A Simple Mistake

by Andrea Grigg

  Nick choked and Lainey laughed.

  ‘What did I say?’ Sylvie got up and filled a glass with water for Nick.

  He nodded his thanks, eyes streaming. ‘Sorry.’ He reached across the table and laid a hand on her arm. ‘It’s a bit complicated.’

  Lainey wrinkled her nose. They were the same words she had used with Sylvie earlier. This was becoming awkward.

  Lainey asked Nick about the movie he’d just finished, a nice, safe subject, aware of Sylvie, including her in the conversation. It was all good until she noticed a slight falter in Nick’s voice and a smile played around his mouth.

  ‘You’d better stop that, or I swear I’ll throw you in the pool again.’

  Lainey frowned. ‘Stop what?’

  ‘You know very well what—’ Nick broke off and stared at Sylvie.

  There was an uncomfortable pause and then a red-faced Sylvie pushed back her chair and left the kitchen.

  ‘Nick, what happened? Did I do something?’

  ‘No.’ His mouth was set in a grim line. ‘I thought it was you playing footsie with me. I’d better go.’

  * * *

  Nick stood in the doorway of his bedroom, watching Sylvie stuff things in her bag.

  ‘Sylvie, I’m really sorry. Please don’t go.’ He felt awful. Again.

  ‘Give me one good reason why I should stay.’ She grabbed her make-up kit and went into the bathroom.

  He followed. ‘So I can make it up to you. Take you out for dinner somewhere nice, take you dancing, whatever you want.’

  ‘I just want to go home.’ She blinked hard and concentrated on her eyeliner.

  ‘Sylvie, please …’ Nick ran his hand through his hair.

  ‘There’s no point,’ she said, their eyes making contact in the mirror, ‘not when you’re still in love with Lainey.’

  He frowned. ‘No, I’m not. That’s been over for nearly two years.’

  ‘Don’t be so stupid.’ Sylvie applied lipstick and snapped shut her make-up purse. ‘You used me. You brought me up here to try and forget about her but she wrecked your plans. I realise you didn’t know she’d be here but you used me, Nick, and that’s wrong. You might be famous but it doesn’t give you the right to treat people like that.’ She poked him in the chest with her forefinger. ‘And if I find out that you do this again to some other poor girl, I’ll be on the phone to Hot Goss as quickly as I can and tell them my little story. Believe me.’

  ‘Sylvie, you’ve got it all wrong. I—’

  ‘Shut up. You can’t see the forest for the trees. I don’t know what Lainey thinks about you, but if you are so blind to yourself, then I feel sorry for you. Now could you either call me a cab or take me to the airport? I’m going.’

  ‘Sylvie—’ Nick stopped at her look. ‘Alright. If that’s what you really want.’

  For an answer, Sylvie stalked into the bedroom, closed her case and picked up her handbag.

  Nick sighed. ‘Let me make a phone call and see what I can do.’

  It appeared there were several seats available on the next flight. Nick insisted on driving her to the airport but Sylvie was adamant he wasn’t to come inside. He parked in the drop off zone and got her bag out of the boot. He tried to take her hand but she wrenched it away. ‘I’m sorry, Sylvie,’ he said, ‘I really am.’

  With a terse nod she made her way into the terminal.

  * * *

  Nick slammed his keys on the kitchen bench. He felt terrible. Terrible for hurting Sylvie, for being found out, for still loving Lainey and that it was going a big, fat, nowhere.

  He took a beer out of the fridge, flipped off the lid and hurled it into the sink. It bounced straight back out again. He picked it up and tossed it into the bin instead and then heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

  ‘Oh, hello.’ Lainey looked around. ‘Where’s Sylvie? I was going to see if she wanted to come shopping with me.’

  ‘She’s gone.’

  ‘Gone where? Oh! Did she go for her pedicure after all?’ Lainey grinned but it wasn’t funny anymore.

  ‘No. I just dropped her off at the airport. She wanted to go home.’

  ‘Go home? Why?’

  ‘None of your business.’

