Clara in the Middle (Clara Andrews Series - Book 8)

by Lacey London

  Flowers are the music of the ground…

  Chapter 4

  ‘Eve was really upset today.’ Taking a big slug of Rioja, I lean back on the couch and swirl the red liquid around my glass. ‘I felt so bad for her.’

  My head sinks into the soft cushions and I exhale loudly. What started as a gentle waltz around the florist soon escalated into a fiery tango involving three wedding parties and a disgruntled widow. Seriously, working in that florist is like munching through a bag of Revels, you just don’t know what you’re going to get next.

  ‘I dunno what to say.’ Oliver scratches the back of his neck and lets out a sigh. ‘Owen was pretty beat up at golf last week too.’

  I shrug in response and look down at Pumpkin, who is happily taking the eyes out of her latest chew toy. Catching me looking at her, she immediately jumps to her feet and gives me her best please let me on the couch eyes. Shaking my head, I last a full thirty seconds before relenting and pulling her onto my lap. Immediately getting herself comfortable, she rests her wet snout on my stomach and closes her eyes happily.

  ‘It must be putting such a strain on their marriage.’ I muse, draining the contents of my glass and placing it on the coffee table.

  ‘I’m sure it is.’ Oliver leans over and scratches Pumpkin’s soft belly. ‘They have been trying for years now.’

  ‘I wish there was something we could do to help them…’ I let out a yawn and close my eyes, breathing deeply from my stomach.

  ‘Unfortunately, this is one of those situations in life where we are powerless to help.’ Oliver drags my legs onto his knees and starts to massage my feet.

  Rushing around the florist all day has meant that my previously soft and manicured tootsies are now in desperate need of a pedicure. Peeling open my eyes, I look down at my chipped red polish and kick myself for missing my appointment at the spa. There’s no way that I could step out in flip flops like this. I’d rather melt in my Converse than reveal these trotters to the world.

  Just as I am dozing off, Oliver hits a ticklish spot on my heel and I let out a squeal.

  ‘Sorry!’ He laughs and holds up his hands in apology. ‘That was an accident, I swear!’

  I grin at my lovely husband and wiggle my toes. ‘Shouldn’t this be the other way around?’ I ask, recalling our earlier conversation about just how busy things have been for him at work lately.

  He sighs and I rub his leg encouragingly. If you don’t already know, Oliver works at Suave, a luxury label supplying shoes and handbags to the fashion industry. What started as a temporary contract many years ago soon transpired into promotion after promotion and Oliver has been a permanent fixture ever since. Suave has actually played a huge part in our lives as it’s not only where Oliver and I met, it’s also where I met Lianna, Marc, Gina and many more of our friends. Over the years most of us broke away from the Suave family, but Oliver has been with the firm since the day we met. After a quick detour to Australia, Marc reprised his role as manager and has taken the company from strength to strength. I still find myself reminiscing of the good old days where we all worked together. Think Sex and the City crossed with The Office and you have half an idea of just how much fun we all had.

  ‘Don’t you miss the days where we all worked together?’ A smile plays on my lips as my mind drifts to our past antics. ‘Can you believe how much has changed for everyone since back then? It’s like we’re not even the same people anymore.’

  Oliver glances up at the family portrait on the wall and gives my foot a squeeze. ‘Things sure are a lot different now, huh? I guess we have a lot to thank Suave for.’

  Looking down at Pumpkin, I get to thinking about what my life would be like if I had never applied for that job. The job that led to me having my best friends, my husband and my beautiful baby boy. It’s like all the wrong turns I took previous to this were meant to lead me to where I am today.

  ‘We certainly do...’ I whisper, burying my head in the cushions.

  Allowing my eyes to close, I am seconds away from falling into a much needed sleep when the front door slams shut. Visibly jumping in my seat, I peel open my eyes to see Janie steadying herself on the kitchen island. With mascara smeared down her cheeks, the remnants of what appears to be a kebab on her dress and the undeniable stench of whiskey drifting off her, she is clearly paralytic. Locking eyes with Oliver, I choose to say nothing and bite my lip as anger bubbles in my chest.

  Clearly not picking up on my repulsion, Oliver grins widely at her and laughs. ‘Well, it looks like you had a good night?’ He pushes my legs off his lap and motions for his intoxicated mother to join us.

