The Fake Date

by Lynda Stacey

  ‘We have to go out, Ella. Don’t you ever read the texts I send you? I did text, didn’t I?’ She began flicking through her phone. ‘Besides, it’s my duty as your best friend to get you out of this bear pit and back into the real world. You can’t hide yourself away from the world forever. It’s not healthy.’ She crossed her arms across the low cut sequin dress, gave Ella a stern look and leaned back against the kitchen unit. ‘I’m not taking no for an answer.’

  ‘It’s only three weeks since I moved back home. And since then I’ve endured a court case, so you can hardly accuse me of being a hermit, can you?’ Ella inched her way up a step, pulled the dressing gown even tighter and looked towards the security of her bedroom door. She’d hibernated for the last couple of days, ever since the court case. She felt safe at home, sheltered from the outside world and she’d actually begun to enjoy being hidden away. It had been the time she’d needed to lick her wounds. Again, Ella moved up another step.

  ‘Not a chance, don’t you dare try and escape up there. Besides, you need to come out with me. I need to go to the beach party. This cute guy is going and I kind of need to bump into him and it’s your duty as my friend to help me. No one else will go.’ Sarah held out her hands as though in prayer. ‘Please, Ella. I need you.’

  Ella sighed and inched herself up another step. She was only three steps away from where her bedroom door stood, waiting. ‘So, you asked everyone else first and I’m the only one of your friends that, up to now, didn’t say no.’ She raised her eyebrows as she watched her friend’s tortured face. ‘Well, guess what, Sarah? I don’t want to go either.’ She could tell that Sarah was trying to decide what to say next. It’s what Sarah did; she’d put her foot in it and then she’d put things right.

  ‘You … you’re always my first choice, Ella. But you have been kind of distant lately and beach parties down at the gap are always fun, you know that.’ Her policewoman negotiating skills suddenly fell into place. ‘Besides, it’ll be a good night. There’s a BBQ and you like having fun. You like to be with me, don’t you?’

  Ella shook her head, but Sarah was right. She knew that she’d been distant. It had only been a few days since the court case but she knew that hiding forever was totally out of the question. She also knew that the first time that she did go out would be the worst and the sooner she got it over with the better. But her heart began to beat rapidly at the thought. Ella was scared. Not just scared, terrified. She had felt nervous of everyone and everything ever since she’d moved back home and half of her wondered why she hadn’t taken the easy option and stayed at her parents’, in the safety of their home. At least until after the court case, like her parents had wanted. She didn’t feel ready to face the world, but knew that given the choice, she probably never would.

  ‘So,’ Ella began cautiously, ‘if it’s a beach party, why are you dressed like you’re going to Ibiza?’ Ella looked outside. The bright amber indicator of the taxi continued to flash outside the window. ‘Not your typical beach outfit, is it?’

  Sarah brushed her hand down the sequin dress. ‘Oh this, just something I pulled out of the wardrobe. It’s nothing special. Besides, my normal outfits tend to be my work clothes these days and there’s nothing like a copper showing up to ruin a party now, is there?’ She laughed. ‘So, nowadays I try to ensure that the last thing I look like on a night out is a cop.’

  ‘I see your point.’ Ella thought about what to wear. She didn’t really wear dresses. The black one she’d worn to meet Rick Greaves had been her only posh dress. She had no intention of ever going out wearing clothes like that again. From now on it was strictly sensible clothing.

  ‘Come on, Ella. I have to bump into Josh tonight, I think I love him.’ Sarah still pleaded, making Ella sigh, smile and then shake her head. Sarah fell in and out of love with someone new every day of the week and Ella had lost count of how many times they’d had this exact same conversation one week, only to have the ‘I hate him, he really doesn’t understand me’ conversation the next. It had been like a twenty-odd-year-old merry-go-round that had begun in primary school. Sarah had gone from happy to sad on a weekly basis and just when Ella had begun to wonder if she’d ever recover, she be back to being happy Sarah: smiling and totally in love again, with someone completely new.

  ‘Okay, okay, but the question is, Sarah: is he aware that you love him? Does he love you back or are you being a bit of a stalker?’ Ella raised an eyebrow. ‘Because if you are, I think you’ll find it’s illegal. You should check your little black book of rules; you know the one that they give you when you join the police.’ Ella pulled her dressing gown cord tighter around her. ‘Besides, if you are on a bit of a stalker mission, I’d rather stay here, curl up on the settee and watch crap on the telly.’

