by RJ Hunter
"How are you feeling Sally? I know you do get a bit edgy before these shows."
"I'm fine Lizzie, I've just got stomach cramp that's all, but I'm sure it's just nerves." Sally didn't mention that she had been bleeding down below for much of the day, as she knew how much the presentation meant to Lizzie and to cancel it would probably mean not getting the opportunity again.
"Any luck with the clinic?"
"Yes, I've spoken with them," replied Sally carefully removing her jeans and camisole top. "I've got an initial appointment on Wednesday, and if that's okay, they'll book me in straight after."
Lizzie reached across and took Sally's arm.
"It's for the best you know, darling."
"Yes, I know it is." Sally was just about to slip on the skirt when Lizzie cast her a disapproving look.
"Bra and knickers off too Sally, we don't want any tell-tale panty lines."
"The bra can come off Lizzie, but the knickers are staying on!" Replied Sally defiantly. She then put on the skirt, blouse and jacket, and checked herself in the mirror.
"Excellent darling, my word you would make a wonderful stewardess! Now, there's three outfits in total, and they all come with a tabard."
"Don't worry Lizzie, I wont forget. I have modelled clothes before!"
"Yes, of course you have. I'm sorry, but you know what I'm like!" Muttered Lizzie. "Now, just come through this door when I give you the signal. There will only be about half a dozen people out there. So just walk straight out onto the carpet, do a couple of turns, remove the jacket and come back wearing the tabard, and simply repeat with each outfit. Got it?"
"Yes, Lizzie, just go and get on with it and leave the modelling to me!"
The show went like clockwork and the buyers insisted that Sally come back and do a repeat performance. All three of the outfits were ordered and Lizzie was beaming ear-to-ear. Sally also did her fair share at the presentation, explaining how personal the service was and how many distinguished customers Scarlet's could boast of.
"That went very well," Exclaimed Lizzie, waltzing into the changing room clutching an order form. "This will keep us busy up until Christmas."
As Sally was getting changed back into her own clothes, she suddenly came over faint and had to sit down for a moment. The stomach cramp she been suffering with earlier had returned, but it felt far more severe. As soon as Lizzie had disappeared into the lift with a rail of clothes, Sally checked herself. She was still bleeding, but heavier than before. She couldn't understand it as her periods had ceased some time ago. She heard the lift coming again and knew Lizzie and Jeremy would step out at any time. She quickly gathered her things and made a dash for the toilets. The pain was excruciating now, and she only just managed to reach the cubicle in time.
"Sally darling, we're all ready to go. We'll be downstairs in the vehicle."
"Yes, all right," gasped Sally as she tried to stop herself from collapsing. "I'll be with you shortly."
Lizzie sensed something was amiss and sent Jeremy back down, while she checked on her friend.
"Sally, is everything alright in there, is something wrong?" She called out desperately.
She heard Sally sobbing and tried to push the door open, but it was locked.
"Lizzie, I'm okay, I'll be out in a moment. Please wait for me."
Obeying her friend's instructions, Lizzie went back and waited in the changing rooms. It was another five minutes before Sally eventually came out, looking distraught.
"Sally, what on earth has happened? You look so pale!" Gasped Lizzie, as her friend stood trembling in the doorway.
"I wont be needing that appointment after all, Lizzie. I've lost the baby."
"Oh my god, a miscarriage?"
Sally nodded and Lizzie ran to support her.
"I should have realised what with all the cramps."
"Oh you poor girl, what an ordeal to have to go through. Look, come and sit down for a while, Jeremy can wait."
"No, Lizzie let's just get home. Fortunately I had a spare towel with me."
"My word we've been through some things together, you and I." Said Lizzie, hugging Sally tightly. "Perhaps we should take you to the hospital?"
"No, that wont be necessary, but I'm glad I wont have to go to the clinic now."
"Yes, I know it's a horrible thing to say, but really, it's a blessing in disguise." Added Lizzie. "It has all worked out naturally, just how it was meant to be."
