by Nikki Ashton
A little later that same morning, in Chester, Paul was at his desk, going over some contracts, when the telephone rang. He glanced at his watch; eight-thirty still too early for most clients.
“Paul Palmer,” he answered briskly.
“Howyer Paul, it’s me Niall.” Niall sounded hesitant, not sure of the reaction that he was going to receive. He guessed that by now Charlotte would have told Paul the whole story, about the two of them and that wonderful kiss.
“Ah, Niall, good Christmas?” he asked, not giving anything away.
“Okay not too bad, listen...Paul, I need to talk to yer about Charlotte.”
“I guess you do,” replied Paul, settling back into his chair. “She was very upset you know?”
Niall sighed heavily on the other end of the line. “I can imagine, and there is no good explanation for it. I realise that I should have told her, but, well, I just didn’t.”
“So how exactly do you feel about her then, obviously not seriously, seeing as you are engaged?” Paul’s tone was kinder now. He could sense that Niall was feeling remorseful.
“That’s just it Paul. I do like her, a lot. I mean really like her. I’ve never met anyone like her before.”
Paul’s laugh tinkled down the receiver. “Hmm, you can say that again, she is unique and I for one don’t want to see her hurt.”
“Neither do I,” cried Niall. “I didn’t want this to happen; I didn’t expect it to happen, which is probably why I didn’t tell her about Ingrid, but for some reason, she was getting under my skin."
“Why are you telling me this Niall, shouldn’t you be talking to Charlotte about it?” Paul asked.
“Well that’s why I rang you, to check whether you thought I should. You know her better than I do, so I thought that you’d know whether I’m likely to get my head bitten off,” Niall replied.
“I’m sure that she will bite it off and spit it down the toilet knowing Charlotte. Look Niall, you’ve really hurt her. It’s taken a long time to mend her heart after that friend of yours; I just hope that you haven’t set her back.”
Niall sighed again, much heavier this time. “God, so do I, I really wouldn’t want to do that. I wish that I didn't have all that drink; then maybe I would have been in control of my senses.” Niall paused slightly, running a hand over his hair. “The trouble is, I don’t think I would have been able to keep my hands off her, even if I had been sober.”
“Oh dear,” sighed Paul, “You do have it bad.”
“I guess so,” he answered. “Do you think that she feels the same way?”
“Ask her, not me.” Now Paul ran a hand through his curls. “God, I feel as guilty about this as you do. I thought that there was something between you two; that’s why I set up the lunch. I wanted you to get over the petty squabbling, and get on with liking each other. I knew something would happen, and now between us...well we've really upset her.”
“Paul, I’m truly sorry that you feel that way. You shouldn’t, but I really need to know whether to contact her or not.” Niall crossed his finger hoping that Paul would give him the right answer.
Paul nodded, solemnly. “Yes, I think that you should.”
Niall heaved another sigh, this time of relief. “Thanks Paul, I’m coming over now.”
“Hang on, you can’t just land yourself on her. I think that she needs to be prepared.”
“Oh right,” replied Niall, dejectedly. “What do you suggest then?”
Paul laughed softly. “You are asking me for advice on how to handle a woman. You do know that I happen to live with a man, don’t you?”
“I know,” cried Niall. “But this isn’t any woman. This is Charlotte.”
“Okay, I take your point. Right, I suggest that you ask her to meet you, tomorrow maybe, take her to lunch. Meeting her in a public place may just stop her from biting your bollocks off.”
Niall laughed, but it was a sad laugh. “Yer right, do you think that it would be okay for me to come over today and drop a note off for her?”
“Gosh you are eager,” said Paul. “I just hope that you are serious too, I don’t want her hurt again Niall.”
“Paul I won’t hurt her. I promise. I can’t explain why I feel the way I do. I hardly know her and let’s face it; we haven’t exactly got on like a house on fire. However, I am serious about her, and about how I feel.” His tone was sincere putting Paul at ease.
“Okay, but all I can say is good luck, you’re going to need it.”
