Behind a Closed Door (The Estate, Book 2) (20 page)

‘He’s here!’ shouted Emily. ‘Daddy’s back!’

Kelly jumped at the sound of her daughter’s cries of excitement and moved to the spot where Emily had vacated. She saw Jay get out of the car first and then it was Scott’s turn. His eyes searched the windows for her and her heart flipped as he spotted her and waved. She raised her hand as Emily threw herself at him.

‘Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!’ echoed down Clarence Avenue.

For the umpteenth time, Kelly checked her appearance. Her hand was shaking as she pulled at her fringe, her brown eyes energized yet fretful. She blew out a long breath. All of a sudden, she heard someone bounding up the stairs and there he was.

Scott smiled and Kelly’s knees started to wobble.

‘Hello, babe,’ he spoke softly.

Kelly ran into his open arms. The relief of feeling his body close to hers was too much and she began to cry. All those mixed up thoughts instantly vanished. He was home.

Scott sat her down on the settee where she clung to him. ‘Neat little place,’ he admired, as he looked around. ‘I see you haven’t lost your flair for decorating.’

Kelly wiped her eyes while Emily showed Scott all of her new books. She smiled as Scott oohed and ahhed at the pink teddy bear series that Emily still read over and over.

Jay hung back in the kitchen doorway. Out of the corner of her eye, Kelly saw him trying to cover his emotions. She couldn’t look at him; she felt so ashamed. Now that Scott was here, she felt so… so different. It was as if all the feelings she’d struggled with had never existed. Scott was home. They were a family again – but where did that leave Jay?

Kelly tried to push away the guilt but the tears fell again. Scott pulled her nearer.

‘Stop your crying, woman,’ he teased, kissing her lightly on the tip of her nose.

Kelly gave him a watery smile.

‘Because I’m going to take my two favourite women out for a bite of grub.’ Scott pulled Emily onto his knee and looked across at Jay. ‘Mate, you couldn’t lend us a twenty ‘til I get me benefits sorted and give us a lift to the Butcher’s Arms, could you, youth?’

With time on her hands now Stewart wasn’t there to make so much of a mess, Josie decided to clear out the loft, something she had been putting off for years since her mum died. She also wanted to see what things Stewart had put up there and move them to the spare room for him to collect.

She still hadn’t seen him since she’d asked him to leave. He kept asking to meet up but she kept saying no. It seemed too rushed, too raw. It was much easier to keep putting it off. Besides, she didn’t want to think too far ahead just yet. Even though she knew she’d never take him back and the marriage was over, at the moment all she wanted to do was get used to being alone, and enjoy that feeling first.

Once she’d sorted out a few things for the charity shop, she took them out to her car.

‘Hi, Josie,’ a voice spoke to her bottom as she struggled to fit everything in the boot.

Josie pulled herself up to see her neighbour’s brother standing by her side. He wore stylish glasses with a thick brown frame. Behind those glasses, Josie saw a pair of friendly blue eyes.

‘Oh, hi, James,’ she acknowledged. ‘Been to visit Louise?’

‘Yes, I called in after work. She’s fed me to the brim, as usual. Can I help you with anything?’

‘Thanks, but I can manage,’ Josie declined his offer. She smiled at him, hoping she didn’t sound too ungrateful. ‘How is she, by the way?’

‘She’s good thanks. The baby’s due next weekend. I can’t believe it’s gone so quickly.’

‘Getting used to the sound of Uncle James, then?’

James laughed. An awkward silence fell between them.

‘I –’ he faltered. ‘Louise told me that you and Stewart have split up.’

‘Oh, yes –’

‘I hope you don’t mind,’ he interrupted. ‘I wasn’t prying. I was just asking, well, you know.’

‘No, not at all. It’s fine, I’ll get over it.’

‘It’s over for good, then?’

She nodded.

‘Well, if there’s anything you ever need a hand with, please, just ask.’

‘Thanks, I will.’ She smiled warmly.

That awkward silence again.

