CORAL (A Romance Trilogy, Book 1)

by Delaney, Clair

  I finally admit the truth to myself, way too many times! And did it feel, scary? Were you frightened? In the fantasies – No, I wasn’t, it felt good and close and intimate and...I feel myself starting to get turned on in a car with Gladys and Malcolm and Bob – Ew! Stop!

  I sigh heavily and picture a load of doughnuts so it takes the sexy, hot image of Tristan and I...Oh fuck its back!

  Ok, ok! Let’s just think about all this logically. You want him? – Yes. So you’re going to say yes to a date with him? – Yes. Then I think it’s going to be a whole month until I see him again, that’s just too long. So how do I make contact with him without coming across and needy or desperate, which I’m not…I’m just...well totally hot for him – Oh my God!

  Yep I finally admitted it. Then I think about what I said to George last night that I love him, that I’m in love with him. I still don’t understand how that can be, I hardly know him?

  Then I think about what George said – “Talk to him, tell him about yourself, bit by bit” Can I do that? You don’t have any other choice, you want him to know you, understand you then you have to let him in, take the chance. My hands start shaking again, boy that’s a scary thing to do.

  Yep sure is! But let’s face it you want to be on your own? You want to be a lonely old lady who looks back on her life with regret? And angry with herself because she was a coward who didn’t face her fears, and live her life to the fullest? Is that what you want Coral?

  I finally succumb to my own brutal words. No, no, I don’t want any of that, no way. I want love and friendships and family and happiness! Do you think you deserve it? I’m still in two minds about that one, but I guess I’ll soon find out. Then it comes to me – I have bought Tristan a painting, so I can just casually call him up, see if he got the house, and if he did, I could what?

  Go round give him the painting? No seems too obvious! Hmm...I could help him move in? No, he’ll have people to do that for him! Help him buy furniture for his new pad? I know all the best places. Yes! That could definitely work, I feel like punching my hand in the air, but decide it’s best not to do that, Gladys will probably bollock me again!

  My feet do a little tap dance all of their own and a stupid grin spreads across my face. Then I remember Bob is sat in the back with me, but when I peek at him out of the corner of my eye, I see he is snoozing. Phew that was lucky!

  Feeling absolutely positive about my decision, I allow the dream to come back to me, I close my eyes and surrender to its beauty...

  THE CAR STOPS PULLING ME FROM MY DAY-DREAM. I feel annoyed that I have to go back to reality. I hop out the car then run around it to help Bob out.

  “Thank you darling,” he croaks, still a little sleepy.

  As I turn us both around I notice a For Sale sign is up outside Debs house, that’s odd, Debs hasn’t said anything to me about moving? I instantly feel pissed off about it. Why hasn’t she told me this?

  I take hold of Bob’s arm and help him up the steps to the front door, Gladys rings the bell. I cringe when I hear the screaming coming from the back garden. Scott opens the door and welcomes us all in. We all trail through the house and into the kitchen, looking out I can see the garden is already packed with adults and so many kids – Lily must be really popular at her nursery.

  Gladys and Malcolm take Bob outside, and I’m about to follow when someone flicks my ear. What the fuck? I spin around and see Debs grinning at me.

  “Hey trouble,” she chuckles.

  “Not funny!” I grumble back.

  Debs pulls me into her and hugs me hard. “It’s been ages,” she says.

  “I know.” I roll my eyes and pull out of her hug. “So it’s pretty packed out there huh?”

  “Yeah....Lily’s well happy,” she says her eyes glistening over.

  “So what’s with the sale sign?” I gripe.

  “Scott got a promotion...we um....wanted a bigger place,” she answers nonchalantly. But I can tell there’s something more, something I’m missing. So I decide to probe.

  “So you’re just getting a bigger place in Worthing?”

  “Well....no,” Debs instantly looks flustered.

  “What’s going on Debs?” I snap, crossing my arms as I do.

  “Nothing,” she squeaks. “We probably will stay in Worthing, it just depends what we can get for this place.” I scowl at her, for some reason I don’t believe her.

  “So why didn’t you tell me?” I question. “I mean if it’s no big deal why not just tell...” I trail off suddenly thinking of Malcolm, when Debs just saw him; it was as though they had met before.