  ‘Ella, he’s the one. I just know it.’ She smiled seductively, and held her hand over her heart. Ella sighed, stood up and reluctantly walked up the stairs.

  ‘Okay, fine, fine. I’ll come, but it’s a beach party and I’m wearing jeans.’

  Ella pulled on the jeans, accompanied them with a satin top and tied her hair up in a band before walking down the stairs to a waiting Sarah. ‘Is this okay? I put a different top on first, but it was a bit revealing.’

  Sarah looked her friend up and down. ‘Oh yes. You look mighty good to me, girl.’ She stood back and put her hands on her hips. ‘It’s a good job I’m straight, or you could have been in a whole heap of trouble tonight.’ She laughed at her own joke, opened the door and indicated to the taxi driver that they’d soon be out. ‘Now, can we go?’

  Ella laughed; the comment was typical Sarah. ‘I still think I’d rather stay home. It’s just …’

  Sarah waved her finger in the air. ‘No excuses. It’s been too long since you went out. At some point, Ella, you need to start your life again. Besides, I’ve told you, I have to see Josh and I need you to keep me company. Please.’ She pushed out her pet lip. ‘You know I hate going to parties without you.’

  Ella looked herself up and down in the full-length mirror by the front door.

  ‘Come on, Ella. Everyone’s waiting at the beach: Jenny’s made hot toddies; Simon’s got the fire beacons going; and Josh says he’s taking a bottle of vodka or schnapps for all of us to drink.’

  ‘Fire beacons on Hunmanby beach? But it’s June. Is it cold enough for fire beacons or are we trying to attract a few passing ships? And who is all of us?’ Ella looked back down at her top, hoping it looked appropriate. Her hand rubbed over the soft satin material and she unconsciously pulled at the sleeves in order that she might cover her scars. ‘I need to change this top, the arms are too short, it’s far too revealing. Besides, it’s bound to get cold on the beach,’ she suddenly announced as once again she ran up the stairs and began pulling jumpers out of the wardrobe.

  Ella jumped out of the taxi, walked across the car park and looked over the cliff edge while Sarah paid the driver. Just as promised, there were fire beacons, music and a crowd of people who she wasn’t sure if she knew or not.

  ‘Okay, I’m just going to nip into the loo to check my lippy and I’ll be right back,’ Sarah announced as she stepped into a portacabin, leaving Ella to stand outside where she took some pleasure in watching the fire beacons as they danced in colours of bright red, orange, blue and gold. It was still daylight, but that didn’t stop groups of people from dancing to the regular beat and rhythm of reggae music, the sound of which was almost drowned out by the crashing of the waves as they rolled up and onto the beach. The flames flicked up from the base of the fire cage and shot towards the sky as more and more wood was thrown into its centre. The air was full of a thick smoky odour, making Ella pleased that the breeze was thankfully blowing seaward.

  Sarah emerged from the portacabin, mobile phone in hand. ‘Okay, we just have to go down the steps and wait at the bottom. Josh is on his way, he’ll meet us there in ten.’ She smiled, and grabbed hold of Ella’s arm. ‘Tonight’s going to be so much fun.’

 
Ella followed Sarah down the wooden steps that led to the beach. ‘Okay. What are you up to?’ she asked as Sarah giggled, making Ella feel suspicious, but still she pulled her boots off, and threw them down on the sand beside her. She loved the feeling of her feet being free and allowed the sand to run through her toes. It reminded her of that night in the field, the feeling of soft mud that had squelched under foot. It was a memory she’d have thought she’d rather forget and it surprised her that now she felt completely at ease with it. She sat down on the sand, stretched her legs out, pointed her toes towards the warmth of the fires and then noticed people in the crowd looking in her direction, pointing and whispering, making Ella pull the polo neck of the jumper higher up, in order to hide her face from their view.

  ‘Hey, what are you looking at?’ Sarah shouted. ‘Keep your eyes to yourself, sunshine.’ She stood in front of Ella, shoulders back and arms crossed. Ella smiled at the sight of Sarah all dressed up, yet still ready to go into work mode in defence of her friend.

