3
The next day I woke up to a tray of scrambled eggs on toast, a bowl of fresh fruit, freshly squeezed orange juice and a pot of tea, all on a lap tray so I could enjoy a breakfast feast in bed. Surprisingly I quite fancied the tea, and the scrambled eggs didn’t make my stomach turn like they might have done before. Maybe being at Nan’s had altered my taste buds I thought. I scoffed it all down and then headed into the kitchen to pop the tray back and wash up my things.
“Did you sleep okay love?” Nan was washing up at the sink, and turned to grab my things off me so I plonked myself down in a chair at the wooden kitchen table.
“I slept like a log Nan, your beds are the most comfortable in the world.”
“Can’t beat your own bed, and this is still your home Ella.” Nan smiled.
“So what do you plan to do today?” She asked.
I had hoped for a day of complete nothingness but then again I supposed a walk out would help clear my mind. Plus I had no clothes or toiletries with me, so a trip to the local town would have to be done at some point today.
“I’m going to head into town and stock up on a few bits and pieces.”
“I had noticed the lack of luggage.” Nan peered over at me trying to read my mind no doubt. “Leave in a hurry did you?”
“Something like that.” I hung my head down and avoided her gaze. I didn’t have the energy for a grilling right now.
“Alright, if you need anything let me know Ella.”
“Thanks Nan.”
I headed back to my room and lay back on my bed. Then I started to go through all the things I’d endured since he’d come into my life. I’d been stalked relentlessly, made to watch videos and see pictures of him doing unspeakable things with other women, had to listen to blow by blow accounts of his sexploits at various social events whilst hiding in a toilet, had air stewardesses fawning over him, and now he’d got an employee pregnant. That wasn’t even including the fire and scary threatening letters and photographs of me being posted to us. My life sounded like a soap opera it was beyond crazy.
As I was putting together all the parts of the puzzle that was my life, I began to feel overwhelming anger and rage. How dare he come into my life and fuck it up so much. How dare he destroy my baby’s future. He was a selfish, self-centred egotistical asshole and I vowed to myself that from this day forward, I would always put myself first and never let another man control me like he had. All it led to was heartache and pain. He was right all along when he said he was no good for me, and now finally I agreed with him. He was not good for my health, my sanity or my self-esteem.
I decided to concentrate on myself and my little babba cooking away. He had made his bed, when he whored himself out like that, now he had to lie in it. I’m sure once he’d got me out of his system he’d soon find another unsuspecting girl to take my place. As sad as that made me feel, I pushed it to the back of my mind and sat up. I would put my brave face on today and go out, why did I need to hide away? I wasn’t the one who had been fooling around. I got myself ready and then said my goodbyes to Nan before heading off out to drive into town.
I’d forgotten how lucky we were in the city, with all the amenities so close by. The local town had one clothes shop, one chemist, a small supermarket and not much else. There was a quaint little coffee shop that had recently opened up next to the chemist and it looked cosy so I decided to grab a quick coffee and a pit stop. I might even treat myself to a cream cake I thought. Inside it was decorated like an old English parlour and the tea and coffee were served in china cups and mugs, almost like it was someone’s living room and you’d popped in for a catch up.
I chose a little table for two in the corner and sipped my latte. The cream éclair I had brought looked delicious and I knew it wouldn’t hit the sides as it went down. I stared blankly out of the window at the people shuffling leisurely down the street.
“Ella? Ella Reid is that you?”
I looked up to see a kind face staring back at me, brown eyes that crinkled at the corners as he smiled and smooth tanned skin on his face showing he was cleanly shaved today.
“Simon? Simon Tate? I have got it right haven’t I?”
He nodded with what looked like relief and sat down in the chair opposite me before going to stand up again and saying, “Sorry, I should have asked first before sitting down, I didn’t mean to be rude.”
“Don’t be silly, sit down. I’m on my own anyway.” I smiled at him hoping to put him at ease, he seemed so nervous for some reason.
“So what’s it been, eight, ten years maybe?” He put his coffee cup down in front of him and I noticed his hands were shaking slightly. Maybe it was a health thing.
“Something like that.” I replied. “How are you? How are your parents? What are you up to now?”
He shook his head and gave a quiet laugh.
“I’m doing good, great really. Mum and Dad are still living in the same house not far from your Nan. I’ve just moved into one of those houses on the new estate just outside of town.”
“Oh right, do you work local?” He seemed to be calming down a bit now. He must have been relieved I was being chatty and keeping the conversation flowing.
“I’m based at the local surgery just down the road. I’m a doctor now Ella, a GP.”
Oh no, not another narcissistic doctor was my first thought, before I looked up into Simon’s gentle face and realised this man in front of me could never be accused of being narcissistic.
Simon Tate had been in my class at school from the age of four until we left at sixteen. I had gone to the college outside of the town, desperate to get away from my little country roots, but he had stayed on at sixth form. It had obviously done him good, he was now the local doctor and was certainly doing well for himself if he could afford to buy a new build like the ones I’d seen on my drive over to Nan’s yesterday.
