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‘I believe you. Can you hold the ladder?’ He took her cold hand and placed it on the top rung. ‘That’s it, now move your left foot across.’ He edged his body away from the ladder, allowing her enough space to squeeze between him and the rungs. ‘Let go of your right hand and swing yourself across, okay? I’ve got you.’
She did as he asked and tentatively manoeuvred herself onto the ladder, which creaked beneath them. Jesus, he hoped it wouldn’t collapse under their combined weight.
So much for avoiding any unnecessary interactions. His body was pressed against her back, his arms stretched around her while holding on to the ladder. They couldn’t be any more intimate if they tried. If she hadn’t been shaking and clearly upset, he would have moved away. As it was, he focused on holding the ladder steady, ignoring the sensation of her bum pressing into his midriff. ‘Are you secure?’
‘I’m fine.’ She didn’t sound it.
‘You’re not going to fall, okay? I’m right here.’
When she nodded, her hair tickled his nose, making him sneeze. ‘Bless you.’
‘Thank you.’ And he’d thought his life couldn’t get any more surreal. ‘I’m heading down, okay?’
Each step he took, she did the same, which meant that her bum continued to bump against him as they descended. When they eventually reached the floor, he stepped away. There was only so much torment his body could take.
There hadn’t been anyone since Ainsley, and he’d be lying if he said he didn’t miss physical intimacy. He could feel his skin beginning to warm and grow more sensitive, and the overwhelming urge to reach out and touch her was highly disturbing.
Needing to break the moment, he stepped further away, creating even more space between them. She’d triggered a memory, that was all. The buzz in his blood was a reflex, his body aching to feel close to another human being. It wasn’t anything more than a physical craving and the desire to feel something other than grief. He missed Ainsley, that was all. It had nothing to do with Kate.
When Kate reached the bottom, she turned to him. ‘Thanks for helping me.’
‘That’s okay. How do you feel?’
‘Foolish,’ she said, rubbing her chest. Her breathing was shallow and she grimaced every time she took a breath. ‘But I swear I’m not lying about the ladders. They moved.’ She looked upset and confused, and he felt rotten for her.
He made a quick decision. ‘I’m heading into the village to pick up Alex from the station, do you want to come with me? It might do you good to get out of here for a while. I’m sure you’re keen to see your cousin.’
Her confusion deepened. ‘Is it that time already? I had no idea.’
‘Like I said, you’ve been working too hard. Do you need anything before we go? A hot drink? Something to eat?’
She hesitated, as if tempted, but shook her head. ‘I’m not up to dealing with Geraldine tonight. I’ll make myself something later when she’s gone home. Sorry if that sounds mean, but she can be a bit full on at times.’
‘Tell me about it. I’ve just been made to slow-dance with her, while Rowan, Larry and my granny looked on.’
Kate smiled for the first time that evening and some of the tension seemed to leave her. ‘I guess I should be grateful she just wants to feed me.’
‘You’re getting off lightly,’ he said, heading over to the door, listening to ensure the others were still in the lounge and wouldn’t catch them escaping. ‘We’re safe. Come on.’
He held the door for her as she tiptoed past and they scurried across the reception to the front door, relieved to have made it outside without being cornered.
The cold hit him as they headed for his car and he regretted not stopping to pick up his jacket. Kate was shivering, too, wrapping her long cardigan around her as she jogged towards his car.
The weather had definitely turned colder. Walking Suki each morning was a test of his character – the dog’s, too. She’d glare up at him in indignation at being made to venture out in the cold. Tough, they both needed the exercise.
Turning up the heater, he switched on the heated seats and pulled away from the care home, heading for the village.
Kate leant against the headrest, her breathing yet to settle.
‘People have started putting up their Christmas lights,’ he said, hoping to distract her. ‘Over there, see?’ He nodded towhere a row of houses were lit up by flashing lights, each one seeming to outdo its neighbour with their displays.
Kate rolled her head to look. ‘I bet they didn’t buy their decorations from the pound shop.’
‘This area certainly isn’t short of money,’ he said, glancing over. ‘What were Christmases like when you were young?’
She shrugged. ‘A bit of a mixed bag, really.’ She fell silent, and for a moment, he didn’t think she was going to elaborate, but then she said, ‘Mum and I used to go to my aunt and uncle’s house in Godalming for Christmas. They lived in this big posh place, with fancy white furnishings and seven bedrooms, even though there were only five of them.’ Her face creased into a frown as she looked over at him. ‘Is my bum getting warm?’
He nodded. ‘Heated seats.’
