“Because you’re bloody acting like one! Things are hard but you made your bed…” I’m beginning to remember one of the main reasons I left town to begin with. “Did you ever think that if you came to some sort of agreement with Darren you wouldn’t be having such a difficult time at work?”
“That man can’t be reasoned with.”
“Funny, because it seems you two are more alike than you think.”
“I’m done talking about this; we’re upsetting Mum.”
Dad huffs but nods his agreement when he sees my mum staring blankly at her plate. “Would you like some lemonade, Love?”
“I’m not a fucking child!” Mum suddenly shrieks, throwing her plate onto the ground and standing. “I’m not a fucking child!”
Dad grabs her as she goes to swipe everything off the mantelpiece and I freeze, unsure what to do. She’s had a few of these tantrum like episodes in the past but I’ve never heard her scream this way. She sounds like she’s being tortured.
My chest constricts and I’m finding it hard to breathe as I watch the woman who raised me fall to a heap on the ground, her arms around her legs as she mumbles incoherently under her breath.
My dad whispers reassuring words in her ear, kissing her temple and cheek every so often.
“I’ll fetch the broom,” is all I can manage to say and I leave the room.
After I’ve cleaned up and my dad has gotten her into her bed in the dining room, which is now her bedroom, we both stare at each other for a long moment. My dad places his hand on my shoulder. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be lecturing you. You’ve got it rough enough at the moment. Just… make sure you look after that girl. She’s a good lass and she’s relying on you to be a good man.”
I finally take a long breath before nodding. “Yeah, we need to stop this crap between us.”
“It’s clearly getting to your mum. Give her a kiss and go on home.”
I do so, my entire body shaking as I plant my lips against her cheek and stare down at her frail body. “Love you,” I whisper, ignoring the burning behind my eyes.
“Do me a favour,” My dad says as I move towards the door. He holds out two twenties. “Get Elle something nice for her birthday from me and your mum. I’d get her it, but I don’t know when I’ll have the time.”
“You don’t have to get her anything.”
“I do. She’s my daughter in law and she’s still a good friend to this family. Get her something from us. Please?”
I take it and shove it into my back pocket. “I’ll even wrap it and bring it over so you can give it to her yourself.”
“Go, sleep. I’ll settle your mother.”
I stop when I step through the open door and look at him over my shoulder. “When was the last time she recognised somebody other than you?”
“It’s been two days now. I’ve never heard my dad’s voice sound so weak.
“She’ll come back.” I try to reassure him, but I don’t even believe it myself. “She will, you’ll see.”
My dad doesn’t believe me; he’s losing hope. Not that I blame him. Christ, what if this is me and Elle in the future? Could I do what my dad is doing? Could I ask Elle to do for me what my dad is doing for Mum?
Isaac: I think we should take out life insurance.
Eloise: Planning to kill me and buy that stupid red car you admire in Top Gear every week?
Isaac: Obviously… Also, Mum’s worse than ever.
She doesn’t respond for fifteen minutes. It’s only when I try to call her and the engaged tone lets me know she’s on the phone to someone that I realise she’s probably called my dad.
Immediately afterwards, she calls me.
“I’m so sorry,” she cries, sniffling loudly. “I want to come home. Should I come home?”
“No. There’s no point, Elle. You’ll be missing classes for no reason.”
“I feel so shitty. I should be there more.”
I feel her pain as if it’s my own, which is bad because I’m already feeling my own pain and having hers on top is just making it worse. “Elle… we knew it was coming. Please just stay strong right now.”
“I am staying strong!”
“You’re hysterical.”
I hear her clear her throat and blow her nose. “I’m sad. It’s a sad thing. You’re not the only one who loves her, you know? It breaks my heart when she forgets who I am.”
“Yeah.” I recall the heartbreak written all over Elle’s face whenever Mum has called her the wrong name or has asked her who she is. It kills me to see. “I really wish you were here right now.”
“I’m coming then. Just drive down and pick me up. Please?”
“I wish you were here, but it’s pointless you missing classes and work for something inevitable. I’ll be seeing you in just ten days and that’s enough to keep me going.”
She sniffs again and exhales a shuddering breath. “Promise?”
“Yes.” I park the car and stare up at the building I despise, with its stupid flashing sign and its stupid allure. “I have to go. I need a bath and bed.”
“Okay. I love you.”
“I love you more.” And I mean that from the bottom of my heart.
“We have a lifetime to debate that.”
I smile but it’s not complete. “Yeah. Bye.”
“Bye.” She sniffs once more before hanging up and I rest my forehead on the steering wheel.
Why the hell did I drive here? What am I even doing here?
I can’t think of a single good reason, yet I can’t seem to stop myself from going inside. Ordering a drink from Petal, who I have a brief yet charming conversation with, I head over to a nearby machine to win back the money I lost.
I leave with three drinks in my stomach and eighty pounds richer than I was yesterday. That’ll do.
At least I know when to stop, unlike some of the regulars in here.
