by Karen Woods
Bridget waited until Belle walked away to take a call from a customer before she replied. “Oh my God, this is getting out of hand. I didn’t know you two were texting each other as much as you have been. You never said.”
Harpur smirked and sucked hard on her gums. “It’s just happened, I don’t know how, but it’s just gone to a different level all of a sudden. Honest, I find myself waiting on his replies, thinking about him all day. What the hell am I getting involved with here, Bridget? Do you think I should just stop and tell him I’m happily married?”
Bridget smashed her fist into the chair she was sat on and snarled over at her. “What and go back to being miserable? You know what I think about Neil, so let’s not even go there. Dessie is making you smile again. Look at you, you’re alive again. I’ve not seen you like this for years.”
Harpur rubbed her flat palm up and down the side of her cheeks, she was stressed out. This was a big decision and once she’d made it, there was no going back. Could she risk losing Neil over texting some other guy? Would she be upset if her marriage was over? Harpur took a deep breath and turned to face Bridget. “You’re right, I’m going to video chat with Dessie and we can take it from there. What do you make of his messages anyway? Is he bullshitting or what? You remember what he was like, he’s a joker and I don’t want to be sucked in by him.”
“Have you ever thought that he might be genuine. He was a kid when you two last met. For crying out loud, just go with the flow and see what happens.”
Belle was back and she finished putting the colour on. It was a big change for Harpur and she just hoped she suited the new copper shade she’d picked for her hair. Bridget left her side. She was having her hair washed and blown. Once their hair was done they had to fly up to Whitefield to attend their Botox appointment. It was going to be late when she got home tonight and for the first time ever, she’d not prepared anything for tea. They could fend for themselves, see how they survived when she wasn’t there. Let them see exactly how much she looked after the family. Harpur looked down at her phone and started to reply to the last message Dessie had sent her.
“Hi there, your message has knocked me for six if I’m being honest. Wow, at last you admit it was your fault we split. Thanks for that, it’s given me peace of mind after all these years. Ok, let’s Skype tomorrow at seven o’clock my time. I will be at Bridget’s house so we can have a good chat. I’m a bit nervous about all this if I’m being honest. I’ve never done anything like this before in my life. Honest, never. You just bring out the worst in me Dessie Ryan, you always have. Anyway, if you're free let’s talk tomorrow. I’m looking forward to it. Love Harpur X”
The message was sent now and there was no going back. Harpur smiled at herself in the mirror. At last, something exciting was happening in her life. She just hoped it wouldn’t come back to bite her on the arse.
Harpur shook her hair about in the mirror. It was fair to say that this woman looked amazing. The new style and the colour change had taken years off her. Even her skin looked fresh and full of life. Bridget came to her side and touched the new coloured hair. “You look stunning, babes. Honest, on my life, I’ve not seen you looking this good for years. Come on then, pay your bill and let’s fly up to see the fountain of youth, woman.” Harpur sniggered and looked at herself one last time. She did look younger and fresher, she was glowing.
*
Bridget lay on the bed and waited for Angela to come back in. Harpur was stood at the side of her and it was fair to say she was shitting herself. Lots of her friends had dabbled in Botox and she’d never really considered it until now, she just thought she would grow old gracefully. Angela was lovely looking and everything about her was perfect. Even her teeth were bright white and straight - perfection. “Is this the first time for Botox for you both?” Bridget nodded, she was quiet for a change and it was Harpur doing all the talking.
“Yes, can you explain to me what it’s going to do. I’m not going to look frozen am I?”
Angela chuckled. Every woman who came to her for treatment always had doubts about these products, none of them wanted to look like some of the Hollywood stars they’d seen on TV. They just wanted a natural lift, nothing more. “I’m going to give you both a light treatment to start. I’m going to lift this area here,” she pulled some loose skin above Bridget’s eyes. “And then I’m going to remove these lines here, crow’s feet everybody calls them.”
Bridget was getting excited now and her fears were disappearing. “So I’m going to look younger, fresher?”
