Riding Solo

by Woods, Karen

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Marcy Jordan sat twiddling her thumbs; she held a white piece of paper in her hands, she was thinking. The title on the top of the page described feelings of heartbreak. She’d already written, empty, devastation, frantic, broken, abandoned, lonely and lots of similar words. They all had charts at the side of them. Marcy was tired and she’d lost a lot of weight. If she would have turned sideways she would have been reported missing. The ginger cat sat above her head at the back of her chair. Every now and then it stretched his body flat out and purred. The black pen hung from the corner of Marcy’s mouth, the lid was chewed and it looked on its last legs.

  Standing up slowly Marcy paced the front room. Head held up to the ceiling she sighed. “Well, mother that’s it, all the paperwork is done now, it’s just the last few tweaks and then I’m ready to go.” Marcy looked as if she was waiting for an answer, but it never came. The cat lifted its head up and watched her every movement. Eyes scanning around the front room Marcy hung her head low. This place was a shit-tip. Papers were piled high all over the show, and empty cans of Coca Cola were scattered all about the carpet. Marcy picked the cat up and dug her head into its neck smelling its fur. “Right, I better get this placed cleaned up. If clients are going to come to my house I can’t have them sitting in a pig-sty can I?” She popped a CD into the music system and set about cleaning the house, it wasn’t going to be an easy task. Marcy had a couple of hours to spare before her aunties came to visit her. She wasn’t looking forward to it. Lisa and Joan had been ringing her constantly since her mother’s death, and she knew she couldn’t put them off any longer, they told her straight that today they were coming to see her no matter what. Her father had rang her a few times too, but he never stayed on the line long. He didn’t have anything to say, he struggled to hold any kind of conversation.

  Marcy turned the music up and began the cleaning. As she listened to the tunes she sang her heart out, she was enjoying herself. Her mobile phone was ringing but she never heard it. Hours later Marcy lay exhausted on the sofa, she was sweating and felt drained. Yanking her grey pants up she looked at them. The exact same trousers had fitted her last month, but now she could have got another pair of legs inside them. The letter box rapped in the hallway. Marcy flicked to the clock on the wall and stood to her feet, she could hear her name being shouted in a loud voice. It was show time.

  “Bleeding hell, calm down will you I’m coming,” she yelled at the top of her voice. As she stepped towards the front door she could see her auntie’s face squashed up against the glass pane. Turning the lock slowly she prepared herself to meet the women. “Hiya, come in. Have you been knocking long, I had my music on and I didn’t hear the door?”

  Lisa marched inside and frowned. “Yeah, about five bleeding minutes we’ve been knocking. It’s a wonder you’re not deaf with the music pumping like that. What do your neighbours say about it? I swear, if you lived next door to me I would report you. You noisy cow.”

  Marcy led them to the front room. “Sit down, I will put the kettle on, do you want tea or coffee?”

  Joan was thinking about her choice with her head tilted to the side. “Do you have any green tea? I’m drinking that at the moment to try and lose a bit of weight.”

  Lisa chuckled, “Just give her a normal tea-bag. I don’t know who she thinks she is lately. She has princess taste, with a pauper’s budget.” Lisa held the lower part of her stomach and doubled over laughing as she watched her sister’s face drop.

  “Ay, turn it in you. I’m just dieting that’s all. It wouldn’t do you any harm to shed a few pounds.”

  Lisa rolled her eyes and smirked. “Well, what kind of diet allows you to have fish, chips and peas from the chippy? Because that’s what she’s just had Marcy.” Joan hunched her shoulders, her cheeks were blushing, she knew she was fighting a losing battle. Lisa was so quick witted it was untrue, Joan kept her mouth shut and never replied. Marcy left the room and went into the kitchen. Lisa was noseying around.

