My mind tried to shake away the vision but it remained, like a piece of plastic wrapping that sticks to your finger despite all attempts to get rid of it. No, no, I didn’t want to see this. Didn’t want it to be true. How did I know if it was true, anyway? Red hadn’t exactly been my best buddy since I’d known her. She could be playing tricks on me just to break up the wedding.
The view widened and my line of sight trailed up the woman’s arm, to her shoulder, her neck, and…her face. Her eyes closed in apparent bliss, a hint of a smile on her painted lips, and her hair… I’d seen her hair before. It had one of those popular colour schemes: dark at the top and light at the ends, like her hair colour was fading but it’d been done on purpose. Light blonde wisps of hair fell around her shoulders, darkening at the top into a caramel brown shade. I’d seen her before, at one of Greg’s work functions. What was her name? Kylie? Kathy? Kitty? K something.
Get your hand off my fiancé! I urged in silence, as she covered his hand with hers and guided it higher up her thigh. Greg! What are you doing? I can see you! Greg! I shook my head from side to side and clamped my eyes shut, and eventually the vision dissipated like a clearing fog.
‘I’m sorry you had to see that,’ said Red.
I kept shaking my head. ‘No, no, no. It’s not real, it isn’t.’ I held onto the doorframe for support and stared at the floor. The alternating black and white tiles in the bathroom appeared to move and switch places, their discordant repetition jarring my eyes.
I looked up when a cool, airy sensation brushed across my hand as it rested above my head on the doorframe. Red’s hand, on top of mine, in a comforting gesture. The coolness transformed to warmth the longer she left it there, and although I couldn’t feel her hand directly, I felt its effect, its energy. I looked her in the eyes.
‘It’s the truth. I swear on my grave,’ she said, then crossed her heart with her other finger. ‘I knew the only way was for you to see it, however shocking, in order to believe. I’m here to stop you making a huge mistake. Don’t marry Greg.’
‘I’m not totally convinced. I’m confused, I don’t know what to believe anymore.’ My head continued shaking side to side as though that in itself would erase what I’d seen or make it not true. ‘So if that really happened, where is he? Where are they? Right now.’
‘On the freeway heading to Pebble Creek.’
‘But Greg’s supposed to be at his buck’s party. At a golf resort.’
‘He was, but it was only for yesterday and today. The guys have gone home now, it’s just him and her for the rest of the weekend.’
‘But Pebble Creek, that’s a pretty boring place, not much to do or see, why…’
‘Exactly. Less chance of bumping into someone they know.’
‘And it’s only about a half hour from here. Do your “powers” or whatever they are tell you when they’ll get to Pebble Creek?’
She nodded. ‘In about forty-five minutes they’ll arrive at Pebble Creek Motel. I’m sorry Sally, but you had to know what he was doing behind your back.’
I turned away from her, the sight of her only bringing me pain. Even if she wasn’t lying and was only here to help me and prevent a mistake, I couldn’t hold eye contact with her. ‘This is all too much. I…I…don’t know what…’ I ran my hands over my head and down my face, then a surge of adrenaline sped up my heart rate and my shoulders straightened. ‘I have to go there. Now. I have to see for real.’
‘Sally, no, you don’t want to do that to yourself,’ she said, but I was already putting a clean pair of shoes on. ‘You’ve seen all you need to see, just trust that it’s real. Don’t go rushing off in this state.’
‘I will decide what I will and won’t do, thank you very much. I don’t need you dictating to me.’ I dashed down the stairs, then checked the little pottery bowl on the kitchen bench. Lorena’s car keys. Yes! I snatched them up, wrote a quick note for Lorena telling her not to worry and I’d be back in an hour or two, and headed for the front door.
‘Wait! So you’re going to drive there and wait for him? And then what? You shouldn’t drive when you’re upset, it could be dangerous!’
‘Didn’t you hear me before?’ I yelled, a bit louder than was normal for me. ‘I’m leaving now, and I don’t want you coming with me. And most of all, I don’t want you here when I get back. I can’t take it anymore!’
