The One That Got Away

by S J Crabb

  “Hurry up B, I’m freezing. The sooner I get my head under the dryer the better.”

  We link arms and head off into town. Luckily Nathan’s flat isn’t far from our local town so we are there in less than 10 minutes. As we sit side by side our heads in the hairdressers our conversation turns to the evening ahead. “What are your plans tonight Phoebs? Are you seeing Boris?” She nods looking quite excited. “Yes we are going to see the new James Bond film and then Boris is taking me to Casanova’s.”

  I laugh out loud at the thought of Boris in the local night club. “Why on earth are you going there?” I splutter. “You’ll look so out of place amongst all the cool and trendy teenagers.”

  Phoebe grins at me. “Well Boris is getting lazy and so I thought that an evening gyrating madly on the dance floor would do him good. I reckon he could lose half a stone by midnight.” I laugh loudly. “I can think of better ways to lose a few pounds.” She laughs wickedly. “Don’t worry I’ve got a fun filled evening lined up afterwards. He won’t know what’s hit him. Anyway what about you and Nathan, isn’t it Bob’s leaving Do tonight?” “Yes, I would rather stay in as I haven’t seen much of him lately, but we can’t miss it, I am really going to miss Bob.”

  Phoebe looks at me with a worried expression . “Are you sure that your job is secure? I haven’t asked you much about it lately, is everything alright?”

  “Yes I think so. It’s all a bit full on at the moment but hopefully things will calm down after Christmas.”

  She thinks for a second. “What about your new Boss, didn’t you say he was an old friend of yours?” I think about Ben and wonder if I should confide in Phoebe about my mixed feelings towards him. She is looking at me questioningly and I decide that it is best if I try to keep them firmly buried deep inside me.

  “Yes, but I haven’t seen him for years. It’s a bit strange though. I am not sure how to treat him.” Phoebe nods sympathetically and then we are distracted by the hairdressers who finish our hair and then direct us to the nail technicians.

  Soon we have been well and truly pampered and head off to the pizza restaurant. Over our meal Phoebe asks me about the wedding preparations.

  “Have you decided on a date yet?” she asks looking excited.

  “Not really. We haven’t had much time to even talk about it. I think that it may have to be a longer engagement than planned.”

  Phoebe looks at me thoughtfully. “You know I could have a word with Boris if you like. His Uncle has a fantastic manor house in Berkshire that he opens to the public. Maybe you could have it there. If you want I could find out all the details for you?”

  Liking the sound of this I nod enthusiastically. “Would you? I like the sound of it already; however do you think that it would cost a lot? It’s just that we haven’t saved up much yet and weddings cost an absolute fortune.”

  “I’m not sure but I will find out for you.” Phoebe suddenly looks excited. “You know what B; I could be your wedding planner! I have lots of time and I am sure that I could sort you out the wedding of your dreams on a shoestring. Oh please let me, please!!!”

  I laugh at my friend, what a mad wedding it would be if I let her loose on it. “Go ahead Phoebs, but you’ll have my mother to fight off first.”

  She claps her hands excitedly. “I will start on it first thing tomorrow. Don’t worry it’s in safe hands. Just you concentrate on spending time with Nathan and I’ll do everything.” We spend the rest of the evening throwing ideas around and by the end of the meal we have well and truly covered every type of wedding possible, each one crazier than the last. I look at my watch and notice that I am running late, we have to be at the Party by 8pm and it is 6pm now. Goodness, I had better get a move on. We pay the bill and hurry back. Phoebe picks up her car from Nathan’s and we vow to swap notes on our evenings tomorrow.

  Chapter 6

  Nathan is still not in when I get back so I have a leisurely bath and do my make up in peace with a glass of wine. He gets back at 7.30pm and I am relieved as I was beginning to wonder if he would make it back on time. He rushes in and with a sinking feeling I can see that he is in a very merry mood already. I had wondered if it was a good idea for him to go for a drink with Bradley. The two of them when they get together are a nightmare and the thought of Nathan worse for wear at the party is not a pleasant one. He sweeps into the room and lifts me up spinning me around.

