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

by Lacey London

  ‘What do you say, Janie? Can you face one final meal of saturated fats and complex carbohydrates?’

  She turns around and checks out her backside in the mirror. ‘I think my ass can handle one more. Yours? Not so much…’

  Not knowing whether to laugh or cry, I stare at Janie in shock.

  ‘I’m kidding!’ She roars, throwing back her head and cackling like a rabid hyena. ‘Let’s get outta here…’

  * * *

  Looking up at the ceiling, I inhale deeply and feel the stress practically drift away from my body. Tonight has been the best night we have had since Janie arrived. Rather than cooking, the four of us grabbed our coats and went to McDonald’s. You heard me. We actually managed to get Janie into a McDonald’s and what’s more shocking is that she didn’t complain once. We did consider something fancier, but with her booking her flights to Texas before we left, an all American farewell seemed fitting. I hate to admit it, but she really does seem to have had a personality transplant. Well, apart from the odd dig about my decision to order large fries and flirting with the adolescent server, but I guess Janie will always be Janie deep down.

  Picturing her tickle Noah until he cried happy tears, I almost feel bad for being the instigator in making her leave, but whilst Janie used the little girl’s room, Oliver actually thanked me for making him tackle this head on. It seems that he had been burying his head in the sand for a while now and despite his initial protest, he didn’t know how to handle the situation for the best. Looking back on the series of events that has led us to where we are today, I can completely understand why. I mean, what choice did he have? He couldn’t exactly tell her to leave when she was clearly in the middle of some kind of post-divorce breakdown.

  Flicking off the bathroom light, Oliver strips off his t-shirt and crawls into bed next to me. He lets out a lion worthy yawn and flops back onto the pillows.

  ‘Thank you.’ He whispers, wrapping his arms around my waist and squeezing me tightly.

  ‘What for?’ I roll over to face him and run my fingers through his hair.

  ‘For everything.’ He brings his eyes up to meet mine and my stomach flips like crazy. ‘For putting up with my mom all this time. For not packing up and leaving yourself. For not pressuring me to make her leave.’

  ‘I don’t think I can take credit for that last one…’ Blood rushes to my cheeks and I tear my eyes away from his.

  ‘Are you kidding me? Most women would have kicked my ass months ago with the way my mom has been acting.’ He rolls onto his back and shoves another pillow behind his head. ‘I’m genuinely sorry that I didn’t back you up on her behaviour. The mess, the cursing, the goddam men…’ He screws up his nose and exhales sharply. ‘I just felt torn. I felt like I was stuck in the middle of my mom and my wife. I knew she was in the wrong, of course I did…’

  ‘You don’t need to explain yourself.’ Planting a soft kiss on his cheek, I curl up on his chest and allow my eyes to close. ‘I understand.’

  ‘Well, I just want you to know that I’m very aware of what an amazing wife I have…’

  A smile plays on my lips as my eyelids become suddenly heavy. Before I can stop it, my mind flits to the Lakes and my stomach does a flip. ‘I don’t think Owen and Eve think I’m very amazing right now…’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Oliver mumbles, as he starts to fall asleep.

  ‘I told them I couldn’t do it.’ My skin prickles as I recall the coffee shop disaster. ‘It was awful. Honestly, it was absolutely heart breaking. I felt terrible.’

  Oliver runs his fingers along my spine and sighs. ‘I can’t imagine how difficult that was for you, but if it’s any consolation, I think you made the right decision.’

  I attempt to smile, but the guilt that is in my heart is hard to ignore. I know that he’s right, but it doesn’t stop me from feeling incredibly bad about it.

  ‘It will happen for them, but this wasn’t the answer.’ He pulls me closer and I shuffle over to make room for Pumpkin, who has dived onto the foot of the bed with her favourite toy. I look down at her adorable face as she settles down to go to sleep.

  ‘I feel like Pumpkin is going to end up my only friend at this rate…’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Oliver laughs and plants a kiss on my forehead. ‘Speaking of friends, Li called while you were out.’

  ‘What did she say?’ I gasp, flipping over to face him.

  With everything that has been going on, I had totally forgotten about Lianna’s visit!

