And Then There Was You (8 page)

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Matt was moping around the house again. He was beginning to drive me insane. 'Go for a ride,' I suggested. 'It's a nice enough day.'

He shrugged his shoulders.

'You haven't been since Charlie's doctor told her not to. It's her he said shouldn't do it, not you. What happened to all your other cycle buddies, anyway?' I asked, irritated.

He shrugged.

'How about a motorbike ride? You haven't been out for a few weeks. Why not do that? I just want you to do something, Matt.'

He perked up a little bit.

'You could invite Howard to go with you?'

'Yes, I suppose,' he muttered.

'What's the matter with you, babe? Something's eating you.'

'Nothing, I'm fine, really. Must be the weather or something.'

I glanced outside – at the unusually bright blue sky for March – and arched my eyebrows. 'It's a beautiful day out there, why would it be the weather?'

'Maybe the moon, then,' he said, half smirking at me.

I laughed. 'Oh yes, you’re one of those people affected by the moon. Must be that. Do you want me to go out with you?'

He raised his eyebrows. 'You want to go out on the bike?'

I shrugged. 'If it makes you feel better.'

Matt smiled. 'It's a nice idea, but making you miserable won't really help matters, will it? Maybe I'll just go out for a ride for a bit.'

'That's the spirit.' I smiled. At last, a decision. Maybe I could try and get some work done in the meantime.

He disappeared into the garage and after five minutes, re-emerged with his helmet in his hands. He looked as if he was in slightly better spirits. I sat drinking a cup of tea at the kitchen table as he carefully cleaned his visor.

Then he went to put on his leathers, returning a few minutes later, all geared-up and ready to go. He was grinning.

'It's nice to see you smiling for a change,' I said as he bent over and pecked me on the lips.

'I'll see you in a few hours, then.'

'I'll be here. Just be careful.'

'I will,' he grinned.

'Love you,' I called out as the garage door slammed behind him. Minutes later, the deep burbling sound of his Yamaha R1 echoed throughout the house. I went to the front door and watched him close the garage door, before he climbed back on and rode down the road at a higher speed than he should have been driving – at least down our street, anyway.

As I turned to go back inside, I spotted Charlie standing in her living room watching him drive away. She wiped the side of her face and then, when she saw me, she looked a little embarrassed before waving and scurrying away.

Finally having the house to myself, I plodded up the stairs and walked into my office. It was my haven. Matt had decorated it for me within the last month. He'd done it exactly to my specification. I'd told him I wanted it to look like a forest, so he'd really gone to town. The most beautiful deep green forest wallpaper covered all four walls and a tall bookcase filled one side of the room. A thick dark green carpet covered the floor, and he'd taken special care installing a false ceiling, painted a deep shade of blue, which was filled with tiny holes. Lights above it made each hole twinkle like the most stunning night sky. My desk was in one corner, so my back was against the wall when I worked. And from there I could see both the gorgeous forest and out of the window. Heavy blackout blinds completely shut out any daylight if I wanted to just be in the dark; I tended to work better in the dark. I smiled every time I entered. Just being in there made me want to create a new book. Sadly though, my inspiration had come to an abrupt halt several months earlier. I wonder what caused it, I thought sarcastically as I closed the blinds and then lay on the floor, spreading my arms and legs out like a child as I looked up at my false sky.

I smiled though, as I identified the constellations that Matt had created. Sometimes he could be particularly sweet, even lately, in between his dark moods. Moods that he didn't want to talk about. He was shutting me out. But then, isn't that what I had been doing before? We hadn't really talked for months.

I rolled over on to my side and looked at the old fashioned brown lamp I'd found in a second hand shop in town. Most people thought it was ugly, but I saw the beauty in it immediately. It was moulded to look like leaves, and the second I'd spotted it, I knew it would be perfect for my office. Matt had looked at me as if I were mad when I'd brought it home, but when it was placed in the corner, it looked like it had been designed solely for that purpose. Even Matt had agreed it looked good.

I rolled forward onto my stomach and closed my eyes for a second. Maybe I could sleep for a little while, I thought, just as the doorbell rang. Groaning, I rolled over and stood up before switching off the lights and heading downstairs.

It was Charlie.

'Hey, Charlie,' I said, kissing her on the cheek. 'How are you?'

