Broken Truth

by Beth Ashworth

  “Nuh-uh,” Lucy said, shaking her head. “I am not sharing my pizza with you. I vote we get one each, so then we can eat the leftovers tomorrow morning for breakfast.”

  “I love cold pizza,” Charlie said as her tummy gurgled in agreement. “And I am happy to get my own pizza.”

  Amelia slapped the menu into her lap and crossed her arms firmly. “Why won’t you bitches share a pizza with me?” she moaned, sticking out her bottom lip in a pout.

  “Because...” Lucy paused and plucked the menu out of Amelia’s lap. “You have way too much weird shit on your pizza.”

  “She’s right,” Charlie agreed. “It’s not right. Half of the stuff you get doesn’t belong on a pizza.”

  “Whatever,” Amelia replied with a shrug. “More for me then, bitches.”

  “Ok, so what is everyone getting? Let me write it down,” Charlie said as she picked up the notepad and pen from the coffee table.

  While they were still deciding, she quickly wrote down her own order first. Keeping in touch with the old classics, a good old American Hot was exactly what was needed tonight. She was now looking forward to their usual Thursday night sleepover with a few glasses of wine and a nice spicy pizza.

  “Hit me up with a medium spicy chicken and mushroom please,” Lucy said, pulling her feet up onto the sofa.

  Charlie wrote down the order and turned towards Amelia. “Come on then,” she prompted with a smile. “What shit you gonna have tonight?”

  “I don’t make shit. I make masterpieces,” she replied, pretending to take offence from Charlie’s words. “And just for that, I’ll take a BBQ sauce base with tuna, anchovies and pineapple please.”

  “That is fucking disgusting,” Lucy said repulsed. “You are having two lots of fish with fruit and BBQ sauce? You are just something else.”

  “Oh, I want the hotdog stuffed crust too!”

  “Oh give it a rest,” Lucy said as she rolled her eyes in mock exasperation.

  Charlie felt her stomach heave as she wrote down Amelia’s pizza order. She was certainly pushing the boat out tonight with her choices.

  “Right, let me get these ordered,” Charlie said, picking up her phone.

  A short while later and Charlie was hurrying to open the door so that she could take receipt of their three pizzas. Graciously accepting the delivery, she made sure to pass the gentleman a small tip for his service.

  “Foods up!” she yelled, making her way towards the island in the centre of the kitchen.

  She lay out the three pizza boxes and turned to grab some plates from the cupboard. After their last incident with pizza, Charlie had sworn a promise to Callum that they would not eat it again without plates.

  “Do we seriously have to use plates?” Amelia scoffed, popping open the lid to her pizza.

  The smell of anchovies suddenly drifted up Charlie’s nose. Gagging a little, she pushed an empty plate at Amelia. “Yes we are still using plates,” she said, lifting the lid to open her pizza box.

  “Don’t you remember what happened, Mia?” Lucy laughed as she loaded up her plate. “Callum practically kicked our arses when he came home that weekend and found that slice of mouldy pizza wedged between the cushions of the sofa.”

  Charlie smirked as the memory suddenly came flooding back.

  “Oh shit!” Amelia said, bringing her hand to cover her mouth as she started snorting with laughter. “I remember your voice that night, Charlie. You called both of us and went crazy down the phone. I found it so fucking funny because I didn’t even remember putting pizza there. But considering that sucker was growing a civilisation on your cushions, I think it must have been there a long time.”

  “I’m glad at least you found it funny. Do you know how long he actually carried on moaning about it?” she asked seriously. “He didn’t shut up about it for a God damn month! A month! Do you know how close I was to popping my own eardrums?”

  “That’s funny,” Lucy said, closing the lid to her pizza box. “But anyway, how has our Mr Ellis been this week since that little who-ha on Sunday morning?”

  Putting three slices of pizza onto her plate, Charlie closed the lid to her box. “Let’s go sit down and I’ll fill you in,” she said, nodding towards the sofa.

  “Still can’t believe we have to use plates,” Amelia grumbled as she followed them into the living room. “We should be eating out of the God damn box.”

