Part 21 (1/2)

Greer pulled away from him. 'I'm just not ready to be on my own with Freddie. I haven't got the confidence yet.'

'You never will have if you let your mum do everything for you.'

Greer bit her bottom lip and Jesse could see tears forming. 'What's the matter?' he asked gently. 'Don't you want to come home?'

'It's not that.'

'Well, what is it?'

'I'll be lonely when you're working.'

'Loveday's just down the road. She can't wait to see you.'

Greer brightened a little. 'How is she? How's Hal?'

'Mickey says they're both doing really well.'

'Have you seen them? Loveday and Hal? I hear he's huge!'

'I haven't actually seen her or the baby since they left hospital, but I've seen pictures.'

Jesse hadn't risked seeing Hal or Loveday. He felt blessed that Freddie had survived and swore to himself that he would never be on his own with Loveday again. Mickey was like a dog with two tails with his new family, and Jesse wasn't going to jeopardise that happiness.

Greer s.h.i.+fted her weight and stood up, stretching. Jesse admired the slenderness of her figure through her dressing gown and felt the stirrings of desire.

'You look good, Greer. You don't look as if you've just had a baby.'

She pulled her gown closer. 'Thanks.'

'I really miss you.'

'I miss you too.'

'I mean I miss making love to you. We haven't done it for months.'

Greer took the sleeping Freddie from Jesse's arms. 'Well, we had this little one to think of, didn't we?'

Jesse got up and stood by Greer. They both looked at the sleeping Freddie. Jesse put his hand on Greer's bottom and caressed her b.u.t.tock. 'I want to take you home now and have you in our bed.'

She pulled away. 'Don't. Mum might hear us.'

'To h.e.l.l with her. We're married, aren't we?' He leant in and nuzzled her neck, dropping light kisses on her until he reached her mouth and tried to kiss her deeply. Greer kept her mouth shut tight.

'What's the matter, Greer?' he whispered.

'We mustn't have any more babies.' He could feel the tension in her.

'I know, darling. That's what the doctors say now, but medical advances are happening every day. We're only young. It's terrible for us both but we can still have s.e.x and be careful.'

'It's not that.'

'What is it then?'

'I just don't feel like it.'

'Well, you will. When I've warmed you up.' He opened the front of her dressing gown and lifted her small breast out. He bent to lick her nipple.

'Don't. Please don't.' He stopped and she pulled her robe closed.

'What's the matter? We need to talk about this properly. I'm in bits. Trying to be strong and all that, but it's breaking my heart. I want to fill you and the house up with children but, like my mum says, we have got Freddie and we can give him the very best love a boy could ever have.'

Greer looked at Jesse intently and said, 'It's not that. I'm glad Freddie will be our only one. I hated being pregnant and I hate what it's done to my body. I'm fat. I have stretch marks. My b.r.e.a.s.t.s aren't the same. I don't think I ever want to have s.e.x again.'

Jesse had been told by his mum that women needed a bit of love and patience after they'd had a baby, so he wasn't surprised or worried by this little speech.

'You look b.l.o.o.d.y gorgeous to me. I fancy you like mad. A few days at home and we'll get back to normal. Don't worry.'

Greer looked so frail and vulnerable, with her baggy Snoopy gown hanging off her tiny frame, that Jesse was overcome with compa.s.sion and pa.s.sion. 'You need to come home. I need to have you home. You and Freddie. You're coming home tomorrow. I'll pick you up after work. Tell your mother.'

The next day Jesse was down on the harbour checking the gear on the boat. Greer's father, Bryn, was walking, with some purpose, towards him.

'All right, Jesse,' he called.

Jesse saw him and knew Bryn was on a mission from Elizabeth.

'Can I have a word?' Bryn asked.

'Sure. You can have a bucketful if you want, but I'll not be dissuaded from having my wife and son home tonight.'

Bryn stepped onto The Lobster Pot and held his hands up in surrender. 'Am I that transparent?'

'You and Elizabeth have been wonderful, looking after Greer and Freddie. But it's six weeks now and time they came home,' said Jesse firmly.

'Well, of course you want your family home. Who wouldn't?' Bryn patted Jesse's shoulder. 'But it's a little too soon.'

'Who says?'

'We all do,' said Bryn smoothly. 'Maybe I should give you some time off. Paid leave. That way you could spend more time at our place.'

Jesse stuck his hands in the pockets of his overall and stood his ground. 'You've given me enough. Pencil Cottage, a say in the new business-'