  “You know!” I hiss feeling angry and betrayed that Gladys has done this.

  “Know what?” She hisses back.

  “About Malcolm,” I growl quietly through gritted teeth.

  “So!” She whines.

  “What do you mean so?” I hiss even more vehemently.

  “For god’s sake Coral, why do you think Mom told me and not you, hmm?”

  I glare back at Debs we are almost nose to nose. “Why don’t you enlighten me?” I growl more threateningly.

  “Don’t you dare look at me like that,” she snaps, her voice wobbling slightly.

  “Like what?” I hiss again.

  “Like you want to punch me in the face, you really piss me off sometimes you know that. You and your effing temper!” Debs goes to storm off but I grab her by the arm and stop her. I take a deep breath and exhale.

  “Tell me why Debs,” I implore. She shakes her head and closes her eyes, when she reopens them she’s looking at me in the strangest way.

  “Because you over-react to everything,” she sighs. “And Mom wanted to make sure what she had was going to be something permanent before she told you, maybe if you relaxed a bit more, weren’t so wound up all the time she might have...” Debs throws her hand up in the air. “You know what I can’t be dealing with this at the moment. I’ve got a birthday party to run.” She pulls her arm out of my grip we glare at each other for a moment.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.” I whisper. Debs shakes her head at me and walks off into the sunshine. I turn away from the party and take several deep breaths to calm myself down, I’m about to go and have it out with Gladys when – “Aunty Coral!” A sweet little voice screams.

  I turn just in time to catch Lily who has launched herself into my arms. Why is she wearing a swimming costume?

  “Hey kiddo, happy birthday.” I say cheerfully.

  “Thank you.” She smiles sweetly at me and kisses my cheek.

  “Have you opened any of your presents yet?” I ask.

  “No. Mommy says later, after Daddy’s burgers,” she moans.

  “Ah well, Mommy knows best,” I tell her, not agreeing at all. She scrambles down out of my arms and pulls on my hand.

  “Come see, come see!” she screeches tugging me along. We make our way outside, through the patio area and into the hundred foot garden. Whoa! How did I not notice that!

  A huge bouncy castle has been erected right at the far end, and there’s a massive paddling pool with a slide in front of it. “Wow!” I say to her.

  “Mommy got me a bouncy castle,” she says jumping up and down with excitement. Hmm food then bouncing up and down, I’m pretty sure some kids are going to be vomiting!

  “That’s great Lily.” I beam.

  “And a paddling pool,” she screams, she’s so over-excited. “Come bounce with me,” she says, pulling me towards the castle.

  “Um...Lily, I don’t think it’s for adults.” I tell her, hoping she’ll go play with her friends.

  “But’ – “It’s ok Coral,” Scott says, appearing from nowhere and grinning from ear to ear. “I had a go earlier, takes you back!” He chuckles and winks at me – The bastard!

  Lily screams with delight and runs down the garden. “Great, thanks Scott.” I say grimacing at him, and follow Lily down to the castle.

  Kicking off my flip-flops, I climb up onto the castle in t
he most un-lady-like fashion, and pull Lily up too. There are only a couple of kids on there, the rest of them seem to be enjoying the paddling pool, splashing about in the water. We start bouncing, and for a moment I am taken back. Scott is right, this is fun!

  Ten minutes in and I am out of puff, bouncing is a work-out!

  “More Aunty Coral, more,” Lily shouts excitedly.

  “Ok, a few more minutes,” I puff.

  I take hold of her hands and start bouncing again, when all of a sudden my heart starts rapidly beating against my chest. For a moment, I think I’m actually having some kind of weird heart thing – then the butterflies kick in, swarming around my stomach, then that weird pulling sensation starts right between my chest and abdomen.

  I frown hard wondering what the hell this is all about, knowing full well it only happens when I’m around Tristan, or thinking of him, and right now I’m neither! Lily suddenly bounces around in a circle and I’m the one facing the garden towards the back of the house. As I look up, I see the crowd of people part. I see Joyce, I almost go to wave, but instantly freeze because Tristan is walking in behind her… Oh My God! What the hell is he doing here?

