The Locked Door

Part 18

The house when they pulled up was a beautiful old stone building and Jaya was in love from the moment she saw it.

“What a beautiful house” she said as she met Walker beside his car.

He smiled “thanks, I guess it is. I don’t tend to notice after all this time.”

She nodded. It was like anything you become familiar with, you stop paying attention.

 Walker reached out a clasped her hand “come in” he said.

On entering the old house Jaya was just as awe struck. It was very well cared for and furnished in a way that fitted the heritage of the building. It was lovely.

Walker led her into a living room and said “take a seat I’ll just go and tell mum I’m back. I won’t be a minute.”

“Don’t rush” Jaya said sitting on the couch. “Do what you need to. I’m fine.”

Walker smiled and headed up the wide stair case, taking three steps at a time.

While she waited Jaya looked around the room. The furniture was good quality and the soft furnishings looked expensive. Someone had taken great care in decorating it. It really was beautiful.

Jaya could see photos on the mantle and she got up to have a closer look. In two she could pick out a younger Walker. In another couple was a woman who she guessed was Walker’s sister. With her were two small children and a man who Jaya guessed was her husband. In an older frame was a picture of a man who looked to be in his sixties.

“That’s dad” Walker said startling her. She hadn’t heard him come back down. She turned her head to look at him and he smiled at her.

“You look like him” she said moving her eyes back to the photo.

“Thanks” he said. “He died about five years ago.”

Jaya turned her head to look at him again “I’m sorry.”

He moved his shoulders as if shifting a weight he was carrying “thanks.”

“Was you mother okay?”

He smiled again “yes. She’s already eaten and is now watching tv. She doesn’t last more than half an hour though.”

“If you want to, why don’t you go and spend some time with her then and if you show me where the kitchen is, I’ll make us some dinner?”

“I didn’t ask you here to make you work” he said.

“I know. I’m offering. I’ll feel better if I know I’m not depriving her of her time with you.”

“Are you sure?”

She smiled “yes” she said “maybe next time I come, if she’s up to it I could meet her.”

“She’ll like that” he said.

“How do you know?”

“Because she’s already said she wants to meet you”

“You told her I’m here?” Jaya asked with surprise.

He grinned. “I wasn’t planning on keeping it from her” he said “as I said she doesn’t mind. I think she feels guilty about bringing me back here and putting a hold on my life as she sees it. It’s not how I feel about it, but I know it worries her. So you see she’s happy I’ve found someone to keep me company for a change.”

Jaya was relieved. She could understand his mother’s guilt because she would have felt the same way. It would not be a nice feeling to think you are a burden on someone, a hindrance to their existence.  She liked that Walker wanted to stay anyway. It said a lot about the sort of man he was. With a smile she leant over and kissed him.

He was smiling as he eased back. He grabbed her hand and said “come on I’ll show you the kitchen.”

Jaya followed him feeling much better about being there. Now all she had to do was to think of something to cook.

“Use whatever you want” he said when they entered the large space. It had a huge island bench, two ovens and a massive double fridge. “Miller, my sister did the shopping yesterday.”

“I’ll work something out” Jaya said as she looked around then moving her gaze back to him and seeing his worried expression, she added “go, I’ll be fine.”

He smiled “thanks for this” he said and after bending to give her a quick kiss he headed back upstairs.