A ripple of applause ran around the spectators, and Leo held his hand up for silence.
‘That’s something I could do with remembering...’ Alex heard Leo’s voice catch suddenly, as if he had something lodged in his throat. ‘What do you do during your sessions at Together Our Way?’
‘I can’t run yet; I need a blade for that. But while I’m waiting I’m improving my fitness by exercising and I can jog... And I like the climbing wall.’
‘I’ll be looking for some advice on that, when I check it out next week.’ Leo shot Alice a grin and she beamed back at him, flushed with her own achievement. ‘Ladies and gents...’
He didn’t even have to say it. The audience was his, and he knew it. One movement of his hand and they roared their approval, while Alice and Hayley clutched each other, waving to the crowd.
CHAPTER NINE
‘ALEX!’
She looked round and saw Hayley’s father signalling towards the door, where a man and a teenage girl were standing, looking around uncertainly. Alex always made sure to welcome any newcomers herself and she took the steps between the seats at a run.
‘Hello. My name’s Alex Jackson.’ She paused to get her breath back and the girl’s face broke into a grin.
‘Hi. I’m Carys.’
Alex had hoped that Carys would come today, and she’d said that her father would be bringing her. She wondered whether Carys had told him that they’d already spoken.
The man held out his hand. ‘I’m Ben Wheeler. I hear my daughter’s been phoning you.’
‘Dad...’ Carys started to protest and Alex smiled at the man. Traces of grey in his hair, and lines around his eyes. His smile seemed weary, as if it was something he had to remember to do.
‘We’re always glad to hear from young people who might be interested in joining us.’ She decided to tread lightly at first.
‘Well, I don’t know whether she’s ready. She’s having problems with the fit of her prosthesis...’
‘Dad!’ Carys frowned, obviously feeling that her father was intent on undermining her.
‘That’s not unusual. It sometimes takes a while to get things right. We can give some help and advice on that, and in the meantime perhaps I can introduce Carys to some of our members.’
‘Right. Yes, that’s...’ Ben rubbed his hand across his head in a gesture of helplessness. ‘Will you be all right on the steps, Carys?’
‘I’m a physiotherapist; I’ll make sure she doesn’t fall.’ Alex put on her most persuasive smile. ‘Why don’t you sit and watch—we’ll be having more races soon.’
She gestured towards a seat, which just happened to be in front of Hayley’s parents, and Ben nodded and sat down. As she turned, she saw Hayley’s father leaning forward to introduce himself.
Carys was looking uncertainly at the steps running down in front of her. ‘Shall we go round the other way? It’s a bit further to walk, but there are no steps.’
‘No. I think I can manage them.’
‘Good girl. We’ll do it together. Left leg first.’ Alex tucked Carys’s hand around her arm, ready to support her if she started to wobble, and Carys carefully lowered her prosthetic limb down the first step.
‘I thought you were going to talk to him...’ They’d got almost to the bottom of the steps, taking it slowly, one at a time, before Carys muttered the words at her.
Alex glanced over her shoulder. Ben had already swapped seats to sit with Hayley’s parents, and a couple of the other parents had wandered over to introduce themselves. ‘It’s like we said on the phone, Carys...’
‘Hi... You’re Carys?’ Leo was suddenly beside her, brimming with restless energy. Carys stared at him, momentarily forgetting all about the three more steps she had in front of her.
Alex waved Leo out of the way and he backed down the steps, giving Carys room to laboriously finish her descent. As soon as she was at the bottom, Carys turned to Leo, obviously deciding that she had a better chance of convincing him than she did Alex.
‘I came for my dad. He’s up there, talking to those people. Will you go and tell him?’
Leo was momentarily at a loss, glancing at Alex, who shook her head. ‘I think it might be better to just allow him to talk to the people he’s with for the time being.’
‘But he’ll listen to you—you’re a doctor.’ Carys was already treating him like a friend, venting her frustration at him. Alex supposed that a lot of people felt they knew Leo after listening to his voice on the radio, and that it must be something of a mixed blessing.