I locked the door behind me and got in the car, moving the driver’s seat forward a few notches, and left a flurry of dust behind me as I drove off down the road.
* * *
I checked my watch again for the fifth time that minute. The car park of the Pebble Creek Motel was quiet, only a few cars sat parked in the lot, frost forming on their windscreens. I’d parked next to another four-wheel drive, at the outer edge of the lot, where there were only the two spots, to seem less conspicuous, and to prevent him parking right next to me. And anyway, Greg probably wouldn’t recognise Lorena’s car. Thank goodness it had dark tinted windows you could barely see through, though I could see out and had a view of all the motel room doors in the plain, rectangular motel.
The vacancy sign flashed its muted neon, the last ‘C’ missing its light. If Greg was indeed bringing a woman here, I couldn’t believe it was to such a tacky place. We only ever stayed in nice hotels or B&B’s. Then again, if my fiancé was having an affair I much preferred it to be in a place like this, with rooms that probably had mould on the walls, horrible floral bedcovers, and a creaky mattress. I hoped they’d get bitten by bed bugs, or trip over a loose corner of carpet, or get poked in the ribs by a damaged mattress spring. I nibbled on my nails as I waited. I never nibbled on my nails. Terribly unhygienic.
A car drove past on the quiet country road parallel to the motel, but didn’t stop. What if they decided to go somewhere else? A few minutes later another car drove by, then swung into the parking lot, its headlights lighting up the pale oyster colour of the walls of the building. A silver Audi. Greg’s car.
God in heaven she was right.
I sucked in air through tight gaps between my teeth and the seat underneath me felt cold and uncomfortable. His car door opened and he got out. It was dark, but when he walked in front of the headlights his profile was illuminated. It was definitely Greg. But only Greg. He went into the reception office and returned a few moments later, got back in the car, and moved it closer to where I was, but not close enough that he would have to look in my direction. I sunk a little lower in my seat, and kept perfectly still. He got out again and shut the door. Then the passenger door opened, and out stepped Miss I Can’t Decide What My Hair Colour Should Be. A low growl may have escaped my mouth but I barely noticed it; my eyes were glued to the sight in front of me.
They walked towards the second last room of the motel, and as Greg put the key in the door he dropped it, and laughed. The woman laughed too, and placed her hand on his back as he picked up the key. He positioned his face close to hers and ran his fingers through her hair.
How dare you… I hoped the remnants of blonde in her hair would all fall out. Actually, I hoped all her hair would fall out as he combed it with his touch. My stomach twisted inside as he leaned in and pushed his lips against hers. Urgently. Impatiently. Aggressively. I wanted to throw up. He finally opened the door and they practically fell through it, entwined in each other.
That’s it. I shoved the keys into my pocket and got out of the car. I marched in the direction of what I could now see as room number seven, and raised my chin in preparation. For what, I didn’t know. I had no idea what I’d say when he opened the door, no idea what I’d do, or what he’d do. I’d caught him, he couldn’t lie his way out of this one.
Oh boy, when I get in there I’m going to… What was I going to do? What could even be done about this situation? He kissed her. He’s obviously not planning to just switch out the lights and fall straight asleep. Oh God. I stopped, my breath coming fast and shallow. My hands shook and dizziness unsteadied my legs. I gulped but it didn’t
relieve the lump situation in my throat.
I can’t. I just can’t. I can’t go in there and see him again with her. Can’t see…her. What if their clothes were off? The sight of them kissing and groping was traumatic enough, I didn’t want to add another inerasable sight to my memory. No. That was it. I’d seen enough. Going in there may stop them going ahead with whatever sick plans they had for the night, but it wouldn’t stop the damage that had been done.
I turned and dashed back to the car, revved the engine, and drove away as quickly as I could, anger and sadness clambering over each other in my chest. I put the radio on a noisy alternative rock station and turned up the volume, hoping like hell it would somehow overpower what I’d witnessed.