  “Hello my gorgeous girl, what do you say we ditch the party and have one of our own instead?” He then proceeds to undo my dressing gown and run his hands over my naked back, heading further down and pulling me against him whilst kissing me passionately.

  Pushing him away I can‘t help laughing. “Down boy, hurry up and get ready or we will be late.”

  “Spoilsport.” He says petulantly but does as I say and jumps in the shower.

  It doesn't take us long and soon we are ready. I have decided on a pink satin dress with a diamante necklace. My blonde hair is styled in waves and due to the cold I have a faux fur wrap to keep me warm. Nathan looks gorgeous in a black dinner suit and despite being a bit merry scrubs up very well.

  We are getting a taxi which arrives on time and we soon find ourselves heading off into the night towards the country hotel.

  As I sit next to Nathan in the back of the taxi he strokes my hand and I feel so happy to be snuggled up next to him.

  In no time at all we are there and quickly make our way inside. We go through a massive doorway into the warm light filled reception and I am struck by how amazing this place is.

  We are directed to a large function room where the party is already in full swing. The room is packed and it appears that the whole of Kinghams has turned out for the event.

  Soon we are caught up in the thick of it. Nathan is always popular at these things as he is such a joker and good fun to be around. I enjoy spending time talking to my colleagues out of work and just make the most of having a relaxing time.

  All of a sudden I see Ben walking through the crowd, holding the hand of an extremely glamorous blonde and my heart does a somersault as I see them coming.

  He looks amazing in a black dinner suit and she is wearing a fabulous emerald green silk dress and her hair is up in a complicated top knot. I can see why she is a model as her figure is to die for and she certainly commands attention as everyone stops open mouthed to look at her as she walks past them. They stop in front of us and I am amazed when Nathan grins at Ben's girlfriend and winks. “Hi Melissa honey, good to see you again, you’re looking hot tonight.”

  I look at him in confusion and she kisses him on the cheek saying, “Nathan, you scrub up well, aren’t you going to introduce me to your lovely lady?”

  I look at them both in confusion and then I see Ben looking at me with amusement. Leaning forward he kisses me on the cheek, “Bella, you look stunning, please allow me to introduce Melissa my girlfriend. Melissa this is Bella, Nathan’s fiancée and an old friend.”

  I look at her and she smiles at me, “Less of the old Ben. Nathan you didn’t tell me that your girlfriend was a total babe,” she says hugging me warmly.

  I feel lost for words. I can’t believe that Nathan already knows her, he never said anything to me and I feel extremely wrong footed. I recover my composure and smile politely. “Nathan, you never told me that you had already met Melissa, how did you meet?”

  Nathan laughs. “Didn’t I baby it must have slipped my mind. Melissa comes to watch Ben play football every week so we have got to know her quite well.”

  They all look at me and I feel really bad. I never go to watch Nathan play as it bores me rigid. I must look bad if every one else’s girlfriends support them.

  Ben notices my expression and laughs. “Don’t feel bad Bella, Melissa is obsessed with football and enjoys coming along.” He squeezes her hand and she adds, “Sorry, I blame the fact that I have 3 older brothers. I had to go and watch them play every week so it’s in my blood. Don’t feel bad Bella, there aren’t many of us tha
t go and anyway I wouldn’t get to see as much of Ben if I didn’t, due to the fact that he is always working.”

  She looks at him and he gently kisses her on the mouth. I look away as it seems intrusive to watch. I don’t know why but I suddenly feel extremely put out. I knew that Ben had a girlfriend but somehow seeing them here together raises feelings in me that I never knew were there.

  I feel confused and look at Nathan, relying on him to bring me back to normality. He looks at me sheepishly, probably realising that he should have mentioned Melissa to me before.

  Ben turns to Melissa and smiles lovingly at her. “Come on darling, let’s dance, see you later Bella, Nathan.” He leads her away to the dance floor and I see him take her in his arms and pull her against him.

  I feel rooted to the spot and cannot take my eyes off them. They make such a striking couple and I watch as they move around the dance floor totally wrapped up in each other.