  ‘It was fantastic…’ She slurs, waving her arms around like she is still in whatever dingy bar she’s just crawled out of.

  Reaching into the cabinet for the Jack Daniel’s, she clumsily grabs three glasses and stumbles into the living room, dropping splashes of bourbon onto the floor as she goes. The floor that I spent forty minutes scrubbing when I came home from an eight-hour shift. Taking deep breaths so that I don’t spontaneously combust with fury, I chew the inside of my cheek as she comes very close to smashing my best crystal.

  ‘We went to Lightening.’ Janie sniggers as though she is telling a joke and fills the glasses with a shaky hand.

  Lightening? I feel my face pull into a scowl as I try to picture my mother-in-law in a hip-hop inspired nightclub. Seriously, who does she think she is? Miley bloody Cyrus?

  ‘We?’ Oliver questions, taking a glass from the table and clinking it against Janie’s.

  ‘Rose.’ Janie mumbles, grabbing hers with both hands and pushing the third towards to me.

  ‘My mum?’ I exclaim, unable to contain my horror. ‘You took my mum to a nightclub frequented with wannabe gangsters and gold-diggers?’

  Oliver lets out a loud laugh and I fight the over whelming urge to hit him with my shoe.

  ‘Oh, lighten up, Clara!’ He throws an arm around my tense shoulders and tickles my chin. ‘It’s just a bit of fun…’

  ‘Lighten!’ Janie squeals, banging her hand down on the table. ‘Do you get it? Lighten, as in Lightening!’

  Oliver joins in with her hysterics and I shoo Pumpkin to the floor. Rolling off the couch, I grab my phone and shove my feet into Oliver’s slippers.

  ‘I’m going to check on Noah.’ I let out a fake yawn and squeeze past Janie’s bandy legs in a strop.

  ‘Come on! Don’t leave!’ Oliver makes a grab for my arm, but I snatch it out of his reach. ‘Have a drink with us!’

  Ignoring their protests, I slip into our bedroom and close the door quietly behind me. I don’t need to check on Noah as I can see him snoozing on the baby monitor, I just wanted an excuse to get away from Janie. She’s a handful when sober, but drunk she verges on completely impossible. I genuinely can’t be around her when she is in that state. Collapsing into a heap on the bed, I tug the duvet over my head in a poor bid to block out the image of my mum and Janie twerking whilst throwing back shooters. What the hell is my mum playing at? She’s leaving for a cruise tomorrow morning!

  Listening to the two of them laugh as Janie reveals all about her fabulous evening, I find myself recalling all the times Oliver has blown his top at his mother’s disgraceful tricks. What on earth has changed for him in the past six months to make him find her impudent behaviour acceptable? Is he going through a midlife crisis and reliving his youth through her? Has he had a secret lobotomy that I don’t know about? I just don’t get it!

  As I am mentally cursing Janie into oblivion, a tiny scratching at the door catches my attention. I try to ignore it, but the pawing is soon accompanied by a familiar cry. Begrudgingly getting up, I allow myself a delicious stretch before padding across the room and releasing the handle. A wet nose pokes its way inside, quickly followed by a golden coat and a shiny tail that is wagging rapidly.

  ‘Do you want to escape the chaos too, Pumpkin?’ Closing the door, I switch off the main light and flick on the lamp.

  Grabb
ing her toy, she curls up on the floor and rolls onto her back, wriggling around like the happy puppy she is. The noise from the living room turns up a notch and I silently count to ten. Rubbing my tired eyes, I wander into our bathroom and perch on the rim of the roll top bath. When Janie takes me to the edge of insanity, this is my happy place. The place where I can escape reality, even if it is just for half an hour. I scan the rack of toiletries and my hands land on my favourite jasmine bath oil. Flipping open the lid, I turn on both taps and proceed to pour the shimmering liquid into the running water.

  Silently mesmerised by the sound of the water as it thrashes down into the tub, I almost don’t hear my phone ringing in the bedroom. Grabbing a towel to dry my hands, I make it to the bed just in time to see Lianna’s name flashing up on the display. Jabbing at the handset, I flop down onto the bed and grab my glasses from the dresser. A few moments later, her face pops up on the screen and I instantly feel a pang of longing.

