Thirty-Eight Days

by Len Webster

  “Trust me, Josie, I don’t plan on ever getting tired of Clara,” Noel confessed, and Josie seemed to be satisfied by his answer. Clara stood there stunned that he admitted that out loud. Noel walked over to her and kissed her head.

  “We have cupcakes to display,” he said as he walked out to the front counter of the store. Clara stood there, her legs still wobbly from his kissing, and now her brain was moosh from his words.

  “Seriously, if you ever get tired of Noel, you know where I work.” Josie nudged Clara, bringing her back to reality.

  Clara let out a laugh and followed Noel towards the front of the store. She found him carefully putting out his cupcakes before he turned around and winked at her, taking the tray from her. Noel’s hand brushing over hers made her tingle inside, but she simply smiled at him. Through all their kisses and all their revelations, she knew one thing.

  Noel’s mine.

  “I better get down to the row club to meet Rob,” Noel announced with a sigh. He stood up from placing her tray of cupcakes out on display. Clara watched as Noel walked around to the other side of the counter and leant over to her. She couldn’t help the smile radiating off her; he made her feel this way. The sun shining through made his green eyes sparkle like emeralds in the sunlight.

  “I’ll see you later, then,” he said as Clara walked towards the counter and leant over it, her face meeting his. The way he smiled at her had her emotions on high, her heart racing, and her breathing spiked.

  “You can count on it,” she replied as cool as she could. She watched a big smile come across Noel’s face and he placed a gentle kiss on her lips before he flashed her a beautiful smile and walked out the door. As heated as their previous kisses had been, that soft and gentle chaste kiss made her heart flutter.

  Grabbing the spray and cloth, she mindlessly started to wipe down the bench. She couldn’t remove the foolish smile off her face. In that one momement, she was completely happy with her life. She had been so up in the clouds that she didn’t notice anyone walk through the shop door until they stood before her. Clara looked up to see blonde curls neatly pulled to the side before her.

  “He must be pretty special if he makes you this happy, Clara.” Her smile faded and bitterness took over her. She thought they were done, but apparently they still had another round between them. Clara sighed out and dropped the cloth.

  “Elizabeth.”

  All Clara could see in front of her was a tall backstabbing blonde with whore-filed nails and hoochie-mama-heeled boots, typical essentials for any man-stealer. Instead of the usual tight dresses Clara was used to seeing Elizabeth in, she wore a pair of blue skinny jeans and a red tank top.

  “What do you want?” Clara said with a grunt.

  Elizabeth frowned at Clara’s grunt and placed a hand on her hip. “I liked that smile on your face. Can't help but think that I took that away from you,” Elizabeth said as she approached the counter.

  "That’s because you did. Now what do you want?" Clara’s patience was wearing thin. She was sure they had settled everything last night.

  "I used to be Elle to you." The sad tone was clear in her voice. If she was appealing to Clara’s emotional side, then Elizabeth was wasting her time.

  "You used to be a lot of things to me…” Clara walked away from Elizabeth and to the tables next to the window. She grabbed the legs of a chair, flipped it, and placed it on the ground. The metal scrapped along the floorboards as Clara tucked the chair in, and she cringed at the sound. She turned to face Elizabeth. “You know… before you slept with my boyfriend.”

  “I can’t tell you how sorry I am.”

  Clara raised her hand to stop Elizabeth. “You know what, I feel like we’re about to have the same conversation as last night and I’m over it. I told you I never wanted to see you again, and what do you do, you show up at my workplace!”

  “You know I don’t leave things unfinished,” Elizabeth explained as she walked over to the table and started to assist Clara with the chairs.

  “Should you really be lifting chairs?” Clara wondered as she stared at Elizabeth’s stomach.

  “You seem concerned.” Elizabeth laughed lightly as she placed a hand over her belly.

  “I'm concerned about the baby,” Clara corrected as she moved away from Elizabeth and to the next table.

  “Just give me five minutes, and then I’ll be out of your life for good. I promise.”

  Clara turned and sighed. “You have five minutes,” Clara announced as the sound of the doorbell rang loudly through the bakery.

