Guess Who I Pulled Last Night?

by Nikki Ashton

  “I don’t know, as long as it’s not Grant Beddows.” Charlotte could see the look of wonder on Bet’s face. “I did try to ring you last night, because obviously, you were occupied on Monday night with Lifeguard Gary, but there was no reply.”

  “Zumba,” she explained. “Now spill!”

  Charlotte began to relay what had happened on Monday morning, paying particular attention to her description of Niall Devine. Bets listened intently, interrupting with the occasional “Oh my God” or “Tell me again what he looked like”; until after fifteen minutes they arrived at Kerry and Kelvin’s driveway.

  “So he said he hoped I would be getting into my stride next time we met. Don’t you think that’s a bit cheeky?” Charlotte wanted affirmation from Bets

  “Well yes it is, but I have to say Charlotte you seem angrier with an off-the-cuff comment from Mr Devine than you are about hearing the name Grant Beddows again. Is there something that you want to tell me?”

  Charlotte's complexion coloured slightly in the darkness. “No, what do you mean?”

  “Oh nothing,” sighed Bets, “I’m just sure that we will hear about Mr Devine again; that's all.”

  Charlotte didn’t answer, but stormed on up to the driveway, towards the front door. Without waiting for Bets she banged on it furiously, a very flustered Kelvin answered.

  “Hiya, come in, we’re having a bit of a disaster, I’m afraid,” he kissed the girls on the cheeks as they entered. “Kerry isn’t feeling too well at the moment, so we’ve sent out for an Indian takeaway, is that okay?”

  They both nodded and looked at each other alarmingly, she hadn’t seemed well for a while, but hadn’t wanted to do anything about it. Bets was the first to voice her concerns.

  “What is it Kelvin, only we’ve noticed that she’s been acting strange for weeks now. She seems really depressed and fed up.”

  “I did mention the other night that maybe she could have post natal depression,” added Charlotte, “but I got short shrift and told it wasn’t the time to discuss it.”

  “Well it doesn’t seem as though anytime is the right time to talk to her about anything these days,” sighed Kelvin. “Listen let’s not talk about it now, happy birthday Bets.” Kelvin kissed Bets on her cheek once more, and ruffled her hair. “I’d better introduce you to our mystery guest, but Charlotte could I ask you a favour, could you go upstairs and see Kerry; she's locked herself in the bathroom?”

  Charlotte nodded and edged her way to the stairs as Kelvin ushered Bets into the lounge.

  “Kerry, let me in sweetie, it’s me Charlotte,” Charlotte called through the bathroom door.

  “I know who it is; I’ve known you practically all my bloody life.” Kerry unbolted the door, as she dried her eyes. “You’d better come in.”

  “Kerry, what on earth is the matter?” Charlotte asked, putting a comforting arm around her friend.

  “I don’t know I just feel so sad.” She suddenly started to sob. “Plus, I didn’t cook dinner, because I didn’t want to, and I wanted to be hateful, but Kelvin was so nice about it, telling me not to worry a takeaway was easy to arrange. I shouted at my mum today, for giving Esme chocolate before lunch, and I couldn’t get my hair straight and your date has backed out, and oh God, I’m just so fed up!” Kerry’s body was wracked with sobs, as she now fought to catch her breath.

  “Please, calm down. It’s not the end of the world. Kelvin is right, takeaway will be fine, and I don’t particularly want to be set up with some sad old bachelor who works with Kelvin,” cooed Charlotte.

  “It was Jason Conrad actually.” Kerry blew her nose in disgust.

  Charlotte’s comforting smile collapsed into a frown. “Bloody hell, now that is a different thing. He's gorgeous. Anyway, as for your mum, she will have forgotten already you telling her off, you’re always telling her off for something, so stop being silly and stop crying.”

  “But what about my hair, it looks awful?” Kerry sobbed.

  Charlotte looked at Kerry’s usual neat hair, “Well, erm, have you got something that you could tie it up with?” She looked at her sympathetically as Kerry started to cry again.