  I try my best to keep my concentration and not stare at him, but he’s just too irresistible. He’s wearing a pair of knee length khaki shorts, a crisp white polo t-shirt, and a pair of thick flip-flops, and his aviators are making his smile stand out a mile. Oh wow…he looks hot!

  I can see he’s searching the crowd looking for someone. Joyce distracts him and takes him over to Gladys and Malcolm, and then all of a sudden I see Gladys point in my direction.

  Tristan looks up, takes off his aviators and our eyes lock, all I can do is stare back at him, I cannot pull my gaze away. Holy crap!

  My heart practically stops then begins frantically clawing its way out of my chest. I lose my footing for a second and just as I do, Lily bounces really high. I manage to tear my gaze away and look down, just as the top of her head connects with the bridge of my nose – Oh fuck!

  Several things happen at once, my nose instantly gushes with blood. I moan with shock and collapse onto the bouncy castle. Lily screams in pain, the other two kids start screaming too, making the castle bounce all over the place as they try to get off.

  The pain is beyond excruciating, I try to help Lily, reaching my hand out to her. I’m more concerned that she’s ok, but the pain is knocking all my senses for six, I can't think or see straight. My stomach is rolling as I try to contain as much of the blood as I can inside the palm of my hand (I don’t do so well with blood) my stomach rolls again, and I know I’m going to be sick.

  I try to stop the castle from moving about so much, but I’m still rolling and bouncing all over the place. As I try to regain my balance and check Lily, several worried adults appear. Debs and Scott grab Lily and get her off the castle. At the same time I see Tristan launch himself towards me, in the next breathe he’s picked me up into his arms. It’s almost as though the castle isn’t bouncing, he’s so strong and balanced – the speed and agility he uses to get me off that god damn thing is impressive.

  “Jesus Coral,” he says placing me down on the cool, non-moving grassy ground. I lean forward trying to stop the pain. “No, no, hold your head back,” he tells me. So I do, but all I can feel is blood gushing down the back of my throat; it’s nasty taste instantly triggers my stomach.

  I roll on my side and vomit, blood and vegetable juice are splattering all over the green grass. He reaches down and grabs all of my hair out of the way, making a makeshift ponytail.

  “I think we need an ambulance,” Tristan grimly states. I can feel him rubbing my back, trying to soothe me. When I finally stop being sick, I sit back up and see that Gladys is there with something in her hand, she leans forward and presses it against my nose.

  “Oh Jesus!” I screech. It’s so cold, and the pain of it touching my nose is so overwhelming, my eyes roll into the back of my head, I pass out…

  ***

  “Ugh!” I blink my eyes open, everything is blurry Oh Jesus! The pain, I reach for my nose, but gentle hands are stopping me.

  “Hey, careful now.” I know its Tristan’s voice, but I can’t see him.

  “Lily?” I whisper. It hurts to speak, to move my face.

  “She’s fine, bit of a bruise on her head, but fine. In-fact she’s in the paddling pool right now,” he chuckles. “Kids, they get over things so quickly,” he adds.

  I quickly assess – Paddling pool, so I’m still at Debbie’s? I keep blinking trying to get my sight back to full capacity.

  “Why are you blinking so much?” he asks, his hands gently brushing my hair away from my face.

  “Everything’s blurred,” I whisper.

  I feel Tristan tense beside me. “The paramedic is here Coral, you took a nasty bang to the nose it’s not broken though, just badly bruised. Do you remember?” I want to scream of course I fucking remember! The throbbing in my nose and my loss of eyesight is enough to make anyone remember, but I don’t.

  “Yes,” I squeak, my nose pulsing so strongly now that I feel like I’m going to pass out again. Then I feel something get jabbed into my thigh, it really fucking hurts!

  “Jesus!” I scream. “What the fuck was that?”

  “Sorry,” an apologetic voice I don’t know answers. “It’s Morphine, for the pain,” he quickly adds. And it’s in that moment I feel it flood my system, the throbbing in my nose quickly dies down to a numb ache. I feel my body relax – Oh that’s so much better!

  “Better?” Tristan asks. I feel his lips brush against my ear.

  “Yesh,” I say feeling quite drunk now. “W-hers Gladish?” I ask. What’s happened to my voice?

