Stuck With You

by Carla Burgess

  ‘I got home and you’d just gone. You didn’t even leave a note. So childish. But I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. It’s what I’ve come to expect from you over the years.’

  ‘Now, hold on right there!’ I said, my voice rising. ‘I told you I was moving out that morning. Just after you told me you had met someone else, in fact. It’s a bit bloody rich to accuse me of sneaking off when you told me we were over. What did you expect me to do? Carry on living there until you gave me permission to leave? And what do you mean “it’s what you’ve come to expect”? How dare you say that when it’s you who’s been seeing someone else. You who’s basically ignored me for months and been hell to live with! If you’d wanted to talk to me, you could have rung me, but you didn’t, did you?’

  ‘Can you blame me when this is the response I get?’

  ‘That’s your fault for being nasty.’

  ‘Nasty?’ He laughed. ‘Jesus, Elena. Why do you have to overreact all the time?’

  ‘Oh, get lost, Alex. You really are a pathetic excuse for a man.’ Tears stung behind my eyes and the blood was pumping in my ears. I hated any sort of confrontation.

  ‘Well, that’s lovely, Elena. Really nice.’

  I stayed silent, trying to rein in my sobs. I didn’t want him to know he’d upset me. How I hated the sound of his voice and the snidey, sneery way he talked.

  ‘Anyway,’ he went on, ‘make sure you phone me before you get here. I’ll have your stuff ready.’ He rang off, leaving me wanting to scream with anger and frustration. Instead I gave vent to the tears that had threatened throughout the phone call. Why did he have to be like that? Why was he so patronising and offensive? I had a cold, raw pain in my stomach and a real feeling of having wasted the last two years of my life.

  There was a knock on my door. ‘Are you all right, love?’ Mum asked, sticking her head around the door. ‘Oh no! What’s happened?’ Crossing the room, she sat down beside me on the bed and put her arm around me.

  ‘Alex.’ I blew my nose on a tissue and took a couple of deep breaths, trying to get a grip on myself. ‘He just phoned and told me to pick some stuff up.’

  ‘I thought you’d got all your stuff.’

  ‘I know. So did I. But he’s moving out and there’s stuff he doesn’t want. Probably just cushions and bedding and stuff.’

  ‘Where’s he moving to?’

  ‘I don’t know exactly. In with his new girlfriend.’

  ‘Oh, Elena! So that’s why you’re so upset!’

  ‘No, it isn’t!’ I protested. ‘I’m upset because he was horrid and made me really angry. You know I hate arguing with people. I don’t know why he had to be so unpleasant.’ I sucked in another shuddering breath. ‘She’s welcome to him, whoever she is.’

  ‘It must sting though, him moving on so quickly.’

  I shrugged. ‘Well, it’s not very flattering, I’ll admit, but he’d already moved on, hadn’t he?’ I shook my head. ‘He said I’m to get the stuff tonight or tomorrow.’

  ‘Do you want your dad to go with you?’

  ‘No. I’m not going now anyway. I’ll see how I feel in the morning.’

  ‘Why don’t you call Daniel and ask him to help in his truck? If he’s coming around tomorrow anyway, he might do it.’

  I sighed. I wasn’t sure I wanted to involve Daniel in this. ‘Maybe.’

  The smoke alarms started to bleep and Mum rose from the bed like a jack-in-the-box. ‘The chops!’ she said. ‘I left them under the grill!’ She ran from the room and I followed her downstairs. The kitchen was full of smoke and I opened the back door to help it clear. Dad was out in the back garden watering his plants and looking up at the house with a confused expression on his face.

  ‘It’s all right, Dad. Your tea’s a bit burned, that’s all.’

  ‘Not again,’ he said, and laughed.

  ‘Cheeky so-and-so!’ Mum tutted as she shook the blackened chops off the grill pan and onto a plate. ‘They’re not as bad as they could have been,’ she said, optimistically. ‘We’ll just scrape the black off and they’ll be fine.’

  Dad came to the door and peered in. He cast an appraising eye over the blackened chops and shuddered.

  ‘Why are you watering the garden when it rained this afternoon?’ I asked him.

  ‘It doesn’t hurt to give them a bit of a boost. Besides, it’s good for the soul. Here, come and help me.’ He passed me the watering can and pointed at the hanging baskets by the kitchen window. ‘If nothing else, it’ll get you away from the smell of burning.’ He winked.

