Out for Revenge

by Wood, C

  “Take a seat, she has her last client in with her, she will see you when he has finished, Carrie.”

  “Thank you Kristy, how are you these days? Still seeing hunky man?” She laughed.

  “I am yes, happened to marry him, now I have hunky husband and baby on board. How long has it been?”

  “Fair point, it has been two years, I think it was just before I married, the idiot that is, was Glyn? I’m so happy for you, and everything is all right you, the baby?”

  “I and they are fine, I’m having triplets, and don’t ask me how I did it I don’t know how either!” We both laughed, as Catherine and her patient came out. He scurried past me embarrassed at being here perhaps, he was disguised, so probably a celerity, I laughed inwardly, Catherine saw many celebrity’s?

  “Welcome back Carrie, come in!” I smiled at Kristy and followed Caroline in! It took me a while to explain everything, some of the things she was shocked at, the revenge plan she was mortified at, she condoned my behaviour. The Peter incident, as I now referred that day to, and his arrest though she thought I had been reckless and could have endangered my life, the outcome was a good one for me! I had some closure!

  “So, you need to know if you should forgive Thomas, for your actions and Peter’s deeds that day, you need to remember if you cried out, if you didn’t would you feel right in forgiving Thomas, if you did scream, did he hear you, was he there? All these things you know the answers to Carrie. That day you blacked out, and your memory, triggers you to have a different take on the day. All we know for sure is that you need to forgive yourself, and stop blaming yourself, you were the victim, but you need to stop being the victim and start being the survivor.”

  “So, I should try and put it behind me, forgive Thomas and move on, I think that’s what I want to do, forgive, forget, and move on.” We chatted for a while longer and as she looked at her watch, I bid her farewell said goodbye good luck to Kristy and drove to Blackpool, in a much better mood. I got there after dinner and as I pulled up the filled skips, are taken away, and new ones dropped, in front of the hotel, my god he had ruined the place.

  I walked in and it looked horrendous, the whole corner of the hotel was down, you could see straight to the top floor, floors gone and ceilings down! Harry greeted me as I stepped into the office, with him sat Thomas.

  “Sorry, I couldn’t keep away Carrie, do you mind? I got the first train I could here, my head ached so couldn’t drive!”

  “Uncle Harry you remember Thomas?”

  “I do yes, just telling him he better look after you, or he will have me to answer to, I believe you had a trip to see Catherine, how is she?”

  “Sends her love and says I’m getting there, at last.”

  “I am going back home now you’re here; the guests are all in the bigger of the two, and the live- in-staff are in the flats as requested. Go back to the hotel, get some sleep and come back in the morning, relaxed and refreshed, Thomas has been busy, his plans are a lot better than the idiots you have doing them now. The loss adjuster from the insurance has authorised the removal of rubbish, and tidy up and will be around for a couple of days, to figure the losses, and such. Security is here and set up, nothing to do but enjoy the evening the pair of you.”

  “Thank you Uncle Harry, we will be back in the morning bright and early, have they charged Glyn?”

  “Yes, with criminal damage and fraud, seems spouting about an arc was all for show, that was the only thing he memorised, so the doctor said he was competent to be charged. Get yourself away, I won’t be telling you again my girl.”

  “Have a nice night, love to Aunty Lou, and see you tomorrow.” With that, he disappeared. Thomas and I left alone, both looking a little awkward and nervous, who would break down first? That would be me…

  “Where are your bags? Get them in the car and I’ll take us to the hotel. I didn’t expect you to be here Tom, but I’m glad you are, really glad.” He came over to be by my side and held me tightly.

  “I couldn’t stay away; I sat an hour and thought about it, then, got in the car, but the headache came, and once the meds started to kick in I decided on getting the train. It gave me time to work on your plans for the hotel, and look for the plans for this place. Plus, I can’t drive on the medication, says so on the packet!” He laughs and pulls me in for a kiss!

