Chapter Nineteen

It was the day of William’s birthday. Though she’d been horrendously late giving out the invitations – leaving it till the day before, unbelievable – her foresight in telling everyone well before Christmas had thankfully paid off and eight of William’s friends were coming. In two hours. So far she’d blown up balloons and iced the cake. Looking down at her handy work, she tried not to feel too guilty over the fact that beneath her decorative drawing of a sports car, was a shop-bought cake. But it was a chocolate cake, and it would have eight candles on it, which was probably all William really cared about.

‘William, will you get that?’ she called as she heard a knock on the door, quickly sliding the candles into the icing.

A few seconds later there was a scuffle of feet racing up the stairs. ‘William?’ Sighing she washed her hands and walked towards the door. Then came to an abrupt halt.

Lawrence.

Wearing a long dark overcoat, his greying hair tied back in a ponytail and his eyes unsmiling, he looked just one step short of sinister.

‘What are you doing here?’ she asked coldly.

‘I’ve bought a present for William. It is his birthday today, isn’t it?’ He held out a carefully wrapped gift.

Her pulse racing, she told herself not to let Lawrence upset her today. Nothing was going to spoil William’s party. ‘Thank you,’ she replied quietly, taking the gift from him. ‘I’ll see that he gets it. Now if you don’t mind, we’re getting ready for his party.’ She took a step back, her hand shaking as she reached to close the door. But Lawrence put his foot in the way, blocking her movement.

‘Can you spare me a few minutes?’

‘Exactly why should I do that? What have you done for me recently that makes you think you deserve any of my time?’

Lawrence looked at her oddly. ‘What happened to the warm and soft girl I married?’

‘She turned older, wiser and more prepared to stand up to you.’

He nodded. ‘Yes, I can see that. How about if I say can you spare me a few minutes, please?’

It wasn’t a word she was used to hearing from his lips. Reluctantly she led him into the sitting room. ‘Okay, but five minutes, no longer.’

Lawrence sat and placed his hands on his knees, his actions slow and deliberate. ‘I take it William is still scared of me?’ he asked finally, seconds before her nerves threatened to shred. ‘The way he shot up the stairs as soon as he saw my face would seem to suggest that.’

‘Is it any wonder? You spent the first five years of his life shouting at him and the next three ignoring him.’

‘Not exactly father of the year, am I?’ he replied wryly, then sighed. ‘Look, I didn’t come to cause trouble. In fact I came to say I won’t be troubling you again. I’ve talked it through with my lawyer and I realise I can’t just see William by himself, not after all this time. He’d hate it and …’ He trailed off, staring at his hands.

‘You’d hate it, too.’

His eyes jerked up to hers and he finally gave her a small smile. ‘Yes.’

Melissa stared at him, too afraid to hope. ‘Why did you demand to see him then?’

His eyes darted back to the floor and for once the supremely confident Lawrence looked embarrassed. ‘I wanted a playmate for Sabine. She’s always moaning, wanting Evangeline’s attention. I figured if William was with us now and again during the school holidays, we’d get some time to ourselves.’

A bubble of hysterical laughter flew out of her. ‘But Sabine went and ruined your plans by not getting on with William.’

He gave her a small smile. ‘Something like that. Plus my lawyer made it quite clear it would take a lot of time and effort on my part to show that I was a fit enough father to be left alone with William. I don’t have the time or inclination for that.’ Finally he looked her in the eye. ‘He said you’d hired the meanest lawyer in town to fight me.’

‘I hired someone recommended to me.’ And unlike her divorce lawyer, who’d come courtesy of Lawrence, Peter Price had come recommended by someone who really cared for her. Who said he loved her.

Slowly Lawrence stood up. ‘I won’t be causing you or William any more grief. You have my word. Have a good life, Melissa.’

Her heart dancing beneath her ribs, Melissa instinctively went to kiss him on the cheek. ‘You, too.’

‘What was that for?’

She pressed a hand to her chest where her heart was now doing cartwheels. ‘For giving me my son.’

After seeing him out she sagged against the door, trying to collect herself. It was a truce. She and Lawrence had finally worked out a truce. On a burst of happiness she flew up the stairs to find William.