CHAPTER 14
Katy! That was her name. By the time I took the turn-off back into Barron Springs, it hit me. My chin quivered and my eyes blurred with hot tears. I was here for my bridal weekend, with my bridesmaids, to celebrate my upcoming wedding to a lying, cheating, bastard. Congratulations Sally!
Sadness replaced my anger and I cried, out loud, enclosed within Lorena’s car with no one to hear me. Yesterday I was a bride-to-be, but now, how could I possibly go through with the wedding? I knew that some people moved through the trauma and regret of infidelity, but right now, the thought of him and her together brought a sick feeling to my stomach. How could I ever speak to him, or look at him again? How could he do this to me?
All my emotions poured out, and I slowed the car a little. The Barron Springs roads were mostly deserted, only emphasising the abandonment and pain I felt. I quickly wiped my eyes, trying to clear my vision as I turned into Redwood Road. Not long and I’d be home. Well, not home, but back at the guest house where my friends would no doubt hound me about my whereabouts this evening. I couldn’t believe I’d have to tell them about this, tell Lorena that her organisational efforts this weekend were in vain. That made me even more upset, that my best friend had gone to all this trouble. For nothing.
My chest shuddered with additional tears, and suddenly, the dark, grey monotony of the road broke when something flashed in front of me. I blinked and widened my eyes. Red? A blur of white and purple shot past me, right in front of the car, and even though I knew I could not hit her, instinct made me swerve the car to the side. I screamed as the car mounted the sidewalk and onto the front lawn of a property. I slammed on the brakes, almost hitting another person, who seemed to appear out of nowhere. His hands landed on the front of the car, as though his effort would stop it, then he stumbled backwards.
Oh my God. Oh my God. I didn’t hurt him, did I?
I put the gearstick in park and scrambled out, rushing to his side.
‘Ty! Oh my God! Are you alright?’ I touched his arm as he got to his feet.
‘Sally? Yes, I’m fine. But, boy that was close!’ He glanced briefly to the road, in the direction Red had run to. ‘What are you doing here? What happened? Did you almost hit that woman?’
‘I’m just…that woman?’ I asked, following his gaze to the road again.
‘Yeah, ran past here a second ago. Red hair, wearing pyjamas. Where is she?’ He walked to the roadside and glanced around.
‘You saw her?’ He saw Red? Oh my goodness, this night was playing havoc with my emotions. I didn’t know if I could take much more of this upheaval.
‘She was snooping around outside my house, so I went out to confront her, but she ran off. I chased her across the lawn and she ran right onto the road. Where the heck did she go?’
‘I don’t know, but she’s obviously not hurt, she must have gone through the bushes.’ I eyed the thick collection of trees across from us that led into a valley.
Ty shook his head, confusion creasing his brow. Then he looked more closely at me. I rubbed my head, half because I was it was aching in my fragile emotional state and half because I realised my face must be red from all the crying.
‘Are you okay? You’re not hurt are you?’ He touched my arm this time. ‘What’s wrong?’
At his question the floodgates opened again and I couldn’t hold them back. I covered my face as I sobbed, and he grasped my shoulders gently.
‘Sally, what is it? Your fiancé?’
I nodded.
‘Here, come inside.’ He led me towards his house and I managed to get a glimpse before my tears further blurred my vision. It was an unassuming red brick house with stepping stones leading to the front door. I felt strangely comforted, even though I barely knew Ty and had never been here before. I wiped at my tears as he led me into the warm embrace of a cosy living room that had a gas heater glowing bright orange next to the TV.
‘I’m sorry, sorry for almost hitting you and for losing it like this, it’s just — ’
‘Hey, don’t worry about that. I’m fine, and you’re going to tell me what happened. Would you like a hot drink?’
‘No thanks.’ I shook my head, and he handed me a tissue. I breathed in deep and sat next to him on the couch, and he placed a cushion behind my back. ‘I went for a drive, as you can see, and…oh gosh, I can’t believe I took Lorena’s car without asking her! What was I thinking?’ I shook my head. ‘Anyway, I drove to Pebble Creek and found Greg.’
‘He was having his buck’s weekend at Pebble Creek?’
So I wasn’t the only one who thought it was a seedy place.
