by F. C. Clark
‘Mum.’
‘Darling, are you OK?’ She gives her son a kiss on the cheek, and seeing her be motherly with Luke makes me wonder what he was like as a child – I’m thinking he was a pain in the arse. ‘I have no idea where your father is – mingling, no doubt, so you will have to hunt him down yourselves. As for your brothers, Declan promised he would be here on time, but God only knows where he is. Actually, it’s probably best that I don’t know. Ollie will arrive later.’ She looks at her watch and I sense she’s a little stressed – a large gathering has that effect on you. I call it panic. ‘I don’t mean to be rude, but I must check the kitchen staff. Luke, take care of Kate.’
‘Yes.’ Luke shakes his head. Clearly, she doesn’t know her son’s irrational tendencies.
We speak to various people, who are relatively friendly. I see no familiar faces yet, which pleases me.
‘Luke!’ We both turn to see Edward making his way towards us.
‘Mum said to hunt you down.’ Luke gives his dad a manly hug. I love that his family are so affectionate.
‘Kate, how are you?’ Edward takes me in his arms for a tight fatherly squeeze.
‘Fine, thank you.’ He releases me and gives me a cheerful look – I guess it’s because I’m with his son. After all, the last time I saw him he was trying to marry him off before the stroke of midnight.
‘There are lots of people here – you know what your mother’s like. Luke, I don’t mean to intrude, but I was just speaking to an ex-colleague. We go back a long way – he has some very interesting thoughts concerning the shipment company you want to invest in. I think it would be wise to take on some inside knowledge.’
Instantly Luke looks business-like.
‘Go, I want to look at the garden. Honestly – go.’
‘Kate, I don’t…’
I hold my fingers to his lips.
‘I can look after myself. Now go.’ He gives me a kiss, and within seconds, he is in a deep conversation about logistics with his father.
The Sutton family home is impressive. I wonder what it would have been like to grow up in a home with expansive grounds like a park. Having the sun low in the sky merely highlights the abundance of colour, which is beautiful. Having had my fair share of gardening over the past month, I can appreciate the hard work it would take to create a garden this picturesque. I take some photos on my iPhone to show Jerry.
I feel a hand in the middle of my back.
‘So, you’re Kate Harper?’
I turn to see a man in his early sixties. For some reason, he instantly makes me feel on edge. Though that may be due to his hand at my waist, which I think is too familiar. I don’t know him. He slides his hand away from my waist, touching every part of my back. As he releases his touch, he holds his hand out.
‘Philip Cooper. I believe you know my daughter, Alexis.’
Holy fuck, you have to be kidding me! The super-bitch has a sleazy father. Now I see why she is so vile – she inherited it.
‘Hello.’ I keep my arms folded. I’m not shaking his hand.
‘Alexis tells me you have captured the heart of Luke Sutton.’ He slides his index finger down my bare arm.
How dare he?
‘So it would seem, and if I may be so blunt, I would rather you didn’t touch me.’ Bring it on, sleaze bag, you’ll have a one-way ticket with your daughter to China…
He laughs. ‘Fiery… I like that in a woman. I can see the glint in your eye – Luke must enjoy that.’
‘Yes, and you can tell your daughter that.’ I turn and walk away, feeling the need for some anti-bacterial soap.
I make my way back to the house. Luke catches sight of me.
‘I’ve been looking for you.’ As usual he can read me. ‘Kate?’ His brow creases, waiting for a response.
‘I just met Philip Cooper – what is it with that family? Do they have a personal vendetta towards me? He makes my skin crawl.’ I shudder at the thought.
‘Count yourself lucky – I have to do business with him.’
I reach up and give him a kiss. ‘Poor you. Please keep him away from me – there’s something nasty about him.’
Luke puts his arm around me as we move away and collect more food.
The evening continues. In the distance I notice Alexis has arrived, but she hasn’t attempted to greet us. I wonder what words were said between her and Luke yesterday.
‘Luke and sexy Kate.’ We both turn to see Declan.
I reach up to his cheek and plant a kiss.
