‘Surely they won’t go that far,’ Paula soothed.
‘Of course they bloody well will,’ Barry snarled. ‘Why did you have to go and have a row with that cow McNally? Look at the trouble you’ve got me into.’
‘You got yourself into it, Barry. I told you to be discreet but of course you couldn’t keep your hands to yourself. So don’t blame me,’ Paula flared.
‘Well it’s true, McNally’s got at you by getting at me. Except I’ve much more to lose. She must have thought you’d be expelled. But I’m the fall guy here,’ Barry said bitterly. ‘Come on, I’ll drop you home, I’ve had enough.’
‘I’ll walk, thanks,’ Paula said coldly.
‘Suit yourself.’ Barry glared. He grabbed his jacket and turned on his heel. Paula stared after him in fury as he barged through the door.
Barry didn’t care. He was fuming. Why had Paula got up Eilis McNally’s nose so much that the bitch had done such a malicious thing? He was just going to have to change his plans, he thought angrily. He’d arranged to take a holiday in Australia during the school holidays. His brother lived there. He was always asking him to go out and join him. Fuck it, he just might do that, Barry decided as he slammed the car door and sped out of the car park. There’d be no bloody nuns in Australia breathing down his neck. Australia was a man’s world. Just what he needed. He’d had it with women.
How dare Barry walk out on her, Paula raged. No man walked away from her the way Barry just had. It was totally unfair of him to blame her for what had happened. It was all Eilis McNally’s fault. And Barry’s for being so careless. She walked briskly along towards Mobhi Road. If Barry was going to behave like a shit, he could piss off. She didn’t need him. There were plenty more men in the world. And some of them were a lot more interesting than Barry Bloody Keating.
An image of deep blue eyes, a straight nose and a firm mouth teased her memory. A recollection of a tanned body against a crisp white shirt made her sigh. Barry had a smooth, bare chest. Boyish really. Nick Russell’s dark tangle of chest hair was much more masculine. Nick was a man . . . The longer she worked for him the more he intrigued her. Even though she’d been sleeping with Barry, she’d been very much aware of Nick. And the task of running his house created an intimacy between them. Nick had never made a pass or anything like it. His behaviour was above reproach . . . unfortunately. She wondered what it would be like to make love to him. Paula gave a shiver of pleasure at the thought. That was a private little dream she would keep to herself. Let Barry get down on his knees and beg her to come back. She’d consider it. But things had changed. His attitude had disgusted her. In a couple of weeks she would finish school. She was eighteen years old. An experienced young woman. Paula smiled in the dark as she walked home and felt invigorated by the thought of a new love affair. She would let Nick know that she and Barry were no longer together. When he saw that the field was clear and she was interested in him, he might respond. What did she mean he might respond. He would respond. Her confidence was supreme. The seduction of Nick would be her greatest challenge.
Chapter Thirty-Four
‘Please, Paula, stop being childish.’ Barry stood blocking her path as she made to enter the games room.
‘I’m not being childish and I’m not discussing it here,’ she snapped. It was a week after their row and Barry wanted to make it up. Paula was not so inclined. Barry had said some very hurtful things and blamed her for the whole mess he was in. She couldn’t help Eilis McNally’s spite. And it was Barry’s own fault anyway. If he’d kept his hands to himself he wouldn’t have got into trouble. She knew why he wanted to make up too. He wanted to have as much sex as he could with her before school finished and he headed off to Australia. Barry loved making love to her. And she’d enjoyed it. But dating Barry, and having sex with him, had lost its attraction. She knew it was crazy but now it was Nick who filled her thoughts.
‘Come on, Paula. I’ve said I’m sorry, let’s go for a drink tonight,’ Barry pleaded.
‘OK then.’ She relented. She was being a bitch, she knew. Barry had been good to her. He deserved more than a rude brush-off. But it was over whether he liked it or not. He was going to Australia and she had to look to her future and she wanted Nick to be her future.
‘Look, Barry, I’m in a hurry. I’ve to get home to clean Nick’s house. Call for me at eight and we’ll have a drink. Just one, mind. I’ve got to get some swotting done for the exams.’ Her tone was brisk. Barry threw his eyes up to heaven.
