CORAL - Fallen (A Romance Trilogy, Book 2) (26 page)

My mouth suddenly goes dry and my throat
constricts.

“You there Coral?” Karen says.

“Yeah…sorry, just trying to work it all out,”
I whisper, my mind already elsewhere.

“Don’t waste your time on her. You’re best
to steer clear.” I nod in agreement.

“Has she ever been funny with you?” I ask.

“Loads of times but I just ignore her,
she’s not worth it. Besides I don't have to see her too often, and I'm not
going to leave a job I love because of her.”

“Don't blame you.” As I look up, I see I
have reached work. “Karen I have to go, I'm back at work she might overhear us.”

“Yeah no problem, call me if you need
anything.”

“You’re calling on your mobile?”

“Yeah.”

“Ok, I’ll programme you in and ditto, ever
need anything just holler.” Karen chuckles.

“Good luck for the rest of the week.” She
says.

“Thanks, I think I'm going to need it,” I
say brightly, trying to make light of a bad situation.

“Oh Coral, just for the record if I knew
there was training going on, I would have volunteered. I’ve never been to
Brighton,” she says enthusiastically.

“Well, you’re welcome anytime. If you want
a break for a weekend or something, just come on down. You can stay at mine, I
think we’ll have a good time,” I offer, knowing somehow that we will, I can
tell.
Probably because she reminds me of Harriett
– I quickly quash
those thoughts.

“Really?” she says excitedly. “Coral,
that’s really nice of you. I’ll take you up on that offer.”

“Great.” I giggle, feeling lighter for the
friendly chat.

“I’ll see you soon then,” Karen chuckles.

“Definitely. Take care,” I say. “And thanks
for talking to me.”

“You’re welcome,” she chuckles. “See ya.”

“Bye Karen.” I hang up.  Wow, she was
so nice, like normal nice, not weird nice like Susannah.
Why the hell didn’t
Tristan send Karen to me?

I instantly feel miserable that he didn’t.
This week could have been so much fun, and Karen would have taken my mind of
the fact that Tristan is not here. I look solemnly behind me, almost hoping
that he’ll appear out of thin air and start walking towards me, that deep
dimpled smile on his face, his eyes shining brightly for me.

Shaking my head at myself I walk the few
steps needed, and push through the glass door…

I KNOCK ON JOYCE’S DOOR
. I
hear her call me, so I go through and pass the Frappuccino to her. She’s on the
phone, but gestures for me to sit down. I pull my swirl out of my handbag and
pull a piece off, placing it my mouth I start chewing. This does not taste like
cardboard, it tastes absolutely delicious. Maybe I can just survive on these
until Tristan’s back? I’d have no problem doing that.

Picking up my Cappuccino I take a long
drink and continue to devour the Chocolate Swirl. By the time Joyce has
finished her call, I have finished my swirl and my Cappuccino.

“Have to be quick sweetheart.” Joyce says
sipping her drink.

“Ok. Firstly, someone tried to get into my
studio last night.” Joyce spits her Frappuccino out in shock. Luckily I moved
out of the way just in time, so it sprays the table and not me –
Oops!

“Coral!” She scolds. “You can’t just say
something like that without warning me.”

“Sorry,” I say apologetically. Then as I'm
helping her clean up the mess, I tell her what happened, the full story. Then I
tell her what Karen has told me about Susannah, she looks just as puzzled as I
feel, but she logs it all on the file.

Just as I'm leaving Joyce insists I stay
with her tonight. I decline gracefully, explaining that I have George tonight
and I’ve got Bob to look after me.

“If you change your mind, even if it’s in
the middle of the night. Just come over ok?” Joyce tells me worriedly.

“Ok.” I half smile at her. If I'm truthful,
I don't want anyone but Tristan. Only he can take away the fear of someone
getting in, no one else can do that.

“Promise?” Joyce asks.
Grrrr I hate that
word
– I nod silently and head out of her office.

As I walk down the corridor towards the
ladies, I get another call on my mobile. As I check it, I see it’s the gym, it
must be Will. Answering the call I find it is Will and I go through the details
of last night’s events.

“You need some magnetic door sensors,
moment the handle is moved the alarm will trigger and they’ll go running,” he
tells me.
Thank you Will!

“Where will I get those from?” I ask.

“Argos, Amazon, B&Q. Depends how
quickly you want them?”

“Tonight,” I answer.
If they make me
feel more secure why wait?

“Well you won’t get it from Amazon till
tomorrow’ –“I know,” I interrupt. “I’ll take a look online, probably Argos, I
can pick them up on my way home.”