  ‘Did you have a fight or something after what went on upstairs?’

  ‘I said it’s none of your business, Lainey.’ He put on the television and turned his back. It was either that or kiss her like he had at the Valentine’s Day wedding.

  It was easier to be mad at her. If he kept pushing her away then perhaps she would keep her distance and he could deal with her better. Except she was living here, right above him and he had to see her every day.

  You don’t have to see her everyday. You can go back to Sydney anytime you want. There’s nothing stopping you.

  Nick raked his hand through his hair. Now he was hearing voices.

  He glanced up and saw she was still there, her expression unreadable. ‘What? I told you to leave.’ He turned up the volume. When he looked again, she’d taken his advice.

  He couldn’t get Sylvie’s wounded face out of his head. He knew he had mistreated her and had tried to apologise for it but it hadn’t helped. She’d hit the nail on the head of course. She was quite astute for all that she was only twenty.

  He had been trying to replace Lainey. Seeing her with Josh had got him so mad and poor Sylvie had got caught up in it. It could have been anyone but the fact that he’d known she’d liked him for ages had made it easier, knowing that she’d be more than willing. Guilt made him feel lousy.

  Sylvie was the complete opposite of Lainey. She was tiny, had short, dark hair, brown eyes, wore loads of make-up, ate very little and to top it off she was a dancer with callused feet. A psychologist would have had a field day with him.

  But what had happened to Josh? He’d never found out. For all he knew, Lainey could still be seeing him. He might even be coming up here this weekend to visit her on their birthdays.

  It was enough to drive him back to the fridge for another beer. And another. After awhile, he lost count.

  Chapter Thirty-One

  It was four months since Lainey had arrived. It hadn’t been easy.

  After the Sylvie episode, Nick decided to go back to Sydney for a week and miss their birthdays. He used the excuse of having business to attend to but it wasn’t true. He needed to get away to try and clear his head. It didn’t work.

  He was frustrated with not having enough to do until the rehearsals for the tour; frustrated his songwriting skills had dried up; frustrated at feeling frustrated – the list went on.

  When he got back from Sydney, he was rude to Lainey the minute he saw her. He went to thank her for the tin of homemade choc chip cookies she’d left on the bench along with a silly birthday card, and found her doing the ironing. It was no big deal – until he realised she was ironing some of his stuff.

  ‘What are you doing?’

  ‘Hi, Nick, how are you? How was your trip? Fine thanks, Lainey and how are you?’

  ‘Why are you ironing my clothes?’

  ‘Because they’re wrinkled.’ Lainey spoke with careful indulgence, like a hostess on a children’s show. She placed her hands on her hips. ‘I’m helping your mother. She’s gone out for coffee and I said I’d do this to give her a break. What is your problem?’

  Nick couldn’t tell her that the sight of her ironing his things drove him crazy. He hoped she hadn’t got his washing off the line and handled his Calvin Kleins. He wanted to grab all his clothes, bundle them up and take them downstairs where she couldn’t touch them but he had no way of doing it without appearing unhinged.

  Which is how he was feeling more and more now that a whole month had gone by. And he was getting worse. Of course, he could have gone back to Sydney but he couldn’t stay away to save himself.

&
nbsp; It came to a head at Sharon and Dave’s. He and Lainey had been invited over for a meal along with Adam and Lara, a last get-together before he left for Europe. He’d be gone for the best part of two months. Nick found it hard going there together, just like a real couple, but it didn’t seem to bother Lainey. There were no awkward silences during the drive to the Irvine’s, thanks to her non-stop chatter about how wonderful her new job was with her wonderful new children at her wonderful new school.

  Over dessert, Sharon remarked on how good it was to have Lainey back with them and how happy she was. All true. It bugged him no end. Maybe she was indeed over him and had moved on – with her wonderful new life.

  ‘You amaze me with your fitness,’ Sharon said to her. ‘I wish I had your dedication.’ She looked down at her stomach. ‘I’ve still got leftovers and Shelby’s turned two.’

  ‘You’re fine the way you are.’ Dave patted his own stomach. ‘We match.’

