The Little Shop of Afternoon Delights

by Sarah Lefebve

  ‘All you have to do is trust me,’ Tex had said tenderly. They had gone out onto the balcony for some much needed fresh air. Standing side by side, leaning on the railing, gazing out across the River Arun and the town beyond, he had turned to face her, gently turned her to look at him when he had said, ‘I love you, Anna. Don’t you ever forget that.’

  Tex had brought Anna's car back from the restaurant for her, parking it in the underground car park. He popped back up with the keys, telling her to go home and get some sleep. He would see her tomorrow.

  Anna had nodded. They had stood, awkwardly looking at each other for a moment. It had felt so wrong not having any physical contact. Spontaneously, Anna had put her arms around Tex's neck and hugged him, closing her eyes, feeling the warmth of his body against hers. Tex had hesitated before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her closer to him. They had stood there, clinging to each other, neither wanting to let go. It was Tex who had moved away first. He had stroked her face, smiled an almost sad smile, before turning away and heading off to work.

  After Tex had left for the restaurant, she had stayed at the apartment for another two hours, dozing on and off, waiting for the worst of her hangover to subside, thinking about what he had said.

  Just being with him again confirmed what she really knew all along. She wanted to be with him. Anna knew she had to be honest with Tex. She didn't want to lose him. He had thrown their relationship a lifeline and she wasn't going to let it slip away. She wanted to make things work between them. He had been honest with her. He hadn't stopped loving her. She couldn't ask for anyone more attentive, more considerate, more patient or more caring. She knew he loved her and, yes, she felt she could finally admit it to herself. She loved him. Anna Barnes loved Tex Garcia.

  Admitting this, acknowledging this fact alone, made Anna feel as if the blanket of sadness that had swamped her in recent weeks had slipped from her shoulders. Her heart felt as if it would burst, not from pain as it had felt before, but with unconditional love. She was deeply in love and she was deeply loved.

  She grinned to herself. ‘Hello me!’ she said out loud. She felt as if she had been re-awakened, kick-started back into life. It almost made her forget how hung-over she still felt.

  ‘Oh, you decided to come home then.’ Mark’s voice was caustic.

  Anna scowled at him, although it was no surprise to her that Mark wasn't particularly impressed with her staying out all night, but she hadn't quite expected him to be so cross.

  ‘I don't have to answer to you, in case you'd forgotten,’ she said airily. She ignored the surprised look on his face.

  ‘No, maybe not,’ replied Mark, ‘but when me and Luke get in after being out all day and have no idea where you are, it's perfectly understandable that we may be concerned. Then all we get is a text saying you’d be home in the morning.’

  Anna said a silent prayer of thanks that at least Tex had had the foresight to send a message from her phone, to cover for her. ‘You knew I was fine, so what’s the problem?’

  ‘I expect you were too busy getting laid by lover boy,’ sneered Mark.

  ‘Don't start all that, Mark.’ Anna went into the kitchen to make a cup of tea and hunt out a paracetamol. Her head was beginning to throb again, she could feel herself relapsing back into full hangover territory. She called back into the room, hoping her voice didn't betray her lie, albeit a white one. ‘I wasn't well.’

  ‘Whatever.’ Mark appeared in the doorway. ‘Don't give me all that. You were getting your knickers off.’

  ‘You're so crude at times,’ snapped Anna, ‘usually when you're being spiteful and looking for an argument. Like now.’

  ‘I'm not looking for a row actually,’ countered Mark, stepping into the kitchen. ‘I am pretty pissed off with you and your behaviour though. You're a thirty-five-year-old mother, not a rebellious teenager and yet you insist on behaving like one. What sort of example are you to our son?’

  ‘You've got a nerve lecturing me about not being responsible. I don't remember it being one of your strong points.’

  ‘Why do you do that?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Always bring up the past. You can't let it drop, can you? Every opportunity you get you bring it up.’ Mark looked accusingly at her.

  ‘So you admit you've been irresponsible in the past. Well, that's a first.’

  ‘You're the one who's looking for a row. You're in a stinking mood,’ scolded Mark. Then spitefully, ‘Lover boy dump you?’

  ‘Get lost, Mark.’

  ‘Ooh! Touched a nerve, did I?’ He was taunting her now.

