by F. C. Clark
‘I know, but they could be involved and they shouldn’t get away with murder.’
‘They may not be involved in her murder, but they might involve themselves in Philip’s death. Ivor could go to prison for killing him. It could also affect me as I was there too. Is that what you want?’
‘Of course not. It just feels unfair.’
‘Kate, if they were involved Philip would have had great pleasure in telling you.’
He turns and looks out of the window. Of course he has a point.
‘Are you grumpy?’ I ask.
His eyes connect with mine. ‘No.’
‘Good. I think we should relive a Christmas tradition: you should cook dinner from your cookbook.’
‘Pour in some more stock, but don’t let the risotto stick.’
‘It is sticking.’ I see a hint of panic on Luke’s face – what a novelty.
‘It will be fine. Pour in the last of the stock and carry on stirring. You’re good with your hands, so this should be a walk in the park for you.’
His eyes dart to me. ‘Maybe I should reserve some energy for later.’
‘Don’t worry, we have mine.’ With that my hand wanders to the waistband of his jogger shorts. I know he is commando – and horny. The evidence is in the palm of my hand.
‘I assume you want to eat tonight,’ he says.
‘Why, are you offering extras?’
He roars with laughter. ‘Thank Christ, I have my wife back!’
We take our plates through to the lounge to eat. I managed to make a small comfortable area using blankets and cushions in front of the crackling fire. Note to self: buy some bloody furniture.
‘Luke, this is lovely.’
He nods. ‘It tastes the same as when you make it.’
‘It does, well done… Do you really hate cooking?’
He shakes his head. ‘My prick-teasing wife makes it fun.’
I giggle. ‘I love it when you need me.’
‘Twenty-four seven, Kate.’
Afterwards, I’m clearing away the last of the crockery when I hear Usher and ‘Scream’ echo around the house – the exact slowed-down version that was played at our wedding. It’s our song. I head to the lounge and there he is, in all his glory, completely naked. Christ, I need him. Dr Jenkins said that my libido might increase when I was pregnant, but where do you go from nymphomaniac?
He walks towards me, holding out his hand. ‘Would you care to dance?’
My body is bound to his request. ‘I would love to dance with my naked husband.’
‘I thought I’d dress for dessert.’
‘I won’t mention cream!’
We fall into each other’s arms, laughing.
Luke slips my T-shirt over my head. ‘Sorry, baby, but you’re completely overdressed.’
He slides his hands down my body and cups my arse, drawing me closer to his erection. His lips meet mine and I run my hands through his hair. The spark between us matches the fire – an undeniable heat.
He breaks away. ‘Christ, if anything happened to you, I…’
‘Don’t, Luke. I’m here – we’re here.’ I take his hand to my stomach. I look up into his eyes, then guide him to the makeshift bed in front of the roaring fire. With no lights other than the flickering flames and the stars shining in through the large windows, this has to be the most romantic of settings. Luke lowers me to the blankets strewn across the floor.
Automatically, I pull him towards me and kiss him with purpose. We have resumed our sexual journey and have fallen into our natural rhythm. He leaves my lips and slowly works down my body, stopping at my nipples.
‘They’re really sensitive, Luke.’
He gently sucks and caresses them with his soft tongue until he hears my breathing alter. Tenderly, his lips cover every inch of my skin, being extra-gentle on my wound and on my stomach. He works his way down my legs, showering them with kisses, and spreading them wider the further he goes.
The touch of his tongue against my clit almost makes me come. My body erupts and buckles with every flick of his tongue, but he holds my legs in place. The circular movements of his tongue are enough. I can hear myself panting. Finally it arrives, like waves crashing against rocks.
‘Luke…’ I manage. His mouth continues to work until the last tremors of my orgasm slowly fade away.
I come round from my delirious state to see my sex god moving between my legs. His mouth meets mine. At the same time, he drives into me.
With each thrust, he buries himself deeper inside me. My hands slide down his back and my fingers almost claw at his skin, which makes him bury his hardness deeper, touching me where I need it. I know where I’m heading – and, more to the point, so does Luke. Soon he cannot hold back any longer.
