by Peter Martin
But Bob did listen. And loosening his hold of Maria he hauled Alan to his feet and punched him on the chin. Once more Alan found himself on the floor.
Debra looked down at her husband, angrily, and seeming unconcerned about his injuries said, ‘That’s the best place for you.’
‘Well, and since you have no intention of sleeping with me I have little choice but to find someone else. And now I’ve found her we’re leaving for a proper relationship.’
‘Shut up!’ Debra ranted.
‘Didn’t think I’d be capable, did you? Well, that’s shown you.’ He hissed at his wife.
‘Debra, it’s not true. Please, I beg of you,’ Maria cried.
A sneer came across Debra’s face and calmly she said, ‘You’re more than welcome to him.’
‘Right,’ Bob shouted. ‘You go to him Maria if that’s what you want – and good riddance.’
‘But I don’t want to,’ Maria insisted.
‘Oh, I see, so you’ve changed your mind now you’ve been found out!’ Bob fumed, turning round to stomp back to their own house, leaving Maria to her own devices.
Opening the front door, he went to the living room. There he flopped down, turning on the television with the volume up high. A few minutes later he heard Maria plodding up the stairs. But he had no intention of going to her, he’d said all he had to and that was that. Fifteen minutes later there was an almighty bang, followed by what sounded like objects being thrown about. He had to find out what was going on. Just as he turned into the hall, there she was dragging a large suitcase down to the bottom of the stairs along with two bags on her shoulder. As she walked towards him pulling her luggage behind her, she picked up her coat from the hall and jumped when he screamed, ‘I might have known! Going to your boyfriend already, are you?’
She looked at him furiously, her eyes red and puffy. ‘I’ve had enough of this. If you can’t see through him, it doesn’t say much for our relationship, does it? These pathetic accusations are the last straw. Go to hell, you bastard!’
‘Oh, that’s nice. Well, don’t expect me to take you back, that’s all,’ he continued. But it fell on deaf ears as she struggled to get her luggage outside and eventually managed to shove it into the boot of her car. Bob looked on in disbelief – his life was slipping away from him, and he was powerless to prevent it.
He watched her get into the car and drive off into the distance. She didn’t even look back. His thoughts reached fever pitch, speculating how long the affair had gone on, and what plans they’d made. And then a tiny doubt crept into his mind. What if she’d been speaking the truth? No, she couldn’t have been – there was too much evidence against her. There was a numbness in the pit of his stomach, a feeling of loss, and a dread of what would come next. His life would never be the same again, and this time it would be him who wouldn’t get over it.
Chapter 20
Maria had never felt so humiliated. To find herself in this position was unthinkable And for Bob to accept Alan’s story over hers was the ultimate kick in the teeth. It may have looked bad, but she was an innocent party in this.
Why were these horrible things happening to her? She’d always lived by the rules, had never knowingly hurt anyone, or put her own needs first? So what had she done to deserve this?
She’d driven off not knowing where she was going and without any plans. Now having driven around for ages, she realised the need to find a place to stay. At sixty-thirty, aware she couldn’t ride in the car all night, she parked in the town centre and headed for the Central Library which she knew would still be open. Luckily at this time only a handful of people were in the library and she was able to gain access to a computer and the internet. Within a few minutes she’d found a couple of local hotels close by which seemed reasonably priced and made a note of them. The nearest was a few minutes away from the library. So she booked a room for two nights on her credit card.
She drove round to the hotel, leaving the car on the car park to the rear of the building. Having signed in, a porter helped to carry her luggage to what she saw as a rather nondescript room. But it was clean and had an en-suite bathroom. From the window there was a reasonable view of the street below.
But, having unpacked what little she needed, she lay back on the bed and broke down. What hurt her most about this situation was that all the allegations made against her were untrue, and Bob’s willingness to believe her infidelity. Added to this there was nothing she could do to clear her name.
Then her mind switched back to Tim, and her anxiety intensified. Now she had nothing of his, and he couldn’t contact her. She was frantic, and unable to think straight.
Having lost her appetite, she remained in her room for the rest of the night, making herself a drink from the facilities provided by the hotel.
At breakfast the next morning she ate a slice of toast washed down with a cup of tea. And to give herself time to think things through, she walked around the shops, and eventually a plan took shape in her mind. It was time to go home. She couldn’t understand why it had taken her so long to come to this decision. It seemed as if her separation from Bob was meant to be – fate.
First she must contact the police and update them. They already had her mobile number, but she would give them her parents’ address, and telephone number. She’d be staying there until she found alternative accommodation.
From now on she wouldn’t have anything to do with Bob, as he’d treated her dreadfully and hadn’t wanted to listen to her side of the story, it was as if his mind had already been made up. Since the day Tim had disappeared they hadn’t seen eye to eye. She always felt her actions had irritated him. Oh he loved Tim, and was deeply upset, but as time passed, his interest and attitude waned. Well, perhaps in one way Bob had done her a good turn.
Bright and early the next morning she’d check out of the hotel and drive back down to Dexford. Her parents would let her stay with them while she tried to get her old job back at the supermarket. Perhaps later she’d be able to afford a place close to where they’d lived before.
