Chapter 6
After James left, Alesha could not go back to sleep. The adrenaline kept her awake and jittery, incapable of concentrating on something as simple as reading Saturday's Guardian. She flittered around the flat, trying not to overanalyse what had happened with James, failing miserably. She finally grabbed a coat, her keys and headed out, not really knowing where she was going.
She ended up waking along Bethnal Green Road, browsing the various shop windows. Even while shopping, she could not help thinking about the previous night. The first kiss, slightly akward. And then the canoodling on the sofa, getting more and more assured, finally taking James by the hand and moving things to the bedroom. And this morning, waking up with him, nervous and elated at the same time. She wondered if it was worth it, all that nervousness and anxiety for something that could very well amount to nothing. On the other hand, she did owe herself to at least try, not to turn and run as she had done so often before when even the faintest possibility of a relationship came into view. She could not blame her studies, her new job. And James was far from the dubious objects of her past infatuations. He was genuine. Ok, she should brace herself for possible failure and give in to the temptation that was James. She entered a small boutique she had noticed often but never visited before, intent on splurging on a nice piece of clothing that would make her feel confident tomorrow.
The rest of the weekend passed quickly, reviewing court cases and taking her nephews to a see a new animated film. Heading back home for tea on Sunday, Alesha began fretting about what she should wear to James'. Jeans and her new top. Casual but stylish. Yeah, not overdone but still sophisticated. She spent the next two hours in the bathroom, getting ready, putting a lot of efforts to look her most natural.
As she was about to call a cab, with still a few minutes to spare, the phone rang.
"Lesha, it's me. Thanks so much for taking the kids out today. I came home from work and they could not stop talking about the movie."
Alesha sighed as she recognized her sister. Justine would expect her to chat and she would have to explain that she had a date. But she wasn't near ready for that. "You know it's always a pleasure, Joos. It gives you and mom a break, and it allows me to spent time with the boys."
"You could spend tons of time with them if you still lived here, you know."
"Joos! Don't start with that. You know how insane it was when I was still living there. Anyway, I am sorry but I'll have to go. I was just heading out for dinner..."
"Ouhh! A date? Someone I know?"
"Joos! Stop it. I am going to James', you know my old boss? He invited some of us for dinner." Alesha closed her eyes as she lied. Joos would go on and on if she knew Alesha was seeing James. She had been chiding Alesha for years for having a thing for her "uppity boss".
"Got to go! I'll talk to you soon!" Alesha hung up and dialed for a cad, getting increasingly nervous as the moment to see James again approched.
After a 20 minutes ride to Hampstead, Alesha rang James' doorbell. Trying to look composed but having last minute jitters. He had not called to confirm. What if he was not serious about the invitation? What if she seemed too eager? Maybe she should have claimed a prior engagement...
The door opened as Alesha was fervently wishing herself back home. "Lesh. I was afraid you would not come." James was in the doorway, wearing beige slacks and a white shirt. Effortlessly elegant, as usual. Smiling at her, eyes crinkled. All was well.