“Anyway, she told him to work from the hotel until he’d worked his notice, then he went and worked for Malcolm on the building sites and he loved it, I mean really loved it. So to cut a long story short we were moving to Spain because Scott got offered a job over there, still building work, but shorter hours, more time for us. It’s so cheap living in Spain, that I could go part-time too; which means we’d have loads of time for each other, and for Lily.” Debs sighs heavily.
“So what’s the problem?” I say, still not understanding.
“Lily doesn’t want to go, remember?” She whispers.
“Oh!” Shit! My face falls. “Have I fucked it all up for you Debs?” I whisper, feeling mortified.
“No Coral,” she says, grabbing my good hand. “I would never have forgiven myself if we’d have dragged her away and she was just going along with what we wanted.”
“So you talked to her?” I tentatively ask.
“Yes, yesterday. Scott and I sat her down and told her she was in trouble if she didn’t tell us the truth about moving, and well, the floodgates opened and she told us everything.”
“Everything?” I question.
Debs nods looking a little ghostly.“She’d been talking to her friend at school, who told her that mommy’s and daddies pretend that everything’s ok, then they divorce and go and live somewhere else, and that’s what Lily thought was going to happen.”
“You’re kidding?” I choke.Poor Lily!
“Nope, I had very strong words with his mother last night. Anyway, Scott and I talked and talked about what to do, then argued and argued some more...he wants to go, said it would be good for us, for Lily, but I said it was wrong, that if she doesn’t want to go we shouldn’t drag her away...” Debs shakes her head at me. “And well...he left last night...and he’s gone to her, I know he has!” She adds, wailing loudly into her hands again.
I frown down at her. That doesn’t make any sense – at all?
“Er...Debs, did he say that was where he was going?” I calmly ask.
“No, but I know he has!” She bawls, throwing her body onto the sofa and curling up into a ball – She is now crying hysterically!
“How can you know without really knowing?” I ask. This is bizarre!
“I just do,” she says, her bottom lip wobbling as she stares up at me. No you don't!
“Give me a sec,” I say, patting her hip. I think I know a way to sort this. I get to my feet and head over to my handbag on the kitchen table. Taking my mobile out without Debs seeing, I step out onto the patio and call Scott’s number.
He quickly answers. “Hello?” Ooh, he sounds glum!
“Scott,” I whisper. “It’s Coral.”
“Oh...H-hi?” He says sounding surprised.
“Scott, I'm going to ask you a question.” I tell him firmly.
“Ok,” he answers hesitantly.
“Are you with the woman you had an affair with?” The line is silent for a long time. “Well, are you?” I snap.
“You know about that?” He whispers.
“Er...yeah, kind of by accident. I called Debs today to see if she wanted to meet up, she sounded upset and well, she told what happened...point is, she’s here with me at Trist – our place, crying her heart out because she thinks you’ve ran into that woman’s arms’ – “I haven’t!” he interrupts. He certainly sounds genuine.
“I didn’t think you had,” I say. “So, can you do me a favour and tell her that?”
“I'm in Brighton Coral, at the Metropole. I’ll come straight over’ – “No, please, talk to her first, I...well I wanted to spend some time with Debs tonight.”
Scott laughs. “Ok, let me speak to her, I can always come and pick her up in a while. Oh and Coral, I really am sorry, for hurting her, please don't be mad at me.”
“Well half an hour ago, I’d have strung you up by your balls, but I guess you can say I’ve calmed down now!” I bark.
“Oh...er...thanks, I guess,” Scott says.
“Hmm. Hold on a sec and I’ll pass you over.” I walk back into the house, go straight over to Debs and tap her on the hip, she stops her wailing and looks up at me. “I have Scott for you,” I say shoving my mobile in her hand and walking back outside to give them some privacy, but I can still hear.
“Hello?” Debs trembles, she listens for a while then bursts into fresh tears. Jeez Scott, cheer her up, don't make her cry!
“Oh Scott,” she blubbers. “I love you to, I miss you baby...yes...more than you...” Debs is doing a giggle-sob. I guess that’s good?
“No you don't...really?Ok sweet-cheeks....later,” she whispers. Sweet-cheeks?