‘Well, I’d better –’

‘I must –’

They smiled again and James went on his way. Josie watched him for a moment. That was really sweet of him to offer help if she needed it, she realised. He’d seemed quite friendly over the few times she’d spoken to him, and she got on really well with his sister. She wished Louise lived next door to her. It would be a far cry from Mrs Clancy, joined on to her house now. If Josie so much as sneezed loudly, she’d be banging on the wall about the volume.

Once inside again, she moved Stewart’s belongings to the spare room before making herself a well-earned cup of tea. Although it had begun to rain slightly, she threw open the conservatory door. Sipping her drink, she marvelled at her luck. Even though she would have to take the rough with the smooth for a while – especially when she finally decided to talk things out with Stewart – maybe this was the point where her life might start to change for the better.

She smiled again, at nothing in particular.

The next morning, Kelly lay awake in bed. By her side, she could hear Scott breathing. She could just about make out his shape in the morning light – a strange shape she wasn’t certain about yet.

Yesterday had been such a traumatic day. Emily had been sick after her dinner. Kelly knew it was bound to happen, she’d been so excited, running around like a puppy. Scott had spent the best part of the day teasing his little girl, kissing her, hugging her, loving her. Once Kelly had finally got her off to sleep, it had been her turn. Awkward fumbles had turned into practiced foreplay and they’d made love on the rug in front of the fire. It had been familiar, like old times, like Scott had never been away. But she hadn’t felt comforted as they lay in each other’s arms afterwards. It had felt … strange.

She came up on her elbow and watched him while he slept. Scott had a complexion that only had to catch a ray of sun to deepen three shades. Unlike Jay, with his designer stubble, Scott was clean-shaven. She imagined how he would look with trendy facial hair. Right now, although his stubble made him seem darker, Scott looked pasty. He’d lost weight, she’d noticed: about a stone, he’d told her. It didn’t suit him; it made him look gaunt and a little scarier. But Scott liked his food and Kelly knew the weight would return in no time. And he was as tall as Jay, so he could carry it.

She turned back towards the wall and shut her eyes tightly to stop her tears. Why couldn’t she get Jay out of her mind? Why did she keep comparing him to Scott? She couldn’t help but feel that she’d let them both down. Now that Scott was back, Jay might not want to look out for Kelly anymore. If Jay didn’t want to see her, maybe he could move on quicker. Then maybe she could leave her awkwardness behind and concentrate on Scott. There had to be no room in her life for Jay anymore.

Scott turned over and dragged her along the bed towards him. He spooned himself into her back and she felt the stirring of his erection.

‘Morning, babe,’ Scott whispered sleepily before yawning. ‘Or should I say, ‘morning glory’?’

Pushing Jay as far to the back of her mind as she could, Kelly reached behind her. 

Later that morning, Kelly was sitting with Emily on the floor. Scott was lying on the settee watching the television.

‘Where’s that box you fetched me from Phil Matson’s, Kel?’ he asked all of a sudden.

‘It’s in Em’s room, hidden in with her toys,’ she replied. ‘Are you going to show me what’s in it now?’

‘It’s nowt to worry your pretty head about.’ Scott began to channel hop.

‘You said that it was money.’

‘I was kidding.’

Kelly frowned. ‘I don’t want anything dodgy in this flat.’

‘Kelly, Kelly, Kelly.’ Scott sighed loudly as he stretched his body. ‘I’ve only just got back, but don’t fret. I’ll take care of you now. It’ll be business as usual soon, you’ll see.’

Kelly didn’t want it to be business as usual. That box had been the bane of her life for the past few weeks. At first when she’d fetched it she’d shoved it in the kitchen cupboard under the sink, but then she’d moved it in with Emily’s toys and hidden it in the cupboard over the stairs, but still it seemed to call to her. It reminded her of when she was the same age as Emily and she’d tried to peel the sellotape off her Christmas presents while no one was watching. There had been times when she’d felt like ripping the tape off, looking inside and replacing it, but she knew he’d find out.

‘Mummy, can I go and see Dot?’ said Emily.

Scott turned his head towards Kelly. ‘Who?’

