‘My mother saw you both at lunch . . .’ Emma raised an eyebrow at him. ‘I thought you didn’t like Alexandra.’
‘She’s OK when you get to know her. It was business anyway,’ Chris said offhandedly. He didn’t want to talk about Alexandra. He wanted to talk about Ellen. He wanted to tell Emma everything. He wanted to ask her about Ellen.
‘Are you having an affair? You can tell me. I won’t rat,’ Emma asked curiously. She wasn’t deceived by his lame business excuse.
‘It’s only a fling. It’s nothing serious.’
‘Why? Don’t you love Suzy?’
Chris sighed and got up off the bed.
‘No. I shouldn’t have married her. It was a mistake.’
‘She loves you,’ Emma said crossly.
‘I like her. She’s a great girl. I thought it would work but it isn’t. I feel stifled, Emma. I want out.’
‘You can’t leave Suzy and the kids. For heaven’s sake, Chris. When I think of all those women you’ve been around, surely you could have fallen in love with one of them and been happy. You should never have married the girl if you didn’t love her. That was a cruel thing to do.’
Chris shrugged his shoulders. ‘You can’t make yourself love someone. She loved me. I thought that would be enough.’
‘Idiot,’ Emma scolded. She was troubled. ‘Do you love Alexandra?’
‘Nah.’ He was silent for a while and then he couldn’t help himself.
‘Do you know who I love?’ he asked fiercely, jamming his hands into his pockets.
‘Who?’
‘Ellen.’ God, the relief of saying it.
‘Ellen Munroe! Chris, are you crazy? But you walked out on her. You haven’t seen her in years.’ Emma was astounded.
‘I have seen her, Emma. She took me back in February and we were together until the end of April. Then she dumped me,’ Chris said unhappily.
‘Ellen took you back after what you did to her?’ Emma shook her head.
‘Yes. She did. And she still loved me. That’s what I can’t understand, Emma. I know she loved me. Why couldn’t she have stuck with it?’
‘Don’t be an idiot, Chris. Of course she couldn’t have stuck with it. She’s got Stephanie to think of it. It would kill her parents if they knew she was with you. And it’s different now. You’re married. You’ve kids. Chris, I’m not surprised she couldn’t cope with it. Children change everything. Ellen was nuts about you. I know that. I saw her fall to pieces when you left her. But she’ll never go back to you again because of Stephanie, so forget it. You go and patch things up with Suzy because you’re going to be one sad and lonely man if you don’t,’ Emma said firmly.
‘I can’t get Ellen out of my head. I haven’t gone near her for ages, but I can’t stand it. I want to go and see her. And I want to see Stephanie. She’s my daughter.’ Chris plonked down in the chair beside Emma’s bed and scowled.
‘Even you wouldn’t be that selfish, Chris. You can’t go and upset that child’s life after all this time. She’s a lovely girl. Leave her alone,’ Emma warned. ‘And let me tell you one thing, Chris. Ellen hasn’t been pining for you in case you’ve been cherishing the notion that she has. I heard the other day that she and Miriam are going into business together. They’re full of plans.’
‘What sort of business?’ Chris was amazed.
‘They’re taking over the coffee shop and turning it into a deli. That doesn’t sound like a woman who’s fretting. And I’ve heard she’s seeing someone.’ Emma stared at him.
‘I don’t believe it! You’re only saying that because you don’t want me to see her. Who’s she seeing?’
‘His name is Doug Roche,’ Emma said gently. ‘Miriam told me about it. He’s a builder.’
‘What does he look like?’ Chris had a sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach.
‘He’s tall, well built. He’s got dark brown hair and a beard. He’s a nice man. He’s not married. Forget her!’ Emma advised.
Chris felt sick. That was the man he’d seen in January, swinging Stephanie around. But Ellen had told him she wasn’t involved with anyone. She’d told him she loved him. And Ellen never lied. Maybe they weren’t involved. Maybe they were just friends. Maybe it wasn’t too late. He was going to see her. No matter what Emma said, Chris had to see Ellen again. He’d left her alone, deliberately. He’d hoped she’d miss him and contact him. Obviously that strategy wasn’t working. He enjoyed his relationship with Alexandra. It was sexy and exciting, but Ellen was the one he loved and he couldn’t . . . wouldn’t believe that she’d fall for someone else.
