by Karen Klyne
“Didn’t you go on any dates?”
This could get messy. She plunged onward. “You can’t really date a married woman. The nearest we got to a date was taking champagne and smoked salmon to a motel. I knew very little about her and vice-versa, but we had a lot of fun together, often in the barn.” Phil wiggled her eyebrows. “Then there was a real cold spell, so we became regular customers of the local Travelodge.”
“Where was her husband whilst all this was going on?”
“Marshall was always away on business. Apparently, he failed to ‘fulfil her needs,’ as she put it. I can vouch that she was bloody high maintenance. Then Christmas came, and I hardly saw her, not that I minded terribly. They went away on some cruise or other. They went with someone else so we didn’t get the house sale, and it was sold subject to contract. I thought I’d never see her again. Then out of the blue she texted me. Marshall was off to a meeting. I said I’d hightail it over, and then she texted again saying his plans had changed. Half an hour later it was all back on again. We met in the stable, but it was freezing. She kissed me, took my hand, and dragged me back to the house.”
Kim scowled. “That was a bit reckless.”
“Yes, I know. I half-heartedly voiced that opinion. I always felt the house was out of bounds. She convinced me otherwise, and by that time I was horny as a rabbit on steroids. When we got inside, she led me into the library. I remembered that room from the day I’d valued the property. It had a high ceiling like the rest of the house, but it was the only room that had a sort of cosy feel to it. It was also warm and had lots of rugs strewn around the floor. Davina started throwing her clothes off and said she’d always wanted to have sex in the library. It turned me on even more.”
Kim’s face had turned as red as a blood orange.
“Do I need to hear all the sordid details?”
Did she? Hell, she’d come this far. Why not? “Definitely. It adds to the story. I think I left my jacket and blouse in the non-fiction area, my boots in the reference section, and we ended up somewhere near Wuthering Heights. By that time, I was definitely high. We were laughing like crazy as I tossed my jeans across to Jane Eyre. We rolled around like demented fools. The next minute I felt something cold on my back, and it turned out to be one of the Labradors nuzzling me. I laughed, but then Davina said she’d locked them up, so Marshall must be back. I found my jacket and boots and then I saw one of the dogs running around with my new Armani jeans in his mouth. I’d only just fucking bought them.” Phil put a hand over her mouth. “Whoops, sorry about the language. Anyway, I climbed out of the window and raced to my car.”
Kim crossed her legs. “Did Marshall know it was you?”
“Oh, yeah. Apparently, Davina played away quite a bit, and occasionally she even taunted him with the names of the people she’d been with. He knew, but this time it had all become a little too public. I think he wanted to take some revenge. So apart from sharing the details at the pub, he went in to see Alan and told him I was a disgrace to the village, and I should be run out of town.”
“Well, you’re still here, so Alan must have taken your side?”
“Sort of. There were conditions, but I won’t bore you with those.”
“He didn’t seem happy with you in the pub on the week I left?”
Phil remembered it perfectly, but she wouldn’t ruin tonight recounting that conversation. “No, but that’s for another day.”
Kim laughed. “Now that’s some story. Do you have any regrets?”
Phil smirked. “Not really. She taught me to ride a horse, and I taught her––”
Kim raised a hand. “Enough. I think I’ve got the gist.”
“Any comments?” She’d been worried that the sordid tale might send Kim running, but she simply sat there looking amused. Did that mean she didn’t care? Or that she was open minded? Philippa waited, trying to work it out.
Kim looked like she was trying to suppress a giggle but didn’t succeed.
“Exactly which bit do you find so amusing?”
Kim held her stomach. “The bit about Marshall wanting you run out of town. You’re lucky he didn’t challenge you to a duel. I guess the town wasn’t big enough for the both of you? Wasn’t there a song with those lyrics?”
“Yeah, yeah. Been there, done it, got the T-shirt.”
“I take it they moved from Cauthwell?”
