Meet Me at Wisteria Cottage

by Teresa F. Morgan

  After they’d introduced themselves properly, Harry said, ‘Thank you, so much.’ He kissed Sandra on the cheek and shook Dennis’ hand. He had so far convinced Valerie and Maddy’s parents. But could he convince Maddy to trust him again?

  Chapter 35

  Harry found the gallery in Clifton, and as he drove by he caught a glimpse of Maddy, which sent his heart racing inside his chest. The swish of a strawberry blonde ponytail and a petite figure. It had to be her.

  He wasn’t sure if he was trembling due to the fear of facing Maddy or the fact he was hungry. Once he’d parked his truck, which took longer than anticipated, he decided to grab something to eat from a nearby bakery. They had high stools and a counter in the front window, so he sat inside, eating his freshly prepared chicken and salad sandwich with a generous helping of mayonnaise, and a cup of coffee for energy. However impatient he was to face Maddy, and the consequences of his actions, he needed to eat first. When he stopped shaking and his sugar levels had returned to normal, he made his way to the gallery on foot. Having never been to Bristol before, he tried to take in landmarks and notable shops, so he’d be able to retrace his steps back to the truck.

  Unfortunately, as he got closer to the gallery and could see the overhanging sign saying ‘Hart Design’, his nerves started up again. The trembling had been nothing to do with a lack of food after all.

  ***

  Maddy heard the bell on the shop door jingle. ‘I’ll be there in a minute.’ She finished washing the soap off her hands, wiped them dry then entered the main gallery to greet her customer. She’d sent Angel, the member of staff helping today, off for a break.

  ‘Hello, can I help …’

  Maddy stood stock still, frozen on the spot. Her body reacted very differently to how she thought it would upon seeing this man. She’d been filled with anger, and wanting to say some choice words. But all she felt now was fear.

  Connor.

  ‘What do you want?’ Maddy said, scowling. She wiped her hands on the back of her skinny jeans, to check the back pocket. Phew, her phone was there.

  ‘I need to talk to you, Maddy.’ Connor hadn’t looked great when he’d turned up at her gallery in the summer, but today he looked even worse. His face looked a little bloated, and his eyes were bloodshot as though he hadn’t slept. His hair needed a cut, too, his brown fringe being flicked out of his eyes as if he had a twitch. In fact he looked, quite frankly, a mess with his unshaven jawline and baggy clothes. What had she seen in this man? Of course, those were the days when he’d had a good job, and rolled up suited and booted. He’d dressed to impress; Maddy realised now. It hadn’t lasted long, though. Connor had found it difficult to keep up the pretence that he was a successful, hardworking guy.

  Connor made to take a step towards her, but she stepped back, holding up her hands. ‘You stay where you are!’

  ‘I’m not going to hurt you.’ His eyes widened. ‘I love you; I’d never hurt you.’

  ‘Really? Am I safe? Or were your threats to my mother true?’ She brushed her hand over her phone in her pocket again for reassurance. Just in case she needed it.

  ‘What threats? I would never hurt you, Maddy.’ Connor dashed towards her, and fear froze her to the spot. ‘I love you.’ Connor placed his hand to her cheek. She jerked away, slapping his hand aside.

  ‘Don’t touch me! Connor, you pushed my mother down those very steps.’ She pointed out the front door. Through the glass, the concrete steps could be seen. Sadly, no one stood on them wanting to enter. She really needed someone to walk into the empty gallery right now.

  Connor sniggered, shaking his head. ‘Did she say that? She has no proof. She just tripped, she’s an old woman.’

  ‘Oh, you saw it happen, did you? And that’s why you made threats about hurting me?’

  Connor’s face hardened. He actually looked menacing, a cold expression on his face. ‘I said that so she wouldn’t call the police on me.’

  ‘So you did push her?’

  ‘No!’ Connor shouted. With a shaking hand, she pulled out her phone. ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘I’m calling the police.’ Her hand was still shaking, and her ears were buzzing. She needed to concentrate. Even with the phone locked she could still dial 999. Calm down.

  Connor leapt forward, making a grab for the phone. Maddy turned, and he shoved her roughly into a painting on an easel. It crashed to the floor.

