by Carol Wyer
‘It wasn’t Jacqueline’s motorbike you saw. It was Jack the carpenter’s bike.’
‘He drives a blue van not a motorbike.’ She wasn’t going to back down. William always had an answer ready when she had challenged him – some convoluted response that she’d been gullible enough to believe. Not this time. She’d seen a red bike like Jacqueline’s. He wasn’t going to pull the wool over her eyes.
‘Jack owns a motorbike as well as his van. He rides it at weekends. He used to ride motocross before he got married. It’s a sports bike, similar in design to Jacqueline’s Ducati but not the same make. It’s a Honda SP1, I think.’
‘Maybe he does but that doesn’t explain what he was doing here while you were out.’
‘He was with me. After I finished with the police, I met up with him at my house and we travelled to Stoke together. He knows the guy who lent us the equipment much better than I do. He left his bike on my driveway. If you don’t believe me, go and ask him… now.’
She looked at her slippers. Her anger had faded. She mumbled, ‘I’m sorry. I thought—’
‘I’d ditched you for Jacqueline.’
‘I thought you’d made up some excuse and not told me the truth. William did that a lot to me. I can’t stand being lied to. I really can’t. I jumped to conclusions, didn’t I?’
‘Given the circumstances, I’ll let you off. I was worried you thought badly of me for letting you down last minute. Turns out I had reason to. Still friends?’
‘You saved me from the killer spider. Still friends.’
‘Good.’
Jack shouted from the end of her driveway and waved at them both.
‘Sounds like I’m needed. You want to check with him to see if I’m telling the truth?’
She shook her head.
‘I hope Ronnie enjoyed my share of lunch.’ He gave her a warm smile.
‘I didn’t mean to tell you that. It just came out. Although he did. He gobbled it all up. Sorry.’
‘Hopefully another time,’ he said. Jack called him again.
‘Yes. Another time.’
Chapter Seventeen
Wednesday, 17th January
For the third day in a row the workmen arrived at seven a.m. on the dot and Chloe had woken to steady reverberations. Ronnie added his voice by barking loudly to be let out, and a sleepy Chloe had stood outside the back door with him, to ensure he didn’t run off to greet everyone.
She watched as a red globe rose on the horizon turning the sky a deep pink. She’d never seen a fuchsia-pink sunrise before and it held her spellbound. Once Ronnie was back inside, she rushed to her office to make note of what she’d observed. She could use it somewhere in the script. She’d been up until the small hours writing and was beginning to feel she might have at last cracked the backbone of her book. She’d made some notes of plot to keep her on track and character summaries so she could refer back to them, should she need to.
She hummed to herself as she waited for the kettle to boil, the only other sound was Ronnie lapping up his water. She was going to visit Sean later today and was curious to know why he would want her advice. Maybe he was going to sell the bookshop. She hoped not. She’d become used to his frequent phone calls that didn’t last long but were full of funny details about who’d been into the shop and what they’d bought, or the latest thriller Harlan Coben he’d picked up. He was such a bookworm and got through several books a week. He’d come up with some great recommendations. She’d been on his book blogging site and been astonished to read the review he’d written for Spank Me Harder, Vicar. He’d genuinely liked it as much as he’d claimed and judging by all the comments below his post, so had many others. Maybe he wanted some advice about his blog. She wasn’t into blogging at all. She had nothing to write about that would interest folk and besides, it was difficult enough to write a novel, let alone regular updates or posts. Many authors wrote blogs to stay in touch with their fans and readers but given she hid under the guise of the mysterious C J Knight, she didn’t have to do that.
She poured the water into her mug and reflected on how much better her life was becoming. She actually had friends. Following the fiasco with the spider, Jacqueline had rung to see how she was after the fall at the wrestling event and to tell her about a disastrous date she’d had with a fellow biker…
‘Oh Chloe, it was pigging awful. The fact he was at least twenty years older than his profile picture was only the start. It was the hair that did it, the curly grey hairs sticking out of his ears. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from them. I wanted to pull them out with my tweezers and every time he said “pardon?” I wanted to respond with, “Clean your ears out.” And the slurping! Have you ever been out with anyone who slurps their soup? I thought it was a Chinese thing. It’s in their culture to slurp noodles noisily – a sign of politeness or something – but this guy, he slurped everything: soup, beer and even the custard on the apple pie. Nightmare!’