“Yes, they were gone within the week. Anyway, I learned one thing from that experience: don’t have sex with married women, particularly in libraries. And now you also know why I have a slight distaste for libraries.”
“That was incredibly entertaining and well worth the meal.”
Phil gave a subtle wink. “The strange thing is, after all the humiliation, I imagined everyone would shun me. But apart from the initial amusement, the jokey remarks, and the innuendos, they seemed to embrace me, so much so that I became part of the community. It was like an initiation test, and I’d passed with flying colours. They still love telling outsiders that they have their very own gay auctioneer…and the story becomes more and more embellished by the month. It’s not hurt my reputation at all.”
“I guess everybody loves a rogue.” Kim’s smile was soft, but the expression in her eyes was thoughtful.
Phil turned her head in the direction of the kitchen, already feeling a little more naked than she was comfortable with outside the bedroom. “Maybe. Now I need another coffee and a drink.”
“I’m game. No work, and no business.”
Phil poured. “Talking about not getting up early…are you staying?”
Kim seemed to ponder the question. “I don’t think I can drive, so if it’s okay with you, it’s a yes.” She smiled, a little shy. “This is becoming a habit.”
“I do hope so.” She meant it. She loved this new habit, but was she getting too close to Kim? Part of her wanted to get a lot closer, but it was dangerous territory.
Kim picked up her phone. “I’d better text Jan. She’ll worry if I don’t.”
She’ll worry more if you do. Jan and Dave had her summed up. It was like she’d been caught with her hand in the biscuit barrel. She’d always been partial to biscuits.
When they eventually got to bed, Phil propped her elbow on the pillow. “After that confession, I want to say I really value your friendship. However, for the record…I find you incredibly attractive.”
Kim rolled her eyes. “Gosh, I’m so relieved about that, Phil.”
Was there a hint of sarcasm or an invitation to make a move? Phil laughed. “Sleep well, and thank you for a wonderful evening.” For God’s sake, kiss her. She leaned over and kissed Kim on the forehead.
They stayed on their separate sides. She considered rolling over and taking her in her arms. She wanted intimacy. Then again, perhaps they should remain friends. After all, it seemed like the right thing to do, but who was it right for? Surely she wasn’t beginning to develop a conscience?
At some point during the night she’d felt Kim’s closeness. She inhaled the aroma of Kim’s hair which smelt like coconut… No. The timing wasn’t right.
Phil awoke and lay there taking every inch of Kim in until she opened her eyes. They smiled at each other. Phil shot out of bed and ran down the stairs. If she hadn’t moved at that moment, she’d possibly regret it for the rest of her life. She leaned against the worktop and let out a huge sigh. She needed a cold shower and fast. She found Kim attractive, more than attractive. Phil should’ve been able to control her urges, but she was beginning to weaken. Sharing a bed together was torture. It had been her idea, but that was before she’d got to know Kim. She put her hand to her temples and closed her eyes for a few seconds. The kettle clicked off. If only she could do that with her wicked thoughts.
Phil took the mugs of tea back to the bedroom and placed one down on Kim’s side. She took hers around to the other side of the bed and slid under the duvet. She reached for the TV remote and flicked to the news channel. A beautiful blonde was explaining the
weather pattern surrounding the area of Singapore.
Kim pushed the pillows up and propped herself against them. “I was just thinking. I’ll need new furniture.”
Phil squeezed her eyes shut and shook her head. That wasn’t what she’d been thinking. “Like what?”
“Sofas and beds. That sort of thing.”
“I could come with you. I’m an expert on beds.”
Kim looked heavenward.
“Maybe we could do an afternoon. Then we could go to the cinema after, or something?” Shopping, cinema, what next…reading newspapers together?
“Sounds great.”
Phil’s tummy rumbled. She laughed and held her stomach. “Hey, guess what? I bought some eggs. We could scramble, or coddle, or whatever you do with eggs.”
“I take it you mean whatever I do with eggs.”
“Exactly.”
