Bagging Alice (Standalone) (Babes of Brighton Book 3)

by Laura Barnard

  Note to be included: Please forgive me.

  ‘Oh, and I almost forgot this,’ the man says reaching into his pocket. He hands over an envelope.

  My shaky hands scramble to open it, hoping it’s a letter. I pull out some kind of ticket. I read it. ‘Brighton vintage fair.’ One ticket. How did he know I wanted to go to this? I remember seeing the poster in the toilets at Nicholas’ birthday dinner. Did Brooke help him with this? Does he have the other ticket, or did he just buy me one?’

  Well, the fair is tomorrow. I guess I’m going to find out.

  I look around at all the violas, my flat now smelling irresistibly sweet. I’ve never told him how much I love violas. Then I remember the day I took him for a picnic near his work. We sat next to some. Can he really be that sweet? Or could it be a coincidence?

  My phone rings. I look down at it expecting to see Tom’s name flashing back at me. Instead it’s a withheld number again.

  ‘Hello?’

  ‘Miss Watts, it’s PC Edwards here. I just wanted to give you an update. Is now a good time?’

  ‘Err, yeah that’s fine. What’s happened?’

  ‘We’ve got enough evidence to prove that Mr Cundy posted the pornographic picture of you. We’ve sent it all on to the Crown Prosecution Service. It’ll be up to them to decide whether to charge him or not.’

  ‘Wow. Thanks so much for all of your help.’

  ‘There’s another thing. We traced the IP address of the emails that were being sent to your friends and family. It turned out to be someone completely different. A Gerald Watts. I’m assuming he’s a relative of yours?’

  My stomach nearly drops out of my knickers. Gerald? He sent the emails? What a spiteful bastard. I had no idea he hated me that much.

  ‘Yes. He’s my brother.’

  ‘Right.’

  ‘Look, is there any way I can drop the charges?’ I don’t want to take this tool to court. ‘Just let him off with a warning?’

  ‘I’ll pass it on that you’re feeling forgiving but it’s up to the CPS now.’

  ‘Ok, well, thanks for everything.’

  I can’t believe Gerald did that. You hear about these overprotective brothers looking out for their sisters, and there’s mine sending around my amateur porn. Sicko.

  I take my phone out and type a text message to my mum.

  Gerald is in trouble with the police for circulating a naked picture of me. If that doesn’t make you realise what a weirdo he is, nothing ever will.

  Tom

  Phase one of ‘Win Back Alice’ is complete. I’ve had a notification from the delivery company that it went through this morning. But... I still haven’t heard from her. That was three hours ago and no matter how hard I stare at my phone, she’s not tried to contact me. I knew she wasn’t going to be an easy nut to crack so I’m moving onto phase two.

  I call Jack.

  ‘Hey dude, how are you doing?’

  ‘I’ve been better,’ I admit. ‘Anyway, I’m ringing for a favour. Can you get the girls to keep Alice out of the flat the morning of her birthday?’

  He yawns. ‘Next Wednesday? Yeah, I’m sure I can. Why, what you got planned?’

  ‘Just promise you’ll help me first.’

  He sighs. ‘Okay, fine. I’m in.’

  Friday 7th December

  Alice

  This morning I woke up to an envelope through the post in Tom’s handwriting. Inside it was a picture of Tom and Pickles in the park with a background of violas. Written on the back was ‘We miss you’.

  I’m dressed up in my vintage orange coat with faux-fur trimmed collar. Underneath, I’m wearing my vintage 1940’s navy and ivory polka-dot wrap-dress. It’s always been my ‘go to’ confident dress. It gives me curves that I don’t have and makes me feel both sexy and classy. I’ve teamed it with matching navy and red heels.

  I queue up with what seems like hundreds of people for the vintage fair. I keep looking around, but I can’t seem to find Tom. Maybe he did just get me a ticket. I suppose it’s not really his thing anyway. He’d probably moan the whole way around. Yes, I’m better on my own. That doesn’t stop me doing a double take whenever I see a blonde guy though.

  I hand over my ticket to the woman. She pauses when she spots my name.

  ‘Ah, you’re Alice.’

  ‘Err.... yeah. Why?’ I ask dubiously.

