They All Fall Down

by Cat Hogan

Sal ran over to them as soon as they entered.

  ‘I’m so glad you two are here.’

  Her face was shining, and Jen felt so proud of her friend.

  ‘I got the flowers from Tess. She’s so good.’

  ‘She did want to be here, Sal, but the last couple of weeks since she threw Doc out have been hard. She was right to take off on that little holiday with Hugh.’

  ‘Sal, honey, I’m so delighted for you,’ said Andy. ‘The bloody place is packed. You look beautiful.’

  ‘You don’t look too bad yourself, Andy.’

  ‘The dicky bow wasn’t my idea – I feel like a twit.’

  ‘Well, you look the part anyway.’

  A waiter arrived with a tray of canapés and champagne.

  Jen skipped the food and took a glass of bubbly.

  ‘Cheers, Sal! To your success!’

  Clink went the glasses.

  ‘Go on and mingle, Sal.’

  ‘It’s showtime now, Jen. Time for the speech.’

  The curator introduced her and after his speech it was her turn. Her speech was flawless. A number of questions about the pieces were asked and, all in all, the exhibition seemed to be going well.

  Jen spotted Livia, looking incredibly beautiful and comfortable in her surroundings. They nodded to each other and smiled.

  Then she saw him.

  ‘What the feck is he doing here?’ She looked at Andy. ‘Did you know he was coming?’

  ‘Of course I didn’t know he was coming. Leave it alone. Just concentrate on our date night, OK?’

  Jen could see him there, with Sal, introducing her to another suit. He was touching her arm and she was all smiles. She couldn’t believe he had the cheek to show up, after what he had done to Sal and in general, but there was little she could do about it.

  He saw her looking at him, and he smiled and waved over to them.

  ‘I don’t fucking believe it, he’s coming over here!’ she hissed, grabbing another glass from a passing tray.

  ‘Jen! Andy! How are you?’

  Sal had made a beeline over behind him, looking less than enthusiastic about the meeting.

  Jen looked around frantically for Livia but couldn’t see her.

  Andy watched in disbelief as Jen drank the whole glass of champagne in one go.

  ‘Steady on there, Jen dear,’ Scott laughed. ‘If you’re not used to drinking champagne, it can go straight to your head.’

  The sarcasm wasn’t lost on Andy.

  ‘Anything to make your presence tolerable, Scottie dear,’ she replied.

  ‘Now, darling, mind your manners and know your place,’ he said with a smirk.

  Scott was enjoying watching her get agitated. She knew it, and she was tired of saying nothing to him.

  ‘This is Sal’s night, dear, not yours,’ Scott said, ‘so let’s all have a drink and be friends? Waiter! Here!’

  ‘Yeah, Scott. Let’s have a drink, and then you can tell us all how you took care of Sal.’ Her voice was wobbly with wine, and she was beginning to get louder. A couple of disapproving glances were thrown in her direction. She knew she was being obnoxious, but she didn’t care. She hated him, and everything he stood for.

  ‘Jen, I asked him to stay,’ said Sal. ‘He came here earlier to apologise, an apology I have accepted, so let’s just forget about it, OK?’

  ‘Sal, are you mad? Please don’t be a fool and let him bed you again. He’s a creep!’

  ‘OK, Jen, that’s enough,’ Andy said. ‘Scott, I think you should go mingle with your friends over there.’

  ‘Yeah, Scott. You go mingle with your friends and see what shit you can stir for them.’

  Scott stood back and watched the show unfold.

  ‘Jen, will you stop for God’s sake? You’re embarrassing me.’ Sal was close to tears, and they had an audience.

  ‘Is everything OK here, ladies?’ Ruth, the nice receptionist, had arrived over to them. ‘Sal, I think your friend has had quite enough to drink – perhaps it’s time to call her a taxi?’

  ‘Excuse me?’ Jen turned on her. ‘I am fine. I would be grateful if you would butt out of our conversation.’

