Lola's House (Lola Series)

by Groers, Suzie

  As if she is reading my mind Muriel holds my hands and looks me straight in the eyes and says. ‘Maybe sooner would be better, Lola, if you want to keep James.’

  ‘But you said before that he should try and get along with Robert?’ I take another sip of brandy soaked tea, feeling my senses starting to float. ‘Why the change of heart?’

  ‘I’ve not always been a big fan of James, you know that, Lola? But I have tried for your sake. You obviously think a lot of him, and for that I will always give him the benefit of the doubt, unless of course I discovered he was doing something that I found totally unacceptable, then I would let him know about it.’ She puts her arm around my shoulders to comfort me. ‘However, he’s not a man’s man. He’s territorial. He doesn’t like the thought of another man in the vicinity of his girlfriend. A really good looking, charming man. It’s competition for him. And I can see how you look at Robert. You probably don’t realise it but your face lights up at the merest mention of his name. How do you think James feels about that? How would you feel if the situation was reversed and there was a good looking woman getting cosied up with James, and you could see she was having the same effect on him as Robert has on you?’

  I feel my heart plummet in my chest. I know she is right but I have been too blinkered to see it. Yes, I have a very strong attraction to Robert, but the point is I haven’t acted on it, apart from the drunken kiss, which I hadn’t planned and did while not in full control of my senses. Everyone has done things while under the influence of alcohol that they probably wouldn’t do when sober. And, I know deep in my heart that I would never cheat on James, irrespective of the circumstances. I’d never cheated on anyone. I felt he should have a little more faith in me, and stop dreaming up wild arsed schemes to manipulate the circumstances to his own ends. I agree James could be jealous and even childish when things didn’t go his way, but to suggest I sell up my whole life to appease this side of him was completely ridiculous. It was like using a sledgehammer to knock in a drawing pin.

  But the whole situation just didn’t sit right with me. It was nagging at the back of my mind and alarm bells were sounding. Something inside me was starting to unravel and I wasn’t entirely sure where it would lead me.

  Chapter Twenty

  I’m lying in bed replaying the events of yesterday in my head. James had been at the house when I got back from work last night, still pouting his discontent. Although I sympathised that it perhaps was a difficult situation for him, I was beginning to lose patience with his moodiness. We spent the evening discussing how he felt and he even apologised for being so thoughtless for asking me to sell up and fly off on holiday on a whim, which was a massive departure for his personality. But, he was as usual living in his own sphere and it didn’t cross his mind to consider I may have some thoughts on the situation. And as each day passed, I was beginning to feel more and more irritated with his childish ways.

  Nevertheless, I was never a big fan of confrontation and discord so I took the easy road. I forgave him and we had called a truce. But when we got into bed last night I felt totally worn down by the day. It was as if I was spending all of my time defending him to everyone, and then he was constantly throwing it back in my face by acting like a spoilt brat. So, when he moved over to me in the bed and ran his hand up and down my body, I pretended to be asleep. Eventually he gave up and huffed over to his own pillow, while I stared at the darkened window, watching the headlights of the occasional car go by. He left early this morning to play rugby and was to return to London this afternoon.

  So now, I have the whole day to speak to Robert and find out what his plans are, and whether there is any chance he will be moving out soon, as my jealous boyfriend feels insecure at his presence. Obviously I won’t phrase it quite like that.

  I can hear Robert moving around downstairs, and can’t put this off any longer, so I swing my legs out of bed ready for action. On second thoughts, maybe I can stall a little longer while I take a shower. After a full body scrub, deep conditioning treatment on my hair, face mask, shaving, plucking and anything else I can think of to delay going downstairs, I eventually emerge from the shower.

  I dress in skinny jeans, a sky blue strappy top and a pair of flip flops. One last look in the mirror confirms I am looking presentable, so I take a deep breath and make my way downstairs.

