Skin Deep by Helen Libby Read Free Book Online Page A

amongst all the frenetic activity of the city. Our
driver kept up a near constant spiel about the area. He took photos of me and
Kate at the end of the ride. I thought of Leo and wondered whether we’d ever
come to New York together and take a horse and carriage ride, nestling up under
a blanket. It would be so romantic. I’d like to think it could happen one day.
    I’ve seen so many churches whilst
I’ve been here, nestled in-between skyscrapers, each one a wonderful discovery
because the architecture is stunning. I slip away from the hotel early on our
last morning, and enter one of the churches, taking a seat at the back. It’s so
peaceful. I’m not religious, but I do think there is a supreme
being or entity out there. I say goodbye to New York by way of lighting
a candle. I want to leave a little part of me behind in this city. This trip
has been brilliant, but now it’s time to go home and for real life to resume.

Chapter Fourteen

 
    I go straight to bed when I
arrive home. I get up late afternoon, put some washing on, and open the post
over a cuppa and a sandwich. The doorbell rings. I forget to breathe
momentarily, so mesmerized am I by the sight of Leo on my doorstep.
    ‘I’m sorry,’ we say in unison,
then laugh
    ‘Come in.’ I open the door wider
and step aside so Leo can pass me. We go through to the lounge where we remain
standing.
    ‘Good trip?’
    ‘Yes. Listen, I want you to
follow your dream.’
    Leo nods. ‘But it’s my decision
to make, not yours. It made me think you don’t want me around.’
    I take a step closer to him.
‘Never think that. I’ll be gutted if you do move to London.’
    Leo moves towards me. He’s now so
close that there’s only a thin slither of air between us. His eyes search my
face. ‘I love you, Gemma Jones.’
    Bubbles of joy burst inside me.
‘I love you too.’ And then he kisses me and all thoughts as to whether Leo will
move to London or not are lost in the exquisite sensation.
    ***
    Leo decides to give the job a go
and all too soon it’s time for him to catch the train to London.
    ‘I don’t want to leave you.’ Leo
rests his forehead on mine.
    ‘I don’t want you to go.’   
    Leo grips my shoulders, leaning
back to look at me. ‘I’ll stay.’
    I let his words linger in the air
for a moment. It’s tempting and for one delicious minute I savour the thought
of Leo staying. Instead of waiting for him to call me later from London, we
could be cuddling up together on the sofa watching a film. It pains me to know
that I’m the one who has instigated our separation, encouraging Leo to take the
job the way I have, but I’ve done the right thing I tell myself firmly. I
stroke one of Leo’s stubbly cheeks. ‘Give it a try.’
    His green eyes beseech me. He’s
so close to ringing the magazine tomorrow morning to tell them he’s not going.
    ‘It’s something you’ve always
wanted to do. I mean, what an opportunity – to work on a national magazine. If
you don’t go you’ll always be wondering “what if?”.’
    Leo groans and his shoulders
slump. ‘I wish I’d never applied for the bloody job now.’
    Why am I sending the man I love
away again? Remind me? Oh yes, it’s precisely because I do love him that I want
the best for him. I dredge up a smile. I’ll miss him so much. I bite my lip,
willing the tears away. We’ll still see each other. We’re planning to take it
in turns to travel every weekend, and in the meantime we can phone, text,
email, and Skype each other. It won’t be perfect, but life isn’t perfect is it?
I take a deep breath. It’s time for one more kiss and a hug so tight the breath
is almost squeezed out of me. We say ‘see you soon’ in unison and then, as if
on auto-pilot, I’m watching Leo walk to his car at the end of the street. I’m
trying to smile as I’m determined not to cry in front of him. It’ll only make
it harder for him to leave.
    Suddenly, Leo is striding back
towards me. Two strong arms