As the answers to her problems became clear, she felt much easier about returning home.
Well, Tim had gone, and now Maria too. He’d lost all that was dear to him. As he sat at the kitchen table he stared out of the window in the direction she’d driven, wondering if he’d ever felt worse. She’d stormed off as if he was in the wrong. Soon his anger at his wife’s betrayal changed to despair, and half a dozen other emotions went round his head. Why had she done this to him?
Their marriage had been under considerable strain recently. Maria couldn’t cope without Tim and found it impossible to carry on as normal. This constant hankering about the past had driven him insane at times, and now it had gone from bad to worse. But this latest business had been the final straw. Well, Alan was welcome to her. See how he handled her fixation with Tim – the ‘moron’ wouldn’t put up with it for long.
What Maria did now, no longer mattered, he told himself. He didn’t regret what he’d said – he was glad to get it off his chest. At last he might get some peace and quiet and not hear Tim, Tim, Tim all the time. He loved his son to bits, and naturally Tim going missing had upset him terribly. But he was doing his best to accept that the lad wasn’t coming back. Life carried on no matter what. But Maria would never move on.
Sitting down, deep in thought over what had happened over the past six months, he tried to calm himself down thinking a weight had been lifted of his mind. But in reality who was he trying to kid? In truth he’d been dealt a double blow. The shock of Maria’s actions and the breakdown of their marriage. He was devastated knowing he couldn’t possibly continue in a life with Maria after she’d been unfaithful. For that reason, he needed to talk to someone, and the only person that came to mind was Toni. She’d told him more than once that if he wanted a shoulder to cry on, she was there for him.
So picking up the phone, he dialled her number. She answered it on the third ring.
‘Hallo.�
� A tired voice answered. Perhaps she was a little annoyed at being rung so late at night.
‘It’s Bob,’ he said simply.
‘Bob!’ As soon as she realised who it was, her mood was altogether different, happier even. ‘Are you all right? You sound a bit strange.’
‘Would you mind if I come over?’
‘Of course, no problem. When did you want to come?’
‘Straightaway if that’s all right.’ A hint of desperation must have been evident in his voice when she said, ‘Oh I see. Just press the buzzer when you get here, and I’ll let you in.’
‘Thanks Toni, I appreciate this.’
He put the phone down, and left the house within five minutes, driving over to Toni’s flat, only a mile away. Situated just outside the town centre. He parked in the car park underneath the four storey building where she lived. As he walked to the lift he realised these were expensive flats that only the most affluent could afford. Toni obviously came from a wealthy family to be able to afford one of these.
His gut feeling told him he shouldn’t be coming here, it was wrong, she was an attractive woman ten years younger than him, and he didn’t want her to get a bad name. But he needed someone to talk to, and she had offered to help.
He spoke into the intercom, and immediately the main door clicked opened. Then he took the lift to the sixth floor. She was waiting on the landing in the doorway to her flat which was just a few feet away from the lift door. Stepping out of the lift and walking towards her he noticed she wore jeans and a black and white flecked jumper. Her long brown hair looked freshly washed and even though there wasn’t a trace of make-up on her face she still looked attractive, and once again he felt ill at ease.
He followed her inside, sat down on the white settee next to her, and said, ‘Sorry to be a nuisance.’
‘You might be some things – but a nuisance – never. How about a drink to calm your nerves?’
‘Thanks. A brandy with lemonade if you have it, please.’
She went to the drinks cabinet to get them both one, handing Bob’s to him. He had a small sip before putting the drink on a table in front of him.
‘So what’s on your mind?’
‘It’s Maria… ’ he began, before telling her the whole sorry story, which took him over half an hour.
Toni listened intently, every now again asking him a question to clarify matters.
When he’d finished for a few seconds she sat back in stunned silence.
‘Well, Bob, I can’t understand why she should do this to you – after what you’ve been through together.’
‘It’s incredible, unbelievable – but it’s happened, hasn’t it? I can’t tell you how angry I am, and how much I wanted to throttle her and that artist friend of hers. But now I’ve calmed down, I’m beginning to panic – did I do the right thing? Maybe I shouldn’t have lost my temper and listened to what she had to say.’
‘That’s not for me to comment on – you have to decide that yourself. But if it’s true, she’s been very foolish.’
‘Or I’ve been very foolish. For being too impatient with her over Tim. I’m grieving inside as much as her, but I wasn’t as tolerant as I should have been. Is this her way of getting back at me?’
‘If you ask me, it’s a funny way to get back at you.’
‘You’re right there.’
‘So what are you going to do now?’
‘I haven’t a clue. I’ve not had time to think about that yet.’
‘If she has done it and begged you to forgive her, would you have her back?’
‘I can’t answer that one.’
‘You need to decide what you want. That’s how to get your life back.’
‘First of all I doubt whether Maria would come back now anyway. She denied everything, and that wound me up even more. But Alan was so convincing and for some reason his version of events seemed more plausible, and after all they did spend a lot of time together. The painting took far too many weeks to complete. So what am I supposed to think? My head’s all muddled up and now I’ve probably pushed her further into his arms – but what the hell.’