  ‘Well, you will be pleased to know that they land tomorrow afternoon.’ He pauses whilst I let out a squeal. ‘Apparently she’s going to meet you at Eve’s book club. I did question why she would want to go to a book club after a long haul flight, but she seemed pretty set on it.’

  I hide a grin behind my frizzy curls and nod in response. Lianna’s insistence on coming to our book club doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. Not wanting to give the game away on our Friday night cocktail sessions, I kiss him goodnight and close my eyes. Janie’s heading back to America, Oliver and I have reconnected, the Lakes will forgive me… eventually and my best friend is coming home. It seems that the storm has finally passed…

  Where flowers bloom, so does love…

  Chapter 14

  When I peel my eyes open the following morning, I promise myself that today is going to be a good day. Stretching out my legs, I roll out of bed and practically dance into the bathroom. The sun streams in through the window as I grab my dressing gown from the back of the door. Standing on the tips of my toes, I push open the window and fill my lungs with crisp fresh air. Since Oliver left earlier, I have tossed, turned and literally counted down the minutes until it was an acceptable time to get up.

  I must have called Lianna a million times already. I’ve also tried texting, emailing, Skyping and every other social media account I can think of, but nothing has proved effective. I know, I am very aware that I will be seeing her in the flesh in just a few short hours, but I have never had any patience, especially when it comes to Li. Our friendship has been tested so much since she left and I am absolutely ecstatic that she is coming home. They say that true friendship lasts the length of time. Well, ours has lasted time, distance, break-ups and meltdowns. Carling don’t make friendships, but if they did, they would have made ours.

  Flicking off the bathroom light, I stroll across the bedroom and throw open the door to the living room. To my surprise, Noah is already up and even more surprisingly, so is Janie.

  ‘Good morning!’ She hollers, from her place at the kitchen island.

  I widen my eyes in shock and make my way over to where she and Noah are sitting. ‘Good morning to you guys too. What are we eating over here?’

  ‘Pancakes!’ Noah yells, holding up his plate with sticky fingers. ‘Do you want some?’

  ‘Umm…’ I eye up the pool of chocolate sauce dubiously.

  ‘No she doesn’t.’ Janie mumbles, taking a sip from her coffee mug and pointing to the oven. ‘I’ve done your mom bacon and eggs.’ She flashes me a wink and piles more pancakes onto Noah’s plate. ‘Eggs over easy, just as you like them.’

  My stomach rumbles greedily as I squeeze by her and take a steaming plate out of the oven.

  ‘What’s all this in aid of?’ I ask, grabbing the brown sauce and completely covering my bacon. ‘You never cook!’

  ‘I cook!’ She protests, popping a grape into her mouth and frowning.

  ‘Please!’ I try to laugh, but having a mouthful of delicious bacon prevents me from doing so. ‘Pouring shop bought hummus into a bowl, does not count as cooking.’

  ‘She made my pancakes!’ Noah points out, shoving the last piece into his mouth.

  ‘She did?’ I jab my fork into a piece of toast and groan as it slips straight onto the floor. ‘Dammit…’

  I pause for a moment, waiting for Pumpkin to sweep in and hoover it up. ‘Where’s Pumpkin?’ I ask, when her familiar snout doesn’t appear under the table.
>
  Janie points over her shoulder to the balcony and I let out a giggle as I see her tearing back and forth along the balcony. Bless her. If everyone was as happy as Pumpkin, the world would be a much better place. Dragging my eyes away from her fluffy butt, I pick up the offending toast and make a second attempt at tackling my breakfast.

  ‘I hear Lianna’s back today.’ Janie muses, raising her eyebrows a millimetre as she nurses her mug.

  I nod in response and head over to the coffee machine. ‘I know! I can’t tell you how excited I am to see her!’

  ‘I’m more excited to meet the mysterious Vernon…’ Her eyes glint wickedly as she smacks her lips together. ‘I hear he’s quite the dish…’

  ‘What’s a dish?’ Noah asks, his little brow creasing into a confused frown as he reaches for his glass of water.

  I lock eyes with Janie and shake my head.

  ‘Never you mind. Now eat your breakfast…’

  * * *

  ‘Can we race again?’ Noah begs, slamming the door shut behind us. ‘Please? Please? Please?’

  I roll my eyes and adjust the strap on my shoe. ‘Go on then, but no cheating!’

