“There’s a bottle open over on the coffee table,” Spencer said. “Help yourself.” He turned instead to Julia. “Let’s get things rolling.”
As they joined the others in the center of the room, Julia sat on the sofa and smiled happily as Sam sat beside her. To her dismay, Deirdre perched on the sofa arm on Sam’s other side. Spencer began the game.
After several rounds, Julia relaxed. The other guests seemed very nice, were of good humor and even congratulated Julia when she answered correctly. By the time her turn came around, she was enjoying herself. As she rose to take the floor, Sam leaned over, pulled her near and whispered. “Don’t you dare try Romeo and Juliet without me.”
Julia smiled and blushed, all the while feeling the burning glare of Deirdre’s stare. Sam continued to whisper. “I hate to leave, but I desperately need a smoke. I don’t mean to rush off in the middle of your performance, but you’re doing splendid, and I’ll be gone but a moment.”
Sam rose and excused himself from the group.
“You really need to give up the smokes, old boy,” Spencer called after him. He then turned to Julia. “Smokes like a chimney, that one.”
“It’s nerves,” Deirdre said, rising from her perch. “You’d smoke too if you were waiting for a part in a bloody movie.” As if indignant, she left the room.
“Come on then, love.” Spencer’s voice penetrated Julia’s curiosity as to where Deirdre might be headed. She returned her attention back to her performance. She drew a deep breath and acted out the three words to “Saturday Night Fever”. Luckily the movie was a big hit over in England as well as the United States, and the group had no problem guessing it.
She returned to couch and tried to focus on the game, but moments ticked by and neither Sam nor Deirdre returned. Had Deirdre followed Sam outside? A spark of jealousy lit her heart, but Julia tried hard to douse it. Sam was her friend. They hadn’t even know each other a week. Deirdre knew him from long ago. Still, Sam seemed to be gone longer than deemed necessary to smoke one cigarette.
“Another drink, Julia?” Spencer interrupted her musings.
“Yes, thanks,” she said, realizing an opportunity when she heard one. “But please, Spencer. Stay with your friends. I can get it.”
“Excellent then, Julia. Please make yourself at home.”
Julia headed to the kitchen. Pretending to search for drinks, she noticed a door that led to a screened-in porch. She tiptoed to it, and as she did, she heard Sam and Deirdre. She stood to the side of the screen door, so as not to be observed, and listened, her interest piqued. Good Lord! She seemed to be the topic of conversation.
“Julia is really none of your business,” Sam said, his deep baritone voice carrying.
Deirdre’s voice remained even and Julia strained to hear it. “She’s a tad young for you.”
Julia raised her eyebrows. She was certainly old enough to go out with Sam if she chose to!
“How long have you two been together?”
Julia’s eyes flew wide open. Deirdre thought they were a couple!
Sam’s voice fell to a whisper and Julia could not hear his reply. She imagined herself as his girlfriend. The thought of him kissing her caused a tingling sensation. Julia startled. She never felt this when she kissed John. Yet, just the mere thought of kissing Sam sent strange jolts of pleasure throughout her entire body. Such a strange and lovely sensation…and so wrong. Sam was her friend. She tried to push the imaginary kiss out from her mind.
“This is a bloody joke!” Deirdre’s voice grew short and sharp. “I’m supposed to believe that you met this Julia on holiday and you’re in love with her?”
Julia clamped her hand over her mouth to stop from laughing. Sam was telling quite the tale.
“And why didn’t you tell me you were going away? I would have gone with you! Oh Sam. We could have had such fun together.”
Sam spoke louder, irritation lacing his words. “I wanted to be alone, to get away and not sit in this bloody town waiting for the phone to ring.”
“You should have called me, Sam. You became lonely there which is why you hooked up with that … child.”
Child? Julia’s ire rose.
“Deirdre,” Sam said, his voice resigned. “We’re not right for each other. You need to accept that.”
“I’ll never accept nor believe that. You need me, Sam, and I want you. Why do you fight this?”
“Because, I don’t need you and I don’t want you.”
“Are you finding your drink all right love?”