  “Oh shut it,” Charlie playfully scolded as she settled herself on the sofa next to her glass of wine that was within easy reach on the end table.

  “So come on then,” Lucy said, with a mouth full of pizza. “What’s been going on?”

  “Well,” Charlie started. “After all of that drama on Sunday morning, he ended up going into his office for a few hours to in his words ‘digest’ everything that happened. I personally think he was just returning the work phone call that interrupted me while I was mid rant earlier that morning.”

  “You think so?” Amelia asked with slightly raised eyebrows.

  She nodded.

  “It’s not like I’ll ever find out though. He hardly ever discusses anything about those phone calls with me. The only thing he tells me is that it was Jared and something to do with a project. He never goes into any sort of specific detail, which to be honest, I’m not sure is a bad thing really. I bet they are all calls discussing business deals and money management,” she said, raising her hand and pretending to yawn.

  “You’re probably best to stay away from his work life, Charlie. I get the impression he is quite territorial over it anyway,” Amelia replied with a shrug.

  Her friends were completely right. When it came to his work, Callum was extremely territorial. Yes he was possessive with her, but nowhere near as much as he was with work. He had organised his company, so that not one decision could be made without his input. He was the man in charge and he wanted to make sure that everyone knew that... including Jared.

  “I feel that too,” Lucy agreed. “But anyway, keep the story going!”

  “Where did I get to?” She paused briefly as she retraced the story in her head. “Ok, so after he went into his office, I kind of just mooched about the place. I needed something to take my mind off of everything. Although we had both apologised and discussed how we were going to make things better, I still felt this uneasiness. You know what I mean?”

  “Wait... Wait... What did you guys agree?” Lucy interrupted, putting her hands up to indicate that Charlie should stop talking.

  “How do you not know this?” Amelia asked, turning to look at Lucy. “I thought I filled you in on everything?”

  “Look, you bitches are clearly keeping shit between yourselves. So fill me in,” she demanded, slapping her hands onto her thighs.

  “It wasn’t anything drastic,” Charlie reassured her. “He just said that he would speak to Jared about toning down the amount of weekend phone calls and that he would try and call me during the week if he could.”

  “And has he?” Lucy pressed.

  “He called me on Monday night and we...” Charlie’s sentence trailed off as extremely vivid flashbacks from her telephone conversation filled her mind. A small blush stained her cheeks as a warm glow settled over her.

  “They totally had fucking phone sex!” Amelia shrieked, dropping the piece of pizza onto her plate. “Why didn’t you tell us? This is major information that you have been withholding from us, Charlie.”

  She sunk herself into the cushions of the sofa, willing the soft leather to just open up and swallow her body whole. She couldn’t feel any more embarrassed than she did right now, she knew that it just wasn’t possible.

  “Can we change the subject now?” Charlie asked, suddenly feeling very self-conscious.

  Lucy cocked her head to one side and studied her. “You don’t normally go all embarrassed in front of us,” she pointed out, but quickly dropped as the expression on Charlie’s face changed. “Ok, so has he called again this week?”

  Relieved at
taking the conversation away from her epic phone sex, Charlie got herself comfortable again.

  “No, he hasn’t called me yet. I think it is probably unlikely he will now because he knows that you guys will be round and he’s home tomorrow,” she said, a small smile lifting the corners of her lips.

  He was coming home tomorrow.

  “You find it hard being away from him don’t you?” Amelia said, discarding her plate and picking up her glass of wine. She took a long sip before she placed the glass back onto the coffee table. “Now don’t jump me yet because this could be a completely stupid suggestion. But have you ever considered going down to see him?”

  “Ugh!” Charlie grimaced. “Don’t even go there with that one. I asked him, but he brushed it off and said that he didn’t want me to have to stay in his bachelor pad. I think he is kind of embarrassed by it, but the weird thing is he wasn’t worried about showing this place to me,” she finished with a shrug.

  Lucy narrowed her eyes on Charlie and pursed her lips.

