Doing the Right Thing

by Barbara Elsborg

  Addie stuffed her mouth with bread so she didn’t have to speak. She watched as Vee’s eyes scanned the room. Will’s eyes were on Addie. She looked back at her plate.

  “You’re not going to Shropshire, then?” Vee asked.

  Addie emptied her mouth. “No.”

  “Who is going? Point them out.”

  “Vee, leave it,” Will said.

  Addie escaped by going to get another plate of food she didn’t want and then struck up a conversation with Graham. Now she knew she was desperate.

  Will knew he’d made another mistake. Seeing Addie in that red dress made him remember what had started off as one of the best nights of his life and how the woman sitting next to him had ruined it. He’d done the right thing going back to Vee after she’d told him she’d taken an overdose, but why hadn’t he taken Addie with him? Instead, he’d hurt her, and continued to hurt her. He didn’t deserve her. She was sweet and kind and too good for him, but he wanted another chance.

  “Come and dance.” Vee pulled at his arm. “I’m not eating this rubbish. You can take me for a meal afterwards.”

  “I don’t want to dance and I don’t want to take you for a meal.”

  “Just one dance, Will,” Vee wheedled. “Please.”

  He let her pull him on to the crowded dance floor, his mind whirling with ways to tell Addie about the baby. Would she understand? He’d have to look after the child, share custody. Could he ask her to accept that? Vee pushed him away in disgust after he failed to make any effort to move. He watched her glancing back at him as she talked to people. He guessed she was trying to find out if anyone knew who he’d been fucking. Will looked for Addie but he was too late. He couldn’t find her.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  When Addie was sent to open the door at her mother’s, Will was the last person she expected to see. She froze, as though she’d plunged into water pouring from a melting glacier.

  “What are you doing here?” Will demanded.

  “Isn’t that my line?” she asked in confusion.

  “The coach was supposed to leave an hour ago.”

  Now she understood. “I’m not going on a team-building course. There’s no point.”

  “But I want you to come,” Will said. “Please.”

  Addie groaned.

  “Adelina? What are you doing? Your food’s going cold. Tell them we believe in Christmas and get back to the table.”

  “My mother thinks you’re a Jehovah’s Witness.”

  “I’ll be anything you like if you come to Shropshire.” His fingers touched her hand and she drew away.

  “You can’t do this, Will. It isn’t fair. You can’t keep picking me up and throwing me away again.”

  “Give me one more chance,” Will said in a low voice. “I made a mistake. I thought I was doing the right thing, but I wasn’t. I want—”

  “Adelina,” her mother called.

  “Do you want me to talk to her?” Will asked.

  “No. How did you know where I was?”

  “Lisa—”

  He straightened up and looked over her shoulder.

  “Mrs Winter, I’m sorry to disturb you, but I needed to speak to Addie.”

  “We’re eating.” Her mother furrowed her brow.

  “I’m sorry,” Will said.

  “Come inside. Shut the door, Adelina. It’s no wonder my gas bills are so high. Now, who are you?”

  “Will Mansell.” He offered his hand. “I’m Addie’s boss—temporary boss, and our sales team is attending a training course at a hotel in Shropshire. A place has become available for Addie, but we need to leave immediately.”

  “Will Mansell. Will Mansell,” Joan repeated. “Oh yes, I know about you. I’ve met your brother.”

  Addie’s shoulders slumped and Will’s eyebrows shot up.

  “The coach is waiting. I—er—we—” He ran out of power like an exhausted runner.

  Her mother could make anyone quake.

  “It can wait a bit longer. We’re eating. Come and join us.” Joan’s eyes glittered.

  Will followed Addie and her mother. When he walked into the dining room, everyone turned. Will looked like an antelope invited to dine with a pride of lions. She saw his eyes linger on Finn, and Will gave a little smile. She wondered why.

  “Give Mr Mansell your chair and get a stool,” Joan told Addie.

  “Call me Will.”

  “I thought your name was Noah,” David sniggered.

  “That was a private joke,” Will said.

