Guess Who I Pulled Last Night?

by Nikki Ashton

  In the midst of her jumble of words, Kerry could hear the town clock, in the distance, chiming the quarter hour. She stopped talking and listened to the hollow sound it made in the cold air. Leaning back onto her feet, Kerry pushed herself up, suddenly feeling the dampness on her legs.

  “Bye Dad,” she whispered and kissed her fingers, placing them against the cold marble.

  Kerry walked slowly toward the entrance, enjoying the solitude, and then as she reached the great iron gates, she recognised the back disappearing through them. Kerry almost let them go, but thought that she should call out to them.

  “Bets…Bets,” she called, not too loudly.

  The figure hesitated for a second after the first call, but then on the second time, Bets turned around and smiled.

  “Hiya, I thought I was the only daft head to come here this early and in this cold weather. Have you been to see your dad?”

  Kerry nodded. “And you?”

  “Hmm, don’t know why I wanted to come today, and at this unearthly hour, but Stuart had to go into work early, so I thought why not. It’s just what you need sometimes, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, I suppose so. How are you anyway?” Kerry suddenly realised that she and Bets were talking like practical strangers, not lifelong friends.

  Bets must have also sensed it, because she screwed up her nose, in the way she always did when she couldn’t understand something. “Err, okay. Listen, do you fancy a walk over to the market, for a coffee?”

  Kerry smiled as she remembered their teenage days. Saturdays spent in the market café, where they drank coffee, because it was more grown up than Cola or tea, and flirting with all the lads that worked their Saturday jobs on the stalls.

  “Yeah, that would be great.”

  Twenty minutes later they were both warming their hands around large white mugs of frothy coffee. Bets smiled at Kerry and nodded outside towards the huge van parked opposite. A man got out and, with the help of a young lad, dropped down the side to reveal an Aladdin’s cave of china and glass.

  “Do you remember that lad, Ricky, I think his name was, that you had a crush on? He worked on a stall like that didn’t he?”

  “Oh my God, yes I do. He used to throw the plates up to the man inside who would stack them, and then try to sell them for about a pound for the lot. He’d shout all day at the crowd and call everyone sugar, even the blokes.” Kerry smiled broadly at the memory, long gone days of innocence.

  “Hey you never know Kerry, that older bloke could be Ricky,” laughed Bets, sipping her coffee.

  “Nah, Ricky had curly black hair, that fella’ has a ginger mullet, and I don’t think even Ricky’s taste was that bad to have something like that done on purpose.”

  “Maybe,” Bets sighed, nodding in agreement.

  There was a companionable silence for a few minutes, as they both drank, neither one of them anxious to speak. After a while, Bets wanted to talk, but began to wonder what she should talk about. How Kerry was feeling was the obvious question, but she didn’t want to spoil the pleasantness of the early morning.

  “Anyway,” she said, taking a deep breath, “what took you to the cemetery so early?”

  Kerry’s mug paused at her lips as she thought. “I don’t know really, like you said I, sometimes you just feel as though you need to be there. What about you, I can’t remember the last time you went? You always say it’s not necessary to go, to remember them.”

  “I know. I do go occasionally, but you’re right. I don’t need to visit a grave to think about Mum and Dad to remember them. I think I wanted, well I know I wanted, to tell them about Stuart. You know, let them know that I’d met someone nice.”

  Kerry’s grin mirrored Bets'. “So this is the real deal then? I know how much he likes you, because he’s told Kelvin?”

  Bets moved forward on the leatherette bench, eager to glean some more details. “Spill then, what has he said?”

  Kerry coloured slightly, she didn’t know exactly, because when Kelvin had tried to tell her she was too busy ignoring him. “Oh, just that he really likes you and hopes that it’s a long-term thing." That much she remembered.

  “I hope so too, I just hope that I don’t blow it.”

  “Why would you? As long as you don’t start playing stupid games with him, you know, playing the mean and keen trick.” Kerry frowned at Bets; she knew only too well what she could be like with the opposite sex.

