The Guest & The Change - By M. D. Bowden Page 0,3

not want to behave like this was a special occasion. She would try to act normal.

Her kids ran in, Megan first, and started organizing the seating arrangements.

‘Me sit here, Grandma sit there.’

‘No, me next Grandma,’ said Bea.

Grandma was close behind them, ‘Why don’t I sit in between so I can sit next to both of you?’

At this point Granddad walked in.

‘I want to sit next to Granddad too,’ said Megan. She was always first off the cuff being the oldest. Bea soon chimed in.

‘Me next to Granddad.’

Sarah rolled her eyes.

Megan looked livid, ‘No, me!’

‘How about I sit next to you Bea and Granddad sits next to Megan,’ suggested Sarah.

At this point their guest entered the room. He looked stunning and completely relaxed. Leaning against the doorframe, glass of wine still in hand, he said, ‘How about me, where shall I sit?’

Megan and Bea fell silent. They were happy to stay as far away from this new man as possible.

However it was a reciprocal question. There was only one seat left, which would be nearest the door, between Granddad and Sarah.

Sarah slid into her seat, and as everyone settled down Daniel pulled out his chair and sat down alongside her. Their arms were almost touching, only an inch away. Sarah was very aware of her body and whether any part of it was anywhere near him. She couldn’t even look at him, and busied herself with fussing over Bea and making sure she was ok and sitting down properly.

‘I’ll be back in a minute,’ Grandma said reassuringly to Bea and Megan, ‘I’m just going to bring in our food’.

Sarah had left her mum to dish up as she had cooked - Sarah did not want to take credit for her mothers’ efforts.

Sarah could smell delicious tantalizing scents drift in from the kitchen. Her mum emerged with the ceramic dish holding the homemade casserole. She placed it in the middle of the table, ‘No touching kiddies, it’s VERY hot,’ she emphasized, before going back into the kitchen for the cooked potatoes.

Trying to ignore Daniel, who was sitting silently to her right, Sarah leant over and began dishing up casserole for Megan and Bea. She gave them each a chicken drumstick and picked them out veggies from the stew. They would not eat a scoop of casserole if it was placed on their plates - Sarah had to divide it into individual segments if it was not to be rejected.

Sarah turned to Daniel and tried to sound confident, ‘Would you like some casserole?’

‘Yes please,’ he replied (He’s so polite, thought Sarah), ‘I’m very hungry, it’s been a busy day.’ He said. He half smiled, the corner of his mouth curling up in a way Sarah couldn’t help imagine had hidden meaning, while he looked secretly amused.

Alice had returned with the potatoes and taken her seat. Everyone helped themselves and began buttering them. The children’s chatter helped to cover Sarah’s silence as she tried to remain calm. His arm was so close.

She took a steadying breath and tried to chew her food. Her father, Keith, picked up the bottle of red and refilled their glasses. Alice and Keith, being either side of Megan, fussed over her while she tucked into her food. Even Bea started to eat her casserole. Sarah was relieved she didn’t have to hassle them - her parents were an exciting enough influence to give her a break.

But Sarah could not relax, she was aware of Daniel’s every movement. Every time he took a bite. The sound of him eating. Every time he picked up his wineglass.

Her parents weren’t paying him any attention; they were fixated on their food and grandchildren.

Sarah decided to be brave; she looked over towards him, after swallowing the food already in her mouth. He was already looking her way, still with that half amused look on his face. As if he’s aware of how uncomfortable he’s making me. And how attractive I find him.

‘Where have you come from Daniel?’

‘Oh, I’ve lived lots of places,’ he confided with a smile, ‘But most recently I moved from not so far away, a little town in Alaska.’

‘Alaska? Wow that must have been incredible’, said Sarah, imagining walking in icy landscapes.

Where they lived in Canada had plenty of snow and ice in winter too, but the more extreme weather always appealed to Sarah.

‘Incredible? That’s not the response I usually get. Most people associate further north with cold and depression.’

‘No, I find cold and ice inspiring.’

Daniel looked amused, again, as though