‘Don’t tell anyone what I’ve told you, Emma,’ he said forlornly.
‘I won’t, Chris. But it’s too late for you and Ellen. Sort yourself out and get on with things.’
‘You’re a real mate, Ems.’ Chris leaned over and hugged his cousin. They’d always been close. And she was always straight with him.
‘And you’re a daft twit, Wallace.’ Emma returned his hug affectionately.
‘I suppose it’s too late to see the son and heir?’
‘Far too late,’ Emma said firmly.
‘You’re lucky,’ Chris said wistfully. ‘You and Vincent are still mad about each other. It’s the only thing that matters really when all’s said and done.’
‘Yeah,’ Emma agreed. ‘I’m very lucky.’
‘I better go. It’s late. I’ll be in touch.’
‘Stay away from Ellen and Stephanie.’
‘Yep,’ Chris fibbed. Come hell or high water he was going to see Ellen again and soon. All he needed was the chance to talk to her, to make love to her. Then they’d be fine. Ellen just needed some persuading. This separation had gone on far too long.
Emma lay back against her pillows. She was drained. She couldn’t believe what Chris had just told her. He loved Ellen. It was incredible that the bond had endured all this time – and after the way he’d treated her. The chemistry must be there, like it was with her and Vincent, she thought as she snuggled under the blankets.
She could understand Ellen taking him back. When you loved someone deeply it must be hard to turn your back on them and put them out of your life. She’d never be able to put Vincent out of her life. She just couldn’t. She’d never thought Chris and Ellen were right for each other but obviously she’d been wrong. If Chris had only realized it at the time, he wouldn’t have ruined his, Suzy’s and Ellen’s life.
It must have been hard for Ellen to end it. Emma felt a sense of admiration for her sister-in-law. That must have been the most difficult decision of her life. Emma didn’t know if she’d have been able to do it. Deep down, she didn’t think she would have. She was lucky to be married to the most wonderful man. She’d never have a decision like that to make. Ellen had had a hard life, Emma acknowledged as she switched off the light and lay in the dark. She deserved a bit of happiness. Maybe this Doug guy was the one who would give it to her.
‘Right, we’re off. See you, Ellen. See you, Doug,’ Miriam announced as Stephanie and Rebecca waited impatiently. It was Friday night. Doug was taking Ellen out for a drink and Miriam was bringing Stephanie home to her house.
She was delighted to do it. She wanted Doug and Ellen to be together. They were perfect for each other, Miriam thought as she watched Doug pushing the lawnmower up and down Ellen’s back garden. She was damn sure Chris Wallace would never have dreamed of mowing Ellen’s lawn.
‘See you tomorrow, and thanks.’ Ellen gave her a hug.
‘See you, partner.’ Miriam grinned as she ushered the girls ahead of her.
She was dying for the deli to open. It was like having a whole new lease of life. She and Denise had gone scouting around the city and had got some ideas for their self-service deli.
Mrs Monroe had been extremely annoyed when Miriam told her she couldn’t bake for her. She hadn’t said anything but her nostrils had flared alarmingly and her mouth had pursed into a thin line of disapproval.
Let her disapprove! Miri
am wasn’t going to take any notice any more. She had her own life to live. Sheila had nearly freaked when Miriam told her Ben could have his dinners in the canteen. She’d only said it to annoy her. As if Miriam would let Ben eat his dinner at work. She’d have a dinner ready for him, come what may. That was a priority.
Miriam smiled. Ben was as excited for her as she was. He was a pet. She was very lucky, she thought as she listened to the two cousins giggling in the back of the car. It was nice that Stephanie and Rebecca were as close as she and Ellen were. It was a precious friendship and now they were going into business together. Miriam couldn’t wait.
Ellen and Doug sat on the patio drinking Coke. They’d finished doing the garden. The heat of the day had cooled to a balmy breeze, the sky was tinged with red-gold hues and the scent of stock perfumed the air. It was very peaceful.
