Authors: J. B. Leigh
Chapter 12
Over the following months, I kept my head down, and tried to make a new life. Marge kept me busy during the day. By the time I clocked off, my feet were aching, and all I wanted to do was have a hot bath, and then read a book or watch junk TV. It was just as well because there was precious little to do in Cromdale.
I had a lot of time to think. I often wondered if I should give Julie a call just to let her know I was okay. I shouldn't have walked out on her without a word or even a note. I thought about Billy too. How would he be coping without Mum to look after him? I just hoped he hadn't got himself thrown out of the house. He wasn't tough enough to live on the streets. Most of all, I thought about JJ. He'd been a bit of an arse when I'd first met him, but after my mum had been taken into hospital, he'd shown me nothing but kindness. He'd organised a placement for me, even though he obviously thought my course was a waste of time. He'd run me back and forth to the hospital. He'd even waited for me there—for hours at a time. So what terrible crime had he committed that I should have been so horrible to him? He'd taken me out for dinner. No one could have known Mum would die when she did. I'd said some terrible things to JJ. I'd been upset and angry, but that was no excuse. I wished there was some way I could apologise to him, but it was too late. He and Julie must have hated me for the way I'd left without a word. If I had made contact with either of them again, it would only have opened old wounds.
It was my day off, but sad sack that I was, I was in Marge's cafe with Jennie. It seemed disloyal to get a coffee anywhere else. Jennie worked as a secretary for a small, local firm of solicitors. She was another regular at the cafe. We'd got talking one day, and a friendship had developed. Jenny was single and had her own place; a small, terraced house on the outskirts of the town. She'd just come out of yet another failed relationship. In her own words, Stephen—her ex—hadn't cheated on her; he'd bored her into submission. I'd been to her house a few times, and we'd had a few nights out.
“I don't even know her,” I said. Jennie had just asked me to be her 'plus one' at her cousin's wedding.
“It doesn't matter. I barely know Maureen, and she's my cousin. I've no idea why she invited me. I'm not sure I'd recognise her if she walked in here now.”
“When is it?”
“On Saturday.”
“This Saturday? You've left it a bit late.”
“No offence, Megan, but you weren't my first choice. When I was invited, I'd expected to be going with Stephen.”
I'll have to ask Marge if I can take time off.”
“If she’s okay with it, you'll come?”
I nodded.
“Why did she invite you if you never see each other?”
“Tradition—according to my Mum. I told Mum—if I ever do get married, and that's a mighty big 'if'—I'm not going to invite anyone I don't know—relative or no.”
“Why don't you say you can't make it?”
“I couldn't stand the aggro I'd get from Mum.”
“Won't they mind you turning up with me?”
“Who else am I going to take? I'm not going by myself—I couldn't bear all the sympathetic looks. Besides, I'm hoping to cause a little scandal.”
“What do you mean?”
“I'm hoping they think that we're...”
“What?”
“You know.”
“Bloody hell Jennie. You don't really expect me to pretend... ”
“No. You don't have to do anything, but I'm sure someone will put two and two together and come up with five.”
Marge had a bit of a moan, but in the end agreed I could have time off to go to the wedding.
********************
“Did you see the bridesmaids' dresses?” Jennie whispered. We were at the reception. The wedding had been a washout—the rain had been relentless. I felt sorry for the bride.
“Turquoise isn't a colour I would've chosen.” I was going for diplomacy.
“Jennie!” A tall woman, with equally tall hair, put her hand on Jennie's shoulders. “Thank you for coming.”
“”Hello, Auntie.”
“Didn't Maureen look beautiful?”
“Absolutely.”
“And the bridesmaids. I chose their dresses. Beautiful colour don't you think?”
Jennie nodded. I could tell she was stifling a laugh. The woman, who I now realised was the bride's mother, didn't seem to notice.
“And who is this?” The woman looked at me.
“This is my
friend
Auntie. This is Megan.”
“Oh? Right—very pleased to meet you Megan. I can't stop—have to circulate. Catch you later.”
“Bye, Auntie,” Jennie called after her.
“You're terrible,” I said.
“What?”
“You know what. You did that deliberately. Did you see the look of horror on her face?”
