‘You’re so beautiful,’ murmured Jack, who took a breath before going in again.
‘I really should be going.’ Sasha placed two fingers on his lips. ‘It’s Chemistry next.’
She watched his mouth stretch into a lazy smile and then moved her fingers away.
‘This is chemistry,’ he told her, before finding her lips once more.
Nobody was surprised when Jack and Sasha started dating. If anything, it should’ve been something that happened earlier. Instead, Jack went out with a string of older girls, most of whom had now left for university, while in her year Sasha was just one of those types that tended to intimidate boys. She didn’t do so on purpose. In a way, her striking looks could work against her. Sasha was willow-tall with long, slender limbs and carried herself like a ghost in human form. You could tell she had Russian blood in her by that heart-shaped face, delicate nose and high cheekbones. Complete with the clearest blue eyes in school, she was out of this world in every way. Not that she recognised this in herself. Sasha wasn’t shy. Just cautious. Unfortunately all those lads who gave it a shot found the power of speech failed them. That is until everyone returned for the start of the new school year and Jack looked around to see what was on offer.
Unlike Sasha, Jack knew that he had been blessed with good looks. Every girl in school placed him at the top of their list. Even from behind, his broad shoulders and tight hips told you this one was worth checking out when he turned. But it wasn’t so much Jack’s dramatically shaggy cut and easy smile that charmed as much as his manner. It was something he hoped Sasha was about to discover for herself, by climbing into her orbit with such passion that anything else of importance in her life just fell away. In such a spin, her world would surely come to revolve around him. For now, however, Sasha was officially late for lessons.
‘OK. Time out. I don’t want to get into trouble.’
‘Another minute, eh?’ Jack breathed out with a faint moan and dipped down to nuzzle her throat.
‘Oh, this isn’t fair!’ Sasha protested weakly. She half closed her eyes for a moment, only to snap them wide open on feeling his teeth find her neck. ‘Er, what are you doing?’
‘Tasting you,’ he said, before drawing her skin between his lips.
‘Jack!’ This time Sasha pulled away. She pressed a hand to her neck, looking both shocked and surprised. ‘A love bite? Really?’
‘Just a little gesture.’ Jack grinned and pushed a hand through his hair. ‘I’m happy for everyone to know you’re mine.’
‘What are you, like twelve years old? Nobody does love bites any more.’ Sasha examined her fingertips as if to check he hadn’t drawn blood. Then she glanced back at Jack, and grinned despite herself. ‘Promise me you’ll never do that again,’ she said. ‘It wouldn’t go down well at home.’
Jack stretched an arm across the back of Sasha’s seat.
‘Relax. We’ve been dating for what? Three weeks?’
‘Four,’ said Sasha, and flipped the visor down so she could check her reflection in the mirror. She lifted her head, just to be sure Jack hadn’t left a mark, and then examined her lips. As she did so, Jack leaned across to kiss her on the cheek.
‘Then we should celebrate our one-month anniversary,’ he suggested. ‘How about I cook for you on Saturday night? My parents are away. We’d have the house to ourselves and I can do you my signature dish. A pinto bean chilli with courgettes and red pepper.’
By now, Sasha was beginning to feel deeply anxious about being late. Her Chemistry tutor would only ask her where she’d been, and everyone would know before she’d even summoned an excuse.
‘Supper sounds great,’ she said, and reached for the car door handle.
‘I’ll pick you up at seven thirty.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ll walk round.’ Sasha grabbed her school bag and pushed open the door. ‘I have legs.’
‘It’s no problem,’ insisted Jack. ‘I’m beginning to think you’re ashamed of introducing me to the folks!’
Standing now, Sasha hoisted her bag strap onto her shoulder. ‘Had I let you get away with that love bite,’ she warned him, smiling warmly at the same time, ‘my dad would’ve eaten you alive.’
2
‘Mince. Mince!’
The baby on the kitchen floorboards gurgled happily when her mother turned to face her. At first, Angelica Savage looked unsure if she had heard her youngest child correctly. When the little one repeated the word for a third time, she shrieked with delight, set down the knife on the chopping board, and scooped her into her arms.
‘You clever girl’ she said, and spun around with her in sheer delight.
Katya was late to the family, and a surprise to her parents. With two older siblings, her father sometimes said that Kat needed a big personality as a matter of survival. She displayed this in the form of an easy smile and tendency to babble and coo as a means of communication. As Kat had yet to show any interest in climbing onto her feet, Angelica regarded this moment as a milestone in her development. Just then, on hearing the front door open, she was ready to share the news with her husband.
‘Something smells good,’ said Titus, and parked his leather satchel against the dresser. ‘I had to skip lunch today, so I’m famished.’
‘Guess what?’ Angelica stood before him, a late sun pouring in through the French windows behind her, which cast both mother and child in silhouette. ‘Go on, guess!’
After such a long day, including an afternoon spent poring over documents and spread sheets from a memory stick that shouldn’t have been in his possession, Titus was in no mood for games.
‘I give up,’ he said, as Angelica moved out of the glaring sun to soften him with a kiss. She knew Titus could be a little grumpy on his return from work, but it didn’t last long once he was back in the family fold. ‘Is it good news or bad?’ Titus asked. ‘If it’s bad, it can wait until after supper. I can’t digest bad news on an empty stomach.’
Beaming still, Angelica gestured at the child in her arms. Katya was gnawing at her fist, a mark of her latest teething troubles. Titus watched her drooling all over her little knuckles and sensed his mood lifting. She was a sweetheart, spun from sugar and wide-eyed innocence. He was looking forward to seeing her incisors come through.
‘It isn’t bad news,’ said Angelica. ‘It’s not even good news. It’s amazing news!’
‘Go on.’ Titus touched his palm to the little girl’s cheek. Katya beamed and giggled. ‘What have I missed?’
‘Listen.’ Angelica turned her attention to the child in her arms. ‘Do it again, Kitty Kat. Do it for Daddy.’
Katya continued to suck at her fingers. It meant when she made a noise it was muffled. Gently, Angelica removed her fingers from her mouth.
‘Mince!’
Angelica switched her attention back to Titus, who stood rapt.
‘Kat’s first word!’ she declared.
‘Mince! Mince!’
‘Mince?’ Slowly, a smile eased across his face. ‘Oh, Kat, that’s beautiful! What a proud moment this is!’
Sharing in his delight, Angelica handed their child across. Titus squeezed her to his chest and then raised the chuckling toddler over his head.