Ardent

‘Mum we will be fine’ Keira laughed, hugging her mother tightly. The sound of a train engine reminded her they had to leave. ‘We will visit again very soon, we had a lot of fun’. Hugging her father tightly she kissed his cheek then turned to James, he held out his hand and lifted her up onto the train, placing his hand around her waist, they waved goodbye to the family. Walking to their seat, James stopped, ‘Do you want the window seat?’ he asked over his shoulder.
‘No thank you’ she replied, not meeting his eyes she sat beside him. Things still weren’t right, the other night he had walked calmly back to the bed and apologised, then lay away from her and fell asleep. Keira had said nothing, until she woke up and saw blood on the pillows; in shock she had looked at him and seen the cut to the side of his head. While he pulled his shirt on she had to turn away from all the cuts and bruises on his back, it was then that she apologised as well. Paul had eyed them suspiciously at first, James with a gash to his head, and Keira with a mark on her cheek. Lucky for James Keira had spun a story about them being drunk, kissing, and failing together sideways onto he corner of the door. Everyone bought it, and had been joking about it all week, the couple who wanted each other so badly they tried to walk through doors and things. Keira wished that was the way, instead only they had to deal with the shame of hurting someone they loved, they did it to each other.
It was dark and late as they trundled along slowly toward Euston. James had fallen asleep and jerked sideways onto her shoulder, Keira smiled, leaning back against him. Inside she was praying he would wake suddenly and kiss her, then hug her and everything would be ok again, but he didn’t.

The house was dark as they approached it, Kayleigh must be out. James had carried Keiras suitcase as well as his own, and now he dropped them on the doorstep.
’I think I should go’ he whispered. Keira felt herself crumble; she had been dreading this, dreading him leaving. At least in Liverpool he had been obliged to stay with her, but they were back on their own turf now, he could leave and never come back. Keira opened the door and flicked on the hallway light.
’James please’ she began, but he interrupted her.
‘No, look I think we need a break’
‘A break? Damn, married couples and people who hate each other go on breaks, not us, not me and you!’
James stepped up to her and stroked her cheek where the mark lay, ‘I cant believe everything that has happened’
Keira held his hand, ‘It was an accident, like I didn’t mean to cut your head. I don’t know what happened that night James, I don’t care I just want this to stop’
‘I know what happened, I forgot who I was with’ he whispered, hugging her tightly.
‘Look come in, have a cup of tea, talk about this please’ she begged.
‘Dear sweet Keira, I need to think, and I can never thin straight when I am with you. I will come here tomorrow ok?’ he smiled for the first time in the last 3 days. ‘I do love you, don’t forget that, whatever happens’
‘What do you mean? James what’s going on?’
‘Goodnight Keira’ he leaned forward and kissed her cheek, then walked away. Keira stood watching him, feeling confused, she hated this. He was hiding something, and this mysterious act wasn’t fun anymore. Turning to the suitcases, she noticed he had left his, he must want to come back. Opening his case, she pulled out his jumper, and wrapped it around her, climbing the stairs she fell asleep, curled up in his smell.

James pushed open his door, holding his temples. Looking down his hallway, he saw the light underneath his bedroom door. She was here. He could sense her. Kicking his door open he glared at her, she was lying on his bed in her finery, a smug look on her beautiful face.
’Emily’ he spat, ‘I told you not to come here anymore’
’James’ she laughed, ‘Have you missed me? I have missed you’
James felt his stomach drop, she was back.