She entered the ice cream cafe and immediately found James waiting for her. He stood up as she approached the table. Not wanting to push things they didn't hug or even shake hands, they just nodded at each other. James pointed to the empty chair across from his and she sat down.

Neither spoke for a few minutes. Someone came to take their order. They looked at the ice cream flavors listed on the wall and both spoke at the same time.

"Coffee Caramel." They exchanged a look of mild surprise over their similar taste.

They were silent again waiting for their ice cream. After it arrived and they each had taken a few spoonfuls, James spoke.

"You never said anything."

"I was waiting for you to indicate this was something you wanted. I had no right to impose myself into your life."

"Did you want to?"

"Yes."

They paused to eat more ice cream.

"You were very young when I was born. Something bad must have happened to you."

"Yes."

Even though James was prepared for that response it still sent ice water into his veins.

"Besides being a bastard what was my sperm donor like?"

"He was very tall, academically clever, and morally bankrupt. Luckily you only inherited two out of three."

"Can you tell me in broad terms what happened? I'd rather not hear the details. The last thing a man wants to know about his mother is how she became one."

"He was my maths teacher. I thought he was taking an interest in me because I was clever. He had done it before and kept changing schools." She paused to look intently at James. "I figured out I was pregnant and didn't tell anyone until it was too late to do anything about it. I knew you were special. I also knew that at 14 I wouldn't be able to keep you, not having the skills and maturity to be a very good mother."

"Was that your own diagnosis or were you pressured to come to that conclusion?"

"Strongly advised. I was convinced of my lack of maternal instincts." She gripped the table with both hands.

James noticed that and the sadness in her eyes.

"And I was born at Holmwood Park Hospital."

"Yes, and on the way there I devised a plan where I was going to steal you away and sneak out of the hospital and go to my Gran's. I was sure she would keep me, and you."

"What happened to the plan?"

"There were complications during the birth because I was so small…"

"And I was a very big baby?"

"Yes. I ended up losing a lot of blood, got an infection and nearly died. I was in hospital for three weeks. Meanwhile you went off to the adoptive parents as planned but not before I got to hold you one time."

"Sorry, I don't remember it." James looked at her sympathetically.

"I'll never forget it. I told you I loved you and that I would always remember you. I meant it then and I still do now. Then I gave you the only thing I could of myself, my name. I'm grateful to your parents for keeping it in your middle name."

"I always wondered why my middle name was a bit feminine."

"Sorry."

"It's okay. You have to get teased at school about something. That may have saved me from something worse."

They each ate the rest of their ice cream.

"I should have saved you from something else." She would never forgive herself for that.

"I used to have a fantasy that you rescued me from a dark place."

She reached across the table to cover his hand with hers. She could feel the rough fingers of a guitar player.

"I failed to do that, I'm sorry."

"I pictured you as a spy for MI5 and I was a pawn in a dangerous mission so you had to give me up to keep me safe. Only the mission failed."

"I meant it to be a successful gambit, one where you came out the winner." She paused to get her voice under control. "Pawns do make it across the board and are promoted."

"I never got there."

"You still can. And pawns can't move backwards so you don't have to return to that dark place. If you ever need me…" She had to stop and remind herself to breathe.

James took his other hand and covered hers. Her hands were softer than he expected. They both thought about that one time years ago when there was physical contact between them. That needed talking about someday.

"Despite me taking a gamble with your life, you've turned out rather well. Shakespeare said 'Bad wombs have borne good sons', The Tempest"

"That's misquoted. You should know better than to try that with me."

"Shakespeare was wrong. I prefer my version."

"You did what you thought was best for me. You had no way of knowing how it would turn out." He paused deciding whether or not to ask the next question. "Where is my sperm donor now?"

"He's dead. The father of one of his other victims killed him."

"Well done him." I never have to meet the bastard.

"Yes, it made my father feel rather inadequate."

In unison they both took their hands back, not used to the closeness, needing to lessen the emotional temperature between them.

"Going forward, can we find some common ground?" She tried to project a hopeful attitude.

"Besides coffee caramel ice cream?" He allowed himself a tiny smile.

"Similar tastes in music?" The corners of her mouth went up slightly.

"And books by…"

All of a sudden the pair of them sensed that they were under observation. Someone in the cafe appeared to be very interested in their reunion.

In the next chapter I will name names. I feel a bit guilty keeping it secret for 3 chapters. Thanks for reading!