  ‘I don’t cheat!’ He exclaims, clearly offended at being labelled a trickster.

  ‘Mmm…’ I hold on to the bannister and stick out my tongue. ‘On the count of three?’ Noah positions himself like Usain Bolt and nods. ‘One… two… three!’

  The pair of us set off and even though I actually try to win this time, Noah soars on ahead of me. Unsurprisingly, he reaches the top before I even hit the second flight of steps and fist pumps the air.

  ‘I’m just too quick for you, aren’t I, Mummy?’

  I let out a laugh and hope that breaking a sweat hasn’t ruined my make-up. ‘Yes, I think you are.’

  Holding out my hand for his, I let him drag me towards Gina’s apartment. Suddenly stopping in his tracks, Noah drops his backpack onto the floor and tugs on my sleeve.

  ‘Mummy, because I won the race, do I get another wish?’ He looks up at me and crosses his fingers behind his back. ‘Because my last one didn’t come true…’

  My heart breaks for him, but I do my best to hide my feelings behind a strained grin. ‘Well, I guess you did win the race, but you better make it quick. Gina will be waiting for you.’

  ‘That’s OK, because I already know what I want.’ He shoots me his cutest smile and bats his ridiculously long eyelashes. ‘I want another puppy.’

  I stare at him for a moment, feeling completely flummoxed. There’s more chance of Janie staying than Oliver agreeing to have another dog in the apartment.

  ‘Well…’ I try to think of something to say that won’t make me break yet another promise to my son.

  ‘Or I could wish for a bike?’ He beams up at me cheekily and raises his eyebrows. ‘Deal?’

  ‘You are most definitely your father’s son.’ A laugh escapes my lips as he grabs the hem of my coat and drags me towards Gina’s apartment. ‘Deal.’

  Rapping on the door, I hold Noah’s lunchbox under my arm and pretend to listen as Noah tells me exactly which bike his wants. After standing there for a good minute, I exchange confused glances with Noah and give it another knock. Eventually the door swings open, but it’s not Gina who’s standing there, it’s Eve.

  ‘Oh…’ I offer her a surprised smile and step inside. ‘What are you doing here?’

  ‘I just needed to speak to Gina.’ Eve leans down and ruffles Noah’s hair. ‘How’s it going, Noah?’

  ‘I’m getting a bike!’ He exclaims, throwing his arms in the air and rushing past her.

  ‘Wasn’t it Noah’s birthday last month?’ Eve asks, clearly concerned that she has missed his birthday.

  ‘It was, but this isn’t a birthday gift.’ I drop his lunchbox by the door and fold my arms. ‘He had a wish.’ Eve looks at me puzzled as Gina appears behind her. ‘It’s a long story…’

  ‘Hey!’ Gina smiles broadly and hitches up her leggings. ‘How are you? Feeling better today?’

  It takes me a minute to recall what she’s talking about. ‘Yes, I am feeling much better now. Thanks for asking.’

  ‘You sure?’ Gina scrunches up her nose and picks up Melrose, who is jumping up and down at her feet. ‘You seemed pretty upset yesterday.’

  Eve looks between the two of us and I shoot Gina a please shut up glare. ‘I’m fine, honestly.’

  Clearly getting the hint, Gina purses her lips and tries to stop Melrose from pulling out her earrings.

  ‘Anyway, we should probably get going.’ Eve checks the time on her mobile and beckons for me to follow her. ‘We shall see you tonight though!’

  ‘Definitely!’ Gina cackles, taking Noah’s lunchbox and throwing it over her shoulder. ‘I believe we are having another member this evening?’

  My stomach flutters as she chats animatedly with Eve about Lianna’s impending arrival. Just a few hours to go! Well, nine to be precise, but who’s counting? Saying our goodbyes, we make our way along the lobby to the stairs.

  ‘So, how was the shopping?’ I ask, giving Eve’s arm a little nudge.

  She gives me a confused look and continues down the staircase. ‘I’m sorry?’

  ‘Yesterday? When we left work, you said you were going shopping?’ I squint my eyes as I try to work out what’s going on with her.

  ‘Oh, yes. I kind of went a little crazy, but you’re allowed to do a little retail therapy when you feel down, aren’t you?’ She lets out a nervous laugh and marches on ahead.