‘I take it you won’t be seeing him again?’
Jacqueline makes a noise akin to blowing a raspberry.
‘What about Alex?’ The words are out before she knows it. She makes a face at her reflection in the window. Why did she ask the question?
‘He’s gorgeous but we aren’t suited. Besides, he bears a striking resemblance to my kid brother. It would be too weird if we got together. I only took him to the motorbike event because he showed an interest in my Ducati. I reckon I put him off by having a bike. He looked like a ghost when he dismounted and he threw up in a bush.’
‘He didn’t?’
‘Sure he did. As soon as we arrived at the venue. Don’t tease him about it, will you? He’s too nice a bloke to tease. Still, you know that. You must see him all the time.’
‘Now and again. The houses are spread out so I only go past his if I use the driveway. I tend to stick to my patch.’
‘What do you do all day?’
‘I’m still busy getting the place sorted. I’ve been trying to decide how best to tackle the garden.’
‘Rather you than me. I hate gardening. That’s why I have a flat. Are you looking for a job because I think there’s a position going at the factory where I work. It’s not bad hours and the money’s good. You only have to shove chocolates in boxes and try not to eat any.’
‘You work in a chocolate factory?’
‘Been there for a year. I’m a qualified dive instructor but there’s not much call for that in these parts.’ She laughs. ‘Actually, I’m training part-time to become a life coach.’
‘I think you’d make a terrific life coach.’
‘Really?’
‘Absolutely. You were made for that job. You’re full of energy and life and I reckon you could easily enthuse people into sorting out their lives.’
‘Aw, thanks. That’s made me feel even more positive about it. Normally people roll their eyes at me when I tell them about it like it’s mumbo-jumbo. I really enjoy it. Makes me feel I have some purpose. Beats stuffing milk chocolates in a cardboard box. Well, if ever you feel like teaming up for a girls’ night out, ring me.’
Chloe says she will and for a moment believes it. There is a faint possibility she’ll go out with Jacqueline. She certainly enjoys the woman’s company and if they meet up, Jacqueline can test out her new skills as a life coach on her.
A New Chapter bookshop was empty. From the partly open window the clanging of metal posts as traders dismantled the mid-week market stalls rang out, along with calls as they cleared away and shouted directions to van drivers. One lone market stall owner was still trying his luck with any remaining passing trade. ‘Four for a pound, cauliflowers. Lovely caulis. Four for a pound.’
‘I reckon he’ll be taking those vegetables home with him,’ Sean commented. ‘He’s been trying to shift them for the last half an hour. The price keeps dropping. They were one pound fifty each at the start of the day,’ A shining gold ribbon of sunlight had entered the room and shimmered against the wall briefly before disapp
earing again. Chloe swung idly on the seat. It was therapeutic being with Sean.
He cleared his throat. ‘Here’s what I wanted to run past you. I’ve been giving it some thought and to be honest I’m afraid of making an idiot of myself. I want to know what you think of Jacqueline?’
‘She’s bubbly, bright and fun.’
‘Yes. Are she and Alex an item? I know they went to a biker’s event together.’
‘Funnily enough, I asked her about Alex only this morning when she rang me. No. He reminds her of her brother. They’re not an item.’ She waited for more. Sean swallowed hard. ‘Do you think she’d say yes if I asked her out?’
‘I think she would. I know she likes you. She said you were hot at the skating rink. You can only ask.’
‘Ah, there’s the problem. I haven’t been on a date since high school. Rachel, that’s Suzy’s mom, was my first proper girlfriend and I’ve not been out with anyone since we divorced three years ago. I have no idea how to handle it. I’m also worried about Suzy. I don’t want her to feel left out.’
