Karen Aldous - One Moment At Sunrise

She breathed out a heavy sigh and scooped back her hair.

Again Ben’s eyes met hers, his mouth curled to one side. Clasping her chest as it fluttered uncontrollably, she couldn’t believe such a small movement of the lips and eyes could create so much energy.

‘Well, before I so clumsily asked you out,’ he said, turning forward again and peering through the rear-view mirror, ‘and the reason I’d like us to talk is – I quite like your suggestion, about the peasant women, I mean. We are still in the early days of filming, and I’m wondering whether I should include a few more characters. I think it would be interesting to look at another dimension. I need to speak to the other producers. It would take more funding but you could be right.’ He turned again as she stared at him, open-mouthed.

The glint in his eyes zoomed straight into her limbs as though Tinkerbelle was sprinkling fairy dust. ‘So, are you the writer?’

‘Yes, I’m the director, one of the producers too, and did write the script. Call it my baby. It’s well supported by the funders, but now I’m questioning whether I’ve done it justice. I would be interested to hear what you know.’

She guided him to her home as he drove, her head still in a cloud of mist, and with a smile she could barely contain. He had been paying attention to what she had said and, evidently, liked it. At least enough to want to consider possibilities. When had anyone expressed interest in what she said?

‘Well, I don’t know your script but… oh,’ her hands joined together as if in prayer whilst her adrenaline intensified. ‘I don’t have all the details to hand, but I certainly remember reading about it. I’m sure I could source the book again.’ Evie chewed on her lip wondering where she had read it. ‘I studied journalism so I enjoy a bit of investigation.’

‘Really, that’s great. Would you consider doing some research? I’d pay you, of course.’

Hiding a smile, her hand flew to her mouth; eyes wide and fixed on his profile. The film business paid well. She was dreaming, of course she was. A gorgeous film director asking her for a date and to carry out research for his film. She must have banged her head. Wake up, wake up. She jolted herself back to the moment.

‘Oh, stop. Sorry, down this track here,’ she told him, pointing to her right, ‘and drive to the end. My house is at the bottom.’

That was a lie. It wasn’t really her house was it, it was Seb’s. For Charlotte. What did she have? What had she done for herself and her child?

Ben ruffled his curls with one hand and looked at her thoughtfully. ‘I know you’ve just had a terrific blow, but when you feel better perhaps we could chat some more.’

Evie swallowed hard. It was real! She’d barely got off the ground as a journalist before having Charlotte, so this was way over her head but… what a great opportunity, as well as a personal challenge.

‘Yes, it sounds exciting. Oh, just pull up here.’

Ben slowed and steered his large vehicle between a wall and some shrubs. ‘I’ll get the bike sorted out and returned as soon as I can. I’ll bring it back here, yes?’

‘Yes, I definitely need that. Thank you.’ Evie said as he parked at the end of the leafy track. She opened the door as the car halted in front of the gate and swung her legs out, and before she’d jumped down, Ben was there taking her hand. Stepping down, she could have been floating.

‘Here’s my card,’ he said sliding it into her hand. ‘Ring me if you are worried about anything and think you need to see a doctor. And, when you’re fit, I’d love to talk. Again, my apologies for what happened.’ His hand slid naturally to her arm, patting it gently to reassure her. Blood rushed to her cheeks and her skin shivered warmly at his touch. She stepped back, pulling away her hand, scared by her reaction.

‘No really, I should have been paying attention.’

His mouth twitched as he hesitated, then turned with a wave of his hand. ‘Take care.’

Tucking his card in her shorts pocket, Evie just managed to maintain her balance and dashed across to her neighbour Suzanne’s, unable to contain the excitement, not just at the insane bubble of film glamour this man had welcomed her into but also at seeing her daughter. Thank God she was alive. More alive than before in fact and feeling… well, just feeling!

Suzanne drew back the door with a smile. As soon as Evie stepped in, she raced to the floor by Charlotte’s side and whisked her into her arms.

‘My baby, Mummy’s back and safe. We’re together.’ She smothered the little girl’s flaxen hair and bewildered face with kisses. ‘I’m so glad to see you.’

Suzanne closed the door and rushed up behind her. ‘Whoa, what happened to you?’

Evie got to her feet, cradling Charlotte. ‘So sorry Suz. I am just crazy right now. Crazy with love for this little lady. I’m so lucky. I will explain once I get to grips with the fact that I am still here, with my daughter.’

Suzanne stood rubbing her shoulder and looking confused at her friend’s extreme animated behaviour. ‘I’ll make you a drink,’

‘You’re a sweetie. Thank you.’

‘I’m mystified.’ Suzanne blazed a quizzical frown and marched off.

Evie kissed Charlotte’s hair again and watched her friend. The only person she’d got to know since moving into Seb’s villa over two years ago was the diminutive titian-haired neighbour. They’d met when Charlotte began walking at eleven months. Suzanne and her husband Bram were Dutch. They lived in a sweet little cottage, next door but one, and they’d been converting the run-down cottage adjoining them to rent out. Bram, a local chiropractor, had often swapped his work-whites for old jeans in his spare time whilst Suzanne spent most of her Fridays and weekends cleaning holiday lets close by. Only married for two years, and not having children of her own, Suzanne took great pleasure in having Charlotte around; even looking after her once or twice. Evie was quite proud and didn’t like to put on her. Not that she ever had anywhere to go, alone. And, as Charlotte and Suzanne adored one another, she preferred it when they could all spend time together. She enjoyed having someone to talk to, particularly an adult. It was hard to admit, but her relationship with Seb wasn’t turning out to be all she’d dreamed, and when he’d texted this morning, once again letting her down, Suzanne intuitively rushed over, hearing her shriek. It was Suzanne who had insisted she go out for some fresh air this morning after seeing her upset.

Once Evie’s exhilaration subsided, she wiped tearful eyes and sat down with Charlotte on her lap. Suzanne brought her a tall glass filled with homemade lemon and ice and sat beside her, listening as Evie recounted the drama.

‘Oh my dear, now I understand,’ Suzanne reached out and embraced her. ‘You must have been so frightened.’

‘Yes. It really shook me up. Thank God I didn’t have Charlotte on the back of the bike. It was lucky for us you insisted Charlotte stay here. I was so angry with Seb. You must have suspected how upset I was.’ Evie pinched her nose with embarrassment.

Sitting back and taking Evie’s hand, Suzanne looked concerned. ‘I could hear he had got to you.’

Charlotte pointed to the floor. ‘Baby.’

Suzanne crouched to the floor, picked up Charlotte’s dolly from the floor and placed it in her hands. A gleeful chuckle spread across the little girl’s face as she squeezed it to her chest.

‘You hide it so well, Evie. I’m so glad I’ve never met your partner. I don’t think we could ever be friends. He is so inconsiderate leaving you so long alone.’

Evie sighed, rolling eyes at herself for displaying her disappointment to Suzanne earlier. Suzanne was her friend, the last thing she needed was her to become involved in her and Seb’s relationship. If she discovered who Seb was, Suzanne could be tempted to go to the press. That side of their relationship had never been put to the test.