“I don't know what you mean.” Jennie laughed.
“Smile!”
The bride's mother had insisted that all the guests appear on a group photograph. There had barely been enough room to get everyone on. I tried to duck out, but I couldn't escape; I was forced to squeeze on at one end of the group.
Chapter 13
“He keeps looking at you,” Marge said.
“Don't be daft.”
I knew she was right. This was the third morning running that he'd come into the cafe for his breakfast. Every time I'd glanced over at him, he seemed to be staring at me.
“He's a good-looking guy,” Marge said a little too loudly for my liking.
“I'm not interested in men,” I reminded her.
She gave a little snigger.
“Of course you are. You just haven't found the right one yet. Here—go take him his bill.”
“Can't you?”
“Go!” Marge pressed the bill into my hand.
“Was everything all right for you sir?” I knew it was—Marge's breakfasts were legendary.
“Yes, thanks. I wish you wouldn't call me sir though. It makes me feel ancient. I'm Mike.”
I passed him the bill.
“And you are...?”
“Megan.”
“I'm working down here for four weeks. I'm staying at the Royal Oak”
I knew he was making small talk, but I didn't know where that might lead, so I just smiled.
“So?” Marge pounced on me as soon as I was back behind the counter.
“What?”
“What did he say? Who is he?”
“He said you made a great breakfast.”
“I like him already.” She laughed.
“He's working down here on a contract for four weeks.”
“Did he ask you out?”
“Of course he didn't.”
“Did you ask him out?”
“Shut up.”
********************
“Morning, Megan,” Mike said. He was later than usual the next morning.
“Morning. Your usual?”
“Yes, please.”
Marge gave me a knowing smile as she handed Mike's breakfast to me. I ignored her.
“Thanks.” Mike said. “Megan. Hold on a minute. It's pretty boring being stuck in the B&B every night. I wondered if you might like to go out for a drink tonight.”
“I don't drink. Sorry.”
“Something to eat then?”
“I can't. I'm sorry.”
“It's my birthday.”
Was it a line? I wasn't sure.
“I'm busy.”
“It's just that I don't know anyone else down here. Please... ”
“I'll think about it.”
“Go on,” Marge said. “You need to get out of the flat. What harm can it do?”
“I don't think it would be a good idea. How do I know it's his birthday?”
“Does it matter either way? He seems a nice enough guy. Go on Megan—let your hair down for once.”
“Have you thought about it?” Mike asked when I collected his plate.
“Okay, but just a meal though. I can't stay out late.”
“Great.”
As soon as I'd agreed, I regretted it. I kept thinking about the last time someone took me out for a meal, and I found myself wondering what JJ was doing.
“My Rolls is in the garage,” Mike said as he pushed open the passenger door to his van. “I cleaned the seat for you.”
Tools rattled in the back of the van as we drove out of town. The floor of the van was littered with receipts and other papers. I was glad I'd gone for casual—I would've looked out of place in anything else.
Once we'd arrived at the restaurant, I soon put the nightmare van ride out of my head. Mike was good company. He was funny—without trying. It felt good to laugh again.
“How come you don't have a boyfriend?” he asked over starters.
“How do you know I don't?”
“Do you?”
“No.”
“So—how come?”
I shrugged, but didn't answer the question.
“What about you?”
“I'm free and single,” he said. “My work makes it difficult to have a relationship.”
“You mean they see the inside of your van, and run away?”
“Sorry about that.” He laughed. “It's actually much cleaner than usual.”
“God help us.”
“I work all over the country, so it's hard to keep a relationship going.”
“Love 'em and leave 'em?”
“No. That's not my style.”
I wasn't sure whether or not I believed him. He seemed a nice guy, but he was good-looking with the gift of the gab, so he shouldn't have had any difficulty finding female company.
As soon as we were back in the van, he leaned across and kissed me.
“Do you want to come back to my room?”
“No. Just a meal you said. It's way too soon for anything else.”
His expression changed. Was it disappointment or something else? Before I could be sure, he recovered and smiled.
“Sorry. I didn't mean to rush you. It's just that... I'm really attracted to you.”
He drove me back to the cafe, kissed me goodnight and left.