They All Fall Down

by Cat Hogan

  He grinned at her and guided her hand under the covers. ‘It’s not the only thing that’s stiff,’ he said before he placed his mouth on hers.

  They made love again, slow and lazy this time, taking time over each other, discovering the favourite spots. He made no attempt to remove her pyjama top, and for this she felt real warmth towards him. She wasn’t ready to reveal herself fully to him, and she knew that he wasn’t ready to see the scars.

  ‘M’lady, I’m starving. You stay there for a bit and I’ll get breakfast on.’ He untangled himself from the sheets and headed in the direction of the shower.

  Jen lay back on the pillows, and tried to process what had happened in the last twenty-four hours. He was gorgeous, he was charming, and he seemed to be pretty keen on her. As the smell of bacon wafted up the stairs, she thought to herself – what’s the catch? If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

  He shouted up the stairs to tell her breakfast wouldn’t be long and to get her sexy little ass out of bed.

  She sat up in bed, and took the bandage from her foot. Her ankle was a lovely shade of purple and green, but the swelling hadn’t got any worse. The compression bandage and elevation always did the trick.

  Freshly showered and dressed, she hopped into the kitchen as breakfast was being laid on the table. Poached eggs, bacon, tea and toast were on the menu. He had even picked a flower from the soaked garden and put it in a little vase in the centre.

  ‘You got down the stairs unaided then, fair play to you! Something must have given you pep in your step this morning?’

  ‘Haha, very funny, Andy.’ She blushed as she laughed.

  ‘So, what’s your plan for the day then, Jen?’

  ‘Well, let me see.’ She pondered the question for a moment. ‘I’m going to have a jog on the beach, before I go rock climbing.’

  ‘You are a cheeky little cow really, aren’t you?’ He leaned over in the chair and kissed her on the cheek.

  ‘I have nothing on the cards. I called my boss to let her know I won’t be in this weekend. What about you?’ She hoped he had no plans, and he would just stay here with her for the day.

  ‘No plans at all. The guys are still fishing so I’m at a loose end for a few days. When will Danny be back?’

  ‘Tomorrow. It’s another mini-midterm in school. He was delighted, bless him.’

  ‘Would you like to go to the cinema, then down to the Gale for a bite to eat and a few drinks?’

  Although the idea appealed to her, she didn’t really think it was a good one going to the Gale for dinner. Like any local pub, questions would be asked if they were there for food and drinks. Beers, totally acceptable, but with a meal as well the locals would have them married off in weeks. It was too soon for the tongues to start wagging.

  ‘Maybe we could go for food somewhere in town before the movie, then for a pint afterwards?’

  ‘It’s a date,’ he replied with a smile.

  As they came out of the cinema, Andy’s phone began to beep in his pocket. They had caught the earlier show – the choices were limited, but they had enjoyed the movie – Will Smith and his son, saving the earth, the usual.

  They were sitting in his car, laughing about some of the outlandish scenes in the movie, when his phone beeped again.

  ‘No coverage inside – they are all coming through together here,’ he said, as he looked at the screen. It was Scott. He sent a reply and immediately got a response. ‘Brilliant,’ he said. ‘Scott is coming down for the night. He is going to be in the Gale around ten.’

  ‘That’s cool! Great.’ Jen tried to sound as enthusiastic as he was, but she was pissed off. The one night that she and Andy could be alone, Scott had to appear. Then she felt guilty – the poor guy was in mourning for goodness’ sake – he needed to be around his friends. She admonished herself for getting territorial about Andy already. Easy there, Jen. ‘Listen, Andy. If you think Scott would prefer to have a pint with you alone, I don’t mind going home. I’m just mindful of the fact he’s bound to be feeling a bit shaken still.’ She wanted to sound genuine, and hoped she did.

  ‘Don’t be daft, Jen. You can help me cheer him up – we’ll have a nice time. He likes you, he told me so yesterday. Don’t worry – he’s not a bad guy.’

  She couldn’t get out of it, and didn’t know whether to be worried or flattered by the notion she had been a conversation point between them.

  ‘OK, so. I’m sure we’ll have a laugh. I’d just worry that he wouldn’t feel free to talk with me around.’

  ‘Jen, it’s settled. We’re going together.’ He noticed her reluctance, and was slightly miffed. Scott had really been his saviour after his wife died. He needed to be there for him.

  It had turned out to be a better night than expected. Scott and Jen had a good time, chatting about music, and she could see their camaraderie pleased Andy no end. Sal had turned up, Scott and her in cahoots over all things art-related. They filled their friends in on the meeting with the panel at the NMAG, and the fun they had afterwards in the incredibly posh Westbury.

  Jen, of course, was a centre of attention on the crutches, having to regale numerous acquaintances with the story of how it had happened. This led to a number of sympathetic neighbours buying her copious amounts of wine. ‘Get that down ya, Jen love, ’tis right stuff to numb the pain.’ She had visions of falling flat on her face after a few drinks, but she was in good hands, and they all took good care of her. Sal insisted on escorting her to the bathroom, where Jen filled her in about the romance.