Charlotte was turning into the car park of Palmer’s, relieved to see that the familiar silver car wasn’t parked there; but why should he be there? The deal was done and signed so why would Niall be here? She turned off the engine and took a deep breath; this was the first day back after the Christmas holidays, and she knew that they would all be desperate for the gossip about her lunch with Niall. She had managed to steer clear of the subject at the party, but the sight of her crying into her drink and looking morose had given them enough to talk about. Today would be a different matter as Gwen would be out to get her. She would badger Charlotte all day until finally she would submit and tell her every little detail. Charlotte knew that she would have to have her wits about her, and not tell her anything, because without doubt if she had to recount the whole sorry story, she may just cry.
“Morning,” she announced breezily as she walked through the office. The other three were not so joyous and mumbled their own greetings. “Oh dear post-Christmas blues is it?” Charlotte suddenly noticed the mistletoe above her head, immediately thinking of Niall her head dropped despondently.
“Did you have a good Christmas Charlotte?” Gwen had momentarily stopped dealing her tarot cards, and lifted her head to speak to Charlotte.
Charlotte noticed the twinkle in Gwen’s eyes and was prepared; nothing about Niall would pass her lips. “Lovely thank you, What about you, Gwen did you?” She smiled at Gwen.
“Yes, Derek bought me an electric food processor. I had asked for an exercise bike, but it’ll give me the same result.” Realising that at this moment in time, Charlotte was not giving any information, Gwen turned back to her card; she would try again later.
Charlotte slightly perplexed at how a kitchen utensil could possibly be a good replacement for an exercise bike, nodded slowly, open mouthed. Then she remembered this was Gwen she was talking to, so why be surprised. “What about you two?” she asked, looking at Bobby and Laura.
“Huh, huh, fine thanks,” coughed Bobby. “Judith got me some new boots, what do you think?” Bobby stuck his leg out from under the desk. The boots were identical to those he wore before Christmas; nevertheless, Charlotte nodded her approval.
“What did you get Laura?” she asked.
“Drunk, mostly, oh and Rob and I started going out together on New Year’s Eve,” she said, blushing slightly as she gave her news.
“But weren’t you together at the Christmas party?” Charlotte asked, vaguely remembering something happening in the lift.
“Oh that was just a Christmas thing, but we’re actually going out now.”
Charlotte opened her mouth to speak but just nodded instead.
An hour and a half later, Charlotte was on the telephone to the photocopier engineer, when Laura came up to her desk and placed an envelope on it, she smiled up at her in thanks. Once Charlotte had finished bawling out the company for their second-rate photocopier, she opened up the envelope and read the piece of paper inside.
Charlotte,
I’m really sorry that I haven’t been in touch sooner, but what with Christmas and everything, I haven’t had the opportunity. I would like to apologise for the day that we went out to lunch and explain everything, so do you think that we could meet up for lunch tomorrow (Tuesday). I’d like to say in our usual spot, but perhaps that would be a bad joke, so how about under the clock in the city at 12:30. If you don’t turn up, I understand, but I would like to be able to explain.
Take care,
Niall
&
nbsp; Charlotte’s heart began to pump faster as she read the note, she fingered the letters on the page as if it was actually touching Niall; she read it again and then picked up the phone and dialled Bets number.
“Hi Bets it’s me.” She lowered her voice as Gwen surreptitiously stopped working. “I’ve just had a note from Niall.”
“Oh my God, what does it say,” screamed Bets, almost bursting Charlotte’s eardrum.
Charlotte read it back quietly. “It’s not good is it?” she said with trepidation.
“What do you mean it’s not good? The man of your dreams is asking you to meet him for lunch; what more do you want?” Bets asked, with a heavy sigh.
“Bets, he’s going to tell me that he was drunk and didn’t know what he was doing, I know he is. It just doesn’t sound like the words from a man who can’t keep his hands off me,” cried Charlotte.
“Charlotte please try to be positive. He must care about you to want to explain. He could have just let you think that he was a shit head.”