  ‘Hey!’ She smiles brightly and I can’t help but notice that she is holding her iPhone just inches from her face. ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘Not bad.’ I nod as I speak, my foot automatically tapping in time to the reggae music in the background. ‘How are you?’

  ‘I’m great! Really great!’ She takes off her aviator sunglasses and I can tell from the mischievous look playing on her lips that she’s hiding something. ‘Listen, I’ve got something to tell you…’

  I knew it! Squinting my eyes at the screen suspiciously, I slip off the bed and walk back into the bathroom. ‘Is it good or bad?’

  ‘Good…’ She props up her handset on the table in front of her and I let out a scream.

  ‘Lianna!’ I yell, almost toppling into the bathtub with shock. ‘Your hair!’

  ‘Oh, that…’ She twirls around to let me see the extent of her extreme new haircut.

  My jaw drops open as I take in my best friend’s new look. For as long as I have known her, Li has always had long blonde locks. The kind of blonde that made you stop in your tracks. Shades of caramel, honey and butterscotch would melt together as she walked, causing her to be the envy of women everywhere. Now she’s rocking a choppy bob, but what is the most shocking is that her blonde tresses are now a stunning shade of pink. It’s edgy, it’s unique, it’s… fabulous!

  ‘Do you like it?’ She asks, between sips of her brightly coloured cocktail.

  ‘I love it...’ I gasp, trying to get used to her new style. ‘It’s just so different! What made you do it?’

  ‘Julianne came into The Hangout last week and I fell in love with her hair, so you know, I thought I would steal her style.’ She raises her eyebrows and stretches out in her seat.

  ‘Julianne?’ I repeat, turning off the taps and perching on the toilet seat. ‘The dancer?’ Lianna nods in response and I suddenly see the resemblance. ‘Oh yeah! I totally see it now. Well, it looks fantastic. I love it.’

  Placing the screen face down whilst I strip off and climb into the tub, I rearrange the bubbles before balancing the handset behind the taps.

  ‘So, I was going to tell you something...’ Her eyes sparkle as her face breaks into a smile. ‘You know how it’s Vernon and I’s anniversary in a couple of weeks?’ I nod in response and tip my head back to allow the ends of my hair to soak through. ‘Well, we are going to take a vacation to celebrate.’

  ‘A vacation to where?’ I splutter, wiping my eyes and reaching for the shower gel. ‘You already live in paradise.’

  Disappearing from view, Li reappears with an envelope and holds a plane ticket up to the screen. Leaning forward for a closer look, my jaw drops open as I take in the text.

  ‘Heathrow?’ I squeal, splashing around in the water. ‘You’re coming to London?’

  ‘I am!’ She screams happily and waves her tickets around in the air. ‘Vernon surprised me with the news last night!’

  ‘This is amazing!’ Clasping my hands to my face, I try to stop my heart from racing. ‘When?’

  ‘Umm…’ She glances down at the tickets and squints. ‘Two weeks tomorrow!’

  We shriek simultaneously and inadvertently catch Pumpkin’s attention. Obviously wanting to get involved in the jovialities, she creeps up to the bath and puts two paws on the side of the tub.

  ‘Did you hear that, Pumpkin?’ Turning the screen to her face, I let out a giggle as she licks the phone. ‘Auntie Lianna is coming to see you!’

  ‘I certainly am!’ Li cries, clapping her hands together. ‘You have no idea how excited I am.’

  ‘Believe me, I know exactly how excited you are because I am equally as excited!’ Making a grab for my shampoo, I squirt a dollop onto my head and start to lather up. ‘Seriously, Li, I have missed you so much. It’s been so long…’

  ‘I know...’ A wave of guilt washes over her face and she smiles sadly. ‘I’ve missed you too. But you know, it’s a lot easier to deal with when you wake up to this everyday…’

  Flipping the camera around, she wanders over to the window and shows me the incredible view from her bedroom. I let out a whimper as the beautiful Barbados sunshine beams down onto the stunning blue ocean, teasing you in with a twinkle. A pang of envy runs through me and I stick out my tongue.

