Chapter Five

It was the end of November and the Christmas adverts were on the television. They filled Melissa’s lounge with images of happy families gathered round a huge table, smiling as the mum, in her jaunty paper hat, deposited a massive turkey in the centre.

It was nothing like the Christmases she remembered. As a child she’d suffered stilted conversation around a formal dining table, just her and her parents. In the early years with Lawrence they’d taken off to the Caribbean, which had been glorious but not exactly Christmas. Latterly she’d done the family bit with his parents, but couldn’t ever remember smiling as she’d tried to juggle cooking the turkey with looking after a fussy baby. All under the disapproving eye of her mother-in-law. As for the Christmas dinner she’d had with him just before their divorce … she broke out in a cold sweat just thinking about how awful that had been.

The last two years it had been just her and William. She’d debated contacting her parents, but what was the point. They weren’t interested, never had been. They’d attended her wedding and sent her a congratulations card over William’s birth but that was the extent of their contact since she’d left home. She’d learnt to harden herself to their indifference, but she’d hurt for William when it became clear they had no interest in their grandson either.

Instead she’d cooked a small turkey for William and herself, brought crackers and encouraged him to put on a paper hat.

And she had enjoyed herself on those days more than all the previous Christmases combined.

‘Hurry up, Mum. We’re going to be late.’

Guiltily Melissa snapped off the television. ‘I’m coming, sweetheart.’

What a difference a few weeks had made. From the nervous little boy who hadn’t wanted to go to tennis lessons, William was now almost pushing her out of the door. Idly she wondered if she was creating a monster. At least if she was, he was a happy one. Daniel had been proven right; the extra lessons he’d given William had not only improved his game but his confidence and enjoyment of it, too. And on the subject of improved confidence …

‘You never told me, did you get a part in the school play?’ she asked as they climbed into the car.

‘Yeah.’

‘You don’t sound very excited about it.’

Forcefully he clicked in his seatbelt. ‘I’m a taxi driver.’

She bit down on her lip to stop from laughing. ‘Umm, where does the taxi driver come in to the nativity?’

He looked at her as if she was stupid. ‘He drives Mary and Joseph to the hotel.’

‘Oh, I see.’ She turned on the engine and pulled out into the road. ‘What happened to the donkey?’

He shrugged his shoulders. ‘Dunno.’

‘Do you get to say any lines?’

‘Two.’

As he was hardly brimming with enthusiasm, Melissa let it go.

Twenty minutes later they dashed through the heavy rain and into the dry warmth of the tennis academy. ‘We’re early,’ she told William as she shrugged off her coat, the rain leaving puddles on the floor.

‘So we’re not late.’ He shot her his heart-melting gappy smile – his front teeth had dropped out a month ago and the replacements were only slowly coming through. ‘Look, there’s Daniel.’

She pretended surprise, though she’d noticed him as soon as they’d walked through the door. A tall athletic frame encased in white shorts and T-shirt, he was talking to the receptionist. She in turn was staring dreamily back at him. Typical.

He caught their eye and waved over at them. ‘Hey, William. Managed to get your mum here on time today I see. Well done.’

By her side, William giggled. Ahead of her Daniel gave her a smile that reached right into his eyes and bathed her in a warm glow. Since their lunch he’d been true to his word. Friendly but not flirtatious, he treated her no differently from any of the other mothers. Melissa told herself she was relieved.

With a quick wave at her, William dashed off to join the group already on court. Melissa meandered on down to the café where she ordered her customary latte and settled down with the other parents to watch the session. It had become something of a tradition.

‘Popcorn!’

The deep boom of Daniel’s voice carried over to them and she watched as he lifted a racket laden with tennis balls into the air. When he dropped it back down the children scattered, desperate to catch a ball as it fell. In the thick of it all was William. No longer the one hanging back, he blended easily with others now, his eyes bright, his face wreathed in smiles.

‘I see William’s really coming out of his shell,’ one of the mother’s remarked with a smile. ‘He’s changed so much over the last few weeks.’

‘Hasn’t he just,’ another agreed. ‘You’d better watch out, Melissa. Pretty soon you’ll be wishing for that quiet, shy lad again.’

