Unravelled

by Jade Winters

  ‘Are you sitting there staring into space for a reason?’ Kim asked, her northern accent just noticeable.

  ‘I was hoping we could talk.’

  Kim rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the wardrobe, assessing her options. ‘Jesus, Lindsay, can’t you give me a few hours to unwind before you make your demands?’

  ‘Demands?’ Lindsay said shocked, ‘… time to unwind?’ she asked, her voice heavy with disbelief. ‘And when do I get time to unwind? I have to take care of everything here when you’re away. The kids, the house, the car. I’m left to do it all while you flit around doing nothing!’

  Lindsay rose from the bed and pushed the door shut, not wanting the children to hear the argument. There had been enough of that with their father.

  Kim turned and glared at Lindsay. ‘What are you whingeing about? Who the hell pays to put a roof over your kids’ heads? Who puts food in their bellies?’

  ‘That’s exactly what I’m trying to tell you, Kim. We’re three payments behind on the car and mortgage. I’ve barely got enough money to put food on the table and there’s a heap of demand letters on top of the fridge.’

  Kim pulled a pair of jeans from the wardrobe. Her movements were short and sharp, leaving Lindsay in no doubt as to her bottled anger. Next, she took a black vest from the chest of drawers and snapped, ‘Why don’t you get a job then? God knows you’ve been sitting on your arse for long enough.’ She pulled the vest over her head, smoothing out the creases before continuing. ‘I work in a mind-numbing job I hate. It’s not exactly the high life, you know. God, I drive nine hours straight, nearly every bloody day to take care of you and your kids. And this is the thanks I get?’

  Lindsay drew in a shaky breath. ‘You! You were the one who kept on and on at me to leave Steve. You said, “I’ll take care of you and the kids”. You said this was the life you wanted. That things were going to be great.’ Anger lowered her eyes to mere slits. ‘You said I could be a stay at home mum, that you would look after us. You made those promises, not me.’

  Lindsay moved closer to Kim, who looked decidedly uncomfortable and stepped a few feet away. ‘I gave up everything for you, Kim. My kids’ stability, their home, not to mention the people who turned their back on us when they found out about you and me. I did it because I love you, and I thought you loved us.’

  ‘I—’

  ‘No, don’t say it! If you did you wouldn’t spend all your time in gay bars.’ Lindsay shook her head. ‘This wasn’t what I signed up for.’

  ‘Life isn’t always easy!’ Kim snapped back. ‘Since we moved in together I haven’t had a moment’s peace. I’m entitled to my own bloody space and that includes not having to listen to you whingeing about what you’ve lost or how shitty things are. It was your choice. No one had a gun to your head. Christ, I bet Steve is thanking God I took you off his hands.’

  Lindsay winced at the ferocity of Kim’s words. How could she have been so stupid? How could she have fallen so deeply and completely in love with a wolf in sheep’s clothing? Because she hid her true nature well and I realised the truth too late.

  Lindsay released a heavy sigh as Kim pulled on her boots. ‘Would you prefer me to leave it until you come home one day to find us thrown out on the street?’

  Kim didn’t reply but instead moved towards the dresser and reached for her perfume.

  Kim’s indifference only served to increase Lindsay’s rage. She was trying to reach out, trying to get Kim to realise, possibly even acknowledge, the trouble they were in and not just the financial kind either. Their relationship was also coming apart, threatening to tumble into the same black pit their finances had. They needed to talk things through, needed to find a solution together. If only Kim were willing, or actually remained home long enough, for them to address things.

  ‘Kim, the kids miss you.’ Lindsay’s tone softened. ‘I miss you.’ Especially the woman I fell in love with. ‘But you’re never home anymore … even when you are—’

  ‘If you all miss me, like you claim you do, then you’d be willing to give me some goddamn space,’ Kim sneered before leaving the room, slamming the door behind her.

  Lindsay didn’t bother to follow. She knew a lost cause when she saw one. She wanted desperately to cry, but that too felt redundant.