Eloise
I place the violet sweets on the side and listen as my stomach makes some odd noises. Maybe eating eight packets to cheer myself up wasn’t such a good idea. I just feel so useless here.
I’ve spoken to Jordan about it and was a little bit shocked when he gave me a hug and asked me if I needed coffee. Of course I said yes. I always need coffee, but then he brought out the sweets and now seems to find it hilarious that my stomach is talking to us both in a growling language I don’t understand.
So even though I’m miserable that I’m not with Isaac when he needs me and I need him, I’m feeling a little chirpier than I was twenty minutes ago.
“Would you like a drink of something stronger than coffee?” He asks, pulling a bottle of vodka from under the couch.
I shake my head. “I’d better not. It’s been a while and I have that quiz thing tomorrow.”
“Sure.” He stuffs it back under the couch and hands me the remote for the TV. “You have free reign to watch whatever you like.”
“Why thank you,” I say sarcastically and snuggle into the corner of the couch, flicking through channels that just don’t have anything good to watch.
I pull my dressing gown over my chin and relax back even more, snuggling the soft fabric to get warmer.
“You are seriously weird.”
“It’s soft and warm,” I respond haughtily, sticking my tongue out at him. “Do you think it’s weird living with a girl?”
He blinks, seemingly shocked at my question. “At first I thought it would be, but actually it’s quite enjoyable. You’re extremely clean, you don’t help yourself to my chocolate, you’re always studying so I always get to watch whatever I want, and you make the apartment smell like rhubarb. What is that, by the way?”
“You smell like rhubarb.” Isaac’s words from months ago float to the front of my mind and I smile. “It’s probably the soap I use or something.”
“Your soap is Dove.”
I laugh out of shock. “You’ve been checking out my soap?”
He blanches and his face turns pale.
“God no, I just… we’ve been sharing a shower forever now. I’ve noticed that you always seem to buy the same body wash.”
I narrow my eyes playfully. “You’re a creeper.”
“Shut up, I am not. I’m just observant.”
“That’s what all creepers convince themselves they are.”
He pinches the skin of my ankle and twists, making me scream and kick at him. “Go to bed.”
“You go to bed.”
“No, I’m snuggling.”
“Me too.”
I stare at his relaxed form at the opposite end of the couch. He sits similar to Isaac, with his arm stretched out along the back of the couch, one of his legs tucked under the opposite thigh as the other leg rests on the coffee table.
“Do you find it weird living with a guy?”
I think on it for a moment and then shake my head. “Not really. I find it weird when you bring girls home.” He looks shocked so I quickly recover. “I just mean that I’m used to living with a guy, not that I disapprove of the girls. It’s just weird. I can’t explain it.”
“Jealous?”
Umm… Definitely not. “No. Not jealous. Well… maybe a little. I wish Isaac could be here. That’d be nice.”
Jordan smiles softly. “You really love him.”
“Maybe you are observant.”
“Anybody who gets those eyes when talking about someone else is definitely in love. The sickly kind of love that I want no part of.”
I giggle and prod his thigh with my foot. “It’ll happen to you one day, you’ll see.”
He shrugs, clearly not in any rush to get to the stage I’m at in the love department. “Coffee in the morning on the way to class?”
Should I? “Yeah, that’d be nice.” I yawn loudly and stand. “I’m going to bed.”
He stands too, rather abruptly. It shocks me. “Me too. I’ll turn everything off.”
“Thanks.” I give him a wave and pad towards my room. “Goodnight.”
“Night.”
Unfortunately I don’t sleep. I do, however, check my Facebook page for the first time in forever and frown at the lack of activity on my wall and in my inbox. I need to make more friends. I’ve only bonded with two people since I arrived; one is my roommate and the other is a girl who adopted me on the first day. Kira forever reminds me of this.
Eloise: Are you sleeping? I can’t sleep.
Isaac: Me neither. Sing me a lullaby.
Eloise: And kill Mother Nature? No thank you.
Isaac: You always know what to say to make me laugh.
Eloise: I just ate eight packets of those little violet sweet things.
Isaac: I bet you taste delicious.
Eloise: My stomach hates me for it. Seriously, even Jordan could hear it growling. I was that loud!
Isaac: You’ve been hanging around with Jordan?
Eloise: We had a coffee on the couch in the room in the apartment where we both live… don’t start. I’m not in the mood.
Isaac: I wasn’t starting! I was just curious. I’m actually kind of glad somebody is there to keep you company. It broke my heart to hear you cry.
Eloise: Don’t. Let’s not talk about it until I’m home. I’ll cry again. Try to sleep. I love you.
Isaac: Sweet dreams.
Eloise: I’m counting down the sleeps. <3 <3
Isaac: Me too.
Isaac
This is what the next eight days consist of: visit Mum, work, be shouted at by boss, more work, be shouted at again, visit Mum, cook dinner, text Elle, go for a drink, pay the bills, put money into a machine that hates me and hopefully win…lather, rinse, repeat.
