‘I’m not with you,’ replied Katie, mystified.
‘Well, it was our anniversary yesterday and he reckons he sent me some flowers, except I didn’t get any. I had a right go at him when I got home ‘cos I thought he’d forgotten.’
Realisation at where the girl was leading washed over Katie fractionally before the girl spoke again.
‘He swore he sent them. Then I remembered that you’d got flowers yesterday and wondered if you might have…well, you know. I’m not saying they weren’t for you. He really might have forgotten but he swears…’ The girl looked down at her desk.
‘What did the card say on these flowers he sent you?’ Katie asked weakly.
‘Well, he says that he put how nice my eyes are. He reckons that’s what made him fancy me in the first place, the liar.’
Katie felt her face redden and she was forced to take a couple of deep breaths and grab the back of the nearest chair to avoid collapsing in a heap on the floor. No wonder she couldn’t figure out who they were from. She felt sick with humiliation; she’d been so surprised when they’d arrived; so excited when she told her mother.
‘Oh God I’m sorry. I took them home last night. They were meant for you obviously. I had no idea. Bloody reception, they just dumped them on my desk and I assumed…’ She felt tears welling up in her eyes.
‘Oh right. Urm. Well, never mind then. Bloody reception.’ The girl looked unsure how to proceed.
‘I’ll have a go at them,’ Katie offered and backed out of the office door. As soon as she was in the corridor she turned and ran into the nearest toilet where she locked herself in the end cubicle and burst into tears.
* * * * * *
A few hours later, Jen was woken by a loud thudding and someone calling her. She felt like she’d only just gone to bed. Christ, half ten. She leapt out of bed and ran to the door. It was Norm with a large tray of food.
‘Sorry to wake you, but I couldn’t open the door. Hmm, you look nice.’ He ran his eyes admiringly up and down her.
She blushed, realising she was only wearing her underwear from the night before.
‘Breakfast in bed eh? Lucky me.’
She climbed back into bed and they ate together. Jen felt terrible. She’d had only a few hours sleep and felt very hung over and wanted to be in her own bed.
‘I’m gonna have to go,’ she said. ‘Can you phone me a taxi?’
‘Of course. Will I get to see you again?’
Normally, Jen said no when a man asked to see her again, if they asked at all, but this time she agreed immediately and so Norm said he’d call her later. Ten minutes later she was dressed and walking towards the big iron gates when the taxi arrived.
It was on the way home, feeling dreadful by now, that she spotted something that made her suspicious. While waiting at some traffic lights she saw Rhia’s sister Fran, in a car with Ben, Rhia’s ex boyfriend. They seemed to be quite animated and obviously in a hurry to get somewhere. Jen found this strange because Rhia had always said that her sister hated Ben.
I wonder if Rhia knows they’re together. Then she remembered that Rhia’s appointment at the hospital was today.
* * * * * *
Jen was lying in bed, catching up on some sleep when the phone rang. It was Katie who’d just got home from work.
‘You’re making this up!’ Jen said.
‘I wish I bloody was. I was so fucking embarrassed when she told me. I ended up running out of her office like some retard and hid in the toilets for ages.’ Jen laughed at the pitiful image.
‘It’s not funny you bitch!’ Katie cried, but by now her tone was lighter and she didn’t feel so stupid now that the day was over and she was at home.
‘I’m sorry, but you’ve got to admit you must have looked like a total fool bursting into tears over flowers. Especially since you weren’t even expecting any. Think how that girl must have felt. There she was waiting for some and then they don’t come. I bet she gave her boyfriend a right going over.’
‘It could have been worse I suppose and it will be forgotten soon enough,’ she reasoned.
‘There you go then. Anyway,’ Jen changed the subject, ‘guess who I saw today?’
Katie said she’d no idea.
‘You remember that mate of mine, Rhia. You met her that night we went out?’
Katie remembered. ‘You mean the one who had the fling with her bloke’s best mate?’
‘That’s the one. Well I saw her sister today.’ Jen paused for a moment. ‘Guess who with?’
