by Nikki Ashton
“I don’t know. I suppose the right man hasn’t come along, or maybe he did and then died on me. I don’t know. Anyway what is the right man? Kerry thought that Kelvin was the right one, but look at what has happened to them, although I’m still convinced that they’ll work it out.”
“Never mind them,” Tom scolded. “I asked about you. Why is it all you ever seem to do is have a string of one-night stands, except for Stuart?” He moved his chair closer, creating a conspiratorial feeling between them.
“Mainly because...because I can’t stand the thought of being abandoned,” Bets whispered; glad to admit to it for once. “This in my experience is what people tend to do; leave those that love them.”
Tom leaned across and placed his hand on Bets', comfortingly. “Hey you shouldn’t think like that, people do die sometimes, and I know that you’ve had your more than your fair share of bereavement, but Charlotte and Kerry have always been there for you. Even Alfred couldn’t bear to leave you to your own devices,” he said, moving his hand to her arm
Bets smiled at Tom, realising that he had become a good friend over the last few months.
“You really should trust in yourself, and your feelings, and stop worrying that everyone you meet is going to croak,” Tom whispered. “I mean if I thought that was true, I wouldn’t go within ten yards of you, would I?” he joked.
Bets laughed, wondering how he always managed to make light of a serious subject, yet not trivialise it in anyway.
“Okay, let’s not be so depressed shall we, do you want a coffee?” Bets stood up and wandered over to the sink, dropping the dessert dishes into it.
Following her, Tom rolled up his sleeves and started to run some water over the plates and dishes.
“Okay, I’ll wash up while you make the coffee,” he said, running water into the bowl.
“If you insist,” answered Bets, flipping his bottom with a tea towel. “Anyway, you didn’t finish telling me about your ideal woman. I know you want them to be like your sisters, which I have to say is rather sick, but what exactly does that mean?” she asked, really very interested.
“Well, someone who is strong yet doesn’t mind being looked after occasionally, bright, independent, and beautiful and a good body, which obviously goes without saying. Although I must stress that the last statement is not a direct comment on my siblings – now that would be sick.”
Bets laughed as she spooned coffee into two mugs. “No one could accuse you of being shallow, could they Tom?”
Suddenly, Tom let out a shout, making Bets spin around. He was holding his thumb tightly.
“Aah, oh shit, I think I’ve sliced my thumb off with a knife!”
“Stop being such a girly and let me have a look. Here dry your hand on this.” Bets threw Tom a clean tea towel, and turned to take some plasters from a drawer.
Holding his hand in hers, Bets studied the injury. She realised as soon as it had been dried, that the knife had barely touched it. It merely scratched the surface, despite the beads of blood turning the washing up water a deep shade of claret. As she wiped his thumb again, Tom looked up at her, his face close to Bets'.
“Proper Florence Nightingale, aren’t you?” he whispered close to her face.
Bets smiled into his beautiful eyes. “Hmm now shut up, and hold still while I try to put a plaster on your severed thumb.” She tried to get the plaster to stick, but sighed impatiently. “Oh, it's still wet, just a minute.” Holding his hand loosely in hers, Bets gently wiped his thumb with the tea towel, her fingers lingering on his.
Tom moved his head closer so that Bets could feel his breath upon her face, the sweet smell of wine mixed with his aftershave. Tom licked his lips, as he looked directly into Bets' eyes.
“Did I mention that a good nurse is also a must for my women?”
Staring back at him, Bets shifted her feet. “No you didn’t, what about a dog lover, is that a priority too?” She now moved her head closer, so that their lips were almost touching, both experiencing feelings of nervousness and anticipation. They held each other’s gaze for what seemed like an age, but it was only seconds. Then slowly they moved closer together; an intoxicating thrill passing them.
“Oh, who’s that?” Bets jumped as the doorbell shrilled. They both coughed and shuffled, shaking themselves from the moment.
“Here, put this plaster on, and I’ll get the door,” Bets said, not looking at Tom.
