Castle of Sand Part Three Vincent stared off into space, pen in hand, journal open before him. For the past few weeks, the pages had bore hardly any references to his days’ activities, and this day was no exception. Simply, life had lost its meaning, and everything that Vincent did, or attempted to do, brought about the same disinterest. Father despaired, watching his son avidly, he worried that lack of sleep, not enough vitamins, and poor neglect of hygiene would eventually lead to something serious for his son. Something deadly. In his own chamber, Father was poised in much the same position as Vincent. Leaning over his journal, Father found his eyes cast to the entries of days’ previous and read them through. Monday 9th Vincent informs me that he and Catherine are finished. I cannot comprehend how things will turn out now. Though, I tried to reason with him, he stands by his firm conviction that Catherine is better off back in her own world, pursuing the things of her own world. I feel empty. If I should feel this way, then how will Vincent feel? How will he bear this loss? For so long, I believed that Catherine would return to her own world and leave Vincent behind. Then as the years passed, I had begun to hope, yes yearn, that any day they would go forth into a future together. If nothing else, the emphatic connection they shared should have told them that they belong together. I accepted that long ago. Though I fought it, tried to dissuade the relationship, even I, had to conclude that I was attempting to hold back the tide. These two belong together, and apart, neither will be happy. I fear for Vincent, while he maintains this belief, it can bring nothing but heartache and pain for him. I envisage that he will never get over the loss of Catherine in his life, and I am so worried as to where this loss will lead him. Catherine was the only one who could rescue him before, if he is to shut her out, who would reach him another time? God forbid another time. I shall have to be more vigilant where Vincent is concerned, and tactfully apply illustrations so that he might have a change of heart. Vincent can be so stubborn sometimes, he cannot see what’s plain to see. He and Catherine belong together. He will never be happy until he has accepted this fact. Wednesday 18th Had another attempt at the chessboard with Vincent today. He carries it off well, but from time to time, his mind wanders. Though he tells me he has closed down the bond he shares with Catherine, sometimes I wonder about that. The look, I know so well, will lighten his features suddenly without warning. Perhaps, subconsciously, the bond is open and vibrant with life. Half of me hopes so, the other half is pained at this. For Vincent is torturing himself if he still maintains that a future with Catherine is impossible. Over these past ten days, no matter what I have said, still meets with the same solid wall of conviction, that Catherine is better off in her own world. Whatever can I do to prove him wrong? Tuesday 24th Vincent smiled today! It was so unexpected. It lit his entire features, the blue of his eyes. Like the sunshine coming through the clouds, after a very long thunder storm. But it passed quickly, and the clouds came back again. I don’t know what it was he ‘saw’ or he thought of, he would not speak of it, but just for once, for one small moment, my own heart was lifted, before my hopes were dashed to pieces again. Saturday 4th Mary came home from a day above. Bless her, she purposely sought out Catherine, after we had discussed possible ways to knock Vincent and Catherine’s heads together. Vincent’s no different, still maintains, he’s done the right thing, and at least he has started taking care of himself again, that’s one step in the right direction. I am grieved though, that he no longer attempts to dress in his finer clothes, anymore. They were obviously clothes reserved for his dates with Catherine. Who ever is he fooling? As Mary quite rightly expressed, if he and Catherine had been no more than mere friends, why had he ever made more of his appearance when seeing her? I think Vincent lived the dream to such an extent that he became a part of it so much that he could not escape it. It was safe there, this dream, it had boundarie. Limits, he could not step from out of, and within that dream he could be anything, and anyone he wanted to be. He could love Catherine there as he desired to love her, and there would be no consequences, because it was all a fabrication, regretfully. Yet Catherine lived passed the dream, crossed its boundaries, its limits and sought to enter into reality, something Vincent was not prepared for, and therefore, could not cope with. Still, I am certain he lives within that dream, maintaining that Catherine is a figment of his imaginings, almost as if he too is a figment of the imagination, and within those boundaries, he can dream, any dream that he wishes. Mary and I have watched him, seen him drift off into some world of his own, a world cushioned by the blows otherwise inflicted upon it, and we fear for him. More and more he is slipping away from us, not to the dark one, that I am pleased to note, but to some ethereal being that can grant all his