  ‘Hey!’ Maddy heard a male voice. In all the commotion, she hadn’t heard the front doorbell ring. She turned, heart pounding, ears ringing, phone still in her hand ready to dial, to see the back of a much larger man, a man with short black, wavy hair easily restraining Connor.

  ***

  Five minutes earlier, Harry strolled up the street, gallery in sight, heart quickening, with still no idea as to what his first words to Maddy should be. Would she even listen to him? His stomach flipped as he watched a man climb the steps and enter the gallery. He wasn’t sure, but it looked like the guy had peered through the window first. Maybe he was checking if it was open. But Harry thought the guy’s demeanour looked suspicious, so quickened his step, then slowed as he rationalized his thoughts. He was probably being over anxious about everything, and if the guy was in there to look at the art, it meant Maddy would be busy, and wouldn’t need him entering right now. And he still hadn’t figured out what he was going to say to her.

  Listen to what I’ve got to say, and if you still don’t want me around, I’ll go.

  Or words to that effect.

  For fear of Maddy spotting him before he wanted her to, Harry kept to one side but was able to peer into the gallery window to see if it was busy. It had white, curved sash windows, either side of the front door, allowing him to stand at the edge and watch. Some paintings on easels obscured his view so he couldn’t see the man so well, but he could see Maddy. The sight of her filled Harry with hope. He had missed her so much.

  Maddy’s whole body language wasn’t right. She seemed hesitant, even scared of the man. Was he a new boyfriend, had they had a row? Harry’s heart sank, and his fears worsened when he saw the man tenderly reach out and touch Maddy’s cheek. But when she slapped the hand away, her face reddening with anger, Harry battled with himself whether to step in.

  Great, he wants to talk calmly with her, and this is happening. Would she appreciate the interference? Only get involved if he tries to hurt her.

  ‘Shit!’ As soon as the man made his lunge, Harry flew up the steps, through the door, and seized the man, shouting, ‘Hey!’ Harry easily towered over him, but then he towered over most men. Harry was stronger too.

  ‘Leave the lady alone, okay?’ He gripped the guy by his T-shirt, his fist underneath his chin. He recognised him; his face was familiar, but he couldn’t place where he had seen it before. His back was to Maddy; he could sense she was staring at him, her eyes burning into his back.

  This was not how he’d planned to apologise.

  ‘Harry? Is that you?’

  Harry turned, and tried to smile. ‘This isn’t exactly the entrance I intended to make. What did this guy want?’

  The man struggled to get free. Maddy’s eyes widened and she screamed. Harry certainly didn’t want this turning into a fight.

  Then it dawned on Harry – he’d seen the guy before outside Maddy’s house. It was Connor.

  ‘I’ll let you go when I know you’re not going to hurt anyone, especially Maddy,’ he said, narrowing his eyes at the man, who seemed to be going redder by the minute. Harry wasn’t sure if it was anger or whether he was pressing on the guy’s windpipe. Fortunately for Connor, Harry’s medication kept him composed, otherwise it would have been like being in the grip of the Incredible Hulk. Harry thought it best not to quote, ‘you wouldn’t like me when I’m angry.’ He didn’t want to enrage this weasel any further.

  ‘Don’t break anything in this gallery. My mum will go spare. Take him outside.’

  Maddy opened the door and Harry shoved Connor out ont
o the pavement. He cursed, trying to turn and square up to Harry, but Harry stood outside the door, on the top step, towering even more over the little prick, arms on his hips, blocking his way.

  Just try it, mate.

  ‘Let me talk to Maddy,’ Connor said, fists clenched and his breathing heavy.

  Maddy squeezed past Harry and stood in front of him. ‘You’ve said enough, Connor.’

  Harry scrutinised Connor’s face. ‘Maddy,’ Harry looked her in the eye, ‘I’m sure this is the guy who was outside your house the day someone started the fire.’

  Maddy glared at Connor. ‘Was it you? Did you do it?’