‘What about showing him something? Show him that you can come here and make a few friends.’ Leo was capitalising shamelessly on the artificial intimacy, moulding it into a real one.
Carys looked at Alex, clearly wanting her confirmation. This wasn’t the time to indulge in hand-to-hand combat with Leo. Carys had told her that whatever her father said, her mother promptly took the opposite stance, and she must be pretty used to playing one off against the other. That was one of the problems she was facing.
‘He’s right.’
Leo shot her a surprised look and then warmed to his theme. ‘Your dad’s up there, talking to the other parents. They know exactly how he feels, and I think we ought to give him a chance to hear what they’ve got to say.’
‘Yes.’ Alex nodded her agreement, ignoring the amusement in Leo’s eyes.
‘Okay.’ Carys shrugged. ‘I suppose we could give it a go...’
‘Yeah. Nice one.’ Leo walked her slowly over to Hayley and Alice, making the introductions, and Alice shifted over one seat so that Carys could sit down in between them. Alex watched while the girls started to chat to each other. She’d get Rhona to keep an eye on Carys while she got ready for the next race.
Which reminded her... ‘If you’re going to take part in the adults’ race, then you’d better go and get changed, Leo.’
‘Yeah. Sure thing.’ His smile took on a teasingly confrontational edge. ‘Get ready to be looking at my back all the way round.’
‘In your dreams.’
He feigned a look of surprise. ‘What happened to “Yes”? I was thinking for a moment there that you’d finally got around to realising that everything I say is right.’
‘That was in your dreams too. Go and get changed. And prepare to be watching my back...’ Alex turned, leaving him standing alone, and made her way to the women’s changing rooms.
* * *
The thought of being able to watch Alex’s back all the way round the arena, with no one to accuse him of staring at her, was tempting. Almost tempting enough to make him throw away any thoughts of making a race out of it and slot himself in nicely behind her. But then Alex seemed to see right through him, and she’d probably guess. And if she thought for one moment that he was letting her win, she’d be furious.
He consoled himself with watching her walk away now. Leo knew that each step using a prosthetic leg took more energy than one with your own two legs. Just a little, but over the course of a day it all added up. The controlled, graceful sway of her body showed both the kids and their parents how much they could achieve, what they were working so hard towards.
Everything she did was a delicious reminder of their kiss. That tangled web of so many delights, which even the sharp tang of guilt couldn’t drive from his mind.
It was his own fault. If he hadn’t surrendered to the moment, he wouldn’t be plagued by it now. Nor would he have to keep telling himself that it mustn’t happen again.
‘Leo, Evangeline asked me to come and find you.’ He turned and saw Evie’s minder standing next to him.
‘Yeah? Anything the matter?’
‘Arielle’s not well.’
‘One of her headaches?’ Evie had told him that, since the meningitis, Arielle had suffered from debilitat
ing headaches and dizzy spells, which seemed to come on with no warning.
‘Yep. She’s in the first aid room.’
‘Right. Where’s that?’
* * *
Arielle was lying on the bed in the first aid room, her eyes closed, Evie at her side. When Leo opened the door, she ushered him backwards into the corridor, closing the door quietly behind them.
‘How is she?’
‘Done for this afternoon. She needs to go back to the hotel and sleep this off. Will you have a look at her though, Leo? We’ve got the name of a doctor here but I’ve never met him, and I trust you...’
‘Would you like me to come back to the hotel with you?’ The words fell heavy from his lips. This afternoon had been special in so many ways, and it felt suddenly as if he was ripping himself away.
‘Oh, Leo, would you? I’m not sure whether the flight over here might have affected her...’
‘Of course. I’ve finished everything I need to do here.’ The lie sounded convincing enough to his ears, and Evie accepted it immediately. He’d been spending too much time with Alex lately. She was the only one who would have questioned him on it.
