Lost and Found - 16

16

Friday 22nd May 2008

Amelia had spoken to Clay at least once a day, she filled him in on work in his absence, he explained all that was happening with his family. His mother had started to recover from her stroke, but the effect on her had devastated him. He’d waited at his family home until she’d had her surgery for the broken hip. She couldn’t physically improve from the effects of the stroke until she could sit or stand, so for that she needed her surgery to repair her hip. It was all a mess and she really felt for Clay who was stuck in the middle of it all.

Fortunately his concerns over the financial world hadn’t really come to fruition yet so at least he felt a little easier at deserting the ship and Amelia was very attentive in relaying the details of every day. And she knew he was eternally grateful for that.

The only thing hanging over Amelia was the dinner with Jeff Stirling that Clay had arranged for that evening. She’d stood in for a lot of things, but this was particularly daunting as she knew Cole would be there, and she’d been screening his calls of late.

Nevertheless she prepared herself both physically and mentally to face him, but she had to be professional, she represented Clay, his company. She had to ignore any awkwardness due to her history with Cole.

Amelia was the first one to arrive at the restaurant, Clay used a variety of places all known for their exclusivity, and this place was no exception. She dreaded to think what his hospitality budget was, but entertaining was a huge part of this business. Tonight was no exception, after being shown to the table she glanced at the menu and gasped at the prices. She was now in the high earning-section of society, but her years of struggling in London meant she still baulked at the thought of such extravagance. But it was Clay’s decision not hers.

Fortunately the Stirling party arrived en masse, with Jeff leading several people across the restaurant towards her. She recognised Walt from the skiing trip, but the other three were strangers, so she spent a few moments being introduced to them.

                “Where’s Brinkworth?” Jeff asked, but the question wasn’t laced with malice, he seemed genuinely concerned.

                “He’s been delayed in Ohio, he was hoping to be back this afternoon, but there have apparently been heavy winds, and it meant that his flight was delayed. So you have just me I’m afraid.”

                “No complaints there Miss Parkin, just as long as you don’t begin with the snowboarding debate!”

                “It’s Amelia, please, and as you know Jeff there’s no debate!” She finished with a grin, but then half grimaced as a voice added from behind.

                “As I keep telling you Dad!” Cole appeared to her right and slid into the seat next to her which annoyingly was still empty.

                “Hi Cole,” she smiled at him but was a little concerned when his return smile wasn’t as friendly as she’d hoped. This was turning into her worst nightmare.

As they ordered and had their glasses filled, the conversation turned to the markets and the current financial state, Amelia assuring them that their investments were safe, but reiterating that risks were just that, risks. Jeff nodded enthusiastically, appreciating her honesty, then turned to his advisors to reiterate that. 

                “So where have you been hiding?” Cole leaned in and asked at a whisper. His hand found her thigh under the table and instantly raised her defences.

Sliding her leg away, she glared at him, “don’t make me embarrass you Cole.”

He shrugged, showing his teeth in an enigmatic smile, “I thought we’d had fun, then you stopped taking my calls.”

                “I can’t live at your pace, and to be honest, I don’t mind a few drinks, but drugs...not my thing Cole. And to quote the Dragons...‘I’m out’!”

He laughed out loud, which was both not what she expected, and caused the attentions of the table to land on her, with an apologetic smile, she lowered her head to her food.

Amelia managed to deflect Cole’s attempt to pepper the conversation with awkwardness directed towards her. But by dessert she was mentally drained. It was more than a relief to hear a voice dissect the conversation around the table.

                “I trust you’re being well looked after Stirling?”

All eight sets of eyes turned to the sound, but it was Amelia’s that showed the most relief at the arrival of Clay.

                “Brinkworth!” Jeff drawled, “I see you get here for coffee!”

Clay laughed taking a seat, “you know aeroplane food, I’d have rather be here for the appetisers!”

Stirling and Clay seemed to tail off into conversation, after all that was the point of this rendezvous,   so Amelia relaxed sipping on her coffee and taking her finger off the pulse.

                “Come out with me? I’ve got some friends in a club a few blocks away...”

Amelia shook her head, “I’m sorry Cole, I can’t do that, I have so much to do...I can’t dabble in your world. I can’t physically manage, and I’m sorry to say I don’t want to either.”

                “Are you snubbing me? Turning me down?”

She nodded, “it was fun Cole, but no more.”

Nodding he drained his drink then smiled, “your loss Amelia!”

As he stood and excused him, she smiled, knowing that it definitely wasn’t.

Clay was embroiled in an obviously deep conversation with Jeff Stirling, so Amelia started to excuse herself from the group, as she was retrieving her coat, she felt rather than saw someone to her left. Looking up she smiled at a rather sheepish looking Clay.

                “How’s your mother?”

He nodded, “yeah, she’d good. Been out of bed, walking a little, it was touch and go in the middle, but she’s almost a new woman!”

Amelia could see the relief in his eyes, and after they had bid goodbye to the Stirling party together, she took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’m so sorry for you Clay, it must have been so scary.”

Shrugging Clay led her out into the street, “it’s been a nightmare, but I’m lucky I have her in any capacity.” His empathy to her who’d spent over half her life without her mother was touching. “And I missed you!”

She looked up at him and realised he was telling the truth, “I missed you too!”

