THE NIGHT VISITOR
She hurried along, her heels clicking sharply against the empty pavement. Above, the moon leered down, smug and bright, casting the city in a ghostly haze. Buildings loomed like silent sentinels, their edges sharp in the cold silver glow. Streetlamps flickered here and there, pushing back the darkness, while windows glinted like spectacles perched on the faces of houses.
Up ahead, a tram rattled into view, its lights twinkling like a Christmas tree before vanishing around a corner, swallowed by the night. The click of her heels quickened, echoing off the walls. No, shed missed the last tram. The moon seemed to smirk at her misfortune.
Shed stayed late at her friends, stubbornly refusing an escort, certain shed catch the tram. Now, her steps slowed, then stopped altogether. Exhausted, she sank onto a bench, tears of frustration welling up. Suddenly, brakes screeched, and a voice from inside a car sang out lazily, «Fancy a ride?» She tensed, wishing she could disappear into the shadows. The last thing she wanted was an adventurehome was all she longed for.
A man leaned out. «Dont be scared. Ill get you there in no time.» The passenger door swung open, and hesitantly, she slipped inside. The leather seat cradled her, warm and inviting, with a faint, pleasant scent she couldnt place. On the back seat, a child slept curled against a massive dog, its hot breath stirring the curls at her neck. She froze.
The man flashed a quick grin. «Dont worry. Almas gentle as a lambwont hurt a fly.»
«James,» he said, offering his hand.
«Eleanor Whitmore,» she managed.
He burst out laughing. «Whitmore? Bit grand for someone your age!»
Catching her reflection in the rearview mirrormascara smudged, eyes wideshe barely recognised herself. «Well, thats a matter of opinion,» she muttered.
«Teacher, then?» he guessed. She stayed silent, lost in thought.
«Were late too,» he offered, filling the quiet. Slowly, her nerves eased. An odd familiarity settled over her, as if shed known James for years. The night felt strangely cosy. He handed her a handkerchief, and she wiped away the smudges, flashing him a grateful smile.
«Not bad at all,» he remarked, eyeing her. The compliment lifted her spirits. Soon, they were laughing, swapping jokes, while Alma gave a low, warning barkhush, youll wake the little one.
Then the car turned down a dark alley. Her heart lurched.
«Just popping into the chemist,» James explained, noticing her tension. «Promised Mum her medicine. No time tomorrow.»
It was well past midnight, the weekend stretching ahead. No one waited for Eleanorjust a stack of schoolbooks at home. So they drove on, the car slicing through the night, headlights cutting through the gloom. Then, almost casually, James invited her back to his place. She wasnt even surprised.
His flat was on the seventh floor. He carried his sleeping son carefully, and in the dim lift light, they stole glances at each other before laughing like mischievous kids. James was tall, broad-shouldered, with sun-kissed skin and fair hair that made his tan glow. Even in heels, Eleanor barely reached his shoulder.
Inside, the flat was tidy, everything in its place. James settled the boy into bed, Alma flopping down beside him. They drank tea, listened to classical musictastes perfectly matched. Oddly, in this strangers home at such an hour, Eleanor felt no unease. That same warmth returned, as if theyd always been a family, as if little Oliver were her own.
Over wine in the kitchen, James grew quiet, confessing how his wife had died three years agochoosing their sons life over hers in a difficult birth. His mother helped with Oliver now, stepping in when work kept him late.
He asked Eleanor to stay till morning. She agreed, whether from the wine or something deeper, she couldnt say.
Dawn found her in his bed, a childs whisper rousing her. «Mummy,» Oliver murmured, patting her cheek. Almas bulk pressed against her legs. Tears pricked Eleanors eyes as she hugged him close. «Mine,» she whispered.
James squeezed in with a steaming breakfast tray. «Getting on well, then?» he teased. Then, abruptly: «Marry me.»
Eleanor blinked. «You dont even know me.»
«I know enough. Lifes longwell learn the rest. Oliver likes you. Alma approves. Youll be a wonderful mother.»
Outside, dawn tinged the sky pink. Eleanor lay still, eyes closed, replaying the strange nightthe citys shadows, the stranger whod rescued her, the proposal. Then she peeked open an eye. Beside her, James slept peacefully, Oliver nestled between them. Alma sprawled heavily across her feet.
She wriggled free. The dog cracked one eye, yawned, and dozed off again. The alarm wouldnt sound for ages. Eleanor began planning her lessons, then drifted back to sleep as sunlight chased away the dark. Somewhere above, the moon winked down, as if it knew the secret too.
