Different Genes

  She climbed the stairs wearily and checked the ansaphone. There were no messages.

  Simon reached his house and also checked the phone. There was one message.

  “Dad, Sophie has an inset day on Friday, and we forgot. Can you have her?” He rang his eldest son. “What time are you dropping her off then, Joe?”

  “7.30 am. Can you do breakfast? I’ll pick her up at 6 pm.”

  Simon had wanted to arrange a second meeting with Louise on Friday. He could, of course, ask for her help, but she might feel used. She had no children of her own, but she was a teacher. ‘Did teachers actually like children?’ he wondered.

  Simon messaged Louise through Senior’s Dating. Louise read the message straight away.

  Dear Louise,

  I SO much enjoyed your company today and want to see you again very soon, if you are willing.

  Louise felt very positive.

  Unfortunately, another woman is standing in our way.

  Louise was frightened to read on.

  On Friday, I have been imposed upon to mind my granddaughter, Sophie. She is a delightful child, but she is only six, so her attention span is limited. How would you feel about having lunch with me and Sophie at the Windmill in Hastings, where they have an indoor soft play area, then maybe a trip to Alexandra Park? I will pick you up if you like? Then hopefully we could plan something for just you and me at the weekend? If you haven’t seen Fantastic Beasts, it is on at the Odeon.

  There was lot to take in. Suddenly Louise’s life had moved from empty to over-full. She only had Thursday to prepare for her outing with Simon.

  Dear Simon,

  Of course I will come with you and Sophie on Friday. If you pick me up, I can show Sophie (and you) my studio before we go to the Windmill. I would also very much like to watch the film with you.

  Let me know what time you will come.

  Louise x

  Simon hoped the x was significant and regretted not signing off his own message similarly.

  At 9 pm Simon noticed that Louise was connected to Senior’s Dating Chat. He hoped she wasn’t talking to someone else. He clicked on her name.

  “Are you awake?”

  “Yes, just about.”

  “I’m sorry about Sophie.”

  “It’s fine. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “I will be at yours at about ten. I have your address.”

  “You can park round the back.”

  “I’m looking forward to it, Goodnight, Lou xx”

  “Goodnight, Simon” xx

  The following day she persuaded her hairdresser to fit her in again, this time to renew her highlights. She was feeling better and began to like her reflection in the salon mirror. It gave her extra confidence. She wandered into a little designer shop and bought a new top. At 9 pm a text arrived.

  So looking forward to tomorrow. Sleep well, Louise xx

  Night, night, Simon xx

  Louise slept badly. Despite the night light, just after midnight, dreams invaded her rest. She was sitting in the dark, and Simon was holding her hand.

  “You can’t have him, Lou, Lou. You are mine.” And Nana ripped her hand away from Simon. She woke in a sweat and began to shiver. Once again, all the lights in the flat had to be turned on.

  Despite the broken night, Louise was up, dressed and ready, when Simon and Sophie knocked on the door at 10 am. Simon was once again struck by how attractive she looked.

  “Sophie, how lovely to see you! Your Grandad has told me lots about you. Would you like to come inside and see where I do my painting?”

  “Yes, please, Louise.”

  “The stairs are steep, so will you hold my hand?”

  Sophie slipped her hand into Louise’s grip, and they ascended together. At the top, she turned to Simon. “I told you it was steep.”

  “I need oxygen,” he pretended to gasp.

  Simon, Louise and Sophie sat at the central table for squash and biscuits. Louise put a large blank sheet of paper on one of her easels and allowed Sophie to paint colours in large swirls across the surface.

  “Like a real artist,” announced Louise.

  “Like an amazing helper,” Simon said quietly to Louise, and he slipped his arm around Louise’s waist momentarily as they stood and watched the childish art.

  “This place is fantastic, Lou.”

  “I’m pleased you like it.”

  Louise put Sophie’s completed picture into a large plastic envelope for her to take home. The next hour was taken up with descending the stairs, settling into the car and the journey to Hastings.

  “Can Louise sit in the back with me?”

  “No, Sophie. Louise is mine for the journey. You have your books.”

  “Okay, Grandad.”

  They arrived at the Windmill and enjoyed a child-friendly lunch, whilst Sophie enjoyed the soft play area.

  A quick walk in the park followed, and Sophie was allowed to run through the trees. Simon took Louise’s hand, until Sophie ran towards them, shouting “Chase me, Grandad!” He ran after her and whisked her up into the air. “Time to go home, Sophie,” he called out. With Sophie still dangling under his arm, he returned to Louise.

  “I’m getting too old for this.”

  “It was pretty impressive,” smiled Louise, and she watched, as Simon lowered Sophie to the ground, carefully securing her hand to prevent her running off. They returned to the car for the journey back to Robertsbridge. Sophie fell immediately silent in the car, and Simon soon realised she was asleep. Once in Robertsbridge, Simon turned to Louise from the driving seat and spoke quietly.