‘I was hoping to have a bit more time than that. We haven’t been together in over a week.’
‘And whose fault is that? One drink, that’s all, Barry, I’ll see you later,’ Paula retorted and stepped around him and went in to join the rest of the team in the games room.
An hour later she was at Nick’s. Paula hoovered and polished with vigour. She took great pride in keeping Nick’s house spotless. He was extremely appreciative. She glanced at her watch, it was almost seven. He should be home soon. He generally worked late on the evenings she cleaned so as not to get under her feet. Paula always had fresh coffee percolating and cream cakes or doughnuts waiting for him when he got home. Nick had a very sweet tooth.
The time ticked away. She had done all her chores. Where the hell was Nick? She was dying to see him. In a few more weeks she’d have to go home to St Margaret’s Bay for the summer and she wouldn’t see him for ten weeks. Although she was looking forward to seeing her family, the thought of spending ten weeks in St Margaret’s Bay did not exactly fill her with delight. She would be working in the hotel as usual. Paula smiled wryly. Once, working in reception had been all she aspired to. She’d got her wish and now it bored her. But then that was her all over, she thought glumly. When she got what she wanted, she got bored and moved on to something else. It was the same with men. First Conor, now Barry. She was a fickle woman for sure.
But with Nick it would be different, she thought happily as she heard the crunch of the car up the drive. Nick would satisfy every want and need. She would never ever be bored by Nick.
He looked tired when he came through the front door. But his face creased into a smile when he saw her and her heart lifted gloriously.
‘Hi, Mrs Mops, still here!’ he joked, shrugging out of his jacket and loosening the knot on his tie.
You are the most gorgeous man, Nick Russell, Paula thought to herself. Not even Paul Newman had eyes as blue as Nick’s.
‘I didn’t get in until late,’ she fibbed. ‘I’ve fresh coffee on, do you want a cup?’
‘You spoil me,’ Nick said affectionately.
‘Someone should, you work too hard,’ Paula said lightly.
‘Hard work never killed anyone, but I’ll tell you one thing, Paula, I’m dreading the summer.’ Nick followed her in to the kitchen and stood next to her as she poured the coffee. She loved having him so close to her.
‘Why are you dreading the summer?’
‘Because you’ll be gone, and I’ll have to do my own shopping and I won’t have treats like this to look forward to.’
‘You could always get someone else in,’ Paula suggested.
‘I couldn’t be bothered just for the summer. I suppose I’ll have to consider that when you spread your wings.’ He made a face.
‘That won’t be for another year anyway, I’ve to go to college first,’ Paula said soothingly.
Nick looked at her quizzically. ‘Maybe you want to spread your wings now. You won’t have time to come in when you’re at college. Do you want me to get someone else in?’
‘Of course I don’t!’ Paula was horrified. ‘I wouldn’t go home this summer only that my parents like to see me. And college won’t be that different to secondary school. The money’s very handy,’ she added although she knew if Nick was only paying her a pittance she’d still want to work for him.
‘Well that’s a relief to know. I’ll tell you, Paula, you’ll be a hard act to follow.’
‘And flattery will get you ever
ywhere,’ Paula teased. ‘Here’s your cream cake.’
‘Aren’t you going to have a cup of coffee with me?’ Nick asked.
She glanced at her watch. It was getting late and Barry was picking her up at eight. ‘I’ll have a quick one.’ She poured herself a coffee.
‘I suppose you’ve a few hours’ swotting ahead of you. At least the end is in sight,’ he said encouragingly as he handed her the plate of cakes.
‘No thanks, you have them. Barry’s taking me for a drink at eight.’ Paula was unenthusiastic. She really didn’t want to go out. She knew Barry was not going to take too kindly to being told it was over. Even if he was going to Australia in a few weeks’ time. His ego would be hurt. She’d have broken it off with him even if he wasn’t going to emigrate. Their affair was over. A clean break was the best.
‘And how’s the great romance?’ Nick smiled.
‘It’s over.’ Paula looked him straight in the eye.
‘What!’
