Unplugged (19 page)

CERYS

I push Ella’s bag onto her back as we arrive at school. The English summer is heating up and Ella counts down the days to the end of school. Next term, she starts ‘big school’ and she’s as excited about that as the oncoming summer holidays. I doubt we’ll do much in the summer break; I don’t have the money for a holiday anywhere. I promise Ella lots of trips to the park and picnics with friends; time and fun together is precious. Wherever I’m making memories with Ella, that’s special.

Liam k
eeps his promise and he texts me constantly through the day, we follow each other’s vastly different lives through snapshots of daily events and messages. Now it seems unusual if I don’t hear from him several times a day. He didn’t stay long after Ella’s party. She woke again, interrupting the intensity of our reunion and he left. In a small way, I’m glad she did because her need for me distracted me from my need for Liam.

Ella wriggles from my hug and skips across the tarmac school playground
toward the double-doors into school. Big girl Ella won’t let me come in with her anymore, even though her school days are mornings only until September. Almost a big girl.

My phone beeps.

I giggle and reply
to Liam’s message.

’re not very interesting>

’m a rock star. I’m allowed to stay up late>

Phoebe bumps me
, and I’m pulled out of mine and Liam’s world back to the school yard. “Texting your man again?”

“
He’s not my man; I haven’t seen him since Ella’s party.”

Phoebe purses her perfectly made-up pink lips.
“Mmm-hmm.”

The past
two weeks have been filled with whispers and rumours, and Phoebe is the only person I’m comfortable talking to about Liam. Yes, we unfortunately hit Facebook, thanks to a sneaky photograph of Liam eating party food, but that was the limit of media exposure. I’m happy because I don’t want the world thinking I’m his after a couple of hours together.

I text

. Chat later>

I pull a face at the phone and Phoebe laughs at me.
“Cute. You’re like teens.”

“
We knew each other as teens.”

Phoebe tucks her arm through mine as we head back
toward the school gates. “Teen sweethearts reconnecting? Even cuter!”

“
Not exactly. He was too old for me then; I’m friends with his sister.”

“
So you were around each other a lot because of that?”

“
Yes, Blue Phoenix rehearsed at Liam’s house. I got subjected to their early stuff and believe me, it wasn’t good.”

“
I don’t believe that! They’re an amazing band.”

“
Once they started playing their own stuff, it improved. Marginally. When you’ve heard ‘Stairway to Heaven’ rehearsed on repeat for two hours, it doesn’t sound so good anymore.”

Phoebe laughs
. “So romantic though! I think there’s a reason you and Liam reconnected. You might’ve been too young then, but the world can’t keep you apart if you’re meant to be together.”

“
My fifteen year old self whole-heartedly believed that. Now? I’m not sure, but I’m not going to miss the opportunity.”

“
You deserve someone who’s nice to you. I think I’ve seen you smile more this past couple of weeks than the whole two years I’ve known you. And that’s without Liam being here!”

She
’s right. Someone turned the colours on the world up a notch when Liam walked into my house the other week. The everyday stress is bearable, because each mundane day of my hassled routine to school and home, dealing with a five year old, is one day closer to Liam coming back. At first, I doubted I’d see him again after Ella’s party, but the constant texts and occasional phone call are from a man who is thinking of me.

“
I’m cautiously optimistic,” I say with a small smile as we cross the road.

“
I want good things for you! Ella was telling Jordan all about him.”

“
Really?” Again the pang of fear she’ll get hurt. “I’m not sure Ella should get excited about Liam yet.”

“
You’re talking about yourself, aren’t you? A sexy as hell rock star, who your daughter loves, texts you constantly.” She indicates the phone. “Beats a plumber who treated you like crap and rarely visits his daughter.”

Craig doesn
’t visit Ella much even though he still lives in Cardiff. A couple of times he’s arranged to come over and take her out, and then cancelled at the last minute with no explanation. Craig never visited Ella on her birthday, the evening of the party, Craig called her to say ‘Happy Birthday’ and brought a gift the next day. Personally, I don’t think a five year old should have an iPad but his guilt was huge this time. Craig looked like crap too and though he said he didn’t come on her birthday because he was sick, I suspect inebriated is closer to the truth. Luckily, Ella didn’t mention Liam to him. Craig’s manipulation at Christmas and words about his love for his daughter annoy me, as does how weak I was allowing myself to be sucked back into his control.

Not anymore.

Phoebe waves goodbye as she climbs into her Subaru. She works across town, part-time secretarial work. She doesn’t need to work but likes buying herself pretty things, as she puts it. Phoebe has family nearby who help out with school pick-ups, giving her more opportunities. Unlike me.

The walk home takes ten minutes
, and I sigh when I remember how much housework waits for me at home, mentally running through my list of things to do before I have to collect Ella. If I get on top of things, I could take an hour to sit in the garden with a book. Self-indulgent, I know, but the weather’s warm and there’s few days left before Ella’s home full time.

I
’m mid-way through cleaning the bathroom when the doorbell rings. I pull off my rubber gloves and wipe my face with the back of my hand before answering the door.

Liam
.