  “Addie, introduce everyone,” Joan snapped.

  “That’s my brother Finn, his wife Sally and their children Lucifer and Satan.”

  “Adelina,” warned her mother.

  “Trixie and Harry. My brother Hugh, his wife Miranda and their children Honey and Richard, and you’ve met the family pet.” Addie glared at David, warning him with her eyes not to cause trouble.

  Addie was relieved when everyone was eating again. Will had his knee pressed against hers under the table.

  “This is delicious, Mrs Winter,” Will said. “The best Yorkshire pudding I’ve ever tasted.”

  Addie wished she could have warned him. But then again…

  “More?” Joan picked up another with the tongs and put it on Will’s plate. “More stuffing, more potatoes?”

  “Thank you.”

  “Eat those Brussels sprouts, Addie. Do you think I can’t see them under the cabbage?”

  Oh go on, humiliate me why don’t you.

  “Brussels sprouts look like giant boogies,” Trixie announced.

  “I don’t want any.” Honey pushed her plate away.

  Joan glared at Addie. “See what you’ve done.”

  “I like your Christmas tree,” Will tried, and when Addie’s mother glanced round, he speared three sprouts from Addie’s plate and stuffed them in his mouth.

  And just like that, he was on the way to winning her back.

  “I made the lantern,” Honey said. “It’s pink because it’s Barbie’s favourite colour.”

  “It’s very nice,” Will said.

  “Trixie made the star on the top,” Honey said.

  “And the mouse,” Trixie added. “That’s Daddy’s angel and those green things are supposed to be holly. He made those when he was a baby.”

  “There were chocolates too, but Richard ate five of them and threw up on Daddy’s shoes, so Grandma had to put the others at the top of the tree.” Honey giggled.

  “What did you make?” Will asked Addie.

  “A little felt stocking with a teddy in it.”

  “I threw that away. It fell apart,” Joan said.

  Addie looked at David’s disintegrating icicle and knew her mother would never throw that away. She felt Will’s eyes follow her gaze. When she glanced at him, he squeezed her knee.

  “Ever been in trouble with the law, Will?” Finn asked.

  Addie gulped.

  “I gave up robbing banks a couple of years ago,” Will said.

  Only Addie laughed. A little too energetically.

  “What do you think of Addie’s hair?” Her mother looked at Will. “Is it suitable for someone looking for promotion?”

  “Minefield ahead,” Addie whispered.

  “I like it,” Will said in a loud voice.

  “It looked better longer. She looks very masculine.”

  Kill me now, God, Addie pleaded.

  “I can’t see how anyone could think that,” Will said and Addie heard the change in his voice.

  “It’s her own fault.” Her mother pressed on. “She should spend a bit of money on some nice clothes.”

  “Addie has a lovely red dress.” Will smiled at her.

  “Yeah, she does,” David said. “Really short and tight.”

  All eyes turned to Addie.

  “Sally’s dress is nice,” Hugh commented. “You’d look okay in something like that, Addie.”

  “No, she wouldn’t,” her motheer said. “It would make
her neck look even longer. And Sally’s got a proper chest. She’s more in proportion than Addie.”

  “Addie takes my breath away whatever she’s wearing,” Will said and the room went silent.

  His knee pressed harder against hers. When he reached under the table for her hand, Addie let him take it.

  “She would in that red dress,” David muttered.

  “We ought to be going.” Will swallowed the last mouthful on his plate.

  “Not until after you’ve had pudding,” her mother said. “I’ve made a nice apple crumble. Clear the table, Addie, while I talk to Will.”

  “We have to leave now,” Addie said. “The coach is waiting.”

  “Why wasn’t Addie on this training course in the first place?” Her mother was an immovable force. “If she’s not going to get promoted, she may as well look for another job.”

  “Why wouldn’t she get promoted?” Will asked.

  “Are you going to give her a promotion?” her mother demanded.

  “It’s not my company. If it was, I’d make sure Addie’s considerable talents were rewarded.”

  “I understand she won’t be accompanying any more coach trips.”