‘I have no idea. I only met Rhia once, let alone her sister.’
‘She was only in a car with Rhia’s bloke, racing down the street. I waved but they were obviously in a rush to get somewhere.’ Jen paused again, obviously expecting Katie to react to what was being implied.
‘So you reckon that she’s keeping him occupied while Rhia sorts herself out. They sound like a right pair of slags to me,’ said Katie. Since Dave left her she’d no tolerance towards people who played with the affections of others.
‘I wonder if Rhia knows,’ Jen thought aloud, ‘today of all days.’
‘Why, what’s today?’ Katie quizzed.
‘Oh nothing. I know that Rhia’s busy today though so they won’t get caught if they are up to something.’
The pair talked for a few more minutes and then said goodbye. Katie felt better after her rotten, humiliating day and went to have a bath. Jen picked up the phone again and dialled Rhia’s mobile telephone number to see how things had gone at the hospital.
Chapter Nine
When they realised that Rhia had vanished, Ben and Fran, Rhia’s sister, jumped into his car and sped off in the direction of where she worked. They’d no real plan, perhaps hoping to spot her along the way or find that there’d been a mistake and that Rhia was actually at work after all.
As Ben pushed the car through the mid-morning traffic as fast as he could manage, Fran began to rant and rave next to him.
‘This is your bloody fault!’ she began.
Ben ignored her, choosing to try and take in every car they passed in case it was Rhia’s.
‘I never liked you! If you’d left her alone she wouldn’t have done this. You’ve made her do it!’
‘Do what?’ He responded impatiently without looking in her direction.
‘She could be anywhere. You turning up at the house. Phoning her all the time. Harassing her.’
‘Fuck off Fran!’ He shouted angrily. ‘She left me in the middle of the night and I have no idea why. I want her back and I’m buggerred if you’re gonna get in the sodding way.’
‘Bastard! Just accept it. She left you and that’s it. Why not just move on; get someone else?’
Ben continued to look out of the window as he drove, his hands tightening on the wheel.
‘Because I love her, that’s why.’
He could feel Fran’s eyes burning into him but still he didn’t turn his head. A moment later she looked away and began to peer out of the passenger window. They spent the rest of the journey to Rhia’s office in silence.
When they arrived they both ran in and asked to see Rhia. They were told that she’d called in to say she was ill and would be off for a couple of days. They returned to the car and, after a brief, and anxious, discussion about their best course of action, Ben drove back to the house to drop off Fran. From there he went home after promising to call shortly to see if there was any news. If she hadn’t turned up by morning they agreed to call the police.
When he got in, he threw his keys on to the hall table and noticed that the answering machine was flashing. Thinking it must be Rhia, or maybe her sister with news, he pushed the play button.
‘Hi Ben, it’s Em from work. I was just wondering how your plan went. If you need to talk then feel free to call me whenever. Bye.’
Ben was initially disappointed that it wasn’t news of Rhia and then surprised. This was the first time that Em had rung him at home. In fact it was the first time sh
e’d telephoned him at all as they saw each other every day at work. It was nice of her to be so concerned though. Despite his earlier misgivings about Em, Ben had warmed to her. She was good at her job and got on well with everyone at the office. He’d even been for a couple more after work drinks with her, though he’d needed far less persuading than their first trip to the pub.
He poured himself a drink and switched on the television. He’d no idea where Rhia might have gone and even less idea why she’d seemingly run away. He hadn’t seen or spoken to her in over three weeks so he was sure it was nothing to do with him. Yet something must have been on her mind, especially since her sister apparently had no idea why she’d gone and had tried to blame him for Rhia’s disappearance.
His day had started, if not full of hope, then at least with some positive action towards getting Rhia back. Now things were a lot worse. At least before he knew where she was; now he hadn’t the faintest idea. Ben reached for the bottle of whiskey and poured himself another generous measure.
