Sliding Doors

by Karen Klyne

  “See you tomorrow, Alex,” Val called from the front door.

  “Look forward to it,” she called back.

  Reece laughed. Alex couldn’t help but laugh too. She stared at Reece, who looked adorable in her scrubs with her hair scraped back.

  “How was it?” Reece asked.

  “Not bad. I seemed to prove that I could cope.”

  “I’m sure you did.” Reece breathed in. “It smells wonderful.”

  “Just a little something I managed to concoct all on my own.”

  Reece sighed. “It won’t be for long.”

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound facetious. I know they mean well, and I’m trying to show them that I’m not the Gemma they once knew.”

  Reece nodded. “Good. Don’t worry too much about it.” She picked her jacket up. “I’m going to change, and I’ll be down in ten.”

  After they’d all eaten, the children had half an hour’s TV, then Reece took them and got them ready for bed and read a story. Alex went up later to kiss them goodnight, and that was virtually the day over.

  The rest of the week was much the same, and Alex began to realise that raising two kids and looking after a house wasn’t exactly a doddle. It was a full-time job. The time she’d been prepared to spend on research and reading failed to materialize from under the minutia of daily living.

  On Friday, after taking the children to school, Val hung around. There was nothing much to do. The house was as clean as a whistle, and everything was ship shape. Alex was upstairs when she heard screams from Val.

  “Gemma! Gemma, come quickly.”

  She ran downstairs into the kitchen. There was water all over the kitchen floor. “What happened?”

  Val ineffectually hovered around the growing puddle. “It’s the dishwasher.”

  Alex switched the dishwasher off and found a mop and bucket. She mopped up the water then opened the appliance. She checked around the door opening. “Just as I’d suspected. It’s the door gasket.” She took a mental note of how the gasket was positioned and pulled it off. She checked inside the channels and cleaned it with a damp cloth. “I’ll order a new one. It should be here tomorrow or Monday. I guess in the meantime, we’ll have to wash dishes.” Alex threw the old gasket in the bin.

  Val frowned. “Do you know what you’re doing?”

  “Of course.”

  “Since when? You’ve hardly been able to change a lightbulb on your own.”

  Alex sighed. How could she explain she was capable of so much more? “I took a basic course in plumbing when I was in hospital.” That was a load of crap, but what else could she say? That she’d been doing this sort of repair since she was seventeen? No, she had to play their game, and slowly let them see she could do more than laundry.

  For once, Val was lost for words.

  The rest of the day went well, and later, when Val and Keith had left, they all sat down for dinner together. When they’d finished, Alex thought she’d better break the bad news about the dishwasher not working. “I’m afraid you’ll have to stack the dishes on the side, because the dishwasher’s caput at the moment.”

  Reece grimaced. “Yes, Mum said something about it flooding. She said you removed some rubber stuff and ordered a new part.”

  “Yes, it was the door gasket. I’ll fix it when it comes.”

  Reece laughed. “And where did you learn those skills? And don’t give me the one about the plumbing course.”

  Alex leaned back and stared at the ceiling. “Have you heard about people who’ve had a bang on the head, and they wake up speaking a foreign language fluently? Well, I suppose in my case it’s DIY.”

  Reece stared at her. “You really expect me to believe that?”

  “What other explanation could there be?” Alex held her gaze. The other explanation was the one she’d been providing all along, which no one wanted to listen to. So, they’d have to accept some other reason for it, whatever that might be. She wasn’t going to pretend she couldn’t do things just because the other woman hadn’t been capable.

  Reece didn’t answer, though she looked contemplative.

  Alex wondered what would happen when she began her next DIY job. She’d noticed that most of the hinges on the kitchen cabinets had sprained. If she didn’t get them sorted, one of the doors could drop on the children. Some shoddy workman had fixed the wrong hinges. And what would Reece say when she started buying a load of power tools? She’d face that one when it happened. But in the meantime, the subject was dropped.

  After dessert, Mattie clapped her hands together. She had a habit of doing that when she wanted to get attention.