“Yes, Botox is designed for that reason. I will give you both a printout of what the treatment actually does.” The lady started to inject her friend now and there was not a sound. Harpur was peering over her shoulder and making sure there was no pain involved in this procedure. Bridget didn’t move a muscle.
“There you go,” Angela said soothingly, “all done. It will take between five to ten days for it to kick in but after that you will see the difference.”
Bridget jumped up and couldn’t wait to look into the mirror. She was examining every bit of skin that had been injected. Harpur lay down now and she was going through the same procedure.
“What other treatments do you do, Angela?” Bridget asked.
“We do lots; fillers, lips, teeth whitening. I’ll give you a price list before you leave.”
Bridget was at Harpur’s side now. Both of them seemed to have rolled back the years. Angela helped Harpur to sit up. It was all over. Bridget’s facial expression changed and she ran to the mirror. “I can feel my face going tighter, does that mean it’s working already?” Angela smiled and reassured her it was all quite normal. That was it now. The two ladies were addicted to the youthful look. The years would never get the better of them both. Not now they’d found the secret of turning back the hands of time anyway.
It was late now and Harpur had just got home. She took her coat off and walked into the front room. Neil was laid on the sofa watching television and Joanne was sat in the chair playing on her mobile phone. “Wow, your hair is mint,” Joanne yelled.
Neil twisted his head slowly and clocked his wife at the side of him. “Let’s have a proper look at it then,” he said. Harpur ruffled her fingers through her hair and stood where he could get a good look at her. He examined her and held a sour expression. “It’s okay I suppose. I liked your old colour better if I’m being honest.”
Harpur couldn’t hold her tongue and if the truth was known, she was sick to death of her husband being so negative. Never once did he ever say something was good, he just didn’t like change. Oh she was ready for him now, the gloves were off. “And I liked you when you had all your hair but you don’t hear me complaining about that do you?” Oh, that was a low blow and something she knew would get his back up. Neil had an egg in a nest on the top of his head and she knew how much he hated it. It was about time she gave him a bit back, insulted him like he’d done with her. Give him a taste of his own medicine.
Neil sprung up from the sofa and growled at her. “I just said I liked your hair the way it was, what’s with the snide remarks? There is no need to be so insulting!”
Harpur kept her face straight and answered him. “And all I said was that I liked your hair when you didn’t have the bald spot,” she sneered at him, letting him know that she could be sarcastic too. Joanne left the room, she knew it was going to kick off any second now and didn’t want to be anywhere near the line of fire when it did. She closed the door softly behind her and listened from the hallway.
Neil lay back down on the sofa and folded the pillow under his head. “Nasty that. I’ve never said anything personal to you, ever. It’s a good job I can take it isn’t it?”
Harpur was in the zone now and she would have scratched his eyes out if he came anywhere near her. Weeks of frustration were coming to the surface here, she’d reached boiling point. “I’m nasty? Are you having a laugh or what? Come on, let’s put our cards on the table here. You’re miserabl
e and a tight arse. Why I ever married you I’ll never know. I’m sick of it, sick of you and coming home each night to the same shit.”
Neil was shocked and rolled on his side. “Stop being nasty then! I am who I am! I love you don’t I? That should be enough. Why do you always find faults with this marriage? It’s real life this, not a bleeding fairytale.”
Harpur knew if she stayed in the same room as Neil a second longer, she might have said something she would regret later. She picked up her handbag and left the room. The door slammed behind her and Neil just sat thinking for a few seconds before he turned the football match back on.
“Women,” he mumbled under his breath.
Harpur walked along the landing. As she passed Joanne’s bedroom she could see her through the small gap in the door. She was lying on the bed texting, smiling, taking selfies. She gasped her breath and went into her own bedroom. This woman was fuming, she kicked her shoes off and couldn’t wait to take off her clothes. Once her pyjamas were on she plonked onto the bed and made herself comfortable. There was no way Neil was getting in this bed tonight, he could sleep on the sofa, stay well away from her until she had calmed down. Harpur reached over to her handbag and pulled out her mobile. She started to read all the messages between herself and Dessie. Twiddling a piece of her hair at the side of her cheek, she began to smile. This man was playing havoc with her heart already, who the hell was he and what did he want from her?