She leaned back with her hand on her lower back, accentuating the baby bump, which was flourishing. 'I'm not too bad, thanks, darlin'. A bit fed up of all this morning sickness, though.'

'I can imagine,' I said as I moved out of the way so she could come in. 'It's good to see you. We haven't seen much of you, lately. Would you like a cup of tea? I've actually got some ginger tea, if you fancy it?'

'Ooh, darlin', that'd be lovely, thanks. The doctor recommended I have ginger whenever I feel a bit nauseous.'

'Come on through,' I said as she followed me into the kitchen and yawned loudly.

'Ooh, sorry. I've just been so tired lately. I had no idea pregnancy played such havoc.' She smiled sadly. 'Oh Eve, I'm sorry,' she said. 'You must think I'm so insensitive, talking about being pregnant.'

'Don't be silly, Charlie. I'm delighted for you, and you can talk about being pregnant as much as you like. I came to terms with it a long time ago.'

'Really?' she asked. 'It's just that you seemed so upset when I told you I was expecting.'

I stopped for a second, hovering the ginger teabag over the cup before dropping it in. 'Well, occasionally i
t
i
s
hard. But it was more of a shock than anything. What with Adam having adult children, I guess I just wasn't expecting it, that's all.'

Charlie remained quiet for a while.

'Here you go. Careful, it's hot,' I said as I handed her the cup. 'Would you like a biscuit?'

'No thanks.'

'You sure? I've got Ginger Nuts?' I winked.

'Oh, if you insist then,' Charlie grinned and I pulled the unopened packet out of the cupboard.

'I'm surprised they haven't been opened yet, they're Matt's favourite. They don't usually last this long.'

'Oh really?' Charlie asked.

'He's not himself at the moment. I don't know what's wrong,' I sighed, taking a sip of my own Rooibos tea.

'Isn't he? Maybe it's the weather?' she suggested.

'Funny, he said the same thing. But the weather's perfect. For March, anyway.'

'Yes, I suppose so,' she said sadly.

'Are you okay, Charlie? You don't seem your usual perky self?' I smiled.

She looked out of the window for a moment before she shook her head. 'Oh, it's nothing. Probably just the pregnancy. Your hormones go crazy. It's not very nice,' she said quietly.

'Well, just a few more months to go, eh?'

'Just over two,' she muttered.

'Well not long then, not really.'

'I'm terrified,' she whispered.

'Oh Charlie, don't be,' I reassured her and sat down opposite.

'Adam said he'll be there but...but...'

'But what?' I asked.

'I don't really want him to be there.'

'Why ever not?'

Charlie shrugged her shoulders and looked a little embarrassed before speaking, 'I've already spoken to my sister, and she's promised to be there. I don't know, Eve. I just don't want him there.'

'Have you told him?' I asked.

'No... not yet.'

'I'm sure he'll understand.'

'Maybe.' She mused for a moment, and then, all of a sudden, asked, 'Where's Matt gone?'

'Just out for a ride. He was getting on my nerves, so I suggested it. He hasn't been out for a while. It'll do him good.'

'Yes it will.' She smiled.

'I think he misses you,' I said, laughing.

Charlie's face turned pink and she almost dropped her tea.

'Oh, careful. It's hot,' I said, going to grab it.

'Sorry. What do you mean, he misses me?' she whispered, as I wiped the little bit of spilled liquid from the table.

'Cycling,' I said. 'He likes going riding with you.'

'Yes, me too,' she replied shyly. 'I miss it too.'

Suddenly standing up and heading into the hall, she said, 'I'd better go. Thanks for the tea, Eve. Maybe see you soon?'

Before I had a chance to answer her, she was out the door, closing it behind her.

Weird.

CHAPTER TWELVE

I'd whipped up a chicken madras – Matt's favourite – for dinner, but by half past seven I was starting to get worried. He rarely stayed out on the motorbike this long. I paced up and down the hallway, trying to get him on the mobile – knowing full well that he wouldn't answer it if he was driving. Cursing him under my breath, I decided I'd just go ahead and eat before him. Sod him. If he was this late then he'd just have to re-heat it when he eventually got home.

I was just plating up when the doorbell went. Did he forget his keys? He never forgot his keys.

I put the saucepan of rice back on the side and headed to the front door. My heart did a flip as I opened it. A policeman stood staring back at me.

