by Sue Welford
He was still sitting there when Skip came out to find him.
He plonked himself next to Drew and let his hand trail in the water. ‘Still cheesed off?’ he said without looking at him.
Drew sighed. He seemed to be doing that a lot lately. ‘I’m OK,’ he said although he knew he couldn’t fool his best friend.
‘Come on.’ For once in his life Skip obviously couldn’t think of anything that would cheer Drew up. ‘I’ll buy you a drink.’
‘Cheers.’ Drew got up slowly and followed Skip back inside. He knew it would take all his courage to go and face Cindy and Carl again. Luckily, when he got back in the hall they were nowhere to be seen. And, much to his relief, he didn’t see them again all evening. Cindy had looked really tired. Maybe they had gone home early.
Drew spent the rest of the evening sitting dejectedly on a stool watching everyone else enjoying themselves. He felt like getting drunk but knew it would be suicide to down a few beers then ride the bike home. He wasn’t a drinker anyway. He hated the stuff. He’d tried when he was younger like everyone else. It only made him feel lousy.
‘Do you want a lift home?’ he said to Marie when the disco was over. Skip had cadged a lift off someone else. They had gone into town to get a Chinese take-away.
‘Yes, please.’
When they got home, Marie asked him in. But somehow Drew just wasn’t hungry.
He shook his head. ‘Think I’ll give it a miss tonight,’ he said.
She looked at him. ‘OK, it’s up to you.’
He was just about to turn the ignition back on when she said. ‘Remember you said we could go out together some time?’
‘Yes, sure.’ Drew had forgotten but he didn’t let on.
Marie put her head to one side. ‘I don’t think it’s a very good idea,’ she said.
Drew raised his eyebrows. ‘Why not?’
‘Well...’ she fiddled with one of her dangly earrings. ‘I mean I really like you, Drew.’ She shook her head. ‘But the trouble is you’re too much like my big brother... it just wouldn’t seem right somehow.’
‘What you mean is..,’ he said. ‘Is that I’m lousy company.’
She put her hand on his arm. ‘No, Drew. It’s really not that. I know we’d have a good laugh. I mean you’re really good looking and lots of my friends fancy you... it’s just... well... you know.’
Drew leaned forward and gave her a hug. ‘Yeah. I know, Marie. We’ve known each other too long.’
She grinned and hugged him back. ‘Something like that,’ she said.
He kissed her cheek feeling relieved although he never would have admitted it. It wouldn’t have been fair to take her out on a date anyway. He’d only be thinking about Cindy all the time. ‘See you around, then, little sister,’ he said.
She smiled. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘See you around.’
8
On Saturday, after work Drew bumped into Max.
‘You coming in for your work-out, Drew?’ the big West Indian frowned at him. ‘You haven’t been in for some time.’ He slapped Drew on the back. ‘Don’t want you gettin’ out of condition.’
Drew had spotted Carl’s car earlier and had made up his mind not to go to the gym that evening. ‘Sorry, Max,’ he said. ‘Can’t make it tonight.’
‘Got a date?’
Drew gave him a wry grin. ‘I should be so lucky.’
Max stared at him with a frown on his face. ‘Is everything OK at home, Drew.’
‘Yes, fine. My dad’s getting out soon.’
‘That’s good.’ Max was still looking at him. ‘If ever you’ve got a problem you know you can talk to me.’
‘Thanks, Max.’ Drew swallowed a lump in his throat. ‘But everything’s fine.’
Drew got his jacket from the locker room and went out to the car park.
At home, Drew decided to have an early night. His mum had looked at him in surprise when he came through the door. She had her coat on ready to go on night shift.
‘Not training tonight?’
‘No.’ He took off his jacket and put it round the back of the chair. ‘I’ve got some studying to do.’ He went to the fridge and took out a can of Coke.
Mrs Devlin was looking at him. ‘Drew, are you all right? You look tired.’
‘I’m OK.’ He ran his hand through his hair. ‘College is a bit tough going at the moment, that’s all.’
She seemed satisfied with his answer.
