudden tears in the arms that had always held her close. When they separated, Anusha Kapoor cradled Liana’s face in her hands, studying it. She seemed satisfied with whatever it was she saw.

  “You made good time. We weren’t expecting you for at least another half an hour,” Anusha said. “You must be Mitch, of course.”

  Anusha shook Mitch’s hand warmly, then ushered them in from the fast-cooling evening. She led them into a formal lounge and instructed Mitch to leave his bags there. The aroma of spices permeated the room. Liana’s stomach growled in response to the familiar scents of her childhood. They walked toward the back of the house to the kitchen, passing a formal dining room with a table that was already set for four. A tall man with a wooden spoon in one hand stood in front of the stovetop, his eyes closed. He concentrated hard before smiling in satisfaction. “Perfect.”

  “Oh, Granddad. It’s always perfect.”

  Raj Kapoor’s eyes opened at the sound of her voice, and a familiar smile graced his face. “You are here at last! We’ve made all your favorites.” He received Liana into his arms, holding her tightly. With one arm around her shoulder, Raj offered Mitch his hand. “I hope you can handle spice, but, just in case, there’s a frozen pizza we can also heat up. Welcome to our home, Mitch. I’m this firecracker’s grandfather.”

  “I’ll give the home cooking a go, sir,” Mitch said, returning the smile and handshake. “Thank you very much for letting me stay. It’s an honor.”

  Liana knew Mitch was familiar with Indian food—she had cooked a few curries at the Meriton—but he wasn’t quite ready for Raj’s higher spice level. Mitch requested copious amounts of water but would later boast that the pizza the Kapoors had bought stayed in the freezer.

  Raj eventually steered the dinner conversation toward the future. Liana glanced at Mitch, whose arm was casually draped over her chair. Was he used to being interrogated like this? He was proficient at handling tough questions, but her grandfather was never known to be diplomatic.

  “You’re not retiring then,” Raj said. “You’re pretty old to keep going.”

  “Granddad...”

  Mitch smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, Mr. Kapoor. I’m well aware that I’m at the tail end of my career. I haven’t signed another contract with RugNZ.”

  “Oh, you haven’t?” Raj’s eyebrows rose.

  This was news to her as well. Or to anyone. It hadn’t been in the press, despite widespread conjecture that the Championship was Mitch’s swansong.

  “No, I haven’t,” Mitch confirmed. “But I do have an option to continue with my rugby club for at least one more year. I gave them a verbal commitment before I left, subject to a final medical after this break.”

  “You know, it takes a wise man to know when to stop.”

  Mitch nodded. “My father says the same thing. But he also says to avoid living with regret. I’m still pulling good times and numbers, Mr. Kapoor. And believe me, sir, it’s still a business. No one is going to pay me out of sentimentality.”

  After dinner, Liana showed Mitch the guest room on the top floor. After years of badgering, Liana finally gave in to Moira’s desire to decorate all the bedrooms. In the end, she was surprised by how well Moira understood her aesthetics. Decorated in cream and white, with hints of brown, it was simply furnished with a queen bed, wardrobe, and desk. On the walls were framed, enlarged black and white photos from places her family used to holiday at, insight only a thoughtful best friend would remember. And there wasn’t a single hint of paisley in sight.

  “Lie down on the bed, Mitch.”

  Liana burst out laughing at the look that crossed Mitch’s face. “Don’t get any ideas, Mr. Molloy. My grandparents will hear everything.”

  As soon as he did as he was told, Liana turned off the lights, and a sea of stars appeared through the skylight. She lay down next to Mitch and reached for his hand.

  “Isn’t it beautiful?” she whispered.

  “It is, but they look a little different from our balcony.”

  “You’re in the Northern Hemisphere now. We see different stars and constellations. When we first moved in here, Adam and I used to share this room. But we would sometimes sleep on the floor just so we could go to sleep to that view.”

  Mitch propped himself on one arm, his attention now on Liana. She mirrored his movement before reaching to touch his face. He had a rough growth of beard, but the bruises from almost a month ago were now gone. He tilted his head to kiss the inside of her hand, a pressing kiss she felt all the way to her toes. He moved to close the gap between them.

  She met him halfway.

  Their lips touched softly at first. Then they began searching... engaging. She moved closer, wanting to feel Mitch’s body against hers. He understood that need and pulled her closer. His arms wrapped around her, molding her body into his, his heat penetrating her clothes. Then his hand went under her shirt, on her skin, moving up her ribcage, exploring...

  “Liana? Everything all right?” Anusha’s musical voice pierced through their shroud of privacy.

  Liana groaned. She buried her head in Mitch’s shoulder. “I told you they hear everything.”

