Return to Love
Chapter 11
Sunday Dinner (Well Nearly!)
It was Sunday morning, about ten. John had been awake since six.
Always the early riser,he supposed it was part and parcel of the job he use to do.
Has a solicitor,his mind seemed to be one step ahead of whatever case he was working on.
His Aunt insisted he not work today,and as it was hours until lunch at Clara's he was going mad with boredom.
By eleven he had,read all the Sunday papers. There was only politics and cooking programmes on the TV.
John,got dressed and decided to go for a walk.
Going through reception,said good morning to Kate who was on duty. John went to pick up the guest book from the desk,she snatched it back.
"John your Aunt said you are not to work today,anyway it's quiet there's only five guests in"
"But" He stammered.
"No"_
She said holding the book to her chest,pointing at the door.
"Go for a walk or something"
John admitted defeat. Muttered something that sounded like 'Bossy women' Kate grinned at that. Walking down the steps to the hotel looking at his watch,it wasn't even half eleven"
Tadchester was a quiet seaside town,not to big,not small either..Somewhere in between.
People liked it for the peace and quiet,there was quick access to London by train or car,if needed.
John walked up to the sea front.
It was calm and was going to be a nice day,though mild for March.
He thought about the visit of his wife yesterday,how that she had the gall to come and try to get round him.
He had his eyes well and truly opened now,what a gold digger she was!
Did she really think that he would come back,lie down and take it?
Maybe the old John Smith would have done,but not now,especially as he had Clara.
John thought of her now,would like to take her a present,something for Daisy as well. Smiling,looking round.
There must be some sort of shop open somewhere,and it would make the time go quicker perhaps?
Walking back alone the front he came to the row of shops,some selling beach toys and other sort of gifts.
He could get some flowers for Clara as well,but he would like some sort of trinket for her she might like that.
Looking in the window of one of the shops he saw just the thing a bracelet made out of coral beads for Clara.
It was a simple thing,not expensive,the kind of thing that Sue would hate and call "cheap and tacky" because it was inexpensive. That was the difference between them.
He also found a box covered in the same sort of beads,the sort of thing to keep things in that Daisy would like.
John then bought flowers,wine and chocolates from the small supermarket that they had got the food from for the picnic. It was half past twelve.
Time had moved on because he had kept himself occupied.
He made his way to Clara's.
Because it was only a quarter to one,he walked up and down did not realise that Clara was watching him with secret amusement from the window.
She took pity on him went and opened the door.
" Don't have to wait until the dot of one. You haven't been there since yesterday have you? No different clothes.
Come in you daft thing!"
John went red at being caught out.
He thrust the flowers and chocolates at her.
"These are for you"
Clara with her hands full.
"Er.. thank you_"
He was so out of practice at this dating thing.
Was there a time when he was ever in it!
He remembered asking Sue out the first time.
Then asking her to marry him,that was because she thought she was pregnant,thought he was doing the right thing. Though that had been a false alarm.
He had been a mug,but not now..
Sue had such a forceful personality. Do it or ELSE!
No he wasn't going to keep thinking about her today,that problem was for later.
"Thank you" said Clara again.
"You didn't have to"
"Don't you like flowers. I should have asked,your not allergic are you!" John said in panic.
She laughed.
"Will you stop it,come in"
Following Clara inside.
She Put the gifts on the table.
"I meant you didn't have to bring anything,sit down.
I will get you a glass of wine,put these lovely flowers in water"
Clara,was amused and flattered,it had been a while since anyone had given her flowers.
Unless you counted Daisy,and that was for Mothers Day!
She pushed him into a chair.
"Sit_"
Daisy was sat at the table drawing.
"Hello" she said smiling at him.
Clara came back into the room with a glass of wine for him.
"Dinner will be about an hour" Putting it in his hand.
"Thanks"
Clara noticed the two parcels on the table.
"Look hope you don't mind,but I got you both a present"
Looking flushed as he handed them both a box.
Daisy opened hers and said.
"Look Mummy,isn't it lovely,oh thank you,John" she threw her arms round him.
He looked overwhelmed as he returned the embrace. Clara opened hers.
"John,it's lovely thank you,I'm not going to say you shouldn't have this time as I really love it"
She put it on her wrist,stood admiring it and also Daisy's box.
"Now that is lovely too"
John started to relax,it was Clara and Daisy after all.
As it had been for the last four days. Dam Sue,for getting him so uptight. The sooner he got that situation sorted the better..
He sipped his wine,has Daisy showed him the pictures she drawn.
At two,Clara asked Daisy to set the table and they sat down to dinner.
"Roast pork today and,no I didn't burn it"
John said "Have you before?"
"Once,madam there never lets me forget it!"
John looked across at Daisy she giggled at him.
When they had finished,as with the last time He insisted on washing up and wouldn't take no for an answer.
"How about a walk on the front,it's a lovely day"
Clara said then.
John groaned.
"I can hardly move after all those roast potatoes!"
"Hey! Are you calling my cooking heavy"
She pounted at him.
"I wouldn't dare"laughed John putting his hands up in protest.
"A walk then?"_
Daisy was holding his hand as they started off,but soon ran on a head.
Clara looked at him out of the corner of her eye,he seemed to be thinking to himself.
"John,is everything alright?"
He looked at her,could not lie to her.
"My wife turned up at the hotel, wanted me to come back to London with her"
"What did you say to that?"
"I told her no,my life is here now"
Clara's heart leapt
"The only thing is,she may make life difficult for me,even though she is the one in the wrong" He continued.
She put her hand in his.
"We will cross that bridge when we come to it,I will be with you if you let me?"
John looked at her and then kissed her on the forehead.
"Thank you"_
Daisy ran back up.
"Come on,John race you to the end of the pier?"
Racing after her,but let her win.
By the time they got back,it was nearly seven,time for Daisy to get ready for bed.
She didn't want to,but Clara said.
"Come on Daisy,it's school tomorrow.
John will come in to say good night won't you?"
"Yes,of course"
Afterwards back in the lounge sat kissing put his arms around her.
Thank you for today,I enjoyed myself"_
Clara with her head on his shoulder.
"So did I_ _Daisy as well"_
"I really should be going,but I don't want to" He whispered.
She turned his head towards her,kissed him back saying.
" Stay please_"
AUTHORS NOTE
This chapter was longer than I thought,but I needed it to set the scene.
There is a lot more to come,will try to make my chapters as long as I can.
As always thanks for following and reading.