life’s wishes without him having to bear the consequences. Today, Mary, bless her, went to see Catherine. Its Saturday, Mary felt sure Catherine would be home, especially at eight o’clock in the morning. Imagine her surprise then, when she found the door opened by some half dressed man, at that hour! Mary was left with only one conclusion, and did not stay to be introduced. I am angry that Catherine would do this. I did not expect it of her. Can she forget Vincent so easily? After all that they meant to one another? Up until today, Mary and I wanted nothing more than to drag Vincent away from the world he has sunk himself into, but for what? If he is happy there, then it would bring him only untold pain to know that Catherine has betrayed him so readily. I cannot be the one to bear him this news, but he will hear of it eventually. It grieves me not knowing if I should tell him or not. Mary believes I should stay out of it. After all, Vincent did set Catherine free. I am just incensed that Catherine let go without too much of a fight. It’s not what I would have expected of her at all. I feel she has let me and Vincent down. Back in his own chamber, Vincent was making his own entry into his journal, at last. For the past hour, no words would come. Now suddenly, a rush filled his mind, and avidly he began to write; “I saw Catherine last night. For so long I have fought the desire to see her. Night after night, I have wandered the park alone, I could feel her so strongly. Though I have endeavoured to close down on our connection, still I feel her. I have wondered why this is so. It can only be that Catherine is able to feel me, as I can her, and this is incomprehensible to me. How, why, can she feel me now, why now? I was forced to acknowledge the possibility that Catherine’s love for me is deeper than even I could know, for this to happen. And so I went, reluctantly, up to her balcony, I peeped through the windows, wondering if I should knock. There was no sign of her, yet I could feel her presence, so strongly. My heart still belongs to Catherine. Will always belong to Catherine. With bitter, sweet longing I pressed my face to the window, eager for the slightest sight of her through the lace curtains, (a tear fell at this point, onto the journal blotching the ink), I could not believe it! There was a man! In there, inside Catherine’s apartment, with her! And suddenly, I wanted to rip out my heart and cast it adrift, for she was there, in his arms, and he was kissing her, ....as I have dreamed of kissing her! Vincent threw down the pen, the tears now streaming down his face. How he had got home, he did not know, but that sight had killed him. He’d recognised the man to be Joe Maxwell and that in itself was bitterness to him. Suddenly, everything he had maintained, became as ashes in his mouth, for now the dream had died, and Vincent knew, suddenly with a shining clarity that he had lost the only thing held precious to him, and he did not know how he could ever get it back. Father was busying himself, stirring a hot milky drink, he had just brought from the kitchen, to drink before bed, when Vincent swept into his chamber, flopping himself down into the large armchair reserved mainly for him. At once, Father left everything he was doing, and went to stand beside his son, “Vincent what is it?” his concern plainly evident in the lines upon his face. Vincent looked up, his red-rimmed eyes, proof alone, that something distressed this gentle giant of a man, to such a degree that his whole body shook with it, and Father at once, knelt down to take Vincent’s large hands within his own, “Tell me, tell me what’s bothering you?” “Catherine.” The name, deep filled with despair, frightened Father, no matter his own earlier belief. “Is she injured?” he asked. “No, not that. I saw her last night. Father what have I done!” Vincent buried his face into his hands, casting Father’s aside as he did so. Father stroked his son’s hair, trying to offer comfort from the action, “last night?” Father questioned, his mind racing. Could what Mary had witnessed in the early hours contribute to whatever Vincent had seen the evening before? Father asked softly, “When you saw Catherine was she alone Vincent?” Immediately, Vincent looked up through a blaze of tears, “Alone? Why do you ask Father? Do you know something?” “I only know that, this morning, Mary attempted to visit Catherine, but instead her knock was answered by a man. Mary had not expected this, and soon made her excuses and left.” Vincent closed his eyes, his words when they came, torn from him, “Last night, this man was in her apartment, he must have spent the night there.” “Yes, it would appear so Vincent. I’m so sorry.” The tears fell swiftly once again, and Father hugged his son close, “Forgive me, Vincent, but if you have maintained that Catherine should pursue this other life, why does this trouble you so? Surely, you realised that in setting her free, Catherine would find herself a new relationship.” Vincent shuddered, “Yes, but so soon? Father it hasn’t been a month yet!” “I know Vincent. I too have been counting the days. That is why I too, am incensed, at Catherine for doing this. Its not what I would have expected at