Melissa laughed delightedly. ‘There’s no fear of that. I’m happy with having a normal, boisterous boy. Oh, and speaking of boisterous children, I know this seems ridiculously early warning, but William turns eight on December the twenty-ninth and I’d like to give him a party. We’ll send out invitations nearer the time but with all the chaos of Christmas coming before it, it would be great if you could put the date in your diaries now?’

‘Fantastic. Something for the little monsters to look forward to in the post-Christmas melt down.’ Trisha grinned. She was the mother of the loudest boy Melissa had ever met. He made Simon seem angelic. ‘Can’t be an easy time for you though,’ she continued. ‘Presents, followed by more presents.’

Melissa smiled ruefully. ‘Exactly. If I had my time again I’d plan it much better.’

‘Maybe you can with your next one.’

The words, kindly meant, caught at her heart. She would never have another child, she realised sadly. Unless she was prepared to go through sperm donation, a child meant allowing another man in her life. She couldn’t see that ever happening.

Alice gave her a sympathetic look and swiftly moved the conversation on.

Melissa let the banter flow over her and it didn’t seem long before the young group were walking back from the court. Catching herself staring at Daniel, or more precisely at his legs, she forced herself to look away. The last thing she wanted to do was give off any wrong signals.

‘Would the parents of Claire, Jenny, Simon and William stay back for a moment please?’ Daniel asked as he approached the group.

His eyes met hers and Melissa felt a pulse of awareness zip through her body. She waited for him to drop his gaze but he didn’t. Instead it continued to burn into hers with an intensity that made her breath catch.

Daniel knew he was staring at Melissa for longer than he should. He also knew his eyes were telling her everything he felt. How attractive he found her. How much he wanted her. He’d tried, boy had he tried, to think of her as only a friend. As just one of the mothers. But he was failing, fast. It didn’t seem to matter that she wasn’t interested. He was powerless to stop the bolts of desire that shot through him whenever he saw her.

He wanted to take away the pain she still carried in her eyes. To make her laugh.

And to take her to bed.

Pretty soon he was going to have to ignore her request and go after what he wanted.

With a huge effort of will he dragged himself out of the role of potential lover and back into that of tennis coach. ‘I know this weekend we’ll only be dipping our toes into December, but there’s a Christmas tennis competition against a few of the local clubs,’ he told the group, careful not to catch Melissa’s eye again. ‘I’d love your children to take part.’

‘I’m not sure Christmas and tennis really go together,’ Alice drawled.

‘What, you’ve never played tennis with baubles?’ Everyone laughed, except for Melissa who only managed a weak smile. He pushed his concern aside. ‘Thankfully the balls we’ll use will be real, though to keep with the spirit of the season the players and coaches will be asked to wear a silly hat. Last year it was reindeer horns. This year I believe the theme is elf.’ He tried not to think how he’d look in pointed green hat. ‘The day is all about having fun, but it’s also a great opportunity to play a competitive game against kids of a similar age. What do you think?’

His question was met with a babble of excited agreement, though Melissa remained ominously quiet. What was going through that mind of hers now? Biting back a sigh he handed out the details of when and where the match would be played, all too aware that she avoided his eyes.

As the other parents slowly drifted away, the tension between him and Melissa tightened until it was pinging back and forth like a billiard ball on speed.

Alice cleared her throat. ‘I’ll take the boys to the changing room.’

He didn’t notice them go. ‘What is it? What’s wrong?’

She took a small but obvious step back from him. ‘Tell me honestly. Are you asking William to play this match because you think he’s got the ability, or because you want to get into my good books?’

His jaw almost hit the floor. ‘What on earth?’

‘I saw the way you looked at me just now, and it wasn’t the way a friend looks at another friend.’ Her voice trembled slightly but she held his gaze. ‘There are more experienced players than William for you to choose from.’

He swore softly. ‘Do you really think that’s the type of man I am? Prepared to push a young boy forward into something he’s not capable of, just because I want to date his mother?’ He struggled to hide his hurt. Struggled and failed. ‘Don’t bother replying. You’ve already answered. I’ll find another boy for the tournament.’