Five seconds later she’s tapping me on the shoulder, making me jump a mile.“Jesus!” I hiss. “Don't do that Debs!”
“Oh sorry,” she says wrapping her arms around me. “Thank you,” she adds, crushing me again.
“Can't...breathe!” I choke.
Debs instantly releases me.“Oh Coral, he’s at the Metropole, he’s not with her!” She says, her whole face radiating joy.
“I know,” I say, smiling along with her. “But what are you guys going to do? Stay or go to Spain?”
Debs shrugs. “Not sure, I guess we’ll figure it out.”
“So you might not leave?” I beam.
“You don't want us to?” she says, frowning at me.
“No, I don't.” There I said it!
“But...we’ve haven’t hung out in ages?” she says.
“I know,” I whisper. “I...I find it hard to...” I stop, shaking my head. “Look, I'm sorry Debs, I know I haven’t been that great these past few years, and I guess what I'm trying to say is things are different now. I feel...stable, secure, and it would make me so happy if you guys stayed, and if you do, I promise you we’ll spend more time together like we used to. And I’d love to have Lily stay over, which would give you and Scott more time together-” I stop talking because Debs is crying silent tears.“Debs, stop crying!” I scold.
“Oh Coral!” She pulls me into her arms, hugging me tightly. “I’ve missed you.”
“Missed you too sis,” I whisper.
Pulling back from me, her eyebrows knit together. “You really want to marry Tristan? I mean don't get me wrong, he is absolutely friggin’ gorgeous, and he certainly seems genuine, but it’s just so soon?” Debs says, looking worried.
“I know,” I whisper. “But I couldn’t imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone but him,” I take a deep breath. “He knows Debs’ – she gasps – ‘about everything and yet, for some unknown reason he still love me.” I say frowning at the floor.
“Not for an unknown reason,” she says shaking her head and tucking my hair behind my ear again. “You’re amazing Coral, he’s lucky to have you.”I snort at that one. Debs rolls her eyes at me. “Well I'm going to get drunk! How about you?” she says, her eyes twinkling.
Linking her arm in mine, we walk back into the house.
“I can't drink Debs cause of the painkillers, but I can always laugh my ass off at you getting drunk.” I giggle.
Debs stops, puts her hands on her hips and stares down at me.Uh-oh!
“Well I feel like I need a good drink after what you’ve revealed to me today,” she says in a very serious voice.
“Oh..” I swallow hard and look away from her.
“Don't think you’re getting away with not talking this through’ – “Debs briefly, ok? It’s not something I like to talk about,” I quickly interrupt.
“Ok, ok,” she softly says. “Just let me get the vodka; then we can talk.”
“Oh! I just remembered. You’ll never guess what happened today?” I say, following her into the kitchen. I launch into the story of Justin turning up, and the conversation that followed, and what happened afterwards. By the time I'm almost finished we are on the sofa, and Debs has the vodka, orange and ice-cubes on the coffee table.
“...And I get up the stairs and my whole bedroom is decorated in lights and flowers and..
.Oh Debs, it scares me how much I love Tristan. It’s happened so fast, but it feels so...so indelible already.”
“Love can feel like that Coral.” She says smiling widely.
“I guess,” I shrug.
“What are you going to do about Justin?”
“Nothing,” I squeak. “He did look good though,” I muse.
“I’ll bet he did,” she teases. “He was a right looker back then, sounds like a proper hunk now though!”
I roll my eyes at her teasing, flirting ways. “Yeah well, too much, too little, too late I'm afraid. It’s Tristan I want, always.”
“Still, nice to know you’ve always got someone on the back burner if it goes wrong.” Debs slaps her hand to her mouth.
I glare back at her. “I think that vodka is making you brave!” I growl. “So you don't think Tristan and I will make it?” I bite.
“Coral, I didn’t mean it like that, honestly, I'm sorry.” I take a deep breath and stare out the window. I’m mad Debs has said that, but I don't really want to be angry with her. “Really, I didn’t mean it like that!” she adds.
“Don't worry about it,” I say, half smiling at her.
Debs takes a deep breath then smiles wearily at me.“So,” she says, pouring herself another vodka – Wish I could get drunk with her! “Can I ask you some questions about...you know?”