all. Perhaps, perhaps we are wrong, perhaps this man was just staying with her, platonic like.” Vincent shook his head, his body trembling, “they were kissing Father.” Father felt all his hopes dashed to pieces. That said it all then. So what was he going to do now. Vincent should never have seen this, not with him being so vulnerable as it were. “You should never have gone up there Vincent, what were you hoping to achieve?” Vincent swallowed with difficulty, “the Bond, Father, just lately I have felt Catherine calling to me through our connection. It is something new. I realised then that Catherine loved me far more than I had accounted for. I don’t know why, but I was led, mesmerised, to her last night. Yet if she were calling me, why was she also with another man?” “I don’t know Vincent, I cannot believe that Catherine would attempt to put you through that kind of pain on purpose, that is what you are thinking isn’t it?” Vincent nodded, his blue eyes filling with despair. “No, Vincent, Catherine would never hurt you like that.” “Then why, Father? Why does her heart call to me even now, when she has so obviously forgotten me already?” “I don’t know Vincent. I can only advise that you make a superhuman effort to shut off the Bond totally, block out any feelings of Catherine that might attempt to come through. For your own peace of mind.” “That would be the answer Father, yes, but there is something else.” Father listened attentively, waiting for his son to continue. “I love Catherine, Father.” “I know that you do Vincent.” he answered wondering where this declaration might lead. “A few weeks ago, you allowed me to believe that in sending Catherine away I had done wrong?” Father nodded. “I didn’t believe you then.....I do now.” he whispered the last, his voice breaking, “I want her back, Father. Its been less than a month, yet the longest period of my life, and I know now, that I cannot live my life without her. Catherine maintained that she could live Below with me, that she could give up all she has above to be with me. I sincerely believed that to allow this would be wrong, I pushed her away, and now, we both suffer those consequences, yet if Catherine is trying to achieve the life she were born for, would it be right for me to bring her back?” Father shook his head, “You are asking the impossible Vincent. What you want for Catherine is the best of both worlds. That will never work. And I am left to wonder what exactly you are offering Catherine now, if any different than before.” Vincent swallowed with difficulty. In his dreams he knew how to love Catherine unconditionally, yet could those dreams ever be made reality? “Vincent, you know what we have here?” Father asked gently. Vincent shook his head, his eyes hollow. “Like a castle of sand, Vincent, the love that you and Catherine shared. So fragile, yet so strong too. As it stood, united, bound together by the feelings you had for one another, it was indestructible, but then you left it open to the elements, Vincent, and slowly that castle of sand has been eroded away by the wind and the tide, until there is almost nothing left.” “Its a fair illustration, Father, what are you aiming at?” For once, Vincent felt an inkling of hope take root. “Sand castles can be built again Vincent, from that same sand. Those same grains that helped to build the original castle can be fused into place by the mortar of your love, only you must be prepared to face the possibility that some of the tide could have swept away some of those precious, all binding grains. Those may be irretrievable Vincent, because the temporary loss has been severe. You may find cracks have appeared in your castle, that will take a long, long, time to disappear, as well as time needed to strengthen and extended the walls of that castle, Vincent do you know what I am driving at?” Vincent nodded, understanding dawning slowly, the love he had built up with Catherine over the years was precious, fragile, and just as surely as he had held a grain of sand in his hand, he had let it slip through his fingers, cast it away to the sea. But all was not lost. He well knew where that lost grain lay, but he also knew, that he would lose it again, if he did not bind it to something firmer than before, when he did. Vincent looked down shamefully, “If Catherine would have me, Father”, he mumbled as if to himself, before raising his eyes to his parent once again, “If Catherine would take me as I am, do you seriously think that we could have a future together? That I could offer her, her heart’s desire, Father?” “Vincent, for some time, I felt that a relationship between the two of you would be wrong, but Catherine saw beyond my fears, beyond your fears. She accepted you for what you were, for who you are, and still, she loved you. She even envisaged a life with you, the same life that any woman would envisage with the man that she loves. I used to find this remarkable Vincent, that one so beautiful as Catherine could imagine...oh forgive me, I didn’t mean any offence Vincent, but you do understand don’t you?” Vincent nodded, his eyes begging his father to continue, for which, he complied willingly, “Vincent, I do believe that if you could accept the possibility of