  ‘I’m sorry, Maddy, I was desperate. I wanted you to come home to Bristol, to me,’ Connor said. Harry clenched his fists; he didn’t trust this guy. Did he really believe burning her house down would have made her want him back? He hoped Maddy wouldn’t fall for this shit, but now Connor was making a confession, Harry wanted him to keep talking. ‘It was only supposed to scare you when you came home. I didn’t mean it to destroy your kitchen.’

  ‘Scare me?’ Before Harry could hold her back, Maddy was running down the steps towards Connor, red with anger, her whole body tense, screaming into Connor’s face. ‘Oh, it scared me all right. I thought I was going to lose my home. You bastard!’ She slapped Connor hard. If there hadn’t been passing traffic, the sound would have echoed off the buildings. After the initial moment of shock, Connor removed his hand from his face, where a red mark scorched.

  ‘You bitch.’ He lunged at Maddy, and Harry launched himself in between them.

  ‘Leave her alone.’ Harry managed to control his anger – he wanted to pummel the man’s face and let all his own frustrations out – but instead tried to get him to the ground, but the weasel was quicker, fuelled with a new hatred and anger.

  ‘Who the fuck are you anyway? Mind your own business,’ Connor targeted his anger at Harry now.

  ‘I’m Maddy’s neighbour,’ Harry said, standing firm, determined to remain in between this man and Maddy. ‘I’m the one who spotted your pyromaniac antics.’

  ‘Why are you here now?’

  Harry’s eyes narrowed and brought his face level with Connor’s. ‘It’s none of your business.’

  Harry should have known better, but he couldn’t resist prodding Connor on his breastbone. Connor growled then lunged at Harry, his fist catching him in the mouth.

  This brought Harry’s own loathing and rage hurtling to the surface, the medication no longer keeping him calm. He wanted to get angry and take it out on this arsehole. He could hear Maddy, but her words were dream-like and went over his head.

  ‘Break it up, you two.’ Harry could feel arms around him, restraining him, and as if giving him the mental shake he needed to bring him back to the here and now, this planet. Everything refocused. Two police officers were separating him and Connor. Maddy was trying to tell them Connor was at fault.

  ‘He’s an ex-boyfriend, but he pushed my mother down those steps … and he tried to burn my house down.’ Tears streamed down her flushed face, frantically using the back of her hands to wipe them away. ‘I hate you,’ she spat at Connor.

  ‘I’m cool. I was protecting the lady.’ Harry shrugged off the officer, holding his arms up, all the fight leaving him. He touched his lip, and blood was on his fingertips.

  The officer who’d seized him held out a tissue. ‘Sounds like you were in the right place at the right time, Sir.’

  While the two police officers restrained Connor and read him his rights, on the other side of the street, they’d gained an audience.

  ‘Who called the police?’ Harry said, quietly, more to himself.

  ‘I did. In the gallery,’ Maddy answered, keeping her gaze on Connor. ‘That bastard hurt my mother. He is going to pay for it.’

  ‘He’s the reason her leg is broken?’

  ‘Yes.’ Maddy finally looked at him, her eyes bloodshot from crying and her face puffy. He wanted to reach out and touch her, hold her, but didn’t know if he had the right. ‘How do you know about my mother?’

  ‘I went to your parents’ house first, and they told me you were here.’

  ‘They never should have sent you here, but in some way …’ She looked back at Connor, and they both watched him being pushed inside the back of a police car. ‘I’m glad they did.’

  ‘Maddy, I’m so sorry …’

  ‘No, Harry. Not now. I can’t do this now.’

  ‘But we need to talk.’ He reached for her hand, but she pulled it away. Tears welled in her eyes once more, and he watched her swallow them back.

  ‘Do we? Thank you for your help today, but I can’t let you hurt me again.’

  A police officer approached Maddy and started talking to her about making a statement. Harry watched, cold fear creeping into his heart and spreading through his body. Pain rose in his throat, tightening his windpipe, as if he couldn’t breathe.

  He’d lost her.