  “I swear, I haven’t seen anything so badass in my li—” Stevie said as she and Annie walked through the bakery doors. They both stopped at the sight of Elizabeth. Clara watched as Stevie glared at Elizabeth and then looked over at her.

  “What is that doing here?” Stevie groaned out.

  “Stevie,” Elizabeth said. The fear in her tone was obvious; so was the quiver of her lip. Elizabeth truly feared Stevie, and that made Clara smile.

  “If I wanted to see a home wrecker first thing this morning, I would have personally knocked on your door. But I didn’t, and I don’t think Clara would have, either. Was she not clear enough last night?” Stevie sassed as she took a few steps toward Elizabeth. They were eye to eye, and this was a showdown Clara knew Stevie was hoping for.

  “So these are your best friends now, Clara?” Elizabeth acknowledged, not taking her eyes away from Stevie. Stevie looked menacing, and Clara was glad they were friends.

  “Yes, we are. In fact, Clara couldn’t ask for better friends. We love her and respect her. We wouldn’t sleep with her boyfriend or any guy she’s interested in. Right, Stevie?” Annie stepped in, and there was an approving nod from Stevie.

  “Okay. That’s enough.” Clara said, trying to defuse the hostile situation she found herself in.

  “Annie and Stevie, why don’t you help Josie with the cupcakes? I agreed to five minutes with Elizabeth, so I am going to honour it.”

  “The bitch doesn’t deserve a moment in your presence, let alone five minutes!” Stevie complained.

  Clara shot Annie a look. Annie, taking the hint, led Stevie into the kitchen by the elbow. Walking over to the table near the window, Clara took a seat and Elizabeth followed.

  “So talk. I’m kind of busy,” Clara stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

  “I’m sorry for what I did. I should have handled it better, and I didn’t. I was selfish and inconsiderate. I realise I need to fix that if I’m going to be a single mother,” Elizabeth said as she twiddled her fingers. Clara knew Elizabeth only ever did it when she was anxious.

  Single mother?

  “After last night I broke up with Darren. Seeing him beg for your forgiveness made me realise that he didn’t really love me. He just liked that I was easy and he could have sex with me whenever he wanted. I realised too late, and should have known when he didn’t tell you after I begged him to. I need to think of what’s best for the baby, and Darren isn’t it,” Elizabeth said, giving Clara a faint smile.

  “I’m sorry to hear,” Clara offered, not really sure what to say.

  “Where’s the ‘I was right’ speech I expected?”

  “I’m not like that.”

  “He’s really changed you,” Elizabeth pointed out.

  “Yeah, Darren cheating on me really changed every—”

  “No, I mean that guy from last night. He’s changed you,” Elizabeth corrected.

  Clara frowned at her statement. “You mean Noel?”

  “That’s the guy! I have a feeling there’s a story there, but I’m in no position to ask for details. He’s changed you, and the way you look at him tells me you really care about him. When you calmed him down, I just knew it was more. Actually, you both had the same look in your eyes. I was really surprised when you punched Darren. He had to go to the hospital to get stitches on his nose from your hit. I made a mistake, and I know that now. I lost an amazing friend because of my selfishness. I’m h
appy for you, Clara. That smile on your face and that sparkle in your eye, I can see the love you have for him.” Elizabeth smiled.

  Clara froze at the “L” word.

  Do I love Nolan Parker?

  The sound of metal scratching wood pierced her ears and brought her back to reality. Her head hurt from her thoughts and Clara clenched her fists.

  “Damn it!” she hissed in frustration. The throbbing in her right hand seared her. She had completely forgotten about her bruised knuckles.

  “You okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she said, trying to deflect any topic of Noel.

  “Well, I wish you every happiness with Noel. I’m glad you found the love you deserve.”

  Clara flinched.

  There was that word again.

  “I wish you well with your pregnancy,” Clara genuinely said after a moment of silence. Elizabeth gave Clara a smile before turning for the door.

  “Jarred and I are back together!” Annie squealed.

  “Isn’t it great news?” Stevie chimed in. Clara looked at her quizzically. Stevie would normally pull a disgusted face or a sarcastic remark.