Phil sat across from Kim in the kitchen. She rested her chin on her fists as she leaned on the counter and watched Kim scramble the eggs. Phil had at least made the toast and buttered it. Every muscle in her body was devoid of tension. It didn’t add up. Her thoughts drifted back to breakfast with Elaine. She’d had an evening of pleasure, and yet she couldn’t wait to get away. It wasn’t only Elaine. It had been with every woman she’d ever spent a night with. Maybe it was because there wasn’t any sex involved with Kim. That was it. They were still in friendship territory which meant there was nothing to run from. That meant sex would definitely ruin what they were developing. God damn it.
Kim was staring at her. “Are you okay, Phil? You seem to have gone off with the fairies.”
“Sorry, I was thinking about a valuation I have to do today.” Close. More like an evaluation or a summary of this particular situation. It was too early for those thoughts.
After breakfast, she watched Kim drive away. She went up to her bedroom in a dream. She shook the duvet, and the smell of Kim’s perfume wafted towards her. She picked up the pillow that Kim slept on and inhaled deeply. The fragrance was enchanting. Now what?
Chapter Nine
Kim poured two cups of coffee and joined Jan, who seemed engrossed in her paperwork. How the hell did they make ends meet? Hardly anyone came into the pub, apart from a few birthday groups and the occasional wedding reception.
Jan looked up, half smiled, and put her pen down. “How did dinner go?”
“Fantastic.” She laughed. “I really like Phil’s company. She’s such fun.”
“Are you getting involved?”
Kim ran a hand through her hair. “Nothing I can’t handle.” She wasn’t entirely sure that was true. Jan nodded slowly. Kim put her elbows on the table and leaned across to glance at the paperwork. “Are things bad?”
“You could say that. The brewery are concerned. We’re not meeting our targets. They say we have to find new ways of getting more custom.”
Kim held her palms up. “So why don’t you take a few nights off for research? Look at how other pubs are tackling the recession.” She’d been preoccupied thinking only about her future when Jan and Dave were obviously struggling. “Some places are thriving, and the pub grub is sometimes better than restaurants these days. And they do quizzes, theme evenings, lots of things to bring in the customers.”
“I know. Dave’s not one for changes, though. He’s stuck in a time warp. To be honest, I’m not sure if he even enjoys this work anymore…apart from drinking all the profits.”
“What about you?”
“I still love it, but I know we have to move with the times.”
Kim glanced around at the dingy surroundings. Who’d want to spend an evening here? She’d give it some thought. At the moment, the only thoughts she had were about Phil and the house she was buying. Things were new, and exciting, and so utterly different. Thanks to her work in Spain and the sale of her dad’s house, along with the business and apartment in Manchester, she had a nice little nest egg to live on while she decided her next step. As far as a job was concerned there was no pressure to make any definitive moves just yet.
Over the next few weeks, she and Phil slipped into a comfortable routine. Phil was busy with her work, and Kim was busy with her plans for her new home. She was either googling furniture and other items or doing a recce in the shops in town, but whenever they could, they’d either have dinner together or meet for a drink. Their friendship had grown, but Kim was growing a lot fonder of Phil than perhaps she should. Phil, on the other hand, seemed to have gone in the other direction. She always made a point of either dropping Kim back off at the Pheasant or getting her a taxi home. Kim rarely stayed over anymore, and she missed it. Perhaps Phil had met someone and didn’t want to complicate their relationship? The thought made her melancholic, though she had no right to snoop into Phil’s personal life. And after their conversation about Phil’s introduction to Cauthwell society, it was clear she wasn’t the relationship type. Kim didn’t want to be a notch on anyone’s bedpost, and she definitely didn’t want to lose their friendship. It was time for her to stop thinking about the reasons Phil had put some distance between them. They were friends, and that’s all that counted.
Summer had ended abruptly, and they were now into a very cool October. It wouldn’t be long before contracts were exchanged on the house, so Kim focused on the next stage of furnishings for her new home. Phil tagged along on her shopping spree, which turned into a fun day. She’d ordered a Georgian style sofa, numerous rugs to scatter across the natural wood flooring, and now she was hovering around a four-poster bed. “I’ve always wanted one of these. What do you think?”