  She whispered to Joan. “She looks to be coping doesn’t she? I mean, at least this place is clean.” Joan nodded and raised her eyes; she was still licking her wounds after her sister had shot her down. Marcy came back into the room holding two cups hooked on her fingers. Placing them down slowly on the table, she was praying they didn’t want any biscuits with their brews because the cupboards were empty. Lisa sparked a cig up and sat back in her chair. Marcy looked uncomfortable and sat fidgeting, she knew she was going to get a lecture somewhere down the line.

  “So, how have you been then,” Lisa piped up. “You don’t answer your phone, you don’t go out anymore. We thought you were dead at one stage didn’t we Joan?”

  “Yep, scared the bloody life out of us you did. What have you been up to anyway?” Joan asked in a serious tone.

  Marcy smiled and she was about to reveal her new career. Taking a deep breath she looked at them both with a raised smile. “I’ve been getting my career together. I’ve had loads of research to do, and courses to attend.”

  Lisa smiled, and reached over to get a swig of her drink. “And here’s us thinking you were at death’s door. I told you she was okay, Joan, our Marcy’s like me she’s a fighter.”

  Joan shook her head and sniggered. “Is that what you call yourself now? Jack of all trades and master of none, is a better quote for you.”

  The sisters were bickering. Marcy cleared her throat, this was it, she couldn’t hold it any longer. It was time to let the cat out of the bag. “I’m going to be a broken-heart therapist.”

  Silence, not a word was spoken and Lisa and Joan were gobsmacked. “What the hell is one of them?” Lisa asked. Marcy knew she would have to sell herself now, there was no way they were talking her out of it, she’d put too much work into it already and it was what she wanted to do. “My mother died of a broken heart…” before she could finish Lisa jumped in.

  “Your mother died because your father was a cheating no good bastard, that’s why she’s not here today.”

  Joan gripped her sister’s arm. “Will you shut your big gob for one minute and let her finish. For Christ’s sake give her a break will you?” Lisa sucked on her gums. “We both know why our Jackie died; you don’t have to rub salt into the wounds.”

  “I’m just saying that’s all,” Lisa moaned.

  Marcy felt a large lump forming at the back of her throat, her eyes were filling up. “As I was saying,” she continued. “My mam lost her life because of heartache,” she shot her eyes at Lisa letting her know that any further comments were not welcome. “I want to help people who are going through the same thing, because there are lots of people out there you know, who are broken-hearted.”

  Joan held her flat palm over her heart and tapped her finger on her bottom lip. “I could have done with some therapy when that John Lucas left me when I was a teenager. He broke my heart you know; in fact, he shattered it into a million pieces. I never thought I would smile again.”

  Lisa blew her breath and snarled at her sister, she was at it again. “He wasn’t even your boyfriend; he was the local man-slag. Everyone was riding him. You must have had a screw loose to think he ever loved you. John Lucas only ever loved himself.”

  Joan had her back up, she was sick to death of her sister’s sly digs at her. Sitting forward in her chair she pointed her finger at Lisa, her face was bright red. “Oh, so now you know all about my love life do you? How the hell do you know what went on between me and John. He broke my heart; I don’t give a toss what you think. I loved him.”

  Lisa dipped her head; she was giving Joan a hard time and tried to make amends. “I’m just saying that’s all Joan. If you say he loved you, then he loved you. Who am I to judge?”

  Joan had finally won an argument; she sat back in her chair with a look of pride in her eyes. “So, when are you starting all of this Marcy? It seems like a good idea to me. Are you sure you’re ready for it though? I mean, working with so many depressed people, you will feel
like shit after a day with them all.”

  Marcy chuckled, her aunties were so funny. “Of course I’ll be fine Joan. I’m there to help them get through the hard times, just call me a kind of twenty-four-seven friend.”

  Lisa wasn’t bought by the idea, you could see it in her eyes, she was ready to pull it apart, she was always so negative. “Why don’t you do a normal job love, like working in ASDA or Tesco’s? You don’t need blubbering people around you at the moment. Just take time out before you jump into something like that.”

  Marcy stood up, Lisa was right about one thing, she was like her, she was a fighter, she defended herself. “My mind’s made up, I would be glad of some support from you both. I don’t need you trying to put me off.”