  “I’m here darling,” she says. “Oh dear! Coral you’re going to have such a bruise, what happened?”

  “Shaw Trishtan.” I answer honestly even though I don’t want to. Is this friggin truth serum? I hear Tristan chuckle.

  “Oh?” Gladys sounds surprised and I know there’ll be further questioning – Great!

  “We’ll need you to come in tomorrow for a check-up.” The strange voice says.

  “That’s ok I’ll take care of that.” Tristan answers authoritatively.

  “Oh thank you Tristan, Malcolm and I had arranged to go out for the day, visit his daughters,” Gladys says. What no roast dinner? What the fuck!

  “What about Roasht Dinnerr?” And what about Debs already knowing about Malcolm, I want to say, but I know it’s not something I want to discuss with other people around.

  “Oh yes, sorry darling, I was going to tell you later. I’m off to meet Malcolm’s girls tomorrow,” she says full of excitement.

  “Well thatts just greaaat,” I slur.

  “Oh dear!” Gladys leans over me, I can almost make out her face. “I’m sorry darling, I should have warned you earlier,” she says. I snort sarcastically forgetting that my nose is in a less than operative state, and splatter Gladys with tiny specs of blood. “Oh!” she gasps trying to rub it off. “Never-mind dear,” she says patting my head. “It’ll come off.” Then she leans down, kisses my forehead and disappears from view.

  I instantly panic thinking I’ve been left alone. “Tristchtan?!” I whisper, reaching my hand out for him. I feel his fingers grip mine.

  “Right here, I won’t leave your side,” he softly says, but I can hear the humour in his voice.

  “S’not funny!” I tell him sternly.

  “No, no. It’s not,” he says, the humour so evidently still there.

  “Ok, Coral. I’m going to place this compres over your nose now.” The strange voice says and something wonderful and cool is placed over my nose. “Don't let her fall asleep, and get plenty of fluids inside her. She can take Nurofen or Aspirin for the pain once the Morphine’s worn off, but if the pain gets too much you’ll have to bring her into A&E for another shot.”

  “Will do,” Tristan answers, I feel him stroking my forehead. God I feel so hot and sticky!

  “Au
nty Coral.” I hear a little voice squeak.

  “Oh! Lilys that you?” I slur.

  “Yes.” I hear her start sniffling.

  “S’okay,” I say reaching my hand out for her.

  “Want to try sitting up?” Tristan asks.

  “Ok.” I feel his arm push underneath my shoulders, his other hand gently holding my head up. And suddenly I’m upright; all the blood feels like it’s rushing out of my head down to my toes.

  “Oh!” I feel drunk, which makes me start giggling. Lily stops sniffling and starts giggling too, and my vision slowly starts to come back to me. I’m in Debs living-room, on the sofa.

  “Hey shweetie,” I say to Lily. I can see her properly now, her cheeks are still stained from her tears.

  “I’m sorry Aunty Coral,” she sniffs again. I reach my hand out to her and stroke her cheek, then pull her closer to me.

  “Shit with me,” I say.

  Lily giggles at me. “You said a bad word,” Tristan chuckles too and lifts Lily onto the sofa next to me.

  “S’not your fault,” I tell her. “Doesh your head hurt?” She shakes it left to right as she continues to chuckle at me.

  “You’re talking funny Aunty Coral.” She giggles some more.

  “Am I?” I ask.

  “Yes.” She squeals loudly, making it reverberate around my head. Whoa! “And you look funny!” She chuckles even harder, I hear Tristan join in. Great, magnificent!

  “Well thanhks.” I say trying to smile too, but the throbbing gets that little bit stronger when I do.

  “I’m sorry I banged your nose,” she tells me sweetly. “Mommy said to come and say sorry, but I was sorry anyway.” God it’s hard to believe she’s only five.

  “S’okay, snot your fault, it was Trishtans.” I smile inwardly, because I know Lily will tell him off.

  “Tristan,” Lily scolds. “You hurt Aunty Coral and me; that’s very naughty,” she adds pretend smacking his hand.

  “I consider myself truly told off, I do apologise,” he says.

  “That’s ok,” she giggles. “Are you Aunty Coral’s boyfriend?” Holy Crap! Shut up Lily!