‘Dot lives downstairs and looks after me when mummy goes to college. She doesn’t look after me when Mummy goes to work, though. I stay with nanny then.’

Scott nearly fell to the floor in his speed to sit up.

Kelly grimaced. ‘Thanks, little lady,’ she muttered.

‘College?’ Scott frowned. ‘Work? What the fuck’s she talking about, Kel?’

Emily giggled and covered her mouth.

Kelly tutted. ‘Don’t swear in front of Emily.’

‘Don’t tell me what to do,’ he snarled, ‘and don’t change the subject! What’s going on?’

Kelly wondered where to start. She supposed the beginning would be the best place.

‘I’ve been learning secretarial and office skills. I’ve passed my first two assignments and my course tutor says I’ll be able to take the next level in summer. Then I’m –’

‘Whoa!’ Scott held up a hand to silence her. ‘What’s with all the plans? And when had you planned to tell me about them? Was I even included in them?’

Kelly looked a little sheepish. ‘Of course you were. I just wanted to surprise you, make you proud of me.’

‘You don’t have to go to college for me to be proud of you! Jesus, I’ll be the laughing stock at the pub.’ Scott moved his fingers in the air as if there was a keyboard in front of him. ‘Did you think of that while you were typing your stupid letters?’

‘You left me alone and I was bored,’ Kelly pouted. ‘I’ve always wanted to go to college but you talked me out of it. Now I’m doing something for myself, I feel better about things. I feel like I’m contributing to society.’

‘You don’t need to contribute to society. I provide for you!’

‘Like you’ve provided for me over the past three months?’

‘That was low.’ Scott frowned. ‘I’ve served my time.’

Kelly sighed. ‘I know, but I was scared. I didn’t think I’d cope with the bills on my own. That’s why I’ve been working at the factory, too. I got a job on the twilight shift and –’

‘Jesus fucking Christ!’ Scott turned to Emily. ‘Em, go to your room for a minute, there’s a good girl.’

‘But I want to stay here with you.’

‘Now!’

Emily shot off the settee.

‘Don’t shout at her!’ Kelly came to her daughter’s defence. ‘It’s not her fault that you’re annoyed with me.’

‘You told me not to swear in front of her – and don’t change the subject. Who the fuck have you turned into while I’ve been gone? Not only are you going to college behind my back, but now you tell me you’re working as well?’

‘What’s wrong with wanting to make something of myself?’ Kelly began to pile up Emily’s books and put them into the bookcase. ‘I used to work before I met you, remember?’

‘But you’ve not worked since, remember!’

‘Only because
you
didn’t want me to!’

‘That’s not the point. You don’t work because we can claim more in benefits.’

Kelly placed her hands on her hips. ‘As a single man and woman, you mean? If it wasn’t for you and your stupid ideas, we’d still be in Patrick Street, so don’t you dare blame that one on me. I would have been allowed to stay if I could prove that I’d been living there for over twelve months. But you saw to that, didn’t you?’

‘I didn’t think I’d lose my house, for fuck’s sake!’

‘Don’t give me that! You knew exactly what you were doing – screwing the benefit agency, as normal. Well, I’m halfway out of the benefit trap now and that’s the way I’m staying.’

‘Over my dead body.’

‘Fine – I’ll arrange that, shall I?’

Kelly marched past him but he grabbed her hand. She stopped.

‘I’ve changed since you’ve been away,’ she replied. ‘I had to, so don’t blame things on me. Maybe you should try working yourself – it might keep you out of trouble.’

‘You must be joking! Working doesn’t feature in my life plan.’

‘I’m not stopping.’

‘But you don’t need to work now! I told you, I’ll provide for you, like I used to. It was good enough before I was nicked. Besides, what am I going to do when you’re not here?’

‘That’s simple. You can clean up; do the washing, a little ironing. Run the hoover around, that kind of thing. Think of it as an investment for our future together.’

It was Scott’s turn to sigh, but he did it more dramatically. ‘Fuck, I’ve spent three months locked up. It’s been torture without you, but if I knew I was coming back to this I’d rather have stayed inside.’