‘Have you mentioned it to her?’
He shook his head.
‘You ought to. From what I gather, you’re really close and she suggested you join the club. She must have been hoping you’d meet somebody. I bet she’d be really happy to know you even fancy anyone.’
‘You reckon?’
‘Definitely. I’d talk to her, see how she really feels about the possibility of you going out with a woman and then ask Jacqueline.’
‘Okay. I’ll try that. Second question. Where do you think I should take Jacqueline? She’s so vibrant and up for everything and I can’t think of anywhere that would appeal to her. She has a wild side. I don’t want to be Mr Dull and Boring.’
His words resonated with her. She often felt she was dull and boring too. She considered what Laila might enjoy. ‘What about a karaoke night?’
‘What if she can’t sing?’
‘I think she’d still try.’
‘What about me? I can’t sing a note. I’m as flat as the proverbial fart.’
‘That could be a problem. An amusement park?’
‘They’re all shut for winter.’
‘Take a dance class together – tango or something sexy like salsa.’
‘Okay. That’s a possible.’
‘A comedy show. Laughter’s a great way to break the ice and you could go out for drinks afterwards.’ Chloe was on a roll. All the things she’d have liked to have been able to enjoy but couldn’t, came thick and fast. ‘Take a cookery class together. You can go to ones where you make chocolates and then eat them, or a pottery class like in the film Ghost, except you won’t be dead… go rock climbing… take a helicopter tour. Oh, that last one might be too expensive.’
‘Whoa. You’re going way too quickly for me. I’m gonna have to make notes. Geez, I can see why you’re a writer. You do have an imagination.’
‘I live out life and fantasies in my head,’ she said undeterred. ‘Go to the zoo or, my favourite idea… take a life drawing class together, although you both get to keep your clothes on,’ she said triumphantly. She’d written a scene in which Laila took one such class, that morning.
‘You know, I reckon she’d love all of these. How about I write them all down and she gets to choose one. Maybe put all the ideas in a glass jar and she pulls one out, and if it goes well she can choose another date?’
‘I love that idea.’ Chloe clapped her hands together in delight. ‘She is definitely going to want to say yes to you.’
He beamed at her. ‘I hope so. You’ve given me the balls to at least ask her. I’ll run it past Suzy first. Make sure she’s cool with it and then ask Jacqueline at the next event. I’ve got over three weeks to prepare for it.’
‘Why don’t you ring her and ask her out, instead?’
‘I really need the time to build up my confidence.’
‘I can’t wait to find out if it comes off.’
‘Well, if it doesn’t, maybe you could come to a life drawing class with me just to make sure I keep focused on my pencil and not the naked model, you understand?’
‘I have a feeling that won’t happen. She’ll probably jump at the chance to go out with you.’
The corners of his mouth lifted. ‘Cheers. I feel a little easier about it. Just got to hang on to my courage. The events have helped. Not that we’ve been to many but they sure help you bond in a way, don’t they? How are you enjoying them? Not too onerous for you?’
She considered his question, swinging backwards and forwards in a gentle rhythm. ‘Not any more. It’s beginning to feel more normal to be part of the group, although I won’t lie: I still get terrible stomach pains before the day. I went online yesterday and talked to fellow sufferers. Some are very helpful and come up with ideas to help combat it. I know what I have to do to beat it. I have a list of things I’m supposed to go through regularly, like affirmations, and various tests I can perform online to show the progress I’m making. I’ve even started performing Qigong in the mornings. It’s good for meditation and self-healing. I’ve practised yoga for years, but I fancied a change so I’m using a DVD I bought online.’
‘You know that makes me so happy to hear it. My mom wouldn’t listen to any advice or take any medication. On my father’s insistence she visited a therapist but she just couldn’t or wouldn’t help herself. Some days she wouldn’t get out of bed or even talk to us.’
‘It must have been hard for you to watch her decline.’
