Cutlery clattered as Ruby huffed. “I like my job.”
***
While he’d finished hanging the lights outside, Steve managed to convince Ruby to move some of her things into the house during the week.
“We might as well make the most of the house looking festive,” he’d said. With just over two weeks until Christmas, he hoped between them they’d create new memories, and Ruby would decide to stay.
Steve wanted her to stay.
He didn’t like the thought of selling the house, as there were good memories for him held between its walls. It was an option though, to let Ruby choose a new home, if that’s what she preferred. His life was in LA. He couldn’t dictate to Ruby if it was going to make her miserable.
For now, this house was bigger. They weren’t tripping over each other. It meant he got to stay in his old bedroom – though it had a fresh coat of pale olive green paint and lacked the posters stuck over the wall by his bed. Star Wars. His first crush had been Princess Leia. The room was larger and comfier than the box room at Ruby’s two-bed end-terrace. Once he was gone, he thought Ruby could convert it into a study.
“No I can’t do that.”
“Why not?” Steve said, frowning as he hung his clothes up in his old wardrobe. His suitcase containing the clothes he’d hauled across from LA still remained unpacked, shoved under the bed. He needn’t have brought most of it – he’d only worn the underwear and socks.
“Where will my big brother stay when he comes to visit me – regularly?” She nudged him as she helped hang some clothes.
“You may have a point. Might be nice to hole up here, rather than a hotel. I will visit you more often. I promise.”
“It can be the guest room. Your room,” she said. “I can make my old bedroom the study, as it’s that bit smaller. Although, I’m still not sure about sleeping in Mum’s room.”
“Roo, it’s your house now. You need to make it yours.” At least she was coming around to the idea of staying here, which pleased Steve.
***
Monday 9th December
Ruby should have been doing her work; there were Christmas parties and dinners to oversee, orders to fulfil with the run up to the busy festive season. Instead Ruby perused a couple of home improvement magazines perched on the cream leather couch in the hotel’s spa. The scent of the place helped you naturally relax.
Now the house was decorated for Christmas and it was clean and tidy, she was coming around to the idea of remaking the house her home. She hated to admit it but Steve was right. It no longer had its old decor to remind her of the days when it was Mum and Ruby living there. If she chose some furnishings she liked, it would feel more like hers, and a different home. Renting the little two-bed terrace, albeit cosy, wasn’t cost-effective, especially when she had a perfectly good home with no mortgage. So while she waited in the spa, she looked for some inspiration on colour schemes and furniture.
Ruby hadn’t specifically gone to the spa to flick through the magazines. She wanted to see Alice who was currently in a treatment room with a client – so Yvonne, another beautician, had told her. Five minutes later, Alice appeared, smiling and calm, talking to a middle-aged woman, whose rosy face and towel imprint on her forehead gave away that she’d had a massage. Ruby waited for Alice to finish with the client then stood up. Yvonne had returned to the front desk.
“Yvonne, could you give me a minute with Alice, please? I need a word in private.” Ruby said.
“Yes, sure.” She grabbed a handful of fluffy white towels from the rack and headed down towards the female changing room.
Alice frowned, perplexed. “What have I done wrong? Please don’t tell me I’ve had a customer complaint. I can’t think who’d complain.”
“It’s not work related.”
“Oh.” Alice’s shoulders relaxed.
“I want you to stay away from Terence.” Ruby had said it. Her heart already raced with the potential of confrontation.
“Why?” Alice said, angered. “It’s nothing to do with you who I see. Jealous, are we?”
“Not in the slightest, but he’ll use you, Alice.”
“He said you’d get jealous.”
“He’s using you to get to me,” Ruby said, her voice raising. “Don’t tell him anything about me.” How did Ruby tell her all Terry was interested in was news about Steve? How could she ask if she’d mentioned ‘Stuart’?
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“Did he ask about me?” Ruby snapped. “Did he?”
Alice’s gazed dropped to the ground, unable to meet Ruby’s.
“Did you tell him anything about me, Alice?”
