One Moment At Sunrise. Karen Aldous

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СКАЧАТЬ the blood rushed to her cheeks as their eyes locked. Biting her lip, she said, ‘I’m sorry, my partner wouldn’t approve.’

      ‘Ah. When you said Charlotte was all you had, I obviously misunderstood but, fine, I wouldn’t want to make you uncomfortable.’

      Evie met his eyes with nervous approval. The rhythm of her heart started increasing. Had he really just asked her for a date?

Chapter 2

      Evie was still trembling when she climbed into the passenger seat of Ben’s 4x4, but noticed she felt weirdly invigorated. The accident must have pumped her blood so fast, she could only imagine her veins had stretched. Or was it that she was so happy to be alive? Ben placed her bike in the back before sliding in next to her wearing a comforting smile.

      ‘Are you ok?’

      ‘Yes, fine. I live in a village on the canal, do you know Colombiers?

      ‘Ah, mais oui! Tres beau.’ His smile flashed straight to her heart.

      Maybe it was this man who was bringing her alive. He must have meant a date. What else? No one had asked her for a date since Charlotte, or since Seb at least. Although out of the question, it would be nice. Seb rarely took her out on proper dates when he bothered to come home. It would be magic to be romanced.

      Those first weeks when she and Seb had met in Majorca were amazing. Seb had kept eyeing her whilst she’d served drinks at the Puro Club in Palma, joking and teasing, mainly flirting. Despite his forwardness, she’d enjoyed his attention and had found him savagely sexy. Not only that, she’d felt unbelievably special. She’d been singled out. Almost every girl in that bar wished they’d been in her shoes. He was the star, devilishly handsome, famous and, to boot, when he sang, his voice had rampantly resonated through to her soul. So it didn’t take long before she’d fallen for his easy charm and succumbed to his lair; in fact, they couldn’t keep their hands off each other. They’d spent many glorious days together, either lying idly in bed, making love, or lazing around the pool at Seb’s luxury harbour-side apartment, on the beach, or driving up to the mountains in his jeep, fine-dining on beautiful terraces. How she missed those days, missed Seb. He just wasn’t the same guy she’d met then. He’d spent time with her then. She could only hope he’d get bored with his music and come home.

      She breathed out a heavy sigh and scooped back her hair.

      Again Ben’s eyes met hers, his mouth curled to one side. Clasping her chest as it fluttered uncontrollably, she couldn’t believe such a small movement of the lips and eyes could create so much energy.

      ‘Well, before I so clumsily asked you out,’ he said, turning forward again and peering through the rear-view mirror, ‘and the reason I’d like us to talk is – I quite like your suggestion, about the peasant women, I mean. We are still in the early days of filming, and I’m wondering whether I should include a few more characters. I think it would be interesting to look at another dimension. I need to speak to the other producers. It would take more funding but you could be right.’ He turned again as she stared at him, open-mouthed.

      The glint in his eyes zoomed straight into her limbs as though Tinkerbelle was sprinkling fairy dust. ‘So, are you the writer?’

      ‘Yes, I’m the director, one of the producers too, and did write the script. Call it my baby. It’s well supported by the funders, but now I’m questioning whether I’ve done it justice. I would be interested to hear what you know.’

      She guided him to her home as he drove, her head still in a cloud of mist, and with a smile she could barely contain. He had been paying attention to what she had said and, evidently, liked it. At least enough to want to consider possibilities. When had anyone expressed interest in what she said?

      ‘Well, I don’t know your script but… oh,’ her hands joined together as if in prayer whilst her adrenaline intensified. ‘I don’t have all the details to hand, but I certainly remember reading about it. I’m sure I could source the book again.’ Evie chewed on her lip wondering where she had read it. ‘I studied journalism so I enjoy a bit of investigation.’

      ‘Really, that’s great. Would you consider doing some research? I’d pay you, of course.’

      Hiding a smile, her hand flew to her mouth; eyes wide and fixed on his profile. The film business paid well. She was dreaming, of course she was. A gorgeous film director asking her for a date and to carry out research for his film. She must have banged her head. Wake up, wake up. She jolted herself back to the moment.

      ‘Oh, stop. Sorry, down this track here,’ she told him, pointing to her right, ‘and drive to the end. My house is at the bottom.’

      That was a lie. It wasn’t really her house was it, it was Seb’s. For Charlotte. What did she have? What had she done for herself and her child?

      Ben ruffled his curls with one hand and looked at her thoughtfully. ‘I know you’ve just had a terrific blow, but when you feel better perhaps we could chat some more.’

      Evie swallowed hard. It was real! She’d barely got off the ground as a journalist before having Charlotte, so this was way over her head but… what a great opportunity, as well as a personal challenge.

      ‘Yes, it sounds exciting. Oh, just pull up here.’

      Ben slowed and steered his large vehicle between a wall and some shrubs. ‘I’ll get the bike sorted out and returned as soon as I can. I’ll bring it back here, yes?’

      ‘Yes, I definitely need that. Thank you.’ Evie said as he parked at the end of the leafy track. She opened the door as the car halted in front of the gate and swung her legs out, and before she’d jumped down, Ben was there taking her hand. Stepping down, she could have been floating.

      ‘Here’s my card,’ he said sliding it into her hand. ‘Ring me if you are worried about anything and think you need to see a doctor. And, when you’re fit, I’d love to talk. Again, my apologies for what happened.’ His hand slid naturally to her arm, patting it gently to reassure her. Blood rushed to her cheeks and her skin shivered warmly at his touch. She stepped back, pulling away her hand, scared by her reaction.

      ‘No really, I should have been paying attention.’

      His mouth twitched as he hesitated, then turned with a wave of his hand. ‘Take care.’

      Tucking his card in her shorts pocket, Evie just managed to maintain her balance and dashed across to her neighbour Suzanne’s, unable to contain the excitement, not just at the insane bubble of film glamour this man had welcomed her into but also at seeing her daughter. Thank God she was alive. More alive than before in fact and feeling… well, just feeling!

      Suzanne drew back the door with a smile. As soon as Evie stepped in, she raced to the floor by Charlotte’s side and whisked her into her arms.

      ‘My baby, Mummy’s back and safe. We’re together.’ She smothered the little girl’s flaxen hair and bewildered face with kisses. ‘I’m so glad to see you.’

      Suzanne closed the door and rushed up behind her. ‘Whoa, what happened to you?’

      Evie got to her feet, cradling Charlotte. ‘So sorry Suz. I am just crazy right now. Crazy with love for this little lady. I’m so lucky. I will explain СКАЧАТЬ