  She smiles. ‘I’m supposed to give you this.’ She hands over a piece of paper.

  ‘Oh, thanks.’ I take it and open it frantically as I walk into what looks like a cave of wonders. Dress stalls, workshops on how to do victory rolls, ‘high tea for two’ cafes. It’s like heaven.

  Alice,

  I bought this ticket for you with no conditions and I hope you enjoy your day. But, in case you’d like to see me, I’ll be waiting by the candyfloss stand.

  All my love

  Tom xxx

  Wow. A love letter of sorts. From Tom ‘Manwhore’ Maddens. I can’t believe it. I wander into the first clothes stall and start looking through the dresses, my head still in a bit of a daze. Should I meet up with him? Would it be nicer if I just texted him and said thanks, but I won’t have time?

  I don’t want to give the guy false hope. We can’t be together. We just won’t work when I don’t trust him. Especially with everything that’s gone on between us. But the guy has just lost his dad. Maybe I should see him, be friendly at least.

  Oh, who am I kidding? I’m walking to find the candyfloss stand before I can talk myself back out of it. I get shoved on the shoulder by someone walking past. We both turn to apologise to the other. That’s when I see him. Not Tom, but Ted.

  His eyes widen when he realises it’s me. ‘Shit. Alice…’

  ‘Ted.’ I take a deep breath. ‘You should be ashamed of what you did to me.’

  He hangs his head. ‘I know. For what it’s worth, I am sorry.’

  ‘Bit late now that the entire world has seen my tits, don’t you think?’

  He nods, biting on his lip. ‘Look, there’s something else I need to tell you. I was going to email.’

  I fold my arms across my chest. ‘What is it, Ted? I don’t have time for this.’

  ‘Well…’ he takes a deep breath. ‘You need to get checked for Chlamydia.’

  My mouth drops open. ‘Sorry? What?’

  ‘I’ve just found out I’ve got Chlamydia. You should get checked too.’

  I think back to when we first got together. He’d talked me into us not using a condom. Showed me a report from the local clinic saying he was clean.

  ‘You faked the report?’ I can’t help but blurt out. ‘You tricked me?’

  ‘No, actually,’ he snarks back. ‘But, well, I kind of got it while we were dating.’

  ‘Sorry?’ I stare back at him, my face blank. What does he mean? He’s squirming now. Wait… ‘You mean you cheated on me?’

  He huffs. ‘I didn’t mean for it to happen.’

  I nod and snort. ‘But it did, without a condom, and you didn’t think to protect me from anything you might have gotten. Nice, Ted. Real nice. You know I’ve been blaming someone else for giving me this, when I’ve actually probably given it to him!’

  He scoffs. ‘Who, that prick you sent round to see me? Sorry if I don’t feel too bad for someone that held me down and threatened to expose my dick to the world.’

  ‘Whatever, Ted. Good luck in your court case. Hopefully I won’t ever have to see you again.’

  I storm away from him, livid. I just want to see Tom now. I spot him standing next to the candyfloss machine looking anxiously at his phone every few seconds. He’s obviously worried I’m not coming.

  Seeing Tom like this is enough to break my heart. I want nothing more than to bundle him up and take him away from all of this. Somewhere he can forget it all for a moment. To see the heartbreak in his eyes, God, it just guts me. It’s making me wonder if I was right throwing him out at all, even with what I did think.

  When someone dies yo
u realise what’s important in life. Not that I’m ready to forgive him for everything. Even if I was, I can’t be with him. He still started our relationship on a lie. A bet. Once the trust has gone in a relationship there’s nothing left. I know that better than most people. I’m just glad I didn’t send this one any sexy pictures.

  He looks up, as if sensing my presence and spots me, a smile forming on his lips.

  ‘Alice,’ he almost whispers, as if saying a prayer.

  ‘Hi, Tom.’ I walk towards him, my hands shoved in my pockets, so I don’t fidget. ‘How are you?’

  ‘I’ve been better,’ he admits on a shrug.

  ‘I’m so sorry I didn’t come to the funeral. Only I couldn’t turn down the job.’

  He puts his palm up to stop me. ‘Alice, I’m glad you took the opportunity. Plus, you really do owe me nothing. Especially after the way we ended things.’