‘I feel so bad about leaving now. So does Arielle—those kids have so much heart.’
‘Why don’t you stay? I’ll take care of Arielle and stay with her until you get back.’ It was the obvious solution. Leo’s place was with anyone who needed him, not with Alex, however loath he was to admit that.
‘Would you mind? Arielle asked me to stay, but I can’t have you going with her while I’m here...’
Leo laid his hand on her arm. ‘It’s not a problem. These kids deserve all the support we can give them. Does Arielle have a copy of her medical records with her?’
‘Yes, it’s on the dresser in her room. Along with her medication.’
‘I’ll find them.’
Evie took the microphone from his hand and wound her arms around his shoulders, kissing him on the cheek. Leo hugged her. She was acknowledged as one of the most beautiful women in the world and no man in his right mind could fail to notice that. Only all he could think about was that she wasn’t Alex.
‘Do me a favour, would you, Evie?’
‘Of course.’
‘The little guy, Sam. Red hair and freckles—he’s been following you around all afternoon.’
‘He’s such a cute kid. What about him?’
‘Alex told me he loves being in the races, even if he always comes last. Make sure he gets a cheer when he runs, eh?’ Leo knew he’d get one anyway but he’d so wanted to be there, cheering for Sam himself.
‘Of course I will. You’re not the only one who can work a crowd, you know.’
‘I know. Now, get out of my way, will you. I’ve got a patient to see.’
* * *
Alex was eating a sandwich at her desk, in lieu of Sunday lunch, when her phone rang. That was Leo all over. She’d waited up last night, hoping he would call after leaving so abruptly, and he hadn’t, and now that she’d managed not to think about him for five consecutive minutes he’d called.
‘Hi. Where are you?’
‘At my office.’
‘Had lunch yet?’
‘Yes, I’ve just eaten. How’s Arielle?’
‘Much better. Some people do suffer from headaches after they’ve had meningitis. It’s a concern, of course, and Arielle naturally gets worried by it, but it’s unusual for meningitis to recur. I called in this morning and she was fine.’
‘That’s good. I was wondering... I’d like to send her something, just to say thank you for coming and that I’m glad she’s feeling better. I did think of flowers, but I guess she and Evie probably have whole roomfuls already...’ Perhaps Leo could suggest something. Alex hoped he could because she had absolutely no idea what would be appropriate.
He chuckled. ‘Yeah, it’s a bit like Kew Gardens in there. I don’t know how Evie stands it; I was sneezing all evening.’ He paused for a moment to think. ‘Do you have any photos from yesterday? I saw Rhona brandishing a camera.’
‘We should have. Hold on, I’ll look and see whether she’s uploaded them onto the server yet.’ Alex opened the images folder and saw a new folder with yesterday’s date on it. ‘Yes, they’re there.’
‘Why don’t you pick out some nice ones and send them with a personal note? That’s something I’m sure they’d both really appreciate.’
‘It’s not very much...’
‘It’ll be perfect.’ Leo’s tone suggested that the matter was dealt with and that he was already moving on. ‘You’ll be there for a while?’
‘I think I’ll pop out now and get a card to send with the photos. And I’ll need a thumb drive too. I’ll be back in half an hour.’
‘In that case, I’ll see you then.’
That question also appeared to be dealt with in Leo’s mind because he didn’t wait for an answer before hanging up. Alex stared at her phone.
‘Yes, half an hour’s convenient for me, Leo.’ She dropped the phone back onto her desk. It really didn’t matter if it wasn’t, because it appeared that Leo would be coming anyway.
* * *
The card for Arielle sat in front of her on the desk and Alex was holding her pen, ready to write something as soon as inspiration struck her, when a quiet knock sounded at the door and it swung open.
She was getting used to the fact that all doors were open to Leo, and didn’t bother to ask how he’d got into the building without pressing the night bell. Probably a couple of the people downstairs, who were busy preparing for a case in court tomorrow.
