by Angel Devlin
I should have listened to him when he started to talk to me about seeing Tali. All those times he'd been there for me and in his time of need, I'd walked away. I was a bitch. Pure and simple.
In fact, the more I thought about how I'd walked away from Violet and the Waites, I realised that although I'd been protecting myself in some ways and making a fresh start, in others I’d been a complete and utter selfish bitch.
And now I'd succeeded in driving these people out of my life, I wanted them back in it. My mother would argue I’d always been this awkward, I thought, as I pulled up outside her house ready to pick up Laurel. I'd done my shift and Mum and Dad would have picked up Laurel from nursery. On a Monday evening, my mum cooked for us all before we went home.
As I was helping her wash the dishes after we'd eaten, she looked me up and down and spoke.
"Out with it, Becca. I know something's eating at you. I've seen that same face too many times before."
"I messed up, Mama."
I saw the alarm pass over her face and I patted her arm.
"Not in any serious way. Just when I moved here and I lost touch with my friends from Willowfield."
"The woman next door?" She asked.
"Yeah, and Jules across the way. I stopped all contact and then the other day I bumped into Jules' brother, Callum. He was the one who put me the extra sockets in on Saturday. I realised that I'd been selfish. They were so kind and I cut them off. I walked away."
"Becca, you had just lost your husband, and there was all the drama. No one would blame you for any of how you acted during that time if they were a true friend. Just get in touch if you want them in your life again. You've nothing to lose by sending a text." She held up both hands in a weighing things up way, "except maybe the cost of the text, and some pride."
"You really think I should? I mean it might mean me sometimes going back to Willowfield and facing people."
Mum put a hand on each hip. "You put your head up high in that place. You did nothing wrong. They probably forgot it by now anyway. There'll always be new gossip come to take the old's place."
I knew she was right. I couldn't let thoughts of something that might happen get in the way of me reaching out. And I'm Becca Bolton. I don't take any shit, not from anyone. It's about time I stood up for what I wanted in my life, and I wanted my friends back.
"So let's have the rest of it. This man who has your head in a spin. Callum."
"What? No one has my head in a spin."
She gave me side-eye. "You know every time you told me you'd enjoyed my coconut and sweet potato pudding, and I knew you were full of it and I'd find it halfway down the kitchen bin… this is the same tale you're trying to spin me, sweetie. You got it bad. It's why you're walking around like you're constipated."
"Mama!"
"Don't 'Mama' me. Out with it, because these dishes are almost done and Laurel will have worn your father out by now."
"Okay, I like Callum Waite; but he doesn't like me."
She cocked a hip. "He doesn't like you, but he came all the way over here from Willowfield to fix your sockets and I bet he didn't charge you for his work either."
I looked guilty.
"Wake yourself up, girl. What you waiting for, a diamond?"
I chewed on my bottom lip. "You really think he might like me back?"
"Is the grass green? Get your friends back and go get your man, Becca."
I smiled. "I'll try, Mama. I'll try."
As it turned out, a text I received while driving home took any decisions away from me.
Unknown number: It's Jules. I took your number from Cal's phone. You had those sockets plastered yet because we need to talk.
I sent a text back.
Becca: That's the strangest thing. I was driving home when I got your message and I’d just been talking to my mum about getting back in touch with you and Violet. I'm so sorry for abandoning our friendship.
Jules: You can apologise by buying a nice chocolate cake to go with all the coffee you'll provide me with. What day am I coming?
Becca:I work Monday through Wednesday, so Thursday? I take Laurel to nursery in the afternoon, so I get a couple of hours where I can talk without a three-year-old interrupting.
Jules: Okay, I'll move some things around. Half one, Thursday?
Becca:Sure.
Jules: We missed you.
Becca: I missed you too.
Jules did indeed turn up at my door just after half past one on the Thursday. She stepped inside and looked around the place.
"Nice place."
"Thanks."
I started to explain about giving Rob's share of the house proceeds away, but she held a hand up. "I know everything, Becca. Over the last couple of days, I've made it my mission to extract every piece of information I can from my brother. And now I know where his head is at, I've come to find out what's happening in yours. Then I may bang them both together."
I just stood staring at her for a moment. "Ohhkaaayy. Well, first I'll make you that coffee and I bought a cake."
Where I usually went for what I wanted, Jules was the kind of girl who called a spade a spade, so it didn't surprise me when after finishing off a slice of cake—priorities, right?—she just came right out with what was on her mind.
"Do you like my brother, Becca? And I'll be clear. I mean Callum, and I mean like as in do you want him to take you on a date and maybe rock your world. No fudging or fumbling around, trying to work out what Callum's own answer was. Yes or no." She folded her arms across her chest.
I stared at her tattoos because I was too nervous to meet her eyes.
"Yes."
"Thank fuck for that. Becca, Callum feels the same way about you."
"But he hasn't shown any interest and he went to see Tali."
