They arrived too soon, though the house was some distance from London.
Gabriel pulled off the road through high wrought iron gates, flanked by huge stone lions and down a rhododendron -- line drive.
It had been so long since Sharon came here. It still looked the same.
Her joy was that David was alright now and there was no threat to his life anymore. He had taken the therapy seriously and the tests had kept improving like he kept telling her because she had insisted in being updated regularly. She had not wanted him to think that her leaving meant that she was neglecting him.
Gabriel packed next to a green Rolls Royce, smiling wryly as he pulled to a halt.
The front house was lined with rows of cats. The imposing front door was wide open, the warmth of light and music spilling out into the silent night.
Sharon slipped out of the car, pulling her cape tighter around her body. It was colder here. She stood looking around, not wanting to go inside, glad that Gabriel was still locking the car. He might not be here, she told herself ND kept saying it to herself to boost her confidence and hold her fears at bay. Somewhere far away, an owl hooted and the trees whispered in the cold wind.
'Ready?' Ga riel was beside her, taking her arm.He was smiling and she knew why. Those expensive cars spoke if money and influence, perhaps a commission for his art work. A lot of Gabriel's work came out of social introductions.
'You mercenary', she said under her breath as they walked towards the house.
Gabriel laughed. About to reply when David appeared, framed in the glowing light of the doorway.
'Sharon, I thought it was you when the car drive up. And Gabriel, it's so nice to see the both of you again', He hugged Sharon and gave Gabriel a firm handshake. 'I have been waiting for you. And where is my little angel? You did not bring her? Don't tell me that. I specially asked you'.
'But I couldn't. This is an adult party and she should be asleep at this time don't you think?' Sharon asked reasonably.
David considered it and nodded. 'But you know that I have missed her terribly'.
'You can always come for a visit but these days, you seem to have forgotten about us'.
'Not at all, the work at the bank is getting pretty hectic'.
'But you have people to assist you. Your cousin whom you gave a high position is there and you need not stress yourself too much', she said avoiding the use of his name, afraid that calling the name could make him materialize.
'Was it only the lateness of the party that made you keep my god daughter away from the birthday of her God father or is it what I am thinking?'
'Maybe. You know how much she looks like him and he is smart and pays attention to detail. It will not take him long to deduce what I have been trying to hide from him for about three years now. And if he doesn't, someone else might point it out to him and then my secret will be out in the open'.she said shivering.
'Oh, forgive me. You must be freezing
Please do come in', he invited.
Gabriel heaved a sigh of relief that was long suffering and Sharon nearly burst into laughter.
They went in and she came face to face with Brenda.
She had come to know Brenda towards the end of her stay at the bank. She had come for a holiday of sorts in Bryan's house. He had introduced her as his first cousin and David knew about her.
They had hit it off, though she had tried to keep her relationship with her brother secret from her.
Sharon felt that she should have known that Brenda would be there to attend David's birthday party. She had almost forgotten about her except for that one time they had seen after she had left and she had said such hurtful words to her. She had known then that Bryan must have told her about their relationship.
Brenda hugged her and David decided to leave them to female gossip as he went to welcome other guests.
'It's been so long', she said.
'Yes, but not that long if you think about it is. But it is good to see you too and I must say that you look breathtaking'. She meant it too. Sharon said looking at her. She was really looking fantastic and stunning in a candy stripped ball dress. Tightly ruched from breast to hip, leaving her shoulders bare. It flared out to her knees. Her dark hair so like Bryan's was scraped back into a shinning knot on top of her head, leaving the delicate bone structure of her face exposed.
Around her neck she wore a glittering diamond necklace.
She saw Sharon looking at it and reached up to touch it.
'Bryan's present', she said smiling happily. 'Isn't it fantastic?'
'Mmmmm gorgeous'. The mention of Bryan's name made Sharon's heart skip a beat. Was he there? Brenda had given her the opportunity to voice the casual question but she couldn't bring herself to ask it and the moment passed.
'Dhall I take your cost? I am staying the night with cousin David. Come upstairs so that you can freshen up in my room'. Brenda turned to Gabriel who has stuck to Sharon like he promised. 'Will you be__?'
He cut her off in mid-- sentence 'Run along children and talk', he laughed, already moving towards the music.
Brenda giggled and whisked Sharon away up the wide stairs to the room where she would be staying for a few days with David.
'I thought that you wouldn't come but I am glad you did'.
Sharon discarded her cafe and started fiddling with her hair.
'We weren't planning on coming back from Corfu till next week's, Sharon said, staring at her reflection in the large mahogany framed mirror.
'So I dragged you away from all that sunshine'. Brenda said laughingly, not sounding at all repentant.
'I did want to come', Sharon said and hesitated. 'But....'
'I know. I said some terrible things about you', Brenda cut in,misunderstanding.
Sharon pushed her hair behind her ears and turned to the younger girl. She felt embarrassed.
That's all in the past.Lets forget it'. As she said it, she knew that neither of them could.