Yvonne returned, witnessing Ruby and Alice, both hands on hips and glaring at one another. Ruby gestured she still leave them, and Yvonne turned on her heel back towards the gym.
“Alice?”
“No I didn’t, okay. But I learnt a few things.”
“Will you keep them to yourself?”
“Maybe,” Alice said too smugly.
Ruby’s eyes narrowed, her heart beating so fast she thought it might explode. “If you want to keep your job and ever work in hospitality again, you’ll keep your trap shut.”
A couple of young women, both giggling at each other in their own conversation walked through the double doors into the spa.
Alice grabbed Ruby’s arm as she was about to walk away, her voice softening, “Ruby, I’m not a complete bitch. Your secret’s safe.”
Chapter 23
Thursday 12th December.
It was late afternoon, and Steve and Ruby were heading home from work. Steve was driving. He was starting to get used to Ruby’s little car.
“Where are you going?” Ruby said, frowning. “Why are we going this way?”
“As we got away early, I thought we could take a detour to Cribbs Causeway.”
“Why?”
“Didn’t you say you’d like some new towels for the bathroom?”
“Yes…” Ruby replied hesitantly. “But it could wait.”
Steve spent the next couple of hours encouraging Ruby to splash out on some new furniture, pictures and ornaments. Surprisingly enough, it didn’t take Ruby long to see things she liked, and was making Steve carry the heavy load around John Lewis. Then Marks and Sparks…Once Ruby got the taste of shopping, there was no stopping her.
“Don’t use your credit card,” Ruby said, placing her hand over his. “I’ll use mine.”
Twigging that Ruby’s paranoia had set in, he agreed. “But I’m paying your credit card bills.”
“There is no need.”
“Yes there is. It’s my present to you.”
They’d argued all the way home in the car – which was rammed full of new furnishings. He relaxed, knowing she had the money he’d been sending her. He also had a warm, satisfied feeling that Ruby was coming around to the idea of staying in the house. Yet, as they unloaded the car, something still felt off…
“You okay, Roo? You seem kind of distracted,” Steve said, watching his sister going away to another planet inside her head. Whilst shopping she’d been snappy and not quite concentrating at times.
Ruby sighed heavily, rubbing her forehead. “It’s Alice. I saw her get into a car with Terry on Friday night. I confronted her on Monday, and I think she knows about you. She didn’t actually say, and I wasn’t going to clarify, in case we were both talking about different things. But what if she told Terry my brother was working at the hotel?”
Steve hugged his sister reassuringly. “If she’d said anything to Terry we would have found out by now, wouldn’t we? Don’t worry.” He’d seen Alice a couple of times during the week also, and she hadn’t acted any differently around him either. Or had she? Maybe he just hadn’t realised until now, given this piece of information. No, Alice always flirted with him.
“Okay, I’ll try not to.”
An hour later and with what felt like half of John Lewis in their lounge waiting to be shelved, placed or hung u
p around the home, the doorbell rang.
Steve checked his appearance in the hallway mirror before grabbing Ruby’s car keys from the hook that hung beneath it – she still wouldn’t get a new car – and answered the door, getting a cold blast of air.
“Hiya, Brett, Ruby’s in the kitchen,” he said. “She’s fretting about cooking you dinner. You might want to put her mind at rest.”
“She shouldn’t panic. Even if it’s burnt to a crisp, I’ll still tell her I love it.”
Steve couldn’t smell burning, so Brett wouldn’t have to pretend too hard. Ruby was a good cook. “She’s worried that because you’re a chef and you’ll be picky, so she wants to get it right.”
With a warm smile, Brett said, “I’ll go give her a hand.”
Steve winked, then called out, “See you later, Roo. Off to see Lydia, I might not be back.” He wouldn’t feel guilty if he didn’t come home, because he was certain Brett would be staying over.
“Okay,” she called along the hall.