Her brow creased. "To finally get closure. She's marrying someone else. She's happy. They had a good talk and they can now both properly move on. He doesn't have any feelings for his ex." She huffed a breath out. "Now can you see why I threatened to bang your heads together?"
"But he said I could go out with coffee date guy?"
She shook her head. "Can't see him saying that at all."
"He did. He said 'what about coffee dad?' They were his exact words."
Jules looked at me like I’d failed my two-times-table. "And do you think that could have been him subtly testing the waters to see if you were interested in anyone else?"
I put my drink down. "Oh." I paused as the penny truly dropped. "Ohhhhh."
Jules' eyes widened while she waited.
"Does Callum really like me back?"
"Duh."
I squealed. Fully on girly squealed. "Seriously, like wants to date me and might want to rock my world?"
"Double-duh."
I took a bite out of a second slice of cake, and then after I swallowed it, I couldn't help but beam, no doubt showing Jules my chocolate covered teeth.
"Oh my god. I don't know what to do with this information. Do I call him? Will he call me?"
"I'll tell you what's going to happen." Jules informed me. "You're going to ask your parents to babysit Laurel overnight this weekend and then on Saturday you're going to turn up to family bowling night and no one will know you're coming, except me and Violet." She stared at me again. Her face clearly said that was the plan, end of. "And tonight, you're going to ring Violet and apologise profusely for binning her off as a friend, and do you know how you'll know exactly what to say?" She gave me an evil smirk.
"Because I'm going to do that to you right now?"
"Duh." She repeated.
And that was exactly what I did. I apologised and then Jules told me how she fully understood why I'd distanced myself and we hugged like crazy before she had to leave.
And that night once Laurel was tucked up in bed, I picked up the phone and dialled the number I'd kept in my address book. The one I'd double-checked with Jules before she'd left.
"Becca." Vi said as she answered.
"Just give me a moment to grab a glass of water and then yes. Only I've a feeling we might be on this call a while, given you have a lot to catch me up on."
She was right. It was over two hours later that I finally put the phone down. My throat felt a little sore from talking so much, but it had been amazing to catch up, and I had to admit Lisa sounded like a nice woman and I looked forward to getting to know her too. I'd meet her in two day's time. Though I wasn't sure I'd get much chance to talk to her then.
Violet knew the main reason I was coming bowling and on this occasion it wasn't to see my friends.
I was coming to get my man.
At least I hoped I was.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Callum
It was Friday evening and Silas had dragged me out to the pub. After fetching us both a pint he sat across from me and took a few large gulps from his.
"Steady on, bro. You been working up a thirst?" I asked him.
"Sure have." He winked. "Now, spill. Where have you been going every night this week?" He leant closer to me.
"How do you know I've been going anywhere? You're never in."
"Hmmm, not answering the question. Are you seeing someone, Callum Waite?"
I sniggered at him. "Look at you. Never had you pegged as a gossip queen. Hanging around with all those housewives is rubbing off on you."
"Yeah, instead of him rubbing off on them." Came a familiar voice as Milo took a seat at the side of us.
Silas rolled his eyes. "We need another pint each, Miley. Then hurry up. I'm trying to find out where Cal's been going every night this week."
"Oh, I already know that. Anyone else joining us?" He asked.
"Nope. Just us three tonight. Off you go then." Silas ordered him.
"You're gonna be bitterly disappointed." Milo told him, walking away.
"So…?"
"I've been looking at houses." I put him out of his misery.
Surprise hit his features. "You're moving out?"
I nodded. "Eventually. I'm going to get a reno project. That way I can get something larger, more bang for my buck, and make sure it's exactly the way I want it. Make rooms bigger if needed etc. Might as well make the most of having a family of tradesmen."
"Good on you, Cal. Though I'm disappointed you've not been shagging about."
"I've had a few dates lately." I reassured him. "Nothing on your level, but a few. How's the world of fitness been this week?"
"Fabulous, though I've been told by my customers there's a new instructor recently set up. Not going to bother me though cos she's female. Even if she is trying to undercut me with her introductory offers, it's not going to affect the clients who are with me because I put the fit into fitness instructor."
"Always so shy." I snarked.
Milo put the beers down on the table and sat back.
"How come you've deigned to provide us with your company tonight?" I asked him.
"Vi's on the phone, gossiping away with a mate. She threw me out. Said my hanging around was getting on her nerves. I think she's getting bored with me." He affected a sad expression, then he sniggered. "I've told her she's got until closing and then I'm coming back and if she's not off the phone, I'll put something in her mouth that stops her conversation."
"Oh yeah, what did she say to that?" I asked.
"That she'd bite it off." He guffawed. "Fuck, I love that woman."
"Yeah, I think we all know." Silas said. "Now, Cal, tell me more about these houses."
"Okay so one is here in Willowfield, actually on Willowfield Road. It's a three-bedroomed semi-detached. Just in need of modernising, but inside rooms are fine, decent sizes."
"But…?"
"I just feel like stretching myself a little beyond that. So I found a place in Hill Green."