  I swallow, avoiding his eyes. ‘So... did you want to tell me something? Or were you just looking for a chat?’ I tuck my hair behind my ear.

  He smiles sadly. ‘I just wanted to explain myself a bit.’

  I sigh. ‘Tom, there’s no point. What’s done is done. There’s no point going over it again.’

  ‘Please, Alice,’ he begs, his eyes pleading.

  ‘Fine. What do you want to say?’

  He takes a deep breath. ‘Look, I handled the whole thing terribly. Obviously, I thought I was clean, but when I think about it now I was tested about four girls ago.’

  ‘Tom, it was me.’

  He stares back at me, his brows furrowed. ‘What was you?’

  I gulp. ‘The Chlamydia. I just found out that it was Ted that gave it to me. Which means I probably gave it to you. Did you get tested?’

  He nods then pulls me in for a hug. ‘It’s not your fault, Alice. I don’t blame you for assuming badly of me.’

  ‘I… what if I hadn’t have gotten tested? This could have stopped me from having children. That’s a huge thing for me. I can’t believe him.’

  ‘He’s a dick.’

  I lean back to look into his face. ‘You still bet on getting me into bed.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ He looks genuinely gutted. ‘You have no idea how bad I feel. I couldn’t put it into words if I tried.’

  ‘Well then why didn’t you fight for us, Tom?’ I can’t help but cry. I take a discreet deep breath to try to stop my eyes stinging. ‘You gave in and moved out.’

  He pulls his hand through his hair. ‘Look, I lied to you before about having it all sorted with my boss. I’d just been told that I was basically fired because I turned down her advances and that I’d be bad-mouthed all around Brighton.’

  I tut. ‘Another lie, Tom. Really?’

  He grimaces. ‘The way I saw it I’d already messed up any chance of living here, so I thought a clean break while you were angry at me was the best thing to do.’

  I shrug. ‘Maybe it was.’

  He takes my hands, holding me captive with his piercing green eyes. ‘I don’t expect you to take me back; but know I’m here just in case you ever want to forgive me. I’ll be waiting for you.’

  ‘You might be waiting forever,’ I admit, looking down at the ground.

  ‘Then I’ll wait forever,’ he nods, his eyes sincere. ‘Here.’ He reaches into his jeans pocket and takes out a wrapped-up present. ‘This is for you. I bought it before we broke up.’

  I go to unwrap it, but he stops me. ‘No. Please promise me you won’t open it until your birthday morning.’

  ‘Seriously?’ I laugh. ‘I have to wait?’

  ‘Please,’ he nods. ‘Just do that one thing for me.’

  ‘Okay.’ I nod, take it, and kiss him briefly on his cheek. He closes his eyes. ‘Goodbye, Tom.’ I turn and walk away.

  ‘Remember, Alice,’ he shouts over to me. ‘I’ll be waiting.’

  Wednesday 12th December

  Alice

  I wake up depressed. There’s no sound of Pickles scurrying around the corner. No sound of Tom’s bare feet thudding along the floor. I’m all alone. Happy birthday me. But I have one thing to look forward to. Finally opening the present from Tom.

  I rush out into the living room, throwing my dressing gown on along the way. I grab the present and the few posted cards I’ve had delivered. It’s funny, but now I’m allowed to open my gift, I almost want to prolong it. I leave it to one side and instead open one of the cards. The first one is from my parents.

  To Alice,

  Enjoy your birthday,

  Mum, Dad, and Gerald.

  Well, that’s formal. I’m really feeling the love. Funny how Mum never texted me back the other day and he’s still being included on my birthday card. Forgiven him as always then.

  The next card is from the zoo. It’s actually more lovingly written than the one by my parents.

  Okay, now I’m doing it. Opening the present Tom gave me. I rip at the red wrapping paper until a red velvet box is revealed underneath. Jewellery? He’s got me jewellery?

  I open it up carefully and nearly drop the box. Nestled inside is the brooch I saw and fell in love with that day we were shopping in the lanes. I didn’t think he’d even noticed what I’d been looking at.

  It’s a 1960’s large floral gold design that almost looks like violas, only each opening of the flower has a different gemstone. I’d noticed how it had all of us girls’ birthstones on it; there’s garnet for Erica in January; Peridot for Brooke in August, Emerald for Molly in May and Tanzanite and Turquoise for both me and Evelyn this month.