  * * *

  The next morning, after a late breakfast, Liana told Mitch that she would be meeting her grandparents at her family’s gravesite. They wouldn’t be too long if he wanted to stay in.

  “Or, I could drop you off in the city center,” she offered. “Plenty to explore there.”

  “I’d like to go with you.”

  “Really?”

  Mitch wiped his mouth with a napkin. “I want to know all about you, Liana. If you’re comfortable with me j
oining you, I’d like to.”

  The morning air was heavy and dense with moisture; few people were out on the sidewalks. They drove west of the city, over the River Exe, to Exwick Cemetery. Mitch admired the gentle slopes of the green hillsides that surrounded them. It was not going to be a warm day, and there was little indication the sun would make an appearance. A low-lying mist crawled through the area, unveiling surprises as it moved.

  The rumble of a fast-moving train was startling. It had been so quiet, he’d almost forgotten they weren’t very far from the city center. He had played in Exeter early in his career, but like so many overseas trips, there was little time for a leisurely exploration of the area.

  Mitch and Liana were just getting out of the car when Raj and Anusha drove in.

  “How was your swim?” Liana asked, first kissing her grandmother then her grandfather.

  “Not bad,” Raj replied. “Nan decided to go for a few extra laps after her water aerobics. It’s why we’re late. Ow.” Raj rubbed the point in his stomach where his wife had elbowed him.

  Ignoring her husband, Anusha spoke to Mitch. “It’s nice of you to join us this morning. Did you sleep well?”

  “I did, thank you. Liana said you’d picked up the croissants this morning. They were very good.”

  Anusha laughed. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, Mitch, but you had the croissants because Liana’s grandfather is a food snob. Everything has to be fresh. It’s a short walk to the bakery, but he makes dinner. So, it’s a fair trade.”

  Mitch’s hand automatically reached for Liana’s as they walked. Raj shared the history of the cemetery, but Mitch sensed Liana’s thoughts were elsewhere. He squeezed her hand. “Are you all right?”

  Liana wrapped her arm around Mitch’s waist and whispered. “They were buried on a day like this.”

  They followed a path that led them up a hill. The closer they came to the top, the quieter the group became. They reached a Celtic cross first.

  “My Irish grandfather brought it all the way from Ireland. He insisted that his only son have a gravestone made from material quarried from his homeland,” Liana explained as she placed her hand at the top of the cross.

  Next to him, under a plain cross, lay Liana’s mother. Adam’s grave was marked plainly with a flat, polished black headstone, flushed to the ground. Liam Murphy had chosen it, and everyone agreed it reflected Adam best.

  Liana fingered the fresh wreath of flowers that hung on her mother’s cross. A smaller one was laid on Adam’s gravestone. She turned to her grandmother. “Stuart? It’s not the anniversary of the accident, though.”

  “No, but he was in town visiting his parents a few days ago,” Anusha said. “He stopped by for a short visit. I had meant to tell you last night, but it slipped my mind. He left you a note as always.”

  Liana turned to Mitch. “Stuart was the boy who had hit us. Nan wanted to meet him a few years later. Ever since then, he leaves flowers on my mother’s and brother’s gravestones, usually on the anniversary of the accident.”

  “You’ve stayed in touch?” Mitch asked.

  “An annual Christmas card mainly. If our paths were to cross, we’d meet for tea or something.”

  “He’s a good person,” Anusha interrupted. “He felt their deaths deeply. It took him years to come to terms with it. He was the one who kept Liana’s bleeding under control. He was a Boy Scout and knew basic first aid. He created a tourniquet with his shirt. The doctors said without it, she could have died.”

  Mitch drew Liana closer, unnerved by the thought of her being injured.

  Raj pulled out a well-worn bible. He read a verse aloud, then, together, Liana and her grandparents recited a decade of the rosary. Mitch watched Raj touch Liam’s cross, move over to trace his daughter’s name, and repeat the action on his grandson’s headstone. Liana put her fingers to her lips and placed them on each of her family’s markers. He didn’t see any tears, but he felt her sorrow.

  As they walked back to the cars, Raj asked, “So, what are you two planning to do today?”

  “I haven’t decided yet,” Liana admitted.

  Anusha offered a suggestion. “There’s no rain in the forecast. Dartmoor would be at its Baskerville-ian best. Then there’s always cream tea...”

  “... at Two Bridges,” Liana finished. “Excellent idea, Nan.”

  They first drove to Hay Tor, one of the more popular stops in Dartmoor. As they walked towards the Tor, Mitch asked about their trip to America. He had noticed they were spending time primarily on the West Coast.