  There’s no sign of life in the kitchen. But there is a strong smell of freshly brewed coffee, so I grab two mugs and fill them both, a little bit of cream in mine. The back door is wide open and I can hear movement outside. Stepping out into the sunshine I find Harley, continually running round in circles chasing his tail, yapping every few seconds when he almost catches it. He stops when he realises I am there and wags his tail furiously at my feet. I give him a pat on the head and rub his ears while holding the mugs steady in my other hand. He shoots off in the direction of the garage where I realise Robert is inside moving stuff around.

  As I walk through the doors, I find Robert standing amongst the now dusty tools. The garage had been added by my granddad after they had moved into the house many years ago. Although it had never been used to house a car, it had in fact been a workroom for my granddad and still has all of his wood working tools inside, just as he had left them. Cobwebs hang from the ceiling and dust motes float in the air, it’s an assault on my senses coming into this space, as if time has never moved on. It smells the same and feels the same as when I was a child, the only thing missing is my granddad.

  ‘This place is amazing. I could spend hours in here,’ Robert says, as I enter. He picks up a plane and examines it closely.

  ‘Yes, I know. I used to love it in here when I was a child.’ I watch his face deep in concentration turning the plane over in his hand. I put the mug of coffee in front of him.

  ‘Thanks,’ he says, picking up the mug and taking a sip. ‘Have you not thought of using this space for something?’

  ‘It’s not like I’m short on space in the house, so there hasn’t really been any need for it,’ I say, looking up at the roof space where I can see daylight in one corner. ‘Plus I don’t know how sound the building is. I thought it may have to come down eventually.’

  ‘The construction is pretty good actually, because it’s been sheltered by the house and the garden wall, the brickwork is in quite good condition. You just need to fix the roof and that wouldn’t take long to do. I could help you out with that, it would probably only take a day’s work.’

  I hesitate for a second. ‘I’m not really sure how much of a priority it is. Or what I’d use it for.’

  He looks at me with a wry smile on his face. ‘You could always store your car in here in the winter.’

  ‘Of course,’ I smile, obvious really.

  ‘Would you mind if I clear some of this into boxes for storage and get the roof fixed. It wouldn’t cost you anything,’ he says, smiling again. ‘I could do with a safe place to store the Harley Davidson.’

  I hesitate again. Wasn’t I supposed to be asking him to move out? I examine his face, full of fascination with this space. James had only been in the garage once and he had grimaced at the dust and then washed his hands at the first opportunity, even though he hadn’t touched anything.

  Robert sees the uncertainty on my face. ‘It’s okay if you’d rather I left it as it is. I could just fix the roof for you and make it watertight.’

  ‘No, you’re right it does need a clear out in here, it’s not like I am planning to start woodworking anytime soon. And I guess it makes sense to fix the roof.’ I pick up a file and blow the dust off it while I give my mind chance to put into words what I need to say. ‘And if you need to store the bike after you have found another place to live that’s fine.’ Not very subtle I know.

  ‘Great thanks, but it seems like I’ve looked at so many houses now and none are quite right. Plus the flat in Edinburgh still hasn’t sold. You might be stuck with me for a while yet, but at least it will give me chance to fix this roof and a few other things ar
ound here. I know it must be mounting up having Ned to do all of the work – anything I can do to help you out will reduce the costs considerably,’ he says, pulling down some cobwebs from the corner of the roof space and inspecting the hole in the roof. ‘And I’ll try and keep out of the way so you and James have space for yourself. I know it can’t be easy having me here playing gooseberry.’

  ‘You’re not a gooseberry,’ I laugh, James wouldn’t agree with that of course.

  He stands with his back against the workbench, coffee poised ready to sip. He must have read my mind as he says, ‘I get the feeling James may not see it the same way.’

  ‘James has had a lifetime of getting his own way. It’s complicated, but I’ve enjoyed having you live here, it’s made the house feel like home again.’ I blush at my own honesty not sure where it is coming from.

  ‘Well I don’t want to cause any problems for you, Lola,’ he says, earnestly.

