Never Forget You

by N L Ardwick

  Harpreet bought a newspaper and sat down in the local coffee shop. When she had finished reading the paper, she looked around at the people who were in the shop. She wondered if they could see how unhappy she was. The door opened and a young couple walked in. The man was pushing a pram. They sat down at the table opposite her. The man lifted a tiny baby out of the pram. The baby was dressed in a pink baby grow and did not look much older than two weeks old. The baby began to cry, a sharp wailing noise.

  Harpreet remembered this sound. How could she forget? She suddenly felt a wave of panic come over her. She could not breathe and felt as if she was going to faint. Her coffee still sat unfinished on the table but she could not finish it. She felt sick. The sound of the baby’s cries became louder in her ears and she had to move quickly, almost run out of the shop so that she could not hear it any longer. It was raining heavily outside. Harpreet did not have an umbrella but she did not care. She stopped near the door of the coffee shop for a minute and leant against the wall, thinking what to do next. “Are you alright love?” an elderly lady pushing a shopping trolley asked her. This prompted Harpreet to move away as quickly as possible. She walked back to the flat. Her clothes were drenched by the time she got home.

  Gurmeet was back at 4pm the next day. Ajay did not come out of the car and drove off swiftly as soon as she had opened the door to let Gurmeet in. Gurmeet was bursting to tell her about his weekend. “Daddy has got a transfer with his job and said he is going to work in the city. He is going to get a flat in a place beginning with K, I can’t remember the word, but it is somewhere in London. He said I can go and stay whenever I want and he will take me sightseeing and to the football. Dad supports Chelsea so I do too.” Gurmeet was so excited; he did not stop to take breath. “Is that ok Mum, will you be alright on your own?”

  For a slight second, Harpreet felt a pang of jealousy and then straight after that she felt ashamed for feeling that way. She did not want Gurmeet to feel guilty for wanting to spend time with his father. Gurmeet went on to say that Ajay would be moving as early as the New Year.

  CHAPTER 2

  Harpreet was glad to be back at work on Monday. Sylvie had phoned in sick and one of the trainees, Richard was manning reception. She did not really know Richard as he worked in the conveyancing department. He smiled as she walked past him. Just as she was about to go up the stairs, he called to her. “Sorry Miss Harpreet. I have prepared this memo to give to everyone in relation to the Christmas party. It’s only two weeks away. I am arranging it this year.” Harpreet took the memo and read it. The party was going to take place at a Country House hotel. She vagely remembered someone mentioning that it had been at the same venue for the last three years. She was to let Richard know if she was attending and if she had any dietary requirements. Harpreet had heard various stories of previous parties from Sylvie.

  Just before lunch, Harpreet went downstairs on her way out and gave her completed form to Richard who shared his office with the only conveyancing Solicitor, Deidre. Deidre was looking flustered, talking to someone on the phone. She appeared to be in a panic about a completion which was due to take place that day. She did not notice Harpreet walk in and out of he room and leave her completed form on Richard’s desk. Just as she was walking out, Edward Jones called to her from his office. “Harpreet would you mind coming in to see me when you return from lunch?” he almost shouted. “Yes, sure,” she replied hoping he would not sense the apprehension in her voice. She was worried as to why he would want to speak to her as all her dealings were usually with the abrasive Pete Simmons.

  Harpreet went next door to the café as usual. She had arranged to meet Amanthi for lunch. Amanthi was engrossed in her book and did not notice Harpreet walk in. “Hi Amanthi, how are you?” she asked. Amanthi looked up and smiled. She looked different, happier than she normally did. “I couldn’t wait for lunch time to tell you my news,” she said excitedly.

