Chapter XVII
''I'm so sorry about today,'' John said, turning to Anna as they exited the pub just after midnight.
Robert and Cora had said their goodbyes an hour earlier when their nanny had rung them to report that Edith and Mary wouldn't stop fighting, leaving Anna and John by themselves.
''What do you mean?'' Anna asked, as they walked side by side down the street towards her flat.
''You know, about what Robert did. Forcing you to join us.''
''Oh, it's all right. It was nice to see Cora again. Plus…I wouldn't have missed hearing those stories about teenager Johnny Bates for anything...'' Anna smirked.
''Oh, don't start,'' John said, embarrassed. Robert's "Let's Get John and Anna Together" campaign had been on in full force the entire evening, no matter how many times both John and Cora had nudged him under the table to keep his mouth shut.
''Come on, some of them were rather...interesting…'' Anna deadpanned, before bursting into laughter.
''You can say that again.'' John couldn't help but laugh with her.
''It was nice to learn something new about you,'' Anna said honestly, then paused…a little afraid of what his reaction might be. She didn't want him to feel that she was pressuring him to talk about himself again.
''Smith...'' He stopped walking and turned to face her completely.
''Bates?'' Anna gave him a wicked smile, then added quickly, ''I don't want to push you, but I do believe that it is customary for friends to share at least something a little bit personal with each other.''
''All right.'' John resumed walking, lost in thought. After a few moments of silence, he stated, ''I'm an only child.''
''So am I,'' Anna chipped in.
''I love the smell of old bookstores.''
''Why?''
''My mum owned one when I was younger. I spent most of my free time there,'' he explained, and she could see the hint of a smile at the corners of his mouth.
''Oh, and I hate cats,'' he offered casually.
''How can you ha-...?''
''Except Mer,'' he quickly added, as she turned to him to protest. ''Others are just too...you know…?'' He shrugged his shoulders.
''No, I don't know.''
''You know, just too…too…cat-like.''
''Too cat-like? You do realize that Mer is a cat, don't you?''
''She's a kitten.''
''A cat.''
''A kitten,'' John laughed. ''Plus, she's family.''
''Oh, how tribal of you,'' Anna teased.
''Maybe,'' he nodded. ''Or maybe it's because she's the only family I have left.''
''What about...?'' She wanted to ask about Vera, but once again was hesitant to push him too much.
''As you know, we're separated, and have been for the last 7 years or so,'' John stated and continued without a pause. ''My dad died when I was just a boy, and I haven't seen my mother for the last 12 years.''
''I'm sorry about your dad,'' Anna said gently.
''Don't be.'' He looked at her. ''He wasn't a nice man.''
''Oh?''
''He was a drunk, really. My mum was better off without him.'' He was surprised how much better he felt, telling her about his family. ''My mum was my world when I was younger. We got along very well, until...until I met Vera.''
''Why?''
''She didn't like Vera. She said that the only reason she was with me was for the money I inherited from my granddad when I turned 18.''
''Was she?''
''Maybe in the beginning, yes,'' John admitted. ''But I do believe we married for love in the end. Vera is…not an ordinary woman, so finally my mother made me choose between Vera and her. And I chose.'' Suddenly he felt Anna's hand in his. It felt warm and welcoming, and he squeezed it lightly. ''She even refused to attend our wedding.''
''So…what went wrong?''
''Everything, really,'' John replied in a way that told Anna he was done talking about his wife.
The rest of the walk passed in comfortable silence, their hands remaining entwined.
Anna was pleased that she had finally learnt something new about him, and John was feeling several pounds lighter. Only a few of his closest friends and his therapist knew about the things he just shared.
''This is me,'' Anna announced when they reached her flat.
''I know,'' John smiled.
''Thank you for walking me home.'' She stepped up onto the first step and turned to face him, still holding his hand.
''Any time.''
''And thank you for sharing. It means a lot.''
''Well, yes...'' He looked down nervously. ''...see you on Monday.''
''See you,'' Anna replied, ready to go in, even though she would rather stay with him a little longer, especially when he was not letting go of her hand.
Looking first at their hands and then slowly at him, she saw his face soften. ''Yes?''
''Good night, Anna.''
She smiled sweetly at him and, before he knew it, her soft lips touched his cold right cheek. His eyes drifted shut, as he savoured the feeling of having her so close.
For a second Anna thought about kissing him properly, but she didn't want to frighten him. Whatever was holding him back had to be something huge. So, if he needed to go slowly, she was willing to do so. Plus, she was enjoying the rough feeling of his stubble against her lips, and he smelt wonderful, a hint of aftershave still lingering on his skin.
''Good night, John,'' she whispered. She slowly moved away, let go of his hand, and walked into the building, leaving him standing alone on the pavement.
beta: annambates! xoxo thanks!