  Normally, when everything became too much to bear, Lindsay thought of simply packing it all in. Taking the kids and leaving. That way Kim could return to deal with the bills and repossession letters; she could have all the space she wanted and claimed she needed when she brought her ignorant arse home.

  What a lesson that would be for her.

  Or even better yet, Lindsay could leave the kids with their father, then she would be free to do as she pleased. Incompetent and useless Steve would have to learn how to care for his children. He would discover exactly how draining it was staying up all night whenever they got sick. He’d have to deal with teachers, school fees, extra-curricular activities, sports, bickering with friends, nagging, and oh, the tantrums.

  How I’d like to see you squirm under the weight of that responsibility, you son of a bitch. But could she do it?

  The thunder roared outside and rattled their bedroom window, but Lindsay smiled.

  One thing Kim didn’t know she was financing, was the ‘medicine’ Lindsay took for the ailment that had manifested due to Kim’s indifference to their relationship. She made her way to the bathroom, pulled back the bath panel and laid it on the floor. She felt some cheer at the sight of the vodka bottle.

  You drink it up in your gay bars, Kim. I’ll be having one on you at home. Lindsay cracked the cap and grimaced. In fact, I’ll have a few.

  Chapter Three

  Rae was late. She was never late, not to work, not to a meeting, in fact she was usually first in the conference room. But this time she was, and all because of a caffeine fix. Costa Coffee had been packed. The queue had moved at a snail’s pace but she had been determined to get a decent cup before the presentation. Especially since the sludge they served during meetings caused instant heartburn.

  The thick clouds that had descended over London threatened rain as Rae rushed along the pavement, careful not to spill her coffee; there’d been no time to even take a sip after the barista had handed it to her. Huffing and perspiring under her red blouse, Rae rushed around the lifts and right into the main corridor of Pierce and Keats Architectural Consultancy.

  Bridget, the receptionist, looked at her with obvious relief. However, that look was quickly replaced by one of urgency. Bridget glanced at the conference room and then held up the folder containing Rae’s plans.

  Rae nodded, placed her coffee on the counter and took the plans and the laptop she had left earlier. She glanced again at the cup, already regretting the waste of good caffeine and turned towards the conference room. Drawing in a deep breath and hoping she didn’t look as unsettled as she felt, Rae opened the door and stepped into the room.

  Silence descended as she entered and Leo, her boss, gave her a pointed stare, which left Rae in no doubt as to the amount of trouble she would be in if the meeting didn’t go well. However, he was quick to say, ‘And there she is, the woman of the moment. Gentlemen, it’s time for Mrs Webber to familiarise you with our proposal.’

  Rae hated it when Leo addressed her as ‘Mrs’ and he knew it. She moved towards the oak table, carefully unfolding the paper copy of her plans before connecting her laptop to the overhead projector and turning it on.

  Two hours later, after a gruelling session of questions and proposed amendments from both the clients and partners, plus the bitchy budget executive’s demands about cost cutting or the possible use of cheaper recycled materials, Rae finally returned to her office.

  Located on the tenth floor, her office was a modest sized space in Westminster. The glass-fronted building wasn’t the most prestigious in the area, but the floor to ceiling windows provided a panoramic view of the River Thames and the Houses of Parliament. The age-old architectu
re, between the newer, sleeker modern designs often served as inspiration to Rae. Proof that old and new could function together.

  The thought had her glance towards the far wall, the one adorned with framed photos of her best designs. They gave her pride but also brought home the stark reality of her life. Other than work she had nothing. Well she’d had Bourbon, but he too was no longer around.

  With a heavy sigh, she turned towards her desk and lowered herself to her chair. Leaning back, she allowed the soft leather to cushion her body. The meeting had been tedious, meaning even more hours for her to implement the required changes, and she didn’t feel up to it. Her mother’s voice sounded in her head: Sit up straight, you slouch. You will be a humpback when you’re older. One of a thousand snide remarks her mother had made about her possible future. She shook her head. It had been those constant put downs that had led to her always expecting the worst.

  Rae considered going out for a cup of coffee; she deserved it, but it would be time to go home soon and people would get the wrong impression if she left the office early.

  Her phone rang as she reached for her diary. ‘Rae.’