  Amanthi went on to explain that her mother had broached the subject of marriage over the weekend and had asked her if she would like to meet a young man who seemed very well suited to her. He was a Doctor and lived in Canada. He was visiting relatives in London for a few weeks and if Amanthi agreed, he could come over and visit. One of his Aunts had seen her at a wedding they attended recently. Harpreet remembered all the weddings she had attended as a single girl where everyone would bring their daughters along, dressed in their finest Saris and suits hoping to attract the eye of one such “Aunt” who would find them a suitable husband. For that was what it was all about in the world where Harpreet grew up. She would be prepared for the day when she would be married. Her education was just a stepping stone for this eventuality.

  “I’ve seen his photo, it’s well nice,”Amanthi continued. “Anyway to cut a long story short, he is coming over tonight. I am going to try to escape early, have to get my eyebrows done and make myself look presentable. If Simmons asks, could you cover for me and say I had a toothache and had to go home?” Harpreet nodded in agreement, although she doubted whether Pete Simmons would ask her. Harpreet wished her luck and told her that Edward Jones wanted to see her after lunch and she was worried that she may have done something wrong, otherwise why would he want to see her?

  Lunchtime was over quickly enough and Harpreet made her way to Edward Jones’ office. She felt nervous. He was not as unsavoury as his partner but she had seen him when he was irritated, more often than not with Sylvie. “Hello Harpreet, come in and take a seat,” he called to her as she approached his room. She sat down opposite him and to her relief, she discovered that he wanted to talk to her about a case which he wanted her to deal with. He had been referred a case involving a woman called Sally Jones who had had her children taken into care because she refused to leave her violent partner. Edward Jones handed her the red file and told her he had arranged for Sally Jones to come and see her at 10am the following morning.

  As she was about to leave the room, she was stopped in her tracks by a man who appeared at the doorway. He was tall, over six foot and was wearing a neatly pressed suit with a waistcoat underneath. His skin was dark and he had short curly afro hair which was shaved at the sides. Harpreet did not realise she was staring until the man looked back at her and smiled. He held her stare for a while until she looked away, embarrassed and flustered.

  Edward Jones interrupted the silence. “Harpreet, this is Michael Daniels. He has just joined us. He is going to the Bar but has come here for a few months to practice his advocacy.”

  “Hello, pleased to meet you,” she said. Her voice quavered and she felt shy. She did not make any eye contact with him. He smiled in response.

  “Hi there,” he said confidently. His voice was deep and masculine. The room fell into silence again and Harpreet moved in her seat preparing to get up to leave to end the awkwardness. To her relief, the man said his goodbyes and left. Harpreet stood up to leave the room. She wondered if Edward Jones had seen her looking at the man in a way she shouldn’t. After all she was still married.

  After work, Harpreet left promptly and headed into town for her meeting with Julia. “Hello dear, how are you?” Julia asked as she opened the door as Harpreet was about to knock. She must have seen her walking up the road from the window.

  “I’m ok, thanks.” Harpreet had said these words so often, she almost believed them. She sat down on the chair facing Julia. She now looked forward to these meetings as it was the only place she felt she could talk without being judged. She told Julia about what had happened in the coffee shop and how she felt ashamed at not being able to stay there and watch somebody else being happy. That must make her a terrible person.

  “Why ever do you think any of this is your fault?” Julia asked kindly. After this Harpreet began to cry and could not speak about anything else until the end of the session. Julia said she did not need to worry as this was all part of the healing process. As it was only two weeks until the Christmas break, Harpreet arranged to see Julia the following week.

&nb
sp; The following morning, Harpreet arrived at work early. Edward Jones had left the file of Sally Clark on her desk and she wanted to read the one attendance note which one of the trainees had prepared. It was sparse. Sally Jones was twenty eight years old and had five children. The father of the youngest three with whom she was now in a relationship had been violent to her on a number of occasions and she had refused to separate from him against the advice of social services, as a result of which all of her children had been removed from her care. The matter was listed for a second hearing this Friday.

  Sally Jones was twenty minutes late for her appointment. She entered the room apprehensively. She was wearing blue jeans and a green jumper underneath her parka overcoat and had her hair tied back tightly in a pony tail. Harpreet noticed that she looked tired and pale.

