Part 23 (1/2)
”The way he tells it to me is that she wants children he does not. Hes got three already and does not want any more. If theyd agreed on that then perhaps he would have let her get close to him, but because of this he would never let anything start. Apart from that, theyre like a married couple. They fight and bicker all the time! Shes been in love with him for years, but I cant see his feelings changing.”
”No more kids?” I said, more as a remark to myself than a question for John.
Even as my own sister brought hers into the world, I still felt no maternal twinge. I wanted a man, not children. I looked at John again.
”Thanks for that,” I said warmly.
”For what?” he asked.
”For that advice,” I responded.
”What advice was that?” he said.
Whether he was being deliberately obtuse or just plain dumb, I did not care. Knowing that neither Mike nor I wanted children took away one potential conflict. John then grinned at me and I realised that he was playing. Mike and Sally came over and John announced that he too was helping with the move. I returned to my office and decided to make one more trip to Daves before packing up my things. I was looking forward to the evening.
Chapter 36.
”There you are!” I said. ”Ive been looking for you all day.”
”Whys that?” answered Dave.
”The flat, the contract!” I said ”What contract?” answered Dave.
”Dont you remember?” I asked.
This was odd, I thought. Dave was behaving quite strangely and I was confused. I went over the talk we had the night before in the pub and he listened without making comment. When I finished, he finally said something.
”I said youd need my approval, but I didnt approve it.”
”Dave! What dyou mean?”
”I wanted to discuss it with Harry first. We didnt agree anything last night you just told me what you wanted to do. I didnt agree to it.”
”What do you mean? You said youd e-mail Legal this morning. You said you would go and see them to sort this out.”
”Youre mistaken, Penny,” he said.
His stubbornness was mirrored by the rigidity in his body. He was standing next to his desk. His fists were clenched as he spoke. My mood changed from one of confusion to concern. I couldnt understand why he was behaving this way. What was he playing at?
”Well, whatever Dave!” I said. ”I just dropped by to say that Ive sorted it anyway. Mike is moving in tonight.”
”What?”
Dave was acting so strangely that I felt like asking why, but I confined myself to the issue in hand.
”Hes moving in tonight,” I said again.
”But we havent sorted out a contract yet. You havent given him any keys, have you?”
”Yes, I have. And Ive sorted out the contract.”
He looked defensive and angry.
”How?” he said, almost shouting. ”I need to sign it. You havent signed it yourself?”
”No!” I answered.
It was my turn to feel defensive.
”So how dyou sort it?” he asked with a tone bordering on aggression.
”I got someone else to sign it because I couldnt find you.”
”You went around me?”
”No, I didnt 'go around you, I couldnt find you so I got Harry to sign.”
Dave looked at me, clearly irritated. I wondered if something might have happened at the hospital.
”Dont do it again!” he said finally.
On another occasion I would have challenged him, but I wanted to retreat. His behaviour was strange and my evening engagement so much more inviting. He was speaking to me like a child. That was so out of character I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. He must have had a very bad day.
”Okay,” I said. Without saying goodbye, I left the room.
Chapter 37.
It took us less time than expected to move Mikes stuff. As the flat was partly furnished, he needed to take only a few easily transportable things, plus his clothes, bedding, computer, hi-fi and a portable television. With four helpers and four cars, we quickly filled each of them up, drove to the new flat, unloaded and had four gla.s.ses of champagne on the table before the 7pm.
Sally raised her gla.s.s.
”To new beginnings,” she announced.
We all dutifully raised our gla.s.ses and clinked them together.
”To new beginnings!”
I noticed myself glancing in Mikes direction repeatedly. Sometimes he would look back and acknowledge my interest, but at other times he would remain engaged in conversation with John and Sally. I initially felt out of place amongst such close friends, but they took care to include me in their conversation. As the evening wore on I felt more and more relaxed. By nine oclock, after we had consumed a pizza-takeaway and several bottles of wine, Sally stood up and raised her gla.s.s.
”Penny,” she started. ”This man here....,” she lost her balance for a moment as the drink began to affect her. She quickly regrouped and continued, ”....this man saved my life.”
Mikes eyes looked downward as he shook his head and laughed.