it, then Catherine would gladly move down here to be with you, and if you could go beyond that, she would marry you also.” Vincent gasped! Marriage! With Catherine! He had never dared to hope for anything so grand, not even in his wildest dreams had he allowed the possibility of that. Father was nodding, “Yes, Vincent, she would, I know this. Remember Catherine would at times come to see me, while you and Pascal were working in the lower levels, more so since her Father died, we became quite close, and she would confide in me her hopes and desires, and one of those desires, Vincent, was to be with you down here forever, to have you as her husband, and even, Vincent, even to bear you a child.!” Father rubbed his whiskered chin thoughtfully, what would Vincent make of that? He knew how shocked he himself had been, when Catherine had disclosed this to him, so he was in no way surprised, when Vincent’s mouth dropped open, and nothing came out. Father almost laughed, Vincent was rendered speechless. Father’s merry eyes twinkled, “So if you could deal with that Vincent, “ he almost laughed out loud, Vincent hadn’t yet closed his mouth, “then that, would be the way forward.” Recovering remarkably quickly, Vincent was composed enough to ask without a quaver in his voice, though somewhat absently, “So where do I go from here? We seem to have overlooked the fact that Catherine is now seeing Joe Maxwell.” he added, bitterly. “Joe Maxwell? Was that who it was? Someone she has known a long time too, not that it makes any difference, Vincent, but at least she has been selective. Joe is a good man.” “Yes, but Catherine always maintained it was one sided.” “One sided?” “Yes, Joe Maxwell has been in love with Catherine for a long time.” “I wasn’t aware of this.” “No, Catherine told no-one but me.” “This might complicate things.” Father sighed raggedly, passing a hand across his brow and rubbing it there, “Its going to be more difficult than I thought Vincent, someone is going to get hurt whichever way it is dealt with here. With a third party involved, who also loves Catherine, that is. Oh Vincent, why ever did you let it go like this?” “Don’t you think I have berated myself long enough over that Father? If only, I could turn back time, I would.” The tears began to fall again, and Father was quick to find something positive to say to halt their wending way, “Look Vincent, tell you what, I’ll send Catherine a message, asking her to come to see me. When she arrives, I’ll tell her I just wanted to see her, I have missed her too, you know, perhaps during the conversation I can glean what this Joe Maxwell means to her, test the water so to speak. And I think it would be an idea if you should interrupt us at some stage, unannounced, I would like the opportunity to catch her response before she has time to guard her feelings. If you think you could handle that?” Vincent’s mind raced, to see Catherine? Here below? Knowing as he did, the conversations she had had in the past with Father, about marriage and children? Vincent’s heart hammered painfully, he didn’t know if he could carry it off, nonetheless, he found himself nodding eagerly, his heart singing, he was going to see Catherine, Catherine, Catherine! *** *** *** “Describe her to me can you?” Catherine wanted to know who had come knocking at her door at seven thirty in the morning, obviously someone who knew she would be in at that time. “She was just your average run of the mill, old lady Cath, probably wanting to borrow a bowl of sugar or something. I didn’t take that much notice of her.” “Well she obviously wasn’t expecting you, or she wouldn’t have run off like a scared rabbit. And its obviously someone who would have thought a man would be the last person to expect in my apartment at that time of day, especially one girded only with a towel, so that really leaves me wondering.” “Any ideas who it might be then?” “I hope not Joe. You’re state of undress could really have rocked the wrong impression.” “That doesn’t answer the question, Radcliffe, and hey, how was I to know who comes a knocking at this hour.” “You should have called me to answer it, and as to the question...” Catherine hesitated, “Just tell me again, anything you can think of, what was she wearing?” Joe scratched his head, “Now you’ve got me, I remember now. I thought it kinda strange at the time. Its hot outside right? Even at this hour,” Catherine nodded, “Well this old dear was dressed for winter, as if she had no heating in her apartment or something. Real wrapped up like.” Catherine’s heart sank, if it was who she had presumed, she really had some bridges to build and quickly too. “And she didn’t say anything, anything at all?” “Not a dicky bird, just saw me, looked me up and down, turned and fled. I’ve never seen anyone move so fast, well not someone of that age anyway.” Catherine squatted, cross legged down upon her sofa, thoughtful. “Hey, did I give someone the worng impression, Radcliffe.” he looked down at himself, the towel still firmly in place. Catherine eyed him, nodding absentmindedly, “You’d better go and get dressed Joe, I need a few minutes to think.” Joe hesitated, “Before I do, about last night...I’m sorry Cathy, that was out of order. I