  Bets shook her head vigorously as she replied “Ooh no, not this time. I’m playing it strictly by the book. Although it’s really strange that I actually want it to work. I’m not sure that I can get my head around it.”

  “I’m glad you do. It's about time you settled down. So exactly how do you feel about him, is it love?”

  Bets thought for a second, and then shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t really know. I know I want to be with him all the time, and that I have a permanently stupid grin across my face, so you tell me.”

  “I think it could be getting that way.” Kerry smiled, fairly amused at the new softer Bets. “So tell me,” she said, putting down her mug, “has Charlotte heard from you know who, since his associate appeared in the office?” Kerry felt ashamed that she didn’t know herself. She couldn’t believe that she hadn’t been on the telephone for hours with Charlotte, to get all the gossip.

  Bets blushed furiously. “To tell you the truth, I don’t really know, all we seem to talk about these days is how…” She stopped herself suddenly, realising that telling Kerry that all they talked about was her state of mind was not the right way to maintain the ambiance. “…is how Stuart and I are getting on.” Bets thought that she had managed to smooth over her mistake, but could have sworn that Kerry had gritted her teeth for a split second. If she had noticed, she didn’t comment.

  “I should call her, the last thing she needs is that prick back in her life.”

  Bets nodded, “Hmm; I'm sure she would have said if he had surfaced. What time is it?”

  “Eight o'clock, have you got to get back?”

  “Not really, I’m not working today. It's my Saturday off, do you fancy doing something?” Bet’s smile widened, hoping that Kerry would want some company for a while, as it may help to cheer her up.

  “I know it’s really boring, but I wouldn’t mind going over to that new garden centre for a nosey around.”

  Bets wasn’t a gardener, but if it made Kerry happy, then so be it. “Okay, that would be good. No point ringing Charlotte, she’s going to the match today.”

  Kerry was kind of relieved, after their last meeting, even though it had been fairly amicable. “Can I just borrow your mobile to call Kelvin, to tell him what’s happening?”

  Bets fished it out of her jacket pocket and handed it to Kerry. “There you are, I assume your battery is dead as usual. I'll go and pay.”

  Bets glanced across at Kerry talking into the mobile as she waited for her change. Kerry’s brow was furrowed, and she was tapping the side of her head with her fingertips. Bets could hear that Kerry's voice was slightly raised, but then she smiled, although weakly, and said good-bye, before stabbing at the button to end the call.

  “Okay?” Bets asked, as she took the mobile from Kerry.

  “Yeah fine, he just worries for nothing,” sighed Kerry. Obviously not wanting to say anymore, strode out into the cold morning.

  After an unexpectedly interesting time at the garden centre, Bets was now back at home, hastily preparing something for her and Stuart to eat. She had built up quite an appetite, not only had she trawled around the vast expanse of plants for nearly two hours, but she had also taken Alfred on a good long walk. The curry bubbling away in the pan, was very welcoming.

  “You didn’t have to cook,” said Stuart appearing at the kitchen doorway.

  Bets smiled as she reached up for some plates out of the cupboard. “Nonsense, I really didn’t mind, and believe it or not I do like cooking. Anyway, it’s the least I could do on our second anniversary.” Her grin wide
ned as she planted a kiss on Stuart’s nose.

  “Is that a record for you then, two weeks?” Stuart asked, as he pulled Bets to him, and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  “Maybe,” she giggled as she pulled away. “Come on, let me get this finished; the rice is nearly ready. I hope that you’re hungry, I think I’ve made a little too much.”

  Stuart peered into the pan of curry. “Yes; I am, so pile my plate high.”

  “I’m not giving you too much I want you to be able to move afterwards.” Bets winked at him as she began to dish up the food.

  “Listen, young lady, I need a good night’s sleep. I've got a very important business meeting tomorrow.”

  “Spoil sport!”

  Not really watching the film on TV, Bets lay with her head on Stuart’s chest, playing with his hands and looking at the distance, past the flashing lights from the television.

  “Are you okay?” Stuart asked. “Shall I turn this off, because I get the feeling that something is troubling you?”