‘Do you want me to take you to work?’ he asked.
She shook her head. ‘No, thanks, someone’s picking me up.’
He pulled the tab and took a swig of his drink. ‘Is Sophie in?’
‘Yes, she’s watching TV.’
Drew said goodnight and went up to his room. He took off his clothes and lay down in his boxer shorts. He put his hands behind his head and gazed up at the ceiling. He should really be doing some studying but knew he wouldn’t be able to concentrate. On one wall of the room was his dream machine poster, a Harley, gleaming purple in the Californian sunlight. He wished he could be on that bike, riding across the desert. Nothing would bother him then. Not Cindy, not his dad, not his studies... nothing. All he would have would be the wide open spaces and freedom to do as he liked.
On the other wall was a poster of Madonna, another of his favourite heavy metal band. He wondered if he would really have the courage not to meet Cindy the following day. It seemed mean, just not turning up. He hated letting people down. Maybe he would go after all. Just to find out what she had to say. If she wanted to really talk about that kiss they had shared or if she wanted to pump him for information as Skip had suggested. It would be a good chance anyway to tell her that their friendship, such as it had been, was over once and for all. He gave a small groan. First he’d said he would meet her. Then he’d decided he wouldn’t. Now, he would. He really didn’t know what was the matter with him. He’d never had trouble sticking to his guns before. If that was what love did to you then he’d be better off without it.
Through the open curtains he could see a pale moon in the twilight sky. There were some kids playing football on the green. Then he heard someone shout for them to come indoors. A car drew up outside as his mum’s friend arrived to pick her up. He heard Sophie come upstairs and bang her bedroom door. Then everything was quiet.
He closed his eyes.
He must have dozed off because the next thing he knew, the phone was ringing downstairs. He sat up and rubbed his hand through his hair. He looked at his radio alarm. Eleven thirty. Who on earth could be ringing at this time of night? Maybe it was his mum, checking that everything was OK.
He ran downstairs and picked up the receiver. ‘Hello?’
There was silence at the other end. That’s all I need, he thought, cranky phone calls. He was just about to slam the receiver down when a voice said softly.
‘Drew?’
His heart skipped. ‘Yeah... who is it?’
‘It’s me,’ said the voice. ‘Cindy.’
She must have looked up his number up in the book. ‘Cindy!’ She sounded really strange. ‘Are you all right?”
‘Yes.’ Her voice sounded stronger now. ‘I’m really sorry to bother you, Drew.’
‘No problem,’ he said. ‘Is anything the matter?’
‘I just called to tell you I’m sorry I can’t make it tomorrow.’
Drew sat down, annoyed to find his legs were shaking. ‘Well, funnily enough, I can’t either.’
He was relieved when she didn’t ask him why. He might not have been able to think up an excuse quick enough. ‘My mum’s gone in for her transplant,’ she explained. I’ve got to go to the hospital to see her.’
‘That’s great. I really hope she’ll be OK.’
‘Yes,’ Cindy said. ‘She’s really lucky to get one so soon. I wanted to tell you earlier but you weren’t in the gym tonight.’
‘No,’ he said.
‘Did you have a date?’
‘A date? Oh, no.’
&
nbsp; ‘I thought you might be meeting Marie.’
‘Marie?’ He was surprised she knew her name. She must have asked someone. ‘Oh, no.’
There was a small silence. Then she said. Drew, I wanted to talk to you about Carl.’
So Skip had been right. She did want to pump him for information.
‘Cindy,’ he said. ‘We always end up talking about Carl.’
‘I know,’ she said. ‘But it’s all tied up with what happened after the fire.’
‘Look, Cindy,’ Drew said, determined to get in first. Determined, suddenly, that she should think it didn’t mean anything to him. ‘That kiss... it was just one of those things. We we’re both pretty shaken up.’ He really didn’t know why he was saying all that. What he really wanted was to tell her he couldn’t get it off his mind... that it meant more to him than anything had ever done in his life.
He waited for her to answer. Eventually she said in a stiff kind of voice.