  Sharon laughed then turned back to Lainey. ‘How do you have the energy to run at night? I know you’ve always been a night owl, but don’t you wake up grumpy?’

  ‘No, I leave him asleep downstairs.’

  There was a split second before they all laughed, himself included. And so what if he was grumpy? It was her fault.

  Nick couldn’t help but observe that these people may not have the money he did, but they were happier than a lot of his other friends – all without alcohol or drugs. This was why he couldn’t talk to James. He wouldn’t understand. It was also why he couldn’t talk to Adam or his mother. Their answer would be that God was the only one who could replace the emptiness in your life and that everything else you tried would fall flat. He figured they were probably right but he wouldn’t admit it out loud. He still was angry at God about Lainey. And his father.

  Thinking about Liam was painful, too. Lainey had been right; his career would have taken precedence in his life without a shadow of a doubt. He would have chosen adoption. Sometime, he needed to tell her.

  The solution to part of his problem came in a blinding flash as he watched Adam and Lara while they made coffee. He couldn’t get Adam outside quick enough and came straight to the point.

  ‘Look, I know this is a very personal question but bear with me. How much do you need before you can buy a house?’

  Adam blinked. ‘It is very personal. I think you should tell me what this is about first.’

  Nick ran his hand through his hair. ‘Alright but you’re not to tell this to anyone, not even Lara.’ At Adam’s nod he continued.

  ‘I’m still in love with Lainey.’ He saw the sympathetic expression on his friend’s face and he started to pace up and down the short patio. ‘I can’t stand her being so close to me, living upstairs. I see her all the time, hear her, smell her and I know I should have gone back to Sydney but … anyhow, I’m about to go overseas for two months and when I get back I need to have her gone from my place and living in your granny flat.’ He shoved his hands in his pockets.

  ‘I want to write a cheque for whatever you need. I’d give it to you for nothing but I know you wouldn’t let me. Would you consider it as an interest free loan? Please? Help me out, mate.’

  Adam whistled. ‘Boy, you do have it bad.’

  ‘Yes. So what do you say?’

  ‘I’ll have to talk it over with Lara. It’s not something I can decide without discussing it with her but I promise I won’t tell her why. It’ll look like you’re doing us a favour, that’s all.’

  ‘Do you think it’s possible?’

  ‘Could be. I guess we’d be helping each other out.’ A grin spread over his face. ‘Lara’s pregnant.’

  ‘That’s great! Congratulations.’ Nick was thrilled for them, even more so when he realised how it could help his cause. ‘This could be a timely offer then. You’ll want a place of your own sooner rather than later.’

  ‘Exactly. But don’t go telling anyone yet.’

  ‘Could you phone me tomorrow? I’m leaving the day after.’

  ‘Alright.’ Adam nodded then frowned. ‘You don’t even know how much we need. I guess it isn’t too much of a problem for you, is it?’

  ‘No, it’s not.’ He blew out a breath. ‘Thanks. You have no idea how much better I’ll feel.’

  He was quiet as they drove home and Lainey didn’t say too much either. Something was bothering her but she’d get around to saying it if she wanted to. They were inside the garage before she did.

  ‘I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings tonight, Nick,’ she said, as she undid her seatbelt.

  ‘When?’

  ‘When I said that thing about you being grumpy.’

  ‘I thought it was clever. Anyway, it’s true, isn’t it?’ Shadows obscured her face and he couldn’t tell what she was thinking. There was silence except for the sound of the engine ticking as it cooled down.

  She sighed and fiddled with her bag. ‘I get the feeling you don’t want me here, that you would rather I’d stayed in Sydney.’ Her head came up. ‘Do you?’

  Oh no. He wasn’t going to be drawn into this conversation. ‘Lainey, you do what you want.’ He got out and went into the house, needing to put distance between them.

  ‘Nick?’

  ‘What?’ He was already halfway down the stairs.

  ‘It’s easy to be grumpy when God’s chasing you.’

  ‘Anything else?’

  ‘There is, actually.’

