“A girlfriend? Wow. I didn’t expect that.” I hear shuffling in the background, as if she’s walking into another room. “I’d better go. Max is waking up. I’ll call you back tonight.”
“Okay, speak soon.” I hang up and put my phone down. Most of our calls end this way. Either Max wakes up or Allegra needs help with something. We rarely get to say goodbye.
* * *
An hour later, the beach is getting busier with couples out for their afternoon walk, their dogs bounding across the pebbles, chasing waves and sticks. A group of teenagers pull open cans of drink and play music on their phones.
It’s probably time to go home. I stand up to walk over to Allegra, but my legs refuse to move.
He’s here.
He walks up the beach, sunglasses covering his beautiful, bright blue eyes. The seaside breeze wafts at his hair, pushing it back from his face. I want to run over and tear the glasses from him, to look deep inside and see what he’s feeling. But I’m anchored to the spot.
Niall smiles as he approaches. I don’t know if his gaze is on me or not, but mine doesn’t waver.
“Hi.” He comes to a stop a few feet away, and stuffs his hands into his pockets, rocking awkwardly back and forth. “I hope you don’t mind, I thought I might find you here.”
Mind? Is he crazy? A huge grin splits my mouth and I launch myself at him, hurling myself into his arms. He catches me, laughing, and the next moment his lips are on mine. I don’t care that we’re on the beach, or that everybody can see us, I just want to kiss him.
When we finally pull back, both of us breathless, there’s still a smile on his face.
“How come you’re back so early?”
“We finished up yesterday so I changed my ticket. They had me on standby. I didn’t tell you in case it fell through.” He pushes his hair out of his eyes and I notice how long it’s grown. His jaw is dark with stubble, as though he hasn’t shaved in a while. He looks like the artist he is.
“So, I have some news,” I say.
He tips his head to the side, scrutinising me through narrowed eyes. “What kind of news?”
“My divorce came through.”
In the end we agreed that Simon would file on the grounds of my adultery. It was either that or wait for two years, something neither of us wanted to do. A clean break was best for all of us—and less confusing for Allegra. Now Simon’s found somebody else, hopefully it’s good for him, too.
“Really?” Niall pulls me against him again and we both start to laugh. “I can’t believe it, I thought it would take longer.” His enthusiasm is infective and warming inside. “We should do something to celebrate. Champagne or something.”
I look over at Allegra, who’s staring out at the sea. She hasn’t noticed him yet. If she had, he’d know about it. “Allegra wants to buy a hamster.”
“The perfect way to celebrate,” he says. “Champagne, balloons and a hamster. All the Hollywood stars are doing it.”
We grin at each other for a moment. The laughter lines around his eyes look deep and well used. I like that a lot.
He takes my face between his hands, his palms warm against my cheeks. It’s as if he’s going to kiss me, and I feel my breath catch in my throat. Instead, he leans forward until his forehead touches mine, and I’m staring into ocean-blue eyes.
It’s more intimate than a kiss. More baring. Because he’s staring at me as if he’s searching for something, and I’m desperate for him to find it.
“Does that mean we can talk about us? Our future?”
I throw my arms around his neck and pull him close. We’ve held back from any big discussions, at least while Allegra was adjusting to all the changes. But now I’m no longer married to Simon, I know it’s time to talk about us.
From the corner of my eye I spot Allegra watching the two of us with her back to the sea and her hands on her hips. Then she starts running, her hair flying out behind her, her skirt whipping around her knees. By the time she’s made it across the pebbles she’s out of breath, her cheeks pink from the wind and exertion. Like me, she runs at Niall, and he’s holding his arms open ready to catch her.
I burn inside when I see him grab hold of her, burying his face in her hair as she clings to him.
“You’re back, you’re back!” She starts to babble. “You said you wouldn’t be back ’til next week. I’ve got so much to tell you. I’ve got a new best friend and I’m going to be in a dance recital and I’m going to get a rabbit.”
“A hamster,” I correct her, my voice deadpan.
“And we’re having fish and chips tonight and eating them on the sofa while we watch Britain’s Got Talent. Beth says we can split a portion between us and we still won’t manage it all.” She pulls back from him and frowns. “I suppose we’ll have to buy two now.”