Tomorrow Lydia and Steve were on a late shift. Ruby had managed to fix the rotas so that Steve could see as much of Lydia as possible. He had an inkling Ruby was matching her own shifts to Brett’s too. Working in a hotel was never Monday to Friday, nine to five; it meant working some unsociable hours. It wasn’t surprising that some of the younger staff were all ‘shagging’, as Callum so politely put it – usually sounding miffed because he wasn’t getting any invites from the chambermaids. And neither was it surprising that those who wanted more than a roll in the hay were single. Knowing January was only around the corner, he was keen to see Lydia as much as possible – and Ruby for that matter – without looking like they were living in each other’s pockets. She needed her time to do her illustrations after all.
Impatient to see Lydia, Steve ran out the house into the depressingly dark evening, towards Ruby’s car, turning up his jacket collar. The icy heavens had decided to open and cold rain stung his face. From inside the misty windscreen, Steve saw a man huddled under an umbrella fighting with the wind. He was sitting on the garden wall of the house opposite, pulling his jacket tighter around him, looking like he was waiting for someone. Steve frowned, but didn’t take much notice, too busy thinking about getting to Lydia’s. He didn’t envy him stuck out in this weather and hoped the poor guy’s ride turned up soon.
Steve arrived at Lydia’s. The door opened before he could knock and Lydia threw herself into his arms, kissing him thoroughly. He kept both hands behind his back.
“Where have you been?” she said, cupping his face.
“Sorry, Ruby took forever picking co-ordinating cushions. Plus I stopped for wine.” He held up the bottle of Shiraz. “And flowers.” Grinning, he held out the yellow roses in his other hand.
“Oh, thank you,” she said, taking the roses, fingering the tissue paper wrapped around them.
She pulled him into the house, shutting the door behind him. “I will let you off as you come bearing gifts. I’ve made us dinner – I didn’t fancy going out in the cold and wet – plus it will be manic with Christmas parties and shoppers. Thought we could stay home and keep each other warm.”
“I like that idea.” He put the bottle down, weaved his arms around Lydia’s waist from behind, and kissed the back of her neck.
“Besides, you’ll be taking me out next week,” she said, placing the flowers on her coffee table.
“Why, what’s happening next week?”
She turned in his arms, her fingers teasing the hair at the back of his neck while she kissed him again. He groaned appreciatively.
“It’s my birthday.”
“Your birthday, too huh? Your mum didn’t plan that well – two daughters with December birthdays.”
“Mum’s birthday is in March.” Lydia winked knowingly and Steve nodded.
“And…how old will you be this birthday?” he asked hesitantly.
“I’ll be twenty-six.” He hid his surprise. For some reason he’d thought she was older, but then her older sister had just turned thirty. Lydia carried a maturity about her.
“What would you like for your birthday?” He nuzzled her neck.
“You – with a bow on.”
“What kind of bow?” He edged her towards her sofa, where they fell onto it and cuddled, kissing. He imagined turning up naked except for a bow tie, or even a large silk ribbon. He would have to think of a special present too, but nothing too flash. He wanted to tell Lydia the truth, but would wait a bit longer. Part of him couldn’t bring himself to do it yet, worried what the reaction may be initially. This was so good. Making out on her sofa as if they were teenagers. People acted strangely around him when they saw him as the big movie star. He wanted Lydia to become so comfortable with him, she’d see why he’d done it. Why he’d hidden the truth. And it would all be fine, he was sure, if he told her. As long as she didn’t learn it from someone else. Though who would tell her? He’d managed so far to be undetected. Marie was keeping him posted. His double was doing a superb job at keeping the press happy.
Yeah, he was convinced Lydia would love him no matter what.
He didn’t want to doubt it.
“Can I smell burning?” He pulled out of the kiss, but kept his hand under her T-shirt savouring her softness.
“Oh crap!” Lydia pulled away. “You always distract me and make me burn things.” She ran into the kitchen, and Steve followed, bringing the flowers with him to watch her save the dinner bubbling away on the hob.
“It’s fine. I love things burnt.”