  Chapter 36

  Maddy shut the gallery door behind her and turned the sign to ‘closed’. Her mother would understand the need for an early closure. She’d left Harry on the pavement dejected. She tidied the gallery, moving a couple of display easels back into place, standing up the one that had been knocked over, her hands still shaking with the shock and adrenaline coursing through her. The police would be in touch. Connor would be charged and pay the penalty for his actions. This reassured Maddy — he would no longer be able to hurt her or her family. She would phone her parents once she had gathered her thoughts to let them know what had happened today. But why did she still feel so terrible?

  Harry.

  Had she sounded ungrateful? She hoped not. He’d saved her, been a true hero – yet again.

  Seeing him again — his dark wavy hair, the dimple in his chin, his towering build and those sincere blue eyes — had all come as such a shock. Her memories were distorted. He was even more gorgeous in the flesh than she’d remembered, during all those weeks she’d clung to his memory. The heat and scent that radiated from him she’d totally forgotten, being so busy with her family. During the incident with Connor, she hadn’t really had the time to process her surprise at seeing Harry again. Connor’s actions had spun all rational thoughts out of her mind.

  Maddy couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Like all her feelings — hate, love, disappointment, trust, fear — her anger could be held in no more. It’s just shock. She didn’t know what to do for the best. If she pushed Harry away now, would she regret it? But could she trust him not to hurt her again?

  She should at least listen to what he’d got to say. She might regret never knowing his side of the story, why he’d disappeared. They would eventually have to live opposite one another again, be neighbours. She liked answers, the truth. It had been eating away at her the past few weeks why he’d left, where had he gone … the not knowing. Only the past couple of weeks with her mother had stopped these thoughts. But they still crept in occasionally, when she was left on her own, when it was quiet … or when she went to bed. She would lie there, churning over her thoughts, speculating about what had caused their separation. If she didn’t speak to him, she would continue to dwell on it for months to come.

  ‘Why has the door got the ‘closed’ sign on it?’ Angel walked into the gallery, returning from her lunch break, confusion on her face. ‘Oh, what’s happened? You look terrible!’ Maddy tried to wipe her face with some tissues she’d grabbed out of a box by the till, and blew her nose.

  ‘There’s been an incident. If you don’t mind, I’m going to go home. I need to see my parents. We’ve caught the man who pushed my mother down the steps.’

  ‘Oh, God, I’ve missed all the action. Look, you go, I can lock up. Sandra sometimes leaves me to it on quieter days.’

  ‘Are you sure?’ Maddy’s earlier tiredness was nothing compared to how she felt now – physically and mentally exhausted, all energy drained from her. One way or other, the gallery was closing. Maddy didn’t have th
e strength to stand on her feet for much longer. She needed to go home, to bed, but not before she had filled her parents in about today, though.

  ‘Yes, go. I’ll even open up tomorrow.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Out of habit, Maddy checked her mobile. She’d got used to it being quiet since Harry had left, so was surprised to see a text. It was from Harry.

  Maddy, please let me tell you my story. Afterwards, if you want nothing more to do with me, I will just be your neighbour and friend. Love H x

  ***

  In the cab of his truck, Harry sat and stared at his phone on the dash, willing it to message him back, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. He’d even turned it off and on again, in case it had lost signal. Sometimes phones did that. No message from Maddy arrived, but then she could be busy in the gallery. He’d moved the truck out of Clifton to near the Clifton Downs where it was free to park.

  Should he drive back to Cornwall or find a hotel here in Bristol? Would he need to give her more time? He could drive to her parents and wait for her there … but would that make her angrier? Hell, he didn’t want to turn into Connor, becoming obsessive and a stalker. But he wanted Maddy to know how he felt about her – without looking like a weirdo. If he chased too much, she could run away for good, but if he didn’t do enough, then would she think he wasn’t really interested?

  Had he put enough in the text message? Should he have told her he loved her?

  Harry thumped the steering wheel, yanked open the truck door, then slammed it and kicked the tyre, yelling out in frustration. It echoed down across the green open space. He startled an older woman, walking past the houses on the other side of the road, who put her head down and quickened her step, pulling her coat around her tighter.

  ‘Sorry!’ Harry called out to the woman. But she ignored him and carried on, still faster.

  Harry didn’t know what to do. He knew this was like a giant fork in his life. Would his actions take him in the right direction?