  “It’s not cost-effective, but she’s a brilliant coach rep.”

  He mother snorted. “We wasted all that money on a degree for her to do that?”

  Addie drew herself together ready to explode with fury. She hadn’t asked them for a penny. She’d supported herself.

  “I don’t—” began Will, but her mother hadn’t finished.

  “The only thing she excels at is—”

  “Failing,” Addie said and in the ensuing silence you could have heard a fly sneeze, until Trixie giggled.

  “What did you say?” her mother snapped.

  “I’m obviously brilliant at being no good at anything, but it doesn’t say much for you, does it? I have half your genes and half Dad’s, so you have to share some responsibility for the way I turned out.”

  “I don’t think this is the time or place—”

  “Oh, I’m sorry,” Addie said. “You can be unpleasant to me anytime, but I’m not allowed to retaliate?” She knew she should shut up. She could see Orcs advancing, Dementors on the horizon, but she’d had enough.

  “I…ouch.” Addie yelped as Will pinched her thigh.

  “I’m afraid we’re going to have to leave.” Will got to his feet and pulled Addie to hers. “I don’t want to keep them waiting any longer. Thank you for lunch. Sorry we have to rush off, Mrs Winter.” Will kept Addie in front of him as he propelled her from the room.

  Addie grabbed her jacket and purse as Will raced her out of the house. Once they were in his car and moving down the road, he gave an audible sigh of relief. Addie guessed he was congratulating himself on his escape from the jaws of a T-Rex.

  “Does she ever say anything nice to you?” he asked.

  Addie tried to think of something, and then tried again. No. Nothing came to mind.

  “She can’t be all bad,” Will said.

  She was an alien pretending to be human, but Addie couldn’t say that. There was an uneasy silence.

  “Is she critical like that with your brothers?”

  “No.”

  “What about your father? What was he like?”

  “The same. Strict.”

  “She’s a great cook,” Will said, his tone a little too bright.

  He pulled up at the side of the road.

  “I thought the coach was waiting,” Addie said.

  “No, I told Ed to go. We’re driving down.”

  “So you lied to my mother?”

  “I could hardly tell her the truth, we’d never have got away. And why did Finn think I’d been in trouble with the police?”

  “No idea,” Addie said. “Maybe you can see now why Japan appealed.”

  Will smiled.

  “Why have we stopped?”

  “Because I want to thank you for coming with me and because I want to kiss you.” He unclipped Addie’s seat belt and then his own. “I’m sorry, Addie. I’m sorry I hurt you. I don’t know why I thought I could go back to the way things were before I met you. I can’t. I didn’t want you to have to deal with Vee, but I think you have to. I need you to believe that it’s you I want and not her.”

  Will pulled her into his arms, pressed his lips against hers and Addie melted. She loved being kissed, loved kissing. Will’s lips landed feathery touches all along her mouth, teasing it open until he could slip his tongue inside. Addie loved the taste of him, loved the feel of their tongues playing together. She felt a tug of desire as the kiss intensified.

  He broke away and stroked her cheek with the back of his hand. “I’m glad the coach has gone because that means I get time alone with you.”

  “I get bad travel sickness,” Addie said.

  “Lying rat.” He grinned.

  Addie made a mental note to take two tablets when she got back to the house.

  “What do I need to pack?” she asked as Will set off again.

  “Some old gear for outside activities, plus smarter clothes for the meals. The hotel has a pool and there’s a black tie event on Tuesday night. Wear that red dress and I’ll give you a special prize.”

  Will’s fingers reached over to clutch hers.

  “You’re back early,” Lisa called as they came in the door. “How did you escape the old dragon?”

  “Time off for good behaviour,” Addie shouted back.

  “We’ve got a visitor,” Lisa said.

  Will followed Addie into the lounge and walked into her when she stopped dead.

  “Vee, what are you doing here?” Will asked.

  “I came to see Lisa. What are you doing here? You told me you were going to Shropshire.”

  “I am. Addie didn’t turn up for the coach so I came to get her.”

