by S J Crabb
Alex reaches out and very firmly pushes her away and smiles.
‘Come on, Fiona, let’s find Tony. I’m sure I saw him looking for you over by the photocopier.’
He grins at me and rolls his eyes. ‘I’ll leave you with Alan. If anyone can find Gary he can. It was good to meet you, Annie.’
I smile gratefully. ‘Thanks, Alex, have a happy Christmas.’
He grins and pockets my card. ‘You too. Hopefully, I’ll be in touch regarding a job in the New Year. Maybe Santa will be kind to you.’
I nod. ‘Let’s hope so. Like I said, it appears I need all the help I can get.’
I watch as he guides a very drunk Fiona through the crowd. Gosh, what a nice boss he is. Gary is lucky to work for him.
I turn back to Alan but find he is nowhere to be seen. What? How did I lose sight of him so quickly?
I look around, but it’s as if he’s melted into the floor. Where is he?
Sighing, I start scanning the room. Surely, it’s not too difficult to find him in here.
Ten minutes later and I still haven’t found either of them. All around me couples are having a great time and there is much laughter and lots of smooching. Chance would be a fine thing.
Suddenly, I spy Alan again, pressed up against some girl near the wall. I keep my eyes on him and walk with determination towards them.
Tapping him on the shoulder, he looks around and his face falls.
‘Oh, Annie, sorry, haven’t you found Gary yet?’
I shake my head as his date, for want of a better word, looks at me curiously. ‘Are you looking for Gary?’
I nod and she goes to speak, but Alan jumps in and throws her a strange sort of warning look.
‘I think he's gone, Annie. I saw him leave ten minutes ago. I thought you’d found him and were heading off. Maybe he’s gone to Divas.’
His partner looks surprised and looks between us before looking down to the floor.
A feeling of uneasiness creeps over me. I’m not stupid. Alan is covering for Gary and I don’t know why.
Suddenly, the music stops and somebody shouts. ‘Sorry guys, can I just have your attention for a minute.’
We look over and I see Alex standing on a chair at the end of the room.
‘I’ll make this short as I don’t want to cut into your drinking time. I just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work this year. Our targets were met, and we came out among the top in the company. You’re a great team and can expect a bonus in your pay. Now enjoy tonight and don’t get too drunk and get home safely. Have a lovely Christmas and let’s make next year even better.’
He raises his glass and as he does so the distinct sound of the tune of Hawaii-5-O chimes through the office.
I know that sound—it’s Gary’s ringtone. It appears to be coming from the door next to me. I just have time to register the panic in Alan’s eyes before I yank the door open. It reveals Gary with his trousers around his ankles. He is pressed into a girl with her dress bunched up around her waist and her legs wrapped firmly around his.
The office is silent as we witness the two-people going at it, in what appears to be the stationery cupboard.
Just for a second time stands still. I watch in shock, my boyfriend and the love of my life, getting it on with another in front of the entire office. Suddenly, the girl’s eyes open and she utters a small shriek into Gary’s mouth and pushes him away. He looks around in confusion and registers the fact that the whole office is watching him. Then his eyes settle on mine.
Panic fills them and he looks at me with confusion as he whispers, ‘Oh my God, Annie!’
Pain fills my heart, quickly followed by anger. You have got to be KIDDING me!!
The anger takes hold and I do the first thing I can think of. Stepping forward, I throw the contents of my plastic cup all over his cheating, lying, despicable, face. Then I turn around and make my way out of the office, through the stunned crowd and out of the most humiliating experience of my life—so far.
Chapter Five
I almost run to the lift. This can't be happening. I actually think this is the worst day of my life, ever! I can feel the tears welling up and will myself not to fall to pieces before I make it home.
I frantically press the call button and silently pray for it to hurry before Gary finds me—if he tries that is.
Finally, after what seems like forever, the lift arrives and I race inside, my heart pounding.
The doors begin to close but just before they do, they are forced open and somebody pushes their way inside.
I look up into the extremely kind, compassionate eyes of Alex. As the doors close, he looks at me kindly. ‘I'm sorry, Annie, that was horrible.’
I shrug miserably. ‘Don't be. At least everything bad is happening on the same day. I'm glad to have found out now rather than wasting a minute more on that lecherous asshole.’
He laughs softly and then looks at me with concern. ‘What now?’
I shrug. ‘I'll go home and try to get some sleep. Tomorrow I'll consider my options. One thing's for sure, I now have no job and no boyfriend. I just need to work on the possibility of having no home unless I get a job and fast.’
He looks sympathetic. ‘Let me buy you a drink. Maybe we can come up with something between us?’
I smile sadly. ‘That's kind of you, Alex, but I think I'll just head off home. It's been a long, exhausting day and I need to be on my own.’
The lift arrives at the ground floor and he looks at me with concern. ‘How will you get home?’
I shrug. ‘I think the Tube's still running, I'll just grab that. It's only three stops and a five-minute walk at the other end. I'll be fine.’
He shakes his head. ‘I'm not happy about that, Annie. With your luck today, something is bound to go wrong and I would never forgive myself. I'll call you a cab from a reliable company we use. My treat.’