  “I still can’t believe he has other properties, but you aren’t allowed to go to them. It’s just...Weird,” Amelia informed her.

  “Maybe to you guys,” Charlie replied nonchalantly. “I’m used to it now. He doesn’t talk about London very much and he doesn’t talk about his family either.”

  “Will you ever meet his family?” Amelia asked.

  “I doubt it because he doesn’t even talk to them anymore. Well not that I know of anyway,” Charlie explained.

  “Right!” Lucy announced, getting to her feet with her glass of wine. She gestured for both Amelia and Charlie to stand with her.

  “What are you doing you crazy bitch?” Amelia asked slightly bemused.

  Lucy lifted her glass into the air to make a toast. “Bitches, we are going to London!” she squealed, pushing her glass towards them to toast.

  Charlie stumbled forward slightly into the side of Amelia, who was now staring at Lucy open mouthed.

  “You’re crazy...” Amelia scoffed. “Why the fuck do we need to go to London?”

  “For Charlie of course,” she said with a beaming smile. “This girl needs to sort her shit out properly with her man. I think we should go to London for a few days for a girlie trip. Go shopping during the day and hit the clubs at night. We can pick something up for Charlie in London and then she can make a surprise visit to Mr Ellis,” she started to explain over excitedly. “There isn’t a chance in hell that he’ll turn you away from his bachelor pad if you’re dressed in some crotchless panties and a suspender belt.”

  The initial shock of Lucy’s suggestion was starting to finally wear off. Thinking about it a little deeper, Charlie actually felt excited at the idea of surprising Callum. Of course there would have to be a little planning involved. For a start, she didn’t even have a clue of his address. She knew that he lived in Canary Wharf, but that was as much as she knew. Hopefully a quick snoop in his office downstairs would provide her with the information she needed.

  Although her heart was pounding furiously in her chest, Charlie raised her glass in the air towards Lucy. “I’m in,” she smiled.

  “What?” Amelia choked, looking at Charlie slightly concerned. “Are you sure about this? You know he is going to be pissed after all this has settled down.”

  “Stop being such a pussy,” Lucy teased, sticking her tongue out at Amelia.

  Sighing in defeat, Amelia raised her glass into the air.

  “Fuck it! Let’s do this!”

  Fourteen

  “I’m just nipping around the corner to grab a sandwich,” Charlie announced, pushing her arms through the sleeves of her jacket. “Would anybody like anything?”

  She flicked her gaze around the room at the various members of staff who were loitering, but disappointingly silent. Usually Xavier was there to join her for lunch, but he had booked the day off as holiday.

  “Fine,” she mumbled under her breath as she picked up her handbag and headed for the door.

  Stepping out into the glorious midday sun, Charlie enjoyed the feel of the warming haze as it gently hit her face. She sighed blissfully and started her short walk around the corner to her favourite coffee shop.

  “Hi Joseph,” she greeted, stepping up to the counter.

  “Hey, Charlie,” he said with a smile. “How are you doing?”

  “I’m good thanks - Happy Friday and all that.”

  He nodded. “You go on and get a table and I’ll bring your usual over to you.”

  “That would be lovely thanks,” she said, placing a ten pound note into Joseph’s outstretched hand.

  Charlie turned around to try and find herself a table, but was immediately surprised. Apart from a few regulars who were seated in their usual places around this time of the day, the usually busy coffee shop was largely empty.

  Snapping up one of the comfy armchairs by the window, Charlie settled herself for an hour of people watching. It was one of her most favourite things to do when out at a restaurant or coffee shop. She didn’t just analyse people on their outer appearance, but judged them by the way they moved and the body language of each individual.

  Scanning the busy street, she looked for her first victim of the hour.

  Eventually her eyes landed on a gentleman who at a rough guess she put in his early thirties. She studied his outer appearance, taking in his beige chino trousers and high top white Converse. He looked good, which definitely helped him earn a few more points in the ranking.