‘I blamed myself for years. Thought I was the reason she wouldn’t go out. I wasn’t an easy child. I got into trouble a couple of times with the law. Nothing major but I was driven home in a police car once and I got a severe warning. It took some time for me to understand why she was the way she was. I wasn’t in a good place for a few years after her death. My black period. I took drugs and hated the world for quite a while. I came to the UK to escape, trained to be a social worker, met Rachel. Things got better but then I found that job too difficult. There was too much heartache involved and I felt I wasn’t making a big enough difference. Things became tense at home. I took out my frustrations on Rachel. You understand how these things escalate; they start off as dumb arguments that get out of hand and before you know it, you’re both saying a bunch of stuff you don’t really mean, and then the rot sets in.’ He shrugged. ‘It wasn’t great and in the end Rachel decided we’d be better off apart.’
‘You didn’t try couple’s therapy?’
He shook his head. ‘I knew she was right. I’d started drinking and, well, it was better for both of them to have me out of their lives. After we broke up, I spiralled out of control. Night after night, I’d hit the bottle until I fell unconscious. I had no job, no family and no home. I was renting a crappy place in a ghastly area and I didn’t care. I was happy to let myself end my days like that, not that different from my mom in some ways. I think at that point I understood how she felt – she simply didn’t care any more. Then one day, I was sorting through my wallet looking for some money to pay for a beer, and pulled out a photo of Suzy. I saw my reflection in the bar mirror and I didn’t like what I’d become. I was almost as bad as my mother. I was hiding from reality and the truth, and I realised I was the only person who had the power to change things. I gave up the alcohol, sorted myself out, found a job in a bookshop. It’s been slow progress but Suzy’s back in my life again, and Rachel and I can actually talk like two grown-ups. She’s in a steady relationship and I think it’ll go to the next level soon, from what Suzy says. It’s time I made more effort in that department too. I don’t want to be alone.’
Chloe had listened intently. It was difficult to imagine Sean being anything other than the gentle soul he appeared to be. He had the ability to empathise with others and his soft accent was soothing. It was strange to realise he’d had such a traumatic time reaching this point in his life, and it served to prove one person could never tell what lay behind another’s exterior. Chloe imagi
ned people, like onions, were protected of hidden by several layers. She was swathed in many thick covers too.
‘You definitely should talk to Suzy and then to Jacqueline.’
‘A new chapter,’ he said, pointing around at the shop. ‘Appropriately named, eh? So, how about we make a pact? I ask Jacqueline out and you come to the shop again next week only on Wednesday morning. You don’t need to stay if it fills up with customers. You can hide upstairs until I’ve dealt with them.’
‘I think I could handle a visit and maybe a few customers.’
‘Excellent. You’ve made another big step. You’ve said yes again.’
Chloe cocked her head. He was right. She’d agreed without hesitation. She was making strides at last. Nanny Olive would definitely be proud of her.
The doorbell rang. ‘Suzy,’ he said, jumping to his feet.
Chloe waited, aware of murmured voices then clumping as both father and daughter mounted the stairs. A young girl, hair in a long pigtail and still in school uniform breezed in filling the room with an energy of her own.
‘Hi, I’m Suzy,’ she said.
‘Hi, Suzy. I’m Chloe. Nice to meet you. Heard a lot about you from your dad.’
‘Dad’s told me about you too. You flattened the skittles at the zorb event. Those zorb balls look really cool. My friend went in one and was sick.’ She dropped her backpack on the table.
‘Want a drink, sweetheart?’
‘Got any cola, Dad?’
‘Always. For you my fridge is full to busting point.’ He opened the door to reveal a shelf filled with red cans. He lifted one and tossed it across to her. She caught it deftly and popped the lid.
‘Nice catch, baby girl.’
‘Good teacher,’ she replied, slurping her drink.
There was no escaping the rapport between father and daughter. Nothing was forced between them and Suzy, who had the same piercing eyes as Sean, was as easy and comfortable to chat to as her father. After half an hour, Chloe left them to it, and driving back home, windscreen wipers swishing at the light rain falling against her windscreen, she couldn’t help but wonder what sort of child she might have had, had William only been willing.