  “You, you’re all right now though Tom? I am sorry about this morning; you were right, you couldn’t have done anything, I just have to deal with the fact that when he did… That thing to me, I shut down and didn’t scream and shout as I thought I did. In my head, I was kicking and screaming, in actuality, the psychiatrist says I just shut down. You saying you didn’t hear me scream was the first proof, I had that’s what I did just let him do it.” I broke down and cried. Tom held me tightly until I stopped the cry now a gentle sob.

  “Shush, that’s the past, your horrific past, I’m your future, just yours. I love you and always have, strange and weird hoping for all these years waiting for you to come back, but I knew you would. I have prayed for it long enough.” He went to the office and grabbed his things and threw them in the boot of the car, I drove us to the hotel, my favourite on in Lytham, unfortunately, not for sale, I did ask. Give them time.

  We, Tom and I, put the things in our room, I felt awkward, strange and god damn shy, I was like an excited school girl, I knew what was on offer, and didn’t want to seem too desperate and just grab, but if he didn’t do something soon… He pulled me to him and kissed the side of my neck his kisses sending shivers through my body, oh god yes. After an enjoyable evening in bed, we dressed and went for dinner; yes, we looked like two lovesick forty-year-old teenagers. Moreover, I loved it.

  CHAPTER 11

  We spent a week, here in Blackpool. Formally charged Glyn was, on police bail, he couldn’t come near any of my properties, charged with the count of criminal damage and they were looking at the theft from the hotel. His story was; that he was still employed; by Gerald, and was taking what was due him before I sacked him. He may get away with it too, but not the damage.

  Tom and I got to know each other very well that week, working together on the plans and starting the building work on bringing the hotel back to its former grandeur, with the insurance pay out and a grant I received from the council and the tourist board, made the flood a good thing, thank you Glyn. The teams stripped all the modern additions down opened hidden grand doorways, unblocked hidden fireplaces, blocked off oak doors, knocked off polystyrene tiles and coving took down the sixty’s false ceilings to reveal the old grand ceilings still in place, I cried that day!

  Tom and I, left Tom’s team in place to supervise, we had to go back home. Home seemed nice to say we had a home; well we had two, his home and my hotel home, yet to decide, whose home would win out. We would decide when we had been together a little longer than a week, we actually stopped all the time in Tom’s house, he said more cosy, I think my place was just that a hotel, not cosy enough!

  The Harbour House Hotel; was slowly, being transformed. The phoenix was coming from the flames. I had a great many days choosing the furniture and the dressings for the windows; the lighting was all recycled originals rewired and brought to code, the ballroom looked magnificent, the kitchens all ultra-modern and functional, outbuildings for storage and walk in fridges and freezers, everything was coming together, for a Christmas opening, could it be done in four months?

  On my many trips to suppliers, I would check out the clubs, and attend functions and meetings, Tom came with me on several trips, and we, enjoyed ourselves, watching but not touching. I was disappointed; not to see Dylan at any of his old haunts, but then he was busy ruining his father’s empire, and yes I said ruining, not running, he was in charge and hadn’t a clue what he was doing. I was told, the board had no confidence in him, most hadn’t, well not since they received my e-mail many years ago, seems like the elephant, they too had long memory’s. I did note they were looking at two of the hotels I was, two grand
Edwardian hotels side by sides, my chosen thing bring back old hotels that were separated, going for auction, in the next couple of days; ones I wanted, but knew would be way above what I could afford. Still if you don’t go, you never know.

  I still had people I could trust in Dylan’s office; ones who knew what he was like with me, including the stepped over secretary that Jennifer replaced. The wonderful Jennifer George, um, yes I made sure whilst in London, I found out where she shopped, had her hair done nails etc. I knew everything she did, including the young things and old money things, she had meetings with; she took to diner several people, several times in the week. Seems sauce for the goose, is sauce for the gander.

  I had no intentions of sleeping with Dylan to get back at him, no I would take from him, what he took from me, everything, Ivana was right getting everything would be my revenge on him. I started with the Edwardian hotel auction. Tom by my side; so I didn’t go mad and go over the price, I had agreed on with Tom, for their purchase. I watched as he came into the room; exuding elegance, and power, her on his arm looking like the perfect power couple. I watched too, as they seemed to be a little frosty with each other. The girl at the back of him looked like me; it was Harriet!