  Back at the table, Scott insisted they all attend his mother’s next garden party in a couple of weeks. They should come for dinner the night before and spend the night. They enthusiastically agreed, except for Jen whose heart sank at the thought.

  None of them had had the foresight to book a taxi home. There was no way Jen could walk it, and it was too far for piggybacks – as much as the idea appealed to her when Andy suggested it. But Tess had saved the day by offering to take her. Jen’s carriage home was sorted.

  In her post-lovemaking cocoon with Andy in the wee hours of the morning, two things struck Jen as odd. Firstly, how familiar Scott and both her friends seemed to be and, secondly, why had Sal insisted on walking home in the rain with Scott? She would ask her tomorrow and Tess too. There was something going on with them, she knew it – she just needed to establish what exactly.

  Chapter 19

  ‘Doc, I’m pregnant.’

  He stuck his head out of the ensuite with the toothbrush still in his hand.

  ‘Wha dod ou jus say?’ he muttered through a mouthful of minty foam.

  Hurriedly spitting and rinsing, he rushed out to the bedroom.

  ‘What did you just say? Tess, did you just tell me you are fucking pregnant?’

  ‘Yep. About ten weeks. And, before you ask, yes, it is yours.’

  ‘Fuck sake, Tess! I wasn’t going to say that. Ten weeks. Ten weeks preggers! I’m going to be a dad again!’

  His face cracked into the nicest smile she had seen in a long time. The old Doc’s smile.

  ‘Tess! That’s fantastic news. Come here, my darlin’ mama!’

  He knelt on the floor in front of her, and wrapped her in a hug. When he looked up at her, tears formed and fell freely down his face.

  ‘I love you, Mrs Martin, do you hear me? I love you, and I’m going to make it right.’

  ‘I love you too, Doc.’

  He started to sing to her navel, and she cried as she recognised the lyrics to their wedding song: ‘A Rainy Night in Soho’.

  ‘I’ve been loving you a long time

  Down all the years, down all the days

  And I’ve cried for all your troubles,

  Smiled at your funny little ways …

  I took shelter from a shower

  And I stepped into your arms

  On a rainy night in Soho …

  Still there’s a light I hold before me

  And you’re the measure
of my dreams,

  The measure of my dreams …’

  Things would be OK, she decided. The idea was firmly rooted in her brain. No more tension or sadness. He would come back to her, now that he was going to be a dad again. Hugh would be over the moon – he always wanted a little brother or sister.

  ‘How long have you known, darling?’

  ‘A few weeks. I wanted to tell you that Sunday I had lunch booked for us. But it’s OK – you know now.’

  ‘Ah, I should have bloody guessed! You’ve been off the booze! Told me you wanted to lose a bit of weight. You’re a good liar, Tess!’

  He said it with good humour, but she couldn’t help thinking she wasn’t as good as him at concealing things.

  ‘When is the little button due?’

  ‘My calculations say around the end of January. I went to the surgery, just to confirm it and get the ball rolling. We’ll see what they say at the first scan.’

  ‘It was the bar counter night? That was the end of March, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Yep. You gave me more than splinters that night, my love.’

  ‘Tess, I’m sorry I’ve been such as asshole. Things have been shit, and I’ve been neglecting you and Hugh. I promise I’ll cop on, and be a proper husband to you.’ He looked genuinely stricken, all the arguments and the angry words silenced in his head.

  ‘I’m sorry I accused you of cheating on me, Doc. Things were just getting so bad, and I felt so scared. I just jumped to conclusions. I should have known you would never do that to me or Hugh.’ She knew that had been a low blow, but she had been so confused at the time. Even Jen had tried to talk her out of that one.

  ‘It’s OK, baby, all is forgiven. I can’t blame you for being a bit irrational really. Let’s just call it quits and start over, eh?’

  Tess was irked by being labelled irrational, but she would have to let it go. Her imagination had run away with her. He was a good man, and he worked hard. Things would work out between them. She needed to draw a line in the sand, and get on with it.

  He felt sick. Sick for lying to her, sick about the affair, and if she knew what was stowed away in the bag in the spare room, she would have him arrested. He hadn’t wanted to bring it into the house, but he’d had no choice. He had collected the packages as per Scott’s instructions, and would deliver them to him this weekend. But today was only Tuesday for Chrissake and the stuff had to stay hidden in the house all week. And there had been a lot more than he expected – several kilos of it. He just wanted rid of it.

  He looked at his wife, and realised what an absolute bastard he had become. Drug-running and cheating, nice one, Doc. Real husband material. He would sort this mess out once and for all this weekend. This time he wouldn’t back down and give in to her. He needed to stay off drink and that other shit – keep a clear head. He had made a promise to Tess, and he would keep it. He knew all the stress was taking its toll. She had lost weight – well, she could spare some as she had never managed to shift the baby weight from Hugh, but it worried him. She hadn’t been sleeping. He needed to take care of her. He would get over the other one, and Scott would just have to find himself a new delivery boy. The money was great, but it made him nervous. Some of the characters he had encountered of late looked like they were out of a Mafia movie.

  ‘When can we tell Hugh?’