Tears pool in my eyes at his words. He is so kind, and it makes me crumble. He sees my imminent meltdown coming and pulls me towards him, rubbing my back gently.
‘Let it all out, Annie. Cry all you want and then dry your tears and move on. It may seem bad now, but you will look back at this and be grateful that it happened. There's a much better future for you out there, I just know it.’
The doors close again and we start heading back up the way we came. It doesn't matter though. I just go along for the ride, clinging onto the kind stranger who is obviously my guardian angel sent to me in my hour of need. In fact, I would ride this lift all night just to feel safe against the world at this moment. Just for the next few short minutes it's not just me and my problems. I am protected in a lift bubble with the kindest man I have ever met and I never want this moment to end.
I think we ride up and down in the lift for a good half an hour. No words are necessary. Alex holds me and I sob on his shoulder. Sometimes the lift stops at a floor, but when faced with the scene in front of them nobody gets in.
Fleetingly it occurs to me that this could be some kind of new therapy. Maybe I could market it as, 'Lift Therapy.' I could make it my new business and just hire out Alex's to provide comfort in people's hours of need.
By the time we reach the ground floor, for the tenth time, I feel better.
Pulling back, I look at Alex gratefully.
‘Thanks, Alex, you've been so kind. I'd better let you get back to the party.’
He smiles and shakes his head. ‘Come on, I'll get you that cab.’
We walk in silence, through the reception area and out into the frosty night. Despite the late hour London is heaving. It really comes alive at night and transforms into a magical land of excitement. The lights illuminate the grand buildings and the River Thames twinkles in the light. All around is laughter and despite my predicament it lifts my spirits. I will get through this dark time. Alex is right, it was meant to happen to make way for a better life. Now I just need to discover what that is.
Alex escorts me to the cab office he uses and make
s sure I'm safely inside. He pays the driver and I tell him my address. Just before we go he smiles gently at me.
‘It was good to meet you, Annie. Stay strong and keep focused. I'll put the word out regarding the job. Just try to have a great Christmas and put all this behind you.’
I nod gratefully. ‘Thanks, Alex, you've been so kind. I hope that Santa is good to you this year because you deserve it.’
He pulls out his card and offers it to me.
‘Call me after Christmas. I want to know how you get on.’
I smile shakily. ‘I will. Thanks again, I really mean that.’
He grins and then closes the door. As the driver pulls away I wave to him until he disappears from view. What a great guy.
The next morning, I meet up with Gail at Giovanni's as arranged. She looks at me in disbelief as I relay the events of last night.
‘He did WHAT?!!’ Gail looks at me in shock as I nod miserably.
‘It was horrible, Gail. Seeing the man I love inside another will stay with me forever.’
She reaches out and grabs my hand. ‘The slime-ball. Don't worry, you're obviously better off without him. You always were too good for him and you know it.’
Despite how I'm feeling, I grin.
‘Yes, you're right. Who needs him anyway?’
As if on cue my phone rings and I see Gary's name flash up on the screen.
Gail looks at me and rolls her eyes.
‘That's the tenth time he's called since we've been sitting here. Are you going to speak to him?’
I shake my head. ‘No, he's not worth my time.’
As it rings off I change the contact details on my phone and type in my new name for him with a flourish.
‘There. From now on he will be known as 'Tosser'!’
Gail laughs and we giggle as the phone rings again, flashing his new name up on the screen. She laughs.
‘Why don't you just delete him?’
I shake my head. ‘No, because then I may answer it by mistake. This way I can see it's him and take great satisfaction in ignoring it.’
She nods in agreement. ‘I see your point. So, what now? I mean, as Christmas's go this is turning into the one from Hell.’
Sighing, I pick up my coffee and contemplate my future.
‘I think Alex was right when he told me that bad things may still happen, given the way my luck is heading.’
Gail looks confused. ‘What do you mean?’
I sigh irritably. ‘Well, they say that bad things always happen in threes. First, I lost my job and then my boyfriend cheated on me. The third thing may mean I'm forced to give up my flat. I'm paid up for the next three months and if I don't find a job in that time, I'll be homeless as well.’
Gail looks annoyed. ‘No, you won't. If that happens you can crash with me. I told you I'll find you a job and if I can't then it sounds like Alex may. He sounds gorgeous by the way. What about him, he may be your new guy? He seems to really like you already, so obviously has extremely good taste.’
I smile at the thought of Alex. ‘Yes, he's certainly a great guy and rather good looking as it happens. The trouble is, I'm not looking to replace Gary quite so soon. Maybe I'll just keep him as a friend and then, who knows?’
Gail nods in agreement. ‘So, what are your plans now? You can come home with me if you like?’
I shake my head gloomily, once again sinking into the depression that is never far away.
‘No. I'm afraid there is really only one option open to me now.’
She raises her eyes. ‘Which is?’
I groan in despair. ‘Unfortunately, things are about to get a whole lot worse. I'm going to have to go home for Christmas.’
Chapter Six
I sit back in my seat and look around me with a sinking feeling. Here I am on a train heading to Dorset to spend Christmas with my family. Most people would be looking forward to spending quality time with their nearest and dearest. Not me though, it's an ordeal that I could well do without.