Grabbing at the ball carrier he stalked away, the metal hinges rattling with every stride. By God he needed to get some distance between himself and Melissa. A whole heap of distance.

‘Wait, Daniel, I’m sorry.’

He stopped but didn’t turn round. Couldn’t, because then she’d see how damn upset he was.

‘That was stupid of me. I know you wouldn’t do that,’ she continued, placing a hand gently on his arm. ‘I’m really sorry.’

Still smarting, he stared down at where her slender fingers rested on his forearm, their touch scorching his skin. ‘For the record, I’ve never used a child to get to a woman. I don’t generally have a problem getting the opposite sex to go out with me.’

She withdrew her hand and let out a nervous sounding laugh. ‘No, I’m sure you don’t.’

‘Then why say it?’

Her clear grey eyes blinked up at him. ‘I panicked. You gave me that long, smouldering look and then …’ She let out a long sigh, twisting her hands. ‘I wanted to be sure you were picking William on merit. For his sake.’

Daniel chose to focus on the second part of her sentence. ‘Are you watching the same child I am?’

‘I’m pretty sure I know my own son.’ It relieved him to hear some humour in her voice.

‘Then you should be aware that he’s already up to the level of the others and pretty soon he’ll be overtaking them. Perhaps even overtaking my nephew, though I doubt Alice will be happy about that.’

‘Is he really that good?’ She held up her hand before he could answer. ‘Sorry, I know you just said he was, and now it looks like I’m doubting you again which I don’t mean to, but—’

‘Relax.’ He smiled to soften his words. ‘He really is very good for his age. I’m not saying he’s going to be a professional tennis player in life, but he’s got a fabulous eye and if he keeps it up he’ll reach a high standard.’

For a brief moment pleasure flooded her face, but then she frowned, chewing on her bottom lip. ‘But what if he loses? What if all the wonderful confidence he’s gained disappears as quickly as it arrived?’

‘What if he wins?’ he countered softly. ‘What if, either way, he enjoys himself?’

His eyes searched hers and Melissa found herself staring into them, mesmerised. He was so confident, so sure of himself and of life. How could he possibly understand her and her pathetic neuroses? ‘You’re right. It’s just … it’s hard for me. I want to be positive but somehow the glass always seems half empty. I worry, especially when it comes to William.’

‘You’re a mother. It’s your job to worry. I’m his tennis coach. It’s my job to make sure he learns to love the game. Tennis isn’t about the forehands and the backhands, it’s about the competition. Pitting yourself against another opponent and seeing if you have the skills to beat him.’

She laughed, relieved things were normal between them again. ‘You sound like a gladiator.’

He let rip one of his dazzling smiles. ‘I suppose I do see it as a modern day gladiator show. The roar of the crowd. Two opponents and their weapons, both playing for glory. Neither prepared to give an inch.’

‘We’re talking about a tennis match between seven and eight year olds,’ she protested, laughter bubbling. ‘I hope there’ll be no bloodshed.’

‘I can promise you no blood will be spilt. Except maybe mine after you’ve thumped me because William’s come off the court crying and determined never to play tennis again.’

Because his chuckle was sexy and contagious, Melissa found herself joining in. It felt good, like breaking out of the confines of a cold, dark box and staring into the sunshine.

‘What are you two up to?’

She almost jumped at the sound of Alice’s voice. For a few brief seconds she’d forgotten all about her son. Forgotten about everything but Daniel and how his eyes had danced with hers while they’d laughed.

‘I was telling Melissa she can hit me if William doesn’t enjoy the competition,’ Daniel answered, glancing over at William. ‘Can she hit hard, do you think?’

Her son considered the question carefully. ‘I reckon she can, if she’s cross.’

Daniel shivered dramatically. ‘Oh boy. Promise me you’ll enjoy the game, buddy. There’s a lot riding on it. I rather like the shape of my nose and I don’t fancy getting it broken.’

William giggled all the way to the car. The tennis lessons were changing him, she thought as she smiled fondly down at him. Her, too. She felt … happier, lighter, more at ease.

So much so that the thought of spending more time with someone as attractive as Daniel didn’t seem quite so frightening anymore.