Unspoken: A story of secrets, love and revenge T. Belshaw (good books to read for beginners txt) 📖

four hours,’ said Tania. ‘Anyway, I have to go to work, I need a shower so you’ll have to go soon.’

Cavin wasn’t used to being ordered around but he bit his lip.

‘Where do you work?’

‘I’m a waitress at a restaurant,’ she said. ‘I work eight to midnight.’

Excellent, thought Calvin. She’s home in the day, busy at night. Perfect.

‘I bet you’re a fabulous waitress too,’ he said. ‘I can see you being good with people.’

‘I am,’ she said.

Tania pulled the cover off the bed and shook her thumb towards the door.

‘Come on, Casanova, I’ve got to get ready; I don’t want to be late.’

Calvin slid off the bed and turned his back to her.

‘It was good though wasn’t it? The sex I mean.’

‘It was passable,’ she said.

He spun around, a look of incredulity on his face.

‘PASSABLE?’

She giggled.

‘Okay, it was really good, I’m only teasing. What is it with you men? You always have to be the best performers. It’s not a competition you know? Women have different moods, sometimes we like it soft and gentle other times we want to be rammed into the middle of next week. It’s different every time. Don’t take things to heart so much.’

Placated, Calvin pulled on his socks and slipped into his pants. He turned towards her and posed. He looked good in his pants.

Tania threw a pillow at him. ‘Come on, Tarzan. Go.’

Calvin finished getting dressed and she walked him to the front door of the flat.

‘Do you, um, shall we err…?’

‘Do this again?’ She thought for a moment. ‘Why not.’

‘If you’re not sure, don’t bother about it,’ said Calvin huffily.

Tania giggled again.

‘You are easy to wind up, I must say.’

She kissed him on the cheek and straightened his collar.

‘Look, I enjoyed it. It was very nice and I’d love to do it again. Same time, same place?’

‘I’ll give you my mobile number,’ said Calvin eagerly. ‘I’ll call you in the week.’

‘I don’t have my phone with me,’ said Tania, looking down at her blouse for effect. ‘Give it to me next Friday. I’ll be in the café, same time as today.’ She blew him a kiss and ushered him out of the door.

Chapter 13

Jess

Jess arrived home at six-twenty. She had just begun to wash the salad when Calvin arrived twenty-five minutes later. Jess dried her hands and held her arms out towards him. He stepped into her embrace but just held his cheek against hers instead of kissing her. She let it go.

‘Did you manage to fix the crash?’

Calvin walked across to the sofa, picked up the evening paper and sat down.

‘Well?’ asked Jess.

He looked up and frowned.

‘Well, what?’

‘The computer problem at Uni. Did you manage to fix it?’

‘It wasn’t my job to fix it.’ He returned to the paper.

‘I see. And how was your day, Jess? Oh, it was fine thanks, I ran over an escaped polar bear outside Tesco and they had to get a zoo vet to treat it.’

‘Really?’ he muttered.

‘NO! Not really. You haven’t listened to a bloody word I’ve said since you walked in the door, Calvin. Firstly, I’d have had a warmer greeting from that sodding polar bear and secondly, you’re just an ignorant pig.’

Tears welled in her eyes but she managed to hold them back, just.

Calvin tossed the paper aside and got to his feet, his face a mask of concern.

‘I’m sorry, Jess. I was miles away. I’ve had a stressful day.’

He wandered across and took her in his arms. He kissed her lips, softly, then her cheek, then he held her so close she could hardly breathe.

‘You do still find me attractive, don’t you, Jess?’

Jess managed to pull away far enough to be able to take in some air.

‘Of course I do, you’re my handsome man, the handsomest man I’ve ever seen.’

He pulled away and stared at her intently, looking for any trace of mirth or lies.

‘Really?’

‘Really,’ replied Jess.

‘And… This is going to sound ridiculous. You, you, still think I’m good in bed?’

Jess nodded. ‘The best I’ve ever had. I can’t speak for anyone else.’

He screwed his face up.

‘I wish you hadn’t mentioned the others,’ he said. ‘You know I like to think that I was your first.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Jess. ‘What’s brought this on?’

‘Brought what on?’ Calvin looked puzzled.

‘These questions about your manliness; you don’t need to ask. You know how I feel about you. I’ve never looked at another man since I met you and I never want to. You’re perfect for me.’

Calvin pulled back and gave her a beaming smile.

‘How’s your ana?’ he asked.

Jess blinked. ‘Nana? You never ask about Nana.’

‘Well, I’m asking now. How is the old girl?’

‘She’s not so good to be honest, she thinks she’s fading fast and I tend to agree with her, she is.’

‘That’s good then,’ Calvin replied.

‘Good? GOOD! What do you mean, GOOD? She’s bloody well dying for Christ’s sake.’

Calvin was full of remorse.

‘I only meant, it’s good that you’re with her, Jess. For pity’s sake, I didn’t mean anything horrible. You should be spending time with her, in fact spend as much as you want. I’ve got to work from Uni a couple of days next week so I won’t even be around much.’

Jess was mollified.

‘I was going to ask what you thought about me spending a couple of nights over there for the next two weeks or so. I’m worried about her being alone when the carer goes home. It’s only two nights,’ she added quickly.

Calvin gently moved her away from the sink.

‘I don’t see why not if you’re that worried,’ he said. ‘Spend as much time as you like with her.’

He rinsed his hands and started tossing the salad in the cullender that Jess had just put down.

‘Now, sit down and relax. It’s Friday, I always cook on Friday.’

Jess sat in her favourite armchair and stared at the blank TV screen.

What the hell was wrong with him? So frosty one moment and so full of concern and affection the next. She had seen him like this before, she racked her brains