As she walked to the door Bets rubbed her face with her hands, acutely aware of what had just been about to happen, and what the consequences of that would have been. Tom was the very handsome, extremely sexy, little brother of her best friend. The bell rang again, this time in two short, sharp bursts.
“Okay, okay, I’m coming.” Bets flung open the door. “What’s the hur…oh…Charlotte it’s you, come in.”
Charlotte rushed in looking flushed and smiling, not what Bets had expected judging by their earlier telephone conversation. Charlotte smiled widely, looking from Bets to Tom, who had now appeared in the hallway. Her brother and friend, not noticing the grin from ear to ear, dropped their heads like naughty children who had been caught smoking behind the bike sheds. Charlotte in turn did not notice their red faces, she was so caught up in other things.
“Guess what?” she asked, grinning broadly.
Tom smiled at her, and smoothing the plaster down on his thumb, went over and kissed her gently on the cheek.
“What’s that then?” He quickly looked across at Bets. He too was sensitive to what may have been about to happen; that is if Charlotte hadn’t saved them from a fate worse than death.
“Kerry is back,” Charlotte exploded.
“When did she get back, where has she been, does Kelvin know?”
Charlotte held Bets at arm’s length, waving her hand at her.
“Calm down, she got back today. She's been in Wales and Kelvin was the one who found her. Apparently, there is more to it, but we are to go around there tomorrow night, and she’ll tell us all about it. I can’t believe it can you?” Charlotte now pulled Bets back into her chest once more.
Tom, feeling in the way slightly, coughed in the background. “Err look, I’ll go back to your house Charlotte, leave you two to catch up.” He moved to an armchair, to pick up his coat from where he’d left it. “Thanks for dinner Bets, it was fantastic, and I’m glad that Alfred is getting better.”
Bets, anxious not to drive him away, put her hand out to stop him.
“You don’t have to go. He doesn’t have to go, does he Charlotte?” She turned to Charlotte, who had wandered into the lounge to look at Alfred.
“Nah, but listen, I’m really tired anyway, so I’m going home. I just wanted to give you the good news in person, so you can stay if you want to Tom, or you can catch a lift with me, whatever.” Charlotte walked back to Tom, and put an arm through his, not noticing the furtive glances between him and Bets.
“No, I’ll come with you. I don’t need to stay. I've seen Alfred, and we’ve eaten dinner; why would I stay?” Tom spluttered.
“Yeah, why would he?” Bets shuffled and distractedly played with the light switch.
Charlotte, still on cloud nine, didn’t pick up any of the vibes.
“Okay, come on then. My house or your house, by the way, you didn’t tell Mum I was back, did you?”
Tom shook his head. “No, so its back to your house.”
“Good,” Charlotte sighed. “I don’t think I could take an inquisition tonight. Let’s go then squirt, and leave Bets to get her beauty sleep. I’ll ring you tomorrow.” She leaned across, and pecked Bets on the cheek.
Tom smiled sheepishly, shrugged his shoulders, and followed Charlotte to the outer hallway.
“Bye both of you, see you soon,” Bets called from the doorway.
Once the door was closed Bets heaved a huge sigh of relief then, shaking her head, she went back to the kitchen to try to find some more wine to steady her nerves.
In the car, Tom was fairly q
uiet, mostly due to Charlotte’s constant chatter about Kerry being home, but he was also thinking about tonight and him and Bets. There was no denying that she was a beautiful woman, with a body to die for, she was strong and independent, yet this evening she had shown just how vulnerable she was. She made him laugh. She loved animals, and she had a brain, she…God, he could go on and on listing all of her virtues, all of them matching the qualities that he looked for in a woman. However, she was his sister’s best friend, and he’d known her practically all his life. She’d had as many one-night stands as he had, she was insecure, and she got extremely drunk, very quickly. She could be a bitch at times, and she was right, people did tend to drop dead around her. So why over the last couple of months had he found any excuse to visit or telephone her? Tom knew that initially it had been to try to cheer Bets up after Stuart’s death, but then he had started to enjoy her company, and that wasn’t the reason anymore. But, all that time he had still only wanted to be friends, but now tonight the shit had really hit the fan. They had nearly stepped over the line, and they would have to be very careful not to lose sight of the fact that they were just friends, and that it would be best for them to remain so. After ten minutes, Charlotte pulled up outside her house and manoeuvred into a parking space. She turned to Tom and belted him on the arm, not lightly.