Julia nearly jumped out of her skin as Spencer entered the kitchen. She scurried away from door and over to the drinks.
“Yes, fine, thanks.” She reached for a bottle. “I was just getting some air.”
“And a good read on Deirdre and Sam, no doubt,” Spencer said, but his expression was kind. “Deirdre’s a piece of work, hey?”
“I really can’t say,” Julia twisted a strand of her hair. “I don’t know her.”
Spencer moved closer to Julia. “Well, let me fill you in, then, love. Long story short. Sam’s an idiot. Deirdre has it all, beauty, attitude, money; and she wants Sam. And he won’t bite. Why I’d kill-”
The squeak of the screen door interrupted Spencer mid-sentence. Sam walked in, flanked by Deirdre. They both stopped short to find Julia and Spencer in the kitchen.
“Julia. Excellent.” Sam walked up to her, his face grim. “I think we’ll head out.”
Julia glanced at Deirdre. Her face drew taut, her eyes little slits as she watched Julia like a hawk circling it’s prey.
“Um…okay,” Julia said. “Spencer, I had a nice time. Thank you.”
“No problem, love.” Spencer shot her a wink. “And Sam, you take good care of her, you hear?”
Sam offered her his hand and she gladly accepted it, glancing back at Deirdre as she did. The Ice Queen simply glared back.
As Julia and Sam reached the door, Deirdre’s slithering voice filled the hall. “Goodbye, Julia. So lovely to meet you. Now, run along and play.”
Chapter Sixteen
Sam didn’t speak a word as he led Julia to his car. He dropped her hand, unlocked her side and walked around to his own. Julia wasn’t sure what to say, and simply waited in her seat as he started the car and drove off.
A few moments later, and much to her relief, he finally spoke. “The party couldn’t have been much fun for you, but I promised Spencer that I’d pop in.”
“That’s okay.” Julia treaded carefully, unsure as to his mood. His face revealed nothing. “It wasn’t that bad. Spencer was very nice.”
Sam retrieved a cigarette and lighter from his pocket. “You overheard me and Deirdre?”
Julia tensed. “I went in there for a pop, and your voices carried-” No need to tell him they didn’t have far to carry. “Were you pretending I was your girlfriend?”
Sam sighed as he lit his cigarette, inhaled and blew smoke out the window. “Well, let’s just say I didn’t say you weren’t. Deirdre can draw her own conclusions. I suppose I’m not being very cavalier, but it wouldn’t matter what I said. She doesn’t give up.”
“Maybe she really loves you.” Julia hated reminding Sam of the possibility, but didn’t know what else to say.
“Well, I did a lot of thinking in Germany, Julia, and realized I’m not interested in her or her money.”
Julia smiled. She’d hate to see someone as nice as Sam end up with someone as spiteful as Deirdre.
“Look,” Sam said. “The party went abominably. I didn’t know Deirdre would be there. Tomorrow we’ll tour Westminster, have a picnic on the Thames, fun things, just you and me.”
“I’d really like that. But are you sure I’m not taking up your time?” Perhaps you really want to be with Deirdre?
Sam pulled the car alongside the gates to Polly’s home. “No, honestly. I enjoy your company and you’re helping me pass the time while I wait for the call.”
He got out of the car, walked to her side,
and helped her out. “I’ll walk you to Polly’s door. Barnabas will be up if you need anything, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Sam put his arm around her shoulder as they walked up the stairs. Julia’s heart skipped a beat at his touch and a tingle ran up her spine. All to soon, however, they reached the door. Sam removed his arm and rang the bell.
Barnabas greeted them.
“I’ll pick Julia up tomorrow morning at nine, Barnabas.” Sam nodded towards the elderly man.
“Very good, sir.” Barnabas said.
“Good night, Sam,” Julia said, contemplating hugging him as thanks for such a wonderful day. But before she could even finish the thought, Sam bounded down the steps.
Disappointed, she turned and entered the mansion.
“Mrs. McTeel is asleep.” Barnabas stated as he closed the door.