  Nathan pulls me on to the dance floor and takes me in his arms. “Come on gorgeous, lets show them how it’s done,” I follow him on to the dance floor and he pulls me against him and singing the words of the song to me. I laugh as he is such an idiot and we soon lose sight of Ben and Melissa and just enjoy being together.

  We carry on mingling with our colleagues and then a little later we once again come across Ben and Melissa.

  “Hi guys,” she says smiling at us. “Bella, I don’t suppose you know where the ladies is do you? I mean would you come with me as I hate going on my own?”

  I look at her feeling surprised as it seems an odd request but then smile politely. “Ok, no problem,” She grins and I follow her feeling once again feeling strangely awkward.

  Melissa turns to me as we walk and looks at me apologetically. “I’m sorry Bella, you must think me so strange, I mean you don’t even know me. It’s just that I felt bad earlier. I didn’t realise that you didn’t know that I went to watch the football and had met Nathan and I feel that you were put on the spot a bit.”

  She smiles at me and I can’t help it but I warm to her. “Don’t worry Melissa; I hope that I didn’t come across as rude. These men are a nightmare aren’t they?” We laugh and she grins, “Tell me about it, Ben tells me absolutely nothing. I have to find out everything myself. He is always so wrapped up in work, football is the only other thing that I know him to do on a regular basis. If I didn’t go to watch I would hardly see him. You are so lucky to have Nathan, he is a great guy who obviously adores you.”

  I smile at her and nod. “Yes, Nathan is great. I am very lucky.” We carry on and Melissa looks at me thoughtfully. “I understand that you knew Ben in the past. Was it strange meeting up again after all these years?”

  “It was a bit, I mean it was a long time ago and our lives are so different now and it is strange that he is now my boss.” Melissa laughs. “It must be. Never mind better the devil you know hey.” As she grins at me I decide that I actually really like Melissa. She is undoubtedly the most glamorous person that I have ever met but also seems really down to earth and approachable. I can’t help feeling a bit jealous of her though and just tell myself that it is because she is so amazing looking and not because she is with Ben.

  We make our way back to the men and as soon as we get there Melissa smiles at Nathan. “Come on Nathan, show me your moves. You don’t mind do you Bella?” She winks at me as she pulls Nathan onto the dance floor and Nathan laughs and grins at me as he follows her. I look at Ben and he smiles at me. “What do you say Bella, let me show you my dance moves.”

  Taking my hand he leads me onto the dance floor and takes me in his arms. I can see Nathan and Melissa dancing near us laughing and joking around. I feel strange being in Ben’s arms and can’t quite look at him.

  I can feel his arm around me holding me tightly against him and can smell his aftershave, a pleasant mix of spices and fragrance. My head is against his shoulder and there is silence between us.

  We move in time to the music and I am aware of every move that he makes. It is as though my body is on red alert and my legs feel weak and the blood is rushing in my head. It feels so wrong to be experiencing these feelings but so right to be in his arms. He moves his hands and it is as though I have received an electric shock. My body is betraying me as I arch closer to his, almost not breathing in case I break the spell.

  The song finishes and we pull apart. His eyes pull me in and compel me to look into them. They have darkened and his breathing is heavier. I run my tongue over my bottom lip and his jaw tightens.

  Before we know it Nathan and Melissa race over to us and break us apart laughing.

  Nathan grabs hold of me and whisks me away and I see Ben tenderly leading Melissa away from the dance floor. Nathan pulls me to him and I use his muscular frame to hide my face and the subsequent confusion that I now feel. What on earth was that? I have never wanted anyone as much as I did then. The feelings that I had tried to bury came racing back with a vengeance and I feel that I have betrayed Nathan. Suddenly I want to collapse in a sobbing heap and be anywhere but here. I shake myself and try to pull myself together.

  The song finishes and Nathan pulls me back towards the Bar. Luckily there are some of our friends there and they soon distract me from what just happened.

  After a while I excuse myself and head off to the ladies to gather my thoughts. I sit down on a chair in the ladies and lean my head back against the back of it and allow myself to think about what just happened.

