Free Mary's Prayer by Martyn Waites Page A

have to lose? He was young and dynamic, he was …’ She looked
     at Larkin to gauge his reaction before continuing, but he had temporarily borrowed her poker face. ‘He was good-looking, and
     he was going places. A powerful combination.’
    ‘And you’ve been happy?’
    Charlotte wore the poker face this time. ‘I’ve been … contented.’ Then a look at him. ‘Yes, I’ve been happy.’
    ‘Good. That’s all that matters.’
    The waitress chose that moment to beam herself over to ask if everything was all right, remove their dishes and offer the
     dessert menu. While they were scanning it, Charlotte suddenly sat upright, a whimsical expression playing about her mouth.
    ‘Remember this?’
    Larkin listened. ‘Forest Fire’ by Lloyd Cole And The Commotions. He did remember.
    ‘Lloyd Cole.’
    ‘An “Our Tune” for us, if ever there was one!’
    ‘Yeah. I love this bit—’ Larkin sang along, professing with Lloyd Cole his belief in love, or indeed anything that would get
     him what he wanted, get him off his knees. Charlotte joined in the chorus; by the end of the song they were smiling widely
     at each other.
    ‘It’s great to see you again, Stephen.’
    ‘It’s great to see you, too.’ He knew he was committing himself by saying it.
    ‘I thought I’d never see you again.’
    ‘And that bothered you?’
    ‘Yes!’
    Larkin laughed. ‘Why? Last time we were together you tried to push me off the Swing Bridge.’
    ‘Oh, that was then. This is now.’
    ‘And now you’re a married woman.’
    She gave him a smile that he couldn’t quite read – and then the waitress arrived and they both ordered cassata and cappucino.
     Larkin, felt uncomfortable, tried to defuse the situation.
    ‘Good album, that Lloyd Cole one. “Rattlesnakes”? Not a bad track on it.’
    ‘I know. I’ve still got it.’
    ‘So have I.’
    ‘I even went out and bought it on CD.’ She paused; their ice cream arrived. ‘There’s a song on it that always reminds me of
     you.’
    ‘Which one?’
    ‘“Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken”. Remember it? That’s how I’ve always thought of you.’
    ‘As someone who’s doomed to be eternally disappointed?’
    She gave her unreadable smile again and they focused on their ice cream.
    ‘You’ve changed, you know,’ said Larkin.
    ‘Of course I have,’ Charlotte replied. ‘Nobody stays the same. You either go forwards or backwards.’
    ‘And which way have you gone?’
    ‘Forwards, I hope.’ She looked straight into his eyes. ‘You’ve changed too.’
    ‘For the better?’
    Charlotte smiled. ‘You’ve just changed. It’s going to be fun getting to know you again.’
    Larkin felt he should say something meaningful, but he couldn’t think what. Instead he adopted an expression that he hoped
     was darkly inscrutable. He hoped it didn’t make him look like he had indigestion.
    They drank their coffee, paid the bill, grabbed their coats; the waitress’s knowing smile followed them out to the street.
    Outside the air was sharp and the night was clear.Larkin was feeling light-headed, a combination of booze and Charlotte. He offered to walk her home and she accepted. She slid
     her arm through his and snuggled close.
    They covered the short distance without speaking. Then Charlotte said, ‘Here we are.’ They had stopped in front of a big,
     imposing Edwardian house. Charlotte had clearly landed on her feet in one way at least.
    They turned to each other at the gate: time for the ice to break. Larkin didn’t know who made the first move. All he knew
     was that their mouths were suddenly together, hungry. Tongues, in and out, Charlotte’s body up close to his. He could feel
     her breasts pressing against him, her pelvis grinding into him. No doubt she could feel his erection growing. His hands were
     all over her, all over the body he’d thought he’d never feel again, never respond to, never make love to. He felt her breasts,
     her nipples hard through her sweater.