  Ella tried to ignore the people and concentrated on the crashing waves that systematically rolled further and further away from her. The tide was retreating and she hoped that the evening darkness would soon close in. For some reason, she preferred the night. It was as though it shielded her from view and gave her back her privacy.

  ‘How long did he say he’d be?’ Ella asked as she patted the sand. ‘Why don’t you sit down?’

  ‘What, in this dress? Not a chance.’ Sarah turned and watched the steps that led from car park to beach. ‘I don’t think he’ll be much longer, he said he’d be here by eight. I can’t wait for you to meet him.’ She bounced up and down with enthusiasm and looked at her watch. ‘It’s ten to eight.’

  ‘Maybe you should have worn jeans,’ Ella added as she looked down at the sand, picked up pebbles that lay beside her and tossed them towards the water. One or two people were paddling up to their knees just to her right, and their screams of laughter could clearly be heard. She felt a surge of sadness run through her. It had been so long since she’d really laughed. She missed the feeling of laughing, of not being able to stop and laughing so much that tears would run down her face.

  A cluster of fireworks shot upward, fizzing and banging as an array of colour lit up the sky. A whoop went up from the people to the side of them and Ella stared into the crowd, wishing that Sarah would sit down and relax.

  Ella looked up. ‘I thought you said that Jenny would be here? I can’t see her.’

  Sarah shifted uneasily and began pacing up and down. ‘She, err … she should be around somewhere.’

  The cliffs loomed up high behind her and all Ella could see was the lamplight that came from three tiny houses; each one was perched precariously on top of the rocks, so close to the edge that Ella wondered if one day they might fall off and topple right over into the gap. She looked at her watch and wondered if she should go home. All she really wanted was to be there, behind her locked door, curled up and cosy.

  ‘Josh,’ Sarah squealed and immediately wrapped her arms around his neck. ‘You have to meet my friend. This is Ella … Ella Hope. She’s been my friend forever.’

  The tall young man stepped forward, pushed his overgrown dark hair backwards, and held a hand out to shake Ella’s hand. But it was the man behind Josh that Ella’s eyes were fixed upon.

  ‘Hey, Ella?’ Will Taylor suddenly appeared from behind where Josh stood and looked between her and Sarah.

  Ella looked from Sarah, to Josh, to Will. She initially didn’t put the three together, but then Sarah interjected, ‘Oh great, you two already know each other. That makes life easier.’

  Ella nodded and watched as both Sarah and Josh shared a knowing smile. ‘Sarah, this is Will, my fence jumping next-door neighbour. Will, this is my policewoman friend who tonight is trying to get the world record for wearing the shortest and most sparkly skirt on a beach.’ She paused and turned to Sarah. ‘But then again, I’m guessing that you already knew that, didn’t you?’ Their eyes connected. ‘I knew you were up to something.’

  ‘Funny, Ella, really funny.’ Sarah snuggled into Josh. ‘Well, seeing as you two are already acquainted, you don’t mind if Josh and I just catch up for ten minutes, do you? We’ll just pop along the beach and look for Jenny and those hot toddies.’ She moved close to Ella. ‘That’s okay, right?’ she whispered, her hand placed on Ella’s shoulder. ‘I won’t go if you’re not happy.’

  Ella assessed the situation, took in a deep breath, caught her friend’s eye and nodded. After all, being on a crowded beach with Will was probably just as safe as sitting in her own garden with him, wasn’t it?

  Will was now sitting on the sand. He turned on his knees towards where Sarah still stood and shook her hand. ‘Well, it was nice to meet you for all of two minutes,’ he said to Sarah and laughed. ‘You two go for it. Enjoy the hot toddies.’ Then, for just a moment, he seemed to think about his options, before unrolling a blanket and throwing it along the beach. ‘Ella, you don’t mind, do you?’ he asked, pointing to the space beside her. ‘Looking at those two, we could be here for a while.’ Will was asking for permission to sit beside her on the sand, which made Ella laugh, especially after he’d already pitched his spot, put his blanket in position and seemed to be making himself just a little more than comfortable.

  ‘Sure, make yourself at home. It’s as much your beach as it is mine.’ She pointed to the blanket. ‘Do you always make an interesting entrance?’ Her eyes continued to search the crowds, nervously wondering if she should have made a run for home while she had the opportunity. Sarah now had what she came for and even though she knew she wouldn’t abandon her, Ella wasn’t sure whether to feel set up or like a spare part.