A little later, Harpur was nodding off, tossing and turning in her bed. Dessie was on her mind and she couldn’t stop thinking about him. Footsteps were coming up the stairs. Harpur rolled onto her side and tucked the quilt tightly around her body. It was Neil, more than likely getting into bed next to her. The footsteps stopped. She held her ear to the door and listened carefully, nothing, not a murmur. Maybe he’d changed his mind and gone back downstairs. She spread her body across the bed and tried to get to sleep. A few minutes later the bedroom door opened and in walked Neil. Harpur looked puzzled, he’d not been in the bathroom, had he been back downstairs, she wasn’t sure. He pulled the duvet back slowly and sneaked into the bed at the side of her. His cold body pressed against hers. She cringed as she felt his hands all over her. He’d annoyed her for sure. “Goodnight babes,” he whispered into her ear. A small kiss on her back and Neil began to go to sleep. Harpur lay staring out of the window. The moon was full tonight and she wondered if Dessie was looking at the moon too. Her heart was racing, tomorrow was D-day. She was going to see him face to face, to really talk to him after all these years.
CHAPTER TEN
Harpur sat behind reception in work and was clock-watching every few minutes. Her head had been up her arse all day long. She’d got orders wrong, sent the wrong parts to people, she was a dithering wreck. The reception door opened and Harpur was gobsmacked as a man came smiling towards her. He was eye candy; six-foot tall, dark hair, blue eyes and the brightest smile she’d seen on a man in a long time, sexy he was. “Hello my dear, I’m here to pick up a part I ordered earlier on today. My name’s Donny. Mark will know what it is if you just give him a shout.”
Harpur swallowed hard and flicked her hair back over her shoulder. She was flirting, trying to catch his eye. Pressing the buttons on the phone, she couldn’t take her eyes off him, she was dribbling. “Hello Mark, I’ve got Donny waiting in the reception for a part he ordered.” Harpur held her ear to the phone and dipped her head slightly over her desk to get a better look at this beauty. Caught in the act, he’d seen her checking him out. Her cheeks started to turn bright red.
Donny broke the ice and started to talk to her. “The weather is crap isn’t it? I need sunshine in my life for sure. I’m sick to death of rain. What’s your name anyway, I’ve not seen you in here before?”
Harpur had been off work a lot lately and perhaps they’d missed each other when he’d called in. “I’ve worked here for years. I’ve been on holiday so that could be the reason why.”
Donny was up for a conversation. He walked back to where she was sat and rested his head in his hands as he spoke to her. “If I’d have seen you I would have been back here a bit more often. What’s your name then?” What was going on here? This was a purple patch for Harpur. Ever since she’d started to talking to Dessie men were all over her. Of course, there’d been a few admirers in the past, but they were like buses now. She didn’t have to think about it before she answered him. Her confidence was booming and she was ready for a chat. “My name’s Harpur.”
“That’s a lovely name isn’t it? I’ve not heard that one before. A gorgeous name for a gorgeous lady.” This guy knew exactly what he was doing, he was going for gold. “I don’t suppose I can have your number. Perhaps we could go out for a drink sometime?”
Harpur was frozen, debating what she should say. She licked her bottom lip slowly and replied with a smirk on her face. “I’m a married woman, sorry.”
Donny giggled and held his head to the side. “Bring the hubby with us if you want,” he smirked. Harpur chuckled, she liked his sense of humour and she continued to find out a little bit more about him. “Where do you work, are you local?” Donny leaned over her desk further and was actually looking at her legs, absorbing everything about her. “I work for my old man. I don’t live far from here really, basically I live near the town centre.”
Mark came into reception then, holding a brown box. “Hiya mate, I hope it’s the one you ordered. I’ve checked the name on the box so you shouldn’t have any problems.” Mark passed over the car part and spoke to his receptionist. “Donny has already paid, so if you can print him out an invoice that would be helpful. Is there anything else I can get for you pal?”
Donny pushed his toned chest out in front of him and he was looking straight at Harpur when he spoke. “Yeah, can you give me this lady’s phone number please? She’s playing hard to get at the moment.”