  “It is, Stevie?”

  “Of course it’s great news, Lawrence. It means I can stop listening to Jarred moan about it. I swear his mother and I have bonded over his annoyance. And you know, I haven’t liked a single hair on that woman! Now we're best of friends. We literally had a glass of wine to celebrate because now Annie and Jarred can annoy the shit out of each other!” Stevie explained as she patted Annie’s back.

  Happiness ran through Clara’s body as the pain in her hand numbed. She was truly happy that Jarred and Annie were back together. Clara shook her head as she remembered Elizabeth’s words. She couldn’t possibly love Noel. She enjoyed kissing him and having his body touch hers, but that was pure attraction speaking, she was sure of it.

  “Umm, Clara, you blanked out again. Stevie told me to leave you like that, but you seem to be thinking about something pretty intense. Want to talk about it?” Annie asked. The frown looked out of place on her pretty face.

  “Sorry, the pain in my hand is getting to me,” Clara lied. She watched as Annie and Stevie exchanged looks; they weren’t buying it.

  “So, Noel and Liam? You’ve been quite busy, Clara,” Stevie questioned as she finished a sip of her caramel latte.

  “Team Noel!” Annie shrieked in support. Clara and Stevie looked at each other from across the table.

  “You haven’t even met Liam!” Clara scolded. Annie shrugged with a large grin on her face.

  "This isn't Twilight, Annie. Pull your head out of your ass! We have to support Clara. Team Noel and Team Liam is not a go. I should slap you for even referencing Twilight in the light of day. Clara is our friend!" Stevie snapped.

  “I’m sorry, Clara. It’s just after last night… Noel punching Darren and after…” Annie said before Stevie nudged her. Clara tensed. She was under their inspection.

  “What Annie is saying is, we totally saw you making out with Noel! Against a tree, and it was very intense.” Stevie cocked an eyebrow.

  Clara’s cheeks burned. “You both saw?” Clara’s jaw dropped.

  “I knew it was a matter of time!” Stevie beamed. Clara rolled her eyes at her.

  Clara started to flush at the memories of last night: every kiss, every touch, every laugh, and every shot of pleasure. She shook her head. It was an attraction. It was as simple as that. But Clara knew that she’d miss his lips on hers if he left; she wanted to explore every inch of him, and maybe that’s why she wanted more. It was more than just his kisses that would make her miss him. She wanted Noel on a different level—an emotional one. Clara sighed.

  “Do you think I’m being stupid? I mean, I told him I’d give him a chance, and I want to. But is it that easy for me to forgive him? Before my birthday everything was going great but… I just don’t know. Maybe I’m thinking too much into this.” Clara stared at her cup. Maybe it was a mistake for them to be anything more.

  “Clara, the thing about boys is that they don’t think, they act. If he’s really serious about wanting to be with you, he’ll act on it. He will serenade you with everything he has for your forgiveness. And last night, Noel taking Darren out like that, it kind of shows his interest in you. You just need to make a choice whether that act last night was worthy of your forgiveness. The choice is up to you,” Stevie explained before peeling the paper off her cupcake. Sighing, Clara rested her chin in the palm of her hand and looked out the window at the quiet street.

  Was last night’s act really worthy of my forgiveness?

  “Ready to lift the heavy bastard?” Rob asked behind him. Noel put his hands on his hips and sucked in the air his lungs so desperately needed. He felt the pain of every breath he took; his legs and his arms burned. He forgot what it was like to row ten kilometres down the Yarra.

  “Yeah, I’m good on this end,” Noel called out as he approached the double scull rowing boat. Removing both oars, he placed them on the bank of the river and stood up to see Rob do the same before they tipped the boat over.

  Both squatting, they lifted the boat above their heads and rested it on their shoulders, taking the oars in their hands. Slowly, careful not to drop it, they walked to the boathouse.

  “Just drop it off near the roller doors. I’ll get one of the junior rowers to put it away,” Rob instructed as they crouched down and placed the boat on the ground. Breathing out, Noel stretched his muscles to prevent the stiffness, though it’d be pointless. Rob instructed one of the younger rowers to put the boat away before he returned to Noel.