***
“Right, you cooked, I’ll wash up,” Stuart said, placing his cutlery together on his empty plate. Lydia giggled at the way he jovially pushed up his sleeves. He had an amazingly cheeky, sexy grin, and blue eyes that made her blush in an instant.
“Leave them,” she said, tugging at his arm.
“No I can’t, it’ll help me let my dinner go down.” He took the plates to the sink and turned on the hot tap, squirting some washing up liquid into the bowl. Lydia admired his jean-clad bum. His clothes made him appear more dorky than he actually was, but it charmed her. He wasn’t shallow or vain about his appearance. It meant Lydia stood a chance too. If Stuart dressed to his full potential, he could have his pick of women, and Lydia would be too lost in their shadows for Stuart’s attention.
“Okay, but don’t be long, I’m dying for a cuddle.” She kissed him on the cheek then hurried into the lounge, switching on the stereo. She fussed quickly, puffing the cushions and drawing the curtains, making sure they were closed properly. Much to her cat’s annoyance, even though she loved Kipper dearly, she shooed him off the sofa. There wasn’t room for the two of them and the cat – even though the cat would argue differently. To make it cosy, she lit a few candles around her mantelpiece and turned off the ceiling lights, so her Christmas tree lights and the candles created a soft glow in the room. Satisfied, she went back into the kitchen to find Stuart drying his hands.
“Ready?” she said.
“Ready.”
They snuggled on the sofa together and she hoped everything was perfect for their cosy night in. She scrambled for her stereo remote, and turned up the volume of her favourite CD, which was still in the stereo. She’d been playing it like mad and hadn’t tired of it yet. With a smile, she pulled Stuart into a kiss, and they cuddled, resuming their position from earlier.
If she was looking for faults in Stuart – which she wasn’t – she couldn’t find any. The man ate her food and always complimented it, too. He always touched her; and even the slightest stroke along her arm sent her dizzy with emotion. He wasn’t afraid to cuddle her and show her how much she meant to him. At least she hoped this was what he was doing. She’d never felt so connected to someone. Although she didn’t have many boyfriends to compare with, she had enough experience to know that this feeling was different. This could well be real. And wow, he was a fantastic kisser.
As she relished his kiss, she pulled him on top of her, snuggling down
amongst the cushions.
“Who’s the band playing?” Stuart mumbled while kissing her neck. “I think I’ve heard this song on the radio.”
“They’re called Abandoned – this is their debut album.” Lydia tugged at Stuart’s shirt, getting her hands on his flesh, brushing the hair around his navel with her palms. As the music played, they explored each other, kissing and caressing, as though it was new to them all over again, slowly peeling clothing off each other. Her skin tingled with sexual excitement, pooling deep between her thighs.
“I love this song…” Lydia said, hearing the song she’d been waiting for. “Stuart, make love to me, to this song…”
All day she’d imagined having sex on her sofa with Stuart while this band played in the background. The male lead vocalist had an unusual voice, which she had loved the minute she’d heard it on the radio.
When she’d first heard it, she’d been drawing, and had since found the music very inspirational for her illustrations. Hence she’d bought the album as soon as it came out and had played it continuously since.
Stuart didn’t disappoint. To the lyrics of her favourite song, a love song for Jessica, they started making slow, sensual love. The words were poignant. She believed it was their song.
“I’m liking this track, too,” Stuart whispered in her ear, his breath warm on her neck. The lyrics had him too. “It’s always going to make me think of us on this sofa every time I hear it.”
She squeezed him tighter, desiring him, kissing him wholeheartedly. She too would remember this moment on her sofa. And she knew she was falling in love. Just like Jessica.
Chapter 24
Saturday 14th December
“Ruby, you’ve got to help me. What shall I get Lydia?”
“Oh, hell, I don’t know.”
They marched along inside Cribbs Causeway, the winter sunshine beaming through the glass roof. The large frosty Christmas decorations dangling from the ceiling sparkled with the light. They browsed at every shop they passed. As Ruby had work later in the afternoon, they’d arrived early on Saturday morning, before the unbearable Christmas rush.
She's the One Page 24