I sigh inwardly. “If you must, but Debs, I swear I will know if you gossip about this to your friends’ – “I would never’ – I hold my hand up to stop her.“You are one of the worst gossips I have ever met, doesn’t mean I love you any less, but I swear Debs, cross me on this and you’ll wish you hadn’t! This is private, never to be shared with anyone, not even Scott.” I glare at her, trying to get her to understand how serious I am.“If I hear about this I know it will have come from you, and that will be it for us, just so you know, I’ll never speak to you again. Am I making myself clear?”
“Crystal,” she whispers, swallowing hard. Her cheeks are red, her eyes wide and dilated – Yeah, she gets it!
“Ok,” I nod. “Ask away.” I say gesturing with my hand...
TWO HOURS LATER AND DEBS is still knocking the vodka’s back. Thankfully her questions about my past didn’t last too long, she was more interested in Tristan and I, how it all got started. And now, well now she’s busy telling me off for skimping on the wedding.I think, like Rob, she wants me to have a big occasion, all the bells and whistles, but that’s just not me.
“Come on Coral!” Debs slurs, putting her arm around my waist and pulling me to my feet. “Let’s dance!” I wonder if I sound this bad when I'm drunk?
“Debs,” I giggle. “There’s no music?”
“Isn’t there?” she slurs, trying to focus on one of the small speakers in the room. “Well...I can hear music,” she says.
“Yeah, who’s singing?” I chuckle, trying to hold her upright, keep her steady.
“Feel the love,” she shouts, punching her hand in the air and trying to dance, but she’s way too drunk for that!
“Rudimental?” I question.
“Yeah!” she says, singing the tune and sloshing vodka and orange down her top. Oops!
Now I know she’s really is drunk, because she doubles over laughing at herself. I'm just in time to take the glass of her before she falls onto the floor in a fit of giggles – but I can't help laughing along with her.
Edith appears in the hallway, smiling at me.I roll my eyes at her as Debs continues to kill herself laughing. The doorbell suddenly pings – Oh, I hope that isn’t Scott, I don't want Debs to go, we are having such a good time together.I turn and see Edith wobbling towards the door, then I turn back to watch Debs still giggling on the floor.
“Debs,” I giggle. “You ok?”
“No!” Edith shouts. “You can't come in here!” I immediately put the vodka down and dash over to her, pulling the front door open wide.
Holy fuck!
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THIS IS THE FOURTH SHOCK TODAY. First, my asshole father burying my mother’s ashes, then Justin, then Debs, and now her– I'm not sure if I can take anymore!
“You must be Coral?” Her smooth sultry voice says.
I swallow hard, trying to find my voice.“Hello Olivia,” I whisper back.
“Coral,” Edith says looking across at me. “Tristan would not like it if you let Olivia in, not without Stuart being here,” she says as politely as she can. But I can tell she has steam coming out of her ears – she really doesn’t like this woman!
“What’s going on?” Deb slurs behind me – Oh crap!
“Who are you?” she asks narrowing her eyes at Olivia, while she leans on Edith and I.
“Look Olivia, this is not a good time,” I say wincing in pain because Debs is getting heavier and heavier. I turn away from Olivia so I can attempt to push Debs off me, but I'm too late, she slides down my body and passes out in a drunken heap on the floor.
“Oh!” Shit! “Debs!”
“Oh no!” Edith says. “What should we do?”
“Grab my mobile Edith; it’s on the coffee table.” Edith wobbles off as I attempt to lift Debs up, but she’s a dead weight in my arms.
“No Coral,” Edith says as she reaches me. “You could rip your stitches open.”
“True,” I say. Taking my mobile off her I call Scott. “Scott, your wife has passed out on the floor,” I chuckle. “Tristan and Stuart are out, Edith and I can't move her’ – “I'm on my way,” he drawls and hangs up.
I turn to Olivia, who’s smiling at the whole situation. God she is so pretty, prettier than her driving licence made her out to be. Shoulder length, straight and silky, almost black hair, wide green eyes, tanned skin, tall and slim. She’s dressed in a black fitted pencil skirt to the knees, with a deep green, short sleeved silk blouse; and killer black stilettos – she looks amazing, especially considering she’s had two kids – Jeez my self-esteem is taking a heavy knock right now.