  “Tom, my daughter, look he’s brought my daughter.” He smiled and hugged me; fed up of me waxing lyrical about my lovely looking children, he actually has now seen one of them, as did I. I nearly cried and ran into her arms. Tom held me back.

  “She looks like you, she looks a little shy though, how old is she?”

  “Nearly twenty four, in fact next week, they will be twenty four. She does look sad, I wonder if she is missing her grandfather, he dotted on her. I can’t get over how she looks like me.”

  “We need to concentrate, this bidding can get out of control, keep your calm when bidding baby, please. I know of loads of buildings that would make excellent old hotels, and we could get them cheap, so watch that paddle!” I had, in fact been told off. Tom though didn’t know of my plan.

  “Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, welcome to today’s auctions, today we have twenty lots up before you today, I remind you that a bankers draft for ten per cent of the sale price is required to hold your purchase for the required ten days. Do not bid if you have not got that in place.” The room came to order, I wanted two that were on sale in Bournemouth, as well as the London ones, they were up first so I excitedly sat as bidding commenced, they weren’t selling, and the bid was half the expected price I raised my paddle.

  “Well, the price for the Edwardian, sixty bedroomed sea front property is currently just one hundred thousand pounds, any further bids?” I looked around, the paddle went down and I squealed and hugged Tom, I may have just hit auction fever, I bought that, and the other Bournemouth property as well as three others. Tom sat and laughed as I kissed him with each property becoming mine. Next, the properties I had originally come to see.

  “Give me the paddle baby; you’re too free with wafting that in the air, I like the ones you have bought, but these will cost some serious money.” I know; I know I do know, but if I get my way, they will be cheap at half the price.

  “Yes Thomas, I know, I just want to see how much they go for. I promise no stupid bids. I promise.” Fingers crossed tightly.

  “Ladies and gentlemen; todays star lot, the row of Edwardian, ex-council buildings in London, with planning permission, in place for either restoration to their grand and glorious days as the town’s premier hotel. Or, in fact for conversion to luxury flats, we have a bid on the books of four million, so I open it to the room at four, point one?” The room was silent, then. one, two, three, half, six, seven, eight, nine, Five million, I watched as Dylan kept cool and calm, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven.

  Six million, Dylan had joined the bidding, one, two, three, four, all the way to eight million, I was sure Dylan had reached his limit. His, give-a-way he is bluffing, eyebrow movement! It all ways stopped him beating me at strip poker, it had made an appearance, umm I wonder. Eight, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, nine million, um they were mine!

  Nine one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, my hands were sweaty and my heart was racing as Tom held me tightly, he whispered to calm down as he kissed my neck and squeezed a little tighter. “Eight, nine, and now; yes we have ten Million pounds. It is your bid madam!” I was sweating please take it higher, the feelings of exhilaration coursing through my veins.

  “Baby, that’s the top of your limit!” I know but I just want him to pay…

  “Ten and a half Million…!” Oh yes, we have a war.

  “Ten six”

  “Ten seven”

  “Ten eight”

  “Ten eight and a half” I had him.

  “Ten nine and a half”

  “Damn it eleven million.” I sighed as I shook my head; I know he has paid well over the odds for the hotel. His top limit was eight, I had made him pay three million more than he could afford too. I had a hug from Tom.

  “Sorry, you didn’t get what you wanted darling.”

  “Oh, but I did Tom, he paid too much for them, and there was no way he would have them taken from him, not by a woman, anyway. I need a drink after all that and oh and my Fiancés fine body in bed.”

  “I think I may be able to service your wishes there Fiancée, in fact I know I can, come on lets part with the money and get our hotels.” He held me tightly as we went to pay for the hotels I had bought.

  “Number four three two, paying for the winning bids, please!”

  “Ten per cent; that’s eighty thousand pounds, please madam.”