Since Rhia had left him he’d become somewhat cut off from his few friends, choosing instead to spend his evenings drinking himself into oblivion and leaving messages on Rhia’s permanently switched off mobile phone. On the occasions that he’d done something different, Ben had gone to the Ape and Apple near the office for a drink and a chat with Em. Even then, however, he’d come home well before closing to check his messages and to telephone Rhia.
After sitting in front of the television, not really watching it, something that came easily in his semi-drunken state, he decided to give one of the lads a call. He’d barely spoken to anybody since Tits-up Tuesday and the company could only do him good. Spurred on by these positive thoughts Ben dialled the number of one of his closest friends. They’d known each other since university and had never lost touch. Even when he’d met Rhia, they’d remained friends and Rhia, as she had with almost all of his mates, took to him straight away.
‘Hello.’ There was a pause. ‘Hello!’
‘Alright Steve,’ slurred Ben, ‘it’s me. How’s things?’
‘Ben,’ said Steve, startled, ‘what’s up?’
‘Nothing. Just thought I’d give you a bell. I haven’t seen you since I split up with you know who. So, what’re you up to then?’ Ben asked, feeling better already.
‘Me. Oh sod all, you know. I’ve been working all the bloody time and I’m too knackered to do anything else.’
‘Right. I thought you’d be out actually for a big Friday night session.’
‘No mate, I had stuff to do tonight. Anyway, I’m too tired to bother.’ He yawned. ‘Since you’re not up to much why don’t you come round? We can get plastered and watch a vid,’ Ben suggested hopefully.
‘Oh, I can’t mate.’ Steve apologised. ‘I’m shattered and it’s getting late.’
‘Fuck off, it’s only half nine. Get yourself round you miserable sod and we’ll attack a bottle of something. My shout.’
‘I can’t tonight. I could come round tomorrow night though. In fact, why don’t you come here? I’ll ring some of the others and we could go into town after.’
‘You cop out merchant,’ Ben said, disappointed.
‘Sorry mate, but if I get an early one tonight we can have a proper go tomorrow eh?’
‘Good point,’ agreed Ben, warming to the idea. ‘Okay Steve, I’ll give you a bell tomorrow and we’ll get something sorted.’
‘Nice one,’ he sounded relieved, ‘I’ll talk to you tomorrow then. See you later.’
Ben had wanted to talk a bit more since it was taking his mind off Rhia’s disappearance but at least there was a night out tomorrow to look forward to. Satisfied, he poured himself another drink and decided to ring Fran for an update. She informed him that Rhia had just been in touch to say that she was all right. He sighed with relief at the news. At least she was in one piece.
‘So where is she then?’ He asked.
‘She wouldn’t say, but she says she’ll probably be home in the morning.’
‘Well, didn’t you ask her what the fuck she was playing at?’ Ben raised his voice.
‘I didn’t get the bloody chance. She just said she was fine and then went. I tried to ring back but she’s switched her phone off again.’
‘Christ. At least she’s okay I suppose. So she’s definitely back in the morning?’
‘Yes, but she still won’t want to see you. Don’t you come round hassling her first thing Ben. Leave her alone for a bit.’
‘Whatever,’ he replied wearily. Now that he knew Rhia wasn’t dead or anything, his usual feelings of contempt for Fran were coming back, aided by the alcohol.
‘I mean it Ben.’
He put the down the phone, bored by the irritating whine coming from Rhia’s sister. Relieved, he resolved to put his reconciliation plan into operation the following day and decided to have an early night. He picked up the bottle of whiskey, refilled his glass and slowly climbed the stairs to bed.
* * * * * *
‘Who was on the phone?’ She asked as he came back into the room.
‘That was too close,’ he replied, picking up his drink and sitting down.
Rhia looked over at the man she’d become pregnant by and waited for him to expand on his last comment.
‘It was Ben,’ he said without looking up at her. ‘He wanted to come over to cheer himself up.’
‘Jesus…’ was all Rhia managed to say before she put down her drink and lowered her face into her palms.
