“Hello,” Tom said, holding her gaze as he walked in through the door.
One step at a time, she told herself, walking toward him. When he took hold of her hands it seemed natural and right. “Hello,” she responded, closing her fingers around his.
He drew her slowly toward him, bit by bit as though afraid that she’d resist, until they were so close that she could feel his breath against her skin, so close that his heart seemed to beat against hers in total harmony, as if they were one being. And when his lips brushed hers in a butterfly kiss she quivered deep inside, reaching up to wrap her fingers around the nape of his neck.
“Oh Ali,” he murmured as she drew his lips back down to hers, meeting their softness with a passion that left them both reeling.
When a loud knock suddenly came on the door they jumped apart. Ali giggled. “We’re like a couple of teenagers,” she said.
“Ali!” called Lily. “Are you in there?”
“Coming,” she responded, self-consciously running her fingers through her hair. As she turned away Tom stepped forward, taking hold of her shoulders to place a kiss against the soft skin of her neck, and for a moment she hesitated, her heart pounding in her ears as she fought off the temptation to just turn into his arms again.
“Ali!” Lily’s voice came more urgently now.
“You’d better let her in,” Tom said. “She’s obviously worried about you.”
When Ali opened the door Lily burst into the hallway. “Are you okay?” she asked. “Is Daisy all right?” Suddenly she spotted Tom and a broad smile spread across her face. “He’s kissed you, hasn’t he,” she cried.
Ali glanced at Tom, feeling her face heating, but he just shrugged and raised his eyebrows with an amused smile.
“Don’t take any notice, Ali,” he said. “Lily’s been telling me to kiss you for ages and now she thinks it was all her doing...and anyway, even if I did kiss Ali—” he turned to look meaningfully at Lily “—and I’m not saying I did, then it’s our business and it has nothing to do with your nagging.”
Lily’s blue eyes were bright with excitement. “So...have you fallen in love with him?” she asked.
“I think it takes more than one kiss for people to fall in love,” Ali said with an amused smile, very aware that she needed to be totally honest with Tom and determined to tell him about Jake’s visit. “You can help me feed Daisy if you like. She’ll be waking up any time now. Please, will you just go and see if she’s stirring, I need to talk to Tom about something.”
“Well?” asked Tom when Lily had left the room. “What is it?”
She looked down at her hands. “I don’t want there to be any secrets between us so you need to know that just before you arrived my ex turned up.”
“Were you expecting him?”
“No... I told him about Daisy before she was born but he didn’t want to know.”
“And now?”
“I don’t know because I didn’t answer the door.”
Tom leaned toward her, his eyes dark with concern. “So what if he wants you to give your marriage another go...for Daisy?”
“We’re over, Tom. He can see her if he wants to, of course, he’s her father, but our marriage is finished.”
“Does he drive a big flashy car,” Tom asked.
Ali nodded. “Usually.”
“Then I think I saw him driving into the village. Perhaps he was looking for accommodation. After all, he isn’t going to come all this way and not see you, is he. You’ll have to talk to him, Ali, and find out what he wants.”
“But I don’t want to see him,” she insisted.
Tom stood then, calling for Lily. “Perhaps that’s because you’re afraid of seeing him,” he said sadly as his sister appeared in the doorway. “Sorry, Lil,” he said. “We need to go. I forgot that I’d arranged to see Dad about something and Mum will be worried about you. Please will you put Snowy’s lead on?”
“I can come back tomorrow though?”
“Of course you can,” Ali said, trying to smile.
“You can leave Snowy here with Freckles if you like, Tom,” Ali suggested as Lily ran off to put on his lead. They both knew that she was grasping at straws. “You could call and collect him on your way home.”
For a moment Tom held her gaze and a pink flush ran up her throat. “Best if you sort things out with your ex first, Ali,” he said. “Make sure you know what you really want.”
“I already know,” she said but he had turned away.