I stare at the apparition unable to speak. His wary green eyes are combined with the wide-smile that accentuates how amazing his jawline is
. I attempt not to stare at his toned physique, his presence triggering my usual shaking reaction. This man is hotter than I remember every time I see him again. I’m snapped out of my admiration for Liam when I consider how I look with my sweaty face and hair, dressed in a scruffy shirt and old denim cut-offs.

“
Hello?” Liam waves a hand in front of my face and I catch sight of what he’s holding in his other hand, a bouquet of pink and white lilies. Nobody buys me flowers. The last time anybody did, I was in hospital after Ella was born.

I rub my eyes with the palm of my hand.
“This is becoming a habit. What are you doing here?”

“
Huh. Nice to see you, too.” He pulls a face, but his eyes twinkle with the Liam cheekiness.

“
No, I mean, yes, it is; but you’re not due back until the weekend.” I push my fingers beneath my fringe that’s sticking to my face in an unattractive way

“
I couldn’t wait any longer to see you.”

“
You could’ve called! Look at me!”

He sweeps a gaze over my ensemble.
“I am and you look beautiful.”

I shake my head.
“Flowers and compliments? You’ve been reading the ‘How to be Romantic’ manual then?”

“
Cover to cover. Aren’t you going to ask me in?”

I step back and as he passes me, he leans down and inhales.
“Mmm, Eau de Bleach.”

I poke him in the ribs.
“Like I said, if you’d called...”

He tips my chin.
“Like I said, I couldn’t wait any longer.”

Thankfully
, my general sweatiness caused by cleaning the bathroom also masks the sweaty palmed reaction to Liam’s arrival. The shaking isn’t as well hidden.

Liam misreads my confusion.
“Didn’t you want to see me?”

“
Yes! I just didn’t expect you, allow me some shock!” I head into the kitchen to find something suitable for putting flowers in. Liam watches as I move things around inside the cupboard, the best I can find is a large, glass jug.

“
Hmm. The manual never said anything about how to deal with chicks who don’t fall into your arms when you bring her flowers. I’d better go home and re-read the book in case I missed that section.”

I sigh and tiptoe to kiss his mouth. When I
step back, he touches his lips in surprise. “Was that for the flowers?”

“
No, that’s for being romantic and making me feel squishy inside.”

Liam wrinkles his nose.
“Squishy? I’m not sure that’s healthy.”

The teenage Cerys
who’s overwhelmed by rock star Liam Oliver needs shutting away. I’m twenty-two years old and a mother. “You do know I can’t go out with you on a date just because you turn up here?”

“
I know, Ella, school, mum stuff.” He mock-yawns. “We could still go for lunch, if you like?”

“
I have an hour tops, Ella’s not at school full-time yet.”

“
Oh. Okay. I didn’t know.”

“
And Ella has plans for you next time she sees you, so I’d make yourself scarce before she comes home.”

He snorts.
“Plans? Oh, God, I can only imagine the nefarious intentions of a five year old girl.”

“
Oh, you might laugh but the hair plaiting at Christmas was just the start of your torture.” I grin at the dawning look on his face. “I think she has ribbons picked out this time. Poor Jordan, when he comes over he’s forced to wear a princess dress.” I arch an eyebrow. “Feel lucky you’re too tall.”

Liam steps closer and draws my head
toward him. “Be quiet.” His soft mouth touches mine, a buzz of connection tingles across my cheeks as he gently kisses me. “Much as I like her, I don’t want to talk about Ella,” he says. “You. Go and get changed and I’ll take you somewhere until you have to collect her.”

I gape at him.
“Are you trying to boss me around?”

Liam winds a finger through my hair.
“Yes. Do you have a problem with that?”

No, I don
’t, because it’s bloody sexy and how I always imagined he would be before he blew that apart with his sweet behaviour around Ella. The prospect that Liam hides a different side, someone who does and gets what he wants, thrills me.

I make a disgruntled humph sound and head
toward the stairs because if he had the slightest clue how hard my heart was beating and the effect of the arousal from the one kiss, he wouldn’t wait downstairs. If Liam knew, he’d be upstairs telling me what to do. I shake my head, as images of the things I’d like Liam to tell me to do sneak in.

****

The smart café close to Ella’s school is Liam’s choice. I’ve visited once but the price of the coffee didn’t justify a return visit. The school mums sometimes gather here but it’s not my scene. If I go to the McDonalds in the next street, I can afford to stay longer. I occasionally go with Phoebe, sometimes with our kids too

We sit upstairs on the mezzanine that overlooks the relaxed surroundings downstairs. With
plush sofas and wooden tables, the place is more like someone’s house than a café. No wonder people don’t bring kids here.

A young girl with glossy black hair scraped back in a ponytail brings our drinks and her attempt to figure out who Liam is
clearly reflects on her face. She smiles sweetly and runs her hands across her white apron before heading off with a glance over her shoulder.

Liam slides his glass tumbler toward him and stirs the cream into the hot chocolate, oblivious.

“Do you think she guessed who you are?” I ask him.

Liam shrugs.
“Maybe. If we were in London, I reckon she’d realise but here, who knows? Do you want to be seen with me?”

“
No!”

“
Okay, I’ll go then.”

I open my mouth to protest and the twinkling eyed Liam grins at me. I kick him un
der the table. “I meant I didn’t want attention.”

“
Interference in our date, you mean.”