  It was Bridget. ‘Are you accepting any calls yet?’

  ‘Nope. I’m trying to gather my thoughts on the requested changes. Take a message and tell them I’ll call them back.’

  ‘All right. But he said it’s about your missing cat?’

  Rae gasped in shock. A strange foreboding sensation filled her. She hoped desperately this was not a call from a shelter or a vet to tell her Bourbon was hurt.

  ‘Rae, are you all right?’ Bridget asked.

  ‘Yes … um … put him through,’ Rae managed to get out, listening intently for the switchover. The line was silent for several moments so she tentatively said, ‘Hello?’

  ‘Rae Webber?’ It was a man’s voice, a mid-baritone and easy to listen to, almost as if it were caressing her senses. She tried to picture him, thinking that someone with such a voice could not possibly convey bad news.

  ‘Speaking,’ Rae said, trying her best to sound distinguished and professional while inside a fiesta ensued.

  ‘Sorry for calling you on your work number. I tried your mobile earlier, but it was switched off.’

  ‘I was in a meeting.’

  ‘Oh, okay. Can you talk now?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Good.’ He sounded distracted for a moment, as if he was facing away from the phone but then came back. ‘So, it’s about your cat. At least, I think it’s your cat I found.’

  ‘Sorry … I didn’t catch your name?’ Rae asked, hoping this wasn’t a hoax. Since Bourbon’s disappearance she’d had numerous calls and reported sightings, but none had been of her beloved Bourbon. She’d even had a poor old gentleman crying down the phone at her loss.

  ‘Callum.’

  ‘And you think you’ve found Bourbon?’

  ‘I believe so. He looks like the photo on the posters I’ve seen around. He’s chocolate coloured but he’s also got a white spot on his left hind paw. Does that sound like your cat?’

  Rae knew that whoever this man was, he had Bourbon. The picture she’d circulated hadn’t shown the spot on Bourbon’s hind paw. Elation filled her, as well as a sense of relief as she slapped her desk with joy. ‘Ha! That’s him. That’s Bourbon.’ Rae looked heavenward and laughed with abandon. She didn’t care who heard her or even who glanced in her office because of her uncharacteristic behaviour. ‘Thank you so much. You have no idea how relieved I am.’

  Callum laughed. ‘I think I do. I know what it’s like when a furry family member wanders off and leaves you frantic. They have no sense of responsibility—cats I mean, not owners.’

  ‘I forgot to ask how he is. Has he been hurt in any way?’

  There was a slight pause. ‘Nope, quite the contrary, he looks very healthy in fact.’

  Rae smiled as she glanced at the clock on the wall. ‘I finish work at five, so if you give me your address I can pick him up any time after then.’

  ‘Your poster said Mr Bourbon lives in Fulham. I live in Putney. I can always drop him off to you.’

  Angelic and charming. ‘That would be great. If you’re sure it won’t be a problem?’

  ‘No problem at all,’ Callum replied. ‘My mum drilled it into me to do at least one thing a day to make someone else happy.’

  ‘Your mum sounds fab,’ Rae said before providing him with her address.

  ***

  Some time before seven, Rae paced her living room anxious for Bourbon’s arrival. Within twenty minutes of telling Lindsay the good news about her cat she was on Rae’s doorstep, as ecstatic as Rae was herself. She noticed Lindsay’s bloodshot eyes but said nothing.

  Though she wouldn’t admit it, Rae was relieved to have someone else present just in case Callum turned out to be some kind of weirdo. There I go again, predicting the worst case scenario.

  Outside, the weather warned of a storm. A mild rumble pulsed through the city as the thunder made its voice known. It normally lent an atmosphere of apprehension, but today Rae didn’t give the threatening gods a second thought. Drowned in excited anticipation, she prattled on about all sorts of nonsensical matters while Lindsay tried to get a word in now and then to voice her own glee at the news. ‘I told you not to worry.’ Lindsay raised her wine glass in the air. ‘Here’s to Bourbon the adventurer.’

  Rae raised her glass of water. ‘To Bourbon, the soon to be indoor cat.’

