Forty-One

Half an hour later she sat opposite Adam at the small table in her bedsitting room; they were eating fish and chips with their fingers. The smell of fried fish drifted around the room and out on to the landing. She owned cutlery, of course, but there was something especially delicious about eating fish and chips straight from the paper, dripping in vinegar and coated with an unhealthy amount of salt. It was wonderfully reminiscent of holidays as a child. Adam had opened the wine and was soon refilling their glasses. Only when they’d finished eating, and Mandy had fetched the roll of kitchen towel to wipe the grease from their fingers, and had thrown the fish wrappings in the bin, did she begin to tell him.

She took another sip of wine and then, reaching across the table for his hand, began by telling him of the night, ten years ago, when Jimmy had come into her room. His horror was obvious as she described the terror of waking in the dark to find Jimmy on top of her, then the ten years when her mind had blocked it out and no one had spoken of it. She described the strange thoughts and flashbacks she’d experienced when she’d returned to Evelyn’s house, culminating in the night when she’d remembered. Adam was quiet and very still as she spoke, his gaze not moving from hers. She finished by telling him of her visit to Jimmy’s wife and daughter and the phone call she’d made earlier that evening to John.

‘I don’t know what to say,’ Adam said at length, visibly shocked. ‘But why didn’t you tell me sooner, Mandy? I could have helped.’

‘I couldn’t. I had to sort it out in my own head first before I found the words or courage to tell you. And I guess I’m still sorting it out.’ She looked away and felt his hand squeeze hers.

‘And you’re sure you don’t want me to go with you to the funeral tomorrow? I can if you want.’

‘I’ll be OK with Mum and Dad, and I need to talk to them about all this. It will be a good opportunity.’

He paused. ‘Mandy, there’s something I need to talk to you about. It’s been on my mind for a while. I won’t be offended if it’s not right. Just be honest and tell me what you think.’

She looked at him with a stab of unease. ‘What have I done?’

‘Nothing bad.’ He smiled and turned to his jacket hanging on the back of his chair. Delving into the inside pocket, he took out a small paper bag and a folded sheet of A4 paper, which he tilted towards him so she couldn’t see.

‘I hope you haven’t forgotten your promise,’ he said. ‘The one you made at your aunt’s?’ She frowned questioningly. ‘You agreed we should move in together, so I’ve been looking at flats. What do you think?’ He opened the sheet of paper and placed it in front of her. Mandy gazed down at the estate agent’s details and a photograph of the outside of a flat. ‘It’s in a small new development,’ Adam said. ‘Ten minutes’ walk from the station, which will be good for me getting into work. It’s got a lounge, kitchen, one big bedroom and a smaller one.’ He pointed to the photographs on the details as he spoke. ‘The spare room is very light and would make an ideal studio.’ He gave a small nervous laugh. ‘The rent isn’t too bad and there’s my salary and also that bit of money my granddad left me. So there you go. What do you think, Mandy?’

She looked up and, smiling, felt her eyes mist. ‘I think the flat looks wonderful, Adam, and I think you are too.’

‘Good, because I’ve put down the deposit and we can have the keys next week.’

She gasped, but before she had time to say anything Adam was opening the paper bag and taking out a small jeweller’s box. ‘I know we agreed we would live together and not think about getting married, but I wanted to buy you something to mark the occasion. I haven’t bought you anything in ages, apart from fish and chips. I hope you like it and it’s entirely up to you which finger you wear it on.’ He looked at her, embarrassed. Opening the box he set it on the table in front of her, beside the estate agent details.

She looked at the ring and her eyes filled. ‘And I used to think you weren’t romantic!’ She laughed and blinked back the tears. ‘It’s beautiful, absolutely perfect, it must have cost a fortune.’

‘You really like it?’ he asked, concerned.

‘Yes, it’s exactly what I would have chosen. Thank you so much.’

He smiled, pleased. ‘It should fit,’ he said. ‘I used my little finger as a gauge. I know your other ring goes down to my first knuckle.’

She felt him watching her intently as she carefully lifted the diamond solitaire from the box. It caught in the overhead light and its facets glinted all the colours of the rainbow. ‘It’s absolutely lovely,’ she said again. Holding it in her right hand, she slowly slid it over the third finger on her left hand. It fitted perfectly.

Adam stood and came round the table. Taking her gently by the shoulders, he drew her to her feet and kissed her, first on the cheek and then fully on the lips.

‘It’s a bit late for going home,’ she said as he drew back. ‘Why don’t you stay the night?’

‘I will if you really want me to, Mandy.’

‘Yes, I want you to.’