'What is it?' she asked. 'Mike? Are you all right?'
'Sarah?' he said softly.
'Hallo my darling. I thought I'd surprise you.' Joanne froze as this girl came to Mike and kissed him with all the passion she might once have shown him herself. 'How are you, my love?'
'F...fine.'
'It's wonderful to see you again. I managed to get a flight, at the last minute and now I'm home for ages. Plenty of time for us to get married.'
Joanne's eyes opened wide and she stared at the pair.
'I'll wait for you in the car,' she managed to mumble. The woman, Sarah, looked at her as if she was dirt.
'Don't you worry about him. I've hired a car. I'll take him to the reception.' She flung her words into the air somewhere in Joanne's direction.
'Oh, I see. Mike?'
'It's all right. I'm coming with you. I'll see you later Sarah.'
'But I can't bear to let you go quite so soon. Who is this woman anyway?' The latter phrase said in a loud stage whisper.
'I'm sorry. This is Joanne. Joanne Swithenbank. Joanne, please meet Sarah. She's an old acquaintance of mine.'
'An old ... what did you call me? Come on now darling. I'm your fiancee. Or had you forgotten about me?'
'No. Not at all.'
'I should think not indeed. Seeing as we are about to get married.'
'How come you decided to come back over here? I mean what are you doing here?'
'Three months leave, darling. We'll have plenty of time to get married and you can come back with me for a spell after that. A sort of honeymoon.'
'We obviously need to talk. I'll see you at the reception.' He turned away from the girl and took Joanne's hand and walked back to her car. Sarah stood behind them, calling out the sort of comments which should not be heard at anyone's wedding.
'I'm so sorry about what she said. I have to admit, it was a complete shock to see her there. She knew my cousin years ago and I suppose she got an invite to the wedding.'
'I feel totally shocked, Mike. I really don't think I can face up to meeting everyone at the reception. I'll drop you off and go back home.'
'Please don't. You can't leave me like this. Please, help me to face her. I really need to explain things to you too. Give me a chance, please.'
'You can come round to see me when you have time. I'm not sure a wedding reception is quite the right place to have this sort of discussion. Now, where exactly are we going?'
'Turn left in about half a mile.' They continued to drive along the road and when they reached the hotel, she stopped outside.
'Go on. Go into the place. I'll see you sometime.'
'Please, come in with me.'
'I can't. I really can't. Go on.'
She wanted to get away from it all as quickly as possible. Go somewhere she could disappear. Get right away from Michael Thomas. How could he have a fiancee? How could he? How could he even have been seeing her the way he had been doing, especially with a fiancee in tow?
'Please Jo. Please come with me.' He was begging her with every ounce of his ability.
'I can't. Don't ask me again. I really can't come in there with you and that woman. If you ever do sort things out, then you might come and see me again. Goodbye now.'
He got out of the car and she drove away with a flurry of gravel flying up behind her. Her eyes were full of tears. She felt an emotional wreck. Of all things, Sarah whatever her name was, was the very last thing she'd expected. Just when things were coming together again for them. She went home and took off her dress and jacket and flung it down in the corner of her room. She tugged on an old pair of jeans and sweater and thought about the recent weeks in her life. Until she had met Mike, everything had been simple, straight forward and well organised. Boring, maybe. Now, she had been left emotionally bereft. How many weeks was it since he'd impacted on her? Five, six, seven? Whatever it was, she almost wished she'd never even met him. Life was so much easier before he arrived on the scene. No heartache. No emotional turmoil. Men? Forget them. Life was easier without them. She should never have agreed to see him again. Just when she'd thought they were getting things straightened out once more, this Sarah person had to turn up. It was all too much for her.
She got back into the car and drove out to the country. She parked and went for a walk in some nearby woods. It smelt cool and damp in there and she walked briskly, so as not to get cold. After nearly two hours, she felt hungry. It was already latish into the afternoon. She went into town and bought fish and chips and took them home. One thing about her, she always felt hungry and emotions rarely stopped her from eating. She thought about the disastrous wedding. What on earth was happening there? She pushed the thought away and sat down to eat her fish and chips. Whatever was going on, she felt separated from it all and wanted to keep it that way. She put on her television and tried hard to get involved in whatever was on. She failed miserably.
It was eight o'clock by the time Mike arrived on her doorstep.
'I don't want to talk to you,' she announced as she opened the door.
'But you must let me explain. Please. Let me in Joanne.'
'I really don't want to listen to you right now.'
'Please,' he begged. She opened the door wide enough to let him in. 'Please, you must let me explain about Sarah.'
'If you really have to.'
'In a mad moment well over a year ago, she merely talked about getting engaged. She then cleared off to Africa. I wanted to know she didn't have any more thoughts about us being engaged and wrote to her in Africa to tell her it was the biggest mistake I'd ever made. I got no reply. I wrote again and still got no reply. I hadn't heard a thing from her in all that time. She's been working for a charity in some remote area. I mean to say, who goes off to somewhere stupid like that and never even contacts me?'
'She seems to think she's engaged to you. She feels she's got a claim on you.'
