After Simpson’s death they had spent a few memorable days together over Christmas and New Year. They had gone racing, sightseeing and spent time at the bedside of a much improved Colin. They had also spent a lot of time making love. Life had been as good for those few days as he could ever remember. She had stayed for his birthday on the tenth of January and his present from Melanie, was a trip to see the Super Bowl a month later.
Two days later, Tom had driven her to Heathrow. It was a difficult moment when they said their goodbyes. He didn’t want to go in with her and anyway she would get the VIP treatment. They stood and kissed, then embraced with neither wanting to be the first to let go but eventually Tom had let her leave. He watched her back all the way to the terminal. She turned and waved one last time. He went back to his empty house and sank several large bottles of beer.
For the next few days everywhere he went, he was reminded of Melanie. The Hilton where they had spent so much time in bed, his house, all the sights of Brighton were reminders of good times.
He had been back once to his coffee shop in Patcham, where Rafiq had greeted him like a returning celebrity and refused to hear of him paying for his breakfast. All Rafiq could speak about was the time Tom had taken the wonderful Melanie Adams to his coffee shop. Tom remembered it well. They had sat quietly in a corner talking of the future over coffee. After about twenty minutes a buzz had gone around the place and it was obvious she had been recognized. Rafiq had emerged from the back to welcome her and ask for a photo of her in his café. Then others had wanted pictures and autographs. Melanie obliged everyone and as usual everyone seemed to love her. Tom had the feeling he would always be extra welcome in Rafiq’s café in future.
Even his betting shop only served to remind him of Melanie. She had visited for a second time towards the end of the day and after the other staff had left, they had gone to the back office and she had sat astride him only half undressed and frantically and noisily enjoyed him. Now each time he went in the office, the images of their love making were overpowering.
These were the places he spent his days and Melanie was still there in his memories. They had swapped messages and a few calls but the time difference and her hectic schedule since returning to the States had largely kept them apart. He had gone from spending a large part of each day with her to not seeing her for a whole month. He couldn’t help but be worried that now she had returned home, she would settle back into her normality and gradually forget about him.
He heard a knock at his door and went to open it, expecting to see room service with the brunch he had ordered. At first he thought there was no one there but then Melanie appeared from the side of the door. She had a huge smile and looked stunning. She was wearing a beautiful red lace sheath dress that fell to her knees and hugged her body. The lined part reached from her breasts to her knees but the long sleeves and round neckline were a delicate sheer pattern. He didn’t know one designer from another but didn’t doubt the dress must have cost a fortune and was worth every penny. He was mesmerized by how she looked.
“I had the taxi firm call me the minute they dropped you here, as I couldn’t wait to see you,” she explained. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
Tom was shocked by her sudden appearance. He had thought he had two hours to prepare. He was still in the same clothes he’d flown in and needed to freshen up. He stepped back into the room and she followed. He kissed her on either cheek in greeting.
“Is that the best you can manage,” Melanie joked. She reached up to him and kissed him slowly on the lips. Her tongue darted inside his mouth. He responded and pulled her closer. They held each other tightly and kissed for a long time. He knew she could feel how pleased he was to see her.
“I desperately need a shower,” he said, breaking the embrace. Then added, “It’s so good to see you.”
Melanie pinched her nose with two fingers. “I wondered what the funny smell was,” she joked. Then she gave him a huge smile. “I’ve missed you too,” she sighed.
“I didn’t know a month could be so long,” Tom replied. He was beginning to relax. Melanie was here and she was pleased to see him.
“By the way, how’s Colin doing?” Melanie asked.
“He’s doing great. Doctors say he will make a complete recovery. He said to say hello.”
Colin was now at home recuperating and being doted on by Liz. Tom had visited several times and was surprised to find that Liz had been very welcoming each time. If she blamed him for Colin’s getting shot, she wasn’t bearing a grudge. And Maxwell had negotiated a further payment from the newspaper for Colin, Tom and Janet to tell the story of the events on the night Colin was shot and John killed. Tom had asked for his share to be divided between Colin and Janet but not to tell them what he’d done.
“Don’t know about you but I’m feeling terribly nervous,” Melanie said, as she moved to the window to look at his amazing view.
“So am I,” Tom agreed. “It’s been over a month