“You are not listening to me, are you?” she asked.
Tom rubbed his arm, and screwed up his face in pain.
“Yes, you said that you can’t wait to see Kerry tomorrow.”
Luckily, he had caught the last little piece of the conversation, just before Charlotte had hit him. He decided to change the subject though, before Charlotte questioned him further.
“So, are you going to tell me what went on in Kent, why you came home early? I gather it has something to do with that Irish fella.”
Charlotte scuffed him again, but this time more playfully.
“Niall is his name, and yes it does have something to do with him, come on, and I’ll tell you inside.”
An hour and two cups of tea later, Charlotte had filled Tom in on everything that had happened over the last two days. He felt desperately sorry for her, realising what a wrench it must have been for her to leave him there, without saying good-bye.
“So, what happens now, are you going to try to contact him?”
Charlotte shook her head, vigorously. “Nooo, no way, he’s got a family to think of now. I couldn’t forgive myself if my contacting him jeopardised it all for him,” she paused taking a sip of hot tea. “No matter how he feels, or should I say what he maintains he doesn’t feel about Ingrid, the thought of being a father must excite him. Anyway, much as it pains me to say so, it wouldn’t be fair on Ingrid either. Mind you, she’s hard and calculating, I’m sure that she’d cope,” Charlotte muttered, bringing her mug to her lips once more.
“You are only getting his version on what she’s like Charlotte; she may be a very nice person.” Charlotte shook her head, as Tom spoke. “Come on be fair.”
“I am. I haven’t just got Niall’s version. Paul thinks that she’s a witch as well. Apparently, she had one of our consultants in tears last week, all over some little misprint on one of the insurance documents.”
“Yes but that’s business. I would imagine a woman in the world of engineering has to be strong,” said Tom, acting as devil’s advocate.
He was also concerned that Charlotte was seeing Niall as some sort of Knight in shining armour, that could do no wrong; and yet he did wrong. He'd broken Charlotte’s heart.
“Well maybe you’re right, perhaps I am being too harsh on her, but it doesn’t matter does it. She's got Niall, and I haven’t.” Charlotte placed her mug on the coffee table and started to yawn. “God I’m tired, yet I’ve been in bed nearly all day.”
“Did you sleep though?” Tom asked, looking at the greyness under her eyes.
“No, not really. I just kept playing things over in my head, wondering whether I did the right thing spending the night with him, or whether I should have come straight home the moment I set eyes on him in the hotel. Then again, it was a pretty good night.”
Tom groaned and buried his head in a cushion. “Ugh, too much information thank you. They are not pleasant pictures that I’m getting inside my head at the moment.”
Charlotte began to laugh. “Huh, the audacity of you. Pictures in your head, you should be so lucky. I've had to listen to you, and your bimbos since you were old enough to know where to put it.”
“You liar,” Tom spluttered. “I’ve always been very discreet with my lady friends.”
“Hmm, so that’s why mum thought Mariah Carey was singing off key on Top of The Pops. It took Dad ages to persuade her not to call the BBC to complain, all the time it wasn’t Mariah but Wendy Downey howling like a banshee upstairs.”
A smile of recognition passed over Tom’s face. “Oh yeah, Lassie.”
“Poor Mum has hated 'Hero' ever since.”
“Do you know that she wore a vest?”
“Who, Mum?” Charlotte asked, perplexed.
“No, Wendy Downey. I bet her boobs are down to her ankles now. The best chest I ever went out with was Melanie Charlesworth, the lads and I used to call her Mammary Charlesworth. God, she was fantastic. She used to do this thing where…”
“Stop!” shouted Charlotte, holding her open hand up in front of Tom’s face. “I know already, if you are talking about the thing with the Maltesers?”