"Isn't that where Becca lives?" Milo helpfully pointed out.
"Yeah. This one's right at the other side of there though. It's a barn, ripe for conversion with a small amount of land. Planning permission has already been granted for a four bedroomed home. I reckon there's a possibility I could get the planning amended so that I could make the far end of the barn an office or get a different planning order for a separate annex. I don't need much for CW Electrical Services."
"Oooh, get you." Milo elbowed me.
"This is amazing. It has to be the Hill Green one, without a doubt. I'll help you for sure. What about you, Miley?"
"He had me at 'barn conversion'. I reckon there'll be plenty for me to smash my way through and build up." He held up an arm. "Gotta keep these guns strong for carrying my missus up to the bedroom."
"Do you want to come and see the place tomorrow? I was going to take a second look at eleven before I put an offer in. I was hoping I'd be able to get a few of you to come."
"Absolutely." They both said. Then, as we sat and enjoyed our beers, inwardly I got ridiculously excited as I knew I wanted that place. It was perfect for my future plans. I just had to hope no one beat me to it.
The following morning, I was at the property with the whole of my family. I couldn't believe that every single one of them had turned up. The estate agent had looked bemused as I introduced her to them all. As we walked around the barn and the land, all my brothers and Jules noted the things they could do and help with. My dad stayed by my side and we walked around the land together.
"I'd separate the office from the barn, Cal." He began pointing at the area. "While you're in business, you can use all the space, but if you put your office over there." He pointed to the other side of the plot. "Then come retirement, or if you needed to, you could sell that half of the land."
"Good thinking. I've only been considering the next few years, but I could easily split this space if needed. I'd still have the barn and some decent land for a garden. The plans for the barn incorporate a double garage, and there's ample driveway from the side road. I can put the office where you suggest and run a separate driveway to it, which at a later stage if I want to, I can sell, or build another property on and rent."
"That's why you have your dad." Dad said. "Because he's a brilliant manager."
I hugged him towards me. "You sure are, Dad." I beamed. "I'm going to go and put an offer in."
Ten minutes later, my offer had been accepted. All my family took it in turns to hug me. I would never be able to do an Ezra and move to another country, away from them. They were too big a part of my life. But thirty minutes away? That suited me just fine.
And the possibility that from time to time I might cross paths with Becca? It never crossed my mind.
I was such a liar.
"Celebration night tonight at bowling." Milo said. "I might even let you use the child ramp or the bumpers, Cal."
"Fuck off."
He chuckled. "What you gonna do about it? You need me more than anyone."
I sighed. "You're going to be a thorn in my side while I get this barn done."
"Hey," he nudged me with his hip. "In all seriousness, I'm looking forward to it. Brother time. Seeing you happier these past days makes me happy. And it takes my mind off the fact that I have to wait to get married. Plus, it gives Vi some time to herself. I know I'm full on."
"Milo Waite is maturing. I'm moving on with my life. What is happening to us both?"
"We're embracing change, bro. Sooner or later it'll happen to the rest of them."
I looked over at the rest of my family and thought about how much I loved them.
"Right, let's get back because I'm ravenous, and we'll be going out again before you know it."
Back home and in my small bedroom, I considered how much space I would have in the future. It would take months for the barn to be anything approaching liveable and I had to anticipate it could even be a whole year before I got to move in. I could put a caravan on site if I wanted to, but I’d see. Maybe a caravan so I could stay over some nights, like on weekends, and then the rest of
the time I'd stay home until I had some rooms that were habitable.
Excitement fizzed in my belly at the thoughts of architect plans, and the idea of a beautiful large home of my own, with enough room in there that should I meet someone, we could have ample space and even have pets. I was still quite focused on the idea of getting a rescue like Vi did, but it wouldn't be fair while I lived alone as I was out at work a lot.
Best to concentrate on the plans I could make come true. My ideal home.
I shrugged on a pair of loose-fitting jeans and a loose t-shirt, so that I had plenty of space to move around. This evening I was determined to come higher up the leaderboard than the bottom two. My male pride was kicking in.
Before long, we were all gathered at the bowling alley, ordering our food and drinks and getting our names up on the scoreboard. It was the usual crew, split across two lanes. All six of us Waites, Violet, Eli and Angela, and Lisa.
Then my mouth dropped when someone I wasn't expecting walked in…
Quinn.
"What the fuck is he doing here?" Jules snapped.
"Good to see you too, Blue."
Blue?
"If I didn't like it so much, I would dye my fucking hair." She said stomping off towards the ladies.
"Quinn, my man. What are you doing here?"
"Thought it was about time I joined the gang. I saw Lisa earlier and she said she'd started coming so I thought I would. I never came before because I thought it was a family thing, but I don't feel so awkward being here if Lisa is too."
Quinn said hello to everyone and then came back to my side.
"I apologise for my sister's behaviour."
"Don't. I enjoy winding her up. It's one of the most exciting parts of my days. Pity this job's just about finished."