  “What are we going to do tomorrow, Mum? That nice weathergirl says it’s going to be sunny.”

  Reece tilted her head. “Anything you had in mind?”

  “Can we go to the beach and take a picnic? All of us?”

  She turned her head toward Alex, possibly because she hadn’t joined them on their expeditions before. Alex grinned. “That sounds like a perfectly wonderful idea. You can show me your caves, and maybe we could play pirates.”

  Reece nearly choked on her wine. “Great idea.”

  The rest of the evening passed by quickly. The children stayed up a little later, and then it was the same sequence as any night. The chores were finished by ten, and by that time Alex was yawning. She hoped one day her sleep system would get back to normal, otherwise she’d be going to bed at the same time as the children. But as she fell asleep, she wondered how long Reece and Gemma had been living like this. Wives living separate lives except for the children. Didn’t she miss the intimacy? Didn’t she want more than a roommate who helped raise the kids? Alex hugged the pillow to her, wondering how Reece would fit into that space instead.

  In the morning, they all ate their cereal together, and Reece said she’d supervise the children with their showering whilst Alex prepared the picnic.

  “What time are we leaving?”

  “We can head off to the beach around twelve and have our picnic. Then the kids will want to play all afternoon.”

  “Sounds perfect.” Focusing on family instead of work was growing on her. She was enjoying getting to know what the children liked and what made Reece smile. She’d downloaded several books on parenting, but there was nothing like the real thing. And if she could lay carpets, renovate houses, plaster walls, paint and decorate, and turn her hand to a bit of simple electrical and plumbing work, this should be a cinch. She ignored the tinge of guilt that reminded her she was playing a role and this wasn’t the real thing.

  Everybody headed downstairs, ready to go. The kids were excited and full of energy and couldn’t wait to be off, and their enthusiasm was infectious. Reece pulled into the same spot she’d taken Alex to on her first outing from the hospital. They unloaded the boot and between them, carried everything down to the sandy beach. The temperature was a pleasant seventeen, but Reece suggested they set up camp by the sheltered bay in case there was a sea breeze.

  They placed their backpacks on some flat rocks along with the cooler bag. Callum and Mattie could hardly contain their excitement. They picked up their buckets and spades.

  “Can we go and play in the rock pools for a bit?”

  Reece put her hands on her hips. “I thought you were going to help me first?” She shook her head. “Go on then. Don’t go too far, just to the first one. And come back when I shout you.”

  They ran as fast as their little legs would carry them.

  “Right. I’ll put the beach mat out and peg it, and then we can get organised.”

  Alex saluted. “Yes, boss.”

  Reece slapped her forehead. “Sorry, Gemma. I’m so used to doing this on my own. I’m a bit of a control freak.”

  “No, you go ahead. I’m happy watching. Just tell me when I can help.” Actually, it was a novelty not being in charge, but she enjoyed watching Reece do just about anything, so giving up some control wasn’t all that hard.

  Reece took the beach mat ou
t from its carry pouch and spread it on the sand. The mat was massive, about seven feet square, and perfect for a picnic. Alex placed the cooler bag in the centre, then from another bag she took an assortment of chopping boards, cutlery, and plastic plates. She placed all the containers of food beside the boards, took the lids off, and lay it all out. There was cooked chicken breast, hard-boiled eggs, a green and black olive loaf, an assortment of raw veggies, tortilla chips, several dips, and cheeses with grapes. Then there were four containers with chopped fruit, melon, orange, strawberries, and blueberries.

  Alex looked up at Reece, who’d gone quiet. “Okay?”

  She shook her head and laughed. “Okay? I can’t believe this. It’s a feast and a half. You usually just throw sandwiches together.”

  Alex shrugged. “It’s just a picnic.” She’d tried hard to impress Reece and was pleased her efforts hadn’t been wasted. Reece’s smile made her tingly inside.

  Reece hollered at the children. “Come now, or we’ll eat it all up.”

  They came to a screeching halt, dropped their buckets and spades, and sat on the mat.