know you aren’t over Jacob yet, I’m sorry.” “That’s okay Joe, apology accepted, I never said it was going to be easy, thank you for being so understanding. If I didn’t still feel so much for Jacob, your kiss would have been welcome.” Joe nodded, “Perhaps in the future though?” he asked timidly, watching her face for any sign of agreement. “Perhaps, you never know. Whoever said, out of sight means out of mind, huh?” Catherine attempted a laugh, thinking as always, of Vincent. “Probably the same philosopher, who said, ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’” Joe’s words trailed away, his own heart hurting, as he made his way to the bathroom to finish dressing. *** *** *** Brushing his teeth, some moments later, Joe scrutinised his reflection in the mirror. He considered himself fairly good looking, and he was a decent enough fellow, yet despite the impression Catherine had given him three weeks ago, she was no nearer to dating him now than she was then. They were still no more than friends, that evident, by the way she had put him up at short notice, when he had left his bathtub running and flooded his apartment. He’d been quite happy to go to a hotel, but Catherine had insisted, and Joe, well being Joe, and Catherine’s insistence on moving ahead a few weeks ago, he had been led to believe that there might be more in this invitation than met the eye. But he had been wrong, her reaction to his kiss had told him that. Though at first, she had moulded herself to him, leaned into the kiss, it had been another name that had escaped her lips, a name borne upon a whisper. A name which at the time, he couldn’t decipher, until much later, but Joe knew only too well, that it hadn’t been Jacob. Cathy had lied to him, of that he was certain, maybe not about the witness protection, no, maybe not about that, but certainly the guy’s name. That she had blushed only served to verify his suspicions, and it had nothing to do with his kiss, yet Joe had pretended not to notice the slip, and Catherine had seemed relieved. That alone, convinced Joe that the guy she was really in love with was actually called Vincent, and for some reason this name blocked any chance he had with her. Jacob had substance Vincent did not. He was an unknown entity, and ot once, Joe felt he was fighting a losing battle against the guy. Back in her sitting room, Catherine’s thoughts were much the same. She hadn’t set out to think about Joe’s kiss, until he had mentioned it, but she knew she had done wrong in inviting him to stay, had given off all the wrong impression. In fact, had done so, from the very first instance all those weeks ago. She’d been glad of his friendship, had even dated Daniel one or two times, and he was such a nice fellow, very quick-witted, making her laugh, in fact, she had a date set with him for that very evening, but Catherine felt suddenly tired of the pretence. It wasn’t any use, she loved Vincent. Hadn’t even, her subconscious told her that? Last night, when Joe had kissed her, it had been Vincent’s name that had slipped off her tongue, Vincent’s presence, her heart had cried out for. In fact, hadn’t she thought of no-one but Vincent, all of yesterday. Her heart literally ached for him. Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of him. And this morning, who had it been who had come to see her? Was it Mary? For some reason and Catherine didn’t know why, she was sure now that it had been. Earlier she hadn’t been certain, now she was. Perhaps Vincent had transmitted that knowledge to her via their connection. Two halves of a whole. Why had she thought that? ‘Because that’s what you are’ she chided herself, ‘you and Vincent belong together’, Catherine buried her head in her hands, sobbing quietly, and only vaguely heard the door open and close gently, as Joe made a discreet exit, leaving her alone to her sorrow. *** *** *** It was late afternoon, before Catherine summoned enough strength to try to be positive about things. All day, ever since Joe had left, she had been in two minds about what to do with her day. Getting ready for her date with Daniel was the last thing on her mind, her first and foremost thought being Vincent. She needed him. No matter what, she told herself, no matter how she tried to rearrange her life without him in it, and no matter that it had only been three weeks since she had last seen him, Catherine found that the three weeks may just have well been three years. She had missed him so much. The desire that had over-ridden her every time she had felt him near, was now almost out of control. She laughed, somewhat cynically, remembering Joe’s words, about absence making the heart grow fonder, for it certainly had, yet neither the saying out of sight out of mind, rang true, because her mind had never dismissed Vincent, not even for one second of every day they had been apart. “Perhaps you should just go down there, and just seduce the guy”, Catherine giggled, the first time she had in a long time, until the giggle bordered hysteria, and tears pricked at her eyelids. Catherine thought about that long and hard, drawing her knees up, to rest her chin upon them, as she sat upon one of her dinky sofas. She could just picture the scene. ‘I’ll go down there, he’ll know I’m coming, he’ll meet me, and I’ll go straight up to him wind my arms around him, and kiss him, just briefly, no not briefly, but passionately...’ Catherine shivered, ‘yes that’s what I’ll do, he’ll be shocked of course, maybe try to run away, but I’ll be persistent, I’ll hold on to him. He thinks I haven’t noticed how he desires me. He tried to conceal his arousal.’ She smiled happily, ‘ I’ll hold on to him, I’ll kiss him again, and again, god, once I start I won’t be able to stop, perhaps he’s well to be concerned, but for his safety not mine’, again she smiled, and chuckled with the thought of it. ‘I’ll put my hand down between us, and touch him. Right there, huh, that’ll do it, he’ll not be able to resist me then.’ again Catherine shivered, the longing almost her undoing. Getting up, she began to pace the room, plans formatting in her mind. Some she dismissed others she allowed, to fantasise hungrily. Her thoughts drawn inward, she suddenly, brazenly let fly all her desires, all her needs, through the connection, saying aloud, ‘there Vincent Wells, see if you can stand these emotions’, before crumpling back down to her sofa, and letting the threatened tears fall. *** *** *** Vincent was walking alone through the tunnels, when Catherine’s need hit him. He staggered forwards, clutching the wall hard, as his head swam and his heart hammered. Fortunately, he wasn’t too far from his chamber, and he stumbled there blindly, to flop into the nearest chair, gasping for breath. His arousal had flared as those first feelings had hit him, and Vincent was shamed by them, trying desperately to avert his thoughts away from Catherine’s need, he buried his head into his hands. ‘Don’t do this Catherine’ he begged, while his mind raced, why was she doing this to him, why did her body call to his, when she had already fulfilled its needs with another man? Was it some kind of retribution for severing their relationship, was she so determined to make him suffer? Vincent stood up, pacing the chamber, much the same way as Catherine had in her apartment earlier, his thoughts racing. The pull was great, the need drawing him to go to her. Had she such control over his members that she could do this so easily? It was still daylight above, just, but even that did not deter Vincent. Hypnotically, he began to get ready for a trip Above. Gathering clean clothing from his drawers, he made his way to the bathing chamber, undressing along the way, eventually sinking his hot and fevered body into the warm water, allow its cool caress over his skin. In his minds eye, Catherine’s emotions painted the picture before him. the coolness of the water became the coolness of the satin sheets upon her bed, the gentle lap of the water became her soothing hands stroking away his fears. Vincent closed his eyes and groaned, he was a drowning man, drowning in a sea of love, and powerless to resist. Did she know what she was doing to him? Was her need a conscious one, or did her need cry out from beneath that. Was she even aware of how much her body called to his? Vincent shook his head, his arousal hardening as Catherine’s need intensified. He had never known anything like it before. Catherine had always kept her feelings hidden, knowing how they caused him pain. He found it almost impossible to comprehend that she could desire him so, yet wasn’t he somewhat relieved to find that she did. Hadn’t she always insisted that she loved everything about him, even his differences? Vincent had conceded that Catherine had thought these things, but her heart had often shown her otherwise, that she did not, could not love him intimately as he had desired to love her intimately? As his dreams began to unfold within her desire, Vincent left the bathing area, towelling dry his hair, and completing his dressing, as he entered his chamber, noticed the clock there, and saw that it signalled the day was growing old. Pulling on his boots and taking up his cloak, Vincent flung it around his shoulders, and as one mesmerised, he started the long walk towards Catherine’s apartment, via the park entrance, to whatever lay in store for him there. *** *** *** Someone else was also on his way to Catherine’s apartment. Daniel. Joe had already pre-warned him by telephone ealier that day that Catherine mightn’t be up to a date that evening, but Daniel thought it could be purely a case of sour grapes. Joe hadn’t got anything from her, and he wasn’t about to let anyone else try, where he’d failed. Daniel wasn’t stupid, he knew the way it was with Joe, he'd be a fool not to notice the way Joe watched Catherine, hungered for her, why it was even the talk of the office, in hushed corners of course. Besides Daniel knew how to make Catherine laugh. He was a well aware of her predicament, Joe had filled him in on that too, “She’s using us Dan.” He’d told him, around three weeks ago, when Catherine had come to the office, bleary eyed and snappy, “She’s hoping to make some other guy jealous enough to take her back, so be warned.” It wasn’t that way at all, Catherine had filled him in too on their first date together. This guy, who ever he was, wasn’t about to become jealous, he had set Catherine free to pursue the life