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'What are you suggesting?' She asked.
Her eyes were locked on his but when she spoke again her voice sounded tired and strained.
'I'm married. I couldn't leave Callum. It would destroy him. He doesn't deserve that.'
He hesitated for a moment. What could he say in answer to that? He'd had his chance time and time again and blown it. She had built a life for herself and their baby. She was married. He settled on simplistic honesty in his answer.
'I want... to see you and Kala again.' His emphasis and emotion said more that the words he used.
'So you're staying here?'
He nodded. Well, he had been considering it, depending on her reception of him today. And now that he knew of Kala's existence his plans were certain.
' I've got all the ... things I need now.' He said obliquely referring to the passport and documents he'd acquired for his Tony Madden alias.
'And it's a little safer than it was previously.' He brushed a hand self consciously over his face.
She glanced over him, critically assessing the small changes and alterations which had appeared since their last meeting. He'd hinted at the plastic surgery in his emails so she had been expecting it. His nose was more sharpened and angular; his cheekbones had seen work as well. She couldn't tell how strong a disguise it would be, he was too ingrained in her for her not to recognise him. It scared her that his picture had been so high profile, in all the papers, broadcast on all the news. But perhaps with his darker complexion and longer hair it would do.
'Oh and these too.' He said quietly pulling back his sleeve back an inch or so for her to see that his tattoo was gone.
'It's not perfect.' He admitted. 'There are some... traces remaining. I'll get more work done eventually.
'I could have sent you money. Mi...' They were in public, surrounded by strangers yet the look he shot at her stopped her with a jolt.
She hesitated before finishing. 'Brazil would have been safer surely? To get all the work completed?'
He nodded. 'It wasn't just money that was the problem. I underestimated the number of sessions it would take... It varies from person to person and I was unlucky I guess. The hours it's taken...but it's nearly finished.'
Kala was getting restless again and whining to be put down.
'She's tired.' Sara explained as she pulled the sock and baby shoe onto the little girls foot.
'Ok.' Very reluctantly Michael handed her back to her mother. 'I guess you need to get going.'
Impulsively he leaned closer and put his arms around both of them. Surprised Sara was tense for a moment before melting against his shoulder, breathing in his scent which was still familiar to her despite all the time they had been apart. Shifting slightly to give his daughter more space Michael kissed Sara on the lips. She jerked her head away guiltily, standing up quickly.
Michael remained seated, his expression registering that he was saddened but not surprised at her reaction.
Then he reached into his jacket pocket and withdrew a small piece of paper and held it out to her.
'What is it?'
'My cell number. Call me. If I'm in contact with you and Kala your husband is going to have to be told some things... maybe even meet me. We need to make sure we have our stories straight.'
She nodded – that made sense.
He lifted his hand, to what – stroke her cheek? But stopped himself.
'Goodbye Sara.'
She sighed and hugged the little girl closer to her.
'Goodbye.' She turned and walked slowly away from him. As he watched them go he was swarmed with mixed emotions. He had a daughter! Sara was married but she had shown that she still cared about him and that had to count for something surely? Nevertheless amongst the more positive feeling he recognised the bitter pang of regret at seeing the women he loved and mother of his child, walk away from him.