Without thinking, or perhaps it was the champagne, Amanda’s arms were around his neck and they started to sway to the music that was drifting into the garden from inside.
‘Happy birthday,’ he said.
‘Thank you,’ she said, laying her head on his shoulder.
His arms were around her and she felt him pull her a little closer.
She put her head up as he leaned down and their lips met for the first time.
It was a tentative kiss, soft, gentle, sweet. She smiled at him in the darkness. She could just see him in the light from the house.
Then he kissed her again, and this time it was hungry, passionate and wanting. She felt her body respond and as she leaned into him, his hands moved down her back and she felt how much he needed her. ‘Amanda,’ he whispered, but she pulled away.
‘What happened?’ he asked.
Amanda felt the bow on her shoulder drop and she pulled it up and smoothed out her dress.
‘We’ve drunk champagne, and it’s a party. It’s not real,’ she said.
Simon frowned. ‘I thought you wanted this – me.’
But Amanda shook her head. ‘No, not like this. I don’t want just sex. I don’t want to be a rebound for you, someone for you to get over Anika.’
Simon’s mouth dropped open. ‘Do you think that’s what this is?’
She put her hands on her hips. ‘Isn’t it? You were the one who told me you have unfinished business with her.’
Simon was silent. ‘I’m sorry, I was inappropriate just now,’ he said, stepping backwards, but before Amanda could say anything, Simon had fallen in the small pond, his legs up in the air.
Amanda wasn’t sure if it was the timing, the image or the absurdity of the moment but she bent over in laughter. She laughed harder than she had in years, with tears streaking down her face, which bought the rest of the guests to the garden.
‘My fish!’ cried Janet.
‘Never mind the fish, what about my suit?’ said Simon, putting his hand out to Dennis and Frank to pull him out.
‘It’s a wet suit now,’ said Shelley, and Amanda screamed in laughter again.
Then everyone began to join in as Simon looked at them all laughing at him.
Even Diana was laughing. Amanda saw him notice and realise he had a choice. He could become sullen and angry and act like a spoiled idiot or he could see how funny this moment was and join in.
He patted his jacket pockets.
‘No fish in there,’ he said. ‘But thanks for the party, Janet, it went swimmingly.’
The laughter erupted again and he looked at Amanda who was still laughing and now hanging on to Shelley.
She smiled at him. ‘That was the best present you could have got me, Simon. I have needed that laugh since my mom became sick. I actually never thought I would laugh like that again, so thank you from the very muddy bottom of my pond.’
He nodded. ‘My pleasure – it’s my gift to you.’
Later, he walked Diana to the gatehouse while Amanda waited in the car, then drove the short distance to the main house and parked the car.
Amanda was quiet for a moment. ‘Do you want to come in?’ she asked.
Simon stared ahead. ‘I probably shouldn’t.’
Amanda felt her heart crack a little but she would never demand anything from someone who wasn’t one hundred per cent interested.
