TO TAME A HERO

DON'T LET ME BE THE LAST TO KNOW

CHAPTER 8

After dropping off Theodore and Truman at school, Susan went to a chic candy shop to buy sweets for them and, while she was there, Pip called and invited her to tea.

"I will be going to my home town this weekend," Pip began, "and I would like for you to accompany me."

"Are you going to see your father?"

"Yes, I am," Pip nodded while looking faintly amused.

Susan knew he was estranged from his father, so asking her to accompany him to see his father came as a surprise. On the other hand, she saw it as a good thing if it meant reconciliation on both sides.

"I will be happy to join you," Susan poured out steaming tea from a silver teapot. " How is your father, by the way?"

"I guess he is fine," Pip paused as he looked at the scones, the dainty sandwiches and a tiny pie that was topped with strawberries and blackberries. "He recently got married."

"Oh," that was something Susan was not expecting. "Did you attend the wedding?"

"I was not invited," Pip replied with indifference as he buttered up a scone.

Susan sipped her tea for a moment before she returned the cup to its saucer. "I see, have you met the new wife?"

"No, I have not. "

Now, Susan was at a loss as to what to say next. "Well, you will be meeting her this weekend."

"Am sure I will," Pip replied without much enthusiasm before he reached for one of the dainty sandwiches.

"When are we leaving?" She wanted to change the subject and hopefully change his dark mood in the process.

"We will leave directly after breakfast and maybe stop for lunch along the way. And we can drive back in the early evening."

"That sounds like a good plan," Susan said as she noticed the uncertainty on Pip's face.

Pip smiled his kind smile. "I am glad I will not go there alone."

Susan also smiled.

When the weekend arrived, they left the city behind and drove for two hours before stopping at Sidney House, a country house hotel that had spa facilities and nice restaurants for lunch.

The Sidney dining room was spacious and its fine works of art gave it a touch of romance.

The table they were given looked out over the gardens and a river.

It was a cheerful meal, and they drove on in high spirits until they reached the small town where his father was living and they drove through green parkland.

Susan had never been there but had heard so much about it from Pip. She was enchanted by the mellow stone cottages, the pubs, the elegant shops and cafes that lined the streets. At the south end of the street, it contained a small public library and a community center.

Finally, they reach Pip's childhood home.

The house had no front garden, just a few potted flowers and windows were too high to prevent passers-by from peering in, and a black lacquered front door with its brass knocker and bell.

Susan thought it was a nice dignified house to raise a family in any case. The front door was opened as they got out of the car and a lady in a deep coloured peach shift dress with rose-colored cheeks and lips ushered them in.

She was about Pip's age. Is she the stepmother or just a relative? Susan wondered.

"It's nice to finally meet you," she said to Pip.

She must be the new wife, she decided.

Pip managed a weak smile before saying, "This is Susan Carlton Vance."

"Is she part of your writing circle?"

"Yes, she is."

They shook hands.

Susan liked her.

The house was warm and very welcoming; it was furnished with simple but lovely pieces of furniture which were both practical and comfortable.

"Will you stay the entire weekend?" She asked her step-son as she led them to the grandly furnished parlour. They all gathered by the window looking out at the garden laid out from the side of the house to the back.

"We can't stay long," Pip answered.

"At least stay for dinner and then leave in the morning."

They all turned in the direction of the voice.

Susan could feel the tension between father and son.

Mr Goode walked steadily towards them, his eyes fixed on his son.

"Hello, father."

"Hello, how are you?" He asked without much emotion in his voice.

" I'm fine," Pip replied tightly.

"Can we all have some tea," Mrs Goode hoped to defuse the tension.

For dinner, Susan showered, toweled herself dry, moisturized her skin before putting on a pastel pink satin dress. It was sleeveless and low-necked and fell into soft gathers. After she added pearls and perfume, Susan made her way to the parlor.

She found the new Mrs Goode and her step-son talking, she was sitting with a glass of sherry in hand, Pip was standing near the window.

"A glass of sherry before dinner?" Pip enquired.

"Yes, thank you."

Susan joined Mrs Goode on the sofa and soon she was telling her about their honeymoon in St Barths.

"We had a wonderful time," Mr Goode said as he entered the room. Obviously, he had heard his wife talking about St Barths.

"We went to St Jean, which contains the best known beaches on the Island."

"We had lots of fun there," Mr Goode remarked to his wife.

