The Bow Wow Club

by May, Nicola

  ‘I’ve just put on a face pack, that’s why. It’s drying and I can’t open my mouth properly.’

  ‘Nice. I so need a bit of pampering. I’ve got three huge spots on my chin, must be my bloody hormones. The way I am feeling, I reckon they are having some kind of pregnancy party inside me every night.’

  ‘Still not good then? Poor you.’

  ‘I threw up in the street yesterday, mortified. Luckily I have a slight bump now, so anyone who saw me do it would hopefully have realised it was because I am with child. Or should I say with elephant. I’ve been looking on the internet and my bump is far bigger than it should be at this stage.’

  ‘Well, Simon isn’t a small fellow so your Great Dane, Irish Setter analogy probably isn’t that far off the mark.’

  ‘Ha! James is just being so lovely. I feel so guilty.’

  ‘Well, I don’t think you should. James will never know of your illicit sex session and you are both getting the child you wanted. I mean, the only difference with your impregnation is that a penis was inserted rather than a turkey baster.’

  ‘Ruby!’

  ‘What? I know it’s morally wrong to have an affair but what you did could almost be justified. You love sex, James knows it. He pushed you away on purpose and was cruel to you, so you went elsewhere. Purely physical. It doesn’t count.’

  ‘I do love Simon in a way.’

  ‘I love you in a way, but the thought of getting jiggy with you isn’t exactly a turn-on.’

  ‘All this love,’ Fi laughed. ‘But to make it a hat-trick, as it happens I love you too, Ruby Stevens. Anyway, enough about me - how are you?’

  ‘I’m going to give it a go with Michael.’

  ‘Wow. Where did that come from? I thought you were never going to speak to him again after accusing you of lying about George.’

  ‘I know, but things have moved on. He’s writing a novel, Fi, about him and me. I found a page of it and realised that he loves me so much. I would be a fool not to at least try again with him.’

  ‘I am so pleased you’ve said that! I like him, Ruby, always have. And you’re the one who shagged another man. He hasn’t done anything other than love you, has he? And that’s hardly a crime.’

  ‘I know. It’s funny. I feel like a smoke screen has suddenly cleared re. George. I’ve said goodbye to him properly and it’s time now to start my new life.’

  ‘So what’s the plan then? With Michael, I mean.’

  ‘I am going to pitch up at his place, show him how much he means to me. I always harp on about men not caring enough unless they are knocking my door down. Well, it’s about time I put my money where my mouth is and showed him just how much I do care.’

  ‘Blimey, Rubes - and when is all this happening?’

  ‘Tomorrow morning. I thought I’d go nice and early just in case he is going into the office in Town.’

  ‘Ooh yes, catch him all warm and snuggly in bed. You can then get in with him and show him just how much he is forgiven.’

  ‘Fi Donahue, you are a slut, but I’m liking the way you are thinking.’

  ‘Good luck, mate. To see you smile properly again will mean so much to me.’

  ***

  Ruby washed off her facemask and plastered herself in her favourite Clarins moisturiser. She put on her dressing-gown and looked up at Patrick in all his feline stuffedness.

  ‘It’s time, old boy, to let somebody in properly now.’

  – Chapter Sixty-Four –

  Michael hadn’t been up at 7 a.m. for quite some time. The joys of freelancing meant never having to set an alarm. He stretched and yawned his way to the bathroom in order to shave. It would be painful to see Emily, but he wanted to look his best when he did. Make her realise what a mistake she had made. She had been very cagey when they had spoken - just said that she needed to see him urgently and would really appreciate it if he would agree to meet. After all she had put him through he should have just told her to fuck off, but that wasn’t Michael’s style.

  She had sounded slightly distressed, and despite what had happened he wished no harm on her. Time had healed his intense anger and in a way he was quite intrigued to see her. He couldn’t even imagine what she wanted to see him for. If it was money she was after, she could whistle as he barely had enough to keep himself going at the moment. He still had a bit of freelance work but the internet had affected journalism greatly. Thankfully, because the magazines he wrote for were quite niche he would be OK, at least until he could get his novel out there, that was.