  ‘Let’s just wait, Doc, until we get past the three-month mark at least – a couple of weeks.’

  ‘Have you told anyone else?’

  ‘Not a soul,’ she lied.

  ‘January, eh?’

  ‘January.’

  ‘It’s going to be brilliant, Tess. Another little person in the house, wrecking the place and keeping us up all night. Hugh is going to be in his element.’

  ‘I hope so anyway. He’ll be a great big brother.’

  ‘Girl or a boy?’

  ‘Does it matter?’ She was beginning to get excited now. She thought he would go off the deep end and be really angry about the news. Instead, he was ecstatic.

  ‘Course not, but do you have any inkling?’

  ‘Another boy. My feeling is that it’s a little boy.’

  ‘Another little chap.’ He took her in his arms and told her again how much he loved her.

  She was overwhelmed with relief and love for this man, the father of her children.

  ‘I’m just scared we won’t get back to where we were, Doc. Things have been so shit lately, and we have been so distant with each other. I’m just scared that there’s too much damage done.’

  ‘As God is my judge, Tess, I will make this up to you. We are a family. I love you.’

  She believed him.

  ‘Are you hungry, Tess? Do you want something to eat?’

  ‘Doc, it’s midnight!’

  ‘Last time you were pregnant, you ate all around you at all hours.’

  ‘I did, but I’m not hungry at this minute.’

  ‘Oh. OK.’ He looked almost disappointed.

  ‘While we are on the subject of good news, there’s something else I need to tell you.’

  ‘It’s twins! Please tell me it’s twins!’

  ‘No, it’s not twins – well, I don’t know that yet, but this is to do with the pub.’

  ‘Hit me.’ He was like an excited puppy. He settled down cross-legged on the floor in front of her.

  ‘I need you to trust me on this, Doc. I have a better head for business than you, right?’

  ‘Right. Sounds a bit dubious, but go on.’

  ‘I have been approached by an investor.’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘That’s the bit I can’t share with you at the moment. This person was very clear they wanted absolute confidentiality for now. They have money, and they are keen to sink some into the business.’

  ‘Is it Scott?’

  She was surprised at his guess. How did he cop that one?

  ‘Yes – but Doc, you’ve got to swear to me you won’t let on to him. He’s really cagey about letting anyone know, and he asked me not to tell you.’

  ‘Why the hell would he not want you to tell me?’

  ‘I think he doesn’t want to bruise your ego. Point is, we’re in big trouble with the pub. I have hidden the worst of it from you and, if I don’t accept, we will lose the pub. But how the hell did you guess it was Scott?’ Doc wasn’t usually the sharpest when it came to things like this.

  ‘He’s the only one who fits the description.’

  ‘Doc, if we lose the pub, we will also lose the house. I couldn’t say no. He’s offering eighty grand in return for a stake in the business. He will share in the profits when we start making them.’

  Doc had turned pale. If he pissed Scott off now, he would probably pull out of investing as well, and no doubt tell Tess exactly why. This was a complete nightmare. What was Scott playing at? Had he stitched both of them up, and why?

  ‘Doc, you need to trust me on this. Everything will be done formally through solicitors. It’s not a handout, and I will still be the boss. He doesn’t want to run the place. He is just investing, and then we can eventually buy him out. That money will get us out of debt, and we will be able to refurb the place.’

  She tried to convey confidence in her voice, but truth was she was also feeling nervous over the proposition. She didn’t want to give away any of the pub, but what could she do?

  Doc said nothing. He had a feeling of dread in his stomach, but couldn’t tell her why. He eventually spoke.

  ‘Do you trust him, Tess?’

  ‘Yes, I do, Doc. I don’t think he does anything without self-gain, but he is a good businessman.’

  He trusted his wife. He knew she was as good at business as Scott was, the only difference being she didn’t have access to wealth like him. Things had really got out of control in the harbour – few were working and they weren’t spending their few quid on luxuries like drink and food. The pub was wholly reliant on the tourist market. The place needed a real overhaul.

  ‘OK, Tess. I’m
going to trust you on this – but if he hurts you or interferes with the business in any way, I will have words with him.’ He wasn’t smiling, and there was real venom in his tone.

  ‘You need to just play dumb! He mustn’t guess I told you! I’m a bit uncomfortable that he won’t let me tell you – it is a wee bit odd – but he holds the purse-strings, and if he wants to be odd about it, so be it.’ She paused, studying his face, trying to gauge his reaction. ‘Oh, and, before I forget, we’re invited to his stately home next month, to one of the famous garden-party shindigs. Jen and Sal too – and Andy of course. I’ll let you know the date so you can make sure you don’t book any gigs then, OK?’

  ‘A fucking garden party? Well, OK.’ He fell silent for a few moments. ‘But, Tess, are you sure there are no other options? Could we remortgage the house?’

  ‘No, Doc. This is the only way. I have a meeting with him and his solicitor on Thursday, so we will see what comes from that. Now, enough business talk, let’s talk about babies again, or at least the bit about making them.’

  He stood up in front of her and took her in his arms. He loved his wife, and he knew he had to make things right.