  Bets leaned her head back, and looked up at him. “How did you know I wasn’t watching the film?”

  “Because Brad Pitt has just walked across the screen, showing his bare arse, and you never flinched.” Stuart laughed, and ruffled her hair.

  “God did I miss that? I was just thinking about Kerry. She seemed a little better today.”

  “Oh that’s good, maybe she’s starting to feel it. Did she enjoy the garden centre?”

  Bets smiled and gave a little giggle. She was surprised how much she had also enjoyed it. “Yes, she did. It was strange, as we didn’t speak much while we were going around, but she appeared really calm. She lost that frown that she’s been wearing a lot lately.”

  “Has she opened up any more about her feelings?” Stuart sat up slightly, and turned off the TV.

  “No she hasn’t, I didn’t dare even broach the subject. To be honest I didn’t want to spoil the day.”

  “Well let’s hope that this is the start of her getting better then.”

  “Yeah, let’s hope so. Anyway, don’t you think that it was about time you got to bed, seeing as you have such a big meeting tomorrow?”

  Stuart glanced towards the clock, which was just about to hit nine pm, and then he saw Bets’ wicked grin. “You are so right it is about time we got to bed. I’ll stay here if that’s okay with you?”

  Bets nodded, and hauled herself up from the sofa. “Of course, I wouldn’t want you to miss a minute of important sleep.” She held out her hand, and pulled Stuart up before leading him to the bedroom.

  The next morning Bets woke fairly early, with the sun streaming in through the open curtain, a warm light beating down on to her face.

  “Good morning gorgeous.” Stuart whispered in her ear.

  Bets opened her eyes to see him looking down on her. She rubbed her eyes, and then snuggled up close to his warm, naked body. “Hello, what time is it?”

  “Seven o’clock, I’m afraid I’m going to have to get going soon. I need to go home and collect a few things, before I go down to London.”

  “Oh, do you have to go today? If you’re not meeting him until tomorrow you could go later tonight, or early in the morning,” whimpered Bets, like a spoilt child.

  Stuart laughed, and pulled her even closer. "I can't, I told you that I’ve arranged to meet him for dinner this evening. We are going to look at all the equipment in the morning. I want to get going by ten at the latest, and I also need to look in on the gym, to make sure everything is okay.”

  “Meany, you just don’t want to spend the day with me.”

  “Believe me sweetheart, there isn’t anything I’d like more, why don’t you come with me. I can easily change my hotel reservation?” Stuart sat up, suddenly excited by his idea.

  “I’d love to,” said Bets, also sitting up. “But I’ve got a full day of clients tomorrow. I can’t ask Jane or Cheryl to cover for me again. No, go and do your big business deal, and then call me when you get back. What time do you think that will be, by the way?”

  Stuart thought about it for a moment. “Oh about mid-afternoon, I would hope. I’d like to get most of the deal sorted out this evening, which means that I can shoot off almost as soon as I’ve seen the gear.”

  “Shall we go out then, or will you be too knackered?”

  “Play it by ear shall we? You could always come around to my house, and we could get a take away. How does that sound?”

  Bets smiled and yawned. “Okay, ring me as soon as you get back then.”

  “Okay sleepy head,” whispered Stuart, kissing her cheek that was now disappearing back under the duvet. “You get some more sleep, and I’ll call you later.”

  Bets turned her face towards him and lifted her head to kiss his lips. “Bye sweetheart, take care.”

  “I will.”

  When Bets finally woke up, it was nearly ten-thirty, she felt totally refreshed and eager for a swim. As she got herself ready Bets pottered around the flat aimlessly. After almost fourteen mornings of waking up with Stuart, she was already missing him. It was silly really, at this time on a weekday she would be at work anyway and not with him. Knowing that he was not even in the same town somehow made it worse; she realised that this was becoming quite serious. Before going to the pool Bets decided to give Charlotte a call and tell her all about the previous day spent with Kerry.

  “Hello, why are you ringing me at eleven o’clock on a Sunday morning, when you are fully aware I don’t normally surface until midday?”