Ali watched as they walked off together, along the shoreline. Tom so straight and purposeful with the little white dog at his heels and Lily skipping along beside him like a schoolgirl. A flood of emotion rushed over Ali; after everything that had happened, her mother’s death, finding her dad and then losing him again, her mess-up of a marriage and the tragedy of Bobby, her pregnancy, finally it had felt as if everything was getting back on track. Lily had asked her if she loved Tom and she’d wanted to say yes because he was the kindest, straightest, most wonderful man she had ever met... And now she had Jake’s visit hanging over her; how much more could life throw at her...or maybe she and Tom just weren’t meant to be.
* * *
AS JAKE WALKED back to his car, he was fuming. Why wasn’t Ali at home? She had a young baby. She should be there.
He’d imagined this moment, just walking in and taking her by surprise when her guard was down. She’d be mad at him, but he could always talk her round and he’d had his speech all ready.
I know I’ve messed up, Ali, but you know you’ve always been the one for me. I may have had a bit of a glitch but now I’m really ready to settle down and be a family with you and Daisy.
Oh well, he decided, it was only a matter of time. He’d find somewhere to stay tonight and come back in the morning. He’d noticed an old pub down in the harbor, or he could stay at the B&B he’d spotted near the church in the village center. After deciding to try the pub first he got into his car and drove slowly through Jenny Brown’s Bay, thinking what a lovely village it was; perhaps he and Ali could settle down here. Not in that pokey cottage of course. They could find a proper family house on the outskirts. Filled with enthusiasm he pulled up outside The Fisherman’s Inn and went inside, leaning his head down to negotiate the low entrance.
An elderly gray-haired woman was behind the bar. “Hello,” she said. “What can I get you?”
Jake glanced around, noting a group of men at the other end of the bar drinking lager. “I’ll have a pint please,” he said. “And a room and a meal, if that’s possible.”
“Drink first,” she suggested. “And then I’ll book you in and get you a menu.”
The three men looked at him curiously and he raised his glass. “You must be locals,” he said. “Do any of you know Ali Nicholas? She has a young baby, Daisy?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
WALKING SLOWLY HOMEWARD with the evening sun on his back and a song on his lips for the first time in over a year, Ned thought about the talk he’d had with Tom. It had really made him see things differently and helped him face up to a lot of stuff—demons, he supposed they were, things he’d struggled to come to terms with. Now that he’d gone to see Ali, he felt as if he’d really got past all that. He’d misjudged her, he knew that now, and he’d laid all the blame at her door when he, too, had been guilty. He felt so much better after their conversation, as if he’d actually done something to feel proud of. Maybe it was time for him to get back to the way life was before, even perhaps have a little fun again.
On a sudden impulse he pulled out his phone and scrolled down to Nick’s number. “Hi, Nick...it’s Ned. Fancy a night out tonight, just a few pints at The Fisherman’s... We could even go into town later if you fancy it. Give Harry a call, too, if you like.”
The answer came at once. “Bit late for that, Ned, we’re already here. Hurry u
p and get yourself spruced up. We’ll order you a pint. It’s about time you joined us on a night out again.”
The three friends were on their second drink when the stranger came in to the pub. He looked sure of himself, assertive and well dressed, definitely not a fisherman or a farmer. Ned heard him trying to book a room and then he raised a glass to them and asked them about Ali.
Ned turned cold inside and Harry cast him a quick glance. “Might do,” he said. “What’s she to you anyway?”
The man took a long swig of his drink and looked at them with an arrogance that made Ned’s blood boil. “She’s my wife and Daisy is my daughter. I’ve come to take them home.”
When Ned stepped forward Nick placed a restraining hand on his arm, knowing his friend only too well. “Leave it, Ned,” he said in a low voice. “Just get the facts first.”
Leaving his companions at the bar, Ned went to find Tom, wondering what was going on. Had he finally accepted Ali only to find out that she really was a two-timing schemer after all, someone who just used people for her own ends as he’d first suspected? It would break Tom’s heart.