  ‘Right, that’s it. Jen, we are leaving. Now.’ Andy was furious. ‘Ladies, I apologise. Sal, can you apologise to Scott for me as well. No need to call a taxi, the hotel is around the corner.’

  ‘Are you for real, Andy?’ Jen yelled. ‘Don’t you dare apologise on my behalf! You don’t know the fucking half of it!’

  ‘Thank you, sir, now remove her, please,’ Ruth said. ‘Sal, you need to go speak with your guests.’

  Jen swung around and strode off, Andy practically running through the gallery trying to keep up with her. She stomped away ahead of him, like a bold child. She was mortified over the showdown, but couldn’t stop herself. He was a monster and it was about time people started realising that.

  She had to wait for Andy to let her back into the hotel room. He opened the door for her, and looked at her with a face of vengeance.

  She was on a roll now, and headed straight for the minibar.

  ‘Do you want a drink or not?’ she asked. She poured the gin with such a force into the glass that half of it sloshed out over the side. She wanted to lick the damn liquor off the table.

  Andy didn’t like confrontation, she knew that, but she felt like shaking him. She was indignant over him apologising on her behalf.

  ‘Yep, I’ll have a drink, Jen, if it means less for you.’

  ‘Jesus, are you implying that I’m an alco as well as a drama queen now?’

  ‘What has got into you? For the love of all that is good, will you calm down? What the hell was that back there? You nearly ruined Sal’s big night. Way to go, Jen!’

  ‘Scott is a prick, Andy, and you are too blind to see it. Actually no, he’s not a prick, he’s an evil bastard. He has totally manipulated you and you are like a fucking lapdog around him.’

  ‘Language, Jen.’

  ‘Will you stop talking to me like I’m a fool? He’s had it in for me since day one, and you are trying to defend him.’

  He smirked at her, and raised an eyebrow.

  ‘What are you laughing at?’

  ‘You’re funny when you’re drunk.’

  ‘Andy, don’t laugh at me.’

  ‘Jen, I love you, but my patience is wearing thin. Yes, Scott has behaved badly but he’s my friend and has been very good to me over the years. You are just going to have to suck it up and get over it.’

  ‘Get over it?’ She was finding it difficult not to slur her words slightly – she should have eaten more at dinner but she had been too excited about the exhibition.

  ‘Keep your voice down, Jen. Calm down, for fuck sake. What Scott did to Sal is really none of your business. She’s a big girl, and she can fight her own battles. She asked him to stay there tonight, and it wasn’t your place to kick off at either of them. You are rambling and talking shite. Let it go now, and let’s just chill out.’

  ‘Chill out? How the bloody hell can I chill out when I have a potential rapist-slash-murderer trying to get me out of the picture because he is obsessed with you, Andy?’ Even she realised how crazy that sounded when the words had left her mouth.

  ‘Oh for fuck sake, Jen! You are deluded. I would have never pegged you as the jealous type. Is this what all this is about, and now you are turning him into a monster? Who did he rape, Jen, who did he murder?’

  ‘He tried to attack me in my kitchen one day and threatened to come back and rape me! Everything has gone to shit since he came on the scene. He has ruined my friendship with Tess, lying to her about me knowing everything! And all that shit with Clara, he did that for fun. Are you blind? Where does he get all his money, Andy? They are not that well off – you could see it in the house, the money isn’t there. It’s all a bloody show. He’s up to his neck in drugs, and has dragged Doc into it all as well. Cokeheads, the pair of them! Who did he murder? You told me yourself you never really believed Sharon took
her own life – she was afraid of heights – she would never have gone up that cliff on her own, in the dark! Well, Scott practically admitted to me that he murdered her!’

  He said nothing. The silence was ominous.

  She looked at him, waiting for a response.