‘Hi, Declan, how are you? It was a shame you couldn’t make the party yesterday.’
‘I would have come, but a stag party wins over my brother’s white party. Speaking of parties, is my mother’s party dull enough for you? I have to admit I’m a little disappointed to not see you in leather tonight, Kate; I was hoping that you were going to inject some life into the party.’
I can’t help but laugh at him; also, he does have a point regarding the lack of entertainment.
Luke shakes his head.
‘Declan, have you finished?’ The boys embrace.
‘I love this girl – at least she has a sense of humour. Is Ollie here yet? I know he went to the airport to pick up his new girl. I believe that was down to you, Kate – they met in Venice.’
‘Is he seeing the girl he danced with? I had no idea.’ I clap my hands, pleased with my cupid efforts.
The three of us chat and Declan makes us laugh with his larger-than-life character and passion for living. He would love Kiki. Now there’s a thought!
Edward comes bounding up to Luke again, with another business opportunity. This party is about more than exchanging recipe ideas; social networking is taking place, doors opening for new ventures. Luke disappears, but this time he leaves me in Declan’s capable hands.
I make eye contact with the super-bitch. She offers me a smirk; I offer a look of disgust.
‘I had a run-in last night with the super-bitch… That girl is bloody awful.’ I shake my head.
‘I told you I hate her,’ Declan spat.
I watch Declan closely. Although we have a mutual hatred of the woman, I sense he has a personal reason for the feeling.
‘I can relate to that. Hopefully Luke does now, after Stella saw how she behaved towards me.’
‘Kate, if only he knew.’
‘Has something happened?’ I ask.
Declan takes a large breath, brushing his hand through his dark mid-length hair. ‘You and Luke seem tight, so has he told you what happened to Ollie?’
His eyes glaze over.
‘Yeah, the day you came to our house and he lost it with me over Ollie’s new job. I’m really sorry for all of you, but he seems happy – and hopefully in a better place.’ I touch Declan’s arm.
‘She is the reason he tried to kill himself,’ he says.
‘What! Are you fucking joking?’ I knew she was a bitch, now I feel justified in hating her.
‘She had a part to play in what happened. Ollie’s best friend had just died of cancer; he was having a shit time at school, with kids bullying him. Alexis wanted Luke – he said no. She knocked on my door. Fuck that – I would rather suck my own dick than go near her.’ He looks at me and shakes his head.
‘I knew she had the hots for Luke.’
‘She got hold of Ollie. I mean she took his virginity. He was young… she played him for a couple of months. She then told him she’d done it for a dare and she had no interest in him. Luke was her primary goal, but he went AWOL for a few years, so she took what Sutton she could. She hit hard. Too fucking hard.’ Declan bows his head; evidently the pain remains with him.
‘I assume Luke doesn’t know?’
‘No. Jesus, if he knew, who knows what he’d do? To be honest, Kate, Ollie has sworn me to secrecy. My parents don’t even know; i
f they did, both the Coopers would be out the door.’
‘I just met her dad; clearly the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.’
‘You’re not kidding,’ he says.
I place my hand on Declan’s back.
‘I can’t believe you’re so calm in front of her; I would have knocked her out by now.’
‘I avoid her, to the point I would rather not go somewhere she’s going.’
‘I would do the same. Look, I won’t say anything – it’s not my place to, but Ollie should speak to Luke, tell him the truth.’
We continue to discuss Ollie’s past until Luke arrives. Declan leaves us to collect more alcohol. Luke tries to explain yet another business venture to me. I merely nod and listen, taking in the words, yet my brain doesn’t retain the information.
From a distance I notice an attractive woman walking towards us. She has long blonde hair and is quite Scandinavian-looking, wearing a pale pink shift dress.
‘Luke, how are you?’ She holds her hand out to me. ‘Hello, I’m Maddy.’
‘Pleased to meet you – I’m Kate.’ She seems quite nice, considering most people have been so bloody awful.
She reaches over to Luke and gives him a kiss. ‘You look well.’
‘Thanks, Maddy, you too. Has your father been keeping you busy?’