  “I’ve had more contact with the coaches there. I also like that it’s easier to fly the boys home when we need them,” she explained.

  “That’s thinking ahead.”

  She shrugged. “We always have to think years ahead. But in the end, if a player we want is playing in the Russian League, then we fly him home from Russia. The sport is so global, that’s just something we have to factor in.”

  “And do you apply that same principle to your own life, Liana? Plan two to three years ahead?”

  She turned to face Mitch, pausing their walk. “That’s a pretty deep question.”

  He reached for her hands and pulled them around his waist. “It’s the best way to get to know you. Better than reading about it over the internet.”

  “Is that what we’ll be doing this next month? Keep asking each other questions? Should I start a list?”

  “I like that idea! At least one question a day. No subject off-limits, and we promise complete confidentiality.”

  “Complete confidentiality? Uh oh... sounds ominous.”

  “Well, I don’t want you going to the press once you dig up some dirt on me. I need a few more endorsement deals to fund my retirement. You know us ex-professional athletes are always in danger of becoming destitute.”

  Liana laughed. “Fair enough. Are you serious about this? Okay. But you start.”

  They re-started their walk up to the Tor. Mitch frowned then smile. “Let’s see. Right, here’s an obvious one: Who was the first boy you really liked?”

  “As in a real person and not a celebrity? Let me think. It must have been a lad named Johnny Walsh. We were in primary school together. He fancied himself an artist, and one day he left a painting of a daisy on my desk. I remember being so surprised he knew what my favorite flower was. I was heartbroken when his family moved to Wales. What about you?”

  “I was six. And it was the lovely Claire Holmes. She sat in front of me in school and had ginger hair that was always tied in braids. A boy could only stand so much temptation, and I had to pull on them. She turned around and whacked me on the head with our math textbook. I was obsessed with her for three months.”

  “Only three months?”

  “I was moved to the front of the class where Mrs. Hudson could keep her eyes on me.”

  Liana laughed. He couldn’t resist that sound and leaned in to kiss her. It had meant to be a quick kiss but once his lips touched hers, he couldn’t pull away. She responded instantly, her lips demanding. Knowing she wanted him fed the desire that had been simmering inside of him all morning. The rest of the world disappeared. All Mitch felt, sensed, smelled, and wanted was in his arms.

  They were both breathing hard when they parted.

  “May I make an amendment to our ‘getting to know you contract’?” Liana whispered, her arms still around Mitch’s neck.

  “The way I’m feeling right now, Liana, ask for the moon, and I’ll find a way to get it for you.”

  Liana laughed softly. “Nothing so hard. Maybe a request for more kisses like that?”

  Mitch grinned. “Contract or not, you are going to get kissed a lot on this trip. I’ll guarantee that.”

  * * *

  As promised, Liana showed Mitch as much of Devon as she could. They spent half a day in Exmouth. Liana drove by the house where she had spent the first part of her childhood, now unrecognizable because of recent renovations. They then parked by the Esplanad
e, almost empty at that time of the year, and walked the beach at low tide until a sudden storm forced them to run to a nearby pub. They occupied a dark, quiet corner, enjoyed an average pub meal with a couple of pints, and Liana learned she had a ticklish spot just below her earlobe.

  She brought him back to the football grounds where her career began. Their unexpected appearance briefly disrupted practice. It was a homecoming. Charlie and the lads were thrilled to see her and insisted that they meet the team for drinks after practice.

  They headed back to London the day before their flight to California and stayed at Mark’s house in Chelsea. Mark looked at Mitch in surprise when he learned they were to have separate bedrooms. Liana caught it and punched him in the arm. “Knock it off. We’re still getting to know each other.”

  “Please tell me, at the very least, you two are engaging in some serious make-out sessions.”

  Liana avoided answering Mark, aware that her flushed face probably gave him the answer.

  The Tisdales arrived later that evening for a dinner that included Mark’s secret girlfriend. When she was introduced to Mitch, Natasha Warrington immediately apologized for not being a rugby fan but said she’d heard he was “very good.”

  Just a week after Mitch’s arrival in London, at the dining table with four of her closest friends, Liana enjoyed knowing someone was there just for her. She listened as Mitch answered Natasha’s questions about sheep farming, surprising the vet with his knowledge of a study being conducted in New Zealand.

  “My brother is at university for an AgriScience degree. I must have understood more than I thought when he was going on about it,” he said.

  Liana caught Mitch’s eye at that moment. He reached over for her hand and drew it to his lips. She shivered slightly at the touch. She knew she was starting to have deep feelings for this man. It had always been easy to talk to him, but the ease with which he seemed to move into to her life was unexpected. So was the acceptance of him by those whose opinions she valued the most.