Page 40 of Strap In
Jean doesn’t quite follow the logic in that, given Ava did most of the work for both their orgasms. But she’s too grateful to argue, stumbling into the shower on Bambi legs. She borrows Ava’s shower gel, the steam scented with clean cedar. But even as Jean scrubs herself a fresh wave of lust hits.
She dresses quickly in a blouse and skirt creased from having spent the night in her bag. And Ava greets her with scrambled eggs, spinach and toast. They eat together at the table bathed in bright spring sunlight, upbeat Eighties pop playing on Ava’s Bluetooth speaker. The music of Jean’s youth. And Jean feels something of that old recklessness as she snakes her ankle round Ava’s – the past has gone, taking Jean’s juvenescence with it.But there is now, Jean thinks.And to hell with casual behaviour.
For her boldness she’s rewarded with a kiss. And another. Ava’s hands sinking into her hair, still loose and damp from the shower. Ava shifting to the seat beside hers, lean body curling around Jean’s.
And Jean’s fingers search out the feel of her skin, freshly moisturised with shea butter. She reaches beneath Ava’s flannel shirt, the t-shirt underneath, and caresses a stomach that – for all she seems to live on Twix bars and takeaways – remains perfectly flat. Savours the sharp intake of breath as she reaches up to the hem of Ava’s plain cotton bralette.
Then comes the unmistakable click of keys in the lock. They turn as one to watch the door swing open. A little girl with golden curls and light-up trainers bounces into the living room, closely followed by a woman who looks so like Ava that Jean’s mind malfunctions.
‘Evie, wash your hands please.’ Aaliyah’s top lip even has that same cupid’s bow. ‘You’ve touched every possible handle and button on the way here.’
The girl sighs, and Jean slides her hand free, giving Ava’s shirt what she hopes is a surreptitious tug back in place.
‘Okay, Mummy.’ The child disappears into the bathroom.
Aaliyah’s eyebrow, waxed into a perfect arch, climbs. ‘Morning, baby sister.’
‘There are six minutes between us,’ Ava says, exasperated. ‘Not nearly enough for you to be calling me that. Like you crammed so much life experience into three hundred and sixty seconds.’
‘Well, it gave me enough of a head start that I’ve got myself and both kids fed, washed, and dressed; dropped Theo at rugby; and brought Evie here for a day with her favourite aunty.’ Aaliyah’s wry smile is the mirror image of her sister’s. ‘All in the time it’s taken you to roll out of bed.’
Though Jean keeps her face carefully neutral, there’s no doubt Aaliyah would have sussed them out, even if she hadn’t caught Jean red-handed. She’s just as sharp as her sister. But Ava doesn’t seem to mind their meeting, giving a languid shrug in response to Aaliyah’s inuendo. And this is what decides Jean’s plan of action.
‘Jean Howard.’ She holds out a hand. ‘Pleased to meet you. Ava mentioned she’s a twin, and I’ve been curious about you.’
‘Leah Clark. And I’m pretty curious too – most women my sister brings home disappear when the sun comes up, like vampires. But here you are.’ Leah’s gaze flits towards the empty plates and matching mugs, expression inscrutable as she takes in the undeniable air of domesticity. Then she takes Jean’s hand, grip firm. ‘Pleased to meet you.’
Something unreadable passes across Ava’s face as she watches them shake, and Jean’s still puzzling it out when Evie races back into the room then, the stars on her trainers glowing bright with every step. She collides with her mother’s legs, hiding behind Aaliyah’s skinny jeans.
‘Morning, Peanut.’ Though hoarse, there’s an undeniable warmth to Ava’s voice.
But the child glances at Jean through wary brown eyes.
‘Hello there,’ Jean says, immediately regretting her formality. She’s always been terrible with children, had never known what to say to her nephews or niece until they reached the other side of puberty. Bridget had accused her of talking to them like little adults without ever explaining a viable alternative.
Like dogs, children have an uncanny gift for sniffing out discomfort. Evie continues to squint up at Jean. ‘Why are you here?’
‘Evelyn.’ Her mother’s whisper is sharp as a whip crack. ‘What have I told you about minding your manners?’
But the child is undeterred. ‘That I had to say please and thank you.’ She looks back to Jean. ‘What are you doing here,please?’
Ava’s too busy giggling to be of any help.
Leah rolls her eyes heavenward. ‘That issonot what I meant.’
‘It’s alright.’ An ache blossoms in the apples of Jean’s cheeks with the effort of trying to smile naturally. ‘Ah… I’m a friend of your aunt’s. I came over this morning to see if she wanted to spend some time together.’
‘But Aunty Ava’s taking me to the petting zoo today. They have lots of bunnies.’
‘I— I did not know that.’
‘Next time you should message first to check she isn’t busy.’
‘I’ll bear that in mind.’ Jean stands, checking her phone, although there are no new notifications. Not even from Rhona. How the junior associates would laugh to see Code Red getting demolished by a pre-schooler. ‘Now I should probably—’
‘But since you’re here, you can come with us.’ The girl nods, imperious as Caesar. And the window of time in which Jean could have reasonably extricated herself from whatever the hell this is slams shut. ‘Just this one time. So you don’t miss the bunnies.’
‘That’s very big of you, Peanut,’ Ava says.