  Laughing, I slipped my feet into Mum’s jewelled slip-ons and stepped out into the back garden. The air was fresh and damp from the afternoon rain. Bats flitted to and fro and from the house next door came the thin, high wail of a baby. Reaching up, I poured water into the basket of begonias, sidestepping the drips, then moved on to the next one.

  There was something peaceful about this moment, moving quietly about the garden, listening to the gurgle of the watering can. I’d done this countless times in my youth and I was swept away by nostalgia. I was so lucky my parents had let me come back home. I couldn’t imagine what would have happened to me if I’d had nowhere else to go. It would have made everything so much more stressful if I’d had to stay living with Alex until I found another flat. It really was quite insulting that he was moving in with someone so soon after me. It offended me that he was moving in with her instead of moving her in with him. I knew that was irrational; surely I should be pleased she wasn’t moving into my old home and sleeping in my old bed? But the timing of this bugged me. It seemed oh so convenient that our relationship and the flat lease had come to an end at almost the same time. Had he planned it that way? I was certainly starting to see him as cold and calculating enough.

  The light was fading fast and the cloudy skies made it darker than usual. Dad was a black shape moving beneath the apple tree. Sitting down on the bench, I put my chin in my hands and watched him, breathing in the cool night air.

  ‘You all right, love?’ Dad said, coming back up the garden, aluminium watering can catching the light from the kitchen window. ‘You’re not moping about that twonk Alex, are you?’

  ‘Not really.’

  ‘You want to stick with that Daniel. He’s a good one.’

  ‘You’re only saying that because he trimmed your hedge.’

  ‘I still reckon he’s a good one.’

  ‘Maybe you’re right.’

  Dad smiled. Reaching for my hand, he pulled me up off the bench and we went inside the brightly lit kitchen. Mum had put the chops on the plates and was spooning out mashed potato. Dad washed his hands at the sink and I sat down in my usual place.

  ‘Are you going to phone Daniel and ask him about a lift?’ Mum asked, placing my plate down in front of me.

  I rolled my eyes. She was so persistent. ‘Not tonight.’

  ‘Why not? I’m sure he wouldn’t mind.’

  ‘He’s got a band rehearsal tonight.’

  ‘You could still phone him. Even if you can’t go tonight, at least he knows what you want him to do tomorrow.’

  ‘I was thinking I might be able to manage it myself actually. There can’t be that much stuff.’

  ‘Just ring him! You might need him for moral support, if nothing else.’

  I sighed and sawed at my chop with my knife and fork. They’d only met Daniel this afternoon and already they were obsessed with him. I wondered how many other people fell for his charm as soon as they met him. He probably had swathes of adoring fans, wherever he went.

  Chapter Ten

  ‘My parents bloody love you,’ I said, from the end of Daniel’s driveway. Not knowing what else to do with myself on a sunny spring Sunday morning, I’d gone for a walk and ended up at his house. I hadn’t banked on him being in his front garden, mowing the lawn. He was wearing an old South Park T-shirt and the muscles in his forearms stood out as he pushed the mower around the gard
en, completely absorbed in his task. I’d had a couple of failed attempts at trying to make myself heard over the sound of the lawnmower, so I was grateful for the sudden silence when it cut out. If anyone had seen me they’d have thought I was a complete weirdo, standing there, watching him mowing the grass.

  Daniel looked up in surprise and his face split into a wide, happy grin. ‘Hello! What are you doing here?’

  I shrugged. ‘Just walking around. Getting some fresh air.’

  I looked around at the street he lived in. It was a quiet cul-de-sac, with large detached houses and big green front gardens full of neatly tended hedges, roses and shrubs.

  ‘It’s nice round here,’ I said.

  ‘It’s nice where your mum and dad live.’ He squinted against the sun as he smiled. ‘What did you say about them again?’

  ‘They love you. They think you’re the best thing since sliced bread.’

  He grinned and shrugged. ‘It’s amazing what a bit of hedge clipping can do.’

  I smiled back. ‘Well, I won’t hold you up. I was just passing.’

  ‘Don’t be silly. Come in for a cuppa.’

  ‘Oh, err, I don’t want to impose or anything.’