‘Well, it’s done now, but it does sound as if you have regrets. Only one of them is telling the truth and as I’ve never met either of them I don’t qualify to comment.’
‘Oh God,’ he cried, dragging his hands through his thick black hair. ‘My life’s a complete mess.’
‘No, it isn’t. You did what anyone would have done in your position. It’s not surprising you hit out like you did, but it’s a good job it was at ‘Mr Wonderful’, as you call him, and not Maria.’
‘I suppose you’re right.’
‘She’s done you a favour in the long run. In making the decision to walk out.’
He smiled ironically, but wasn’t altogether convinced. ‘It’s just that we were together for such a long time, and until Tim went missing we were very happy. I can’t forget what we shared as if it never happened.’
‘Yes, but you can make a fresh start. And you’re still young and attractive enough to meet someone else and find happiness again.’
That was true even though nothing was further from his mind.
‘I can’t think straight, Toni, and I’m all mixed up inside. I don’t know what I want any more.’ He shook his head sadly, almost in tears.
‘Come on. It’s happened now and there’s nothing you can do to change it. But it’s in your power to put it right.’
‘I’m not sure about that.’ He turned towards her, saw the sympathetic look on her face, and was heartened by it. ‘Thanks Toni, you’ve made me see things a bit more clearly.’
‘I’m glad, isn’t that what friends are for?’
‘It’s good to have someone like you to talk to.’
‘You can stay the night if you don’t want to be on your own,’ she said.
‘That’s very kind, but I’m not sure it’s a good idea. It wouldn’t be right.’
‘I meant you sleep on the couch, silly,’ she said sounding a little embarrassed.
‘Oh, I’m really sorry – I didn’t mean to offend you.’
‘You didn’t. I wish I hadn’t suggested it now.’
‘Don’t be daft, I’m flattered and touched that you should think about me.’
‘Never mind, it doesn’t matter now. What does matter is your wellbeing. Shall you be able to go to work tomorrow?’
‘I hope so. It’ll be better if I have something to occupy my mind.’
‘Good on you, Bob,’ Toni smiled.
‘Anyway, I’d better get going – wouldn’t want to take up any more of your valuable time.’
‘How about another drink before you go? One for the road if you pardon the pun.’
‘No, I’m fine, perhaps some other time eh,’ he said a little nervously, getting up from his seat.
She went with him to the door.
‘You’ll be all right, now?’
‘Yeah, I’ll live, I suppose.’
‘You will that, and you deserve a life more than most. You live it Bob, before it’s too late,’ she advised giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek. He smelt the aroma of the expensive perfume she wore.
He left, his emotions all over the place. But he didn’t fancy going home to an empty bed. Although in his eyes, despite what Toni had said about sleeping on the couch - that option would have led to only one thing. And he needed to sort his own life out first before he thought of anything like that.
On his return home he got ready for bed, setting his alarm clock as usual, in an attempt to carry on as ‘normal’. But in fact the last twenty four hours had been anything but ‘normal’. And lying there alone in their double bed he wondered what the future held. It would be difficult and challenging he knew, but then he had coped with Tim’s disappearance.
Chapter 21
Up bright and early the next morning, after a quick breakfast, Maria checked out of the hotel to begin her long drive home.
Her plans were clear i
n her mind, despite a few misgivings about living in Dexford again. There’d be awkward questions to face about Tim and her marriage break up. Well, she’d be ready for any snide remarks. She was determined to find Tim as well as getting her life back on track. But as Dexford grew ever nearer she became a little panicky, realising it wouldn’t be easy living with her parents again, but she had no other option.
The house in Edward Street, part of a Victorian terraced block, was where she’d been brought up. Her parents had lived there for the best part of fifty years. Turning into the street she spotted the new white front door of the third house along and pulled up directly outside. Each house in the row had a small garden fronted by a two foot brick wall. Getting out of the car, her pulse racing, she went up to the door and rang the bell. She noticed two large earthenware tubs containing a variety of bulbs under the window, her dad’s handiwork obviously.
The door was opened by her father, a man of medium height, his eyes squinting through thick lens spectacles.
‘Dad,’ she said softly with a sad smile.
‘Maria. What brings you here? Come in, come in. Wait until your mother knows you’re here.’ His wrinkled clean shaven face showed surprise.
As they walked through the hallway she noticed his stooped frail posture; his long grey cardigan hanging forward almost to his knees. He stopped at the end allowing Maria to enter the living room first. There, sitting in the corner of the room was her mother.
‘Oh Maria!’ She cried. Tears ran down her happy round face. A plump woman with curly white hair, she got up to hug Maria at once saying, ‘How wonderful to see you. Bob not with you?’
Maria winced upon hearing those words.
‘No, it’s a long story.’
‘Oh dear, had a row, have you?’ Her mum correctly surmised, the smile leaving her face.
‘You could say that.’
‘Put the kettle on Joe, the lass could do with a warm drink inside her.’
He shuffled off to the kitchen, returning a few minutes later with a tray and three cups of tea.