  Anna's response was intercepted by the bleeping of her phone with a message. She retrieved the mobile out of her bag in the living room. It was from Tex.

  Hope you’re okay. See you tomorrow. X

  ‘So what exactly was wrong with you last night?’ The sound of Mark's voice right behind her startled Anna. Christ, he was like a second shadow, every time she turned round he was there. She popped her phone back into her bag and brushed past him, marching back into the kitchen to finish making her cup of tea.

  ‘I was sick, all right? ’ Anna dropped the teabag into the bin. Would he ever shut up?

  ‘You two arguing again?’ Luke was now standing in the kitchen.

  ‘Oh, hi, Luke.’ Anna smiled at her son, disguising her thoughts. He'd better not start either. ‘You okay?’

  Luke grunted and nodded. Anna took that as a yes.

  ‘I was just trying to find out from your mum exactly what the problem was last night.’

  ‘For God's sake, Mark!’ Anna's voice was louder than she meant it to be, she winced. That hurt her head. She closed her eyes for a moment, waiting for the shooting pain to stop.

  ‘Oh, I get it,’ Mark said sarcastically. ‘You were drunk, weren't you?’

  ‘Give it a rest, Mark!’ Anna could hear her voice rising involuntarily, despite her headache.

  ‘I expect you were sick. Not from illness though, but from drink.’ Mark looked very pleased with himself.

  ‘You were out drinking?’ Luke sounded surprised.

  ‘Of course she was,’ replied Mark before Anna had a chance to say anything. ‘And she was out with whatshisname? The Yank.’

  He was doing it on purpose.

  ‘Tex,’ Anna snapped. ‘His name is Tex.’

  ‘There, told you so. She's not denying it, is she?’

  ‘Mum?’ Luke looked questioningly at his mother.

  ‘It's not quite like that,’ began Anna. What could she say? Like Mark said, she couldn't actually deny it.

  ‘No, no, of course it wasn't,’ mocked Mark acidly. ‘I expect it wasn't anything as sordid as a drunken night with your boyfriend. Well, not exactly your boyfriend, just your shag-friend.’

  ‘Mark!’ Anna looked indignantly at him. What was he thinking of, going through all this in front of Luke?

  ‘Listen to you. Trying to sound all prim and proper. Don't like it that your son may find out what you're really like.’ Outraged, Anna went to slap him but he grabbed her wrist in mid-air. ‘Tut, tut, tut. Violence isn't the answer.’ Mark thrust her hand away, then turning to Luke said, ‘Sorry you're having to see your mother like this.’

  ‘I hate you!’ screamed Anna. ‘Absolutely hate you! I can't wait until you clear off back to America. Even then, the other side of the Atlantic won't be far enough away.’

  ‘Mum! Stop!’ Alarmed, Luke stood between his parents.

  ‘Yes, why don't you just stop, Anna?’ chided Mark.

  ‘Why don't you?’ she shouted. ‘Why don't you just stop making my life a misery? Why don't you just leave me alone? Forever!’ She pushed her way past father and son and rushed upstairs, slamming the bedroom door and throwing herself onto the bed. Too angry to cry, she pounded the pillow with her fist.

  Tex looked at his phone for the third time, rereading the message. He couldn't quite believe what Anna had sent him earlier.

  Tex I dont want 2 c u any m
ore dont contact me again its over from Anna

  He passed the phone to Jamie, who held it so that Yvonne could read it at the same time.

  ‘Ouch,’ commented Yvonne.

  ‘You can say that again.’ Jamie slid the phone back across the desk to his friend. They were seated in the office of the Arundel restaurant, having been to a client’s housewarming party in Brighton, and had called in on Tex on their way home. ‘Must say, I'm surprised she did it by text. Didn't think that was her style.’

  ‘Nor did I.’ Tex flopped back in his chair. ‘I thought I understood her. I obviously don’t know her at all.’

  ‘Have you tried talking to her?’ asked Yvonne.

  ‘What’s the point? I think that message says it all very clearly.’ Tex gestured accusingly towards his phone. ‘Although another part of me says that something is wrong. I’m sure it is something to do with Mark, but I don’t know what and Anna has never said.’

  ‘Sounds to me like she can't make her mind up,’ said Jamie. ‘I don't mean to sound harsh and it's probably not what you want to hear, but maybe she was using you to make him jealous.’

