part0015

Steph dived into the empty pool and surfaced, swimming the crawl at a punishing pace. Aside from the private terrace, a big attraction of her London apartment was the pool and gym which were available to all the residents 24 hours a day. Unable to sleep she had decided to get up and come down to the pool even earlier than usual.

Since she had returned to London, she had been unable to get Mia out of her head. She could still recall the taste of her full lips, and the feel of her body against hers. She was embarrassed thinking about the number of times she had pleasured herself with Mia’s face and body in her fantasies since returning to London.

Kissing Mia had been amazing, and she couldn’t believe that Mia had wanted her, she suspected that had she not stopped it that they would have slept together. She had wanted to, it took all her strength to pull herself away. She wasn’t a prude, but she couldn’t pursue someone who was going to be her step-sister, someone who she would come across years into the future. It just didn’t feel right.

Steph was mortified though thinking about how she scurried away the next day, unable to face her. It hadn’t occurred to her at that moment, but since then thinking of how Mia had described her love life, of women who just wanted her body and then left, she knew she had treated her just as badly. She was ashamed of her behaviour, she just didn’t know how to make it right. The thought of facing her at the wedding in 3 months scared her, she expected Mia’s distain, she deserved it.

What scared her more though was that it wasn’t just the physical attraction that she was focussing on, yes, she wanted to be intimate with her, who wouldn’t, but it was more than that, she missed her. Everything seemed to remind her of the time they had spent together, the slightest thing triggered memories of her voice, her laugh, their conversation, her teasing, their ease of being together.

Back in Falkirk Mia was equally confused and unhappy. Unlike the last time Steph had left there were no texts, calls from her, just silence. Mia thought of calling her, but what was the point, she had made her feelings quite clear when she ran out without even speaking to her.

She was in the salon, having just had her hair washed and ready to be cut when she heard a familiar voice. “Mia, what are you doing here?” She could see Abby in the mirror looking at her, suddenly her expression changed to a smile. “Sorry that’s a stupid question, given you are sitting here with wet hair, I just didn’t realise you came to my salon.”

“I didn’t know this was yours.”

“Yes.” She addressed the girl who was about to start cutting her hair. “Look Diane, if it’s okay I’ll take over here, that’s if you don’t mind Mia?”

“No, no of course not.”

Abby looked at her suddenly realising that Mia might be scared about the cost of having her hair cut by the owner. “And it’s on me. what would you like?”

“No, I can’t really.”

“Oh please, I insist, you’re almost family. You are saving me from paperwork too, tax forms that sort of thing, trust me you are doing me a huge favour.”

Mia grinned, she had liked Abby from the moment she met her again, she was much more forthright than the timid girl at school she could remember. “Oh well in that case it would be cruel of me to refuse. Just a trim, nothing major.”

Abby started to cut her hair. “So, have you heard from Steph at all? It’s radio silence, I think she’s throwing herself into her work again.”

“No. no I haven’t.”

Abby could see her expression in the mirror, suddenly she looked like she was going to cry. “Mia what’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing, I’m just overreacting.”

“Okay hold that thought till I’ve finished your hair, then unless you’ve got plans, I’m taking you for a glass of wine. Let’s face it there’s nothing alcohol and a good chat can’t fix.” Steph what have you done ?

Forty minutes later they were sitting in a bar, a bottle of wine in an ice bucket in front of them, and their glasses full.

Mia took a big gulp. “Look I’m sorry I’m just being stupid.”

“Well how about you tell Aunty Abby and then I can be the judge of that.”

Mia took a deep breath. “Steph and I.....”

“On the night of the party....” For some reason she was unable to speak, she started coughing.

Abby was concerned, Mia seemed really upset. “Come on Mia tell me please, you’re beginning to worry me.” She didn’t believe it likely, she had never known Steph treat anyone with anything but the utmost respect, but she had to ask. “Steph didn’t......?”

Mia suddenly realised what she was implying. “Oh god no, I mean we kissed, and a bit more but nothing I didn’t want.”

“It was good between us, more than good. I knew she wanted me that night and I ...I would have.... but then she suddenly pulled away and went to bed. I thought I could speak to her the next day, discuss it calmly, without alcohol. She left before I got up, took an earlier flight, she told my mum it was work related but I’m sure it was to avoid me.”

“Ah, and since then?”

“That radio silence you spoke of extends to me too. Nothing! I know we aren’t really friends but when she left the last time, we did text, exchange phone calls, skyped occasionally you know...”

Abby watched her as she spoke, she could see how affected she was. “You really like her, don’t you?”

Mia looked down at the floor. “Shit is it that obvious?”

“Mia, I thought you were attracted to Steph from the first night I saw you together, so did Janie. Then the night of your parents’ party, you both looked great, the attraction, the energy between you was palpable. I fully expected something to happen between you.” She sighed loudly. “If Steph could just get over herself.”

“What do you mean?”

“Mia, Steph’s my best friend, and highly principled, and let’s just say relationships don’t come easy to her. She’s not good at making the first move, fuck she wouldn’t know a good thing if she met it in her soup. Plus, she has a poor view of herself, and she sees you as out of her league.”

“She didn’t do too bad that night.”

“And it’s probably completely freaked her out. I also know she struggles with who you are too.”

“About our parents you mean?”

“But we aren’t related.”

Abby held up her hands. “Hey, it’s not me that you need to convince. Mia don’t give up on her, I think you’d be really good together, that’s if you plan to stay around. You know Steph doesn’t do casual relationships, it would be cruel to start something you didn’t intend to finish.”

“I know, I suppose it depends whether I have a reason to stay.”

“What you’d stay, for Steph I mean?”

“Let’s just say I can’t summon up any enthusiasm to even think about travelling right now, I’m too preoccupied. Thanks Abby, for this, she drained her glass.”

Abby topped up both their glasses smiling. “That’s no problem, don’t give up on her Mia, she’s her own worst enemy at times. It’s not long until the wedding, and she can’t avoid that.”

“No, I suppose she can’t, but I’d rather she chose to see me than it was just because she had to. It’s a special day, I don’t want any ill feeling between us to spoil it.”