‘I’ll go and have a shower in a minute,’ Ellen said lazily.
‘There’s no rush. As long as we get there before last orders. That’s if you want to. I’m easy.’ Doug smiled across at her. ‘It’s nice sitting here. You’ve done a magnificent job of the garden, Ellen.’
‘I’m very proud of it, I have to admit.’ Ellen flicked a fly away from her.
‘What do you think of the plans?’
‘I think they’re fabulous, Doug. It’s going to look great when it’s finished. Denise and Miriam are as excited. I can’t believe it myself.’
‘Believe it. And it’s going to work out.’
‘I hope so.’
‘Guess what I did after we had lunch the other day?’ Doug’s eyes twinkled.
‘What?’
‘I went to see The Slug.’
‘The slug?’ Ellen was confused for a moment and then comprehension dawned. ‘Oh you mean The Slug Carson!’
‘The very same.’ Doug grinned.
‘Why?’
‘Well, I didn’t like his attitude to you, Ellen. There’s no way he’d have treated a man like that if he’d made an appointment to see him.’
‘You can bet your ass he wouldn’t,’ Ellen agreed hotly.
‘Anyway,’ Doug continued. ‘I told him I didn’t like the way he’d treated my business partner . . . a certain Miss Ellen Munroe, and then I closed my business and personal accounts with him and took my money over to the bank in Swords. He nearly had apoplexy. It was a pleasure to watch him stuttering and stammering and trying to make excuses. Your honour has been avenged, my dear.’
Ellen was speechless. Doug thought so highly of her that he’d gone and had it out with Terry Carson and closed his bank accounts. She burst into tears.
‘Ellen, what’s wrong? I didn’t mean to make you cry. I meant to make you laugh.’ Doug was horrified. He shot out of his chair and hunkered down beside her.
‘I can’t believe you did that for me,’ Ellen whispered, trying to compose herself.
Doug put his arms around her. ‘Of course I did it for you. You’re very dear to me, Ellen. I wouldn’t let anyone treat you like that.’
‘Oh Doug.’ Ellen didn’t know what to say.
‘Sshh. Don’t be upset.’ He hugged her. ‘Go in and have your shower. I’ll tidy up here.’
‘OK.’ Ellen gave him a wobbly smile.
‘Go on, I’m only being nice to you so you’ll cook me some of your steak and kidney puds,’ Doug teased.
Ellen laughed. What else could she do?
She had showered and was drying her hair when the doorbell rang.
‘Who’s that? I’m not expecting anyone,’ she said to Doug who was sitting on the settee binding the worn handle on Stephanie’s tennis racket.
Ellen glanced out the window.
‘Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph!’ She paled.
‘What’s wrong?’ Doug was beside her instantly.
‘It’s Chris. That’s his car across the street.’ She felt sick.
‘Do you want to see him?’ Doug asked evenly. ‘Do you want me to go and let you be alone with him?’
‘No . . . No.’ Ellen put a hand on his arm. ‘I don’t want you to go, Doug. I don’t want to see him at all.’ She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. ‘I’ll go down and get rid of him.’ The thought of confronting Chris made her heart sink like stone. Why was he making life so difficult for her? She didn’t want to see him. She didn’t want the old loving feelings to surface.
‘Would you like me to answer the door for you? Would you like me to tell him to go?’ Doug stared at her intently.
Ellen swallowed. ‘I couldn’t ask you to do that, Doug.’ She stared into his kind hazel eyes.
‘Yes you could. If you want to. It’s up to you.’ Ellen knew he was asking her to make a choice. She looked at him and knew she could depend on him for the rest of her life.
‘I want you to.’ She touched his cheek.
‘I won’t be long,’ he said quietly.
She stood, frozen, as she heard him stride briskly downstairs and open the door.
Chris stared in horror at the tall bearded man who opened Ellen’s front door. What the hell was he doing here? This wasn’t in the script at all. It was supposed to be like his and Ellen’s last reunion when they’d been frantic for each other.
