Read Online The Woman Who Knew What She Wanted by William Coles - Free Book Online Page A

we get our drinks,’ I said.
    â€˜You think that was Oliver?’
    â€˜Who else was it going to be?’
    â€˜What’s he going to be like as a waiter?’ she asked.
    â€˜It’ll be interesting to watch.’
    Janeen attacked my mouth again. The problem with this full-on kissing, and nothing but tongues and wet lips, is that it all becomes rather mechanical. You have an awareness of this shared intimacy, but after a while your mind starts to wander.
    I remember thinking, Do I really want to make love with Janeen tonight? I was sure that she would be energetic, and doubtless depraved. I was not at all sure if it was what I wanted. One thing was beyond doubt: it was definitely a very bad move. Taking a new colleague off to bed on the very first day of work? It was nothing but the most feckless recklessness. But on the other hand, Janeen was sexy and up for it, and I was bitterly single and had been for many months, and to boil all my ambivalence down into just four little words. Why the hell not?
    Oliver delivered our drinks. He was wearing another cardigan, yellow this time. It was wet and stained all down the front.
    â€˜Coming to join us?’ said Janeen.
    â€˜Yes please.’
    With Janeen now perched on my lap, legs to the side, there was just enough room for Oliver to sit next to us on the banquette. A candle toppled over as he squeezed past the table. I righted it.
    I was pleased to see him. Kissing Janeen had been quite exciting, but in short order it had become monotonous.
    â€˜How you doing?’ Janeen asked Oliver, stretching over and ruffling his hair.
    He smiled good naturedly, as one might do towards the friendly overtures of a toddler.
    â€˜I love your glasses,’ said Janeen. ‘Can I try them?’
    She put them on. ‘God they’re thick!’ she said. ‘I can’t see a thing! You’re as blind as a bat!’
    Oliver continued to smile. ‘They suit you, Janeen,’ he said. ‘They make you look very sophisticated.’
    Janeen, struck a pose, her index finger light against her cheekbone. ‘Like this?’
    â€˜Just like my old professor,’ said Oliver.
    â€˜ Just like her?’ I asked.
    â€˜It was a man, actually, well over seventy years old, but the similarity with Janeen is quite striking.’
    Janeen took off Oliver’s glasses and started to play with them, swinging them between her fingers.
    â€˜So tell us, Oliver,’ I said. ‘What brings you to the Knoll House?’
    â€˜What do you think?’ he said.
    â€˜It’s obvious,’ I said. ‘You’re the owner’s love child, conceived during a week of passionate madness when he was stationed in Berlin. And now finally, after all these years apart, he wants to get to know his only son. Your mother has been in two minds about it for some time. Of course, she wants what’s best for you and is eager for you to get to know your father, your real father. But she still worries about you. How will it be, you coming to Britain like this? Perhaps you will develop a passion for warm beer and pies. And she worries about herself too. Should she come over? Should she visit? What will it be like when, finally, she comes face to face with her one true love?’
    Oliver tugged at his lower lip. ‘How did you know?’
    â€˜It was when I saw you with the owner this afternoon, and the way that he shook you by the hand. As he turned away, there were tears in his eyes. I saw him wipe them away with his fingers.’
    Oliver sighed as he steepled his fingers. ‘It has not been easy for me, but with friends like you, Kim, and you, Janeen, I believe that this whole experience will be bearable.’ He stretched out his long, angular arms and held our hands. ‘Thank you, my friends.’
    Janeen stared at Oliver, looked at me, and then stared at Oliver again. ‘Do you two know each other?’ she said.
    â€˜We’re