This kiss was a little more planned, but equally as pleasant. Amelia was glad to feel the flutters of excitement in her chest as his lips moved over hers. She’d had two weeks to talk herself out of this attraction, but she was relieved that she was enjoying this. She knew it was too early to think of longevity, but as she savoured his kisses she was pleased she had kept this idea real. She deserved some fun, some romance, she really felt that. And as Clay pulled apart and started to talk about the plans he had for their postponed date, she knew that he could be the man to shower her with that.

Agreeing to meet him at lunchtime the following day, she allowed him to escort him to hers in a taxi. Unlike last time, he stayed in the car, but didn’t let it pull away until the light came on in her apartment and he saw her waving at the window.

Saturday 23^rd May 2008

Amelia slept well. She doubted she was and was stunned when she opened her eyes to see the clock reading well after nine am. She had time, but needed to lose her nervous energy, so she changed into her running gear and hit the streets. She’d found a loop around lower Manhattan that took her forty minutes, and as there was a lot to see along the route, it was a pleasurable trip. She had always worked to keep her weight down, she was tall, but didn’t carry it well, so running helped her keep on top of it. She hated the gym, and only tolerated running if she had company, or like today had a great route.

Back at her home, she showered and dressed for an afternoon in the sun. It was a warm day, her run had confirmed that, so she wore a pair of denim shorts, a t-shirt, and a pair of sandals. As she had no idea what Clay had planned she had to aim somewhere in the middle of casual, and hoped it was appropriate.

Clay was stood in the hallway moving nervously from foot to foot as she opened the door. When he saw her, his face broke into a smile. He was wearing shorts too, and seeing his tanned legs surprised her, but then she’d not really seen Clay in much less than a suit, so this shorts, t-shirt and flip flop combo affected her in a way she didn’t expect.  As usual his blonde hair was fighting to stick up at all angles from his scalp, and today it was dissected by his aviator shades that he’d obviously lifted to come inside.

                “You look lovely!” he announced looking her up and down slowly. “Have you got some swimming gear? We’re heading up the coast.  It’s a lovely day!”

                “Thank you! And no I haven’t. Can you give me a moment?” Dashing back into her bedroom she found a towel, some sunscreen and some swimwear. The thought of parading around in a bikini in front of him was too much, so she went for a more conservative one piece...not that it made THAT much difference really, but it did to her.

His car was a black low slung Mercedes, and once he’d deposited her bags in the boot, she settled into the passenger seat and leaned back, glad to hand him the reins, and he delivered. Within moments he’d opened up the hard top roof, and the sun caressed Amelia’s shoulders. The Cityscape gave way to clapboard houses, windswept trees and pier dotted beaches as Clay drove out of Manhattan and headed towards the coast, passing the ever industrious JFK airport, then out towards the beaches that flanked the Atlantic coast. Some of them were busy, so Clay kept driving until they found a quieter place. The beach wasn’t flanked with cafes or shops, but had lush sand and lapping waves of the cold looking Atlantic.   

Popping the boot, Clay pulled out a large picnic hamper and a basket.

                “Wow! Look at you Mr Prepared!”

He grinned as he led her on to the sand, “it’s the eternal boy scout in me!”

Crossing the beach he found a quiet spot and shook out the blanket. Then set the hamper down on top. Lowering to sit he kicked off his flip flops and relaxed.

Amelia travelling behind did the same. Suddenly the hustle and bustle of a City that had been her home for so many months were long gone. There was just the two of them and the serenity of the beach, the gentle rush of the waves lapping at the shore. Idyllic. Lying back she closed her eyes.

                “Anyone would swear you’re sleeping!”

She sighed, and replied without opening her eyes, “I could so easily sleep. There’s something so calming about the sound of the sea, the fresh air...”

He laughed, “I’ll take your word for it!”

Jumping up he strolled down to the water, and from her space on the blanket she could see him flinch at the temperature of the sea. Chuckling she closed her eyes and relaxed again.

She must have fallen asleep because when she opened her eyes, Clay had laid out a virtual feast for her, boiled eggs, sandwiches, chicken wings...even a bottle of very chilled chardonnay.

Rolling onto her side Amelia watched him for a moment as he precisely laid out the food, before commenting, “You really surprise me Mr Boy Scout!”

                “My mother always says when I do something I do it one hundred and fifty percent!” He didn’t look up from his task until he noticed the pregnant pause. Glancing at her he raised an eyebrow in question.

                “I was just wondering what she thought about your marriage.”

He sat back on his heels and laughed, “My father was furious, but my mother kind of understood, she knows that I’m an all or nothing kind of guy. I follow her for that, she’s a real romantic, lives her life with her heart on her sleeve. But is strong and good too. She has a straight line for right and wrong!”

Amelia nodded, “I think that’s a commendable feature in a parent! I can understand that sentiment.”

As they tucked into the picnic, Amelia shared what little memory she had of her mother, and a little about her domineering father.  As he packed away a little later she was in contemplative mood and made for the waterfront, strolling in the shallows, loving the icy waves lapping around her ankles. Her mind had been dragged back to her unhappy childhood, this dark cloud that seemed so easily ready to dampen her day. She liked Clay, he was a gentleman. She wasn’t going to let the memory of ‘he who shall remain nameless’ to spoil things.

Marching back up the beach, she took the picnic basket out of his hands and threw her arms around his neck.

                “Enough small talk Clay!”

With that she thrust her lips on to his.