And who wouldn’t let Leo in anywhere? He always looked as if he belonged, wherever he went. He’d made some concession to this being a Sunday, dark jeans and a charcoal sweater, his blond hair slightly more rumpled than usual. Of course, it was all artifice. Leo was never really off-duty; it just suited him to look as if he was from time to time.
‘I thought you might need something to keep you going. Ready for a Tellurian cocktail?’
So he remembered. She couldn’t attach too much importance to that, because she’d then have to attach an equal importance to the fact that she remembered too. And that particular episode of their lives was over now. They’d kissed it goodbye.
‘I’m not sure I’ll be ready for another one of those for at least another ten years.’ It was tempting, though. Leo was tempting.
‘They’ve improved a great deal.’ He sauntered over to her desk, revealing what he’d been holding behind his back. Two crystal glasses that shone in the feeble afternoon light and a cocktail shaker.
‘I seem to remember that pouring them down the sink was about the only thing that anyone could have done to redeem them.’
‘Harsh, Alex.’ He laughed. ‘Don’t you think that anything can be redeemed with a little work?’
Maybe. But Leo was working on all the wrong things.
‘I’m not sure blue’s my colour...’
‘Blue is everyone’s colour. Particularly yours...’
He opened the cocktail shaker and poured a measure into each glass. Maybe it was her imagination but the blue liquid was slightly less vivid than the original Tellurian cocktails. It actually looked quite intriguing.
Leo put a glass into her hand and sat down in the chair next to her desk. ‘We should make a toast. To all we can achieve.’ He tipped his glass towards hers.
‘Yes. All we can achieve.’ It sounded like a good toast. Alex took an exploratory sip from her glass.
‘Oh! That’s quite nice.’ She took another sip. ‘Actually, it’s very nice.’ Not too much sweetness, but just enough to temper the bite.
He smiled. ‘Want to take a guess?’
‘Hmm. Blue curaçao, obviously.’ She took another sip. ‘I’m not sure what else, th
ough...’ If there was another spirit, it had to be colourless. ‘You haven’t laced this with vodka, have you?’
He arched one eyebrow. ‘No. I’m going for taste, not trying to get you drunk.’
‘That’s good to hear.’ Alex took another sip, just to show him that she could handle it. ‘So what are you here for, Leo?’
‘Would you believe Sunday afternoon cocktails?’
‘No. You said it yourself, Leo. There’s no such thing as just drinks. What are you here for?’
‘To apologise for rushing off like that yesterday.’
‘You don’t have to apologise. I know you had to go. I’m just happy that Arielle’s all right.’
‘Yeah. I guess it was my loss. There’s something else.’ He reached into his back pocket and brought out a folded envelope. ‘I was talking to Alice yesterday.’
‘Yes?’
‘She says that running blades aren’t automatically supplied on the NHS, and that her family can’t afford to pay for one. You’ve been helping her to put applications in for funding, but she’s not been successful yet so she’s got herself a job.’
Alex quirked her mouth downwards. ‘Yes, that’s right. She stacks shelves in the supermarket a couple of evenings a week but that’s not going to cover it. I’m going to have to think of something...’
Leo leaned forward, handing her the envelope. Alex opened it and drew out a folded sheet of notepaper. When she opened it a cheque fell out.
She read the letter carefully. Leo’s donation to the charity was to be anonymous, and it was to be used to buy Alice’s running blade. Alex caught her breath, blinking back the tears.
‘Is that enough?’
‘It’s more than enough. This would pay for her blade and the upkeep for a couple of years.’ It was what Alex had been praying for. Her fingers shook as she put the cheque down on the desk.
‘This is...’ She thought carefully about what she wanted to say. ‘This is a wonderful act of generosity, Leo. Thank you.’
‘It’s my pleasure.’
‘And you’ve tied my hands. I have to accept it.’
A flicker of doubt showed in his face. ‘I sense a but coming.’
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