“She can't hold her liquor very well, can she?” Olivia says, laughing a little sarcastically.
It immediately gets my back up.“Why are you here Olivia?” I snap.
“I wanted to see Tristan,” she says. “He called me yesterday but I couldn’t talk at the time.” She adds, casually flicking her hair. Ugh! He called her and he didn’t tell me? Now I'm pissed at Tristan!
“So you just thought you’d turn up here, unannounced and uninvited?” I say as calmly and politely as I can.
“Yes.” She looks from me to Edith then crosses her arms defiantly.
“Well, I agree with Edith. You can't come in without Tristan or Stuart being here.”
“How silly,” she says, smiling coyly.
“Silly?” I laugh. “Not really, considering Susannah tried to kill Tristanand me.”
“Yes, I heard about that,” she says, looking me up and down.
“You should go,” I say, my voice trembling, giving me away. Thankfully, I see Scott’s car turn into the driveway. He quickly pulls up, gets out the car and dashes over to us.
“Oh Debs!” He says, whining a little. Then he reaches down, and attempts to lift her into his arms. I bend down and help as much as I can. ‘Stay’ I mouth to him without Olivia seeing, Scott frowns then nods once at me, then I purposely say it aloud.
“You can stay if you want Scott. Take Debs over to the sofa, let me get you a drink.” I follow him over to the sofa, hoping Olivia will just go home, but unfortunately, I look back and see Olivia barge straight past Edith and saunter down the hallway, her heels clicking against the hard flooring, perusing the place as she does.
“Olivia!” Edith shouts. “You can’t come in here,” she says marching after her, leaving the door wide open. Right at that moment I hear the rumble of the Jag in the driveway – Tristan’s back early, thank god!
Seconds later, I hear Tristan shout from outside. “Coral!” Tristan and Stuart run into the house and come to an abrupt halt. Tristan’s gaze finds me first, then he looks at Scott with De
bs in his arms, then Edith, then the look of horror on his face as he registers Olivia, standing here in our house is priceless – He looks outraged!
“Hello Tristan,” she says, but I can't see her face as she has her back to me.
He completely ignores her and marches over to me. When he reaches me, he takes my face in his hands, his eyes searching mine. “Are you ok?” He asks, concern written all over his face. He starts checking me over, not waiting for an answer.
“Hey,” I whisper, taking hold of both his hands. “I’m fine. Edith answered the door, we thought it was Scott coming to collect Debs.” I turn back to Edith and smile. I don't want her to think I'm blaming her, then I look up at Tristan again.
“Debs has passed out,” I say rolling my eyes and smiling. “Olivia told us that she couldn’t talk to you when you called her yesterday, so she decided to turn up, unannounced. Edith said she couldn’t come in, but she just barged past her.” I narrow my eyes at Olivia, who has turned to look at us both – There stick that in your pipe and smoke it!
I turn away and look up at Tristan. He looks a little relieved, his face softening a little, then surprising me he enfolds me into his arms and gently rocks me. “I missed you,” he whispers in my ear, kissing my hair a couple of times.
“I thought you were eating out?” I say as I hear Stuart shut the front door.
“No, I wanted to get back to you,” he says, pulling back to assess me once more.
Then taking no prisoners, he leans down and kisses me, forcefully. Honestly, I think this is for Olivia’s benefit, and as childish as it seems, I revel in it and kiss him back with as much passion as I can muster, when he pulls back, we are both breathless.
I smile up at him, and almost laugh, but I decide it’s probably best to hide it. Tristan silently runs his knuckles down my cheek, kisses the tip of my nose then looks up at Scott.
“Scott, good to see you, would you like a drink?” He asks.
“Nah, I'm good mate, gotta get Debs home.”
“You’re more than welcome to stay?” Tristan suggests. I can see Scott thinking about it, weighing up his options. “It’s quite a drive back to Worthing, and I don't think you’ll get her up the stairs on your own, and it’s a little late to send Stuart with you.” Tristan adds.
Darkest Fears Trilogy: Fallen For Him / Freed By Him / Forever With Him Page 115