Chapter 26

Teddy watched her as she ran off. That was not the secret meeting that he envisioned. Not that he didn't love to watch her interact with Patrick and Bernadette. Bernadette thought the world of her. The thought was bittersweet, he knew she missed her mother but he was glad she liked Sara.

He sat by the playground thinking about Sara as the children ran around. He texted her knowing she was still on her way home.

When she responded, he realized that she was wondering how this would work. When would they ever be alone. Ted remembered they had been alone on Tuesdays for months now. No one ever questioned it before, why would they now.

Her affirmative response about a call later was going to fuel him the rest of the day. He still had to drag the kids away from the playground and feed them and bathe them and read to them. All before he could make that call.

It was late when they finally left the park, so he decided on a treat, a stop at the chippy was in order. If stories were to be believed, his father and brother lived on chips, fried bread and english breakfasts. He cooked for his children but truthfully he had been cooking for years. Mel worked more than he did and traveled so much he often had had to fend for himself. Since he prefered to eat healthy, he learned to cook. Now Julie provided some meals, especially when she was with the children on Tuesdays.

Finally they were in bed. As he expected they fell fast asleep after the fresh air and running. Settling on the sofa he pressed send on his mobile.

"Hello."

"Hello Sara. You busy?"

"No just sitting waiting for you to ring. How was the playground?"

"They had a wonderful time. I was quite bored sitting there."

"Bored! You were texting me half the time," she teased then she asked, "are we crazy?"

"What? No! I hope not. We have no choice until you're done with GP."

"We are being deceptive to everyone, including your children," she said.

"I know. I will have to lie to my brother at some point."

She replied, "I already have."

"Your brother?"

"No yours! He noticed I was tired and he asked me about my night."

"Every time I think of you I know it's worth it," he said.

"I still don't know why you're interested in me."

"Because you are beautiful, kind, smart, beautiful…"

She laughed, "You said beautiful twice."

"That's because you are, but don't realize it which makes you even more beautiful."

"Did I tell you that I was thinking the same as Lydia when you showed up in your shorts?"

"She said I was hot!"

Sara laughed, "She said that you were looking good and you were!"

"And I didn't think you noticed."

"Oh I noticed!"

"Maybe you are better at being deceptive than you realize."

"I'm not very good at relationships. I've never had one."

"Never. You've dated?"

"No, not really. I told you, I'm invisible."

He wanted to hold her desperately, as he said, "you are not invisible to me. I see you and have for a while now."

"Really?"

"Yes, really."

They continued to talk. Sara told him more details about her visit to Lily. They spoke about the sadness they felt. Eventually they ended the call because Sara had to get up in the morning.

"What are you doing tomorrow?"

"Same as most Sundays...Church and then the family gathers at Tim's house."

"He's working."

"No matter Julie takes care of everything."

"Well have fun. Goodnight."

"Goodnight beautiful."

Ted thought about their conversation. She was unaware of her beauty. He also wondered just how few dates she had had. If he understood her, she was completely inexperienced. The thought scared him. Not that he was planning his seduction, but could he continue to kiss her like they had and not want more. He didn't want to think about how long it had been for him.

He had a few relationship before he met Mel. He was young and stupid for awhile and any inexperience was overshadowed by eagerness on both parts. He was with Mel for seven years before they were married. They split a few times but always found their way back to one another.

It was no secret that they shared a flat for about half of that time. He knew his mum didn't approve. His father had been more tolerant and more interested in his medical career than the fact that he was living with Mel. Telling his mum why they were finally getting married was probably the worst thing he'd ever done. He knew he disappointed her. Telling his brother and sister was sheer hell though. Afterall he was their little brother and they loved to tease him but he sensed definite disappointment too. Still it was his family that stood by him and supported him when she was gone.

What would his family say if they knew he cared for Sara? He suspected they would be pleased...After they sufficiently teased him. Truthfully Tim and Angela already got on with Sara better than they ever did Mel. His parents dedicated their lives to social issues and then their son married a capitalist. Not the best mix around the dinner table.

Sara would fit right in at Tim's on Sundays. Unfortunately she would never be invited. It was inappropriate. He had never wanted to skip over Sunday for Monday, but as he drifted off that was exactly what he wishing.

Sunday dragged on. He almost panicked when Bernadette started talking about Sara.

"She minded them," Angela commented.

"She offered. She needed the money. I asked all of you, but you were busy," he complained deflecting back to them.

"You must have been out late. She was tired. How was it?" Tim asked.

"Not as much fun as I remembered."

He held his breath that his daughter would not mention the park visit, then he decided to. He added, "We saw her again at the park when she was running."

"She ran off and we went to the playground," Bernadette said.

"She was probably running off to see her boyfriend," Ted added thinking about how just two days ago he thought she had a boyfriend. He assumed he could say she had one now.

"Boyfriend!" Angela said, "She doesn't have a boyfriend."

"I kept hearing her talk about Bill or Billy."

"Even I know that's her brother. You're supposed to be helping him get a job," Tim said.

"Oh right."

"Ted, you really need to stop being so smug and talk to our staff more," Angela chastised.

Teddy thought that went very well.