‘Yes, you’re right. That’s what I kept thinking about. Drew, look I’m sorry Carl was such a pig to you.’
‘It’s not your fault. Cindy. I’m grateful you rang but honestly I don’t think we should be talking like this.’
‘No, you’re right. But look, Drew... about Carl. I...’
He realised they were going round in circles. ‘Cindy, I’m sorry, I’m really tired and I’ve got a heavy day tomorrow. Let’s leave it, shall we? You know he’s pretty screwed up about our friendship and I think we’d better call it a day. I mean, really call it a day.’
‘Drew... I.’
‘Cindy, I’ve really got to go.’
There was another silence. He thought he heard Cindy sniff. ‘OK,’ she said at last.
‘Cindy, you were right, he really could make things rough for me. I can’t afford to lose my job.’
‘I know that, Drew.’
‘And my dad’s coming home soon. I really feel I’ve got enough on my plate without Hickson causing me grief.’
‘Yes,’ she said in a small voice.
‘And you’ve got enough to cope with too... We just make trouble for each other. Cindy, it’s not worth it.’
If she really was stringing him along this would put an end to it, once and for all.
When there was no answer from the other end he began to think she had put the phone down. Then he heard her blow her nose and say stiffly. ‘OK, Drew. At least you won’t be hanging around tomorrow, wasting your time.’
‘No.’ he said. ‘Thanks for letting me know. Bye, Cindy.’
He slammed down the receiver. He leaned his head against the wall, breathing deeply. Stupid but he really felt like bursting into tears. He’d done it, he’d really done it. He’d told her once and for all.
He sat there for a minute or two, with his eyes closed. That had got to be the most difficult thing he had ever had to do in his life.
Eventually, when he went back upstairs, it was only to lay for hours in a strange twilight world between waking and sleeping. He only finally fell into a deep sleep as the milk float came whirring down the road just before it began to get light. Even then he dreamed of Cindy. She was with Carl. They were on a yacht in the middle of a wide, blue sea. Drew was swimming towards them. But every time he looked up out of the water they had sailed further and further away.
Drew woke up the following morning feeling surprisingly better. He felt somehow as if a load had been lifted from his shoulders. Cindy knew the score now. He felt sure she wouldn’t contact him again. And if they bumped into one another at college, or around the hotel? Well.. he would just say ‘hi’ like he did to anyone else and hope she couldn’t tell from his face that his heart was broken.
It was the middle of the following week when Max caught up with him at work.
‘Hey, Drew, come and see me when you’ve finished, OK?’
Drew had started training at the local sports centre. The gym there wasn’t so good but at least he was managing to keep in shape. Bumping into Cindy at college he could cope with, but seeing her with Carl in the gym was a different thing entirely. He hadn’t felt quite ready for that yet. He’d got the feeling that one nod in her direction might give Carl just the chance he was waiting for. He hadn’t caught a glimpse of her anywhere, not at college or around the hotel. He guessed she was busy visiting her mum. He still felt mean about not explaining things to Max. So when Max asked him to call in, he agreed. He was bound to see Hickson some time... and Cindy. If they were there... so be it!
Drew finished work and went into the locker room to change. A couple of the chambermaids were in there, heads together, giggling about something. They eyed Drew up and down as he came through the door. He knew these two of old. They were always chatting him up.
‘Hi, Drew,’ the brown haired girl with a generous mouth called to him. ‘Haven’t seen you around lately.’
‘Well, I’ve been here,’ he assured her. ‘Maybe you just weren’t looking.’
‘Still at college then are you?’ the other woman said. ‘Big boy like you.’
Drew grinned. He used to blush every time one of the chambermaids teased him. He’d grown used to it during the couple of years he’d had a job at the hotel and now didn’t bat an eyelid.
‘Sure am,’ he said. He took his jacket and sports bag from his locker.
‘You can’t afford a girlfriend yet then?’ the dark one said.
‘That’s right.’ Drew replied. ‘I prefer motorbikes anyway.’
‘Yes, I bet.’ The younger girl smiled at him.
He spread his hands. ‘It’s true. They’re a lot less trouble.’