‘I’d like to talk to Ellen, please.’ He found it hard to be civil. He wanted to grab the man by the throat and fling him out of Ellen’s house.
‘It’s like this,’ the bearded man said quietly, but there was a steeliness in his voice that chilled Chris. ‘Ellen doesn’t want to talk to you. So I’d advise you to do what she wants.’
‘Or?’ Chris bristled.
‘Or you’ll have me to deal with.’
Chris stared at the man and felt an impotent fury.
‘I want to talk to Ellen. Tell her I’m here.’
‘She knows you’re here. She saw your car across the street. She asked me to tell you that she doesn’t want to talk to you.’ The man repeated himself slowly and deliberately.
‘And who are you?’ Chris snapped.
‘I’m the man you’ll have to worry about if you ever come near Ellen again. Goodnight,’ he said pleasantly and then very firmly closed the door in Chris’s face.
Chris was aghast. He couldn’t take it in. Ellen was deadly serious. She wanted him out of her life for good. She had a new man. He walked over to the car in a daze. He’d lost her.
He sat in the car staring up at the flat. What was he to do? He could go to Alexandra, he supposed. She’d welcome him with open arms, he thought bitterly. Wasn’t that ironic? Brittle, cool, sophisticated Alexandra would want him and the softest, kindest, most loving woman he’d ever known had just rejected him.
Chris switched on the ignition and drove slowly out of Glenree. Let Ellen have her bit of rough with her builder, he thought viciously. It wouldn’t last, he knew it wouldn’t. She’d come running back sooner or later. Ellen loved him. She always had and always would. That would never change. He blinked. A mist seemed to have formed in front of his eyes. He swallowed hard. There seemed to be a golf ball lodged in his throat. To think that it had come to this. Angrily he wiped the tears from his eyes. Was this how she’d felt when he’d left her? But he’d come back to her, Chris comforted himself. And Ellen would come back to him.
‘He’s gone,’ Doug said gently.
‘Thanks.’ Ellen looked up at him. He held out his arms to her and she walked into his comforting embrace.
‘Can I kiss you?’ he asked as he caressed her cheek.
Ellen drew his head down to hers and felt the gentle touch of his lips. She’d come home.
To be continued
Patricia Scanlan
A Time for Friends
When are the boundaries of friendship pushed too far, and when is it time to stop flying over oceans for someone who wouldn’t jump over a puddle for you? There comes a time when Hilary Hammond has to make that call.
Hilary and Colette O’Mahony have been friends since childhood, but when irrepresible Jonathan Harpur breezes into Hilary s life and go
es into business with her, Colette is not best pleased.
After their first encounter Colette thinks he’s a ‘pushy upstart’ while he thinks she’s ‘a snobby little diva’. And so the battle lines are drawn and Hilary is bang in the middle.
But as the years roll by and each of them is faced with difficult times and tough decisions, one thing is clear . . . to have a friend you must be a friend.
And that’s when Hilary discovers that sometimes your best friend can be your greatest enemy . . .
Patricia Scanlan
With All My Love
On a crystal clear Mediterranean day, Briony McAllister sits playing with her four-year-old daughter, Katie, while she waits for her mother, Valerie, to join them. Valerie has recently moved to a picturesque town in southern Spain to finally leave behind her turbulent past and find a peace that has always eluded her. Briony has no idea that in a few moments’ time her relationship with her mother will change irrevocably.
As Katie plays, Briony pulls from her bag an old photo album, found in a box in her mother s new home. As she begins to study the faded photos, a letter falls to the ground. It is addressed to her.
My Darling Briony, it begins. As Briony reads the words with mounting shock, realisation dawns. Her mother lied to her about what happened with her beloved grandmother Tessa all those years ago – and denied Briony that most precious of relationships, the type of relationship Valerie now enjoys with Katie.
The lives of three generations of women are set to change forever as the past is revisited and the truth unfolds through the undelivered letters Tessa wrote to Briony over the years. Secrets, lies, betrayals and sacrifices – the complex bonds between mothers, daughters and granddaughters are intricately explored as Patricia Scanlan takes us into the hearts and homes of a family at war.
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