  Callum poked at the various dishes. “I want it all!”

  “I hope you like it.” The children’s appreciation and the way they smiled up at her made her breath catch.

  When they’d finished, Reece insisted they took a rest before dashing off. They helped pack the remnants of the food away and waited patiently, playing in the sand beside the beach mat. Eventually, Reece gave them the okay, and they ran back to the rock pools.

  Alex lay back and smiled when Reece lay on her side beside her, her head propped on her hand.

  “What?”

  Reece played with a thread on Alex’s sleeve. “I feel so much closer to you these days. And it feels like you really look at me…and the kids.”

  Alex winced, unsure how to respond. Honesty seemed best, regardless of the other stuff hanging between them. “I do look at you. You’re beautiful, and the kids are amazing. I’m sorry you’ve ever been made to doubt that.”

  Reece’s eyes widened, and her glance fell to Alex’s lips. Her heart raced, and she wondered if Reece was going to kiss her. She wanted that, but was it too soon? “Tell me something?” Alex said.

  Reece looked away from her lips. “Of course.”

  “If you could be a plant of any kind, what would you be?”

  Reece blinked, and then began to laugh. It broke the tension, and they devolved into a ridiculous conversation about the abilities of various plant humans. They were laughing, easy with one another, when the kids returned half an hour later.

  “The water’s dried up.” Callum grinned. “Can we play pirates now? You promised.”

  Reece folded her arms. “So, who’s going to be Captain Jack today?”

  Alex, Callum, and Mattie shouted, “Me, me, me.”

  Callum grimaced. “Maybe Mummy should be. She’s never been Jack before.” Mattie nodded in agreement.

  Alex stood and put her hands on her hips. “Okay, you scallywags, go and get my treasure.” She pointed. “You see them there shells on the beach, they’re full of pearls and worth a fortune. They’ll buy us riches beyond compare.” She playfully clipped the children behind their ears and then ran off to the rocks. They giggled and followed her down to the water’s edge. They collected bucket loads of shells and pebbles and carried them back to the small cove and piled them in a heap. They repeated their journey and when they got back, Alex saw Reece crouched behind a big rock. Suddenly, she sprang out and surprised them. She had a long stick in her arms and held it like a rifle.

  “Ah ha! What’ve we got here? Put your hands up, you brigands.” They all giggled and obeyed. “This is Her Majesty’s treasure. You thieves! You vagabonds! You bad pirates! I’m arresting you and taking you to the dungeons. I dare say you’ll never see the light of day again.”

  Callum nudged Mattie and Alex. “Run for your lives,” he whispered loudly.

  The three of them belted toward the seashore. Reece had given them a head start, and then she caught them up. She swept Mattie up in her arms. Mattie screamed and laughed. She put her down.

  “Don’t move or my men will shoot you.”

  Then she grasped Callum. He fought like a little tiger, but Reece had a firm hold and pinned his arms behind his back. She placed him next to Mattie.

  “Run, Jack, run!” Callum shouted. Alex ran circles around them and kicked sand onto Reece. She ran away, followed closely by Reece, who made a rugby tackle and took Alex down. They wrestled playfully, and then Reece pinned Alex’s arms above her head. They laughed hysterically. For a brief moment, their laughter ceased, and their gazes locked. Alex bit her bottom lip. Her heart crashed against her chest like the waves on the rocks. Reece’s eyes widened, and her breathing seemed heavy. The moment shattered as Callum and Mattie jumped on Reece’s back and knocked her over. She wrestled them, but eventually they sat on her tummy and held her down.

  Callum shouted. “Come and help, Mummy. She’s so ticklish.”

  Alex knelt beside them and tickled Reece’s ribs. Her sweatshirt had ridden up, and Alex was touching her bare skin, a sensation that sent tingles through her fingers and up her arms.

  “I give in,” Reece shouted, breathless and laughing.

  After the laughter died down, they got up and brushed themselves down. Reece caught Alex’s eye and smiled, and she smiled back. Something between them had shifted, and though it was disquieting, it was also exciting.