  Joan stood up and wrapped her arms around her niece. “I will stand by whatever you decide love. You do what you have to do to make yourself happy, ignore her.”

  Lisa sat looking at them both, she was hesitating. Slowly she stood up, she seemed unsure of her next move. With a quick pat on Marcy’s shoulder she let her know she was going to stand by her too. The three of them sat talking for the next few hours. Marcy was smiling and her mood was somewhat different, she felt confident and sure of where she was going in life. Marcy was meeting Louise soon and she kept shooting her eyes to the clock on the wall.

  Joan slurped the last bit of her tea from her cup and grabbed her coat from the back of the chair. “Come on Lisa, let’s make a move. Your Mick will be wondering where you have got too.”

  Lisa yawned, “Yeah, he’ll have a search party out for me soon. He’s always like that when I’m out. He hates me leaving him on his own.” Marcy walked her aunties to the front door. She seemed edgy as Joan kept her talking for a few minutes more, she couldn’t wait to say goodbye to them both.

  *

  Louise sat in the coffee shop with a pile of papers in front of her on the table. Marcy was in the queue getting served. Louise shot her eyes over to her friend and shook her head as she watched her approach the table. “Bloody hell Marcy, you need a good meal down your neck, I’ve seen more fat on a chip, you’re so skinny.”

  Marcy sat down and slid Louise’s drink over to her, there was no point in trying to defend herself, Louise was right, she was thin. “So how did you go on with the other surgeries, are they up for it or what?”

  Louise was excited and flicked her hair back from her shoulders. “Right, I’ve spoken to a few of the other doctors, let’s say they are in my circle of trust so to speak, and they love the idea. They’re all up for a trial period to see how it goes.”

  Marcy placed her hand over her mouth. “Are you being serious? You’re not having me over are you?” Louise didn’t understand the slang of Manchester language and looked confused. “I mean, are you telling me the truth?”

  Louise chuckled, “Of course I’m telling you the truth. I wouldn’t lie about something like this. Seriously, they’re all up for it. You will have to have few meetings with them first and explain things further but I can’t see there being any problems.”

  Marcy was on top of the world. You could see her starting to relax. Slurping on her Latte, Louise grabbed her hand. “A few of us are going out tonight if you fancy it? Gareth’s friend is tagging along, why don’t you come?”

  Marcy chuckled, “What on a blind date?”

  “Well, if you want to call it that. He’s a good looker as well,” she leant over and whispered into Marcy’s ear. “If I was single, his pants would be on my bedroom floor I can tell you.” Marcy nudged Louise in the waist. This girl was posh but every now and then she would let rip and become a sex maniac, this was one of those times. “So, are you coming then? Come on, you haven’t been out in ages.”

  Marcy smirked. “I know, the gas goes out more than me lately,” she gazed at the oil painting sat on the wall in front of her, she was thinking.

  “Well?”

  “Yes, I’ll come.” Marcy tried to look excited. “Like you said, it will do me good to let my hair down for a change,” she prodded her finger into her friend’s stomach causing her to giggle. “I might even get my knickers off if this guy’s what you’re making him out to be.”

  Louise loved the banter and rubbed her hands together. “Oh, I’m so glad you’re coming, you will enjoy it. And,” she stressed. “If you get a leg- over, it’s a bonus.” Laughter filled the air, and the other customers were looking at them both, they looked like naughty schoolgirls.

  Later that evening, Marcy stood looking at herself in the full length mirror. Twisting from side to side she patted her hair down. The dress she was wearing was old, but with the help of a silver chunky belt it looked like a new outfit, or at least she thought it did. A car honking its horn outside made her grab her silver handbag from the sofa. The taxi was here. Marcy looked around the room one last time and grabbed her keys from the coffee table. “Wish me luck Spice,” she giggled to the cat as she left the house.