  She said she would come to him, that it was only fair to do that as it was she who had wanted to meet up in the first place. But in true Emily fashion, the timing was on her terms: to meet at seven-thirty as she had to be at work for nine.

  They had arranged to meet at a café near to Michael’s flat in Clapham. He didn’t want her to know he was living in a highrise block. No, he wanted her to regret her decision. Get his own back slightly.

  Barney almost knocked him over as he turned the corner and saw Emily waiting outside the café for him. Despite all their time apart, the loving black Labrador hadn’t forgotten him and Michael found himself holding back the tears.

  ‘Good dog, Barney boy.’ He fussed him as Emily looked on.

  ‘You always did love him more than me,’ she eventually managed.

  Michael took in her petite frame and pretty face. She had had her blonde hair cut into an elfin short style and it suited her perfect features. Her deep sapphire eyes were accentuated by her sparkly blue scarf. She had obviously made a special effort, but no way was Michael going to acknowledge that.

  ‘You look great, by the way,’ she added. ‘You’ve lost weight - and those are nice jeans. They look expensive.’ Michael realised now why he would never take her back. Ruby wouldn’t have cared if he wore tracksuit bottoms and a smile all day. She would just love him.

  The café didn’t allow dogs so they grabbed a take-out coffee in silence and started to walk, Barney still over-excited at seeing his master of old.

  ‘So what do you want, Emily? There has to be something. I mean, this is not a social call, now is it?’

  ‘I wanted to say sorry. It was inexcusable, what happened.’

  Michael said nothing. He was desperate to find out if she was still with his ex-best mate. He didn’t have to wait long.

  ‘Justin to be honest struggled with it. In the end it broke down our relationship. He was so guilt-ridden he couldn’t stop talking about you. I couldn’t stand it any longer.’

  ‘I’d like to say that was a shame, but what goes around comes around, Emily. You didn’t have it so bad with me.’

  ‘I realise that now. Time makes you think, doesn’t it? The grass isn’t always greener.’

  ‘No, it’s not. You did me a favour, actually. You see, I’ve met someone. She’s an amazing woman. Accepts my writing. Loves me for who I am. Isn’t materialistic.’

  ‘Ooh, twist that knife a bit harder, will you?’

  ‘As if you care really, Emily.’

  ‘She’s a lucky woman.’

  ‘So why are you really here? I know you too well. You wouldn’t go out of your way to come to this side of town, especially at this hour.’

  ‘It’s Barney.’

  ‘Oh, no - what’s wrong with him?’ Michael stopped and stroked him lovingly.

  ‘Nothing at all. I’m moving out of the flat I shared with Justin and the new place doesn’t allow pets.’

  ‘So you take on the longterm commitment of a dog and then because it doesn’t fit in with your plans, you want to dump him?’

  ‘Not dump him, just give him back to you.’

  ‘Just like that. Hand the lead over. Off I go. Good old Michael, takes the dog back despite his ex shagging his best mate.’

  ‘I thought you’d be delighted. I mean, I guess you’re still freelance so you can fit walks and feeds around your work?’

  ‘What about dear Mummy and Daddy - they’ve surely got room?’


  ‘No, Mummy has got brand new sofas being imported from France, says she can’t bear the hair.’

  Michael kept playing her. He knew that Barney could go to no one else but him, and he was secretly delighted.

  ‘Well, I guess it’s Battersea Dog’s Home then. I’ve not got much on today, I will take him up there.’

  ‘You can’t do that, Michael.’

  ‘Well, OK then - why don’t you find a flat that takes pets?’

  ‘But who would walk him?’

  ‘Who walked him before?’

  ‘Justin did.’

  ‘So it’s a recent thing, you splitting up then?’

  ‘Yeah, a few weeks ago. And this flat - you should see it. It’s got marble bathrooms and carpets you sink into. I couldn’t possibly not have it.’

  ‘Emily.’ Michael didn’t even raise his voice. Just kept at his same calm level. ‘You are a spoiled little bitch. You think of nothing but number one. I am so pleased that you did what you did, because I would have been a poorer man in spirit if I had stayed with you.’

  ‘Don’t say that, Pooky.’