  “I’m sorry, I feel really bad, but I will have to leave you here. I don’t want to wake Sophie, or she’ll be truly horrible. I daren’t come in. Thank you so much for your help today.”

  “I didn’t do much.”

  “You did masses. I will pick you up for the cinema at one thirty tomorrow. Is that okay?”

  “I’m looking forward to it.” Simon wanted to kiss Louise, but would not leave the car. He touched her cheek, before she got out. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he whispered.

  Louise was both exhilarated and exhausted. She climbed the stairs, turned on the light, then lay on her bed and fell fast asleep. When she woke at midnight, she realised she had missed a goodnight message from Simon.

  The next day, she watched for his car, until he finally swung into the car park behind her flat. By the time he had rung the bell, she was half way down the stairs in her coat. She opened the door for him, and he held out a large bunch of flowers.

  “To say thank you for yesterday.”

  Louise took the flowers and looked at the stairs. “I need to put them in water. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “I’ll go. Give me your key.”

  And Simon shot up the stairs to put the flowers in the sink.

  He returned a few minutes later. “Did you realise you’ve left all the lights on?”

  “It will be dark, when I get back.”

  He placed his hand lightly against her back and led her to the car.

  “No children allowed today,” Simon announced as he opened the passenger door.

  “She was very sweet, Simon, and very well behaved.”

  “Better behaved with you there.”

  They climbed into Simon’s car. The anticipation of an afternoon alone together had increased their apprehension, and they chatted only intermittently on the twenty-minute drive to Hastings. Simon parked his car on the seafront and bought a ticket from the machine. A sharp coastal wind attacked their faces, as they left the car, and they hurried to the shelter of the town. They arrived at the cinema in plenty of time for the film. The cinema was not full, so they chose two seats in the empty third row of the
raised level. Once settled, Simon took Louise’s hand and twisted his fingers between hers. She felt the effect of his touch ripple through her entire body. The closeness between them was both emotional and sexually inviting. Simon was tempted to kiss her, but was aware that they were visible to the people in the seats behind. He contented himself with pressing his leg against hers. He resisted the temptation to explore her body further. Fortunately, the film was engaging despite their constant awareness of each other. They both enjoyed the fast action and compelling storyline of the movie.

  They slowly adjusted their eyes to the light as they left the cinema and found Simon’s car. They were very quiet on the drive home. When they reached Louise’s studio, Simon got out of his car and opened the door for Louise. He pulled her into his arms, and finally kissed her for a very long time. There was no hesitation, and she was surprised by his confidence and his passion. She felt overcome by a mixture of desire and fluctuating emotions. Simon eventually broke away and spoke. “Louise, I am not coming in to your studio. I am overwhelmed with longing for you, and it is too soon. It isn’t fair on you. Can I see you tomorrow?”

  “Yes.”

  He kissed her one final time, watched her let herself in to her flat, and drove off.

  Thirteen

  Lovers

  Simon arrived at 11 am the following day. Louise had left the ground floor front door unlocked, and Simon climbed the stairs to the top floor. He tapped on the inner door and entered. Louise was distracting herself with paperwork. She sat at the large central table in the studio ready to sort through one of Joan’s folders. She lifted the flap and fingered the contents.

  She looked up, “I’m just sorting through some papers my mother left. Oh look, it’s one of my school reports from Herts and Essex High.”

  Simon sat down beside her.

  “And what will it tell me about you?”

  “It will probably say that I should concentrate more on Maths and English.”

  “Let me see.” He took the report from her.

  “You’re right.” He read out loud the ‘Headteacher’s Comments’.

  “Louise would be even more successful, if she devoted as much time to her academic studies as she does to her artwork.”

  Simon felt the closeness of Louise’s face, as they held the school report together. He lifted his hand and touched her cheek. They were both motionless, while they absorbed the moment. He brushed his finger across her mouth. She breathed deeply, stood up and walked to the studio window. The light cast shadows against her silhouette. He was once again struck by the arch of her neck and the shape of her upper body. He rose slowly, walked to the window and turned her shoulders towards him. A soft tentative kiss was followed by a more searching embrace. Their bodies pressed together as he gently manoeuvred her towards the wall of the studio. She felt the contours of his body while their mouths explored each other in excitement. He had promised himself he would not rush things, but the hunger to explore her further was beginning to consume him. She allowed him to run his hand down her back and rest his fingers under her clothing. She showed no resistance. He retrieved his hands and slowly unbuttoned the front of her blouse with care. He lifted one of her breasts from within and kissed her nipple.

  Louise gasped, “You may need to take your time, Simon. It has been a very long time.”

  “I will treat you like a precious work of art.”

  He took her hand and led her towards greater intimacy. The door of the studio bedroom was closed behind them.

  Fourteen

  From Companion to Couple

  The transition from companion to lover is often swift. It requires just one mutual physical act to consummate a new relationship. The journey from lover to couple takes much longer. Both Simon and Louise realised how very little they knew about each other. They had no established routines and very little shared history. Louise hadn’t even visited Simon’s house. Their one advantage was life experience. They had each been married before. They knew what made a relationship work and understood at least some of the pitfalls. Motivated by a mixture of strong attraction and the desire to avoid loneliness, they engaged in a silent pact to add some substance to their relationship.