Nan had always had a soft spot for Simon. Probably because of that I had always hated him. He used to follow me around like a puppy in primary school, never quite finding his own group of friends. Then when we joined the local high school I made a point to always be stand offish with him, because he just always seemed to be where ever I was. He wasn’t a bad guy, he was just one of those hangers on. A few of my friends had fancied him in high school, and asked him out but he always said no. I was convinced he was gay and I told Nan on more than one occasion but she wouldn’t hear it.
“I’m pleased for you Simon,” I said and I meant it. “All your hard work paid off.”
He smiled looking down into his coffee as he stirred it absent mindedly.
“So what brings you back here Ella? Your Nan said you were settled in the big smoke and ruling the advertising scene up there.”
“Hardly!” I sighed. “The city is great, but I do miss this place, how everyone looks out for each other. It’s a good community down here, it feels…safe.”
He nodded, “There’s always someone to watch out for you down here.”
I didn’t mind the safety, but the ‘watching’ made me wary. I’d had enough of stalkers lately.
“How long are you here for? Maybe we could catch up one evening? That’s if you wanted to, I mean I’m not coming on to you or anything…please don’t think I’m being a creep or …”
“It’s okay Simon stop worrying and yes I’d love to catch up. I’m staying at Nan’s for a while so pop over anytime. I’d give you my mobile number but I’m between phones at the moment.”
“Oh right, well that’s great. I’ll do that then Ella.”
He stood up his nerves now back in full force as he hesitated on whether to shake my hand or just walk away. I decided to put him at ease and I stood up and went round the small table before pulling him in for a small hug and a kiss on the cheek. He turned bright red and it made me feel suddenly protective of him. He was one of life’s good guys and I had treated him terribly in my childhood. I’d have to make amends now, I decided. Time to right some wrongs.
; 4
“I met Simon Tate when I was out shopping today. He’s a G.P now did you know that Nan?”
“I’d been meaning to tell you that last time I phoned you Ella. I bumped into his Mam at the farmers’ market last month and she said he was working in the town. He’s just brought a four bedroom detached house on the new estate that’s being built. He’s doing ever so well for himself and no wife or girlfriend either!”
I knew what she was getting at.
“Don’t start that Nan, I’m not going to start dating Simon Tate. He’s not my type and never has been.”
“What? Handsome, wealthy, clever and kind not your type? What sort of Granddaughter have I raised?”
“One that can make up her own mind.” I snapped back but it was all in good sport. Nan and I had always disagreed about Simon Tate.
“He’s always loved you Ella, even when you were both in nappies and he’d toddle round after you at the local community centre play group.”
“Oh please, we were kids, and I’m pretty sure he’s gay you know.”
“That’s not what I’ve heard! There have been girlfriends you know. But no one matches up. No wonder, he’s set the bar high by comparing them to my beautiful Granddaughter.”
I rolled my eyes and headed back to my room loaded down with my shopping bags. I’d never win this argument with Nan, I hadn’t won it in twenty four years so I wouldn’t win it today. I wondered what Joe would make of someone like Simon. What would Simon make of Joe? I think Simon would be scared out of his wits and Joe would be baffled at how gentle Simon was. If two men could ever be polar opposites it was Simon and Joe.
Just then Nan popped her head round the door.
“Salsa at seven! We leave at six thirty so I can get a decent parking space okay. You’ll love it Ella, its great fun.”
“Okay but if I decide to sit out and watch then let me, no harassing me or dragging me up to the teacher okay!”
“Yes, yes, I’ll behave.” She grinned.
When six thirty came I headed out with Nan. She was wearing some strange red silky skirt with lace around the bottom and a red t-shirt on top. The last thing I would expect to see my Nan wearing was a skirt like this. I was in jeans and a tight white t-shirt. I really had no intention of getting up and doing any kind of dancing this evening.
When we got to the community centre or dance studio as Nan kept calling it, she introduced me to all her crowd. Harold looked like he was ready for strictly come dancing in a tight shiny grey shirt and even tighter black trousers. They should have been banned on people his age, he looked ridiculous, he didn’t care though, he looked proud as a peacock. It was clear that the other older ladies in Nan’s gang were vying for Harold’s attention, but he only had eyes for my Nan. Us Reid women knew how to keep the men on their toes.
When seven o’clock came I sneakily tiptoed backwards to find a chair at the back and slid down it to make myself as small as possible. I had stashed a magazine in my handbag to read in case I got bored so I pulled that out and hid behind it.
“Evening ladies, and Harold. How are we all today?” A deep male voice spoke out to the hall full of Nans and older Mums, oh and Harold. I peeked out from my magazine. Holy crap I could see what Nan meant now. The Salsa teacher was kind of hot. Robyn and Chris would have been all over him like a rash, depending which way he was inclined. He had dark hair slicked back and a square jaw that was cleanly shaved. His mouth had a cheeky smirk that never went away, only got bigger and cheekier. He was wearing a tight black shirt and trousers, but unlike Harold he could so carry it off. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad to watch after all.
“So tonight we will start with the Mambo in our couples, do I have a spare to demonstrate with tonight?” he asked.
Several women moved forward but Nan piped up, “My Granddaughter doesn’t have a partner.”