Mark sniggered and came to Harpur’s side. He placed his hand on the top of her shoulder. “You will have to get in the queue Donny. This one is married. If I had a pound for every man that came in here asking about this woman I would be rich.”
Harpur was chuffed now, buzzing, her confidence peaking. Mark was actually telling the truth. She was well liked by the men who came here. Donny took a few paces back from the counter and winked at her. “I won’t give up that easily. Me and you will be going out soon. You just wait and see.”
Harpur sighed and shook her head, she didn’t reply. Donny left the store and Mark waited until the door had closed before he spoke. “I’ll tell you what love, he’s a good catch. Look at him too, he’s got it all going on. All the ladies are trying to bag him.”
“Well, I’m not. So there. I told him I’m married so he should back off now and leave me alone.”
“Well, don’t hold your breath. Word on the street is what Donny wants, Donny gets.” Mark started to whistle and walked back into the warehouse. Harpur was flustered now, she was hot and sweaty. Checking her new hairstyle in the computer screen, she smiled. It was amazing what a new hair colour could do for a woman. It was back to business now and she flushed Donny right out of her mind. She was flattered of course but no, she was married. There was a text alert on her phone and her eyes shot to the screen. The message was from Dessie.
“I can’t wait to see you later. I’ve not slept a wink all night. I’ve had a haircut too so I can look top-notch for you. Speak soon, Love Dessie X.”
Her heart was pounding inside her ribcage and anxiety was setting in. What the hell was she playing at here? It all seemed a good idea when she had agreed to it but now she was starting to flap, having second thoughts. Making a quick phone call, she tried to get some advice. “Hi Bridget, what’s going on with me? I’ve shit myself now and I don’t know if I can go through with it.”
The voice at the other end of the phone was shouting, she held her ear back from the phone. “Okay, I was just saying that’s all. Take a chill pill will you. I’ll be at your house soon. Make sure you have a few
bottles of wine in. I need a bit of Dutch courage.”
The call ended and Harpur began to log off from her computer. Once it was shut down she collected her belongings together and walked into the warehouse. “Mark can you lock up now, I’m going. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Mark’s voice shouted from the back of the room. “See you tomorrow love. Make sure Donny isn’t waiting for you too.”
Harpur loved the banter in the workplace and she always had a joke with the men who worked there. Filthy they were. They didn’t care what they told her about the girls they’d been seeing. Harpur walked into the car park and twisted her head around, checking the area. Surely Mark was joking about Donny waiting for her, surely.
Harpur flicked the engine over and turned the radio on. The tunes were decent tonight. They were songs she could sing along to. This was such a big change for her. Her mood was good and all her problems seemed to have been buried deep today. She was due to see her counsellor at the end of the week and for now her panic attacks were at bay. The traffic was at a standstill and moving slowly. Why was it every time she was in a rush to get home, the local council decided to dig a hole in the middle of the road and cause problems with the traffic? This was rush hour for crying out loud. Harpur looked at the other drivers near her and she could see they were as pleased as she was about the delays. A man rushed past a car, dodging the traffic, weaving in and out. She pushed her head forward to get a better look at him. It was him, bleeding Tony Wallis. Harpur was all ready for jumping out of the car and running after him but the traffic started to move. She opened the car window frantically and screamed outside after him. “Oi, Tony, you better get your arse to see me. Don’t make me come and find you. Are you listening to me dickhead?” Tony looked like he’d seen a ghost. He knew it was Brady’s sister and chose to ignore her. Whatever he was concealing inside his coat seemed more important than stopping to chat with her. He never said a word, just kept on running. Harpur smashed her clenched fist against the steering wheel. If she would have thought she could catch him she would have run down the street. But Tony was fast, he had to be in his line of work and she knew she would never get within yards of him. Brady had told her so many stories about his pal getting on his toes after a graft and it was well known that Tony Wallis would dust anyone to save his bacon. Her eyes were all over as she started to drive. “You rat Tony! Just you wait until I get my hands on you. I’ll skin you alive!”