‘I’m with you.’
‘Christ, Luke.’ My mouth is dry. Ironically, I want to ‘scream’ to the song that’s on repeat.
‘Fuck, baby,’ he whispers as he comes. I watch his chiselled face.
Tonight my orgasm feels more intense, for some reason.
Gently Luke frees himself and lies next to me, allowing his breathing to settle. ‘Are you OK?’
‘Hard and fast, just the way I like it. A perfect dessert,’ I say. ‘It felt like making love.’
‘I like making love to you.’ Luke stands and switches off the music. He rejoins me on the floor and pulls a blanket over our naked bodies.
I roll onto one side. ‘Argh. Sex was painless but lying on my side hurts like hell – this is shit!’
‘Patience!’
‘I’m all out of patience,’ I say through a yawn.
‘Shall we go to bed?’
I look at the time. ‘It’s only eight o’clock.’
He stands and takes my hands to help me up. ‘I’ll watch TV – and you – in bed.’
‘How exciting for you.’
He taps my arse as I climb the stairs in front of him. ‘Bet your arse it is. You’ll be quiet for a change!’
I wake to hear my phone vibrating on the floor. My eyes reluctantly open. Caller ID – Harry.
‘Hi,’ I say.
‘Hiya, where are you? I tried calling the palace,’ she says.
‘Sandbanks.’ I rub my eyes awake and turn to see Luke lying on his stomach, asleep.
‘Sandbanks? Bloody hell, you’re brave.’
‘I know. I had a massive meltdown yesterday, and I mean a full-on iceberg meltdown…’
‘Well, I’m proud of you, that’s a huge hurdle,’ Harry says.
‘Have you spoken to Alexis since Friday?’
‘Yeah, I took Raymond over there yesterday. You don’t mind, do you?’
‘Of course not, she’s part of your life.’
‘I’m ringing for a reason. First, bloody twins! I couldn’t stop laughing.’
‘Thanks for the sympathy.’ I giggle.
‘Oh my God, Mum and Dad will go mad… I mentioned it to Alexis, I hope that’s OK, she won’t say anything.’
‘That’s fine, and we’re going to see Mum and Dad later. Harry, Livy and Edward know.’
‘Of course – why wouldn’t they?’ Harry says.
‘Not the babies, I mean they know about everything: Alexis, Mum, Ivor.’
‘Oh!’ She takes a breath. ‘That’s not like Luke, Mr Secret Agent!’
‘Well, it wasn’t him.’
‘Do you need a gag for your birthday?’
‘Declan saw me leaving Alexis’s apartment. Look, I’ll explain when I see you, but they know what happened to me, and you, and – I’m really sorry.’
‘It’s fine.’
‘I feel bloody awful, but it just came out. Anyway, they won’t breathe a word to anyone, especially Mum and Dad.’
‘OK.’
Shit, I can
tell she’s pissed off.
‘Harry, I trust them with my life. They won’t say anything.’ God, I feel bad.
‘If you trust them, that’s good enough for me. I just don’t want to talk about it – some day, but not today, because I’m calling you for a reason at nine o’clock on a Sunday morning.’ She pauses. ‘Molly’s gone into labour.’
‘Holy shit.’ The first person in our friendship group to have a baby! ‘Is she OK? Hang on, she’s early, right?’
‘About a week, but she’s been ready to burst for the last month. Anyway, Danny called me an hour ago. You’ll see missed calls on your mobile.’
‘Sorry. We were exhausted last night. Luke’s still asleep.’
‘He’s had a lot of shit to deal with, he’s probably shattered.’
‘I worry about him so much, Harry.’
‘He’ll be fine. Christ, with all that 007 training I’m sure he’ll be OK. So, tell me, how are you feeling, yummy mummy?’
My free hand sweeps across my stomach.
‘Fat. I think I’m expanding.’
‘You’re not fat,’ Luke says.
Shit, how long has he been awake?