“Oh, okay,” Julia said, her disappointment mounting. She had hoped to tell Mrs. McTeel she met Deirdre.
“Goodnight, Miss.” Barnabas walked down the hall, leaving Julia alone. Unsure of what else to do, she went upstairs to her bedroom. She knew she should sleep, but the evening kept replaying in her mind. Despite Deirdre treating her like an alien, every moment with Sam seemed magic. She remembered how he held her hand and the feel of his skin against hers. She remembered their embrace in the theater and how he didn’t pull away. She loved how he listened to her problems, tried to help, and defended her against her father and Deirdre. With Sam, Julia experienced feelings she barely recognized and they confused her. Was she simply happy to be here or was she falling hard for Sam Lyons?
She chided herself for such thoughts. She’d known Sam less than a week, and in another short week, this lovely trip would be over and she’d return home. This happiness wouldn’t last. Happiness never did.
She undressed, placed her worn clothes in her suitcase and reached for a nightgown. As she lifted the cotton pajama, a sleeve caught on a small picture frame packed in clothing items. She removed the portrait of a smiling young man with rugged good looks, brown hair and boyish freckles. John.
“Oh my gosh,” she said aloud, the realization that she barely missed or thought about him this week hit her hard. Her world now evolved around Sam. The excitement she felt in his presence was an emotion she never felt for John. Even after nearly two years of dating, Julia never let John do more than kiss her or engage in a bit of petting. She knew the girls her age would call her a prude, but she didn’t feel whatever it was she was supposed to feel. And yet, just being with Sam, or the slightest brush of his skin against hers sent sensations surging through her body that she could not ignore. Sam ignited a passion in her with single touch. A sudden longing to be Sam’s girlfriend, and not John’s, rocked her to the core.
Julia placed the frame back in her suitcase and covered it with a sweater. She couldn’t bear John’s brown eyes staring at her when she knew she’d have to end their relationship. Her feelings for Sam made it clear that her relationship with John was nothing more than a glorified friendship, someone to be with in high school.
Julia threw herself face down on the bed as guilt washed over her. “Why is everything so mixed up?”
She glanced at the clock, but realized it would be too early at home to call Kim.
“What am I doing?” Julia thought as tears rimmed her eyes. “I’m in a foreign country falling in love with a stranger, and I have no one to talk to.” She thought of her mother, and wished she could talk with her. But, of course, she couldn’t.
A dam of heartbreak broke deep within her as Julia realized how alone she truly was. And, for the first time since her mother’s death, she relinquished all pretense of happiness, and cried herself to sleep.
Chapter Seventeen
Julia awoke the next morning feeling surprisingly refreshed. Last night’s torrent of tears seemed to be what she needed, and she now vowed to forget any silly thoughts about being in love with Sam. The brightness of the day brought her to her senses. After all, to him, she was just a college-bound kid on a freebie tour of London. He hadn’t shown any romantic interest in her, and once she went home, she’d forget all about him.
“I will remain mature and level-headed,” Julia said as she descended the stairs to join Mrs. McTeel in the dining hall.
Entering the expansive room, Julia found Polly at the head of a finely polished table, which ran near the length of the room. On Julia’s right, portraits of McTeel ancestors in gilded frames adorned the wall, while to her left, crystal clear windows with damask floral curtains ran floor to ceiling.
“Come in, dear,” Mrs. McTeel said. “Come sit with me.”
Julia took the seat to Polly’s left where a second place had been set. Polly’s own plate remained untouched as she sorted through a small pile of envelopes.
“I received a letter from the son of one of my oldest friends,” she said. “He’s stationed over in the Falklands. Seems he met a girl, and may stay on past his tour of duty.”
“Oh, that’s so nice for him,” Julia said.
“His parents will miss him, of course.” Mrs. McTeel offered a resigned smile. “But if love found him, he should grasp for that brass ring and never let go.”
Julia looked down at her plate. She really didn’t need to hear about love, brass rings or anything that might lead her to think illogically about Sam again.
“I’m sorry I missed seeing you last night,” she said, hoping to politely change the subject.