  In my head, I know there will be consequences for what I say next, but I have reached a point where I have to draw a line to stop my future being dictated to me.

  ‘There isn’t a problem, I can handle James. You can stay for as long as you need to.’ And that’s how I came to the decision Robert could stay until he was ready to move out and James would just have to get used to it.

  It was also the beginning of a series of events that would change everything.

  The following morning, I stand in the shop looking out the window, watching people in the street walking past and going about their business, bags in hand. A woman is pushing a buggy with a baby inside and an older child stood on the back, gripping the handle to hold himself steady.

  Muriel is straightening the bags under the counter when she stops and looks at me. ‘Penny for them?’ she says.

  ‘Sorry?’ I turn from the window to face her, suddenly pulled from my reverie.

  ‘What’s got into you today, Lola? It’s like you’re in another place.’

  ‘I am in another place. I think I’ve made a mistake, Muriel.’

  She comes and stands next to me. ‘How, what have you done?’

  ‘Remember the conversation we had the other day? It’s made me think a lot about life and the choices I’ve made. Rash choices, where I have allowed myself to be carried along with the flow,’ I say, my mind very much on the weekend just gone.

  ‘Do you want to talk about it? You know I’ll always help you out where I can, Lola.’

  ‘Thanks, but I’m not sure you can help me, Muriel,’ I reply, still watching the passersby.

  ‘Give me a try and we’ll see, shall we?’ she says, smiling.

  ‘I was supposed to do something yesterday, but having given it some thought I changed my mind, and now James is going to be really mad at me.’

  ‘Okay, well can’t you explain your decision to him, make him see things your way?’

  ‘Well that’s the crux of the matter - I don’t really care what he thinks anymore.’

  ‘Oh, that sounds pretty final, Lola.’

  ‘I think you’re right, it is final,’ I say, feeling clear headed at last.

  ‘Is it to do with…’ she doesn’t finish her sentence but I know exactly where it’s going.

  ‘No, it’s not about Robert. He’s seeing someone now and will probably move out when he finds somewhere to settle down. But having him around has made me see things differently, made me see alternatives and I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about what I really want for the future.’

  She hangs onto my words, waiting for me to finish.

  ‘And well, I can’t see James in my future. I think I got back together with him out of a sense of duty and it’s just not working out for me.’ I look back to the window - the woman with the buggy is disappearing round the corner, the child still clinging to the back and beginning to get fractious, the woman bends down to speak in his ear. Whatever she says soothes him and he immediately calms down. If only life was that simple, I think to myself.

  ‘I need to speak to him about it. But that will have to wait until after the party, I can’t handle any upsets until I have gotten that out of the way.’

  Muriel squeezes my hand but doesn’t question me on my decision, she knows in her heart I don’t belong with James, she was just waiting for me to realise it myself.

  Over the next few days the shop becomes a hive of activity. We finish off the painting. Muriel and I go through the rails with a fine tooth comb - anything that doesn’t fit with the image we are trying to present is put on the sale rail, which we will remove from the shop before the big day. We hang everything else in garment order, dresses on one rail, suits on another, skirts and tops have their own rails too. I get a collection of evening bags, coats and dresses from a house clearance. Some of the bags we can sell, the coats and dresses have to be dry cleaned, although a few go straight to the charity shop.

  The invitations have gone out, flowers and food are organised. We have bought cases of wine and champagne and hired glasses from the pub for the night. Although we have only had ten days to arrange everything, it feels as if it has been going on forever.

  Everyone has worked so hard to pull it all together; especially Muriel, so I’ll do something really special for her to say thank you. But for now, I am eager just to get on with it.

  Chapter Twenty One

  I take one last look around the shop and try to quell my fluttering nerves. A few steady deep breaths to calm myself and I nod, satisfied I have done all I can. Everything is pristine – the paintwork looks fresh, the new wallpaper on the back wall really stands out and gives the shop a sophisticated yet funky appearance. The new collection hangs neatly on one side of the shop. The vintage inspired collection is the best line we have ever had and virtually sell themselves. Together with the new acquisitions I have made, which have come back from the dry cleaners just this morning, the shop looks really good.