she was born for, rather than have her tied to the disappearing life. Daniel marvelled at that ‘guy’s’ courage, knowing he must love her so much to be able to put her first like this, and risk losing her himself. Daniel dwelt long and hard over this dilemma, he didn’t think he could do that, as much as he knew he was falling in love with Catherine, he could never set her free, and that worried Daniel. He could come to love her real bad, but was it the same kind of love that this other ‘guy’ loved her with? Could it ever be so intense? Daniel doubted it. To love enough to put another before yourself well that was beyond him. Almost a mother/baby love, a tender protective love, and Daniel knew that the love he felt for Catherine bordered mainly on the physical, attraction only. Really they were poles apart, he had other dreams, other ambitions. Law was only a stepping stone. Whereas Catherine was good at her job, loved it, saw nothing else ahead but law. No, Daniel reasoned, he and Catherine weren’t forever, but for now, they made one another laugh, she was good company, and with her beauty, she graced his arm, made him feel ten feet taller than he was, and he looked forward to spending time with her. Besides, maybe, if he played it right, there would be more in it for him. From what she had told him, and even from what she hadn’t, Daniel had concluded that the relationship she yearned for hadn’t been as fulfilling as she would have liked, and Daniel wondered about that. Catch her at the right moment, maybe when she was vulnerable, and perhaps she’d go to bed with him. Daniel really hoped so. He never let Joe know his thoughts however, Joe was a different kettle of fish, Joe would be appalled. Joe loved her. How deeply, Daniel couldn’t ascertain, but certainly over the last three years Joe had waited and hoped, and his love had grown. Perhaps Joe too, was made from the same kind of stuff as the other ‘guy’, there was just one drawback, for Joe that was Catherine was not attracted to him in that way. And Daniel knew without a doubt that was where he had the upper hand. For from the first moment they had laid eyes on one another, there was this magnetic attraction, some driving force that made each breathless. Yes, Daniel smiled, Catherine was attracted to him, he made her laugh, she made him laugh, they liked being together, and so what if she were only using him, wasn’t he only using her too? So what did it matter anyway? Reaching her apartment at last, Daniel made his way through the large swing doors, nodding to the night watchman there sat behind his desk. The fellow had grown used to seeing this young man come and go with Catherine Chandler over the past few days, and had no qualms on letting him go straight up to her apartment. Daniel took the stairs, all eighteen flights of them. He was still thinking, and the lift would bring his thoughts to an abrupt end, before he’d gathered things into his mind. Joe had told him something that kept returning to mind, “I kissed her Dan. For a moment I believed she enjoyed it, she moulded herself to me, returned the kiss, but it was another guy’s name that she whispered, she wasn’t thinking it were me at all, but this other guy.” Joe had looked uncomfortable. Nothing would have allowed him to disclose this, it was embarrassing, if it hadn’t of been for his care of Catherine. “Take it easy mate, she’s vulnerable right now. Don’t take advantage of that, okay, you get my drift. She has enough problems without adding guilt to them in the cold light of day. The best we can do is be there for her, it may take her a long time to get over this other guy.” Yet Daniel disagreed. He wasn’t the type to settle down, he was the love ‘em and leave ‘em type, and Catherine Chandlers venerability was just what he wanted right now. A beautiful interlude with a beautiful woman. Yes, that’s exactly what he needed. Reaching her door at last, Daniel paused only a few moments to catch his breath. Good job he was fit, his ham strings hurt a bit, but his lungs were okay, the eighteen flights hadn’t been that bad. He smiled wryly, wondering if he could persuade Catherine to run all the way back down to the bottom with him. Now that would be fun. A race, race down the stairs, in places he could take the banisters, they would laugh, he’d make her laugh, put her in a happy frame of mind, they’d reach the bottom, and share a breathless kiss, a kiss between friends, only, he would know differently. It would break the ice, give him a chance to move in on her, and she wouldn’t see it coming before it hit her. Knocking gently at her door, it opened almost immediately. Catherine was ready and waiting. After Joe’s words, Daniel had been surprised at that. “You’re late.” Catherine told him, her eyes dancing, though he detected a redness around the rims, “that’s most unlike you.” “I used the stairs.” Daniel told her. “What all eighteen flights?” Catherine’s eyes opened wider, she laughed, “Really?” Daniel nodded, his smile lighting his face, “I needed the exercise, but hey it was fun, I thought perhaps you and I could race one another back down again.” “You think I need the exercise.” Catherine twirled in front of him, and Daniel gasped. The long pleated