  Simon, especially, began to formulate a strategy. His background in computing had given him a predisposition towards forward planning. Without writing anything down, he started unconsciously to build foundations for the future.

  That lunchtime when he left Louise in bed, he called out to her from the studio kitchenette, “How do you like your coffee?”

  Louise appeared half dressed in the doorway.

  “You charlatan. You mean you dared to have your wicked way with me without knowing how I like my coffee?”

  He grinned, “There were other things about you that I needed to know more. How do you like your coffee?”

  “White, strong, often.”

  She slipped on the rest of her clothing and came to sit in the studio. She absentmindedly put the papers from Joan back into the folder and placed them in a drawer. Simon brought over two mugs of coffee.

  “I can stay until about 6 pm, but I have to go home tonight and see my son, Joe. Well I don’t have to, but I think I should. After that, can I come and stay for a few days?”

  Louise looked surprised.

  “I want to get to know you.”

  Louise was pleased. “Yes of course you can. Now tell me about your house in Battle,” Louise asked. “I am trying to imagine you there.”

  “Well maybe, when I’ve stayed here for a few days, you can come over to mine. That should get the neighbours talking.”

  “Are you overlooked?”

  “Not really, but they are very nosy. Can I borrow your computer?”

  He went on to google maps and showed Louise his house. It was a large, detached, grey-brick residence in a small leafy cul-de-sac. Louise was impressed.

  Simon wanted to touch her, needed physical contact. He stroked her hand as they conversed.

  “Now you must tell me something about you.”

  “There are a few things you need to know, Simon, if you are coming to stay. Most importantly, I have a recurring nightmare which wakes me up. Sometimes I scream out.”

  “You seem so stable. Does it go back to an event in your past?”

  “It’s always been a problem, ever since I was a child. Mum said it went back to a traumatic birth. I even had counselling, but it made no difference.”

  “How often does this happen?”

  “Not normally very often, but since Mum died about twice a week, I thought I should warn you in case it happens while you’re here. And I don’t like the dark. It’s a bit of phobia. I sleep with a night light.”

  “So when are the men in white coats coming?”

  She smiled. “I know it is odd, but I’ve been like it all my life. It’s not going to change now.”

  Simon thought about Louise being adopted. He was surprised she didn’t mention it. There was surely a connection.

  At 5.30 pm he made Louise a sandwich and poured her a glass of wine. “Something to remember me by.”

  He kissed her gently and let himself out. She watched through the window as he walked to his car.

  She phoned Gillian.

  “At last, my absent friend! I thought you had been kidnapped by an estate agent.”

  “Oh Gillian, he was not for me. He could only talk about one subject… himself, but I do have an offer of a discount if ever I sell a house.”

  They laughed, “Time to move on then. You mustn’t give up.”

  “Gillian, I haven’t given up. I have moved on. There’s someone else.”

  “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “I needed to be sure. Now I am sure.”

  “You must tell me everything. How old is he? What does h
e do? Have you slept with him?”

  “He’s sixty-two, a retired website designer, and mind your own business.”

  “I’ll take that as a yes. Sixty-two, eh? I bet he’s on the Viagra!”

  “I wish I hadn’t told you now. Look, since you ask, people think that sex stops as you get older. But that’s not true. You still want it. It just takes a bit more time and energy. Now please can we change the subject.”

  “Sorry. I shouldn’t have mentioned it. I’m just so excited for you. When are you seeing him next?”

  “He’s coming to stay for a few days tomorrow.”

  “Blimey, I hope he likes sleeping with the lights on.”

  “I have told him about the lights… and about the bad dreams. He was very understanding. Gillian, this is difficult to explain, but I think that at our age, you are more motivated to make things work, because there may not be another chance.”

  “You mean you are more desperate? When can I meet him?”

  “Never, if you go on like this.”

  Gillian finally changed the subject. “How are you getting on with your mum’s bungalow?”

  “I’ve been a bit lax. Not done a thing since I met Simon. I was thinking of asking him to help me.”

  “Better make use of him while he’s around!”

  “Gillian, I have to go, he’s online.”

  “Go ahead, desert your friend for your new man.”

  They finished the phone call, and Louise returned to her computer.

  “Sorry, were you busy?” said the online message

  “I was on the phone to my friend Gillian.”

  “Talking about me eh?”

  “Maybe…”

  “Is she the gay one?”

  “Yes, you are safe from her.”

  “I only have eyes for you. Joe said Sophie wouldn’t stop talking about you.”

  “Does he mind about me?”

  “He just wants me to be happy. I haven’t told Oliver yet though.”

  “Will that be a problem?”

  “Nothing that can’t be sorted. I’ll be with you by about 11 am. Shall I bring lunch? Then maybe we can go out for dinner. Is your local any good?”