‘I’ll text you with updates,’ Harry says.
‘OK.’
She goes, leaving me feeling excited for Molly and Danny, although the actual thought of pushing a baby out causes my legs to close – tightly!
Luke pulls me towards him and nuzzles my neck.
‘Molly’s gone into labour,’ I say.
He raises his head. ‘Good news… How far dilated is she?’
I frown. ‘What? I haven’t got a clue. Are you reading up on labour?’
‘Yes.’
I laugh. ‘Really? Are you joking?’ I meet his dark eyes. ‘Christ, you’re not joking.’
‘No – and I have a set of books for you.’
‘Jesus, what am I going to do with Mr Control Freak Sutton?’
I have no time to conjure a plan as he captures my mouth.
‘Hi – any news?’ I ask.
‘No. How long does it take to push a baby out? I tell you what, Kate, don’t you take this long,’ Harry says.
‘I’ll do my best, but remember I have two babies to get out.’ Once again, my legs cross.
‘How long before you’re in London?’ Harry asks.
‘I don’t know.’ I look across at Luke. ‘How long before we’re home?’
‘Put it this way, we’ve driven about ten miles since the last time you asked.’ His brows arch with a degree of frustration.
‘OK.’ I scowl. ‘Sorry, Harry, my personal sat-nav seems a little grumpy.’
‘Hang on, I’ve got a text from Danny.’ She’s silent for a few seconds. ‘Apparently everything’s OK and she’s seven centimetres dilated. I think she needs to be ten centimetres. I’ll Google it.’
‘Don’t bother, Luke seems to be in the know.’
‘What?’ Harry laughs. ‘Why am I not surprised?’
I look across at Luke. ‘Harry said Molly is seven centimetres – it’s ten and then the party begins, right?’
He smirks. ‘Now I’m useful.’
‘Occasionally. Well?’
‘You need…’
‘Wait, I’ll put you on loudspeaker.’ I press a button. ‘Harry, you’re on loudspeaker. Dr Sutton will provide you with the information.’ I laugh at myself.
‘Hi, Luke.’ Harry’s voice echoes around the car.
‘Harry.’ His tone is stern. ‘When she’s ten centimetres dilated the birth canal is fully open. The uterus contracts, finally pushing the baby out… She could potentially have another three hours before she is fully dilated.’
What? I stare at him in disbelief.
‘OK, thanks Luke.’ I can hear the shock in Harry’s voice.
‘Jesus, Luke, how many books have you read?’ Fuck me!
‘Enough. Goodbye, Harry,’ he says gruffly.
‘Bye,’ she says.
I end the call. ‘You’re not the full ticket, Sutton.’
‘Is that right?’ he answers, keeping his eyes on the road.
‘Yes!’ Oh my God, I am literally speechless.
‘I want to know how pregnancy will affect you.’
‘In that case it seems pointless me reading about it. I may as well ask you.’
‘Ignorance is not bliss. If you can prepare for a situation, then you should.’
‘Oh, whatever. I think you should have been a lawyer or something. You exhaust me with words.’
My phone rings just as we enter the outskirts of London. Caller ID – Harry.
‘Hi.’
‘It’s a boy.’ Her voice cracks.
‘Oh my God.’
Luke looks at me.
‘It’s a boy,’ I mouth to him.
‘Danny said they’re both OK. Apparently Molly just had a few stiches.’ I swallow. Oh shit, that will be me at the end of the year. ‘Grayson Daniel Hall, six pounds.’
‘I can’t believe it.’
‘Danny said we could visit once she gets onto the ward.’
‘OK. I’ll see you later.’
With my phone resting on my lap, I take a deep breath. Luke takes hold of my hand and squeezes it.
‘Luke, I think it’s just hit me that I have to do this twice.’
Luke and I enter the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. We take the lift to the postnatal ward, where we meet Harry and Raymond. Kiki and Barney are yet to arrive. Danny soon appears and takes us through.