He was in his room playing with his cars, his face looking far too solemn for a boy on his birthday. ‘Are you okay, sweetie?’

His eyes remained on the cars. ‘I don’t want him to be my dad.’

Her heart aching for him, Melissa bundled him into her arms and hugged him tight. ‘It’s okay, my darling. You won’t ever have to see him again. Not if you don’t want to.’ Blinking away the tears, she smiled down at him. ‘He bought you round a present. I know he was a mean father to you, but he’s not all bad.’ Clearing a space on the floor she sat and took his hand. ‘The problem was, he didn’t know how to be a father. He came round to say that he’s not going to try any more. If you want to catch up with him again when you’re older, you can do that. It will be up to you.’

Buried in her arms, his little body relaxed against her. ‘Okay.’ A moment later he popped his head up. ‘When does my party start?’

Melissa chuckled and looked down at her watch. ‘In one hour, big boy, and we’ve still got a lot to do. How about you come downstairs and help me?’

As he rang the bell on Melissa’s front door, Daniel could hear the sounds of young kids having fun. Shrieks, giggles, thumping noises. It looked like the party was in full swing. He was running late, his meeting with a journalist taking longer than he’d planned. Still, she’d promised a good article on the tennis academies, though he wasn’t altogether sure whether that was because she believed in what he was doing, or because she fancied a date with an ex- player. He’d managed some half-hearted flirting in response, figuring it might further his cause. It wasn’t as if anyone in his life was going to be jealous.

Melissa opened the door with a flourish, her lips curved in a ready smile. The second she registered who it was, the smile froze.

‘Daniel,’ she murmured, backing away so she could let him in. ‘We assumed you weren’t coming.’

Stung, his grip tightened on the present he was carrying. ‘I said I would. I’m a man of my word.’

‘Yes, I know. I’m sorry.’ Her eyes fluttered closed and when she opened them again she smiled awkwardly. ‘I didn’t mean it to come out like it did. We thought something had come up, that was all.’

‘My meeting took longer than I’d anticipated.’

He received another stiff smile. ‘Okay.’

Exhaling deeply, he told himself to stop being so damn sensitive and followed her inside. The usually tidy sitting room looked as if it had been ransacked. Balloons were strewn everywhere, mixing colourfully with the discarded wrapping paper and cards. Birthday banners fought for attention alongside Christmas decorations. ‘Where’s the birthday boy?’

‘He’s showing his friends his room.’ She raised her eyebrows to the ceiling. As if on cue, there was a series of loud thumps, followed by a scream of laughter. ‘He’ll be pleased to see you.’

Numbly he nodded, grasping at the chance to escape. He was an easy-going man, but right now he couldn’t seem to find his equilibrium. It was too painful to look at her and know he had no right to kiss her. To touch her.

Cautiously he made his way up the stairs and knocked on William’s door. ‘Is there an eight year old boy in there?’

‘Daniel!’ William almost fell through the door and into his arms. ‘You made it. I told Mum you would.’

‘How does it feel, being right all the time?’ he asked, hanging him up by his ankles.

William giggled and tried to punch him on the arm. ‘You’re just in time to see the magic man. He’s going to show us some tricks.’

‘Excellent. I could do with knowing how to make things vanish. Young boys in particular.’ Carefully he put William down and handed out the present he’d been holding behind his back. ‘Happy Birthday, champ.’

William tore open the wrapping paper while his friends gathered round. Daniel recognised all but two of them from the academy.

‘Wow! A tennis bag just like yours,’ he exclaimed. He looked at the signature scrawled across the side. ‘It’s got your name on it.’ He threw his arms around Daniel’s waist. ‘Thank you.’

‘I didn’t know whether to get you that or Lego. I figured you’d already had a load of Lego from Father Christmas and this might be more useful.’

William stroked the side of the tennis bag, the last of the personalised bags from his playing days, when sponsors had clamoured for his endorsement. ‘It’s cool. Maybe you can get me the Lego next year.’

Next year. His heart lurched painfully but he was saved a reply as Melissa’s voice carried up to them. ‘The magic man has arrived. Do you want to come down and see some tricks?’

There was a stampede to the door and Daniel stood back as they flew past him and down the stairs. Simon gave him a fleeting grin, but was obviously in too much of a hurry to say hello to his uncle.