  ‘Don’t be daft. There’s only me here.’

  ‘Well, if you’re sure… but don’t you need to finish the lawn first?’

  ‘I’ve only got this last patch here to do.’ He pointed the toe of his trainer at a metre-wide rectangle of grass. ‘Then I’m all yours.’ He grinned as he restarted the lawnmower.

  I’m all yours…

  My heart leapt with longing and I told myself off. What was it I was saying yesterday about being careful and taking things slowly? And yet here I was the next morning, turning up unexpectedly at his house, claiming to ‘just be passing’. It might have been a bit more believable had he not lived in a cul-de-sac.

  Casually, I walked up his drive and sat on his front doorstep to wait for him, trying not to eye him up as I did so, and failing completely.

  ‘Right, I’m done now,’ he said, cutting the engine and removing the box of grass cuttings from the back. He carried it to the wheelie bin next to the lawn and emptied it inside. His biceps flexed, and the tendons in his arms bulged as he shook the box to free the last cuttings. Then, picking the mower up with one hand, he carried it into the garage and began to wind up the flex. Feeling like I should make an effort to be useful in some way, I got to my feet and flipped the lid on the wheelie bin, before rolling it back into position by the hedge.

  ‘Nice one, thanks,’ he said, peering round the side wall. ‘Come on then, let’s get the kettle on.’

  He seemed really happy to see me. But then I remembered how happy he had been to help my dad cut the hedge yesterday and decided he was probably just a really positive person. I remembered him being happy at college too. He was always smiling. It was part of the reason everybody loved him.

  ‘So, are you feeling better today?’

  ‘Yes, thanks.’ I perched on the same tall black leather bar stool I’d sat on the morning before. The black granite worktop felt cool and smooth beneath my hands. Daniel busied himself filling the kettle from the tap, collecting mugs from the cupboard and a teaspoon from the drawer. He smacked it against the palm of his hand as he turned to look at me, eyebrows raised. ‘Are you?’

  ‘I felt all right by yesterday afternoon. I had a sleep after I got home from your house and then I went to Zach’s before rehearsal.’

  ‘How was he feeling?’

  ‘He’s always fine. He never seems to suffer from hangovers. Strange guy.’

  ‘He was funny.’

  ‘Yeah, he’s a good laugh.’ Daniel chuckled as he poured the hot water into the mugs. ‘What did you do after I left yesterday?’

  ‘I went to sleep. Thanks again for helping my dad yesterday. That was really sweet of you.’

  ‘No problem at all. Besides, doing a bit of work in the fresh air cleared my head, so actually, your dad did me the favour.’ He passed me the cup of tea. ‘Come and sit in the conservatory. It’s a bit comfier in there. I hate those bloody bar stools.’ He walked around the counter and into the dining room, and I followed him through to the conservatory. It was full of cane furniture with big white squashy cushions.

  ‘Ooh, this is nice,’ I said, sitting down and feeling myself sink. ‘It’s like a big nest.’

  ‘I know. They bought it last year to celebrate something or other.’ Daniel sat down opposite and looked at me over the rim of his mug. His gaze was intense and the hairs rose on the back of my neck. The atmosphere suddenly felt charged with electricity.

  I cleared my throat, nervously. ‘Where are your parents?’

  ‘They’ve gone to visit my aunt in Yorkshire. They’re not back until tomorrow.’

  ‘Are you lonely, being here by yourself?’

  ‘I get very lonely at night.’ He put his mug down and gave me a slow smile. There was no mistaking what he meant. My heart thudded. ‘But I’ve got the dog for company.’

  ‘You’ve got a dog?’ Yes, let’s talk about the dog. The dog’s safe territory.

  ‘Yeah, a King Charles Spaniel. He’ll be asleep, somewhere. Probably on my mum’s bed. He’s pretty ancient and a bit deaf so he’ll have no idea you’re here. Useless as a guard dog.’

  ‘Aww, I like dogs. My parents have a cat. She’s lovely but not too keen on being picked up and hugged.’

  ‘We’ve got a cat too. He’s always off somewhere though. Catching mice and killing birds. He’s a monster.’

  ‘I want one of those Ragdoll cats. They’re really soft and floppy.’

  He wrinkled his nose. ‘Nah, that’s not a proper cat, that.’