  Then he hissed: ‘How dare you! Stop this bullshit right now, and we will talk about all your crazy accusations when you are sober enough to make sense. How fucking dare you! Don’t you ever bring my wife into a drunken rant again!’

  ‘Your wife?’

  ‘She’s dead, but she’s still my wife.’

  His face was dark with emotion and she knew in that moment she had really messed up. He was disgusted with her, and everything she had said had gone over his head. He didn’t believe her, it was that simple.

  She hung her head and turned her back to him.

  The bedroom door closed with a bang, and she was left alone.

  Chapter 29

  Andy slung himself up onto the bar stool and ordered a drink. He would go back up to her in a while when she calmed down a bit. He was furious with her for ranting shite at him. He actually couldn’t remember the half of it now, but she had said some mad things about Scott. Yes, Scott had behaved badly in the Doc/Clara affair but that didn’t excuse Jen attacking him in public, making a show of herself and wrecking the night for Sal.

  But something was niggling at the back of his brain – he couldn’t quite get a grasp on it – something about Sharon.

  ‘I thought I might find you here – you are so predictable, mate.’

  Scott had appeared at his elbow.

  ‘Just in time too, I’m fresh out of Jameson here.’

  ‘Waiter, two of those.’

  ‘Scott, I’m sorry about tonight. Jen has been under a bit of pressure lately – you know what girls are like when it comes to their friends.’

  ‘Apologising on her behalf, Andy? That’s never a good way to be with a woman. Look, it’s fine. Her sheer craziness tonight was admirable in a way. She’s like a loyal dog – cute but aggressive at the back of it. No harm done.’

  Andy didn’t like the analogy, but he let it go. He’d had his fill of angry words for one night, and just wanted a quiet drink.

  ‘How is Sal?’ he said to change the subject.

  ‘Oh, she’s fine. We’re all going to go have dinner a bit later. Do you want to come with us?’

  ‘No, man. Thanks. I couldn’t think of anything worse. Art talk and posh accents. No offence.’

  ‘None taken.’

  ‘How did you know where I was anyway?’

  ‘I overheard you talking to Jen in the gallery. I know you better than you think, Andy. I knew you would end up sitting at the bar by yourself, waiting for the storm to pass. I thought I’d check in on you, make sure you were OK.’

  ‘Cheers, Scott.’

  ‘You’re a good friend of mine, Andy. You know that. Come what may, I’ll always have your back. I’d never let you down.’

  Andy wasn’t quite sure what to say to that. It was true. Scott was a really close friend, and he really enjoyed his company. He could see how he rubbed people up the wrong way but his heart was in the right place.

  ‘Thanks.’

  They spoke for an hour or so about all sorts, random small talk, and as the Jameson flowed Andy relaxed. They talked about the old college days, the night they had first met, the music debates and the girls.

  ‘Andy, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. I’ve got to the point in business where things are beginning to take care of themselves, and I have staff to do the donkey work for me. I think I need a bit of time out. I’ve decided to book a ticket and come with you in January. For part of it at least. I have my own itinerary in my head but I’m sure we can overlap at times. See a bit of the world together, eh?’

  Andy knew he wouldn’t be going on that trip. It had been on his mind of late and, although he hadn’t mentioned it to Jen, he didn’t want to leave. Telling Scott would be tricky.

  ‘Well, maybe. I’ve been giving this trip a bit of thought as well, and I’m starting to wonder if it’s a good idea.’

  ‘What? You can’t be serious?’

  ‘Well, I haven’t decided for sure about going or staying, I just feel like I’m happy where I am for now.’

  ‘What about all your talk about getting out of Dodge, and getting away from the small-town mentality? “The Tribe” as you called them, the “I was born in the village and I’ll die in the village without ever owning a passport” people. Andy, what are you talking about here?’

  Andy said nothing. The upcoming trip at the end of the year was losing its appeal.

  ‘Ah, I get it now. It’s because of her, isn’t it? Has Jen tried to talk you out of it?’

