The New Collected Short Stories Read online

  ‘Sounds great,’ said Ruth, not bothering to open her menu.

  ‘And a mixed salad on the side, perhaps?’

  ‘Couldn’t be better.’

  Max closed his menu and looked across the table. ‘The boys can’t be yours,’ he said. ‘Not if they’re at boarding school.’

  ‘Why not?’ asked Ruth coyly.

  ‘Why . . . because of Angus’s age. I suppose I just assumed they must be his by a previous marriage.’

  ‘No,’ said Ruth, laughing. ‘Angus didn’t marry until he was in his forties, and I was very flattered when he asked me to be his wife.’

  Max made no comment.

  ‘And you?’ asked Ruth, as a waiter offered her a choice of four different types of bread.

  ‘Been married four times,’ Max said.

  Ruth looked shocked, until he burst out laughing.

  ‘In truth, never,’ he said quietly. ‘I suppose I just haven’t bumped into the right girl.’

  ‘But you’re still young enough to have any woman you like,’ said Ruth.

  ‘I’m older than you,’ said Max gallantly.

  ‘It’s different for a man,’ said Ruth wistfully.

  The maître d’ reappeared by their side, a little pad in his hand.

  ‘Two gnocchi and a bottle of your Barolo,’ said Max, handing back the menu. ‘And a side salad large enough for both of us: asparagus, avocado, lettuce heart – you know what I like.’

  ‘Of course, Mr Bennett,’ replied Valerio.

  Max turned his attention back to his guest. ‘Doesn’t someone of your age find Jersey a little dull?’ he asked as he leaned across the table and pushed back a strand of blonde hair that had fallen across her forehead.

  Ruth smiled shyly. ‘It has its advantages,’ she replied a little unconvincingly.

  ‘Like what?’ pressed Max.

  ‘Tax at 20 per cent.’

  ‘That sounds like a good reason for Angus being on Jersey – but not you. In any case, I’d still rather be in England and pay 40 per cent.’

  ‘Now that he’s retired and living on a fixed income, it suits us. If we’d stayed in Edinburgh, we couldn’t have maintained the same standard of living.’

  ‘So, Brighton’s as good as it gets,’ said Max, with a grin.

  The maître d’ reappeared carrying two plates of gnocchi, which he placed in front of them, while another waiter deposited a large side salad in the centre of the table.

  ‘I’m not complaining,’ said Ruth, as she sipped her champagne. ‘Angus has always been very considerate. I want for nothing.’

  ‘Nothing?’ Max repeated, as a hand disappeared under the table and rested on her knee.

  Ruth knew that she should have removed it immediately, but she didn’t.

  When Max eventually took his hand away and began to concentrate on the gnocchi, Ruth tried to act as if nothing had happened.

  ‘Anything worth seeing in the West End?’ she asked casually. ‘I’m told An Inspector Calls is good.’

  ‘It certainly is,’ replied Max. ‘I went to the opening night.’

  ‘Oh, when was that?’ asked Ruth innocently.

  ‘About five years ago,’ Max replied.

  Ruth laughed. ‘So, now that you know just how out of date I am, you can tell me what I should be seeing.’

  ‘There’s a new Tom Stoppard opening next month.’ He paused. ‘If you were able to escape for a couple of days, we could go and see it together.’

  ‘It’s not that easy, Max. Angus expects me to stay with him on Jersey. We don’t come to the mainland all that often.’

  Max stared down at her empty plate. ‘It looks as if the gnocchi lived up to my claims.’

  Ruth nodded her agreement.

  ‘You should try the crême brulée, also made by the patron’s wife.’

  ‘Certainly not. This trip already means I’m going to be out of the gym for at least three days, so I’ll settle for a coffee,’ said Ruth, as another glass of champagne was placed by her side. She frowned.

  ‘Just pretend it’s your birthday,’ Max said, as the hand disappeared back under the table – this time resting a few inches higher up her thigh.

  Looking back, that was the moment when she should have got up and walked out.

  ‘So, how long have you been an estate agent?’ she asked instead, still trying to pretend nothing was happening.

  ‘Since I left school. I started at the bottom of the firm, making the tea, and last year I became a partner.’

  ‘Congratulations. Where is your office?’

  ‘Right in the centre of Mayfair. Why don’t you drop in some time? Perhaps when you’re next in London.’

  ‘I don’t get to London all that often,’ Ruth said.

  When Max spotted a waiter heading towards their table, he removed the hand from her leg. Once the waiter had placed two cappuccinos in front of them, Max smiled up at him and said, ‘And perhaps I could have the bill.’

  ‘Are you in a hurry?’ Ruth asked.

  ‘Yes,’ he replied. ‘I’ve just remembered that I have a bottle of vintage brandy hidden away on board Sea Urchin, and this might be the ideal occasion to open it.’ He leaned across the table and took her hand. ‘You know, I’ve been saving this particular bottle for something or someone special.’

  ‘I don’t think that would be wise.’

  ‘Do you always do everything that is wise?’ asked Max, not letting go of her hand.

  ‘It’s just that I really ought to be getting back to The Scottish Belle.’

  ‘So you can hang around for three hours, waiting for Angus to return?’

  ‘No. It’s just that . . .’

  ‘You’re afraid I might try to seduce you.’

  ‘Is that what you had in mind?’ asked Ruth, releasing his hand.

  ‘Yes, but not before we sample the brandy,’ said Max, as he was passed the bill. He flicked over the little white slip, pulled out his wallet and placed four £10 notes on the silver tray.

  Angus had once told her that anyone who pays cash in a restaurant either doesn’t need a credit card or earns too little to qualify for one.

  Max rose from his place, thanked the head waiter a little too ostentatiously, and slipped him a £5 note when the door was held open for them. They didn’t speak as they crossed the road on the way back to the quay. Ruth thought she saw someone jumping off Sea Urchin, but when she looked again there was no one in sight. When they reached the boat, Ruth had planned to say goodbye, but she found herself following Max on board and down to the cabin below.

  ‘I hadn’t expected it to be so small,’ she said, when she reached the bottom step. She turned a complete circle and ended up in Max’s arms. She gently pushed him away.

  ‘It’s ideal for a bachelor,’ was his only comment, as he poured two large brandies. He passed over one of the goblets to Ruth, placing his other arm around her waist. He pulled her gently towards him, allowing their bodies to touch. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips, before releasing her to take a sip of brandy.

  He watched as she raised the glass to her lips, and then once again took her in his arms. This time when they kissed, their lips parted, and she made little effort to stop him undoing the top button of her blouse.

  Every time she tried to resist he would break off, waiting for her to take another sip before returning to his task. It took several more sips before he managed to remove the white blouse and locate the zip on the tight-fitting mini-skirt, but by then she was no longer even pretending to try to stop him.

  ‘You’re only the second man I’ve ever made love to,’ she said quietly as she lay on the floor afterwards.

  ‘You were a virgin when you met Angus?’ said Max in disbelief.

  ‘He wouldn’t have married me if I hadn’t been,’ she replied quite simply.

  ‘And there’s been no one else during the past twenty years?’ he said as he poured himself another brandy.

  ‘No,’ she replied, ‘although I have