  I have showcased three jewel coloured wrap dresses on vintage dressmaker’s dummies against the back wall. The spotlights shines on them, highlighting the contrasting colours of cerise, emerald and sea blue.

  I have chosen to wear a dress we got from the house clearance. As soon as I saw it I knew I had to have it. I couldn’t resist another look in the floor length mirror to check the dress out yet again. It has a fuchsia coloured taffeta underlay with a black lace overlay, cut in a fifties prom dress style it flounces out over the net underskirts I’m wearing underneath. I have added a wide black patent belt around my waist and a simple ribbon choker at the boat neck. I feel wonderful in it. I tuck a stray strand of hair back into my updo and smile to myself, satisfied we have done well, then turn and sigh as I hear discordant voices coming from the back room again.

  ‘Malcolm, do you have to keep going out there and smoking, the smell is drifting in through the door. You’re infecting the nibbles for goodness sake.’ I hear the door slam and my mom marches into the shop, her helmet hair not daring to move as her feet pound the floorboards. ‘Really, Lola, don’t just stand there looking at yourself, we need some help with the food.’

  ‘Mom, will you calm down, everything is ready, all we need now is guests.’ I look at my watch for the fiftieth time that evening and bite my lip nervously. ‘I hope they all turn up.’

  ‘Of course they will, dear, I just hope Muriel can get those two waiters sorted in time. They’re hopeless and she’s just not strict enough with them,’ she says, tutting to herself.

  ‘Leave Muriel alone please, mom, she has everything in hand.’ As bossy as my mom is with me, I’m not going to let her start on Muriel.

  She harrumphs to herself and is just about to start another attack when the bell clangs above the door and in breezes Chrissie and Cal.

  Chrissie grabs me and kisses my cheek. ‘You look fabulous, Lola.’

  ‘Thanks, Chrissie, so do you,’ I say, pulling back from her. ‘You’re wearing the wrap dress and sexing it up perfectly I see.’

  ‘What else would you expect, sweetie?’ she says, smoo
thing her hand over her generous chest and smiling to herself. ‘Anyway, enough of me. How is it going? Are we the first here?’

  ‘Yes. I’m so nervous and my mom is making it worse, winding everyone up and then raining on their parade like she always does. I’m afraid Muriel might quit if she doesn’t stop soon.’ I fiddle nervously with my bracelet. Raised voices ring out on cue from the back room again just as the bell clangs above the door and guests start to pile into the shop. ‘Oh God.’ I groan, in despair.

  ‘Okay, you greet your guests, Cal can dish out the bubbly and I’ll go and tame the beast out back,’ she says, grabbing my chin. ‘Head up, Lola. Put a smile on your face, everything will be fine.’ She marches off towards the back of the shop, the sound of her stilettos echoing off the walls as she strides across the wooden floor.

  After an hour the shop is heaving and the party in full swing. The heat is stifling from all the bodies crammed in, so the back door is open to let a breeze flow through. Muriel is manning the till with Chrissie helping out, bagging the purchases.

  Robert still hasn’t turned up and I am nervously scanning the door yet again hoping he will appear. I’m not sure why but it’s important to me that Robert sees our success. He has played a big part in getting the shop the way it is and I really want him to be here to share this evening.

  I feel James standing by my side, a glass of champagne in his hand. He slides his free arm around my waist and plants a kiss on my cheek. ‘Are you looking for someone, babe?’

  I feel a wave of heat wash over me and the colour rises in my cheeks. I gather myself quickly. ‘Oh, I was wondering whether Alex would come. He said he would drop in tonight but you know what he’s like.’

  ‘No doubt he will turn up like a bad penny,’ he says, tipping back his glass of champagne in one go and then smacking his lips together. ‘I didn’t think you cared that much for him anyway.’