  “Want to grab a beer?” he asked as Noel wiped the sweat off his forehead. The thirty-degree heat did not help with the ease of their workout, but he had promised Rob a tougher session than their usual five-kilometre row.

  “Yeah, I’m up for one.”

  “We’ll head down PJ’s. It’s only five minutes away,” Rob said as they headed inside the row club and towards the locker room.

  Noel had forgotten how much he loved PJ O’brien’s Irish Pub. The smell of Guinness and roast was in the air. Nothing beat PJ’s on Southbank; the one at Melbourne airport held nothing to the pub he was currently standing in. Spotting a free table towards the back of the bar, they walked towards it.

  “Carlton or Guinness?” Rob asked as Noel took his seat on a stool.

  “I’m at an Irish Pub, like you have to ask!” Noel laughed. He was thankful for the shower he had at the row club. His clothes didn’t stick to his body from sweat, and the cold water did wonders to relieve the burning sensation in his body. Feeling his phone vibrate, he reached in his pocket and retrieved it to find a message from Clara.

  The smile on his face stretched farther as he looked at her name. It had been three days since the engagement party, and ever since that night they had been inseparable. He had spent every night with Clara in his arms, and everything between them was perfect. But he could see the doubt in Clara’s eyes, and that had him on high alert.

  Clara: Hey, I know you’re on your play date with Rob. Just wanted to let you know that I’m at the bakery for a bit. I’m working out the kinks with this cupcake. Not sure when I’ll be home. Have fun on your row date!

  “Hey there!” he heard a female voice greet. Looking up from his phone, a dark-haired, pale-skinned woman with bright red lips took the seat in front of him.

  “Hey.”

  Noel found himself comparing the woman in front of him to Clara. Her hair was far too dark, skin too light, and lips too red. Had she been sitting in front of him almost a month ago, he’d have been interested, but right now he wasn’t.

  “Jewel,” she announced as she nursed her Carlton draft. Taking in Jewel, he noticed she didn’t have Clara’s cheekbones or that faint mole on her cheek. Her eyes were too dark and ominous, not the pure golden brown colour like Clara's. She simply wasn’t Clara.

  “Noel.”

  “I’ve had my eyes on you for a week now. I see you rowi
ng every time I go for a jog,” Jewel said in a low voice, her hand stroking his. Jewel’s touch felt off, almost too rough. He pulled his hand away. His heart only wanted Clara.

  “Look, Jewel, you seem lovely. But I’m seeing someone at the moment. I’m honestly flattered, but I’m quite happy.”

  He watched her frown, down the rest of her beer, and say, “Always the good-looking ones. She’s very lucky.” Jewel got off the bar stool and sulked towards the front of the pub.

  “Did I just see you turn down ‘Jewel the runner’?” Rob asked in disbelief as he set down their beers and sat in the stool in front of Noel.

  “So, what of it?” Noel replied as he took a sip of his Guinness. He always loved the coffee-like aftertaste of it.

  “It’s ‘Jewel the runner!’” Rob emphasised as he looked at her disappearing figure.

  “Well, Jewel doesn’t have what I want.” Rob turned his head back at Noel.

  “You mean she isn’t Clara?” Rob asked, raising his eyebrows. Noel shrugged as he took another mouthful of his beer, savouring the taste.

  Bingo!

  “Actually, I’m quite impressed. I seriously thought you’d crack for her. ‘Jewel the runner’ has all the rowers on high alert. She runs in this sports bra, and you should see the young rowers. They stop in the middle of the river and try to take videos of her. It’s the breast factor that gets your attention. I can’t say I haven’t had a look. She’s hot as hell! But you turned her down!”

  “And?” Noel raised his voice as the pub started to grow louder with the increasing number of patrons. The dark oak furniture of the pub and the amount of people made the place feel smaller than it was.

  “You told her you were seeing someone,” Rob clarified as he took a long pull of his beer, almost draining it of all its contents. “I stood there and watched you. I thought for sure you’d chat her up, but instead you shut her down. Is this seeing someone Clara?"