'Mrs. Brooke?' he asked, holding his hat in his hands and turning it around and around. 'I'm afraid there's been an accident,' was all I heard before I fell to the floor.

oOo

'Eve? Eve?' said a worried voice I recognised.

'Charlie? Wh...what happened?” I asked before I spotted the same police officer standing behind her in the hallway.

'You collapsed,' she said with tears in her eyes.

'What's happening? Where's Matt?' I asked. 'What happened to Matt?'

'I'm afraid he was involved in a crash, Mrs. Brooke.'

'Is he... is he...' Charlie whispered, holding on to the stairs.

'He's alive,' was all the police officer said, as Charlie and I both burst into tears.

'He's at the Royal United Hospital...'

'Eve! Eve!' shouted a voice from the driveway before Adam rushed in past the policeman, his face a mask of fear.

'Charlie? What's happened? Eve? Are you alright?' he said as he rushed to my side and kneeled beside me.

'It's Matt,' Charlie whispered, trying to hold back more tears from falling. 'He's been in an accident.'

'How bad is it? Where is he?' he asked, standing and turning to look at the police officer.

'He's at A&E at the Royal United Hospital, sir. I'm afraid I can't tell you anything else. That's all I know.'

'Thank you, officer. We'll go right away. Thank you.'

'Are you alright?' he asked, and I nodded.

'Yes, thank you,' I said, in shock as he nodded and turned to leave, closing the door behind him.

'Come on, put some shoes on. I'll drive,' Adam said as he helped me to my feet.

'I'm coming too,' Charlie cried, stumbling behind us.

oOo

'I'm sorry, but only Mrs. Brooke is permitted to enter the room at the moment,' said a young male nurse.

Adam nodded as Charlie wailed beside him, sobbing into her handkerchief.

'Charlie, for goodness’ sake,' he said to her. 'Pull yourself together, and go and sit down, would you?'

She wiped her tear-stained face and looked away from him in disgust.

He sighed as he took her arm and helped her to the nearest seat, where she struggled to get comfortable; big wet tears continued to stream down her face.

I followed the nurse into the room where Matt was being treated. Unprepared for what I was about to see, I almost collapsed at the sight of him.

He hadn't yet been cleaned of the blood, and his head was being supported by a neck brace.

'Matt? Matt?' I cried, 'Can you hear me?'

'Eve,' said a little voice from beyond the brace.

'Oh, thank God,' I whispered, as I approached his head.

'I don't know what's happening, I can't see,' his voice was broken and tears slid down the sides of his face.

I'd never seen him cry before, apart from a couple of really sad movies, but that didn't really count. My heart broke in that very instant.

'Oh, Matt. How are you feeling? Are you in pain?' I asked, as one of the nurses cleaning the blood from his limbs smiled at me.

'He shouldn't be, now that he has some morphine in his system,' she offered.

'What's wrong with him? Do you know what happened?' I asked.

'Apparently he T-boned a car. I think he was going quite fast. He's lucky to be alive. There are a couple of obvious broken bones, but we're just waiting to take him for a scan to determine the extent of his injuries. Don't worry, my love, we'll take care of him.'

I smiled gratefully. 'Thank you. Matt, did you hear that? You're being well looked after,' I said, trying to be strong.

'Don't nod, keep your head straight. Until we can rule out a neck or spinal injury, you must stay straight. Do you understand, Matt?' asked another nurse who had appeared with an orderly behind him. 'We're taking him for the scan right now, love,' he said to me. 'Why don't you go back to the waiting room and we'll come and get you when he's back?'

I nodded.

'Don't worry, he's in very good hands.' He smiled.

'I'll be right here when you get back, okay, Matt? I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere.'

'Charlie?' he asked suddenly.

'No, it's me, Eve,' I said. 'Charlie's here though, with Adam. He drove me here, Charlie came with us.'

'Charlie,' he whispered again, as he was rolled out of the room.

'Yes, Charlie,' I said.

I didn't think anything about it. He'd just had a really nasty accident, he was bound to be confused. I followed him out and then walked back into the waiting room, where Adam was sitting beside his wife, who was still crying. Hormones really do make you emotional, I figured.

She tried to stand up when she spotted me.