‘It’s over,’ she repeated. ‘Barry’s emigrating to Australia.’ She didn’t want to go into the ins and outs of what had happened. Nick put his mug down and put his arm around her.
‘I’m sorry about that, Paula. Are you heartbroken?’ His eyes were full of sympathy as he looked down at her. Paula savoured the feel of his arm around her and the solid reassuring feel of his shoulder against her cheek. This was absolutely unexpected and utterly blissful. She was so tempted to kiss him. His mouth was only inches from hers. She wanted to kiss the steady beating pulse at his throat and run her fingers through the dark tangle of hair where he had opened his shirt at the neck. Paula swallowed hard.
Nick mistook her silence. ‘Don’t be upset,’ he said gently. ‘It probably seems like a terrible thing now, but I can guarantee you one thing. You’ll come back to me after the holidays and there’ll be a new romance. A new man. You’re young, you should be having lots of fun. Don’t tie yourself down. Believe me, it’s a big mistake to rush into anything.’ His eyes darkened at some private pain. He’d married young, Helen had told her. Maybe he was referring to that.
‘I’m not upset, really,’ she murmured. She wanted to say, I won’t have a new man. I don’t want a new man. I just want you. The phone rang, its shrill intrusive ringing shattering her precious moment. Paula cursed it from the bottom of her heart.
‘Who’s this?’ Nick threw his eyes up to heaven. He went to the hall to answer the call. Paula sipped her coffee. If Nick was going to fall for her, he was going to have to see her as more than an immature eighteen-year-old. Maybe when she went to college he might realize that she was finally grown-up. In a way it was a drawback him knowing her since she was a schoolgirl. It was an obstacle that would have to be overcome.
‘That was Killian Scott.’ Nick ran his hand over his shadowed jaw. ‘He wants me to go and play a game of squash.’ He sat at the table and tried but failed to suppress a yawn. Paula’s heart went out to him. How she longed to put her arms around him and tell him to forget about going to play squash and come upstairs to bed with her and she would make him forget his tiredness.
‘Don’t go if you’re tired, Nick.’ She refilled his coffee cup.
‘Ah, I might as well. Once I start playing, I’ll be fine. I need to keep fit anyway.’ Nick shrugged. ‘I won’t be here for the next three weeks. I’m off to Africa, so don’t worry about shopping. And I’ll be thinking of you when the exams start.’ He smiled at her, his eyes crinkling up at the sides, and she felt like crying. She’d hardly see him again before going home, if he was going to Africa for three weeks.
‘Mind yourself in Africa,’ Paula admonished.
‘And you mind yourself. And good luck tonight,’ Nick responded. He walked out to the front door with her.
‘See you,’ she said glumly.
‘Cheer up, Paula. The exams will be over soon, and there’s lots of other fish in the sea. The men of Waterford will be queuing up to date you,’ he said encouragingly. Impulsively she turned and leaned up and kissed him on the cheek.
‘Thanks, Nick, you’re the best.’
‘You’re welcome, Mrs Mops,’ Nick said affectionately and then the damned phone rang again and he waved at her before he went to answer it.
He’d said she’d get over Barry, Paula mused as she ran a comb through her hair and put on some lipstick ten minutes later. If only he knew. Having Nick’s arm around her had been exquisite. She’d felt utterly cherished. It was the nicest feeling she’d ever had in her life. She wanted more.
‘I’ve said I’m sorry, Paula. I was up the walls. I’ll only be here for another few weeks. Don’t be mean,’ Barry said angrily. She had just told him that this was their last date and he couldn’t believe his ears.
‘Barry, even if you weren’t going to Australia I’d still be breaking it off,’ Paula said coolly.
‘But why? We’ve had rows before.’ Barry couldn’t figure it out.
‘It’s nothing to do with rows, although you were pretty nasty.’ Paula’s tone was tart.
‘Well, what’s it got to do with?’ he demanded.
‘Let’s just leave it, Barry,’ Paula said wearily.
‘There’s someone else, isn’t there?’
Paula said nothing.
‘Isn’t there?’ he said angrily.
‘Barry, we had an affair. It was nice while it lasted, we had fun. Let’s go our separate ways and have happy memories to look back on. Don’t ruin it by arguing,’ Paula said quietly.