  ‘Jamie, you're supposed to be making him feel better, not worse,’ frowned Yvonne.

  ‘I'm also supposed to be his mate who tells him as it is,’ corrected Jamie.

  ‘It's okay, Yvonne,’ sighed Tex. ‘He's right to say that. And, yes, I had considered that she might wanna get back with him. To be honest, I don't know what to think any more.’ He had totally misread the whole situation and how she felt about him. She must have gone home, back to Mark. She didn't have the nerve to meet him tomorrow and tell him in person, she didn't even have the decency to speak to him. ‘I knew it wasn’t gonna be straightforward, getting involved with her, but I think I have to admit defeat. I give up.’

  ‘Anna! Anna!’ yelled Mark from the bottom of the stairs.

  What did he want now? What time was it even? She cursed, remembering she had left her watch at Tex’s apartment. Judging by the chat show now on the telly, she guessed it was around midnight.

  Anna peered down the stairwell at Mark. ‘What?’

  Before he had time to speak, she could tell from the look on his face that something was wrong.

  ‘What is it?’ Pulling her dressing gown around her, she hurried down the stairs.

  ‘It's Luke. He's in St Richard’s Hospital,’ said Mark gravely. ‘He's been drinking and collapsed. Suspected alcohol poisoning. They said his condition is serious but stable.’

  Tears sprang to Anna's eyes. ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘I’m not a doctor. How should I know? Now get dressed. Go on, don’t just stand there.’

  Chapter Thirty Three

  Alcohol poisoning. Tube in windpipe. Help breathing. Pump stomach. Monitor. Serious. Lucky. Dehydrated. Worst case scenario. Seizures. Brain damage.

  The words swam round in Anna's head. She could see the doctor's mouth moving, hear that he was speaking, but the words weren't making sense. She couldn't take in what he was saying.

  ‘Mrs Barnes?’ The doctor looked at Anna.

  ‘Come on, Anna. Get a grip,’ said Mark impatiently, giving her shoulder a shake.

  ‘Sorry.’ Anna shook her head. Mark was right. She needed to focus, this was no time to get all flaky. ‘What does it all mean exactly? In plain English. How is my son?’ She ignored the tut from Mark.

  ‘Mrs Barnes, your son is in a serious condition. He has drunk far in excess of the legal drink-drive limit. He has alcohol poisoning. When you see him, it may be a bit of a shock. We had to put a tube down his throat to flush out his stomach, to try to get as much alcohol out before it is absorbed. Severe cases of alcohol poisoning can lead to problems breathing, dehydration and possible brain damage.’

  Anna closed her eyes. Please God, no.

  ‘It's okay, Mrs Barnes, we're not at that stage yet. I'm confident that your son will make a full recovery, however, as I said, he has drunk an excessive amount of alcohol and it's not going to be a pleasant or easy few days.’

  ‘Thank you, doctor,’ said Anna. ‘Can we see him?’

  ‘Yes, come this way.’ The doctor led them into a cubicle of the emergency treatment room.

  ‘Oh, Luke,’ gasped Anna, rushing to her son's bedside. The sight of him lying there looking lifeless, as a nurse took his blood pressure, made Anna feel physically sick from shock. Being told was one thing, but seeing her child in that condition, was another. Luke’s lips were dry and puckered from lack of moisture, his skin pale, almost grey. His shirt had been cut open for speed. His favourite Fred Perry one, thought Anna randomly. She stroked his blonde hair and kissed his forehead. ‘What have you done Luke?’ she said bleakly.

  Mark let out an incredulous huff. ‘Obvious isn't it? Taken a leaf out of your book.’ He glared at Anna for a moment before returning his gaze back to Luke.

  ‘Not now, Mark. It's hardly the time or place for point scoring,’ replied Anna stonily. She glanced over at the nurse, who carried on writing up her observations, appearing not to have heard the exchange of words. As if, thought Anna, but all the same was grateful for her discretion. The doctor left them alone, saying he'd come back later to check on Luke’s progress.

