Burning Bright

Chapter 9

We’d fallen into a routine, with me going to work then joining Eoin by the pool in the afternoon, looking forward to leaving work far more than I ever had done before. We’d make plans for the evening although had quite a few invitations for dinner, more people in the compound getting to know Eoin from his enforced captivity there, or by reputation. It was certainly doing wonders for my social life, I now knew far more people around the compound than I ever had before, although we were careful to say that he was just staying with me to meet his bail conditions and there was definitely nothing between us. And, apart from this giving every woman carte blanche to flirt with him in front of me, although that was very definitely my problem, not his, it was rather enjoyable. Until the Friday.

I returned home, late as there’d been a minor crisis in the office that only ever seemed to happen on Friday afternoons, to find Eoin already in the shower.

‘Oh hi sweetie,’ he said, giving me the now routine kiss on the cheek as he emerged from his room wearing just a towel. ‘Bad day at the office?’

‘Was OK until three then it all went horribly wrong. You’re up here early.’

‘Ah.’ He looked suddenly awkward. ‘Erm, I won’t be eating with you tonight.’

‘Oh?’

‘Veronique asked me over for dinner.’

‘Oh.’ I felt like I’d been kicked in the stomach by a donkey.

‘You’ll be OK on your own, won’t you?’

‘Of course I will!’ I said with false enthusiasm. ‘Could really do with a quiet night in anyway after today.’

Eoin was humming as he trimmed his beard in the bathroom, combing his hair into a semblance of style, and splashing on aftershave. He was wearing his “court” shirt, the only smart one he had with him. Perhaps we should go shopping before his court appearance. He’d at least need a decent suit.

‘How do I look?’ he asked.

‘You’ll do,’ I replied, hoping my voice didn’t sound as leaden as my heart felt.

After he’d gone, I mooched around the flat, not used to being on my own. It felt strange now, him not being there. I made myself some food, watched some TV, and then had an early night to make a point. Except that was pointless as he didn’t come back.

Awake ridiculously early for a Saturday, and furious with myself for being upset, I took myself down to the pool and took out my anger by swimming energetically up and down the pool until I was breathless and panting. I lifted myself out of the water only to see Eoin leaving Pierre and Veronique’s apartment . . . with Veronique. I really didn’t need to see them standing there chatting, her smiling flirtatiously at him followed by the full on snog she gave him, or the way her hand slid down his back coming to rest at his waist, but I couldn’t stop myself staring. Or my stomach tightening into a knot.

He didn’t see me on the lounger, but turned to wave to Veronique as she loitered at the door of her apartment. I didn’t really know either her or her brother, although we had been introduced, and I wasn’t entirely sure what he did, although had the feeling it was something financial.

It didn’t take Eoin long to come and find me, now changed into his swim shorts. He looked excited about something and I really hoped it wasn’t going to be a blow by blow account of . . . well . . . anything!

‘Here you are! A bit early for you, isn’t it?’

‘I had an early night and the flat was unusually quiet.’

The pool assistant came over with a mattress and towels for Eoin and he settled himself on the lounger. ‘I stayed over.’

‘Good.’