Tom nodded. “How did you know?” He looked puzzled and worried, all at the same time.
“Because one hit me on the back of the head once when I was in the back garden, it came flying out of your bedroom window at the speed of light. The blow nearly sent me flying.”
Tom coloured slightly, as he silently reminisced about those carefree days, of long college holidays.
“Anyway, I’m going to bed, all this talk of sex is making me tired.”
“You mean you want to go to bed and dream about Niall.” Tom stood up, and pinched Charlotte’s cheek gently.
Charlotte didn’t answer his question. “Do you fancy staying for a couple more days, just to keep me company?” she asked, yawning again.
“For you, I'll do anything, but on two conditions. One you promise to make me lamb chops for tea tomorrow, and two you go and get your hair cut.”
“My hair isn’t that bad is it?” Charlotte asked, running a hand through it.
Tom nodded solemnly. “’Fraid so, it’s all frizzy and your fringe makes you look like Cousin It from The Adams Family. Did you wear a bobble hat during your love making with Mr Irish Man?”
Charlotte hit Tom on the same arm as before. “Pig, you’ve really hurt me,” she muttered, like a sulky child.
“What, as much as when the Malteser hit you?”
Charlotte started to giggle. “Go on, go to bed before I batter you.”
“Like you could, I could fell you, with one whiff of my feet.”
They continued up the stairs, bantering with each other and still shouting as they reached their respective rooms, and then for another ten minutes, until Charlotte could keep her eyes open no longer. Tom, however, could not sleep, and tossed and turned for another two hours, thinking about Bets, who happened to be doing exactly the same thing in her flat ten minutes away.
Chapter 35
Kerry and Kelvin had rung Sheila, Kerry’s mum, as soon as they had arrived home the previous day. She had raced around immediately to see her daughter and granddaughter, whom she had missed dreadfully. After spending a few hours listening to Kerry’s story, she realised that her daughter, and son-in-law had a lot of things to talk about, and a lot of time to make up for. She offered to look after Esme for a couple of days, to give Kerry and Kelvin some time alone, which so far they had spent in bed.
Kelvin leaned upon his elbow, and stroking Kerry’s hair from her face, looked down on her.
“God, I’m so glad that you’re safe. I can’t stand the thought of what that idiot
could have done to you,” he whispered.
Kerry smiled and stretched up to kiss him. “Don’t let’s think about it today, I just want to try to get back to normal.”
“I know, but sweetheart it isn’t going to be that easy is it?” Kelvin sighed deeply. “We need to talk about why you went away, and how we are going to get back to normal.”
“Hmm, I know.” Kerry stroked Kelvin’s face gently, glad that he had come looking for her, and happy that they were back together. "I need help, to get over whatever was happening to me before I went away. I don’t even know what was happening to me, so I can't explain it to you. All I know is that I felt really sad, and couldn’t stand being close to anyone, even you.” Kerry dropped her head shamefully.
Kelvin tilted her chin up with his finger. “Hey, that doesn’t matter now, what matters is that we’ve made some headway; we are back together, in every way.”
Kerry giggled, as Kelvin squeezed her bare behind. “I know, I’d forgotten how good it could be.”
“Seriously though, how are we going to make sure it doesn’t happen another time? I couldn’t stand it if you felt like that again. You know it was one of the worst times in my life. I could see how unhappy you were, but couldn’t help you, because you wouldn’t let me. The most awful part was seeing you let yourself be dragged down.” Kelvin’s eyes darted to the window, towards Caroline’s house across the road.
“Look, you can be sure that won’t be happening again. I can’t explain that at all. I hated every minute of it and don’t know why I carried on doing it. I’m sorry baby, but I knew that it was hurting you, but it made me even more determined to go out with her.”
A look of hurt swept across Kelvin’s face, but it was quickly replaced by a smile. “Stop beating yourself up about it, it’s over now and with some help we can put it behind us.”
“Yep, you’re right. I’m going to ring the doctor later and book an appointment. I’m sure that she will put me onto the right people; Counsellors I suppose.”