  “Sorry I’m late Miss. I couldn’t get up this morning.” She looked at Harpreet suspiciously, not knowing whether she could trust her. The meeting lasted for just over two hours. Harpreet prepared a statement setting out what had happened so far. Sally cried a number of times. She had tried to separate from her partner but he had always managed to persuade her to take him back and then he would be violent to her again. “He said he would change, he tries his best Miss. Why can’t I be with him and keep my children. I know he loves me. He helps me out with the kids. I can’t cope without him. Maybe if I didn’t argue with him so much, he wouldn’t lose his temper,” she cried.

  After she was gone, Harpreet sat for a while, feeling drained from all the emotion she had carried. She felt sorry for Sally Jones. She was a mother too, a mother who had tried to do her best. She was relieved when the hands on the clock reached one o clock. The time had passed quickly today, when she had something else to distract her.

  Amanthi was waiting for her next door as arranged. Harpreet looked forward to her lunchtimes with Amanthi. She had an innocence about her, a belief that everything would be good the next day and the day after that. Harpreet had used to think like this. And now she could not see that anything would ever be good again. Amanthi was beaming and from this Harpreet assumed correctly that her meeting with her suitor had gone well. “Oh Harpreet, he was so lovely. He bought me a huge bunch of flowers and we are going out for a date this weekend, just the two of us. I think he is the one.” Harpreet told her how happy she was for her and that she was looking forward to the next instalment. They then spoke about the Christmas party which would be taking place that Friday.

  Friday came around soon enough, which was also the day of Sally Jones’s Court hearing. Harpreet drove the short distance from the office to the Court. She was dressed smartly in her new black suit and white shirt. Her mind wandered and she found herself thinking about Michael Daniels. She wondered if he would be at the party that evening. She put the thought out of her mind, telling herself that she was even wrong to have this thought about another man and even worse, another man who was not from the same background as her. But try as she might, she could not ignore the feelings she had had that day in Edward Jones’s office. She was intrigued by this man. He had a quiet confidence which she had not seen before.

  Sally was waiting for her on the steps of the court. She smiled as Harpreet approached her, This was the first time Hapreet had seen her smile and took this to mean that she trusted her. Just as they were about to enter the Courtroom, Sally’s partner walked past, turned round and smiled at Sally. Sally looked apprehensive, wondering whether she should smile back in front of everyone. He did not look like the person described in the papers which Harpreet had read.

  The hearing lasted until lunchtime. Sally was glad that she was able to have contact with the children in a supervised setting. She thanked Harpreet as they went their separate ways and said she would be in touch to let her know how her contact had gone.

  Harpreet walked back to the car. It was feeling very cold and she pulled her coat around her, putting her hands in the pockets to keep them warm. She smiled to herself, feeling pleased that she had helped someone. Back at the office, there was lots of talk about the party that evening. Harpreet still wondered whether she should go. She felt guilty for even considering enjoying herself.

  Amanthi came up to the office when the coast was clear.

  “I think Pete has just popped out,” she whispered. “I’ve got some bad news,” she continued, but smiling at the same time. “Himal said I should not go to the party. He said as I am going to be his wife, it is not respectable and he does not want any men to think I am available. He said he just wants to keep me to himself.” She looked disappointed but continued. “He’s right though isn’t he? It must mean that he really respects me. And anyway, he said he is only going to be here for a few days and wants to spend every minute with me.”

  Harpreet felt worried for her friend. She did not know whether she should say something and anyway who was she to give advice. She was divorced or as good as. And what did she know about relationships? “I will miss you being there,” she said eventually. “Anyway, I will tell you all about it on Monday. Do you know who else is going?”