  The ominous thunder gave way to a deluge of rain.

  Rae was just about to sit down when her doorbell rang. ‘He’s here,’ she said turning to look at Lindsay, suddenly feeling a sense of trepidation.

  Rae crossed the room and carefully peeked through the blinds. ‘Holy shit, Linds, come and have a look at this. He’s drop dead gorgeous.’

  ‘Looks aren’t everything, you know.’

  ‘I would normally agree but … he’s something else,’ Rae muttered, mainly to herself.

  Reluctantly, Lindsay joined Rae at the window and peeked over her shoulder. She let out a low whistle, ‘Oh boy, a man that good looking can only mean one thing—trouble.’

  Rae didn’t respond for a moment as she continued to stare at his profile. The man’s well cared for, shoulder-length dark blond hair was adorned with highlights. He had a strong, well defined jaw, straight nose and a look of confidence about him. His build leant more to the athletic type than skinny, with strong square shoulders.

  ‘What you really mean is a man that well-groomed and good looking can only be one thing—gay.’

  Lindsay nudged her. ‘Gay or not, open the bloody door for him, before he pisses off with your cat.’

  Rae jolted. Her gaze moved to the cage Callum was carrying. ‘Oh God, Bourbon, of course.’

  Rae hurried to the front door and flung it open. Up close Callum was even better looking, if that were possible. He wore designer jeans that looked painfully perfect on him, thick-soled boots and a black leather jacket. She was instantly mesmerised by his perfectly shaped dark eyebrows which arched over winter blue eyes. So much so, that it took several moments for her to regain her composure and remember it was rude to stare.

  In an attempt to save face, she giggled nervously and bent to look into the cage. There was Bourbon, his little tongue flicking over his lips in agitation.

  ‘Hello, you little rascal. You scared me half to death by wandering off,’ she said in reprimand. Bourbon being Bourbon ignored her. Typical.

  Rae straightened and said, ‘I’m sorry, where are my manners? Please come in out of the rain.’ She smiled warmly at him. ‘Callum isn’t it?’

  ‘Yes, thanks. I was thinking of breaking out the body wash and taking advantage of the free shower.’

  Rae gave an embarrassed laugh as she stepped back to allow him to enter. ‘Sorry I took so long to get to the door, I was, er, in the kitchen.’ What? It’s a necessary white lie. I can’t very well tell him I was bowled over by his looks and forgot to let him in, can I?
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  ‘No worries,’ he said as he moved past her looking about for a moment.

  He followed Rae into the living room where Lindsay had returned to the sofa. Callum handed Rae the cage and she placed it on the floor and opened the door, before kneeling a few feet away. She knew it would be best to allow Bourbon to come out on his own.

  She cast a glance up at Callum, who was appreciatively looking around the room. Now, with more light, she was better able to estimate his age. He was about thirty, eighteen years her junior, not that it mattered to her. He probably had a partner … or two or three.

  Bourbon exited the cage and glanced around, eyeing Rae for a moment before approaching her. On reaching her knee he nudged it with his head and meowed loudly, his signal for dinner. Rae laughed, gave Bourbon’s long, sleek body a head to tail stroke and said to Callum, ‘If you follow me into the kitchen you can have your reward.’

  She did a double take at Callum when she realised how it could have been misconstrued. His unblinking stare only served to further unnerve her while allowing her mind to wonder for several moments as to what he would consider a reward.

  ‘No need,’ he said. ‘I’m sure if my cat disappeared, you’d extend me the same courtesy of bringing it home safely.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ she pressed.

  ‘Positive. Seeing you is payment enough …’ his eyes roamed slowly over her face, ‘… you know, your happiness at being reunited with Bourbon.’

  ‘Well if you change your mind let me know.’

  ‘You can count on it.’

  Lindsay snorted as she pushed herself to her feet. ‘Anyone want some wine? I think I need one,’ she said as she neared the door, adding, ‘Come on, fuzz ball, I’ll get you something to eat.’

  Callum looked at Lindsay with keen interest as she brushed past him. ‘Roommate?’ he mouthed to Rae.