Free The Tender Flame by Anne Saunders Page A

Work is such a bind. I’ve still a million things to tell you, and I want to know everything that’s happened to you while you’ve been away. I can’t promise for definite, but I might see my way to popping round to your house this evening, if that’s all right?’
    â€˜I’m not sure. I might be going out,’ Jan replied, as offputting as she dare.
    â€˜That won’t matter. If I come and you’re out that will be my hard luck. The walk will do me good.’
    * * *
    That evening, Jan waited until she was sure Martin would be home from work and then she lifted the telephone and dialled his number.
    â€˜Hello, Martin,’ she said recognising his voice immediately. ‘It’s me, Jan.’
    â€˜How marvellous! Where are you phoning from, you gorgeous psychic creature? You must have known I needed cheering up.’
    â€˜I’m at home.’
    â€˜Better and better. When can I see you? Now? If you haven’t eaten, perhaps we could grab a bite to eat somewhere. Please say yes, Jan, for old times’ sake.’
    She didn’t want to start anything up again with Martin, but because of the way he’d worded the invitation it would seem churlish of her to refuse. ‘Yes, then.’
    â€˜Great. Where would you like to go?’
    Not sure what he had in mind, a proper meal or a bar snack, she replied: ‘I’m not fussy.’
    â€˜Neither am I, so long as the steak is good.’
    â€˜How about the Horse and Hounds?’ She named a venue that had never been one of their special places, safe in the knowledge that he wouldn’t think she was retreading memories in the hope of reawakening the romantic interest between them. She had slipped up.
    â€˜Anywhere but there, Jan.’ His voice sounded pained. ‘It was Tara’s favourite place.’
    â€˜Sorry. I didn’t mean to be tactless.’
    â€˜That’s all right. I realise you couldn’t have known.’
    â€˜You haven’t got over her yet?’
    â€˜You’ve got to be joking. She turned out to be a right bitch. You’ve no idea how she treated me,’ he said in a hurt little voice.
    Her inside gave a big sigh of despair. She knew from past experience that Martin in a sorry-for-himself mood was not the happiest of fortunes.
    That unlikely beginning preceded an evening that turned up more than one surprising twist. She had thought there might be some constraint or awkwardness between them, but no, they picked up from where they had left off. Which was in itself a thought to ponder over. They had never been lovers, only the warmest of friends. She had been the naïve one to think the little-girl affection she felt was a sufficiently strong feeling to take them into the intimacy of marriage.
    Martin had a cultured appearance that did justice to his well-cut lounge suit, and yet had he been wearing casual sweater and jeans, Jan knew he would have looked just as immaculate. He was incredibly good looking. Perhaps his features were too refined for a man, and his light brown hair was too fine and silky and could have done with more bounce. But it was his boyish face that accounted for a high percentage of his charm.
    He awarded Jan a devastatingly ponderous look as he declared: ‘You have lost a little weight and done a lot of growing up.’
    â€˜I should hope so,’ she said, deliberately ignoring the slight twinge of regret in his voice. ‘Not about the weight, about the other. I couldn’t stay the wide-eyed ingenue for ever.’
    â€˜Why not? I liked her. She was honest and straightforward and a man knew where he was with her.’
    Poor Martin. Didn’t he realise that if they’d fallen in love it couldn’t have been like that? Despite his seniority, she suddenly felt older and wiser than he was. She knew that being honest and straightforward and knowing exactly where you stand with each other is what friendship is all