Fantastic! The woman never knew when to shut up. All the women in the group spun round to shoot daggers at me as Mr Salsa Hottie’s eyes nearly flew out of his sockets. He probably wasn’t used to seeing someone under sixty at his dance class.
“I’m only here to watch.” I said apologetically, waving my hand to indicate that ‘No I’m not moving from this spot thanks’.
“No one sits down in Paolo’s dance class.” He said sashaying over to me and grabbing my hand to pull me up and to the front of the class. I could feel the heat in my body rising to my chest and neck then into my cheeks. I was mortified to be on show like this, but Nan was beaming back at me and loving every minute. I would so get my revenge on her.
“So ladies, Harold, watch closely as we demonstrate the beauty and seduction of the Mambo.”
Paolo pressed play on the CD player and stalked over to me with hunter’s eyes. He grabbed me tight around the waist making me give a startled cry. I heard Nan chuckle and I wanted to turn and give her a death stare but there wasn’t time. Before I knew what was happening he was pushing me forwards and backwards shimmying his hips and throwing me around. I was pretty sure the Mambo wasn’t supposed to be danced this close. Where was my dance space like they taught Baby in Dirty Dancing? I had zero arm space right now, but hey what did I know, I just went with the flow.
Once he had finished throwing me around, the hall erupted into applause and Paolo instructed them all to dance with their partner. I went to sit back down but he grabbed my hand and pulled me around the floor as he went around praising everyone.
An hour later when the class was finished he spun me round and held me close to him.
“I hope you will come back next week to help me demonstrate.” He said in a phoney Latino accent.
“I’m only here to visit my Nan, I doubt I’ll be here next week.” I gave a fake sigh as I tried to prize my hand out of his sweaty grasp.
“I must get your number then before you leave. I’m sure we can find time to schedule in some private practise.”
Urgh this guy was beyond slimy. I couldn’t wait to escape, I felt like I was the female skunk in those Pepe Le Pew cartoons from when I was a kid. He was all grabby and way too persistent for my liking.
“I’m sorry Paolo I have to get home to my husband and three kids.” I lied, but that just seemed to make him more eager.
“You can put my Granddaughter down now Paolo.” Nan appeared behind us and Paolo laughed as he kissed my hand and let me go then turned to do the same gesture to Nan.
“Oh get off, you see me every week, no need to kiss my hand like I’m the blooming Godfather.” She snapped and I couldn’t help stifling a laugh. She always knew how to put people in their place.
“She’s pregnant you know so no slipping her your number either Paolo, I know your moves.” She wagged her finger in his face now.
He held his hand to his chest in mock exasperation and tried to look offended.
“You might be easy on the eye but I know all about your little tete a tetes around these parts so mark my words Paul, you won’t get very far with my Ella, she gets all her sass from me.” I couldn’t help smirking at Nan’s reference to his real name and I linked arms with her as we headed back out to the car park, leaving a very flustered Paolo/Paul behind us.
“I thought you liked Paolo/Paul whatever his name is?”
“Oh I do, he fits those trousers perfectly, but he’s not good enough for you Ella, and he needed telling and putting in his place.”
“So why did you offer me up as his human sacrifice at the beginning?”
“To make you laugh. You haven’t laughed a lot since you came here yesterday and you used to laugh all the time. I thought if anyone can make her laugh its old octopus arms himself Paolo. Did you see his face when he got a load of you Ella? He looked like all his Christmases had come at once.”
I shook my head and gave a quiet laugh. What would Joe have done if he’d seen the way Paolo held me and danced with me tonight? Good lord it would have been total carnage, Paolo would never Salsa again after Joe had finished with him. Then I scolded myself because I knew
it wasn’t up to Joe who I danced with whether they were an octopus or not, I was in control of me, no one else. I laughed aloud as I imagined how ridiculous I must have looked being thrown around by the phoney Latin love God. At least I’d have something to tell Chris and Robyn next time I talked to them.
5
I woke up with a start, my body was covered in sweat and the mattress felt soaked underneath me. I glanced at the old fashioned clock radio on the white bedside table and it shone back at me with 4:28am on the red screen. I reached over to click the bedside lamp on and threw back the covers. What I saw will haunt me until the day I die. Blood, all over my new pyjama bottoms and soaking through to the mattress, bright red fresh blood.
“No No NO!” I screamed, pushing myself up the bed to sit against the head board. I started panting and shaking, I was freaking out. Minutes later Nan came crashing through the door. She took one look at the bed and went into nurse mode on automatic pilot.
“Come on love, try to stand up, we need to get you off to hospital.”
I held onto Nan’s arms as I slowly hauled myself off the bed. I could feel the blood trickling down my legs as I stood. I started crying and mumbling, not knowing what to do with myself. I was shaking like a leaf holding onto Nan as if my life depended on it.
“I’ll get your bag you just hold onto me and we’ll walk out to the car together okay? Do you think you can manage that?”
I nodded weakly, my legs were like jelly and I felt light headed but I had to keep it together until we got to the car. I couldn’t flake out on my Nan, she was too old to deal with all this.
Forever Yours Page 2