"Yes, you're right. I wont have to explain why I was going away for the night either."
Lizzie smiled.
"I think you probably will have to explain why you're going away Sally."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, your conscience is clear now, you can go back to Falcondale, and finally claim your husband."
"What, you mean David?"
"Yes, Sally, I mean David."
Sally was back home an hour later. Although her ordeal seemed to be over, she felt empty inside, as if something had been ripped out of her. It was hard to quantify, but the loss of any life, no matter whose it was, touched her very deeply.
Penny came downstairs with her Walkman attached to her ears, humming along to some nameless tune.
"I'm going up to lay down, I've had an exhausting day, and just want an early night."
"Okay, mum, but it's not even seven yet!"
"I know Penny, dearest, but when you get older you find you get tired more easily."
"Well, I'm glad I'm not old, that's all I can say," replied Penny, scrutinising her mother. "Shall I bring you up a cup of hot chocolate, Mum?"
"Yes, that would be nice," said Sally as she wearily climbed the stairs.
Ten minutes later there was a knock at her bedroom door.
"You look like you've been crying Mum?"
Sally tried to laugh it off.
"No, Penny, not at all. I've been helping Lizzie model some clothes. I'm just tired, that's all."
"Wow, modelling clothes, how absolutely glam!" Beamed Penny excitedly. "Do you think Lizzie would let me try it?"
"Yes, I don't see why not. Perhaps in a couple of years time." Replied Sally, putting on her dressing gown. "So where's Laura and Jonathan?"
"Laura had to go back to London, she's on duty tonight and Jonathan has gone to the White Swan again."
"How odd, I wonder why he keeps going there?"
"I think there's a girl who works behind the bar he fancies!" Giggled Penny.
"Oh, so that explains why he wanted twenty pounds!"
Penny reached across to give her mother a hug goodnight, and suddenly remembered the phone call.
"David rang while you were out. That's the third time this week he's rang. Why don't you want to speak to him, Mum?"
"Did he leave a message?" Replied Sally, side stepping Penny's question.
"He just asked how we all were and said he would try again another time." Replied Penny, looking at herself in Sally's long mirror and trying to pose like a model. "Oh yes, he said he was thinking of you."
"How very sweet."
"I miss Uncle David, I wish we could go and see him in Wales again."
"Yes, I know you do, Penny."
"Well, goodnight Mum. If there's anything you need, just call me."
"Goodnight sweetheart, I will," smiled Sally. But just as Penny was about to go back downstairs, her mother called her back.
"Penny."
"Yes, Mum?"
"Do you remember when you asked me to marry David?"
"Yes, but why do you ask?"
"No reason really. Do you still want me to marry him?"
Penny broke into a huge grin and ran back to embrace her mother.
"Oh Mum, I want that more than anything in the whole wide world."
It was October, and the mild weather continued as Sally at last finished packing the clothes she would take with her to Falcondale. She stepped out of the kitchen and glanced up at the sky. It was still cloudless, although it was meant to turn fresher and more ov
ercast over the next few days. She and Penny were due to set off on the long drive early the following morning. Although Sally was looking forward to seeing David again and re-visiting the town where she once went to university, she felt a little nervous, a bit like a schoolgirl about to go out on her first date. However, she put the nerves down to the mere thought of having to drive on the motorway, which she utterly detested, and made a start on Penny's packing.
Both Jonathan and Laura were back staying at home. Jonathan had at last applied to become a student mental health nurse with the local health authority, but as he had heard nothing back yet, he had decided to carry on as usual at university. This weekend though, he had come home earlier than usual for some unknown reason.
Laura had finished her stint of night shifts, and had seven days off. These, she preferred to spend at home, rather than be stuck in her room at the nurse's home, thinking about Lincoln Greene.
Jonathan had talked Laura into going for lunch with him at the White Swan
. Sally and Penny had politely declined the invitation. Sally still wasn't feeling her best, and found she needed to take frequent rests during the day. She had lost a lot of weight during her illness, and it would take a while for her to get fully back into the swing of things again. Penny, on the other hand used the excuse that her brother and sister were no longer cool enough to be seen with.