Following them down at a more sedate pace, Daniel eased into the back of the dining room where they were huddled. The table and chairs had been pushed to the side, out of the way, and the kids sat on the carpet, mesmerised, as the magician began his routine. After a short while Melissa came to join him. ‘A moment’s peace,’ he whispered.

She turned to him and smiled. It was a genuine smile; the first he’d received since that fateful day when he’d cocked everything up and proposed. For a moment, just the briefest of moments, they shared that special connection again. The one that had his heart lifting and his hopes rising.

But then she shifted her gaze back to the magician.

Melissa tried not to be too hurt that Simon, the last of their small guests, was collected by his father, not his mother. Maybe Alice was busy, as Richard claimed. Or maybe she was finding it hard to be her friend. Brushing her worries aside, Melissa focused instead on how much William had seemed to enjoy his party. If she was honest, she had, too. It had been lovely having the house filled with mischievous laughter.

One, rather large guest, still remained and was currently helping William pick up all the rubbish in the living room. How stupid that the only anxious moments she’d experienced all day had been caused by Daniel, and not the children. Not that she could blame him for them, because actually he’d been an enormous help. Thanks to the air of authority he carried, her young charges had known they could have a laugh with him, but not push him. A look, a quiet word, and they were quickly back on track.

So no, it wasn’t Daniel’s fault that her heart raced whenever he accidentally touched her, or their eyes met. Also not his fault that in his low slung jeans and a steel-grey linen shirt, he looked outrageously attractive. Or that whenever she looked at him all she could think was what a cowardly fool she was for turning him down.

‘You didn’t need to do that,’ she protested as she entered the room.

‘No problem.’ He tied up the bag and dropped it by the back door. ‘As your last remaining guest though, I think it’s time I made tracks, too.’ He glanced over at William, who’d stretched himself out on the sofa. ‘It looks like the birthday boy is ready for bed.’ Bending down, he ruffled his hair. ‘Great party, Will. See you next week at tennis training.’

‘It was very kind of you to come,’ she told him as she followed him into the hallway, her heart lurching wildly as he halted by the door. Oh God, she shouldn’t be so incredibly aware of him. His fresh, sporty cologne. His big, muscular body.

‘My pleasure.’ His deep brown eyes sought hers and once again she felt the full force of his magnetic attraction. And a sharp, painful tug on her heart.

Who moved to whom? Who cared? All she knew was his lips were finally touching hers and her body was aflame with wanting. Instinctively she returned his kiss, hunger to hunger, heat to heat.

‘Mum, can I put the telly on?’

William’s words burst into her consciousness and she pulled away, breathing hard. Not daring to look at Daniel, she gulped for air and tried to calm her racing pulse. ‘Of course you can, darling. I’ll be there in a minute.’ Was that really her voice? Good Lord, she sounded like Marilyn Monroe with a sore throat. Awkwardly she coughed. ‘I forgot William was there for a moment.’

‘For once I wish he hadn’t been.’ Daniel’s look was loaded with meaning. ‘Though perhaps it’s for the best that he was.’

‘What do you mean?’

Briefly he closed his eyes. ‘Come on. You know what I mean. This is hard enough to come to terms with, without complicating things.’

‘But it doesn’t have to be this way between us,’ she whispered, desperation making her brave. ‘Why can’t we carry on as we were?’

‘What, the casual love affair? Meeting up and sleeping together when our diaries allow?’

It wasn’t how she’d have put it. There seemed to be no room for caring in his version. No room for love. But if it meant they could be together again? ‘Yes, if you like.’

He cursed under his breath. ‘Christ.’ Leaning against the front door, he rubbed a hand over his face before laughing softly. ‘You know there was a time in my life when I’d have jumped at that type of offer, but not any more.’ Intense brown eyes focused on hers. ‘I want to lay down roots. I want marriage and a family. If we get back together, and I don’t piss you off too much, would you marry me eventually?’

Melissa snapped her eyes shut, afraid that if she continued to look at him she’d give the answer that was in her heart, not in her head. Before she could think of a reply that wasn’t a yes, but wasn’t a definitive no, he was opening the door.

