Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him

by Clair Delaney

  A huge bouncy castle has been erected right at the far end, and there’s a massive paddling pool with a slide in front of it.“Wow!” I say to her.

  “Mommy got me a bouncy castle,” she says jumping up and down with excitement. Hmm food then bouncing up and down, I’m pretty sure some kids are going to be vomiting!

  “That’s great Lily.” I beam.

  “And a paddling pool,” she screams, she’s so over-excited. “Come bounce with me,” she says, pulling me towards the castle.

  “Um...Lily, I don’t think it’s for adults.” I tell her, hoping she’ll go play with her friends.

  “But’ – “It’s ok Coral,” Scott says, appearing from nowhere and grinning from ear to ear. “I had a go earlier, takes you back!” He chuckles and winks at me – The bastard!

  Lily screams with delight and runs down the garden.“Great, thanks Scott.” I say grimacing at him, and follow Lily down to the castle.

  Kicking off my flip-flops, I climb up onto the castle in the most un-lady-like fashion, and pull Lily up too. There are only a couple of kids on there, the rest of them seem to be enjoying the paddling pool, splashing about in the water. We start bouncing, and for a moment I am taken back.

  Scott is right, this is fun!

  Ten minutes in, and I am out of puff, bouncing is a work-out!

  “More Aunty Coral, more,” Lily shouts excitedly.

  “Ok, a few more minutes,” I puff.

  I take hold of her hands and start bouncing again, when all of a sudden my heart starts rapidly beating against my chest. For a moment, I think I’m actually having some kind of weird heart thing – then the butterflies kick in, swarming around my stomach, then that weird pulling sensation starts right between my chest and abdomen.

  I frown hard wondering what the hell this is all about, knowing full well it only happens when I’m around Tristan, or thinking of him, and right now I’m neither!

  Lily suddenly bounces around in a circle and I’m the one facing the garden towards the back of the house. As I look up, I see the crowd of people part. I see Joyce, I almost go to wave, but instantly freeze because Tristan is walking in behind her… Oh My God! What the hell is he doing here?

  I try my best to keep my concentration and not stare at him, but he’s just too irresistible. He’s wearing a pair of knee length khaki shorts, a white polo t-shirt, and a pair of thick flip-flops, and his aviators are making his smile stand out a mile. Oh wow…he looks hot!

  I can see he’s searching the crowd looking for someone. Joyce distracts him and takes him over to Gladys and Malcolm, and then all of a sudden I see Gladys point in my direction.

  Tristan looks up, takes off his aviators and our eyes lock, all I can do is stare back at him, I cannot pull my gaze away. Holy crap!

  My heart practically stops then begins frantically clawing its way out of my chest. I lose my footing for a second and just as I do, Lily bounces really high. I manage to tear my gaze away and look down, just as the top of her head connects with the bridge of my nose – Oh fuck!

  Several things happen at once, my nose instantly gushes with blood. I moan with shock and collapse onto the bouncy castle. Lily screams in pain, and the other two kids start screaming too, making the castle bounce all over the place as they try to get off.

  The pain is beyond excruciating, I try to help Lily, reaching my hand out to her. I’m more concerned that she’s ok, but the pain is knocking all my senses for six, I can't think or see straight. My stomach is rolling as I try to contain as much of the blood as I can inside the palm of my hand (I don’t do so well with blood) my stomach rolls again, and I know I’m going to be sick.

  As I try to regain my balance, and check Lily, several worried adults appear. Debs and Scott grab Lily and get her off the castle. At the same time, I see Tristan launch himself towards me, in the next breathe he’s picked me up into his arms.

  It’s almost as though the castle isn’t bouncing, he’s so strong and balanced – the speed and agility he uses to get me off that god damn thing is impressive.

  “Jesus Coral,” he says placing me down on the cool, non-moving grassy ground.

  I lean forward trying to stop the pain.

  “No, no, hold your head back,” he tells me. So I do, but all I can feel is blood gushing down the back of my throat; it’s nasty taste instantly triggers my stomach.I roll on my side and vomit, blood and vegetable juice are splattering all over the green grass.

  He reaches down and grabs all of my hair out of the way, making a makeshift ponytail.