skirt swirled around her legs, the colour the softest gold, shimmering, delightful to look upon, she looked like a goddess. “No,” Daniel swallowed hard, aware that his body was growing in certain places, and feeling a little awkward, “No I don’t think you need the exercise”, well not that sort anyway, he added under his breath, before finishing telling her, “you are perfect just as you are.” Catherine laughed out loud, and picked up her coat and bag. “Well thank you kind sir. So tell me does my carriage await, or are we to walk this fine night once again?” It was Daniel’s turn to laugh, “I haven’t much money, how did you guess. I thought perhaps we could get a pizza or something, then take a walk along the embankment, or would you like to go somewhere grander?” he eyed her appearance. The gold shimmering evening gown did not somehow speak of pizza parlours. “I have a better idea. Do you like art?” Without awaiting his reply, Catherine went on, “It just so happens I have been invited with a guest to the grand opening of an art collection tonight. There will be drinks and food, all free of charge. Just how hungry are you?” Daniel’s face lit up, “I’m starved.” “Whenever aren’t you?” “Yes I’d love to go, I’ve not been to anything posh for a long time.” Catherine cast him a sidelong glance, “Well,” Daniel confessed, “Actually never.” “Thought as much.” she laughed, “Come then, your education awaits.” She took his arm, and they left the apartment together, laughing out loud and headed for the elevators. Yet going down in the lift some moments later, both were silent, each with his own thoughts. Catherine knew that the attraction with Daniel still persisted, but she had been given the impression that Joe had said something to warn him off. For during his first month there, he had been courteous and kind, witty and charming, but had never pressured her in any way. Watching him now Catherine wondered about that. He was a nice enough guy, he made her laugh, and that was important. It helped her forget her predicament, took her mind off of Vincent for a few hours at least. Not that she wanted to take her mind off of Vincent, but knowing that in doing so, she was dragged out of the depression that so often threatened to engulf her. Daniel noticed her sadness, a fleeting dullness that touched her eyes, taking away the sparkle he had put there, and was glad when they reached the ground floor. Taking her arm, he waltzed her out of the elevator, swinging her around, and stating, “If madam would like to lead the way then, what’s it to be, cab, horse drawn carriage, or the old footwear.” Catherine laughed, grateful for his obvious concern, his wit and his charm, “Well, if you don’t mind me paying we could take a cab, it would be a long walk, by the time we arrived, it would be over.” “A cab it is then, let me hail one for you, I’m a dab hand at it.” They exited the building, and Catherine raised a hand to her mouth in horror. Daniel just stepped straight out into the road, arms raised, as a screech of brakes signalled he’d captured his cab. “You insane mate!” The cab driver shouted, rolling down his window, “No,” Daniel called back, “Just desperate. The lady here needs to get to her GP and fast, she’s pregnant, and is near her time, can you put your foot down.” Daniel opened the door, ushering a startled Catherine into the back seat. “She don’t look pregnant to me.” the driver was not impressed. “She carries it well.” Daniel told him, then turning to Catherine asked, “Where to honey?” “Take no notice of him,” Catherine stifled a giggle behind her hand, he really was outrageous, and gave the driver the address, before apologising, “I’m not pregnant, nor am I going to see my GP, but if you are free we would like a ride.” “The normal hailing would have sufficed, I would have stopped. That kind of behaviour will get you killed, don’t he know that?” the driver checked the rear view mirror before pulling away, “And I could do without a heart attack myself as it happens, and without my back end smashed in. Re-educate him lady, will you, the guy’s bonkers.” Daniel creased into laughter on the back seat, Catherine slapping him hard, “Oooh stop it, I like it.” Daniel told her, making Catherine crease into laughter too. The driver watched them through the mirror, ‘arh, young love....’ he grinned in remembrance, ‘what I’d give to be young again’. he sighed, concentrating on his driving, looking straight ahead once again, seeing only the heavy traffic, not the people that walked by, nor those that loitered on street corners, and certainly not the one that kept to the shadows by the park entrance where he had waited when he felt Catherine’s approach. Vincent watched as the cab drew away, with both Catherine and a young man inside. He shook his head in dismay. Her heart cried out to him both now and last evening. And in the space of less than twenty-four hours, he’d seen her with two different men. Why? Why was that? Why when her heart cried out for him? Vincent didn’t understand it. He knew only that he would loiter in the park for as long as it took, and await her return, and then confront her with this question, as painful as her answer might be. *** *** *** To be continued in Part Four.