Burning Bright

Chapter 13

The next few days settled us into a new routine. Me working, Eoin speaking to Manish about his trial, Pierre about the tiger sanctuary, his mother to reassure her, and Skyping Moira for updates on the twitter and press interest. The new campaign #EoinMackenIsInnocent was gaining in popularity the closer the trial date became, and was also fuelling the fund raising. When I got home from work, I would swim and pretend there was nothing at all between Eoin and myself. I would also try to pretend that I didn’t mind Veronique, who seemed to be a constant presence at his side, flirting with him, along with quite a few of the other women, as it was good cover for the two of us. But as soon as we were back in the apartment, we would kiss and caress and try not to get too carried away before we’d had time to shower and eat. Most days we failed.

I was late from work after the usual Friday crisis, so waved at Eoin from the steps as I ran up them. I was going to change for a quick swim, but Eoin returned to the flat while I was still sorting through the post.

‘You know, you need to get baggier swim shorts,’ I said as he pushed me back against the front door to kiss me.

‘Is it that obvious?’ he asked with a grin. ‘I’ve been thinking about you all afternoon and now I have to have you.’

‘I was going to go for a swim,’ I protested, but not very forcefully.

‘If it’s the exercise you’re worried about, I’ve been reading the Kama Sutra and there are some very interesting positions that look to be better than yoga for flexibility.’

‘You’ve been doing what?’

‘Vee gave it to me. And there are lots of very interesting pictures in it.’

‘I bet there are.’

‘Shit, I’ve left it down by my lounger. I’ll get it later. I was in a bit of a hurry to come and find you. I want to try out page 104.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Oh I don’t know. They all have odd names. Probably “Elephant enraptures lotus blossom” or something.’

I laughed. ‘And you’re the elephant, I suppose.’

He glanced down. ‘Well, you said you could see what I had in my trunks.’ He pressed himself against me. ‘And feel it now?’

‘Eoin!’ but I couldn’t speak further as his lips were on mine and his fingers were climbing under my blouse and removing it, until we were interrupted by a knock on the door.

‘Eoin! Eoin! It’s Vee!’

 ‘Oh no,’ I muttered.

‘Shhh. Shit. She’d just asked and I said you weren’t home yet.’

‘What?’ I hissed.

‘Go. In your bedroom. I’ll get rid of her,’ and he shoved my bag at me.

I pushed the bedroom door closed as he opened the front door. ‘Vee!’

‘You left your book behind.’

‘Oh thanks. Sorry, I just needed to get back for . . . erm . . . ’ I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry at Eoin’s total incompetence in dealing with her.

‘I, err, couldn’t help but notice that you were . . . well . . . and wondered if you, err . . . needed a hand.’

My feelings changed to confusion between being shocked and impressed by her suggestion, but these were quickly overtaken by curiosity at how Eoin was going to extract himself from this situation. And then realised very quickly that Eoin had no idea.