'Well?' she almost demanded. 'Is he okay? Is he going to be okay? Tell me, Eve. Tell me.'

I sat down and nodded. 'He's in good hands. He's got a couple of broken bones, but they won’t know the extent of his injuries until he's had the scan. They just took him for it now. I don't know how long it'll take, but they're going to come and get me when he's finished,' I said, as I began to cry again.

Adam stood up and pulled me towards him. 'He'll be alright, Eve,' he said, tenderly rubbing my back. 'Don't worry.'

'It was my idea he go for a ride,' I sobbed into his shoulder. 'He wouldn't be in this state now if it wasn't for me.'

'You can't blame yourself, silly. Shhhh,' he reassured.

His touch was like a hot bath, and my muscles began to relax beneath his fingers. I sighed and then suddenly stepped away from him, looking around for Charlie, but she wasn't there.

Adam gently took hold of my arm and led me to a chair. 'Sit down. I'll go and get us a sweet tea. Charlie? Do you want some tea...? Oh, she must've gone to the loo,' he said as he wandered off in search of a cafeteria.

It seemed like ages after we'd drunk a cup of tea that Charlie finally appeared, with dark rings under her eyes.

'Charlie, where on Earth have you been? You're seven months pregnant, you can't just disappear like that. We were worried,' he said, standing up and helping her to a seat.

'I just went for a walk,' she whispered. 'I couldn't just stay here and do nothing. I found where they do the scans...'

'Charlie, why would you do that?' he asked.

'I want answers, Adam. I want to know if he's going to be okay.'

'And?'

'They wouldn't tell me anything, because I'm not a...not a...relative. I'm not his...his... w-wife.'

'Exactly why you should have just stayed here and relaxed. It can't be good for the baby to be pacing up and down hospital corridors,' he scolded.

I zoned out and closed my eyes, hoping I might drop off to sleep, but it was useless, there was too much noise. People coming and going, machines bleeping, phones ringing, and so on. And that smell... it was horrible. The stench of sickness and extreme cleanliness combined. It wasn't doing my stomach any good. Maybe it was good that I hadn’t had any dinner, otherwise I might just have thrown up all over the floor.

I pinched the bridge of my nose; my head was starting to hurt and my shoulders were so tense that the ache was threatening to run down my entire back. God, listen to yourself. Your husband is lying there half dead and you're moaning about a little headache. Pull yourself together, woman.

I opened my eyes and looked around, just as the nurse appeared with a smile. 'Mrs. Brooke?' he asked, and I nodded.

Charlie stood up, 'Can I see him?' she begged.

Adam shook his head and looked away, embarrassed.

'I'm sorry, only Mrs. Brooke can see him at the moment. ' He turned back to me. 'Follow me.'

I followed him through into a different room and this time Matt had been cleaned up. His bike gear was gone and he was wearing one of those awful hospital gowns. A brace of a different kind was wrapped around his neck, and another nurse was busy treating some of his other injuries.

'He's going to be just fine,' she said. 'The scan showed nothing we should worry about.'

'But why the neck brace?' I asked, as I sat down in the chair they'd kindly placed beside him. I carefully took his non-bandaged hand in mine.

'Whiplash,' she said. 'A broken wrist, a small break in his ankle, and plenty of bruises. I'm afraid you'll be unable to, erm, partake in any sexual activity for a few weeks though.' She smiled apologetically.

'What?' said Matt, suddenly perking up a little.

'You have quite a lot of swelling in the nether regions. It's very common in motorbike accidents, unfortunately.'

'Bruised bollocks?' he asked, and I cringed.

'Very bruised,' she grinned at me. 'Don't worry though, most men heal quite quickly and can usually resume full sexual function in no time. You'll be fine. You need to be careful with your neck, wrist and ankle for a while, though.'

'Can I go home?' he asked.

'That's up to the doctor to say, but you'll probably be here for a couple of days. Don't worry, it's just a precautionary measure.'

I nodded. 'Thank you,' I said as she finished up and walked out, leaving me alone with him.

'Oh Matt. What happened?' I asked, peering at his eyes, which were quite bloodshot.

'A car pulled out on me.'

'So it was his fault?'

'Of course,' he said.

'But you were speeding?' I assumed.

When he said nothing I knew the answer, but there was no point arguing about that now. What was done, was done.