The Secret

A/N: A reminder: In the present, Alan and Ellie have just bumped into each other at the reception in the theatre, which is where this chapter starts.


They looked at each other for a moment until Alan broke the silence.

‘Walk with me, let’s get some more wine.’ He was talking quietly and anyone looking from a distance would just assume they were making small talk.

They moved away from the group and towards the table, swapping empty glasses for full ones. Ellie glanced at him. He was wearing a well-cut black suit with a white shirt and a black and silver tie.

‘You look great tonight.’ She didn’t look at him but she heard his gentle laugh.

‘You look incredible.’ He turned to her and smiled. ‘I can’t believe it’s really you. I gave up hope of ever seeing you again. You are still beautiful, Ellie.’

‘Thanks. It’s good to see you, too.’ She smiled at him and he could feel a warmth starting somewhere in his stomach.

They turned and looked around the room, trying to keep a sociable air. Ellie saw Poppy walking towards them and her heart sank. Alan saw her too and looked at Ellie, his eyes pleading with her for more time. Ellie spoke to him out of the corner of her mouth.

‘Take the wine and met me in the foyer, I’ll head her off.’

Alan nodded imperceptibly and Ellie walked up to Poppy.

‘Is everything OK, sweetie?’ Poppy put a caring hand on Ellie’s shoulder.

‘Fine, I’m just going to the ladies, I won’t be long. Oh look…’ Ellie smiled with relief, ‘Someone wants you.’

In the corner of the room an older gentleman was waving Poppy over. She smiled and shrugged at Ellie, who grinned at her and walked into the foyer as soon as Poppy’s back was turned.

Ellie stood looking for Alan and saw him leaning against the wall in a dark corner near the ticket office. In the half-light she could make out his tall, lean frame and silvering hair. Age had been very kind to him and Ellie’s stomach flipped as he waved to her across the foyer.
Alan watched her as she walked across the foyer towards him. She had filled out a little, her curves looked amazing in the dress she was wearing and she stunned him by her beauty.

She smiled as she reached him and took her wine from him.

‘So, here we are then.’

‘Ah. Small talk. Good idea…’ Alan frowned at her comically and she laughed, a full-bodied womanly sound that resonated within him and stirred memories of their time together.

Ellie looked at him seriously. ‘How’s Rima?’ She had always wondered how it had turned out.
‘I don’t know actually, I haven’t spoken to her in a while. We split up 2 years ago officially, but it was longer than that in reality. Things were never the same after…well, you know.’ He looked her in the eye and she nodded, smiling a little.

‘Does this mean you’re single, then?’ She was teasing him, a glint in her eye.

‘I am, why? You interested?’ He laughed at her.

‘I might be..’ She smiled and looked him up and down. They both laughed.

‘What about you Ellie? How did things go?’ He was staring at her intently.

Ellie paused before she spoke and smiled warmly at him. ‘I’ve had two more children, one divorce. And I’m single too.’

Alan looked at her. It wasn’t lost on him that they were both free agents but a lot of time had passed.

‘I’m sorry things didn’t work out, Ellie. I always hoped you would be happy.’

Ellie shrugged. ‘ I made a lot of mistakes. I should have left Pete when I had the chance, but I have Kyle and Ben so I can’t complain, they’re lovely boys. Can you believe that Sam is 20 now?’ she smiled at him.

‘Has it really been that long?’ Alan couldn’t believe it; he had felt the years melt away when he saw her.

‘It’s been 16 years, 5 months, 3 weeks and 2 days.’ Ellie smiled at him, a glint in her eye.
He looked at her. ‘Are you serious? Is that an exact figure or are you joking?’

‘Oh no, I wouldn’t joke about it. I have missed you every day since I left. I know exactly how long it’s been.’ Ellie was suddenly shocked at how direct she was being and she averted her gaze.

‘Are you staying with Poppy for long?’ Alan could see that she felt she had said too much but he was secretly pleased. He had missed her too and life was too short to miss out on second chances.

‘I’m here until Sunday. One week.’ She laughed and he laughed with her.

‘That’s ironic!’ he grinned at her. ‘Ellie…?’

‘Yes, Alan?’ She looked into his eyes and he stepped close to her. Her mouth went very dry and she could feel her heart beating faster.

‘Will you come to dinner one night? I would love to see you while you’re here.’

‘I would love that. Thank you.’ She smiled at him and he moved even closer. He was tempted to kiss her but he saw Poppy coming towards them and stepped around Ellie, nodding at her to turn around. As Ellie turned, he took her hand in his and squeezed it gently, hiding their hands in the folds of her dress. Ellie squeezed back and they smiled at each other.

‘I was starting to worry about you!’ Poppy grinned, ‘I should have known you would pull the biggest spunk in the room!’

She laughed and Ellie glared at her.

‘Actually, Poppy…’ Alan walked up to her and draped an arm around her shoulders, guiding her back to the party, ‘It was me who did the pulling!’ They laughed and Alan looked over his shoulder at Ellie and winked. Ellie giggled and followed them.

They spent the rest of the evening milling amongst the other guests separately but they both knew where the other was and their eyes met regularly, like co-conspirators with a great secret. At the end of the night, Alan came over to her.

‘I have to go but give me your number and I promise, I will call you.’ He smiled at her.

Ellie grabbed a napkin and scribbled her number on it with eyeliner pencil. Alan took it and slipped it into his pocket. He leaned forward and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

‘Bye.’ He grinned at her.

Ellie put her hand to her cheek; she could still feel his lips there.

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