“I know, anyway while I’m on have you heard anything about Kerry? I haven’t spoken to Kelvin today, have you?”
“Yes,” replied Bets. “I rang this morning, but there’s nothing. Apparently, he was out until one o’clock this morning driving around looking for her.”
“I don’t know why he’s bothering. I honestly don’t think that she’s still around here, someone would have seen her.” Charlotte sounded wistful, worried for her friend and what sort of a state she may be in.
“It makes him feel useful, and we just need to support whatever he does. Anyway, I’d better go as my next client has arrived. He’s rather gorgeous and is having a BSC, so aren’t I the lucky one?” Bets giggled on the other end of the line.
“What’s a BSC?” Charlotte asked, quizzically.
“Ask Laura, she’ll tell you. I’ll speak to you later, perhaps we can go and see Kelvin tonight, what do you think?”
Charlotte nodded, biting her bottom lip. “Hmm, that would be good, and we could have another think about where Kerry may be. Speak to you later, bye.” Charlotte replaced the receiver and sat back in her chair. What an awful year this was turning out to be already. Kerry had to come home soon, or at least contact them, not knowing how she was or where she was, was driving them all crazy; yes, they would have to think really hard about where she may be. However, in the meantime Charlotte had her lunch date to worry about.
It was mid- afternoon and Kerry had just boiled the kettle when she heard the familiar rap upon the door; it was Owen.
“Hello Kerry, how are you today? Esme asleep is she?”
Kerry nodded as she poured water into two cups. “Yes, about ten minutes ago, we’ve been down to the beach this morning, so she’s shattered, but I’m fine thanks, how about you?”
“Not bad you know, better now that I’m here with you.” He smiled at Kerry, touching her hand as she passed him his cup. She snatched it away quickly and passed him the packet of biscuits.
“So, are you ready to tell me about your husband then?” He was nothing if not direct.
Kerry thought about it and realised that she wanted to tell him, but maybe not everything. She spent the next half hour explaining to him about the problems that she, and Kelvin had been having over the last few months, about her going out and the constant shouting and crying, not to mention the spending vast amounts of money. She stood up to make another cup of tea.
“He’s totally blameless then, this husband of yours?” Owen asked, shaking his head. “Because all you’ve done up to now is to tell me what you’ve done wrong.” He took another biscuit and broke it in two before putting half of it into his mouth.
“Well I suppose he was, err is really. It was me that went all funny; he tried to support me and only left because he thought that it would push me into thinking about what I was doing to our marriage.” Kerry sat back down again. She dropped her head to avoid Owen’s intense gaze.
“Yeah well, you want to ask yourself why you went like that in the first place,” he replied finishing off the other half of his biscuit.
“So, what about you?” Kerry asked. “Are you ready to tell me whether you live here all the time, or are just visiting?”
He smiled at her remembering their first conversation. “Dunno really, I don’t want to stay, but I’ve nowhere else to go.” He looked sad as he stared at his tea cup.
“You’ve no family of your own then, not married or anything?” she probed.
Owen shook his head; his dark curls brushing against his shoulders. “Nope, I did have someone special once, well I thought that she was, but I was wrong there. I tell you what, they all leave you in the end.”
The uncomfortable silence that followed was interrupted by a short knock at the door; Kerry didn’t have a chance to call them in before Mrs Llewellyn was inside.
“Sorry to interrupt but I think that your dad wants you Owen.” Her face was strangely anxious as she looked to her son.
Owen suddenly became sullen. “Oh alright I’m coming, perhaps see you tomorrow Kerry.”
“I’m sure that Mrs Johnson doesn’t want you pestering her every day,” commented his mother.
“Well that’s up to her isn’t it?” Owen pushed past Mrs Llewellyn and stormed across the yard.
“I mean it Mrs Johnson; you don’t want him hanging around all the time. I don’t want to interfere, but you being on your own like, well people might talk, you know?” Mrs Llewellyn looked slightly uncomfortable as she played with the edge of her pinny.