  ‘I was never your fucking Pooky. Just give me Barney. You know that I will do right by him. I don’t suppose you have brought his bowls?’

  ‘I couldn’t fit them in here.’ She pointed to her designer handbag.

  ‘And I guess you wouldn’t dare ruin your look with a carrier bag. You’ll never bloody change, will you, Emily?’

  ‘Can’t we just kiss and say goodbye, nicely.’ Before he could reply she leaned in to kiss him on the cheek. He turned his head away quickly, so she ended up giving him a full-on smacker on the lips.

  She laughed. ‘See? That wasn’t that bad, was it?’

  ‘Say goodbye to Barney and just go, Emily. All I can say is that before you commit to having kids, think long and hard as it won’t be as easy to give them back.’

  Emily petted Barney then within minutes waltzed up the road with a spring in her step, shouting, ‘Byeee!’ as she went.

  ‘And good riddance to bad rubbish,’ Michael said under his breath. Then, ‘Come on, boy. I can barely swing a cat in my place let alone fit you in, but we’ll manage, won’t we?’

  Barney barked his approval as they set off for home.

  – Chapter Sixty-Five –

  Ruby got off the bus at Clapham Junction station and checked Google Maps. It must be that highrise over there. No wonder he never invited her to his. Bless him. He probably felt a bit embarrassed as it wasn’t in the best area. He obviously didn’t know her well enough as she would not have a cared a jot. The ornaments in a house are the friends that frequent it was something that dear old Lucas Steadburton had written in a letter to her - and how true was that. You could have a bigger bath, a comfier bed, a slow-closing toilet lid - but at the end of the day, did any of that really matter? Health and happiness were far more important. And of course, love - never forgetting love.

  She had wanted to get him a present, but it was too early for any appropriate shops to be open. She thought a pen that wrote nicely would be the ideal gift for a novelist. She would say he should save it for his first book signing but there would be plenty of time for presents. That was, if he would take her on again. That thought had crossed Ruby’s mind. What if he thought he had given her too many chances to redeem herself? She would have to use all of her womanly charms and convince him, that this time it would be right and she would not go off the rails. She had even put on the favourite white lacy underwear that he loved and the perfume he always used to comment on. In fact, she couldn’t wait to make love to him. Feel her ‘love feeling’ again, tell him just how much she really did care.

  She rounded the corner and walked towards the base of the flats. It was then, from a distance, she saw him and her and the black Labrador he had made such a fuss about missing. It had to be Emily, petite, ten years younger, blonde and bloody beautiful, in fact. Ruby watched in shock as Madame Bitch kissed Michael on the lips – yes, on the lips - and then jauntily walked up the road smiling. Damn, she had missed her chance. He had got back with Emily, within minutes of having a go at her for kissing Harry on her doorstep. Ruby felt sick. She began to run in the opposite direction. In her haste she caught her heel in a loose paving stone and went flying on the pavement. She picked herself up and could see blood through her tights. Last time she had done this, big, reliable Michael had picked her up, dusted her down and soothed her back to calmness. This time, a homeless chap just laughed at her and shouted ‘While you’re down there, love…’

  She couldn’t face the bus, she needed air. It was only three miles to home so she began to walk, in a sorry state with the ladder in her tights getting bigger and the blood oozing through. She cried as she stomped. Then, as she got to Putney Fire Station she heard her name being called. She looked to her left. It was Nick.

  ‘Ruby, what on earth has happened?’ He took in her bleeding leg and streaming eyes. ‘Here, wait a second, I’m off shift now. Let me give you a lift. You’re just up West Hill, aren’t you?’

  ‘Honestly, it’s fine. I don’t want to trouble you.’

  ‘It may be fine for you, but I’m not leaving you like this.’

  ***

  Once back at her flat, Nick insisted she got out of her bloodied tights. She washed her face and reappeared wearing her dressing-gown. He had brought a first aid kit in from his car and gently bathed her sore knee and put a neat dressing on it.

  ‘Look at me, wearing this. What must you think?’

  ‘I’m a fireman, Ruby. The sights I have seen, nothing phases me. Now, does that feel better?’