  It’s so rare to find all our gemstones in the same shop, let alone in the same brooch. I’m always looking for a necklace with our stones in it, and now I have this brooch from the past which feels like it was made just for me.

  I can’t believe he went back and got me this. It was over a hundred pounds. Plus, it’s not like I was dropping any hints or anything. I just looked at it in passing. I didn’t even think he’d noticed. How wrong was I? What else didn’t I notice?

  My front door suddenly opens and in crash the girls holding balloons, banners, coffee, and a cake box.

  ‘Happy birthday!’ they all sing showering me in kisses.

  ‘We have coffee from your favourite coffee shop,’ Erica says handing me one.

  ‘And chocolate fudge cake for breakfast from...’ Evelyn says with a big grin.

  ‘No!’ I choke in shock. ‘Not...’

  ‘Yep!’ Molly coos. ‘From Choccywoccydoodah’s! We know you said you’d love to have one of their cakes for breakfast one day. Well, your birthday wish is our command.’

  ‘God, I love you guys.’ I’m always looking in their shop window at all the out-of-this-world cakes.

  I open the box to see the most delicious looking chocolate cake in the world. I take a knife from the drawer and cut it up in equal pieces. I pass around the disposable forks—trying to ignore that they’re bad for the environment—and break off a bit. I place it in my mouth and let the flavours overwhelm me. Damn, it’s chocolate fudge cake.

  ‘Oh my gawd!’ I moan through a mouthful. ‘This is like heaven.’

  ‘What’s that you got there?’ Evelyn asks taking my brooch from the side.

  ‘Ooh, that is so adorable!’ Brooke says. ‘Who got you that?’

  I squirm uncomfortably. ‘Tom did.’

  ‘What?’ Evelyn nearly chokes out. ‘When did he give you that?’

  I explain about the violas, some of which are still dotted around the flat—the rest I gave to the children’s wing at the hospital—the vintage fair tickets, his apology, and now this brooch.

  Brooke smiles when I mention the vintage fair. It was definitely her that mentioned it to him.

  ‘Wow,’ Evelyn gasps. ‘I hate to say it, but he really is trying.’

  ‘He is,’ Erica agrees, nodding frantically. ‘He’s living on our sofa right now.’

  ‘Really? I thought he left his job?’

  ‘They fired that old cow. He’s back working there now
.’

  ‘Ah, so he just wants his room back then,’ I say sadly. ‘That makes sense.’

  ‘No, Alice,’ Molly says, taking my hand. ‘I’ve seen him. He’s in bits without you. Look at everything he’s done. Someone doesn’t do that just to get a room back in a flat.’

  ‘Anyway,’ I say, shaking my head, ‘let’s talk about something else. My head is all over the place with this.’

  ‘Fine. We’re going to a spa!’ Molly claps like an excitable seal. ‘So, get your stuff and let’s go chill out for the day.’

  ‘That sounds bloody perfect.’

  Tom

  The girls surprised her with a spa day, so it’s given me and the boys time to do everything I’ve wanted. That’s how guys deal with loss. We don’t talk about it, but we show our mates we’re here for each other with action. They all dropped everything to help here all day. And I’ve really put them to work.

  I’ve been told Alice is on her way home. I’ve just finished off the vegan curry from her recipe book. It looks... well, it looks sort of edible. I’ve made sure to set the table with an arrangement of the delivered violas, glad she didn’t throw them straight in the trash. I hear the door go, my heart beating crazily.

  She rounds the corner cautiously. I’m scared shitless of her reaction. She could just go mental and throw me out straightaway. I deliberately didn’t bring Pickles. I don’t want her to have any bearing over her decision.

  She stops dead in her tracks when she sees me, looking with eyes wide for a long time.

  ‘Tom?’ she asks.

  I smile and rock awkwardly on my heels.

  ‘It’s me, yeah.’

  We stare at each other again for a few more minutes. I shake myself off trying to get going. ‘I’ve made you a vegan curry. Sit down.’

  She smiles kindly and sits down. The worst bit is not knowing if she’s just being polite and only doing this because my dad just died. Not because she’s even considering forgiving me.