  The sun had gone behind the clouds, and there was a chill in the air, so they packed everything away and made their way back to the car. They drove home, unloaded the car, and the children went off to play with their toys in the lounge. Reece helped her pack the remnants away and then went off to do some work on her laptop. Alex relaxed on the sofa and watched the children. They seemed so contented, and when she thought about it, so was she. It was an unfamiliar feeling, but she liked it. She liked it a lot.

  Later they had home-made pizza and salad and watched another film together. She sat with her arms around the children, who curled up against her. Alex had never imagined a life like this. It was domesticated but satisfying. The kids never got to see the end of the film, because they both fell asleep. She and Reece carried them upstairs and put them to bed. Alex kissed them both and wished them happy dreams.

  Reece smiled at her. “I’m sure they’ll have wonderful dreams.” She tilted her head. “So will I. Thank you for giving us all a splendid day.”

  Alex brushed some fluff off her jeans. “I enjoyed it too.” She sighed. “Mind you, I’m absolutely whacked. I hope this clock in my head adjusts soon.”

  There was a moment of silence, of things left unsaid, before Reece took a step back.

  “It will. Goodnight, Gemma. Sleep well.” Reece turned and headed for the stairs.

  “Night, Reece.”

  She went into her room, stripped off, and slid under her duvet. She picked up her iPad with thoughts of doing some research, then put it down again. Her eyelids were heavy, and she was far too tired to Google anything. But she wasn’t too tired to think about the events of the day and the evening. Callum and Mattie seemed to really like her. They weren’t hers, but as sure as bricks were bricks, she was becoming attached to them…and their mother.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Reece poured herself a glass of wine and sat on the sofa. She sipped it and mulled over the events of the last few days, which only brought confusion on many fronts. She got up and found her notepad and a pen. Laptops were for work. She needed to write her thoughts down in proper ink. She began to make a list of all the differences she saw between the woman she’d spent all these years with and the one who had come home from the hospital. What had she noticed first?

  Her voice and her mannerisms. The doctor had an explanation for both, but she wasn’t sure if she believed that.

  Only the occasional glass of wine.

  Much healthier. Doesn’t complain about headaches. Laughs a lot. />
  Looks much fitter in body. Definitely.

  Fuller breasts.

  God, she didn’t want to dwell too much on that subject. However, her attraction to Gemma was increasing by the day. And that was another strange thing. Gemma evoked a totally different desirability than ever before. When they’d first met, her feelings for Gemma were slow, and she’d grown to love her in time. Now, she was not only experiencing a great fondness but also a strong physical desire. Hell, her hormones were all over the place.

  Her knowledge of flowers.

  Football. Gemma hated football. Mind you, so did Reece. But Callum loved it. He was an avid supporter of Southend, and her poor dad did his grandfatherly duties on the odd occasion. Still it was a new interest she could share with her son.

  Her organisational skills. Her mum had told her how she’d developed a system for the laundry and ironing and all the other household chores. Gemma had drifted through the day doing the bare minimum, let alone being organized and quick about things.

  Her patience with the children. She actually looked like she was having fun.

  Her cooking talents. Gemma used to hate cooking. Now, Reece looked forward to seeing what she made.

  Her knowledge of DIY. Before, she’d call someone in to oil a hinge.

  She was sure there were many more points that she’d missed, but those were enough. Looking at them, it was almost as if the old Gemma and new Gemma were polar opposites.

  She’d hazard a guess that Gemma’s psychiatrist would come up with some medical explanation, but she was damned if she could. Unless of course…no, it was bizarre to even contemplate Gemma’s story. Or…was it? She resolved to keep an open mind and make notes, and perhaps even do some research. Yes, that could help, though she doubted if she’d find anything. There’d been a time when Reece had enjoyed studying the occult, when she’d been interested in unexplained phenomenon. But after the children were born, she’d put away those interests to concentrate on the here and now. Maybe she needed to be more open. She shook her head at her train of thought.