  ‘Don’t rub it in.’ I grumble, fumbling around on the windowsill for my face mask.

  Lianna laughs and turns the screen back to her. ‘Vernon’s like a giddy child. He’s never been to England before. He wants to hit up all the tourist spots.’

  I apply a layer of detoxifying clay to my t-zone as I picture Vernon dragging Lianna on an open top bus tour. ‘Just make sure he brings some suitable clothing. From next week, summer will be officially over.’

  ‘The good old British weather is certainly going to be a shock to him!’ Li laughs and drains the contents of her cocktail. ‘It’s been so hot here lately, he won’t know what’s hit him.’

  ‘Neither will you! You’ve been gone for so long…’

  She nods in agreement and looks out to sea. ‘I love it here, really love it, but lately I must admit that I’ve been missing home just a little.’

  A selfish part of me loves hearing Lianna refer to London as home. I know that she’s lived in Barbados for years now, but telling myself that she is just on an extended holiday makes it easier for me to deal with.

  ‘You know, you coming over here is going to cheer Eve up so much.’ Rubbing exfoliator into my cheeks, I readjust the bubbles to protect my modesty. ‘She has been pretty down lately.’

  Lianna sticks out her bottom lip and fiddles with the settings for a better reception. ‘No luck with the baby making yet?’

  I shake my head regrettably and slip my shoulders back under the water. ‘Afraid not. She’s tried every trick in the book, but still nothing.’

  ‘That’s so sad.’ Li frowns and looks down to the floor. ‘Hey, do you know if she’s tried healing crystals? Vernon’s mum is obsessed with crystal healing and she believes that Jade helps to increase fertility.’

  ‘Really?’ I scrunch up my nose dubiously and comb conditioner through my hair.

  Lianna nods and crashes down onto her bed. ‘She swears by it! Honestly, every time I see her she insists on rubbing it on my stomach...’ I raise my eyebrows and wonder if she has something to tell me. ‘Before you ask, the answer is no!’ She rolls her eyes and takes another sip of her cocktail. ‘I’m quite happy being the world’s best auntie, thank you very much. I have absolutely no desire to fill my life with nappies, baby vomit and sleepless nights.’

  ‘You don’t have to make it sound so terrible!’ I tease, reaching over and stroking Pumpkin’s head.

  I hate to admit it, but she does have a point. Lianna gets all the cuddles and laughter without any of the poop or tantrums.

  ‘I almost forgot to ask, how’s things with Janie?’ Li rolls onto her side and yawns. ‘Any signs of her moving on yet?’

  My mood swiftly changes at the mention of Janie and I am suddenly reminded that she’s smashed in my living room, k
nocking back whiskey with my husband.

  ‘Unfortunately she’s still very much with us…’ I hope the manner of my voice is enough for her not to ask any more questions.

  ‘OK…’ Lianna mumbles, clearing sensing the tone.

  Knowing very well that I could easily ramble on about Janie all night long once I get started, I decide to wrap up the call.

  ‘Well, I should probably let you go. If I don’t dry this hair soon, I’m going to look like Medusa.’ Shaking my head to emphasise my point, I wince as I splash bubbles into my eye.

  Saying our goodbyes, I make sure to reiterate just how happy I am that she is finally tearing herself away from her beloved island to pay us a visit. After the screen bounces back to black, I use my toes to pull the plug and wrap myself up in my waffle robe. Wet droplets land on Pumpkin’s nose as she follows me back into the bedroom. Pressing my ear to the door, I can still hear Janie’s drunken ramblings so I decide to call it a night. Quickly exchanging my robe for a night dress, I roughly towel dry my hair before attacking it with my precious diffuser.

  With a final check on the baby monitor, I apply a layer of moisturiser to my face and crawl beneath the sheets. Pumpkin waits patiently to be invited onto the bed and I tap the space beside me. Not missing a beat, she fires up and flops down at my feet. Snuggling into my pillow, I recall the day we first brought Pumpkin home. Oliver was adamant that she would never sleep on our bed. He was very much of the mindset that dogs are animals and should be treated as such. It turns out that his harsh words lasted for all of two hours and on her first night with us, she used her big brown eyes to break Oliver down and has been a permanent fixture at the foot of our bed ever since.