  ‘Yes, it is kind of to do with Jen, man, but no, she hasn’t tried to talk me out of it.’

  ‘Do you really want to be lumbered with a woman and someone else’s kid, Andy? It was bad enough that the old bat forced you to stay there until the end of the year – she was bonkers anyway – but do you really want to live out your life in that hick town with all the hick people who don’t know shit? Andy, you need to see the world and live life, not get stuck in that hole.’

  ‘I’m going to let your comments about where I live and my neighbours and family wash over me, Scott. I will chalk that down to your arrogance. You would be surprised the lessons you might learn about etiquette and decorum if you spent any time in my community.’

  ‘I would rather gouge out my own eyes than live that kind of life. Are you telling me she is worth throwing your life away for, and just getting stuck down there, until you are drooling on yourself and incontinent?’

  ‘I love her, Scott.’

  Scott was absolutely gobsmacked by the revelation. ‘Andy, how long has it been since you started sleeping with her? Three or four months? Get a grip on yourself. She may be a good lay, but she’s not marriage material. You need to remember that. She’s not good enough or intelligent enough for you. Your life will never amount to anything with her. She’s nice, but she’s a plaything.’

  ‘Scott, stop. I haven’t made up my mind, but the thing is, it’s my decision. No one else’s. If I decide to stay, I will. End of.’

  ‘Andy, don’t make another mistake when it comes to being led by a woman. What is it with you and controlling women? She has probably been dropping suggestions all this time. I can’t blame her for wanting to snare a man – it certainly makes life easy for her with a live-in lover – but she is bland, man, no offence.’

  ‘Scott, fuck off, man. You are being offensive now.’

  ‘OK, OK! I’m sorry. You’re right, I crossed the line there. She is a nice girl – just don’t rush into anything you might regret. Next thing she’ll be announcing she’s pregnant, and that’s when your life is over for sure.’

  They were both drunk at this point, and Andy was getting wound up by Scott’s arrogance. ‘Let’s change the subject, and agree to disagree on this one, OK?’

  ‘Fair enough, Andy. I just need to ask you one more question. I don’t know how to say this really but …’

  ‘Just get on with it.’ Andy said.

  ‘How do you know she feels the same way about you?’

  ‘I don’t, but I hope she does. We get on so well, and she makes me laugh. It’s easy company. You know me, I’m not a big talker most of the time but I just feel myself in her company. She’s kind, and she’s genuine. Loyal too, you saw that for yourself tonight. She is just an all-round amazing girl.’

  ‘Do you think she’s trustworthy?’

  ‘Yes, I’d like to think so anyway. Why do you ask?’

  ‘Has she mentioned anything to you about me and her?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘No, no. Not like that. I’m not going to try and sleep with my best friend’s woman, but I think I may have a bit of an idea as to why she dislikes me so much.’

  ‘Go on, Scott. This better be good.’

  ‘I called
round one day to see you – I had forgotten you were out at sea. To cut a long story short, she made a bit of a pass at me. It wasn’t anything too obvious, but I think it was there none the less. It was when you had just started seeing each other. Please don’t say anything. I would feel like such a fool if I had misread the situation and caused trouble for her, but I think that’s why she doesn’t like me. Maybe she had a thing for me, and then you came along. Please don’t think I’m being arrogant, mate. I’m just trying to protect you here.’

  Andy felt like he had been slapped in the face. Scott has to have misread that, he thought. There’s no way Jen would do that.

  ‘She made a pass at you? Come on, Scott. Pull the other one. Not every woman in the world wants to fall into bed with you. Maybe that’s why you don’t get on – maybe you have a thing for her.’

  ‘Andy, be serious. As I said, it was the most subtle of things, but it happened none the less.’

  ‘OK then, Scott, you tell me exactly how she made a pass at you. Tell me. Making a pass at someone is just that – how can it be fucking subtle?’