  Ten minutes later with newly applied makeup and freshly straightened hair, Kerry went to find Kelvin, leaving Charlotte to look in on her Goddaughter. She gently opened the door to Esme’s room, careful not to make a sound, so as not to wake the sleeping child, or let everyone downstairs hear her on the baby monitor. Charlotte looked down on Esme, all pink and clean and baby smelling, in her white towelling romper suit. She carefully picked up the baby’s hand with her forefinger, marvelling at the way the teeny little fingers curled around hers, even in sleep. Charlotte watched as with each breath a small blonde curl bobbed up and down on Esme’s cheek, suddenly Esme stirred, and she started to rub her nose furiously with her free hand, she shook her head slightly, then as quickly as she had moved she was still again, back into a deep sleep. Charlotte gently unravelled her fingers and kissed Esme lovingly on her head before going downstairs.

  “Oh there you are, been peeking have you?” Kelvin asked, smiling.

  “I just thought that I’d check on her, I haven’t woken her up,” replied Charlotte wagging a finger jokingly at Kelvin. “Anyway, how’s Kerry now?” she asked, placing a hand on Kelvin’s shoulder.

  He looked worried as he glanced behind to check whether Kerry was about. “Okay I think, but can I ring you for a chat. I think it’s time I tried to get her to go and see someone about how she is feeling, but I think I may need to back up.”

  “Why, do you think she will fight against it?” Charlotte was really worried about Kerry, and Kelvin seemed to be confirming what she and Bets had thought for a while; there was something wrong, and she needed help.

  “I’m sure she will, aside from which I don’t seem to be able to do anything right these days, so I thought that she might listen to you or Bets more.”

  “I wouldn’t bet on it Kelvin. I've tried to raise the subject of post natal depression, and I know Bets has too, but we have both had our heads bitten off.” Charlotte smiled sympathetically as she could see the desperation in Kelvin’s eyes.

  “Oh dear,” sighed Kelvin, “but will it still be okay to ring. We need to try to come up with something?”

  “Of course it is. Kerry will be fine, you know?”

  “I know,” Kelvin nodded, “but when, that’s what I want to know.”

  In the lounge, Bets was thoroughly enjoying herself, talking and flirting with Stuart, the mystery guest.

  As she walked into the lounge Bets was surprised at how her stomach had flipped on seeing him getting up from the sofa to greet her. She felt warm and happy that he was who had been brought in as her date. Previous meetings were merely flirtatious, quick conversations, not like tonight; tonight they were in fact getting to know each other. That was another reason why Bets was so surprised that she often thought about Stuart. She didn’t really know him; she had always fancied him physically, and so it was a pleasant surprise to find that in reality liked him, a great deal. As they chatted she was fascinated to hear about fitness methods and the alternative diets for the various types of sports. Stuart was also interested in her work, asking about the types of beauty treatments and products that she used, yet all the time they were still flirting with each other, the wine making Bets quite daring. Every time she moved she edged a little closer to Stuart so that eventually both their perfectly toned thighs were touching. Bets was starting to feel that familiar bubbling sensation between her legs, and she knew that tonight was going to be the starting point of a relationship between them.

  Dinner eventually arrived, and Kerry seemed to have calmed down as they all sat to eat.

  “This Indian is lovely Kerry. I don’t know why we didn’t suggest it anyway,” said Charlotte, who had noticed that Kerry had gone quiet over the last few minutes. She hadn’t eaten much, but had drunk at least three glasses of wine.

  “What’s that supposed to mean, that you don�
��t like my cooking or something? I wouldn’t say that you were exactly Nigella Lawson, would you?”

  Kelvin coughed uncomfortably, while Bets and Stuart cut short their private conversation. Charlotte put her hand on Kerry’s arm, desperate to put things right.

  “Kerry, I didn’t mean anything of the kind; I didn’t mean anything except that ordering a takeaway is much easier, and that’s all.”

  “Kerry, what is wrong with you, why are you snapping at Charlotte like that?” Kelvin asked, to the back of his wife’s head.

  She now turned around, her face flushed. “I’m sorry Charlotte; I’m just feeling a little tetchy. Please, tuck in and enjoy your meal, ignore me, the miserable old witch.” Kerry smiled around the table and finally picked up her fork to eat something.

