A silver Mercedes pulled up outside. It had been a long time since she’d been out and it had felt good getting ready. She straightened down her black halter-neck dress, re-applied some lip-gloss, pulled on her long black velvet coat, swished a pink pashmina round her and shut the door behind her.
‘So where are you taking me then?’ Jess cheekily asked the Mercedes driver. ‘Bray, madam.’
‘Champagne?’ Sam enquired as she walked through the door of The Fat Duck.
‘Lovely.’ She replied smiling. ‘Thanks so much for sending the car by the way, I felt like royalty.’
‘Well I have to keep my best clients sweet. You know that. I just live round the corner from here anyway, so it made life easier than coming to pick you up.’
Jess had always wanted to eat at The Fat Duck, she’d heard so much about Heston Blumenthal’s remarkable menus. She had tried on numerous occasions to get a table for people requesting a restaurant with a difference, but had never once managed to get a reservation. Sam must be in the know to get a table so close to Christmas, she thought.
‘How exciting!’ Jess exclaimed as they sat down at their table. ‘I’ve always wanted to come here.’
‘Good, good, it’s difficult to know where to take a lady who’s been to most restaurants and hotels with her job.’ Sam took a swig of his champagne. ‘You look stunning by the way, Jess.’
He seemed nervous, Jess thought. It was strange to see Sam like this. He was always the confident managing director to her. She hadn’t actually thought of him as Sam Beresford, the person, with a life outside events. After they had finished their champagne and were well through a bottle of French red, Sam seemed to relax.
‘I’ve been wanting to take you out since your birthday night actually.’
‘I can’t believe it’s taken you nine months to get round to it.’ Jess laughed.
‘Well you always seemed to be busy when I asked you what you were up to and I didn’t want to pry, especially after you told me you had man troubles.’
‘Well it was certainly worth waiting for, Sam, the food here is amazing, oh and the company’s not so bad I guess.’ Sam laughed. ‘So tell me about Sam Beresford then,’ Jess urged.
‘Well I’m a managing director of an event company,’ Sam replied. Jess usually considerate, now fuelled by alcohol, wouldn’t let him get away with just this.
‘Sam! I meant tell me about your personal life, I want all the gore, previous girlfriends, wives, mistresses.’
‘Jessica Morley, you’re a nosey one aren’t you? I shall give you one bit of information and that’s it. Yes I have been married, just the once, at twenty-one, we were far too young.’ In this context, twenty-one did seem really young to Jess. She suddenly thought about Dan. He was coming up to twenty-five, and it made her realise then, just how young he really was. The man opposite her was twenty years older than him. In fact they could both be his parents.
Sam started to tell his tale. ‘We split up amicably after ten years. There was no one else involved. The love just seemed to fade. It was really sad to part, but we didn’t want to live a lie. I never regretted a single day of my marriage. Grace is a good woman and our daughter has taken on her spirit and love for life.’
‘Daughter!’ Jess exclaimed. ‘You’re a dark horse, I had no idea.’
‘Yes, she’s twenty now, all grown up. She’s a club promoter in London.’
They tucked into their smoked bacon and egg ice-cream.
‘God that’s delicious! You just wouldn’t expect it to be would you?’ Jess exclaimed.
‘Life would be dull if everything you expected happened wouldn’t it, don’t you think?’ Sam uttered.
‘You are so right, Sam Beresford. I can’t think of anything worse than knowing what would happen in the future.’
‘So where does Jessica Morley see her future lying then?’
‘Oh Sam, do you know what?– I really don’t know. I always thought that by forty, I’d be settled with kids, doing the school run, making their costumes for the Christmas plays and running in the parents’ race at sports days. I wouldn’t have to work and would be content with a loving husband, a medium size house, and maybe a cat.’ Sam listened intently as Jess continued. ‘And look at me, yes I’m a successful businesswoman, got good friends and family, a cool house, smart car, but there is something missing in my life. I miss being in a partnership and I do want a family.’ Jess took a sip of dessert wine. She couldn’t believe she was opening up to Sam in this way, but somehow it was refreshing being so honest. Once she started she couldn’t stop. ‘I’m doing this writing course now, I’m quite into it actually, and that is fulfilling me to some level – but it isn’t enough. I sometimes do ponder on my purpose if I don’t have a family of my own.’
Sam nodded. ‘I guess I’m lucky there because I have Charlotte. We’ve done our best to give her as stable an upbringing as possible despite her living in two homes. But she’s flown the nest now. I guess I feel like you. I want a partner, but then part of me is so set in my ways now that I don’t think I could bear to share my house with anyone.’ Sam was also shocked out how candid he was being. ‘You are a very special lady, Jess, and good things happen to good people. Everything will work out for you I’m sure.’
They drank their coffee and Sam settled the bill. He helped her with her coat and walked her out to the waiting Mercedes. It had started to snow. Jess screeched. ‘Oh look, Sam! I hope it covers tonight. I just love the crunchy sound and feeling as you take that first step into fresh snow.’ Sam smiled at her child-like exuberance.
‘Well ciao, bella, thanks for a lovely evening, I’ll guess I’ll see you when you’re back from Oz now?’ He kissed her on both cheeks. Jess noticed how gorgeous he smelt. ‘Thank you so much, it’s been a real treat to be brought here.’
‘Oh one more thing, Jess, I nearly forgot. Happy Christmas.’ Sam handed her a neatly wrapped present.
‘Oh, Sam, thank you. Thank you so much. You really shouldn’t have though. Dinner was enough.’ She could sense his embarrassment.
‘Right, I’m off. You take care. Have a fantastic break, Jess.’ She waved and smiled from the car window. When Sam was out of sight, she sunk back into the comfortable leather seat of the Mercedes. She really had enjoyed the evening. There had been no heart palpitations. In fact she didn’t think that Sam wanted any more than friendship anyway. He had said before it was just dinner and not a date. Sam was good company. It had been a good starter for ten, on her new journey without Daniel Harris. She opened her present, the outer wrapper revealed a small box, beautifully wrapped in red tissue paper. She opened it carefully. Inside was a beautiful crystal brooch in the shape of a swan. Jess said, ‘Bless him.’ It really was such a lovely present. He had obviously picked up on her swan comment in the George & Dragon car park. Thoughtful went straight to the top of the Sam Beresford tick list.