  “Thank you but I will be paying in full please take for the full amount and fees please.” I handed over the hotel card.

  “Miss De Droite, thank you, it has been a pleasure doing business with you again.” Tom was outside the offices when Dylan came in.

  “You put up a decent bid, I’m sorry you didn’t leave with what you came for, Miss?” I shook his hand.

  “I left with what I intended, That’s Miss Catherine De Droite. It was a pleasure fighting the battle; the war is far from over though.”

  “Oh, so it was a battle, Catherine? Not fond of losing, then?”

  “Who, said I lost anything? Moreover, I have lost many a battle Mr… Sorry I don’t know your name. I have however never lost a war, if you’ll excuse me I have to be going, my Fiancé is waiting. I will see you again I assume?” I didn’t await a reply I grabbed Tom and walked away, the war had begun, he just wasn’t aware it had.

  “You alright Carrie, was he alright with you? I heard your daughter being belittled by that woman, telling her to stand tall and to stop sulking; I don’t actually think they get along baby?” I smiled at that nugget, and fumed that she was ordering my child around. She will pay next.

  Tom and I spent the night in the hotel here in town, he was going to grab the plans for the hotels I or rather we had bought, he was my partner in the business, I had asked him to join me, and be the architect on all the hotels we bought. I stayed on to see my solicitor and sign the paperwork; I also had plans for the perky Miss George. He kissed me a long goodbye; and I actually cried as he left me. He was egger to get to the plans, and get started.

  I went to her salon to have my hair done, the extensions long gone, my hair was coiffed, and fussed over every week, and was looking really nice with the head of blond streaks running through it, my crowning glory Tom called it. I loved it when he ran his hands through it; tugging as we made love and thinking of him made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside, our wedding planned for Christmas Eve, in the Harbour House Hotel.

  I was at last; getting my big white puffy wedding, in the place of my dreams, with the man I dreamt of, no longer Jack, but Thomas. Who was always on my mind, I had at last found perfect happiness, with my very first husband, the one I married in infant school, the one I should have stopped with, Thomas Thompson. I loved going back home to him, and couldn’t wait to see him again, god I had it bad he only lef
t two hours ago.

  She came in for her usual appointment, and sat in the chair at the side of me, looking at me through the mirror, and I smiled as she frowned. She was looking a lot older, in the seven years since I last saw her sat on the chair arm, looking around my home, she had aged, badly. She looked old, trowelled on the makeup, definitely older. I wasn’t being bitchy; but had she really always look so rough and I only saw the faraway look, the oil painting effect from a distance it looks beautiful, get up close, you can see the splodges of lumpy paint, only appreciating its thrown together beauty from a far? I smiled as my hairdresser asked me what I wanted; Francesco would kill me if I let anyone else loose on his handy work,

  “I want it in as tight a French plait, as you can do please I have a costume party to co to tonight!” His assistant washed and conditioned my hair, bliss having my head massaged, next dried and then he worked his wonders doing a fancy French braid, he wove into my hair fine black and red ribbons, after asking the colour of my outfit, all the time she looked at me. Do I make small talk? I didn’t have to ask, she spoke to me.

  “You were at the auction the yesterday?” I looked up from my magazine.

  “I was, yes, I went to add to the hotels I already have and I fancied breaking into the London hotel business, thinking I will stick to the smaller coastal ones, they have brought me in quite a good business. You, were you buying or just looking?”

  “No, I was accompanying my boyfriend, he owns the Somersby-Smyth Hotel group, he is the chairman of the board, Dylan Somersby-Smyth, perhaps you have heard of him?” I smiled.

  “Everyone knows of the Somersby-Smyth Hotels, they are very nice, too I have stopped in a fair few over the years. I am just starting out and finding my own way at the moment.” I looked at her; she wasn’t as pretty, up close and personal, as I thought. God what a bitch I was. After all she wasn’t the sole reason, my marriage hit the flusher, that was down to me not caring what I looked like nor what I did, other than be a mum.