  Kelvin shrugged his shoulders and smiled, somewhat grimly, at Charlotte before continuing to eat his own food. Conversation was a little stilted for a time, but eventually as the wine flowed it became much more animated, and even Kerry was laughing and joking.

  Then it was present and cake time, which appalled Bets because Kerry had actually put 30 candles on her Bart Simpson cake. Charlotte and Kerry bought Bets a lovely gold bangle, with matching hoop earrings from Kelvin and Esme. Once she had thanked and kissed all concerned they cut the cake and drank coffee, chatting happily until it was time to go home.

  As they hung about in the hallway, waiting for Charlotte to finish in the bathroom, Stuart fiddled nervously with a piece of fluff on his jacket. Bets was trying to look nonchalant, knowing that he was plucking up the courage to ask her something.

  “Err, Bets, do you think that we could go out sometime?” he whispered into her ear. Bets had had enough of the games, and smiled widely at Stuart. “Yes, that would be lovely,” she replied.

  “Great, I’ll call you then shall I?” Stuart’s grin spread, from ear to ear.

  “Okay, I look forward to it.” Bets realised that she really was looking forward to it.

  Charlotte, who had now finished, joined them in the small hallway. She looked from Bets' grinning face to Stuart’s, realising that at last they had done something positive about their mutual attraction.

  “Well are we ready to go then Elizabeth?” Charlotte asked, winking conspiratorially at Kerry and Kelvin.

  “Thanks for a great evening both of you,” said Bets, kissing her host and hostess on their cheeks. “I really enjoyed myself.”

  “Hmm, I bet you did,” muttered Charlotte, as she opened the door to leave.

  Outside in the cold night air they all said their good-byes, with Stuart and Bets still grinning at each other. Kerry and Kelvin waved them off from the end of the driveway, and another birthday was over for Bets, although she did think that it had been one of the better ones.

  Chapter 7

  The next morning Bets woke wearing the same smile that she’d gone to bed with. She had to admit that she had been very pleasantly surprised by Stuart, he was interesting, attentive and extremely attractive; yes if she played her cards right this could be her opportunity to start the growing up process. She showered and dressed fairly quickly, singing along to the radio as she did so, then with plenty of time left before her first client, she decided to call Charlotte and Kerry before leaving for work.

  Kerry’s phone rang for an age, surely she hadn’t gone out already; it was only 10 a.m. She was always saying that it took hours to get Esme ready, even for a short walk. She tried her mobile and after letting it ring cursed Kerry for as usual failing to charge it, Bets dialled Charlotte’s work number.

  “Hello Charlotte, it’s me.” Her voice was bright and breezy, rather different to Charlotte’s.

  “Oh hi, are you okay?”

  “Yes, but you obviously aren’t, what’s got your goat then?” Bets sat back, ready to hear Charlotte’s rant.

  “For starters Devine is here, and secondly, I’m really worried about Kerry.”

  “Why, because of the fiasco of last night's meal, you mean? I’ve just tried to ring her actually, but can’t get hold of her. What was wrong with her, I forgot to ask you on the way home?”

  Charlotte’s face momentarily spread into a smile, “Well you were too busy talking about Stuart.” Bets sighed impatiently on the other end of the line urging Charlotte to continue. “Well, Kelvin didn’t say much more to me except that he wants her to go and see someone about how she is feeling.”

  “Like a doctor you mean?”

  “I think so, he said that he can’t get through to her, she just bites his head off all the time.”

  “Well look how she spoke to you. It's not like Kerry, at least not the old Kerry, but she has been snappy a lot recently.”

  “I know he’s going to ring me later anyway, to see if we can come up with some plan to persuade her to get some help.”

  “I don’t think it’s going to be easy. She's nothing if not headstrong our Kerry, and if she doesn’t want to do something she won’t. Anyway, let me know what you come up with, and obviously count me in on any plan.”

  “Okay sweetie, I’ll try her again in a little while. If I manage to get her did you want her for anything in particular?”

  “No it was just to thank her for last night, but ask her to ring me anyway, and I’ll try to start working on her.”

  “Okay, bye now.”

  Bets replaced the receiver; her previous glow was now slowly disappearing as she worried about Kerry. She hoped that between them they could get her to see someone; however, very much doubted it. Bets glanced toward the clock and realised that she needed to get to work, or she would miss her first client.

