Tom took the remaining chair in front of Jane. Settling himself, he wondered if he was imagining things, had he seen a mischievous sparkle in Jane’s eyes. He reasoned desperation on his part .He had not been with someone for two months not one month as he had told Jane earlier. He tended to shorten the time to make himself sound less tragic.
He regarded Jane differently now, adult to adult, he speculated on her love life and how she made time in her busy life schedule.
Jane looked across at Tom and at that moment he did something to his hair, she felt a deep loving feeling rise in her. She placed down her fork and touched her necklace and allowed one finger graze the soft flesh of the top of her breasts. She let one button go on her blouse as she felt the heat of the room increase. “Any chance of a glass of water Tom please?”
“Are we going to find you a new girl Tom?” Jane said as Tom returned placing a jug of water and glasses on the table. “My office has a ton of single women all around your age.”
“He would be on the rebound. Take your time Tom, you need a few months to find yourself,” Sarah said matter of factly, “we can all do with a bit of a rest and Me time.”
“How did that girl let you go?” Jane said, her tone complimentary to Tom. “A fine catch like you.
If you are anything like your father she will regret at her leisure” Jane smiled with a look of wistful reminiscence.
“You knew Dad?” Tom quizzed.
“Jane knew your father for ten minutes, they dated before we got together,” Sarah responded for her.
“We were all in a gang, boys and girls, in and out of relationships back then” Jane clarified.
“Innocent times” said Sarah.
“Not so innocent, we all did some crazy things,” Jane added “I remember your father brought me out once on his bike up the mountains. Now there was nothing innocent there.”
“I remember that bike,” said Sarah and looked away wistfully.
“All I remember is that we enjoyed the ride,” Jane added with mischief.
“Jane, must you” Sarah said slightly disapproving.
“Oh Sarah! Tom is an adult man.” Turning herself towards him she stated. “Tom, your father, it must be said, was a wonderful lover.”
“Here we go.” Whispered Sarah to herself as she topped off all the glasses.
“I never knew this stuff Mum,” Tom said, looking towards Sarah.
“Let’s just say in the endowment department the lift went to the very top floor.” Jane smiled as she said this, expecting a reaction from the table.
There was stunned silence for a moment.
Tom broke it saying, “so, like father, like son.”
The gang broke the tension with a burst of laughter.
The conversation flowed throughout the meal, switching from topic to topic, with an ease that made time pass unnoticed.
“That was quite delicious Sarah, you always were a star of the kitchen,” Jane, effusive as ever, handed her empty plate to her friend who had stood to clear the table.
“Glad you enjoyed it,” Sarah piled the plates and cutlery together and carried them to the sink. “Coffee? Receiving affirmation from the other two, she filled the kettle and scooped ground coffee into the cafitiere. “If you want to go and relax in the sitting room, I will bring this in when it’s ready. Could you check the fire Tom, it may need another log.” Sarah spoke over her shoulder as she began to load a large tray with cups and a plate of her homemade chocolate biscuit cake.