Even Pepys had changed. He was much quieter, and would become very upset if other dogs came too close to him. He had also begun to spend more time in the smaller front garden, rather than roam around out the back, like he used to. It wasn't a problem, as he never ventured out onto the road, and it turned out to be rather convenient in view of Sally's brand new garden. All the same, she still felt saddened by it, and knew the affectionate little animal must still be suffering in his own way.
It was when Sally heard Pepys barking, and went out to see what it was, that she noticed the man walking up the drive.
"Hello, can I help you?" She asked, as Pepys stood cowering behind her.
"Yes, I hope so," smiled the tanned, handsome young man. "I'm looking for Laura. This is where she lives isn't it?"
"Possibly," replied Sally, placing him under scrutiny. "She's not here at the moment. Who shall I say called?"
"Well, she might not want to see me. My name is, Nick."
"Nick!" Gasped Sally, surprised. "I'm Laura's mother."
"Yes, I can certainly see the resemblance," he replied a little awkwardly. "I'm very pleased to meet you, Mrs. Peddlescoombe. I don't know if Laura has ever mentioned me?"
"Yes, she's mentioned you, although not in the most glowing of terms recently."
"That's understandable."
"Please come inside, Nick. You look thirsty?"
Sally could easily see in Nick what had attracted Laura to him in the first place. He was a likeable chap, tall, with a good, solid build, a shock of dark hair and a smile that would knock any woman dead.
"Will Laura be long?"
"It's hard to say. She's gone to the pub with her brother."
Nick petted Pepys, and glanced around while Sally fixed them both a cold drink.
"Thank-you Mrs. Peddlscoombe. This is delicious." He remarked politely as he took a sip of the fruit cordial.
Sally led him into the lounge, where they sat opposite each other.
"Nick, please call me, Sally. You're a student aren't you?"
"I was a student, but I've recently taken my finals."
"A first I presume!"
"I hope so," he replied laughing, "But I'm not counting my chickens."
"Do you have a job, Nick?"
"Yes, I have. I'm due to start work in the insurance industry next week."
"Good for you." Replied Sally, still watching him with a critical eye. "Could I be rude and ask you a personal question?"
"Yes, of course, Mrs. Peddlescoombe."
"My daughter is very upset that you stood her up and apparently went back to your wife in her hour of need. Is that true?"
Nick coughed and had to put his glass down.
"Yes, it's true, but my marriage is well and truly over." Although, looking rather uncomfortable, he seemed willing to continue. "You see I had to find out if my marriage was worth saving, after all, I didn't take my vows lightly."
"So you've left your wife again have you?"
"Yes, I have, there's nothing to be salvaged from our relationship."
"Do you have any children, Nick?"
"No, Mrs. Peddlescoombe, we didn't have any children."
"So what was your intention coming here to see my daughter today?"
Nick wasn't prepared for Sally's direct line of questioning, but knew he had to make an impression.
"I wanted to get Laura back. I didn't realise just how much she meant to me. I was foolish to return to Sandra. Do you think she would have me back?"
"I really don't know. She's still very angry at the moment and unsure about her future. You can't just walk out on a pregnant woman, Nick."
"Pregnant! What, Laura?"
"Yes, that's right."
"But I didn't know. I would never have even thought about going back to Sandra if I had known that."
Sally watched him closely, trying to detect the slightest hint of deception in Nick's voice and mannerisms.
"Laura has been trying to contact you."
"Oh my god, what have I done?" He sighed, feeling utterly ashamed of himself. "Laura must really hate me. I just can't believe it, I'm so sorry."
Sally was quite touched by Nick's reaction. Although she was still very concerned about Laura's pregnancy, she couldn't find it in her heart to scold a young man, she had quickly grown to like.
"Do you still want her back after hearing that, Nick?" She asked looking directly into his brown eyes.
He didn't hesitate in the least with his answer.
