Fire After Dark by Sadie Matthews Read Free Book Online

face clears. ‘I was worried there for a moment. I mean, I know she’s amazing for her age, but . . . well, I’m glad to hear she’s all right.’
    ‘She’s . . . fine,’ I finish again lamely. Come on, talk to him, impress him! But the picture that floats into my mind is that of the polished woman in his flat the night before. Lying on my picnic rug, still dazed with sleep, I’m pretty fair from that.
    ‘Good.’ He sends me another dazzling smile. ‘Well, I hope you enjoy your stay. Just let me know if you need any help.’
    ‘Okay,’ I say, wondering if I’d ever have the courage to do such a thing.
    ‘I mean it. Don’t be afraid to ask.’
    ‘Yes . . . thanks . . .’
    ‘Goodbye for now.’ He stands up, regards me for one long moment, almost as if waiting for me to say something else, then turns away.
    ‘Bye.’
    Was that the best I could manage? I want to groan out loud. Talk about making an impression, Beth. You had marginally more conversation than the park bench over there. He’d have got more sparkling wit from the fountain.
    But, honestly, what do I really think is going to happen? A man like that will be interested in me? I can’t even keep my boyfriend and anyway, I remind myself, he’s taken.
    Then, as he walks away, heading back towards the building, his tennis lesson over, he suddenly stops, turns round and looks at me again. His stare lasts only a few seconds before he turns back on his way, but it’s long enough for me to feel a pleasurable thrill spreading out over my body. Is it my imagination or did his look mean something more than just friendliness? His proximity is having a strong effect on me. My drowsiness has gone and the buzzing summer life around me makes me feel lighter than I have in a long time. I squeeze my toes in the cool tickling grass as I watch him disappear into the door of the apartment block, then look back towards the tennis court where the coach is retrieving tennis balls.
    Lucky tennis balls, being whacked by Mr R, I think, and laugh. Okay, so I’ve got a crush. I might as well enjoy it. It adds a little something to my summer. And it can’t do any harm, can it?
     
    That tiny exchange creates a golden glow to my whole day. In the afternoon, I go for a walk and discover the grandeur of Piccadilly, with the imposing and famous institutions along it: the Ritz, Fortnum & Mason, the Royal Academy. I wander down St James’s Street, passing old-fashioned shops: milliners, vintners, purveyors of leather luggage and cigars; I walk between grand, castellated houses and find myself on the wide expanse of the Mall. At one end I can see Buckingham Palace, while before me is an idyllic-looking park. I’ve found the heart of tourist London, the dream of red, white and blue and monarchy. There are so many different aspects of this enormous city, and this is just one. I walk through the park, watching children scampering about, feeding ducks, playing on the swings, and then find another face of London: the Houses of Parliament, dark, gothic and craggy, sitting alongside the ancient pale majesty of Westminster Abbey, where I’d planned to come this morning. Tourists mill around the area and queue to get into the church. I decide not to join them, but watch for a while, wondering what they make of this place, before I head for home, returning the way I came.
     
    That evening, she’s back.
    The blinds are up now, and I can see clearly again, so I eat my supper sitting in my chair by the window, watching as Mr R and his girlfriend carry on their silent movie for my entertainment. They sit at the table and share a delicious-looking meal, talking and laughing together. I’m prepared for this to follow the same pattern as last night – the sudden dropping of the blinds just when it might get interesting – when something unexpected happens. They get up from the table, the woman picks up a jacket and puts it on and the next moment, they are heading out of the sitting room, Mr