“Oh, not to worry.” Polly passed her a small basket of scones. “My medication makes me sleepy. But I’m glad we have this chance to get together. I hear you’re going out with Sam again, today. Barnabas told me, of course.”
“Yes. We’re going to Westminster.”
“I see.” Polly put her letters aside. “Is everything all right then? You see, I heard you crying last night.”
Julia nearly dropped her butter knife as her face flushed with embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“Not to worry. Sturdy old house, this is, but walls thin as silk. What made you so unhappy, dear? Is Sam treating you poorly?”
Julia replaced the knife on her plate. “He’s very sweet. I’m just a bit homesick.”
“Well, why don’t you ring your parents instead of your girlfriend then?”
Julia didn’t know how to reply. Barnabas must have told Polly she phoned Kim instead of home each evening. She owed it to Polly to be honest. After all, Mrs. McTeel let her board in her home, free of charge, and paid for the phone calls.
She stared down into her lap. “My father doesn’t know I’m here and my mother is dead.”
Polly reached for her coffee. “I see.”
Julia expected a stern look of disapproval or pity, but found neither. Polly’s eyes offered only empathy and security for secrets. Before she knew it, Julia found herself opening to Mrs. McTeel. She told about her mother’s illness, her overly strict father, nursing school and how she met Sam.
Throughout the account, Mrs. McTeel sat and listened. She simply let Julia talk.
“So, I think,” Julia concluded. “That everything just came to a head and I had a good cry, and now it’s done and when I go home everything will be better.”
“You really think so?” Polly’s sudden interjection burst Julia’s the optimistic bubble.
She sat back in her chair, feeling comfortable enough to abandon any pretense of confidence. “No. I think it will be worse, actually. It makes me sad to think about leaving.”
“You’ll miss Sam.” Polly spoke without question or hesitation.
Julia studied Polly. Did Mrs. McTeel suspect her feelings for Sam? Had she been that obvious? She chose her words carefully. “Yes, well, he’s been a good friend. Very trustworthy. Very helpful.”
“You make him sound like a puppy!” Polly shifted in her chair as if insulted. “From here on out we shall call him Rover.”
Julia laughed, and it felt good.
“Now there’s your smile,” Polly helped herself to a
nother cup of coffee. “I will be honest with you, Julia, because frankly, I’m old and I can be and I don’t much care what people think of me at this point, and even if I did care, I’m not sure I would remember it from one day to the next.”
Julia tensed, not knowing what to expect from Mrs. McTeel, this kind lady who boldly spoke her mind.
“The thing is, Julia, Sam needs you and I believe you need Sam. There’s a discontent in you both that I feel when I’m with either of you alone, but when you are together in a room…well, let’s just say, if Sam hadn’t assured me otherwise, I thought you’d been lovers.”
Julia nearly fell off her chair. “It’s not like that.”
“Yes, but it should be. I know when two people are right for each other, mark my words. I was married to Mr. McTeel, bless his dearly departed soul, for nearly forty-five years, and I had many, many proposals before I accepted his. When I was with Michael, I knew he was the one. Just like I know you and Sam belong together.”
“Well, I’m not going to be in London very long,” Julia said, as if by convincing Mrs. McTeel that no relationship could exist, she might convince herself.
“Then you’ve got your work cut out for you, my dear.” It was a commandment, not a suggestion.
Julia wondered what Polly expected her to do.
“And, Julia my dear.” Mrs. McTeel said, rising from her chair. “I suggest you move quickly.”
Chapter Eighteen
Sam slammed down the phone receiver and kicked a book across the floor of his flat. So much for trying to do the right thing. His gallant call to Deirdre to apologize for leading her to believe that Julia was his girlfriend at Spencer’s party only ended with more fighting. Why couldn’t Deirdre accept that he could not marry her? Why did she throw everything back in his face, making him acknowledge what he suspected anyhow, that without her, he was nothing besides a semi-talented actor who would never achieve fame and fortune?
“Once that little Julia goes home,” Deirdre said. “Your head will clear, and you’ll see what you had before she came along. Me.”
A Lonely Sky Page 9