"Yes, Mrs. Peddlescoombe, I want her back desperately. I love your daughter and always have done."
"In that case I suggest you go along and convince her, like you've just convinced me."
She watched from the window as Nick walked back down the drive. She knew she shouldn't have mentioned anything about Laura's pregnancy, that was really up to her daughter to discuss with him. But more importantly, was the fact that she had unknowingly, led Nick to believe that he was the father of Laura's child.
Hoping it would improve his sister's mood, Jonathan led her along the scenic towpath to the White Swan. The ploy didn't work though, she remained ratty and wanted the whole world to know. Laura's sleep pattern was still disrupted from her night shifts, and she had now been suffering bouts of morning sickness. Yes, she was still hurt over Nick's actions, but more importantly, it was Lincoln Greene, or the lack of him that preyed on her mind. She tried to convince herself that he would never have abandoned her if he'd known she was pregnant, after all they had a very special bond together. She thought it would only be a matter of time before he got in touch. But as time went by, Laura became increasingly disheartened by the situation. Her secondment at St. Mary Abbot's had also come to an end, and her next placement would be the dreaded Accident and Emergency Department at Westminster Hospital, and this depressed her greatly. Laura felt absolutely desperate, and now the offer of lunch at the pub that her brother kept raving about seemed like the perfect distraction from her problems, even if it was only temporary.
Jonathan, on the other hand was now having deep misgivings about inviting Laura in the first place. His main mission was to ask Beth out. He had wanted his sister to go with him both as company and also as someone who could spur him into action if he found he was losing his nerve. But now, because of her dark mood, it was like she was draining all the positive energy from him, and making him wonder if he'd been better off simply going on his own.
"So what's this girl's name?" Asked Laura, attempting to be sociable.
"Her name's Beth. She's Australian." He replied chirpily.
"Okay. So what does she look like?"
> "She looks absolutely beautiful!" He reminisced excitedly. "She's got glorious, long red hair and the most enchanting green eyes!"
"You're very poetic today." Came Laura's begrudging reply. "So she doesn't look anything like Tina then?"
He went quiet and picked up a large twig, which he then tossed into the river.
"No, nothing like Tina."
"I'm sorry Jonathan. I shouldn't have said that."
"It's okay. I don't get choked up about her now."
"That's good. It's best to move on, no matter how much it still hurts." Replied Laura, taking her brother's hand.
"Yes, that's good advise. I do need to toughen up sometimes."
"You'll have to detach yourself from lots things if you do take up nursing, Jonathan."
"Is that what you do, Laura?" He asked innocently.
"I try to, but it doesn't always work."
They reached the riverside pub just after 1.30pm. The nice weather was still holding out, but it felt distinctly cooler down by the water. Just like the previous Thursday, when he had visited, the pub was busy with lunchtime customers.
"Wow, it's lovely, Jonathan!" Gasped Laura, as she glanced up at the over-hanging baskets of cascading flowers, which adorned the white-washed walls.
"We can sit down next to the river's edge if you like." He replied proudly. "What do you want to drink, Laura?"
"I'll have a coke please." She said, going to find a free table.
Jonathan disappeared inside the bar, looking around anxiously for Beth. However, he didn't see her, and had to be content being served by someone else.
Laura put her cardigan on as she waited for her brother to return with the drinks. But, she doubted if he would remember to bring back the menu's.
It was then that she first noticed Beth emerge from a side door carrying a tray of food. She was walking about fifteen yards behind Jonathan, but he was concentrating so hard on not spilling the drinks, that he didn't notice her. He put the drinks down on the table and began to search his pockets for his rolling tobacco. Laura saw Beth again, gathering up some empty glasses. She knew it had to be her, the red hair, the pert figure, and now, the sullen expression. Beth caught Laura's eye, before glancing back at Jonathan. He still hadn't noticed her, but Laura could tell immediately by the other girl's body language exactly what was happening. Beth obviously thought Jonathan and Laura were an item, and it appeared to be having a negative effect on the normally, high-spirited barmaid.