To make matters worse, the only ticket I could buy was in First Class. It seems that everyone is heading to the West Country this weekend, and it was the only one available. The amount I had to pay has depleted my ever-decreasing funds even further, which has irritated me even more than I was in the first place.
The train hasn't even left London yet and I'm dreading the journey. Two hours to wallow in my own self-pity with nobody to talk to. Leaning my head against the window, I feel my depression rushing to the fore.
I hear the whistle and the doors close. Oh well, no turning back now. Two hours to get my story straight because the truth is not an option.
As we pull away, I look out of the window and sigh heavily. Christmas with the family, this I could so do without.
I am distracted from my thoughts as I see a man heading down the aisle towards me. There's an empty seat opposite me with a table in between. I note that he appears angry as he looks around him with irritation.
Great, two hours sitting opposite Mr. Angry; my luck!
There are lots of other people in the carriage, but they are all with other people and their chatter fills the air. There's a couple who hold hands and gaze into each other's eyes.
A large couple are eating some sort of sandwich and appear to have set up a picnic on the table across the aisle from me. Luckily, there are no children. That would be just my luck, a screaming brat running up and down the carriage for two hours.
I try not to look at the angry man as he thrusts his case into the overhead compartment and sits down heavily in the seat opposite. Eye contact is strictly forbidden on British Rail. It's the British way. No conversation, just polite smiles, and disapproving looks to anyone with the audacity to raise their voice. No, the best way to survive the train is to either read or look out of the window. You need to be aware of your fellow passengers at all times and do everything possible to avoid conversation.
As we head off I just lean my head against the window and stare at the scenery as it rushes by.
My family is a nightmare! I'm just glad they live in Dorset and I'm spared from mixing with them. If I'm lucky, I only get to see them about four times a year. Christmas, Easter, mum's birthday and the annual summer holiday. I hope they are distracted and I can just hide on the beach somewhere. Despite the cold, it would be the best place to be—away from them and their extremely mad ways.
The gentle hum of the engine and the gentle rocking of the train soon causes my eyes to close. The heat in the carriage and the inactivity causes my eyelids to droop and soon I am in a land where my problems don't exist. If only I could stay there through Christmas and wake up with a fantastic new job and a boyfriend who doesn't cheat on me.
Soon the noise subsides and I am in blissful ignorance of my situation.
I'm not sure how long I sleep for, but it feels almost instantaneous when the shrill ringtone of my phone wakes me.
I blink and sit up, staring around me in confusion and can see my phone resting on the table in front of me. Suddenly, I’m aware of the rather amused smirk of angry man as he looks at me.
Looking down, I can see what he finds funny. 'Tosser,' is plain for all to see and is shouting for attention via the vibrating phone on the Formica table top. Grabbing the phone quickly I press reject, registering the satisfaction that I get every time I reject him.
I can feel my cheeks burning as I see the amused face of the man in front of me, and just offer a small smile and resume looking out of the window. Phew, potential conversation averted.
A quick glance at my phone shows that I was only asleep for ten minutes. Oh, for goodness' sake, trust Tosser to ruin things for me. He is even messing with my sleeping pattern.
I decide to grab my book from my bag and try to read a few pages. Usually I read on my phone, but knowing Tosser he would ruin that too. Putting the phone on silent, I reach into my bag and pull out Fifty Shades.
I am interrupted from the secrets of Christian Grey's red room by the drinks
cart rolling down the aisle.
Maybe a coffee will keep me awake. Angry man appears to be polishing something technical opposite me. It looks like a camera lens, but what do I know? All my photos are taken on my iPhone these days. At least there are several filters on there and photoshop to disguise the real me.
I purchase a cup of British Rail coffee and instantly regret my extravagance. Nobody in their right minds like what they serve. They just buy it for something to do. Typical British really. The weather is so bad we just drink tea all day and talk about what type of rain is falling. The one I can moan about for hours is that fine rain that drenches you through without you knowing.
As soon as I take my first sip I regret it. Disgusting! I will need at least three sugars to make that drinkable.
Putting it down on the table, I flick through my book again.
I suppose I must read for another thirty minutes when disaster strikes. The train lurches and causes me to fall forward. As I do I knock the table and watch with dismay as the now cold, hideous cup of coffee, empties itself all over angry man's lap and pre-mentioned lens. I watch with horror as he jumps up, and the coffee runs off him like the River Thames.
My hands fly to my face in shock and I jump up, apologising profusely as I go.
‘I'm so sorry, please let me help you.’
He glares at me angrily and I do the only thing that I can think of and start tearing the pages from my book in a vain attempt to mop up the dark brown liquid.
He glares at me angrily and snaps. ‘Just leave it, it'll be fine.’
I sink back in my seat as he glares angrily at me and say in a quiet voice.
‘Please, let me pay for any damage. I'm so clumsy, I didn't mean to do that.’
He looks irritated and barks. ‘I said it's fine.’
He thrusts the lens into his bag and then pulls out a hip flask. I watch in amazement as he unscrews the cap and takes a long slug of whatever is in there. Wow, he's obviously read, Girl on a Train and packed accordingly.