  The music was pumping as Marcy opened the door to the Hat and Feathers pub in Miles Platting in Manchester. It was packed out and she was struggling to see Louise. Making her way to the bar she scanned the area. “Marcy,” a voice shouted from the other side of the room. Marcy turned her head quickly and spotted her friend. Smiling softly she ordered her drink before she went to meet her. “Sam this is Marcy my friend who I was telling you about.”

  A man stood up and leant over to kiss her on the cheek. He was dishy; dark hair, tall, and deep blue piercing eyes. Marcy blushed. “Come and sit here next to me,” Sam said confidently. Louise winked at her and urged her to move quickly. “So you’re this amazing lady Louise has not stopped going on about all night.”

  Marcy was lost for words. She’d not been on the dating scene for ages and this was all new to her. “I’m not amazing, I’m just me,” she stuttered.

  Louise jumped into the conversation, there was no way she was letting her friend destroy herself again. “Take no notice of her Sam, she’s everything and more than what I’ve told you about her. She’s just a bit out of practice that’s all.” Marcy played with her hair, she was embarrassed. There was one thing for sure though, she definitely fancied him, it was written all over her face.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Harry Bailey was a man’s man for sure. Every Friday night at eight o’clock he would set off to the local boozer to meet the lads. It was a tradition he’d always adhered to, and nobody would ever stop him doing this, not even his partner Jenny. His father had done it before him and his father’s father had done it before him too, it was tradition. Friday nights was for the lads after a hard week of graft - fact.

  Harry’s skin was shining as he marched along the busy road; he’d scrubbed it removing all the grease and dirt from the factory where he worked. Clean shaven, he was ready for a few scoops. Harry’s light blue shirt was pressed neatly, Jenny his partner made sure of that, he was never allowed out in creased clothing, she was like that. Jenny mothered him and always made sure he was in tip-top condition.

  The sun was beaming down on him and he was sweating. He was eager for his first pint of Foster’s, he could taste it already. He slowly licked his lips as he thought about necking it in one. A cold refreshing beer was just what he needed. Tonight was like most Friday nights for him, but Jenny was playing on his mind as he walked along the road towards the pub. She seemed strange tonight, different in some kind of way, but he just couldn’t put his finger on what it was. Racking his brains he went over in his head if he’d missed something. It wasn’t her birthday; it wasn’t the anniversary of them meeting. And they’d not had an argument. It was all strange to him.

  Stepping inside the pub he could see his mates stood at the bar. They all had that look on their faces, they were glad it was the weekend. Harry worked in a paint factory. He’d been there for over five years now. He’d had a long time being unemployed before this job though and he got by any way he could. He was a wheeler and dealer in the area. A lovable rogue people called him. That was then though, he was
different now and he had responsibilities, a family to care for, a mortgage to pay, or that’s what he kept on telling himself. His girlfriend Jenny and his two kids were his world, well, when it suited him. They were the family unit he’d always dreamt of. Coming from a broken home he’d always told himself that when the time came for him to settle down his family would always be together. Being called a dad was the best feeling ever and he always planned to be the best parent he could ever be to his children. Not like his own dad, who walked away from his kids and left them without a penny to survive on.

  Harry Bailey never thought for one moment he would ever be without the family he needed so much. Slurping on his ice cold beer he sat down at the table with his drinking partners. Jack Latton had been his best friend ever since being a kid and so had Mark. Each of them was the same, like peas in a pod their families would say. Friday nights was their night out and no woman would ever stop them carrying out their drinking tradition. It didn’t stop there either. Saturdays were a dossing day for them all. It consisted of a few bets and a takeaway in the evening. The hangover made sure of that, they were all like zombies, dead to the world. On Sundays Harry and his mates had a round of golf too. This had been going on for years and none of the men’s partners seemed to bother, they just took it on the chin and got on with life.

  Mark poked Jack in his waist and opened his eyes wide. He whispered in his ear. “Tell him then.”

  Harry overheard them and lifted his head up quickly. “Tell me what?”

  Jack snarled at Mark. “You and your big mouth. You should tell him if you’re so concerned. Why am I always the one who has to do the dirty work around here?”