It’s official; my bank account is almost empty and Eloise’s birthday is coming up soon. The bills have been paid fortunately; they’re what emptied my account in the first place. Those and the food shopping and wallpaper for the hallway, which Elle told me she needed. Not wanted; but needed. Typical Elle.
Also I have to fit it before she gets home in two days. At least I learned one thing at work - that I fucking hate papering walls.
Fortunately Tony is coming over in the morning to help me out. I think I’ve made a friend, first person in years I’d class as a friend and definitely the first in years I’d call to go out for drinks.
I still don’t even know what to get her for her birthday. I’m a shit husband.
“Third time this week,” Petal comments, sliding my usual free beer my way.
I shrug. “I keep getting lucky.”
She glances around and lowers her voice. “Most of the newbies do. Don’t forget it’s all a hook.”
“I know. I’m waiting for that luck to run out.” I wink at her and ask her to watch my drink as I put another fifty I don’t have into the machine that hates me.
“I think it did the last time you came.”
“I won’t know for sure until today.” I grin and watch the reels spin.
Ten minutes later I’m draining my free beer and waving goodbye to Petal and this stupid arse casino for the very last time.
The lights are on when I get home. I know I definitely didn’t turn them on.
I climb from the car, wondering whether or not I should call the Police. I don’t think a burglar would turn on the lights during a home invasion, plus there’s nothing valuable in there for him to take, other than my iPad, which is locked away in the safe in my room.
The door is open, with no sign of forced entry.
And then red hair is blurring my vision as thin, strong arms strangle me.
“Elle?”
“Surprise!” She leans back and smiles.
I pull her back to my chest and hold her tighter than I ever have before. A weight seems to lift and the warmth I feel coming from her soothes every tense part of my body.
“It’s so good to see you.” I hold her even tighter until I’m lifting her and her feet are dangling an inch from the ground. My nose seeks her neck and I inhale deeply, taking in her rhubarb scent. “It feels like it’s been forever.”
Bending slightly, I swing her up into my arms and move towards the stairs. She laughs and kisses a pattern along my neck.
It’s then I remember the beer I drank and panic.
“What?” She asks when I turn my head away from her pursuing lips. I set her down on the landing and nod towards the bathroom. Her eyes narrow suspiciously as I move past her and quickly close the bathroom door behind me.
Eloise
I hear the toilet flush and roll my eyes. Men.
Lying on our bed, I stretch out, pulling my clothes off and throwing them on the ground.
Isaac finally enters the bedroom, smiling wickedly, his dark blue eyes sparkling when they come to rest upon my half naked body.
“You like?”
He nods and kneels on the ground, helping me to rid myself of my jeans. “These are new.”
I know he’s referring to my red underwear, the same underwear I purchased especially for him. “You like?”
“They’re new.” He leans back, frowning slightly. “And by the design and lace I’d say definitely not from Asda.”
“I treat myself.” It’s hardly a big deal. I sit up, leaning on my elbows as I stare at him. “What’s the big deal?”
“We’re supposed to be saving… remember?”
Blink. “Yeah, but I know I’ll get birthday money next week so it’s really not a big deal.”
His eyes come to mine and soften. “You’re right, I’m sorry. I keep forgetting that it’s your birthday.”
Now he has my attention. “You better not actually forget. I’ll be extremely displeased.”
“Dramatic much?”
I laugh at his eye roll and grab him by the collar of his shirt. “You owe me from our little car journey, remember?”
His smile returns and his eyes once again feast on my body. “With pleasure.”
I kiss him deeply and taste the mint on his breath. He brushed his teeth? Why would he brush his teeth?
T
here’s something else. I taste a flavour I’ve tasted before but can’t quite recall as it’s shadowed by mint. What is that?
I push him back, my heart hammering with no small amount of anger. “You’ve been drinking?”
“No,” he responds instantly, defensively and a little bit nervously. “I haven’t had time. I came straight here after leaving work.”
“I know beer when I taste it, Isaac. It lingers on your breath for ages.” I release his collar and move back on the bed. “Who have you been drinking with?”
“I haven’t…”
“I’m not stupid.” Why is he lying? I know I’m not wrong.
“Seriously? Even if I have been drinking, what’s the big deal? I’m allowed to drink.”
I lace my fingers in my lap, my eyes looking him up and down. He throws his hands in the air before standing and moving to the door.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m not arguing with you on your first day back.”
A painful tremor tingles through my body as I feel my husband shut himself off from me. “Just tell me the truth.”
“Fine, yes, I had a fucking drink after work. Somebody shoot me.”
“Why are you getting defensive? What’re you hiding?” Grabbing his robe from the end of my bed, I wrap it around myself and tie it around the middle so I can follow him into the hall.
“I’m not hiding anything. I went for a drink.”
“With who?”
“Myself.”
A choked laugh escapes me. “By yourself?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Fucking hell!” He sighs with exasperation and begins to descend the stairs.
Of course I follow him, my anger rising and my happiness vanishing completely. “Where?”
“At that place on the main street.”
Destruction: The Distraction Trilogy #2 Page 11