His mum was in the back, working in the kitchen. “Have you seen Tom?” he asked.
She shook her head, concerned at the expression on her son’s face. She knew how much he’d been struggling, but according to Tom he was over it now. “He should be here soon though,” she said. “He’s bringing Lily back and he wanted to talk to your dad about a problem with the boat... What’s up anyway?”
For a moment Ned hesitated, wanting to offload his worries; no point in upsetting his mum, though, he decided, at least not until he was sure. “Nothing,” he said. “It’s nothing important. If you see him before I do, will you tell him I need to talk with him?”
“Yes of course,” she agreed with a puzzled frown. Would there ever be a time when she didn’t need to worry about her sons, she wondered.
Ned saw Tom and Lily approaching as soon as he stepped outside. Something about the expression on his brother’s face rang alarm bells in his head. “Tom,” he called. “Do you have a minute? I need to talk to you about something.”
Tom stopped. “You go on,” he said to Lily before turning back to Ned. “Okay,” he said. “What is it?”
As Ned reluctantly told him that Ali’s ex was in the bar Tom cursed under his breath. “She told me he was here,” he said. “But she said she didn’t want to see him...”
“I’m sorry, Tom.” Ned reached across to give his brother a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “But I don’t think that’s how he sees it. He was bragging about how he’s come to take them home... Perhaps you should just go and ask him what he’s about.”
“Too right I will,” Tom agreed, heading off into the pub.
Jake was still at the bar, complaining that his food was taking too long.
“I believe you’re looking for Ali,” Tom said, stepping up beside him.
“My wife you mean,” Jake responded, glaring at him. “How do you know her?”
Tom hesitated for a moment. “She’s a friend of mine.”
“Not too good a friend, I hope,” Jake remarked with an amused, arrogant smile. “I’ve come to get her and the baby. We’re going to be a real family now and...”
“She told me you were over and your divorce will be through at any time,” Tom cut in.
Jake just shrugged. “Well you can’t be that good a friend or you’d know how fickle Ali is. She’s on and off with everyone but she always comes back to me eventually. This time we’re going to really try and make a go of it...for Daisy.”
“I don’t believe you,” Tom told him, longing to wipe the smug smile off his handsome face.
“Believe what you like but I was round at her cottage earlier and I’m going back there later on...to talk about our future.”
“I don’t believe that you have a future with Ali,” Tom said.
Jake shrugged. “Think what you like but it really has nothing to do with you.”
Anger bubbled as Tom forced himself to turn and walk away.
“I’m so sorry bro,” Ned said, “Perhaps we got Ali wrong after all...”
Tom set his jaw. “No, Ned... Ali told me it was over with him and I really believe she thinks it is. There’s a baby to consider in all this though. Whether I like it or not he is Daisy’s dad and Ali has to be sure... So I’m not going to interfere.”
“But don’t you think you should fight for her if you really care?” Ned asked.
Tom looked his brother in the eye, wanting to be honest. “The thing is, Ned... I believe her now, about Bobby and about her ex. It’s just...”
“What, Tom, it’s just what?”
“Oh I don’t know. To be honest, if it did go somewhere with Ali and me I’m still not really sure that I could ever expect her to be the wife of a fisherman. Let’s face it, Ned, it would be a life darkened by worry and possibly grief. She’s a journalist and he’s wealthy and successful, they’re far better suited than Ali and I will ever be. Even if we did get together, she’d probably end up regretting it.”
“If you’re having doubts about her then...” Ned began.
“I don’t have doubts about my feelings for her,” cut in Tom. “It’s the other way round... I’m just not sure if she really knows what she wants.”
Tom said goodbye to his brother and left the pub, more confused than ever. Talking to Ned had made him face up to all his doubts—about Ali, about himself and about his way of life.
He’d go and see his dad. Talking boats and fishing always took his mind off his problems; when he finally set off for home, just after nine, his head was still full of doubts and recriminations.