  “I think we need an ambulance,” Tristan grimly states.I can feel him rubbing my back, trying to soothe me. When I finally stop being sick, I sit back up, and see that Gladys is there with something in her hand, she leans forward and presses it against my nose.

  “Oh Jesus!” I screech. It’s so cold, and the pain of it touching my nose is so overwhelming, my eyes roll into the back of my head, I pass out…

  I FEEL MYSELF SLOWLY COMING BACK. “Ugh!” I blink my eyes open, everything is blurry Oh Jesus! The pain, I reach for my nose, but gentle hands are stopping me.

  “Hey, careful now.” I know its Tristan’s voice, but I can’t see him.

  “Lily?” I whisper. It hurts to speak, to move my face.

  “She’s fine, bit of a bruise on her head, but fine. In-fact she’s in the paddling pool right now,” he chuckles. “Kids, they get over things so quickly,” he adds.

  I quickly assess – Paddling pool, so I’m still at Debbie’s? I keep blinking trying to get my sight back to full capacity.

  “Why are you blinking so much?” he asks, his hands gently brushing my hair away from my face.

  “Everything’s blurred,” I whisper.

  I feel Tristan tense beside me. “The paramedic is here Coral, you took a nasty bang to the nose it’s not broken though, just badly bruised. Do you remember?” I want to scream of course I fucking remember!The throbbing in my nose and my loss of eyesight is enough to make anyone remember, but I don’t.

  “Yes,” I squeak, my nose pulsing so strongly now that I feel like I’m going to pass out again. Then I feel something get jabbed into my thigh, it really fucking hurts!

  “Jesus!” I scream. “What the fuck was that?”

  “Sorry,” an apologetic voice I don’t know answers. “It’s Morphine, for the pain,” he quickly adds. And it’s in that moment I feel it flood my system, the throbbing in my nose quickly dies down to a numb ache. I feel my body relax – Oh that’s so much better!

  “Better?” Tristan asks. I feel his lips brush against my ear.

  “Yesh,” I say feeling quite drunk now. “W-hers Gladish?” I ask. What’s happened to my voice?

  “I’m here darling,” she says. “Oh dear! Coral you’re going to have such a bruise, what happened?”

  “Shaw Trishtan.” I answer honestly even though I don’t want to. Is this friggin truth serum?I hear Tristan chuckle.

  “Oh?” Gladys sounds surprised and I know there’ll be further questioning – Great!

  “We’ll need you to come in tomorrow for a check-up.” The strange voice says.

  “That’s ok I’ll take care of that.” Tristan answers authoritatively.

  “Oh thank you Tristan, Malcolm and I had arranged to go out for the day, visit his daughters,” Gladys says. What no roast dinner? What the fuck!

  “What about Roasht Dinnerr?” And what about Debs already knowing about Malcolm, I want to say, but I know it’s not something I want to discuss with other people around.

  “Oh yes, sorry darling, I was going to tell you later. I’m off to meet Malcolm’s girls tomorrow,” she says full of excitement.

  “Well thatts just greaaat,” I slur.

  “Oh dear!” Gladys leans over me, I can almost make out her face. “I’m sorry darling, I should have warned you earlier,” she says.

  I snort sarcastically forgetting that my nose is in a less than operative state, and splatter Gladys with tiny specs of blood. />
  “Oh!” she gasps trying to rub it off. “Never-mind dear,” she says patting my head. “It’ll come off.” Then she leans down, kisses my forehead and disappears from view.

  I instantly panic thinking I’ve been left alone.“Tristchtan?!” I whisper, reaching my hand out for him.

  I feel his fingers grip mine.“Right here, I won’t leave your side,” he softly says, but I can hear the humour in his voice.

  “S’not funny!” I tell him sternly.

  “No, no. It’s not,” he says, the humour so evidently still there.

  “Ok, Coral. I’m going to place this compres over your nose now.” The strange voice says and something wonderful and cool is placed over my nose. “Don't let her fall asleep, and get plenty of fluids inside her. She can take Nurofen or Aspirin for the pain once the Morphine’s worn off, but if the pain gets too much you’ll have to bring her into A&E for another shot.”

  “Will do,” Tristan answers, I feel him stroking my forehead. God I feel so hot and sticky!

  “Aunty Coral.” I hear a little voice squeak.

  “Oh! Lilys that you?” I slur.

  “Yes.” I hear her start sniffling.