‘But I still want you,’ he protested. ‘Paula, please, come on, let’s go back to the flat and make love. I miss you,’ he said huskily.
‘No, Barry. Even if it wasn’t over, I’ve got to go home and study. I’ve got the Leaving coming up. You know that.’
‘Oh for God’s sake! You’ll walk the Leaving.’ Barry glowered.
‘I’m going, Barry.’ Paula stood up and looked down at him. ‘I wish you all the best in Australia. I’m sorry Eilis McNally was such a cow. Take care.’ She leaned down, kissed him lightly on the cheek and turned and walked out of the pub.
Barry watched her go. He knew there was no point in going after her. Once Paula made up her mind about something that was it. Nothing would sway her. There was someone else involved. There must be. Why else would she go cold on him? Sex had always been great between them. But earlier, when he’d tried to kiss her, she’d been unresponsive and unloving.
Barry was most put out. No girl had ever broken it off with him before. He’d always done the ditching. But that was Paula. He scowled. He wouldn’t have minded a lusty couple of hours with her. He’d been counting on it. He was as horny as hell and when he’d seen her in her tight jeans and skimpy T-shirt he could have jumped on her there and then. Paula had the sexiest body he’d ever seen. He loved watching her play basketball in her tiny navy skirt and white top. It always turned him on. Paula had no inhibitions. She enjoyed lovemaking. Whoever she was interested in now was a lucky bastard, he thought sourly as he went to the bar and ordered another pint. Drowning his sorrows was his only option tonight.
Nick drove home from the fitness centre where he’d played a vigorous game of squash with his friend. He was glad he’d gone. He felt invigorated. And once he’d got on the court he’d enjoyed it. It cleared his mind. God knows he’d need a sharp mind for his trip to Africa. One of his engineers had made a mighty cock-up of one of their projects. He was going out to sort it out. Whatever Jeffrey Dean had had his mind on, it hadn’t been his job.
A woman was involved, according to Larry Andrews, Nick’s manager. Seemingly Jeffrey was involved with a married woman and there’d been high drama when the cuckolded husband had found out. Nick’s mouth tightened into a grim line. He’d been a cuckolded husband once himself. He wouldn’t wish it on his worst enemy. Even now the memory of walking in on Eleanor, his wife, and Neil, his best mate, and finding them in bed together caused pain. If it had been anyone but Neil, he might have forgiven her. But he couldn’t cope with it being Neil.
The first few years of their marriage had been happy, but gradually she got bored. She needed new challenges and adventures and he was too busy trying to get the business up and running to see it. Neil had been a challenge. Neil with his sense of fun and spontaneity. He had always been the extrovert one, Nick the calmer, quieter one of the two.
Eleanor had dropped Neil soon after Nick had discovered their affair. She’d begged him to take her back, but he was too gutted. Every time he looked at her, he saw Neil. She had destroyed their marriage and a friendship he’d valued more than anything. There was no future for them. He’d gone to Africa and worked like a man possessed trying to get the poison out of his system. Nick sighed. It was gone, more or less, he supposed. He’d got over the worst of it. But it was lonely going into an empty house at night, he reflected as he turned up the drive. He could see Paula’s light still on in her bedroom. Poor Paula, he thought affectionately. Young love seemed such a serious thing at the time. If she had any sense she’d steer away from steady relationships for a few years and have some fun for herself. She was a great girl. He smiled as he switched off the engine. He’d been a bit worried about taking her on to clean for him. Most teenagers were far more interested in blokes and make-up and giggly chats with their friends than polishing and hoovering and keeping a house clean. But she had surprised him. She kept the place like a new pin and was so dependable. There was always food in the fridge, and she went to some trouble to buy the things he liked. He enjoyed coming home the nights she cleaned. It was nice to see the lights on in the house and to know that there was fresh coffee waiting for him. He’d miss her this summer. And after she was finished in college next year, she’d be gone for good, and he’d have to get someone else. He’d miss his bouncy little Mrs Mops. He’d buy her something really special in Africa this time, Nick decided. A nice piece of jewellery. Just to show that he really appreciated her.
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