She wondered at what point coming here had seemed like such a good idea. She’d been unable to face her sister, or at least her sister’s questions, in this state and had called to say she’d be back in the morning. Then she’d driven past the house she’d shared with Ben, had even contemplated going in. She wanted to see his face, to touch it, kiss it. To curl up next to him on the couch; wake up with him in the morning. God, it seemed so long ago now.
After another hour had dragged by in which she barely spoke a word, Steve said he was going to bed and stood up, waiting for her to join him like they had done before. She was glad she hadn’t told him about being pregnant now; realising that she’d run to the nearest option for comfort.
When she made no move he slammed the door loudly behind him and stamped up the stairs like a spoilt child. She lifted her heavy legs on to the couch and lay in the darkness, wishing she was anywhere but here: a hotel perhaps, her sister’s, or with Ben.
Chapter Ten
She hated to admit it to herself, but Katie still had feelings for Dave. She’d thrown herself into work and had been out with her friends a lot, especially Jen, partially succeeding in distracting herself from the truth. The truth being that she’d hoped the flowers had been from him, she’d wanted them to be from him. The fact that the flowers were for someone else entirely was irrelevant. They’d made her face up to the fact that she still wanted Dave, even though he was an absolute tosser, and now she was miserable all over again.
This left her with the problem of what to do about it. She could hardly tell Jen as she would tell her how pathetic she was and suggest yet another night out. Then again, she did want some advice on her best course of action and Jen was her best friend. Yet even if she did want him, Dave had made it quite clear that he didn’t want her when he evicted her simultaneously from his flat and his life. Wanker.
Having spent the two days after the Flower Fuck-up, as Jen had dubbed it, coming to terms with her unrequited love; Katie arrived home feeling fed up and generally unloved. She opened her door and threw her bag down in the hallway. The movement of air from this caused a plain white envelope to lift slightly and slide a few inches along the wooden floor in the open doorway. She bent down and, seeing that it was blank, assumed it was something from one of her neighbours. The old man who lived along the corridor was always calling meetings to discuss resident’s issues. She pushed the door shut and went into her bedroom, dropping her coat on a chair and kicking off her shoes on the way.
She o
pened the envelope as she sat on the bed, then pulled out the single sheet of paper inside. It was a note from Dave. Her heart began to race immediately and she was no longer tired from her long day at the office. Stunned, she read the single side of writing that she’d recognised instantly. He hoped she was okay, that she didn’t hate him (If only, she thought), and said that he felt bad about what had happened between them.
She was unimpressed but interested all the same. Two days ago she would’ve told anyone who asked that she was over him, then a stupid bunch of flowers had brought it all back and now he was pushing notes under her door while she was work. She’d absolutely no idea what to think so she lay on back on the bed, feet still touching the floor, with the note in her hand.
Eventually, she resolved to tell Jen about the note, though not about her sudden admission to herself that she was still crazy about him. Leaving the note on the bed, she stood up and began to remove her clothes to have a shower. Just as she was about to step in, the telephone began to ring. Annoyed, she padded back into her bedroom and picked up the cordless phone from beside her bed.
‘Hello,’ she answered, shivering.
‘Hello you.’
Katie flopped on to the bed, completely forgetting that the shower was still running and that she was naked.
‘Dave,’ she managed, ‘what on earth do you want?’ She was impressed at her ability to be so instantly hostile towards someone she wanted so much. Jen would be proud.
‘Did you get the note I left you?’
‘Yeah. Very short. But then that’s you all over isn’t it?’ Scathing. She was playing this very nicely so far.
‘I assume that means you don’t want to speak to me then? I really am sorry though, Katie, about what happened.’
‘Then perhaps you shouldn’t have made it happen then, tosser!’ She snapped back.
‘No, you’re right. I shouldn’t have done that to you, it wasn’t fair. Look, I’ve got to go to work soon, but I’ll be finished by about midnight and I could drive past your place on the way home if you wanted?’ His voice sounded nice, like it always did when he wanted something from her.
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