  “Good morning Charlotte, how are you today?”

  “Okay thank you, and yourself?”

  Bets smiled, thinking about how she felt, “Fine, actually very good.”

  “Oh dear, this is getting serious isn’t it? So how is the lovely Stuart?” Charlotte asked her, inquisitive about her friend's burgeoning love life.

  “He’s well. He's gone to London today on some business deal, and won’t be back until tomorrow.” Bets lodged her mobile under her chin, while she played with Alfred at her feet. “Actually I’ve called to tell you about Kerry.” She wanted to tell Charlotte all about Stuart, but at this moment, Kerry was more important.

  “What, what about her?” Charlotte seemed anxious.

  “Nothing to worry about, in fact, we may have a breakthrough. I spent quite a pleasant day with her yesterday.” Bets went on to tell Charlotte all about their chance meeting. The coffee at the market and then the couple of hours at the garden centre.

  “So, she seemed a little better did she?" The relief resounded through Charlotte's voice.

  “Yes, but don’t get too excited because Kelvin wasn’t really mentioned, and neither was how she has been feeling and acting lately. I didn’t want to rock the boat so it could just be she was in a better mood because we didn’t talk about the situation.”

  “Hmm, maybe, but at least she wasn’t shouting or sulking with you. Perhaps I should call her today, you know just to see how the land lies.”

  Bets nodded on the other end of the line. “Yes, that would be a good idea. Anyway, why do you sound so grotty at this hour on a Sunday? You're normally up and about by six o’clock?”

  Charlotte groaned, “Ha, ha, very funny.” She was not known for her sprightliness on a Sunday morning. It was her only real lie in, and she enjoyed it to the maximum. “If you must know I went out with Tom last night, and we ended up back at one of his mate’s houses drinking cheap vodka and playing Twister.”

  Bets laugh tinkled in the air. “Not naked I hope?”

  “God no, have you seen Barry Drewett, Tom’s friend? He makes Pavarotti look anorexic. I don’t know why I let him persuade me into these things. I was quite happy watching Casualty with my meal for one.”

  “Ah, bless you. You could have come around here you know, if you were that lonely?”

  “I wasn’t. I think Tom was bored and felt the need to persecute me, so he took me out. Anyway, you don’t want me over at the love nest; I would have cramped your sty
le. A little raspberry sat in between you and Stuart.”

  Bets stifled a laugh, “I think you mean gooseberry. We wouldn’t have minded.”

  “No, don’t be silly this is the most romantic time, the first few weeks. It's downhill after that.”

  “Oh cheers, you really are a comfort.”

  “Seriously though Bets, I’m really pleased for you. He seems a truly good bloke.”

  “Aww thanks. Anyway, I’d better go; I’m off to the pool to do a few laps. I’ll perhaps give you a call tomorrow; see how you got on with Kerry.”

  “Okay, but don’t worry if you are otherwise engaged, I understand.” Charlotte laughed throatily as Bets tutted on the other end.

  “Bye, speak to you soon.”

  Once Charlotte had gone from the line, Bets tapped out Stuart’s mobile number, she couldn’t wait for him to call her. He answered breezily.

  “Hello, gorgeous.”

  Bets giggled, “Hiya, how are you?”

  “Fine, just having something to eat at the motorway services, what are you doing?”

  “I’m off to the pool for a swim, but I thought that I’d give you a quick call.”

  “I was just going to ring you actually, once I’d finished by breakfast of greasy, high cholesterol, heart attack food.”

  Betts tutted loudly. “Stuart. You shouldn’t be eating stuff like that, especially when you are going into a meeting about buying gym equipment, it really is two opposite ends of the scale.”

  “It doesn’t hurt to be bad, occasionally. So have you planned to do anything tonight, or are you going to get an early night?” Stuart asked, as he continued to chew on his breakfast.

  “No nothing planned, I may take the opportunity to get an early night, you know to preserve my energy for tomorrow.” Bets laughed as she played with the cord of her tracksuit bottoms.