Phil grinned. “Have whatever you want, as long as it’s king size.”
Kim laughed. “Agreed. What do you think to the sleigh bed?”
“I think it’d fit in nicely.”
“Good. It’s for the spare room. I want to make it your very own room when you stay over. You just have to get it up the stairs.”
Phil’s lips curved into a humourless half-smile. “How nice?” She rubbed the back of her neck and rolled her shoulders, clearly ill at ease.
Kim stared. Surely the crack about her own room wasn’t that bad? “Are you okay?”
Phil covered her face with her hands. “I’ve been dreading telling you this. My friend, Cass, is over on business. She’s staying in town, and she’s asked me to have dinner with her.”
“So what’s the problem?”
“It’s the day you move.”
Shit. Kim shrugged like it was no big deal. “Don’t be crazy. I hate anyone fussing around. I can handle this on my own with no problem.”
“Honestly?”
“I kid you not.” Bloody liar.
Phil seemed to perk up. “By way of an apology, can I take you for dinner on Friday? I’ve just discovered a really cool restaurant.”
“Sounds great.” It was a consolation but deep down, Kim was disappointed she wouldn’t be there. It was the first house she’d ever bought, and she wanted to share the thrill of it all with Phil. Or did she just want to play house with her? A bit of nesting? Whatever. It wasn’t going to happen. And was Cass really just a friend? Or was there more to it? She plastered on a smile, determined not to let her disappointment show. Complicated emotions weren’t something she’d ever had to deal with, and now the only friend she had to talk things over with was the one complicating things.
***
Kim spent an hour picking out some clothes to wear. She tried on numerous outfits and settled for a black blouse with jeans and a white jacket. When she got downstairs, Phil was chatting to Jan at the bar. Her high heel boot rested on the bar ledge, and Kim couldn’t help wondering how she’d managed to get into those tight jeans. She looked stunning. Was she ogling? Yes. God, she wished she’d chosen something better now.
Phil turned around and licked her lips. “You look good enough to eat.”
“Likewise.” The heat rose from her neck and into her face.
Phil grinned. “Shall we try the food at the restaurant first?�
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Jan busied herself folding some tea towels as if she’d tuned them out. As if.
“See you, Jan,” Kim said as they walked towards the door.
Jan waved. “Have fun, you two.”
They set off and drove through a few villages and eventually reached their destination. The owner of the Plough seemed to know Phil. He kissed her on both cheeks and said, “Philippa darling,” in one of those loud, fake French accents. How many women has she brought here? It saddened her to think she wasn’t the first.
“Anton. So good to see you.” Phil gave his cheeks air kisses.
Yuk. She introduced Kim, and he kissed her hand. It was one of those wet kisses, and she wanted to wipe her hand on one of the tablecloths.
“I have a lovely table reserved…especially for you.”
Everybody seemed to be staring as though they were celebrities. Which Phil was, of course.
“Here. It’s very private, and you won’t be disturbed.” He left them for a few moments and then arrived back with an ice bucket and a bottle of champagne. “Compliments of the house, darlings. I’ll be with you in un petite minute.”
Kim cringed. “I thought you said you’d only just found this place?”
Phil giggled. “I swear I have. He’s a bit of a poser or a plonker. I’m not sure which. He recognized me when I came in last time, and now it’s like I’m his personal celebrity pet.”
“And that phoney accent.”
Phil nodded. “The food’s good, though.”
So she hadn’t brought a bevy of women here. It made her feel a little better. Anton returned, popped the cork, and poured the contents into their glasses.
“Thank you, Anton.”
He suggested the special of the evening, which they both accepted, and said he’d be back shortly.
Kim shuffled her chair closer to the table. “Does this happen to you a lot?”
“Just the odd occasion. You get used to it.” Phil leaned her elbows on the table. “Do you know, I can’t believe how quickly time has flown.”