“No, I don’t really know what you mean. There is nothing going on with me and Owen, we just have a cup of tea together that’s all.” Kerry was fuming that she would presume such a thing.
“I know, but he may start to think that there’s more to it. He may not look like it, but he’s very sensitive and gets attached to people easily,” said the older woman.
Kerry was amazed at what she was hearing, as far as she was concerned there would never be anything but friendship between her and Owen. Yes, he was very attractive, but she was also wary of him, and she was still married; Kelvin may not believe in their vows, but she did. Her heart sank when she thought of him, he hadn’t really entered her head for the last few days, but only because she had forced herself to think of other things. She shook her head, trying to blow the pictures of him away, and turned once more to Mrs Llewellyn.
“Mrs Llewellyn, Owen is perfectly aware about the fact that I am not interested in any form of attachment. We are friends nothing more, and he knows that,” she started to speak more softly now, conscious Mrs Llewellyn was only looking out for her son. “I promise you that no one is going to get hurt.”
Mrs Llewellyn took Kerry’s hand in hers. “I hope not dear. I really do. I’m sorry if you feel that I spoke out of turn, it’s just that I worry, you know?” Kerry nodded as the elderly woman turned to leave. “Anyway, you let me know if you need anything, okay dear.” Mrs Llewellyn called over her shoulder.
“I will do Mrs Llewellyn, bye.”
When she had gone Kerry shut and bolted the door behind her, feeling as though she had been well and truly warned off.
Chapter 25
The morning had arrived with a dusting of snow on the paths and roads, soon turning to sludge, as people started to make their way to work. Charlotte had told Paul all about her lunch date with Niall, and he had insisted on her taking the day off. She was owed one or two anyway. She was just finishing off her breakfast when she heard the letterbox announce the arrival of the post.
“Come on Petula, shall we see what horrible bills have arrived today then?” She bent down and picked up the letters that had landed on the hall floor. “Two junk mail and oh, a proper letter…” her voice trailed off as she recognised the writing.
Ripping open the envelope, Charlotte sat on the stairs, anxious for any news of Kerry and Esme.
Dear Charlotte,
What can I say, except that I’m sorry for not getting in touch so
oner to let you know that we’re okay? Well anyway, we are alright, both of us. Obviously, I don’t want to tell you where we are because I’ve still got things to deal with in my head, but when the time is right, we’ll come home. I hate to put this on to you, but could you let Kelvin know that we are fine, and that Esme sends him a big kiss. I’ve enclosed letters for my mum and Bets, so if you could pass them on, I’d be really grateful. I hope that you are all fine and not worrying about us too much. We are staying in a really nice place, with some lovely people around us. It’s strange, but it’s a lot like being a kid again and in some ways it’s quite exciting, if only the circumstances of being here were different. I just wish I could get the picture of Kelvin and that woman out of my head. I suppose she’s moved into my house, or at least stays there a lot, and I couldn’t really handle seeing that, so think that it’s best to stay away for a while.
I’ll write again soon,
Lots of love and kisses, Kerry and Esme xxx
Charlotte’s tears smudged the writing as they dropped on to the paper. Why hadn’t she rung, then she’d find out the truth and could come home? There was no other woman, Kelvin loved her and was spending every spare minute trying to find them both; Kerry and Kelvin were both heartbroken and for no reason. Charlotte quickly turned over the envelope, hoping that the postmark may give an idea as to where Kerry was, but it was smudged and indecipherable. She went through to the lounge and called Kelvin. She told him about the letter, and the postmark, dashing his hopes of any clues. He asked her to read it out, twice, but when she finished the second time, there was silence on the line.
“Kelvin, are you still there?” she asked worriedly.
“Yeah, I just can’t believe what a mess I’ve made of things. If only I’d gone home when she asked me to, or at least told her about Sally. We would all be at home together, instead she could be anywhere, thinking that I’m was shacked up with someone else,” he replied, his voice breaking as he fought back the tears.