“Harriet completely lost it. It was as if she’d been looking for things to do so she could be here when you came home, but when Madison said that, she stormed out.”
“That makes sense.” Ryan’s hands cupped her waist. “I think she’s been building a fantasy world for herself. She told me a while ago that she and her boyfriend broke up. It sounded like he broke her heart. Since then the poor girl’s been looking for attention. I guess she thought I might be interested.”
“Really? Is that all?” Cassie asked, frowning.
“Last Friday she hugged me hello when I came home, and goodbye, when she left a little while later, and she gave me a big kiss on my cheek. She’s never done that before. Then she asked me if I’d like to come down to the pub with her for a drink, as it was her birthday the next day. I was rather taken aback by the offer, coming out of the blue as it did, so I told her unfortunately not.”
Ryan smiled down at her ruefully.
“That makes sense,” Cassie said, wondering how she herself would have behaved if a boss she’d built a fantasy around had turned out to be seeing someone else.
“Perhaps I should have been firmer with her and said that I wasn’t interested, but there seemed no need. Obviously I was wrong, and I should have been more direct. I don’t think she’s a mean or nasty person; she’s just going through a difficult time.”
He raised his voice.
“Come on, kids. Come say hello to your poor hardworking dad!”
The family gathered in the kitchen.
“You two have got a special evening tonight,” he said. “We’re off to try out a new restaurant, so Lisa from down the road is looking after you, and I’ve said you can watch a movie as a treat. I’ve given her a list of films that you can choose from—but the list is a surprise. You can only decide when she gets here at half past six.”
“Yay,” Madison cheered.
“Let’s dish your dinner up, and we’re going to get ready.”
Cassie hurried to her room, showered quickly—she’d already washed and dried her hair earlier that day in preparation—and got changed into her beautiful new dress. She did her makeup, realizing her hand was shaking with excitement. She wasn’t used to seeing herself so made up. She looked like a different person.
She left her room with her heart in her mouth, guessing that she’d say goodbye to the children and meet Lisa before they headed out.
But Ryan was waiting for her in the hallway.
“You look beautiful. What a stunning dress, it suits you perfectly.”
“Thank you.” Cassie felt as if she was walking on air as she joined him.
“Lisa’s already here, and the kids have started watching the film. Let’s sneak away and leave them to their treat,” he whispered. “The cab’s just arrived.”
A minute later they were seated in the spacious back seat of the silver Mercedes that Ryan had booked.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a fine dining restaurant that opened recently, an hour’s drive away from here. I’ve wanted to go ever since I heard about it. I think we’re going to have an amazing experience.”
“I’ve never been to anything like that.”
“You’ll love it. There’s a dance floor in the basement, I believe, so we can celebrate the night in style.”
The conversation kept flowing as they drove, and by the time they reached the restaurant, Cassie had learned that Ryan loved to eat out, and his father, who had died at the age of sixty while deep-sea diving, had been a restaurant aficionado who enjoyed new tastes and experiences.
She also found out that despite their twelve-year age difference their tastes in music were very similar, and that two of her dream travel destinations—Thailand and Morocco—were at the top of his list too.
The restaurant was glamorous and clearly very expensive. It wasn’t the kind of place Cassie had ever dreamed of going on a first date, and she was glad she’d had the chance to buy the perfect outfit. They were welcomed with a glass of champagne, before making their choice from the mouthwatering dishes on the menu.
“Isn’t this fun?” Ryan said when they’d finished their delicious starters.
He reached across the table and took her hand, caressing her palm. Then he added, anxiously, “Are you enjoying yourself, too?”
“This is the experience of a lifetime,” Cassie told him. “I’m going to remember this night forever.”
She wondered if Ryan knew she wouldn’t remember it for the fine food or the exquisite surroundings, but because of his presence opposite her, and the touch of his hand on hers.
After dessert, chocolates, and coffee, they headed downstairs to the dance floor. Cassie felt dizzy from all the wine she’d had, and was glad of the chance to be able to blow off some steam. Dancing with Ryan was incredible. She couldn’t remember how long it had been since she’d had so much fun on the dance floor, and he confessed that he felt the same. They finished the night locked in each other’s arms as the last song played.
And then they were heading home. In the cab, she gave him the gift she’d bought, and he was every bit as touched and grateful as she’d hoped.
“You’re incredible, Cassie. Every time I use these, I will think of this night with you.”
They started kissing, and by the time the cab arrived home, she knew there wasn’t any question of going to her own room.
Because it was raining heavily, Ryan asked her to wait in the cab while he went inside, paid Lisa, and fetched an umbrella for her.
Then, in the shelter of the umbrella, they walked arm in arm through the rain and into the quiet house, past the children’s bedroom doors, and into his room.
As he closed the door behind them and took her into his arms, Cassie thought she had never felt so happy in her life.
*
Much later, Cassie was woken by a slow, persistent scratching at the