  “Actually,” said Amanthi. Richard said there is a new man who has joined us. I think he is called Michael. Anyway, Richard said he is really full of himself because he is going to the Bar. And he gets on really well with the Partners. That says it all really doesn’t it? He is even sitting on their table tonight.”

  Harpreet felt it again, that fluttering in her stomach. So he would be there this evening. She felt pleased and nervous at the same time. Amanthi said her goodbyes and left, leaving Harpreet to finish off what she was doing and leave early. Both of the Partners had left and as she went down the stairs, Harpreet noticed there was not much work going on. Richard was propped up against reception doing his best to impress Sylvie with his jokes.

  Gurmeet had gone with his father and the flat was quiet when she got back. Harpreet took her time getting ready. She wanted to look her best but not overdressed. She chose her black halterneck dress and wore her high heeled black sandals. She curled her hair pinning it up at the front. Her mind wandered to Michael Daniels again and the anticipation of seeing him again. She felt guilty for thinking about whether he would find her attractive all dressed up. Next, she opened the draw of the dressing table and took out some perfume, still unopened. Ajay had bought it for her. She would wear it today for the first time. She sprayed the perfume on her wrists and around her neck. It made her feel sensual.

  Harpreet could not remember the last time she had dressed up like this. She put the perfume bottle back in the draw and reached for her pearl bracelet. The silver trinket box which had been hidden away at the back had somehow slid forward and come into view. She felt a lump in her throat and for a few minutes she could not move. When she finally directed her thoughts to the present, she felt guilty again and looking at herself in the mirror, she now wondered whether she should go. Eventually, she reconciled herself with the thought that this was a work do and it was important for her to make an appearance. She would go along and leave early.

  The party was in a country house hotel. The entrance hall had huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The walls had various engravings on them and beautiful paintings of a time gone by. By the stairs in the hall, was a huge Christmas tree adorned with red and gold baubles and ribbons.

  There were various other parties going on at the same time. Harpreet looked around, trying to see if she could see anyone from Simmons & Jones. She wished Amanthi had come. Eventually, she heard some bellowing laughter and looked round to see it was Pete Simmons. He was howling with laughter at some joke which Richard had told him. Harpreet smiled as she saw that he was wearing a jumper with a reindeer on it.

  There were a group of people from the firm all gathered around having pre dinner drinks. Harpreet took a glass of champagne from the tray and joined Sylvie, who unsurprisingly was talking about Matt. At least this time she had something nice to say. She was telling anyone who would listen what he was going to get her for Christmas. Harpr
eet looked around to see if she could see Michael Daniels but she could not see him. Maybe he had decided not to come. It was already eight o clock.

  Dinner was served at 8.30pm. Most people had already taken their seats at the tables. Harpreet was seated between Sylvie and Deidre. Just as they had finished starters, she saw him. He had just arrived. He was dressed in a black Tuxedo. She noticed that people had turned to look at him as he entered he room. There was something about him aside from his good looks. He walked over to the Partner’s table and sat down.

  Sylvie was talking incessantly throughout the meal. Deidre was deep in conversation with Anne from Accounts to her left and tried to have as little to do with Sylvie as possible. Harpreet was not concentrating on what Sylvie was saying. The more Sylvie drank, the more incoherent she became. “Well it’s free isn’t it?” she said rhetorically as she reached for another bottle of red wine. Harpreet looked over to the Partner’s table. Michael Daniels was deep in conversation with Edward Jones. He caught her eye at one point and she looked away, embarrassed. As the evening progressed more and more people left the tables and moved on to the dance floor. Luckily, Richard had rescued her from Sylvie by coming over to ask her if she wanted to dance. She did not need much persuasion and stumbled across the room, hardly being able to walk let alone dance.

  Harpreet was alone now and felt self conscious, wondering what to do next. She contemplated whether this was a good time to leave. She could make her excuses and say she had a headache or had to be up early in the morning. She was just about to move from her seat when she heard a voice beside her and she turned to see Michael Daniels take the seat next to her.