Page 26 of Trust in Truth
A nod was all Katherine could muster as Anna withdrew her fingers.
They tore at each other’s clothing as they climbed the stairs, eager to get them off. Both were completely naked by the time Katherine fell back onto the bed, ready for Anna to finish what she started.
The bed was empty when Katherine woke except for a sleeping Virginia tucked into her side. Her mind felt clearer — and her body relaxed, finally — after some attention from Anna. She stretched, much to the annoyance of Virginia, who got up and tucked herself against Anna’s pillow.
“Traitor.”
Virginia yawned in response.
Anna appeared in the doorway with a mug. “I was just coming to wake you. I thought you might like a cup of peppermint tea.”
“Thank you,” Katherine replied, reaching out for it. She was gasping for a drink after their activities.
“I’ve put lunch” — Anna sat beside Katherine and looked at her watch — “early dinner on. We’ll have to reheat what turkey we need.”
“Sorry, I was supposed to be making lunch.”
“It’s fine. I can cook, you know.”
“I know.”
“Is it present time yet?” Anna asked, pulling a present wrapped in brown paper from her back pocket and presenting it to Katherine.
“Thanks. Festively wrapped, I see. I’d forgotten all about presents. Mine hadn’t even made it as far as the tree.” Katherine opened her bedside table and extracted a small, square, flat present. “This one is from Virginia.”
At the sound of her name, the cat got up and climbed onto Anna’s lap.
“Well done on the wrapping, Virginia.”
Virginia mewed, rubbed the side of her head against the wrapping paper, and then returned to her spot by Anna’s pillow.
“I think she wants you to hurry up and open it.”
“She’s almost as bossy as you,” Anna replied, tearing at the paper.
Katherine winked at her. “Almost.”
“A Jane Austen coaster. Oh, Virginia, you shouldn’t have.”
“You said you wanted a new coaster by the bed. Virginia must have overheard.”
“And come with us to Bath.” Anna chuckled as she leaned forward and placed a kiss on Katherine’s cheek. “Thank you, I love it.”
“That’s not your main present.”
Katherine reached around under the bed, her naked bottom poked out from under the duvet and presented itself to Anna.
Anna kissed it. “Again? You’re insatiable.”
Katherine laughed between grunts as she extracted a large present from under the bed.
“Here.” Katherine let out a lung full of air as she heaved it onto the bed.
“Golly, thank you. Open yours first.”
Katherine tucked the duvet back over herself and then tore into the small, long present. It had a familiarity to it that sent her heart racing. The removal of the wrapping paper revealed a jewellery box. It was from the same jewellers as Margaret’s gift. What if it was the same one? She didn’t want Anna’s gift to be tied to the memory of Margaret’s. Opening the box revealed a delicate gold chain with a diamond pendant attached; her relief was audible.
Katherine lifted it out. “It’s beautiful, thank you and nothing like Margaret’s gift.”