‘Yes, you can imagine. With the new company, I feel like I’m working non-stop – you know what I’m like.’
Luke laughs. ‘You inherited it from your father.’
‘I agree. Speaking of deals, my dad wants a word with you – he has a proposal you might be interested in.’
She looks sympathetically towards me. ‘I promise not to keep him too long.’
‘No, that’s fine. Declan will be back soon. Honestly, go.’ Luke gives me a kiss and disappears once again.
Thank God. Declan returns. I feel like a lost sheep amongst a large pack of wolves.
‘Where’s Luke?’
‘More business talk – some girl called Maddy took him…’ I trail off as Declan proceeds to spit out his vodka and soda.
‘Did you say Maddy – pretty blonde chick?’
‘Yes, I guess she’s pretty…’ A feeling uncurls in the pit of my stomach. ‘Declan…’
‘Kate, I’m impressed that you have no problems with Luke walking off with his ex-fiancée.’
I stop breathing.
‘Did you say ex-fiancée?’
‘Kate.’ Declan’s eyes widen as he watches the devastation spread across my face. ‘I didn’t realise. I thought you knew who she was – that’s why I was surprised. Fuck, I’m sorry.’
‘No need to apologise; your fucking arsehole of a brother should be doing that.’ I look across to where Luke is standing. My first view is of his hand on her back. He is laughing and looking relaxed with Maddy and, I assume, her father.
I look down at the ground, trying to compose myself. As I gain some poise, I notice Alexis looking at me, and then at Luke. She sees that my world has been pulled from under my feet.
Why do people keep feeding me information that will cause me pain? Two days in a row I’ve heard about Luke’s near-miss at the altar… Do I look like a woman with self-control, free from jealousy? I think not. Fuck – I’m going to throw up.
I can’t tear my gaze away from Luke. Now I can see what they looked like together. He fucked this woman, doing the same things to her as he does to me. The thought drives my body into a state of shock. Sickness builds at the rear of my throat. I try to swallow some saliva to alleviate the burning sensation.
‘Kate… Are you all right?’
I need to leave, but first I need to convince Declan I’m fine.
‘Yes… I think I’ve had too much champagne.’ I dig deep for some self-preservation – however, tonight I need a fucking JCB. My anger has reached fever pitch; there will be no holding me back.
‘Actually, I’m not all right… I’m pissed off at your fucking useless brother for letting me stand here like a fucking idiot.’ Convincing Declan of my composure has not been good; I will not receive an Oscar this evening. ‘Shit – I need some space. Luke can spend as much time as he wants with his ex-fiancée, as this soon-to-be-ex-girlfriend is leaving the fucking party.’ I find my mobile phone and dial Kiki’s number, hoping she is home from spending time with Henry.
She answers instantly – thank God.
‘Kiki, come and get me before I do some physical damage.’
‘Kate, are you all right?’ Her voice is concerned.
I pause, anger vibrating down my vocal cords. ‘No, I’m not all right.’
‘OK. Where are you?’
‘Go to your dad’s doctor friend, the one at Moor Park. I’ll wait for you there.’
‘I’ll be as quick as possible.’
‘Thanks, Kiki.’
I look at Declan, who is at a loss for what to do and say to me.
‘Jesus, I’m really sorry.’ He touches my arm. ‘Luke and Maddy split years ago. Fuck – he adores you. Trust me, I’ve never seen him this happy.’
‘Declan, look at them – like-minded people, cut from the same cloth.’
‘What!’
‘I knew this would happen. I let my guard down for someone to fuck me over. I need to leave.’ I raise my finger and point to Declan. ‘Do not tell your brother I’m leaving.’
‘Luke will lose it when he finds out you’ve left.’
‘I don’t give a fuck. Clearly, he looks bothered, so bothered that he forgot to tell me… Oh Kate, my ex-fiancée will be at the party and I will be talking to her with my arm resting on her fucking back… Because that would have been far too fucking simple.’
I turn on my heel and leave the garden, returning to the house with a distressed Declan by my side. I make my way down the driveway towards the road. A strong need to scream washes over me, although sadness is my primary emotion.
