Sarah Randall - Forever His Darling

He sighed heavily and shook his head as if to dispel sad memories. “Of course, there was that time I locked her in a wardrobe and then forgot about her and went out with a girl.” He winced and took a swig of his drink. “Better not mention that to her though, she’s still a bit sensitive about it.”

“Our secret. So that’s two secrets so far… anything else you want to confess?” She quickly added, “From one insomniac to another.”

He shook his head. “I don’t have a problem sleeping.”

“Ha.” The short sound burst from her throat. “Now, I already told you about my Mensa membership so don’t treat me like an idiot. If you don’t want to talk about whatever it is that’s bothering you and keeping you awake at night that’s fine,” she paused to take a sip of her drink before she shook her head, “but don’t lie.”

“I don’t know you,” he stated as a matter of fact.

She thinned her lips before saying, “Precisely. I’ll be gone and out of your life in a couple of days so you have no need to worry that I’ll make some judgment about you.” She quickly tilted her head to one side. “Well,” she continued, “none that you’ll be bothered by. I’m like the best free therapy you could get.”

He dropped his eyes away from her again. Her suspicions that there was something else going on with this man were confirmed, but clearly now wasn’t the time. He wasn’t going to talk. “I’m sorry about your mum,” she said, and he looked back into her eyes, smiled half-heartedly and nodded. “Mrs Henderson told me.”

“Yeah, well, it was for the best I suppose. She was in pain towards the end and ever since my dad died, she’d never really been the same. She never recovered. They were soulmates, married for over fifty years. They certainly set Pip and I an unattainable standard.” He cleared his throat. “So do you have siblings?”

She gave a humourless sharp laugh. “No, I barely have a mother. There was no way she was going to make the same mistake twice and have another kid.”

“You’re not close then?” he asked, narrowing his eyes, confused by her comment.

She gave him a mirthless smile. “Nope, we’re not even living on the same continent, haven’t for years. She’s always been focused on her career. From what little I know, she had a fling with someone, most likely a director or such like, and got knocked up. I still don’t know why she kept me.”

She caught Matt wince from the corner of her eye like she’d hit a nerve.

“She probably hoped she could snare the fella into some sort of advantageous marriage fiasco. I’m guessing he was probably married. Anyway.” She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. “She had me but I have no happy memories of my childhood and no idea who my father is. Just ever changing ’nannies and being packed off to boarding school as soon as I was old enough. I’ve tried so many times over the years to get close to her but there’s only so many times you can get kicked, right? Even dogs learn eventually.”

“I’m sorry to hear that.” He said, honestly. “I can’t imagine not being close to my mother. Still, she must be proud of you. What you’ve achieved and everything?” at her wry look he quickly added, “Pip tells me your very famous.”

“You’d think.” Ana took a sip of her brandy. She was so not ready to have that conversation with a man she’d only just met… especially as he wasn’t up for quid pro quo.

Chapter Three

“Hey you two. Sooo, how’s it going?” Pip’s enthusiasm was contagious as she pulled up a spare chair and plonked her drink on the table and looked between the two of them like she was watching a tennis match. “Oh, sorry did I interrupt something?”

Matt was impressed that Pip had even noticed. Most of the time he loved his sister’s glass half full, fly by the seat of your pants, blasé attitude to life but right now… he wished she’d just shove off, which surprised him. After she’d abandoned Ana with him he’d silently cursed her and thought about the pro’s and con’s of locking her back in that cupboard in the attic. Would it be worth Mrs H’s wrath again?

“So, are you single Ana?”

“Pip, leave it.” Matt snapped. He’d only lock her in it for a short time…

“What?” Pip asked innocently, raising her shoulders and eyebrows before carrying on unperturbed. “Right,” she clapped her hands together, “now that Matt has probably bored you to tears talking about bloody horses, you up for some fun, karaoke style?” Her eyes sparkled and her smile was wide as she wiggled her shoulders.

“Oh I don’t think so Pip.”

But the disappointed look on Pip’s face was enough to change Ana’s mind..

“Okay. Okay, you win,” she said, holding her hands up in mock surrender. “Let’s go before I change my mind. Thanks for keeping me company Matt.” She said quickly finishing her brandy before following Pip to the far end of the bar. Matt tracked her as she walked away, hypnotised by the sway of her hips.

As she vanished into the games room he bent down and stroked George, nursing the rest of his own brandy, ignoring the fact he was already missing Ana’s company and warm smile. He reflected on her earlier comment about rescuing him from Phyliss. He’d been momentarily stunned by her comment and that she’d actually remembered what he’d said earlier in the car and had acted in order to protect him ; even though it was the worst thing she could have done. But she barely knew him.

She was like a breath of fresh air but he’d noticed the sad look in her eyes at the mention of her mother. He lent back, closed his eyes as images of a certain feisty redhead came to mind wearing a tight corset…where had she said he could find out her bra size??

***

Matt’s peaceful relaxation was shattered by ear-splitting, tuneless warbling coming from the far end of the pub. Even George woke up, pricked his ears, and whined.

“Good grief lad, we better go and put them out of their misery before they clear the pub.”

Matt walked into the games room at the far end and decided that he’d obviously snoozed for a while in front of the fire. Ana and Pip had empty shot glasses lined up in front of them and had their arms around each other holding a microphone in the middle; the height difference was comical. Matt couldn’t be sure but thought he detected the tortured sounds of the Bee Gee’s’ “You Should Be Dancing”. At least, that was the tune in the background, but Ana and Pip were too busy giggling and improvising to be bothered with actual lyrics… or tone.

He hoped she didn’t have plans to be a pop singer.

The girls had attracted an audience of the young village males who seemed keen to keep the girls supplied with alcohol.

Okay, enough fun.

“Yay, Matt’s here!”

His name was shouted by them both and echoed around the room through the speakers, which complained loudly with shrill reverb.

Matt winced. “Okay you two, time to let someone else have some fun. Share the lime light.”

Matt heard the grumblings from the lads who had congregated towards the back of the room. He silenced them with an arctic stare. Intelligent lads that they were, they recognised his alpha status in the room, dropped their eyes, and busied themselves with a game of pool.

“Boo boring!” Pip chanted. “We’re just having some fun Matt. Come on Matt, sing with your ’lil sister purrlleeeaasse…”

“I think Matt’s right Pip, too much fun for me. I’m shattered and… oops, possibly slightly inebriated.”

Matt noticed the slight slurring of her words right before she stumbled off the stage. He sprung forward to catch her.

“Whoops, falling off the stage, thank God that’s never happened to me before. Career suicide, Naomi never fully recovered. Thank you my—" She hiccupped. “Hero.”