I’m not sure which one of us cries first watching Molly cradling her son. Luke and Raymond take it in turns to hold him, which starts Harry and me off again. Both men leave the room, taking Danny with them for a coffee break.
‘Molly, he’s so beautiful. You’ve done so well.’
‘Kate, Harry told me what happened. Are you OK?’
I look at Harry. ‘Which part?’
‘She knows everything. I needed to speak to someone apart from you and Raymond.’
I hold my hands up. ‘I’m OK. We’re getting there – right, Harry?’
She nods.
‘Just don’t tell Luke. Christ, this has to be the worst kept secret ever.’
Molly reaches for my hand. ‘You have my word.’
‘I know. Tell me, how was it?’
Molly begins to give a blow-by-blow, stitch-by-stitch account of her labour. Why did I ask?
Then the door opens. ‘Where is he?’ Barney walks through with Kiki behind him.
‘Oh my God, Molly,’ Kiki says as she perches on the bed.
‘Let me hold him,’ Barney says and sits on the chair, cradling the newest member of the pack.
Kiki comes to me. ‘Kate.’ She pulls me into her arms. ‘Declan told me about Philip Cooper,’ she whispers and pulls away. ‘Why didn’t you call me? I would have flown home earlier.’
‘There was nothing you could do.’
‘Jesus, I can’t believe what you’ve been through.’ She looks away. The shock seems to be affecting everyone. ‘He said Livy’s birthday meal was eventful. He feels really bad, Kate.’
‘It’s fine. I get it. I just want to forget about everything.’
‘I would feel the same. But as long as you’re all right.’
‘Listen, while we’re alone, it seems everyone knows about the latest Harper twist – like I said, the worst kept secret! But it stays in this room – forever. Right?’ I look at Harry. ‘Plus, we’ve decided that Mum and Dad don’t need to know what’s happened. You were all with us when the shit hit the fan with all the adoption business. I mean it – this is where it stops.’
‘Not a word,’ Kiki says.
Barney holds his hands up. ‘Russia, guns – I don’t know what you’re talking about.’
&nbs
p; I point to my face. ‘Sandbanks – car accident!’ I say.
They silently accept my story.
‘Good, but I do have some news you can talk about – well, not until tomorrow as I have to tell Mum and Dad this evening… I’m pregnant.’
‘Holy shit, really? Declan never told me,’ Kiki says.
‘I asked him not to. I wanted to tell you myself.’
‘Congratulations, Kate,’ Molly says. ‘Oh God, I just gave you a graphic recap of labour. Crap, you should have stopped me.’
‘Actually, it gets better. I’m pregnant with twins.’
8
I scan the clothes hanging in my dressing room. I have a Harper Jones meeting today, and it’s important that I bring my own style and flair to the table; as the only member of the team with no fashion credentials, I need to sell myself. I decide on a black faux leather high-waisted skater skirt, a white shirt and a fitted black crew-neck jumper. The look is completed with black tights and flat suede over-the-knee boots. I pull my hair into a smart ponytail and apply make-up to cover the last of the bruises.
My appetite still hasn’t returned since Russia, plus I feel nauseous. I don’t know if this is due to pregnancy, or stress. I scan the fridge. Nothing jumps out at me, but I have to eat: granary toast and fruit for three.
‘Morning, Kate,’ Rosie sings. ‘How were your mum and dad?’
‘Excited about the babies, and concerned because of the … accident.’
‘I’m sure they were.’
‘They cried, which set me off. Anyway, talking of babies.’ I look at my watch. ‘Eight hours and counting.’
Eight hours until Rosie’s son Adam arrives.
She comes to my side. ‘I can’t believe he’s arriving today.’
‘How’s Jerry this morning?’
Adam is gay. He and Jerry had a huge argument when Adam came out, and they haven’t spoken since. Jerry is still at war with his own demons: he can’t change that Adam is gay, but he can change his mindset. Rosie never believed the day would arrive when her son and husband could be in the same room without arguing.
‘Quiet. Keeping busy.’
‘Coffee?’ I ask.
‘Please.’