Page 90 of Never Too Late
‘You make yourself sound about a hundred.’
‘Sometimes, I feel it!’ He laughed as he set his cup back in the saucer.
‘Well, you don’t look it.’
‘Only ninety-nine, eh?’
I wiggled my head from side to side. ‘Perhaps ninety-seven. On a good day.’
His bark of laughter made me smile.
‘You always were a harsh critic.’
‘Pah! I was no such thing.’
He shook his head. ‘I disagree.’
‘Which is your prerogative. But you’re still wrong.’
He laughed again. ‘God, I missed you.’
I looked up and the gaze I’d always found so hypnotic fixed on me now.
‘I find that hard to believe.’ I wagged my finger at him in fun. ‘Don’t forget I know your sister and we’ve caught up on alotof gossip since I’ve been here. I know all about you living the high life as the eligible bachelor.’ There was no judgement in my words. We’d gone our separate ways and made the best of them.
He pulled a face. ‘I can’t disagree. But that doesn’t mean I didn’t miss you. Because I did.’
‘I’m not one of your dolly birds who’s going to fawn over you and agree with everything you say. Absence and time might have made you forget certain things.’
He shook his head, laughing. ‘Believe me. I don’t expect that. I’d be disappointed if you did and if it was the case, you certainly wouldn’t be the Kitty I remember. And,’ his tone turned from laughing to sincere, ‘I promise, I haven’t forgotten a thing.’
‘Good,’ I said. ‘Just so that we know where we stand.’
‘We do.’
I flashed him a grin which he returned and I felt the teenage squish in my stomach again.For goodness’ sake! This isn’t supposed to happen at my age.
But why isn’t it? Stop putting an age limit on things and just bloody well enjoy it, woman!
‘How was your day with Reine yesterday?’
‘Amazing, as always. She’s such an interesting and caring lady.’
I chose the noun ‘lady’ purposefully. Reine lived up to the meaning of her name – Queen – each and every time I met her.
‘I agree. I’m very fortunate she showed an interest in my paintings so long ago when I had no clue what I was doing. If it hadn’t been for her encouragement, I’m not sure I would have continued.’
‘Really?’
‘Really,’ he agreed. ‘I mean, she bought some truly terrible artwork in the beginning!’ Laughter danced in his eyes.
‘I’m sure that’s only what you think now, looking back.’
‘Oh, no. She agrees!’
Laughter wound through my words. ‘She does not!’
‘She does!’ Tomas insisted. ‘Last time I visited her, she was making cocktails and I was looking at a painting on the wall. Averyearly one. She came to stand beside me and we were both studying it in silence for a moment, then Reine said, “It really is a bit shit, isn’t it, darling?”’