  ‘Of course I do,’ Will said, ‘especially if there’s a chance that someone might feed me. And there’s room on this blanket for two.’

  ‘Thank you. Being fed seems to be a hobby of yours. I take it you’re hungry?’ She laughed and watched as his gaze landed on the beach BBQ that stood in the distance. A group of people worked on ensuring the embers were glowing in the upturned half oil drum that stood on the sand and Ella wondered if they’d ever get it hot enough to cook the steaks.

  He began to laugh too. ‘I’m always hungry. So … you’re here with Sarah?’ he asked, while staring at the sea.

  Ella nodded. ‘Well, I was … but—’

  Will chipped in. ‘I was bribed into coming with Josh. He insisted that I had to be here tonight.’ He turned and looked to where Sarah and Josh moved between friends, chatting as they went, still entwined. ‘And now they’ve left us and disappeared behind that cockle stand.’ He pointed along the beach, as Sarah and Josh were lost from view.

  Ella pulled a face. ‘Really? What for? What are they doing behind there?’

  Will raised his eyebrows, then looked back out to sea. ‘Well, by the look of them, I doubt they’re making sandcastles. I guess I did tell them to go for it; I just didn’t think they really would.’

  ‘Nooooooo, seriously? You mean they’re … Why would they do that?’ Ella blushed and shuffled around as she got comfortable on the blanket. ‘I mean, how old are they? Sixteen? Haven’t they ever heard of a bedroom?’

  Will laughed, then shivered and zipped up his leather jacket. ‘I doubt it. I have tried to tell him. But then again, I’m not his dad. It’s nothing to do with me what he does, is it?’

  ‘So, Sarah insisted that I come and Josh insisted that you come. And now they’ve disappeared for a while.’ Ella tipped her head to one side. ‘Do you get the feeling that we’ve been just a little bit played?’

  ‘It wouldn’t surprise me.’ He pulled a rucksack open and pulled two cans of lager from it. ‘Want one? They’re still kind of cold.’

  Ella felt cautious. It wasn’t Will that she felt worried about, it was all men, especially those with drinks on offer, and she hesitated before taking the can from him. The last time she’d been given a drink she’d ended up being beaten and fighting for her l
ife in a desolate part of the moors. She found herself automatically checking the can for signs of tampering.

  ‘Thanks.’ Ella checked her mobile, flicking through the screen till she found Sarah’s name. ‘Shall I phone Sarah, see what those two are really up to?’

  Will smirked. ‘Well, I doubt she’d be very happy if you do. Besides, they’ve probably gone by now.’

  Ella spun around on the sand. ‘Why would you say that? Sarah wouldn’t leave me!’

  ‘Well, I don’t think many women would wear a sequin dress to the beach. Not unless they were going straight to a party.’

  Ella’s phone bleeped.

  Honey, I’m just along the beach. I’m sitting to your right if you need me. Hope you and Will are having fun Xx ps: I love you

  Ella jumped up and passed Will her phone. ‘Okay, so it definitely looks like we were played.’

  Will got up too and read the text. ‘I knew it, they’re trying to set us up.’ He paused. ‘I should have known that Josh was up to something. He never insists that I go anywhere with him outside of work.’ He tipped his head comically from side to side.

  Ella sighed. ‘Why would they do that?’ She took the phone back from him.

  Will smiled. ‘Look, I admit, I might have mentioned you once or twice in the office. Said that we’d had a laugh the day I cleaned my windows. I have a feeling they’ve decided to play matchmaker,’ he said. ‘I’ll have a word with Josh. He should never have put you in this position.’ Will’s fingers touched her arm. ‘I’m sorry he did that.’

  ‘Sarah shouldn’t have put me in this position either.’ Ella kicked at the sand with her toes and tried to ignore the warmth that was spreading upwards from his touch.

  ‘So, what shall we do?’

  Ella was puzzled. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Well, we can either get annoyed with them or we can play them back at their own game.’ He raised an eyebrow and winked. ‘We could pretend they’ve done a good thing, let them think we’re really happy about tonight and then maybe, just maybe, they’ll leave us alone and get on with their own relationship.’ He moved a strand of hair from her face as he caught her eye. ‘If you’d trust me, I could give you a lift home.’