  ‘Hurry up. I want to go to bed.’ And I wish you were coming with me.

  ‘Well, this occurred to me a while ago and I wanted to talk to you about it before you went away.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘You said how you’re annoyed at God for taking away your father, right?’

  ‘Your point is?’

  ‘I never had one at all. Mine rejected me before he even knew me. At least yours loved and wanted you. So while I feel sorry for you, don’t use that as an excuse to be angry at God; your argument doesn’t hold much water and it’s getting very old. Goodnight.’

  The connecting door slid shut, literally leaving him in the dark and a little stunned. What she’d said did give him something to think about. He also had the impression his strategy of pushing her away was working. As he’d expected, it didn’t make him feel very good.

  As he showered before going to bed, he reminded himself that after tomorrow, he would be busy with rehearsals and preparation for the tour. Thank goodness for that.

  When he shut off the water, it emphasised the quiet. Again, he was alone and sick of the same old thoughts. By his own choices, the girl upstairs would soon be thousands of miles away from him in body as well as in spirit. He had every reason to be irritable.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Lainey loved her life. Every morning, she would make herself a coffee and take it out on the deck along with her Bible and enjoy her surroundings.

  Nick had been gone for a couple of days and while she missed him, she didn’t miss walking on eggshells. She hoped he’d be happier on tour, doing what he loved. Either that or he’d be a pain in the butt.

  Keeping up the façade of being unaffected by seeing him at any given moment had been difficult. She didn’t feel any differently about him; she was just as much in love with him as ever. Her heart always gave a strange kind of hiccup whenever she saw him and she was always aware of his presence, as if she had an inbuilt radar system.

  He’d given her a shock when he’d turned up with Sylvie but things had worked out in a strange sort of way. She wondered how Sylvie was going, rehearsing with Nick. She hoped he would be nice to her.

  Church was excellent. She enjoyed being under Pastor Ray’s ministry again and there was also a terrific young adults group. Although she was at the older end of it, it didn’t matter. She spent a lot of time with Lara and Adam and Sharon and Dave but when she’d had enough of being arou
nd couples there were other people to get together with.

  Teaching at a Christian school was quite different to anything she’d experienced before. Lainey loved being able to talk openly with her class about her relationship with God. By the time she’d been there four weeks, Lainey was very happy.

  On a Friday afternoon, Lainey went around to see Sharon on her way home from work. She enjoyed visiting the Irvine household; it was always busy and a bit of a shambles but with three young kids what could you expect? Lainey loved each of the children but little Shelby had a special place in her heart. She was a very cute two-year-old with her daddy’s reddish-gold hair and her mother’s outgoing nature.

  Sharon’s mother, Nina, was there and gave her a hug and a kiss. She insisted on making coffee for them and took Shelby into the kitchen with her.

  They’d been chatting for only a couple of minutes when they heard a sickening thump and a scream from Shelby. Leaping to their feet, they ran into the kitchen. Nina was face down on the floor, unconscious.

  ‘Mum!’ Sharon felt for a pulse and looked at Lainey, panicking. ‘There’s nothing! Quick, what do we do?’

  ‘Roll her over.’ Lainey helped her, both of them grunting with the effort; Nina was a large woman. She wasn’t breathing either.

  ‘Call triple 0, now.’ Lainey’s hands shook and her heart raced but she knew what to do. Teaching encouraged her to keep up her Senior First Aid certificate.

  Sharon phoned her husband and father while Lainey performed her grim task for what seemed like hours before the ambulance arrived, sirens wailing. With relief, she let the paramedics take over and prayed silently, her arms around her friend. There was a pulse, weak and unsteady, but it was there. Nina was breathing on her own, but still unconscious.

  ‘Well done.’ The older of the two men congratulated Lainey. ‘She’s had a heart attack but because of you, she’s back.’

  Dave and Sharon’s father, Sam, burst in the door. Sam looked like he was going to pass out but rallied as he knelt beside his wife. He began murmuring loving things to her, making Lainey cry, the realisation of what had happened setting in.