They laughed and went out, chatting between themselves. Drew put on his jacket, picked up his bag and made his way along the glass corridor to the fitness centre. Looking out, he was relieved not to see either Carl’s or Cindy’s car in the car park.
Max was giving a demonstration to a new customer. ‘be with you in a minute, Drew,’ he called. ‘Help yourself to a drink.’
Drew took a can of iced glucose drink from the cold cabinet and sat down at the counter. It was the first time he’d been there since that kiss with Cindy. However hard he tried, he still couldn’t stop remembering.
‘Hi,’ Max wiped his face on the towel slung around his neck. ‘How’s it goin’?’
‘Fine,’ Drew felt in his pocket for a fifty pence piece for the drink.
Max waved his had. ‘Have it on me.’
Drew leaned an elbow on the counter. ‘Max, I’ve been meaning to talk to you.’
Max eyed the sports bag at Drew’s feet. ‘You been trainin’ somewhere else?’
‘Yes, that’s what I wanted to explain.’
Max sat down beside him. He wiped his face again. ‘You don’t have to explain anythin’ to me, Drew. You can train where you please.’
‘I know that, Max but you’ve been really good to me and I owe you an explanation.’
Max shrugged. ‘OK, go ahead.’
Drew wasn’t quite sure how it happened but he found himself telling Max the whole story. Right from start to finish... the finish of a friendship that had never really got started.
‘I feel a right coward letting Carl get to me like that,’ he confessed. ‘But I really need my job, I can’t...’
‘You don’t have to tell me,’ Max said. ‘I know what it’s like to be broke. Anyway, I reckon you did the right thing, Drew. Carl’s the last person you want to be on the wrong side or... or his father. But I’ll tell you something, you might be fed up, but you’re not the only one.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘That boy Hickson’s goin’ round like a bear with a sore head.’
‘He hasn’t got a sunny disposition at the best of times,’ Drew gave a wry grin. ‘You’re sitting in front of an expert on the subject.’
‘Well I’ve seen him in better moods.’ Max shifted his massive body to try to get more comfortable on the stool. ‘And he and Cindy haven’t been in here together for a long time.’
&nbs
p; Drew explained about her mum.
‘Yeah, well, that accounts for it then. I thought maybe they’d finished.’
Drew snorted. ‘You’re joking, she’s crazy about him.’
‘Look, Drew,’ Max said. ‘You’ll get over this. There’s plenty more fish in the sea. Don’t waste your time longin’ for something you can’t have.’
‘No.’ Drew finished his drink. ‘I don’t intend to.’ He wished he felt as positive as he sounded.
‘And come back to work-out here. Don’t use that other crummy gym. So what if they’re in here? Show them you don’t care.’
‘Yeah,’ Drew said. ‘Trouble is, Max. I do.’
‘Then pretend. Before long you’ll be believin’ it yourself. And find a girl... a good lookin’ guy like you, they’ll be fallin’ at your feet.’
Drew laughed. ‘Careful, Max. You’ll have me believing you in a minute.’
‘It’s true, man. Take my word for it.’
They talked for a while longer. By the time Drew left he had promised he’d come back to use the machines. His friend was right. He would show them he didn’t care.
‘By the way,’ Max said as he was going. ‘Are you still willin’ to work here some times?’
‘Sure,’ Drew said, full of new resolve. ‘Why not?’
‘Great. I could do with you on Friday. Would you be able to make it then?’
‘It’ll have to be after work,’ he told him. Mr Appleby’s got some rush job he wants me to do.’
‘About ten, then if that’s OK,’ Max said. ‘I’ve promised to take Lindy to that new club in town and man will I be in trouble if I can’t make it.’
Drew grinned. He’d met Max’s girlfriend. She was a tiny lady who ruled him with a rod of iron. ‘I’ll come through as soon as I’ve finished up,’ he said.
He made his way outside whistling. He felt better than he had for ages. His talk with Max had really done him good.
Mr Appleby was in his office. He looked up from his desk as Drew came through the door.
‘Ah Andrew...’