‘I thought not.’ He stepped outside. ‘Goodbye, Melissa.’

Without a backward glance he strode down the path and into his Ferrari. A tall, athletic figure. A gorgeous, kind, charming, honest man.

A man who’d said he loved both her and her son. That he wanted to have them both in his life, permanently.

A man she’d turned down. Not once, but twice.

She hung her head, tears flooding down her cheeks and splashing onto the doorstep. Today had been a good day up until now; her relationship with Lawrence had taken a positive step forward, her son had never looked happier.

Yet here she was, seemingly still stuck in the past as her chance of a future roared off down the street. Regret, sharp and bitter, flooded through her and the tears fell more quickly.

It was a long while after the Ferrari had disappeared from view that she wiped her eyes, sucked in a breath and went to join her son.

Feeling utterly miserable, mixed with two parts frustrated and five parts hurt, Daniel let himself into his house. Going to William’s party – bad idea. Kissing Melissa in the hallway. Bloody stupid idea.

To take his mind off his misery he snapped on the television. Festive cheer screamed back at him, people with silly hats laughing with each other in front of a jolly, over-the-top Christmas tree. He turned the damn thing off again.

He was starting to hate Christmas.

Shrugging off his jacket he was about to slump into his armchair with a large whiskey when his phone rang.

‘What?’ he snapped, seeing his sister’s number flash up. ‘I’m in a foul mood so if this is another one of your pep talks I suggest you put the phone down now.’

‘This is a New Year’s Eve party invite. And you have to come.’

His heart sank to his socks. ‘Since when was it written in the sibling rule book “thou shalt attend your sister’s party whenever she asks”?’

‘Since your sister is planning the party around you,’ she replied in an annoyingly smug tone.

‘Did I miss something? Is it my birthday? Have I won an award I didn’t realise I was entered for?’

‘Very funny. This is serious business. Do you still want Melissa to marry you?’

If his heart had been able to sink any lower, it would have. ‘What has that got to do with anything?’ he countered, trying to keep the exasperation out of his voice. ‘Of course I want her to marry me, but she doesn’t want to. Short of drugging her and dragging her up the aisle, I don’t think there’s anything either of us can do about it.’

‘You never used to give up so easily.’

Irritated, he raked his hand through his hair. ‘If this was a tennis match, I’d know what to do, how to win. It’s not and I don’t.’

‘Well I have an idea and as long as you play your part, it should work.’

‘Hell Alice, this isn’t a game. This is my life.’ Slipping from irritated to angry, he began to pace.

‘I know, and I’m not trivialising it, honestly. I hate to see you hurting, and I think I’ve found a way to nudge things in the right direction.’

To say he was sceptical was an understatement. But what did he have to lose, that he hadn’t already lost? ‘Go on then. Tell me the plan.’ He let out a short laugh. ‘It can’t make things any worse than they already are.’

‘Well, it centres round the party. I was always planning to have one, but now I’m changing tactics a little and as well as the couples I’d originally asked, I’ve invited all the single, attractive women I know. Women who fancy you like mad. Personally I find it hard to believe, but apparently you’re sex on legs.’

‘I’m not comfortable with the way this conversation is going. And if you’re paying me compliments, I know the ending won’t be pretty.’

‘No, the end will be spectacular. All you have to do is be yourself.’ She paused. ‘And by that I mean the man you were before you met Melissa. Do you remember him? The charmer who flirted with any woman in a skirt.’

‘You make me sound like a total philanderer,’ he protested. ‘I wasn’t that bad.’

‘I’m not saying you were. Just that I need you to be that man again on New Year’s Eve. When Big Ben chimes, Melissa will be so jealous she’ll be begging you to marry her.’

Daniel raised his eyes to the ceiling. Of all the hare-brained ideas Alice had thought up over the years, this had to take the prize. ‘I’m happy to flirt with some attractive women … you did say they were attractive, didn’t you?’

‘Stunning.’

‘Okay. I’m happy to play my part, but you know it won’t work.’

‘Come on little brother. Where’s your fighting spirit? What happened to the famous McCormack optimism?’

‘It vanished with my sense of humour,’ he replied gloomily.

‘Well, you’ve got two days to find them.’