  As Charlotte replaced the receiver, she could feel a pair of eyes staring into the back of her head. She didn’t know why he would be watching her, but she had a gut feeling that it was Niall Devine. Charlotte swung around in her chair, her face ending up inches from his groin. She coloured up slightly and coughed as she pushed her chair back and stood up.

  “Mr Devine, how nice to see you again,” she gushed, pushing out her hand.

  Niall took it and shook it gently, yet gripping it tightly. “Miss Price, I hope I’m not interrupting anything pressing?” he asked nodding towards the telephone, his eyes also lingering on the bottle of nail polish on Charlotte’s desk.

  “No, not at all,” Charlotte spluttered, colouring up once again. She hadn’t been using the nail polish, not today anyway, but she realised that it still didn’t look very professional. She ignored it, hoping that by not looking at it would make it disappear.

  “Oh good; it’s just that Paul said that he would show me around, but he’s had to take a business call. He said that you would be happy to do so, but like I said, if yer busy?”

  “No I'm not busy, that would be fine. We could start with the consultant’s office.”

  “Grand.” Niall Devine started to make his way out of the office.

  “Shit head,” muttered Charlotte, trailing behind him, quickly swapping her diamond ring to her left hand.

  Bets was just checking the time of her next client when the door burst open, she glanced up, expecting Jane’s eyebrow shape, but then had to do a double take; it was Stuart. She looked around the salon, glad that both Cheryl and Jane were busy in their treatment rooms. She didn’t want Stuart to become public knowledge just yet.

  “Hello, what are you doing here?” she asked moving towards him.

  “I realised that last night, when I got home, I haven’t got your number. So I looked up the salon in the directory, and well here I am.” Stuart smiled and then quickly pecked her on the cheek. Blushing slightly he now stepped back, worried that he had over stepped the line, but Bets gleamed back.

  “Fancy me forgetting to give you my number,” Bets reached across the reception desk and picked up a business card and a pencil. “That’s the salon number, and then here…” she paused as she scribbled down a series of numbers on the card, “is my mobile number. I’d love to offer you a coffee, but I’ve got another client in about ten min
utes.”

  Bets was anxious not to push Stuart out, but was also anxious to avoid any questions from Holmes and Watson when they had finished with their current clients.

  “I’ve got to be at my accountant’s office soon anyway, so don’t worry. I’ll call you tonight, is that okay?” Stuart inclined his head closer to Bets, who fought the urge to kiss him there and then.

  “Can’t wait, I’ll speak to you later then, bye.” Just as the door closed behind him Bets heard one of the treatment rooms open behind her.

  “Phew, close shave.”

  As she walked among the throng of shoppers, Kerry wondered what she was doing here. Why was she shopping for the third day on the run? She glanced down at the bags in her hand, realising that she had probably bought another load of clothes that she would never wear. Guilt had taken over her though, and she had actually got a shirt for Kelvin, and a little jacket for Esme.

  A dress in a shop window caught her eye, and she decided to go inside; one last stop before going home. The store was full of young girls shopping for outfits that barely covered them. Obviously, the skimpier the better, Kerry thought, as she held up a tiny piece of cloth between her fingers. She continued to rummage among the sequins and lace until she found something her size, then pushing through the gaggle of girls around the racks, she made her way to the changing room. Once inside Kerry propped her bags against the wall, before slipping off her clothes. She glanced at herself in the full-length mirror, grateful for the creaming routine that she had followed when she was expecting Esme; there was not a stretch mark in sight. In fact, she was slightly slimmer now than just before she'd been pregnant; she never seemed to have time to eat these days. The dress was cheap to buy, and Kerry could see why once it was on. The seams weren’t exactly straight. The cerise coloured, sheer fabric overlay, was slightly off centre to the black Lycra underneath. One or two of the silver sequins were hanging from the shoelace straps, but Kerry didn’t think that it would be difficult to sew them back on again; if she actually wore it. As she pulled it down to add some extra length, Kerry realised that it wasn’t exactly what a wife and mother should be wearing, it was cheap and nasty, more suitable for a stick-thin, sixteen-year-old, who would look good in a potato sack.