"Yes, we did," she smiled back at him. "We also dined a few times at Maya's. The menu shifts depending on what the fisherman brought that day and it had such beautiful waterfront views."

After refilling his glass from the whiskey decanter that stood on a lacquered table, Mr Goode joined his son by the window.

"Have you thought about joining the family company?"

"I have no desire to do so," Pip answered, as his eyes hardened.

"What? You think making ladies' fur coats beneath you? Our family has been doing that for three generations now. My grandfather left it to my father, your grandfather left it to me and, since you are my only son, the company will eventually pass to you."

"I don't know anything about making fur coats," Pip snapped.

"Because you never took the time to learn," Mr Goode remarked savagely.

"You know it has always been my dream to write."

"So you are still writing? How is that going?"

'It's going really well."

"So you are paid just to sit there and pretend to work?"

"You are not a writer and so I don't expect you to understand that writing is a craft."

"Since you sit at home all day, you might as well find the time to learn about our family business."

"I don't sit at home doing anything, I write."

"Such nonsense."

"I can never understand your wickedness towards me, father. Why do you hate the fact that one writes for a living? Is it because you hate your life?"

Mrs Goode and Susan's mouths fell open as a violent slap landed on Pip's cheek.

The housekeeper came in and announced: "Dinner is served."

They left the next morning after a silent and chilly breakfast. Pip placed their holdall bags on the back seat, and Susan was bidden to sit in front.

They drove for forty-five minutes without a word spoken.

Susan sensed Pip was not in the mood to talk about what happened with his father, which she was sure caused the rift between them to deepen even more.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, Pip pulled the car to a screeching halt, unfastened the seat belt with frustrated agitation before getting out of the car.

He kicked a few stones violently and then he screamed into the universe. While all this was happening, Susan sat quietly watching with the greatest empathy for her friend.

With the screaming out of the way, Pip went into tears. Susan unfastened the seat belt and got out of the car. She walked towards Pip and hugged him from behind. It was to console him as he cried.

"What's going on between you and that Paleontologist?" Brigitte asked Susan the following evening as they ate chocolate with champagne at the skate lodge.

"Nothing," was her simple answer.

"What did he think of you basing your fictional hero on him?" Brigitte finished another piece of chocolate before washing it down with champagne.

"He didn't think much of it."

"Was he not flattered?"

"If he was, he did not show it," Susan laughed, before she brought the champagne flute to her lips.

"At your dinner, I thought I saw sparks fly between you two."

"No, you're just imagining things," Susan said as they got up to leave the skate lodge.

They put on their ice skates before getting onto the ice. There was a curated music playlist playing in the background.

"I like Dr Kelly, I think he would make a great boyfriend if you are willing to give him the chance," Brigitte said, breaking into Susan's thoughts.

They glided side by side on the ice. "Don't get your hopes up because he may already be in a relationship."

"So, he can still change his mind."

" I'm not going to chase after him, if that is what you are suggesting."

"No, I am not saying that. I think he is good looking, tall, well dressed, he is simply perfect for a classic romantic hero and the fact that you picked him shows that you would like him for yourself too."

"I beg to differ, we are always at my throat each time we meet," Susan declared adamantly.

"Oh, so it's fire on fire with you two," Brigitte had a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

"Brigitte, please drop this subject."

"Are you sure you want to drop him as a potential love interest?"

"Yes, very much so."

"Good evening, ladies."

Susan and Brigette slowed down and saw Fabrice and Dr Kelly skating towards them.

The paleontologist had a dazzling smile for Susan.

Susan felt the impact of it profoundly, as her thoughts flashed back to their fated kiss. A kiss that was too strong to deny or question or fight against.

Around them were people skating with laughter and joy, but all that faded into the background. As flames of passion transmitted itself back and forth between their gaze.

"Why is he here?"

"Fabrice invited him," Brigitte answered.

"Why?"

"Because of you, silly."

"Why am I the last to know?"

"Sorry, but I thought you knew Fabrice was bringing him."

Susan could not say anything now that Fabrice and Dr Kelly were in front of them.

"How are you?" He asked Susan.

" I'm fine, thank you," Susan noted the suspicious looks coming from Brigitte and Fabrice.

Dr Kelly moved closer, then without warning, he leaned over until his lips covered hers.

Susan, at the back of her mind, could hear the surprised gasps from her two friends.