I hear Kiki’s car before I see her; she’s in a white Porsche with a recognisable roar. Thank God. She gets out of the car, wearing what I can only describe as underwear – a silk camisole top and matching French knickers, with a long mohair cardigan, Ugg boots and a beanie hat… I’m not sure what the hat is trying to achieve; it’s certainly not protecting her dignity. However, Declan’s face lights up at the sight of my friend.
‘Kiki, this is Declan – Luke the arsehole’s brother.’
Kiki waves. ‘Hi. Kate, what’s wrong?’
‘Luke’s gone off chatting business with a girl that turns out to be his ex-fucking-fiancée.’ I shake my head as tears roll down my face. ‘Can we go?’
I turn to Declan. ‘Sorry about tonight, but if you need to talk, I’m here for you. Please tell your mum and dad… Tell them whatever you want to, and when your brother does realise I’ve gone, tell him that I said he’s a fucking useless arsehole, and go to hell.’
‘Kate, he’ll come after you.’
‘No, tell him to stay here with like-minded people.’
The moment Kiki accelerates away from the Sutton driveway, my tears also accelerate, with no way of stopping them. Kiki holds my hand for the entire journey. We are silent. Within twenty minutes, we pull up at Harry’s. Thankfully, I have my key, which I used earlier. We walk through the hall and I immediately head to the kitchen for a bottle of tequila. There’s no need for a glass. I take a large mouthful of burning fluid. There’s no comparison to the burning sensation in my stomach and, more importantly, my heart.
‘Babe, what can I do?’ Kiki asks, stroking my arm.
‘Nothing. I need to be on my own. Sleep is what I need.’
‘I don’t want to leave you like this.’ She pulls me towards her for a hug.
‘Honestly, I don’t want to talk. I’m going to have a shower and then go to bed. Harry will be home soon. I won’t be alone for long.’
&
nbsp; ‘Are you sure?’ She strokes my cheek and removes damp strands of hair from my face.
‘Please, go home and I’ll call you.’
‘You know I have your back. He’s fucking mad if he lets you go, babe. Maybe you should listen to what he has to say. It sounds like it was over a long time ago. Everyone can see he is nuts about you.’
‘That’s not the point. I looked like a fucking idiot tonight. I don’t want to see him, or hear his excuses. I’ll see you tomorrow for our lunch date with your dad.’ I pull her to me in a hug, grateful for her concern. ‘Now go – I’ll be fine. I just need to simmer and sleep. Please, Kiki.’
‘OK, but I’m here if you need anything.’ Kiki leaves the kitchen as I down more pain relief in the form of tequila.
I can hear raised voices in the hallway, then see Luke standing in the entrance to the kitchen. His dark eyes glare at me… Fuck, he drove fast.
He steps into the room and walks towards me.
‘Do not come near me – actually, you should go.’ I can’t look at him. I won’t let him read my eyes… It’s impossible. I’m drawn to him like a moth to a flame. I can’t help but look at him – fear and regret are mapped across his face.
‘Kate, let me explain.’
‘No! I don’t want to hear it. You can shove your explanations up your arse.’ I take another swig of tequila and brush past him, kicking my shoes off and bolting upstairs.
He follows close behind me. ‘Kate, you have to let me speak to you.’
‘No, I don’t. I don’t have to do anything you tell me to.’ I drink more tequila. The burning fluid seems to be numbing my throat – oh, I wish it were numbing my senses.
‘Put the bottle down; that’s not helping.’ His hand rakes through his hair.
‘Don’t tell me what to do! If I want to drink, then I bloody will.’ However, my stomach is not feeling great and my head is ready to explode.
‘When Declan told me that you knew about Maddy…’
I shake my head, stopping his sentence mid-flow. ‘Please don’t mention her name. It makes me want to throw up.’
‘I know I should have told you.’
‘No fucking shit, Sherlock! Yes, you should have said something. Maybe next time we go out, I’ll find an ex and put my arms around him, shall I, because I know how much you would love that. Actually, there won’t be a next time.’