  Anna sat in silence by one side of the bed, clasping one of Luke’s hand, willing him to make a recovery. Mark, on the other side of the bed, doing the same. Now and again a nurse came in to check Luke’s blood pressure, pulse, and lift his eyelids to see if his pupils were responsive to the little hand-light she flashed across his eyes. Anna just sat there, feeling totally helpless, knowing there was nothing neither she nor Mark could do, it was totally out of their hands. Anna didn't know or care what the time was: time seemed to have no relevance. The hospital never slept, a constant revolving door of injured people, some worse than others, some accidental and some, like Luke, self-inflicted. Busy, busy, busy.

  At some point during the night, the doctor came back to speak to them.

  ‘The alcohol levels in his blood are still high, but they are showing signs of dropping. He's not out of the woods yet, but I'm confident that we have things under control.’

  ‘Thank you, doctor,’ replied Mark, standing up. ‘Do you know if there will be any long-term damage? Has he done himself any lasting harm?’

  ‘Unlikely, although we can't totally rule it out at this stage.’ The doctor picked up the flip chart hanging on the end of the bed and flicked through the notes. ‘There's been no respiratory problems or seizures and although he was extremely dehydrated, none of this leads me to believe there's been any brain damage. Once he's awake we will have a better idea, but I think it's safe to assume that he will make a full recovery. He's a strong, fit, young man, there's no reason why he won't come out of this with just a hangover.’ The doctor gave a small smile before adding, ‘That'll be one heck of a hangover.’

  Heavy-eyed and groaning, Luke eventually came round, rolling over on his side and retching on a now empty stomach, and finally opening his eyes. Anna rushed back in with the nurse she had gone to fetch, and poured him a glass of water.

  ‘Your throat's going to be a bit sore,’ explained the nurse as she helped Luke to sit up.

  Luke grunted before resting back on the pillows and closing his eyes. Silence descended again as the nurse went through her usual observational routine of blood pressure, pulse and pupil reaction.

  ‘You'll live. Now, we'll be back soon to move you to a ward. We want to keep you in for a bit longer under observation. Need to do some more blood tests too, just to make sure everything is easing off.’ Luke didn't respond. ‘I think he's beginning to feel the after-effects already.’

  With Luke now settled in the ward, sleeping off his hangover, Mark drove Anna back home. It was nine-thirty on Sunday morning. Anna felt absolutely drained. Not only had she herself been recovering from the effects of overindulgence in the alcohol stakes, but she had not had any sleep. She closed her eyes. What a day! What a past thirty-six hours!

  Sudden
ly, remembering she was supposed to be meeting Tex later, Anna sat up. There was no way she could see him today. She was absolutely shattered, and she needed to be back at the hospital with Luke. She fished around in her handbag, found her phone and sent Tex a quick message.

  Sorry Tex but I can't come over today. Luke very drunk last night, ended up in hospital. He's okay but I need to be with him today. I'll be in touch later or tomorrow. Sorry, I really wanted to see you! X

  She hoped he would understand. Talk about lousy timing!

  ‘Anyone I know?’ asked Mark, nodding towards her phone.

  ‘Just Nathan,’ lied Anna. Actually, that wasn't a bad idea to text Nathan and let him know. She rubbed her temples, trying to stave off the headache that was looming.

  ‘You all right?’ asked Mark.

  ‘Yes, fine. Just tired.’

  ‘You look pretty rough.’

  ‘Thanks. You don't look that great yourself.’

  ‘Granted. Look, why don't you have a shower and a sleep when we get in. I can go back with some clean clothes for Luke.’ Anna looked at him in surprise. Mark smiled at her. ‘It's all right, I'll phone you if there's anything to worry about, which I'm sure there won't be.’

  ‘I don't know. I ought to go back and see him.’

  ‘There's really no need us both being there. When I get back, you can go over if you like. That way, there's always someone with him, rather than us both being there some of the time.’ Mark pulled up outside Coach House Cottages. ‘It makes sense.’

  Anna knew it made sense but it was reluctantly that she agreed to it. She felt uncomfortable with Mark's change in attitude towards her, her escapades and that of Luke's. In fact, he was being surprisingly pleasant, understanding and non-judgemental this morning. Very different to the cold, brutal, spiteful person of the previous evening.

  Anna's suspicions were roused further when Mark made tea and toast for both of them and then said he was running her a bath. She needed to relax and could do so better in a bath than in a shower.