  My blood runs cold as I stare at the back of my friend and I know that we can’t ignore the elephant in the room for any longer. Eve and I have built up such an open and honest friendship over the years, I will be damned if I am going to lose her. Stopping midway down the second flight of stairs, I drop my handbag to the floor with a thud and take a seat on the nearest step.

  ‘What are you doing?’ Eve asks, obviously perplexed as to why I am sitting down in the middle of the public stairway.

  I tap the space beside me and hold out my hand for hers. ‘We need to talk…’

  Hesitating for a second, she gingerly scans the area before sitting down, taking extra care not to let anything touch her beloved handbag.

  ‘I’m sorry, Eve. I really, really am.’ My bottom lip starts to tremble and I inwardly scold myself for losing my composure so soon. ‘I don’t want to lose you as a friend…’

  ‘What?’ Eve exclaims, her jaw dropping open. ‘Why on earth would you lose me? I’ve been worried sick that I am going to lose you!’ She looks up at the ceiling and blinks rapidly. ‘I should never have put you in that position, Clara. I just, I don’t know, I was desperate. I am desperate.’

  A tear slips down my cheek and I wipe it away before she can see. ‘I am flattered, honoured even that you asked me. I just wish I…’

  ‘You don’t need to explain yourself. I completely understand.’ Eve shakes her head and squeezes my hand tightly. ‘Egg donation isn’t how this is going to happen for us, but it is going to happen. I know it.’

  I rub her shoulder encouragingly and smile. ‘That’s more like it. Think positive. Think like the Eve that we all know and love. You can make this happen, I know you can. You just need to find the right path to lead you there...’

  ‘You’re right.’ She sniffs loudly and wipes the mascara rings from beneath her eyes. ‘And in the meantime, we have been at it like rabbits! I mean, it can’t hurt, can it?’

  I let out a gasp as Mrs Milton from apartment 304 strides past and shoots us a filthy look.

  ‘You couldn’t have timed that any better if you tried!’ I whisper, feeling like a naughty schoolgirl.

  Visibly appalled at the idea of a married couple having sex, Mrs Milton curses under her breath as she flees down the staircase. Waiting until she has left the building, Eve rests her head on my shoulder as we burst into a fit of giggles.

  ‘Come on. Let’s go to work…’

  * * *

  ‘What do you thin
k?’ Dawn bites her nail furiously as she stares at me with hungry eyes. ‘Well, say something!’

  ‘I… I don’t really know what I think.’ I look over at Eve who is staring at Dawn with glassy eyes. ‘Eve, what do you think?’

  ‘I think it’s amazing.’ She gushes, leaning across the counter and smiling erratically.

  ‘Eve!’ I hiss, panic rising in my throat. ‘Don’t encourage her!’

  A loved up grin spreads across Dawn’s face and I wag my finger at her like a teacher. ‘Just think about it for a moment. Like actually think about it.’

  I hold my breath as Dawn folds her arms and looks deep in thought. The shop is so quiet that you can hear the clock ticking on the wall. Realising that she is actually taking her time over this, I distract myself by arranging the roses until I can’t take it a second longer.

  ‘Well, say something!’ I exclaim, throwing my hands in the air.

  ‘I’ve thought about it and I am going to do it.’ She clutches her hands to her face and squeals. ‘I’m going to marry Hugh!’

  ‘This is amazing!’ Eve squeals like a child at Christmas and jumps up and down the spot. ‘Congratulations! We have so much planning to do…’

  I chew the inside of my cheek as I watch the two of them embracing. Dawn’s getting married. She’s getting married to a man that she met exactly seven days ago today. The man who only a few days ago I had to literally force her to go out for lunch with.

  ‘I know what you’re thinking.’ Dawn gasps for breath and hastily rearranges her hair. ‘You’re thinking that I’ve only known him for a week and on Wednesday I was a little hesitant to meet him for lunch.’ I brush my curls out of my face and shrug my shoulders. ‘I know what you’re thinking, because I’m thinking it too! It’s crazy. It’s insane. It’s…’ Looking around to ensure that the shop is free from customers, Dawn leans over the counter so that she is just inches from my face. ‘Do you remember why I took this job?’ She whispers, so quietly that I can hardly hear her.