  ‘So much better. Thanks, Nick. I really appreciate it.’

  ‘Dare I ask what’s up? Is it Michael?’

  She nodded.

  ‘You didn’t sort it out after the row the other night then?’

  ‘No. And, I was so ready to give it a go with him.’

  ‘So what happened today then to put you in this state?’

  ‘I feel such a fool. I thought I’d go to his house - you know, make an effort. Show him I really did care. Anyway, I turn up and there he is with his ex, kissing her! Playing happy families with the dog. I honestly thought I was going to be sick. I ran away from the situation and fell over. I always bloody fall over.’

  ‘Oh.’ Nick couldn’t think of anything positive to say.

  ‘And the fact it was so early can only mean that she must have stayed at his. She went off to wherever she works, I guess, and kissed him goodbye before leaving their precious pooch with him.’

  ‘It might not be the case, Ruby. You don’t know the facts.’

  ‘I saw enough. She is younger than me, skinnier, blonder, prettier.’

  ‘That’s enough of that, Ruby. Don’t you dare put yourself down. You are beautiful. You are far from fat and all I know is that I think you are amazing company.’

  She smiled as she remembered back to the incident at his flat. She then took all of her sexy companion in. The fact he was a fireman was a turn-on in itself. Noticing his dark trendy hair, good looks and pecs to die for, just sealed the deal.

  There was no going back to Michael on any account, so what the hell. Fuck him and that young blonde slut, he was welcome to her. How dare it take only seconds to get over her.

  Dear old Lucas has told her to only regret the things she didn’t do, so she got up, walked to the kitchen and let her dressing-gown gape open long enough for Nick to get a glimpse of her sexy white underwear.

  He walked up behind her and began kissing her neck. She didn’t resist.

  ‘Are you sure?’ he asked softly.

  She led him to the front room, lay back on the sofa and placed her hand on her white panties.

  ‘Fireman Redwood, I think there is a fire down here that needs seeing to.’

  Nick laughed. ‘Oh, really, Mrs Stevens. I best get my hose out ready then.’

  He began to kiss her gently, then more hungrily. But on feeling a wetness on his nose, he stopp
ed immediately.

  ‘Oh, Ruby.’ He held her tightly as she began to sob. ‘It’s OK. I did ask if you were sure.’

  ‘I know,’ she blubbed. ‘I’m just so cross with Michael. How dare he?’

  ‘Maybe it’s just the wrong time for you now, that’s all. You’re doing so well, but emotions are so unpredictable; love is so powerful and grief is so overwhelming.’

  ‘It’s got nothing to do with grief.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know. It’s just so unfair, Nick. If your Milly and my George were here still, we wouldn’t have to be feeling like this.’

  ‘But they’re not, are they. So we’ve got to get on with it the best we can.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Ruby sniffed.

  ‘For what?’

  ‘Just then.’

  ‘I got to see you in your underwear, so hello, no apology required. And just look at you.’ He glanced down at her. ‘You’re beautiful, Ruby. Inside and out. Don’t forget that. Never sell yourself short.’

  She snuggled into the crook of his muscly arm.

  ‘You’re not so bad yourself, Mr Fireman, and thank you for understanding.’

  ‘I’d be some sort of dick if I didn’t, you silly mare.’ He kissed her tenderly on the forehead. ‘Now, why don’t you run yourself a nice hot bath. I’ll leave a clean dressing on the side in case that one gets too wet.’

  ***

  Ruby lay back in a deep bubble bath and sighed. What a good man Nick was. He had lost not only his wife but his adored baby daughter too. His strength amazed her. She would be strong now too. If Michael wanted a cheating blonde bimbette with no morals, he could have her. No more stress. She would throw her heart into helping others at The Bow Wow Club. Bloody men, they could wait for now.

  – Chapter Sixty-Six –

  ‘You got nigh on naked with The Fireman? You lucky cow.’

  ‘Ssh, we don’t want the whole of Piaf’s to know.’ Daphne blew them a big kiss from behind a plume of steam from the coffee machine. ‘What am I like though, Fi? I’m returning to my pre-George serial-shagger status. I’ve slept with two men and got naked with a third.’