  ‘Don’t be mean. Of course they’re proper cats! One day I’ll get one and I’ll call it Lola.’

  ‘What if it’s a boy? You’ll give it a complex if you call it Lola.’

  ‘I’ll get a girl, silly. Besides, even if he was a boy, I doubt he’d care what I called him. They probably all have their own cat names anyway. Like Meow Meow or Tiger Tail or Black Paws.’

  Daniel laughed and looked out of the conservatory windows. The back garden was large and square, with neatly tended borders and green leafy shrubs. He rubbed his bottom lip with his thumb then looked back at me, thoughtfully.

  I met his gaze for a moment then looked back out at the garden as heat surged through me. ‘Your garden’s nice. Do you do it?’

  ‘Not really. My dad likes doing it. Besides, it’s quite low maintenance. He hasn’t got as many flowers and plants as your dad has. It’s mainly shrubs.’

  ‘Do you like actual gardening, or do you just like trees?’ Oh God, I sounded like I was interviewing him. Shut up, Elena!

  ‘I quite like a bit of gardening.’ He pulled an embarrassed face and then laughed. ‘That makes me sound like an old man, doesn’t it? I’m very boring.’

  ‘No, I think it’s nice. I was helping my dad water the plants last night and it was lovely being outside in the night air. Mind you, I bet you’re out in all weathers, aren’t you? I don’t fancy that.’

  He rested his chin on his fist and grinned a grin that told me he knew I was talking nonsense, but was playing along anyway. ‘I don’t mind it. You get used to the rain and the cold after a while. I don’t really feel it that much anyway.’

  There was a jingly sound followed by claws on wood as a white and tan King Charles Spaniel appeared in the doorway. He shook himself, ears flapping, before padding into the conservatory and sniffing my legs, tail wagging in delight.

  ‘Oh, look at hiiiimmm! He is gorgeous!’ I placed my tea down on the table so I could pet the dog’s soft, silky head. The speed of his tail-wagging increased and he rose up on his hind legs to nudge me with his nose.

  ‘This is Muffin. He’s a right old fusspot,’ Daniel said. ‘He’ll lick you to death if you let him.’

  Muffin was now scrabbling onto my lap so he could lick my face. �
�Hello!’ I said in a baby voice. ‘You’re gorgeous, aren’t you? Oh yes you are! Oh yes you are!’ Apparently appreciative of my affectionate tone, Muffin licked my chin repeatedly before nestling down on my lap. ‘Isn’t he gorgeous? I want him!’

  ‘You don’t!’ Daniel pulled his phone from his back pocket as a message came in. ‘He’s incontinent now and his teeth are starting to fall out. He costs a bomb at the vet’s.’

  ‘Oh, but he’s worth it though. Look how loving he is. Better than any man.’

  Daniel smiled. ‘I’m pretty loving, you know. Just give me a chance.’

  Laughing, I let Muffin lick my chin and then kissed the top of his head. Deciding to ignore Daniel’s comment, I said, ‘I wonder if my mum would let me have a dog.’

  ‘How long are you likely to stay there, do you think? Will you get your own place?’

  I shrugged. ‘I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead really.’

  ‘Well, it’s early days.’ Daniel put his phone down and looked at me. Biting his bottom lip, he narrowed his eyes as though considering what he was going to say next. My stomach fluttered. Did he want to take me to bed? Would I let him? I swallowed and took a deep breath.

  ‘I’ve got a bit of a favour to ask actually,’ I said, attempting to regain some sense of normality. ‘You can say no if you want to. In fact, I’m all for going by myself anyway. I’m sure there won’t be that much stuff and I’ll be able to manage it on my own. So you don’t have to come. Feel free to say no.’

  Daniel frowned. ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘Alex phoned me yesterday to say I had some stuff to pick up. He’s moving out apparently, so he wants to get rid of anything that might belong to me. I don’t know what really. I’ve got everything I need, but presumably it’s cushions and bedding and stuff like that, so it’s fine if you’d rather not come.’

  ‘No, I’ll come. When? Now?’

  ‘Oh no, later on sometime. No rush. Like I said, I’m quite happy to go on my own. It’s just Mum’s fussing and saying I should take someone for moral support and Rachel’s out with Patrick.’