Free Anchored by Tracey Hoffmann Page B

together. With his wife out of the picture how long would she have to wait to move in with him?
    She’d had enough of this stupid game and she was going to tell him so. After all the sacrifices she’d made for him, she loved him and he owed her.
    ~~~
    Jonathan was surprised by the pain that stabbed his chest. He hung up the phone and moved to the lounge, folding his body into a chair.
    His head fell back and he closed his eyes. His chest heaved up and down as he considered his options.
    If Mia knew he’d been having an affair with Judy all this time, she’d hate him. He’d have to go. Maybe he could talk to Judy about having some time apart so people would think he was the grieving widower.
    A tear slipped out the corner of his eye and slid down his cheek. Jonathan’s index finger wiped at the tear and his eyes looked at the moisture in surprise.
    “Margaret, my love—I miss you. Forgive me.”
    ~~~
    Being back at Judy’s place haunted him. His mouth sneered as he stormed down the path and into the house. He came to an abrupt halt in the front room. What was it with Judy and candles? The small candles flickered casting shadows around the room and the sweet smell sickened him.
    As soon as he saw her Jonathan gritted his teeth and his fists clenched.
    Judy sauntered towards him and her smiled mocked him.
    He hoped his disdain was visible to her. His eyes met hers and her smile penetrated his foggy mind. He was playing into her hands. This was exactly what she wanted. She liked his anger.
    Stepping back from her he allowed his hands to relax. He wanted to convince her they needed to play it cool, that time was now on their side and they had to use it wisely. He would appease her tonight and get himself some space.
    ~~~
    The conversation with David played on Mia’s mind. Twice she’d been abrupt with him to the point of rudeness yet here she was standing outside his house.
    She glanced back down the street and contemplated reneging on her promise. Why was the thought of being friends with him so difficult?
    Straightening her shoulders, she braced herself and with purposeful steps she approached his door. What would he say when she told him she was now house-sitting for a friend of her uncles and living on Werrina Parade, six houses down from his?
    She fiddled with the catch on her bag for a moment then set her mouth as she pressed the bell.
    The sound of the bell could be heard ricocheting through the house, quickly followed by a dog barking. Mia smiled.
    David opened the door with one hand and signaled to Bruno with the other to sit and wait.
    “Hi, Mia, come in.” Mia greeted David, then hunched down to say hello to Bruno. “Hey, Bruno, remember me?”
    With undisguised excitement Bruno nudged into her, his big head swooping down to lick her hand. Mia laughed as she briskly rubbed his neck.
    “Would you like a drink before we go? I’ve just poured myself one so I hope you’ll say yes.”
    “In that case, thank you.” Mia relaxed and glanced around. The ambience of the room spoke of class and money. Each piece of furniture faced the window, beckoning the eye to survey the ocean landscape. The room was lived in with books on the coffee table and a newspaper folded on the floor by a chair.
    There was a massive potted plant taking up a whole corner of the room and Mia lifted her eyebrows in surprise as she saw the wildness of it.
    “I know, I know, it’s ugly. Mum gave it to me five years ago and it’s gone ballistic. I go to trim the thing but the thought of it dying halts my hand in midair. Mum loved plants and this reminds me of her. When it takes over the whole room I’ll buy a bigger house.” Laughing, David motioned for Mia to sit down and excused himself as he went to get her drink.
    Walking over to the plant, Mia gently touched one of the large shiny leaves. He was a sentimental man. The corner of her mouth curved as she went to sit on the edge of a chair.
    David arrived back and placed a tall glass