'Well, she really hasn't. It was all a couple of years ago that we got together and she's now been away for over a whole year. She's never had a ring or anything. I was pretty much over her. It's all in her mind now. Truly.'
'I'm sorry but if you ever get free of her, then it may be a different matter. For now, I'd like you to go. Thank you for explaining what you feel is the correct situation as you see it. I'd like to get my life in order once more. Get back to the peaceful life I used to lead.'
'But Joanne, you can't possibly mean it ...'
'Please, leave me now. I need some space.' She rose again and almost pushed him out of the door. Once he'd left her, she immediately collapsed again. She cried for the rest of the evening, despite trying to tell herself that she was well out of it. She went up to her bed and lay on it, fully clothed. She must have fallen asleep in the small hours and finally woke the next day feeling like rubbish. What on earth was wrong with her? When she thought she'd finally found someone nice, it turned out he was a rat bag. She picked up the discarded dress and jacket and dumped it in the dustbin. It felt good.
She set about cleaning the house. She scrubbed and polished and even washed the windows. The phone rang several times, as did her mobile. She ignored both of them. Each time she felt like crying again, she made herself do something else. By evening, she was exhausted. She made herself some supper and sat to eat it watching television. It had reached a silly point when she spent every evening watching television by herself, she thought. She must find other things to do. New things that would get her out and about. What ever had she done prior to meeting Mike? Watched quite a lot of television, she realised. Far too much television, she decided. She was back at work tomorrow, she thought. She would throw herself into her courses with new heart.
By the time Tuesday arrived, she felt nervous in case Mike arrived in her class again. She got everything prepared as early as possible and stood awaiting the arrival of her class. Mike arrived along with the others. She smiled at them all and began her lecture. Once they had all settled to their work, she wandered round as usual,
offering help where necessary.
'I am so sorry Joanne,' he said to her. 'Please, can we at least have a coffee after the class?'
'Sorry. I have something else to do. Now, is it clear what I asked you to do?'
'I think so.'
'That's good.'She walked away from this man, the man she had loved with all her being. She had to get over loving him and leave him alone. She really hoped he'd understand and leave her alone too.
'I really need to speak to you in private. Please, won't you have a coffee with me later?' It was the same old story. A coffee after the class and then who could tell where it could lead?
'I'm really busy, I am afraid,' she told him her words sounding a little forced. If he knew how much she was shaking inside...
'It's just that the software you ordered or suggested we order, has arrived. I've really struggled to install it. My father's asked if you really are coming to sort it out. Please, will you come?'
'This is not the time to ask,' she said softly, walking away from him, furious with him for even thinking of asking her.
The rest of the afternoon was spent looking after everyone else and she left him to work on his own. She felt quite bad about it and later on, went over and asked if he was managing his assignment.
'I guess so. Thanks for asking.'
'Look, I'm sorry if I sounded brusque but you know why. I have to get on with my life the only way I know how.'
'I can understand that. I'm just so sorry.' He looked so woebegone that she felt her heart soften. She would speak to him at the end of the class. But it would be on her own terms and she was the one who was definitely calling the shots.
'Okay everyone. Listen up now please.' When she had all their attention she spoke about her homework assignment. 'Any questions about it?' There were one or two queries which she was able to answer. 'Okay then. I'll see you next week. Leave this week's work on the side before you go please. Thanks everyone. Good work.'
As the group were all leaving, Mike looked at her again.
'Okay. One cup of coffee and you can ask me about whatever it is.'
'Thank you so much,' he said to her.
They went across to the students' coffee place and bought their coffee. It was packed solid, as usual. She was briefly empted to suggest they went to her office but she resisted.
'Sorry, it's pretty noisy here. Tell me what you want to know?' she said.
'It's the new software. I'm struggling to make it work in our system. I wondered if you could advise me in some way?' He was practically shouting to make her hear.
'What's wrong with it?' she hollered back.
'I'm sorry. This isn't working for me. I can scarcely hear what you're saying at all.'
'Okay, come over to my office.' She knew it was being silly, stupid but he really seemed to need to talk about something fairly technical.
She walked across the campus carrying her coffee and staying as far away from him as possible. To give him his due, he didn't try to take any advantage of the situation.
'Okay, now what's the problem?' she asked once they were seated.
'The new software you helped with. I've been struggling with it for ages. I simply can't make it work properly. My father's furious with me for insisting on getting it.'
'I suppose I could come over.' She felt very uncertain about the whole deal and didn't really want to allow herself to be involved again in any way.
'We'd be really grateful if you could.'
'Okay then. I'm literally only coming to install it, you realise?'
'Of course. I hated asking you but ... I know it's difficult for you to fit it in.'
'I have no lectures on Thursday morning. I could come over to you then,' she told him, looking at her diary. 'If all goes well, I can leave you after that, to do my afternoon class.'
'That would be terrific. Thank you so much. So, how are you?' he asked tentatively.
'Fine thanks. And you?'