  How on earth does Ben bring out those feelings in me? My thoughts turn to Nathan and even though I love him with all my heart I have never had such intense feelings towards him as I appear to have for Ben. Suddenly I wish that he hadn’t come back into my life. I was happy with Nathan, happier than I had ever been, why did he have to come along and change everything?

  The door opens and I look up as Melissa enters the room. Seeing me sitting there she races over concern etched on her face. “Bella, are you ok? You’re not feeling ill are you?”

  I smile weakly at her. “I’m fine thanks Melissa; I just came over a bit faint that’s all. I hope that I’m not coming down with something.”

  I feel bad as I lie to her, trying desperately to think of an excuse. She fusses around me grabbing me a drink of water from a nearby cooler. “Do you want me to get Nathan?” she says looking at me with concern. I shake my head and stand up. “Thanks, but there is really no need. I feel much better now; I probably just needed to sit down quietly for a bit.”

  She grabs hold of my arm. “Come on, I’ll come back with you just in case you feel faint again.”

  Gosh if only she knew the reason for my supposed illness, she wouldn’t be so understanding then.

  We get back inside and find Nathan and Ben talking together by the bar. I notice with a sinking feeling that Nathan is now well and truly plastered. He gets really loud and annoying when he is drunk and I feel embarrassed that Ben is witness to it. Melissa marches up to them and says loudly. “Guys, Bella isn’t feeling well. Maybe she needs to get home.”

  As they both look at me with concern I blush with embarrassment “It's ok I’m fine don’t worry about me.” Nathan looks at me and grabs hold of me. “Bella, beautiful Bella, I must take you home at once and look after you. Nothing will be too much trouble for me. I will tend to you all night if I have to.”

  I feel so embarrassed and Melissa laughs loudly. “Nathan, you are in no position to look after anyone. If I know best it will be Bella looking after you.”

  He sways around on the spot and laughs. “Melissa, my football loving friend, how right you are.” He then sits down heavily on a nearby seat, looking very much the worse for wear.

  Ben looks at us both and his jaw tightens.

  “Come on, we will take you both home. It shouldn’t be up to Bella to look after Nathan when she is feeling unwell.”

  He turns to Melissa. “Sorry darling, you don’t mind leaving early do you?”

  She looks at him and says silkily, “Honey, an earlie
r night with you is no hardship.”

  I look away, feelings of jealousy rising within me and I feel so cross with Nathan. This is now turning out to be my worst nightmare.

  We follow them out and grab our coats and head off outside.

  Ben leads us over to his car which is a large Range Rover. Nathan and I sit in the back and before long Nathan is asleep. I direct Ben to Nathan’s flat and they help me get him from the car upstairs into the flat. As they help me shift him I feel mortified and can’t look them in the eye.

  Ben gets Nathan into bed and looks at me with a pitying expression. “Will you be ok Bella? I mean you weren’t feeling so good yourself. Can we get you anything?”

  I look at them both standing there looking concerned and feel deeply ashamed. What I want most is for them to go but I feel that I should at least offer them a drink for their trouble. “Thank you, both of you.” I say weakly. “Please stay for a coffee, it’s the least I can do after all of your help.”

  Melissa slips her hand into Ben’s. “Thanks Bella but we had better get off and leave you to it. You must be tired and we don’t want to put you out.” I nod feeling extremely embarrassed.

  Ben looks at me with a stern expression. “Do you want us to take you home? I mean Nathan is out cold in there and it doesn’t seem fair to leave you to deal with him. He can sleep it off and you can rest at home.”

  I shake my head. “No, I’ll be fine. Thank you both. I am sorry to have spoilt your evening.”

  Melissa comes and hugs me. “Don’t be silly. We have had a great time. Listen, I have really enjoyed meeting you. Now I know that this will seem a bit strange but Ben and I have got a weekend away booked in two weeks time to a lodge in the New Forest. Why don’t you both come with us? It will be great to go as a foursome and you can keep me company whilst Ben does his endless work that follows him everywhere.”

  I stand there feeling shocked, not quite believing what I have just heard. I look at Ben and he smiles indulgently at Melissa. “Yes, come with us. Melissa is right; I do sort of neglect her and leave her to entertain herself. Come with us, we will have fun.”