  “I thought you said you weren’t going.” Vee turned to Addie.

  “I didn’t intend to, but I think there were some crossed wires somewhere. They have to balance the teams, so if I don’t go I’ll be letting people down.”

  “Do all your employees get such personal service?” Vee looked sullen.

  “Yeah, they do, actually. I’ve got to pick up Chloe as well. Addie, hurry up and get your bag otherwise the coach is going to leave without us.”

  Somehow Addie’s feet carried her out of the room and up the stairs. Had Vee guessed? Was that why she was there? Did she know what they’d been doing? Why had Will lied? Addie grabbed clothes at random from her drawers, pushed them in a bag and went back downstairs. Lisa stood in the hall mouthing questions. Will and Vee were arguing in the lounge.

  “What’s going on?” Lisa asked. “Why didn’t you tell me that Evelyne was Will’s wife?”

  “I only found out on Friday night and I’ve hardly seen you.”

  “I didn’t think you were still seeing him.”

  “I’m not.”

  Lisa rolled her eyes. “He’s here, isn’t he?”

  “They’re getting divorced,” Addie said.

  “That’s not what she says. Addie, be careful. He’s using you. Vee’s just told me she’s—”

  “Great, you’re ready.” Will came out of the lounge.

  “Give me a kiss before you go.” Vee clung to Will’s arm. “I’m going to miss you.” She reached up and took hold of his head.

  Addie looked away and then looked back. Will wasn’t holding Vee, but their lips were together. It seemed like hours to Addie before he took her bag from her hand and threw it onto the backseat of the car. As they drove off, he tossed his phone into her lap.

  “Call Ed, tell him if Vee phones in the next half an hour, he’s to say the coach is waiting for us and Chloe. Tell him to switch off his mobile after that in case she rings again.”

  Addie hesitated.

  “Please, Addie. Just do that and then we’ll talk.”

  She scrolled through the numbers and found Ed’s.

  “Hi, Will.”

&nb
sp; “It’s Addie.”

  “Stolen his phone?”

  “Will says if Vee phones in the next thirty minutes tell her that you’re waiting for us and Chloe. After that, switch off your phone so she can’t reach you.”

  “Right.” Ed drew out the word. “Who’s Chloe?”

  “Will’s pitiful attempt to make Vee think I’m not the only one he’s picking up.” Addie saw Will wince.

  “You better get a move on. The weather forecast says snow,” Ed said.

  “Thanks, Ed. See you down there.”

  “Addie, I—”

  “What?”

  “Nothing. See you later.”

  Addie put down the phone.

  “I can’t believe she works at the same place as you,” Will muttered.

  Addie could. God hated her as much as her mother.

  “I’m not sleeping with her, Addie. The divorce is going through. I’ve instructed my lawyer to hurry it up. Whether Vee wants it or not, it will happen. I told her there’s someone else in my life. She doesn’t know who.”

  “Didn’t,” Addie corrected. Vee wasn’t stupid.

  “When I told you I couldn’t see you anymore, I was trying to protect you.”

  “Why did you think I needed protecting?” she asked, her voice shaky.

  “Because I know what she can be like. She tries to sabotage all my relationships. A couple of months ago, I was in a restaurant in Greenwich with a client, who happened to be an attractive redhead. Vee walked up and told her I was HIV positive.” He looked across. “I’m not. I could just about laugh that off, but she threatened another woman with a knife. That was serious, Addie. I didn’t want her to mess things up for us. I didn’t want her to frighten you off.”

  “She’s popular at work. Lisa really likes her,” Addie said feeling miserable.

  “I liked her too. I married her. I must have seen something in her.”

  “You still do,” Addie said.

  There was a long silence.

  “I’d like you less if you didn’t,” Addie said.

  “It’s you that I want, not her.” Will reached over and put his hand on her knee.

  Addie felt there was more to be said, but didn’t want to be the one who said it. “Ed says snow’s forecast.”

  Will’s face lit up. “Brilliant. Did you bring gloves?”