* * *
AFTER TOM AND Lily left, Ali made sure that Daisy was settled and then sat and waited for Tom to come past on his way home. He might not intend on stopping by but she had to make him listen to her, had to make him see that she and Jake really were over. If necessary she’d wait all night.
Darkness fell and outside Ali could hear the swish of the tide rushing up the shore, but still there was no sign of Tom. Daisy mewled in her crib, like a little kitten wanting attention, and Ali gently stroked her baby-soft hair back from her face. Daisy had just slipped back to sleep when she heard a knock on the door. Jumping up, her heart echoing in her ears, she ran to answer it... So he had stopped by after all.
“Hello,” said Jake as she flung the door wide. “I’ve come to see my daughter.”
She moved forward to block him but he stepped boldly around her.
“Aren’t you going to put the kettle on?” he asked. “We have a lot to talk about.”
“How dare you just walk into my house,” cried Ali, as Jake marched inside and shut the door behind him. “You have no right.”
He looked at her with an amused smile. “I have every right. You are my wife and the mother of my baby... Where is she by the way?”
“It’s over between us, Jake, I told you that. You are Daisy’s dad and you can see her, on my terms, but you have no right to just come walking into my life like this. I want you to leave right now and I’ll sort out a suitable time for you to meet her.”
“No time like the present,” Jake said. “Come on, Ali, you owe me that at least.”
“I owe you nothing, Jake,” Ali said, picking up her phone. “And if you don’t stop harassing me then I’ll call the police.”
“Oh Ali...” Jake stood in front of her, sounding sad and morose. “We were in love once, don’t you remember? Surely you don’t begrudge me seeing the child that was born of our love.”
Panic flooded over Ali; he had no right to make her feel guilty, no right to just invade her privacy like this. “You can see Daisy and then I want you to leave,” she said.
As if on cue Daisy began to cry. Jake hurried toward the sound, stopping next to the baby’s crib to stare at h
er in awe. “Let’s get back together, Ali,” he said, reaching across to take her arm. “We were good together once and now we can be a real family... All that...stuff, was just a midlife crisis, it meant nothing to me. This—this is real.”
“No, Jake,” she insisted. “We’re over and you’ll just have to get used to it.”
“Well then just let me feed her,” he pleaded. “Let me hold my daughter in my arms and give her a bottle...then I’ll leave, for now.”
“When you see Daisy again, it’s on my terms only, Jake,” she said. “I set the rules; I already told you that. You can give her a bottle and then you have to go.”
As he sat down on the settee and took Daisy in his arms, Ali stood impatiently and waited for Jake to get tired of the job. Daisy took her milk greedily, sucking hard on the nipple until it was gone. Ali rushed to take the bottle as soon as it was empty. “There,” she said. “I’ll take her now.”
When she reached out her arms Jake ignored her, refusing to let go. “Please, Jake,” she said. “She needs changing...give her to me.”
He lifted her up against his chest when it happened. One minute there he was, all smart and tidy in his stylish clothes, and in the next spit-up covered his chest and jacket.
Ali wanted to laugh, wanted to tell him it served him right, but she bit her lip and took the baby. “I’ll just see to Daisy and then I’ll do something about your clothes,” she said.
“Never mind the baby,” he roared, “Get this stinking vomit off me...now.”
“Baby comes first,” Ali told him, hiding a smile. “This is just part of being a parent.”
“Tell you what, Ali,” he said coldly, standing up. “Maybe I’ll come another day. I wanted to give us another chance but I can see that trying to convince you tonight is just a waste of time.”
Ali stood, Daisy in her arms. “Tell me the truth, Jake,” she said. “I know you too well to believe that you’ve come back here to try and be a family man when you’ve never wanted kids. What is it really...money perhaps?”
To Ali’s surprise he seemed to shrink before her. “If you must know I’ve been made redundant,” he admitted, looking anywhere but at her. “And I’ve let a couple of mortgage payments slip... Truth is I’m in trouble, Ali.”
A Home for Her Baby Page 20