'I'm in my usual muddle. I have tried hard to clear Sarah out of my life. She doesn't seem to realise that we were never really engaged but I won't be happy till she's gone back to Africa. I don't know how on earth she thought we could be married and she could carry on working there. I suspect she's slightly potty.'
'Well, let's hope it all works out for you. And you're still busily escorting Barstow women around?'
'I've had the occasional call. I'm not really doing much on that front at present.'
Jolly good. I'll see you on Thursday.'
'Joanne. Please ...'
'If there's nothing else? Good. I'll see you on Thursday,' she repeated, determined he wasn't going to get any closer to her. He gave a shrug and got up to leave.
'I do love you, you know,' he said as he was leaving.
'Goodbye Mike.' He turned to leave and she sighed very heavily as he closed her door. What was to stop them now? She had got everything she wanted ... he had said he loved her and that the wretched Sarah woman was moving back to wherever she came from. Wasn't that enough for her? She'd had a very boring life recently ... well, for the past couple of weeks at least. But surely, love had to mean something so much more? The past weeks had seemed to hang really heavily on her and she knew it was partly her own fault. She had turned down Trisha's invitation to supper on several occasions and steadfastly refused to discuss her affairs with anyone. She would go to Mike's factory on Thursday and do the work his father had asked her to do. What the future brought was up to her, as well as him.
By the time Thursday arrived, she had worked herself into quite a state. She was up early and got herself ready to move straight from the factory to college in time for her afternoon class. Fortunately, the bosses never minded if their lecturers weren't on site all the time. She drove to the factory, not entirely sure what they knew about the situation between her and Mike.
'Hallo my dear,' Mr Thomas greeted her happily. 'Very good of you to come and see to this computer stuff for us.'
'Hallo Mr Thomas. It's not a problem. Or at least I hope it won't be a problem. I'll go through to the office if that's all right? Make a start on the installation.'
'Mike tells me it's going to save money eventually. I just hope he's right. I simply don't understand those computer things at all. Go on through. Mike's in there.'
'Thanks. Nice to see you again,' she said politely.
'Lovely to see you too. We must fix up for you to come over to have meal with us very soon.' She smiled and nodded as she went into the office. How very difficult it all was.
'Morning Mike,' she said. He was sitting at the computer, trying to make something work.
'Good morning. Thanks again for coming over. The software's here. All ready for you to work your magic with it.'
'You can leave me with it,' she told him. In truth, it was always easier if someone left her working on her own.
'Okay. I'll be in the factory if you need anything.' That was good she thought. No protests or persuasion tactics.
She began her work. She worked on through most of the morning, interrupted only by cups of coffee. At twelve-thirty, Mike came in once more. Her heart gave its usual leap at the sound of his voice.
'I'm sorry to interrupt you but I felt you should know it's twelve-thirty. I wasn't sure of your plans for the rest of the day.'
'Heavens, is it really? I'm really sorry but it isn't quite finished yet. I'll have to leave it and come back later on. Is this all right?'
'I'm sure it will be. I won't need to use it for the rest of the day.'
'Okay then. I'll come back once I've finished at college. I should be clear by five so I'll see you after that.'
'Thanks so much. You must send us a bill in for your expertise.'
'Don't worry about it. I'll see you later.'
She drove away, feeling pleased with both her efforts and the fact that Mike hadn't said anything more about them. Maybe they could continue to see each other on a casual basis? She doubted that very much.
Chapter Thirteen
Joanne's class that afternoon was not her best. She was concerned about the work she had done so far at the factory. Besides all of this, she was feeling hungry. It was never a good move to miss lunch but she had done and she was now irritable. Whatever happened after her class, she needed something keep her going.
As soon as she was finished, slightly earlier than usual, she dashed across to the canteen. She picked up a sandwich pack and a drink and went to her car. She was so hungry, she ate it sitting in the car park. She drove over to the factory and went into the office to settle back to her task. Mike was working on one of the machines and waved as she went past. Mr Thomas greeted her and wished her well. He hesitated but left her to it. She worked solidly for an hour before Mike came in.
'Sorry to interrupt,' he apologised, 'but Dad's organised a meal for us at his place. Is this all right with you or is it too embarrassing?'
'I have to run through a test sequence and then I'll see.'
'He phoned Mum to get it all set up. I hope you won't find it too much to handle.'
'They think we're still together, I take it?'
'I'm not sure but it's his way of rewarding you for all your work today. I'll leave you to it.'
She ran the sequence through and everything seemed fine. Could she, would she go with him to his parents house? It would seem rude not to. Besides, she was still very hungry.
'I'm through here.'
'I'll need to phone home. Will you come or not?' She thought for a moment.
'Okay but it mustn't be a late one.' She drove him, as he left his bike at the factory. They would collect it on their way home again. 'How are things with Mel and his girl friend?' she asked as they drove the short journey.
'Dire in the extreme,' he replied. 'He still wants me to move out so they can have their own love nest there. I doubt they'll afford the rent for too long but I'm staying there for a while longer, till things are sorted with ... Never mind.' He was about to say 'Us' she realised.
'I'm sorry to hear that.'
Getting a Life Page 12