  “S’okay,” I say reaching my hand out for her.

  “Want to try sitting up?” Tristan asks.

  “Ok.” I feel his arm push underneath my shoulders, his other hand gently holding my head up. And suddenly I’m upright; all the blood feels like it’s rushing out of my head down to my toes.

  “Oh!” I feel drunk, which makes me start giggling. Lily stops sniffling and starts giggling too, and my vision slowly starts to come back to me, I realise I’m in Debs living-room, on the sofa.

  “Hey shweetie,” I say to Lily. I can see her properly now, her cheeks are still stained from her tears.

  “I’m sorry Aunty Coral,” she sniffs again.

  I reach my hand out to her and stroke her cheek, then pull her closer to me.“Shit with me,” I say.

  Lily giggles at me. “You said a bad word.”

  Tristan chuckles too, and lifts Lily onto the sofa next to me.

  “S’not your fault,” I tell her. “Doesh your head hurt?” She shakes it left to right as she continues to chuckle at me.

  “You’re talking funny Aunty Coral.” She giggles some more.

  “Am I?” I ask.

  “Yes.” She squeals loudly, making it reverberate around my head. Whoa! “And you look funny!” She chuckles even harder, Tristan really starts laughing. Great, magnificent!

  “Well thanhks.” I say trying to smile too, but the throbbing gets that little bit stronger when I do.

  “I’m sorry I banged your nose,” she tells me sweetly. “Mommy said to come and say sorry, but I was sorry anyway.” God it’s hard to believe she’s only five.

  “S’okay, snot your fault, it was Trishtans.” I smile inwardly, because I know Lily will tell him off.

  “Tristan,” Lily scolds. “You hurt Aunty Coral and me; that’s very naughty,” she adds pretend smacking his hand.

  “I consider myself truly told off, I do apologise,” he says.

  “That’s ok,” she giggles. “Are you Aunty Coral’s boyfriend?” Holy Crap! Shut up Lily!

  “Maybe…” Tristan answers.My heart instantly flutters.

  Lily giggles. “Have you kissed Aunty Coral?”

  Tristan laughs. “No, but I’m hoping to,” he whispers.

  Lily’s eyes nearly pop out of her head.“You’re handsome, like Daddy,” she says, putting her tiny hand on his cheek.

  “Why thank you,” he croons.

  “Are you going to marry Aunty Coral?” she asks all innocently.

  Tristan sniggers again. “Maybe…” He whispers. What?

  “I want to get married when I grow up,” she says.

  “Well, maybe I should wait for you,” Tristan teases. Lily throws her head back giggling in delight. “No,” she squeals. “You’re too old for me.” Ha! That told him smug bastard!

  “Oh, my lady, you wound me,” he says, clutching his heart.

  “Aunty Coral hasn’t had a boyfriend before,” she says – Ok, time for the kid to go!

  “She hasn’t?” Tristan questions, Lily shakes her head at him, but I’m saved from the conversation going any further by Debs walking into the room with a thunderous look on her face, she stops in front of me with her hands on her hips.

  “There you are Lily. Your friends are looking for you.”

  “Ok Mommy.” Debs lifts her off the sofa, she waves at me. “Bye Aunty Coral.” I wave back - it’s a very drunken sloppy wave.

  “Henjoy your birfday, I hope you lick my preshent.” I say.

  “I will, bye Tristan, I really hope you kiss Aunty Coral better.” With that she chuckles and runs off at full speed, I’m about to turn to Tristan to bollock him for mocking me, but Debs pipes up.

  “It took five adults and six rolls of kitchen paper to get rid of all the blood,” she says. “Jesus Coral, you gave me the fright of my life!” She says scooping her long blonde hair up into a pony-tail. Evidently, our little spat earlier is forgotten?

  “Cuase of Lily,” I say knowing I’m right.

  “No!” she barks. “You! I knew Lily would be fine, kids are always bashing themselves. They’re over it in seconds,” she huffs and plonks herself next to me - my nose throbs painfully at me again. “How the hell does someone bleed that much anyway? You got an extra stock-pile in there or something?” she adds.

  I chuckle. “Yesh, vampire,” I say trying to look scary.

  Debs rolls her eyes at me. “Well I guess you’ll be here for the night,” she sighs.