  Her gaze followed him further down the street until he paused outside of a jewellery shop. She could tell immediately by his body language that he was nervous. His hands were pushed deep inside the pockets of his trousers and he was shifting uncomfortably from foot to foot. She watched him pace backwards and forwards past the display windows, clearly trying to talk himself into buying something.

  “Who’s the victim today, hey?” Joseph laughed as he placed her steaming mug of tea along with her usual roast chicken and rocket panini on the table beside the armchair.

  “To your left, about ten o’ clock, some guy with a pair of chinos and converse outside the jewellery shop.”

  “Good choice,” Joseph approved. “There is definitely something going on with him. I’m thinking perhaps wedding ring?”

  “Nah,” she replied, shaking her head. “Look at him. He doesn’t look like the marriage sort to me. Although, I do think it is a gift for the girlfriend.”

  “But we will never know the truth, which is the delight of people watching,” Joseph confirmed with a shrug.

  “I guess,” Charlie said as she picked up one half of her sandwich. Taking a bite, she closed her eyes and slowly savoured the taste. “My God, Joseph, your toasted sandwiches are the fucking shit. You do know that right?”

  His eyes lit up at her compliment. “That is really nice of you,” he thanked. “It is just a shame that not everyone is as loyal to this place as you and the other guys sitting around.” He gestured sadly towards the empty tables and chairs.

  “Where is everyone?”

  “Did you not see the article?”

  “No.”

  Joseph sighed. “Some critic came in and completely tore me to pieces. Said it was the worst service and food he had ever had.”

  “Shut up!” she exclaimed, her mouth hanging open. “No way did someone write a shit review on you.”

  “They did and I am completely ashamed by it because I know my food is good,” he explained.

  “Don’t worry people will come back to you,” Charlie reassured. “You’ve got me for life anyway.”

  “Thanks, Charlie. You enjoy your lunch now,” Joseph smiled as he walked back towards the counter.

  Turning back towards the window, she was just about to scope out victim number two of her lunch break when her phone started vibrating on the table. In her haste to answer the call, she didn’t check the number before speaking.

  “Hi,” she greeted.

  “Hey, Baby. You’re sounding mighty ch
eerful today.”

  She shuddered momentarily at the sound of Callum’s voice. Pure sex rolled off of his lips with each word spoken. She could practically feel it oozing through the receiver into her ears.

  “I just called into Joseph’s for my usual Friday lunch,” she replied. “Are you okay? How come you’re calling me?”

  Now that the initial excitement of Callum’s voice had worn off, Charlie was now left wondering why her boyfriend was calling her on a Friday afternoon. She checked her watch for the time and noted it was almost twelve thirty. He was due to leave the office in a few hours, so that he could start the three to four hour drive from London to Manchester.

  Callum sighed into the receiver. “I’m sorry, Baby, but I am not going to be able to come home this weekend.”

  “But...”

  “Jared needs me in the office tomorrow because we have a big meeting setup with some new investors. I tried to put it off until next week, but I can’t. I have to stay here and be at that meeting tomorrow.”

  “It’s ok,” she said, a little disappointment evident in her tone.

  “I just feel terrible because of everything that happened last week as well. I wanted to be there for you this weekend so that we could try and make stuff right.”

  “Will I hear from you this weekend then?” she asked anxiously.

  She heard his long exhale of breath before he replied.

  “I may not be able to tomorrow, but I will certainly call you on Sunday,” he promised.

  Charlie remained quiet, not really sure what to make of the situation. She felt deeply saddened that Callum wasn’t going to be home tonight. After their talk last week, she was certain that things were going to change between them and that it was the start of something new and exciting.

  She felt a lump in the back of her throat as he continued to apologise and reassure her that he would definitely make up for this. Charlie let his words drift over her as she stared transfixed out of the window.

  “Baby...?”

  Charlie mumbled a small acknowledgement.

  “I know you’re upset and you have every righ-” He paused and she could tell he had just covered the phone with his hand. She could hear him talking with someone in the background before he uncovered the phone to speak to her again. “Shit... Baby, I gotta go. But I promise you I will make it up to you next weekend. I love you,” he said as the call quickly disconnected.