‘No. His buck’s weekend was already over, but he failed to tell me it was only going to be for one night. Tonight he had other plans.’ I urged my tears to stay inside. ‘I saw him get a motel room, with a woman. They kissed passionately and went inside. I went up to confront him but chickened out. Chickened out! Why didn’t I march in there and tell him off? Why didn’t I make him explain himself?’
Ty ran his hand over his short mussed hair. ‘Because you’d already seen enough,’ he said quietly. ‘Oh, Sally. I’m so, so sorry.’ He rubbed my back and I sniffed, dabbing at my eyes with the tissue.
‘I just can’t believe it’s true. How could he do this? Why? And only a week before the wedding. Why would he even marry me if he’s not ready to settle down?’
‘I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. All I know is he’s made a huge mistake.’
‘I feel so stupid, you know?’ I shook my head.
‘Hey, you’re not the stupid one, he is. He let you down.’
I nodded, then a thought hit me. ‘What about the wedding! What am I going to do? We have people travelling from interstate, everything’s booked, and my parents! What am I supposed to tell everyone?’
‘Don’t worry about that now. It’ll all work out. And your friends and family will understand. Sort it all out tomorrow. It’s late now, you just look after yourself.’ The warmth of his arm on my back increased as he drew me in close to his side, his other hand grasping my hand.
I softened at his touch and allowed it to comfort me, surrendering to the exhaustion of grief, hurt, and sadness, as he held me close till my tears dried up.
‘Ty, your brother, where is he?’
‘He’s asleep, out like a light.’
‘I hope I haven’t woken him up.’
‘No, good thing about being partially deaf, you sleep like a baby. He’ll be up at six am though, no doubt.’
I looked at Ty. ‘But don’t babies wake up a lot and cry and generally cause havoc?’
He smiled. ‘Ha, true! It’s one of those sayings that don’t really make sense but people say anyway.’
I managed a chuckle. ‘Thank you,’ I said. ‘For listening to me and putting up with my emotional outburst.’
He gripped me tighter. ‘Like I said earlier tonight, all in a day’s work.’ He turned my chin with his finger to look at him. ‘But seriously, I’m more than happy to listen to you when you need an ear. And that Greg, geez, does he need a talking to.’
‘I guess he’ll get it, once I’ve calmed down and can think clearly about what to say.’
‘It’s lucky I wasn’t with you at the time, or he would have got what’s coming
to him then and there.’
‘Thanks for your support, but a couple of men beating each other up is probably not the best solution.’
‘I wasn’t talking about violence. Though I sure would be tempted to hit him where it hurts. I just meant that I’d make sure he knew what an arsehole he was to betray you like that. And hopefully I would have thought up a witty one-liner to really drive it home, but I can’t think of one now!’
‘You, stuck for words? I’ll believe that when I see it.’
The jagged edges of my sadness had smoothed out now; I was still shocked and hurt, but a sliver of hope wriggled its way into my heart. I’d get through this, somehow. But there was no way I was taking him back, no matter what excuse he would try to manipulate me with when I told him I knew about his indiscretion. I could never trust him again.
My phone jingled. Lorena. Oh dear, I should have told them where I was going, not just that I was going. What if I’d had a car accident and they wouldn’t have known where I was? I wasn’t used to acting on the spur of the moment, and they were probably worried about me.
I typed back: I’m so sorry. I’m fine. Will be back soon, you guys go to bed and I’ll explain everything in the morning. Love you all xx.
‘So your friends don’t know yet?’ Ty asked.
I shook my head. ‘And to be honest, I don’t think I’m up for explaining it all over again, tonight. I’m…tired. And shocked. And I don’t want to keep reliving it.’
‘Then don’t. It can wait till morning. For now, Doctor Ty would like to write you a prescription.’
I gave him a curious look. ‘Valium?’
He laughed. ‘No. Give me a sec…’ He went to the nearby kitchen and scribbled on something. He returned with a post-it note and stuck it to my forehead with a pat. I peeled it off and read it:
Haunted Ever After Page 14