  “No, I’m going home,” I tell her. “When the partiesh finished,” I add.

  “I don’t think so,” she huffs shaking her head at me.

  “Yesh,” I argue. “I am.” I hate staying at Debs, her and Scott all loved up with their adorable little munchkin.

  Deb’s suddenly starts batting her eyelashes at Tristan.“You must be Coral’s new boss?” She says in her most seductive voice.

  “Yes, Tristan Freeman.” He says holding his hand out to her.

  “Debbie Fuller.” She bats her lashes some more and shakes his outstretched hand – This is not happening!

  “Oh Coral!” I look up and see Joyce stood next to Gladys.

  “Hi Joyche.” I answer, her mouth pops open.

  “What’s wrong with her?” She gasps.

  “Morphine,” Tristan answers.

  I giggle at the whole situation, how ridiculous.

  “It’s good to see someone’s having a good time,” Joyce says sarcastically. “Oh dear, well I don’t expect you in work looking like that young lady.”I go to argue, then I hear her proposal. “You can work from home, until you’re feeling better. I’ll email your inbox to your laptop.”

  “Thanks Joyche.” I smile up at her. She smiles back at me; then starts sniggering like Tristan did.“S’not funny!” I bawl as loudly as I can.

  The throbbing in my nose starts up again, I wince in pain, my eyes fill with tears, which start spilling down my cheeks, everyone starts fussing.

  “What do you need Coral?” Tristan asks, crouching in front of me.

  Debs jumps up and starts patting my forehead, Gladys gasps and grabs my hand, and Joyce does the worst thing; tries to readjust the cold compress.

  “Ow!” I scream out in pain, everyone freezes.

  Shit, shit, shit! – None of this seems funny anymore.

  “Home!” I cry out. “Chake me home!” I want to stamp my feet but I'm too out of it to do that. I look across at Tristan. “Aircondiching!” I whimper. “Pleashe…it’s so hot!” I add, feeling more and more uncomfortable by the second.

  Tristan passes me a bunch of tissues from Debs dispenser. I wipe my eyes and try to clear my nose, making it throb even more.“Pleashe,” I beg again.

  They all start arguing. Debs is saying she can't leave, Gladys wants to take me back to hers, and Joyce is insisting Gladys stays and she
takes me back to her house.

  “Want me to take you back to your studio?” Tristan whispers in my ear.

  “Yesh.” I whisper back.

  “I’ll do it.” Tristan shouts – Everyone shuts up and turns to stare open mouthed at him.

  “Oh, thank you Tristan.” Gladys gushes.

  “How very gallant of you Tristan,” Debs says batting her lashes and smirking at him.

  “Are you happy with that?” Joyce asks me.

  “Yesh.” I whisper – I just want to get out of here.

  Tristan stands, pulls his mobile out of his pocket and makes a call. “What’s the postcode and house number?” he asks.

  Debssmiles coyly, and holds her hand out for his mobile, he passes it to her. “BN14 0AD, No 2,” she says then hands him back his mobile with a coy smile – Jesus I can't take much more of this!

  “Got it?” Tristan asks. “Good, see you then,” he says and hangs up, then he turns and sits next to me on the sofa again.

  The room is silent. I look up and see Debs, Gladys and Joyce all staring down at me with smug looks on their faces.

  “What?” I snap, they all glance at one another, then back to me, and across to Tristan.

  Debs titters, then leans down and kisses my cheek.“I better get back, I’ll come and see you tomorrow,” she holds her hand out to Tristan. “Such a pleasure,” she says shaking his hand for much longer than is deemed necessary, he smiles widely at her blatant flirting – Debs!– Finally, she lets go of his hand and bounces out of the room.

  “I’d better get back to Malcolm,” Gladys says, leaning down to kiss my cheek. “Take care of my daughter,” she tells Tristan as she kisses his cheek too.

  “Absolutely,” he says, taken aback by her tone, and then she leaves too. Then I notice Tristan and Joyce stare at one another, exchanging some kind of unspoken conversation, then Joyce nods once at him and leaves the room.

  “What’s wash that all about?” I question.

  Tristan looks across and smiles shyly at me.“Nothing,” he says, but I know there was something there.

  Joyce reappears with a glass of lemonade and a straw.“Here darling,” she says popping the straw in the glass.