“As for panicking, most people do Coral.
You have to be the one that beats the fear, control
it
don't let
it
control you.” I nod vigorously as I listen to Will. “Stay focused. Think of the
weapons you have at your disposal.”
Huh?

“Weapons, what weapons?” I question.

Will sighs then rushes his words out at
lightning speed. “Coral come on, haven’t I taught you anything? Hands are for?”
Oh, ok now I get what he means!

“Pushing the nose up into the brain,” I
answer.

“Good. Fingers?”

“Pushing the eyes into the socket or
ripping the throat out,” I answer, squirming slightly at that one – I hope I
never have to use it,
that’s Rambo shit!

“Body weight?” He questions.

“Use my weight like you taught me, throw
them down,” I answer.

“Good, legs and arms?”

“Again, use them to take down assailant,” I
breathe.

“Yes. See you know what to do, you’ve just
got to stay focused and not panic.”

“Easier said than done!” I snap.

“Coral, use what I’ve taught you, even if
you get it slightly wrong it doesn’t matter. You don’t need to stay and fight.
Just remember to protect yourself from getting hurt with a calm focused mind
then once you have them down, run. It’s simple.”
No you make it sound
simple!

“If you can take them down, quickly and
safely then you’re done.” He adds.

“Ok, thanks Will. Listen I’d better go my
lunch is nearly over,” I tell him.

“Ok see you Thursday.”

“Yep, see you then.”

“Oh Coral, I'm on till 9pm tonight you need
any help fitting the alarms, just let me know. I’ll pop over when I'm finished.”

“Will I could give you a big kiss right
now, you know that?”

“Eh, less of that I'm a happily married man.”
He teases.

I roll my eyes and chuckle. “I didn’t mean
it like that,” I smile.

“I know you didn’t. I'm just pulling your
leg,” he laughs.

“Will!” I scold laughing as I do. “I’ll
call you if I need you,” I chortle.

“Be safe,” he tells me then the line goes
dead.

I use my mobile to search for Argos, locating the Brighton
branch I start my search. I find a Yale easy fit door and window contact at
£22.99 adding two to my cart, I think about what Will has said to me about
weapons –
Right, I know what
’
s a good weapon!

Searching Baseball Bats, I quickly add one of those to my cart
too, I use the check and reserve system, thankfully they have them in stock at
the Brighton Branch, so all I
’
ve got to do is pick them
up and pay for them tonight.

As I come out of the ladies, and head back to my desk, I decide
to text Tristan. He hasn
’
t tried to call me today,
and I haven
’
t had another
text from him either, which I find strange.

*Tristan, I haven’
t heard from you today. I guess you
’
re really busy. I just wanted to let you know
I miss you, badly, and I can’
t wait till you
’
re home. Be good baby Xxx I love you Coral xx
*

Putting my mobile
back on silent, I place it in my bag and go to open my in-box when I see a note
from Susannah –
Gone to Lunch
back at 2pm
– Just as I read it, I hear really loud
laughter coming from Reception. Picking up the handset, I dial Joe.

“Hi Coral,” she whispers.
Yay! She got
my name right!

“What’s with all the laughter?” I ask.

“
She’s
going out to lunch with
them,
”
Joe murmurs.
Ah, the other secretaries.

“Really?” I squeak in surprise.

“Yeah, she’s the one with the cackling
laugh,” she giggles.

“So much for heartbreak…” I mumble.

“What?” Joe asks, intrigued.

“Nothing Joe, I’d better go. See you later.”

“Bye.” We both hang up.

I shake my head in wonder. How can anyone with an actual
husband who is getting divorced be laughing and joking as though they haven
’
t got a care in
the world?
You know why
– I snarl at myself. Brushing the thought away I
open my in-box and start on the letters Joyce has sent across. Just as I'm
finishing off the second letter the line starts ringing.

“Garland and Associates, Coral speaking,” I
say as I continue typing.

“Hello beautiful.”
Tristan!
I almost
drop the phone. Hearing his voice is like hearing an angel come to comfort me.

“Tristan,” I whisper, feeling all the
stresses and strains fall away.

“Gotta be quick baby, I'm about to go into
another meeting. I got your text, just wanted you to know I’ve been thinking
about you all day.” I close my eyes and sink back into my chair.

“You have?” I smile.

“Of course I have,” he chuckles.

“It’s so good to hear your voice,” I tell
him, feeling tears bubbling up –
Damn it!

“Same here baby. You ok?”He asks in his
low, sexy voice.

“I am now.” I sniff. Tristan chuckles, he
sounds in high spirits. “You?” I ask.

“I have a beautiful fiancé to come home to.
I'm on top of the world.” I smile like a love struck teenager. “Baby, I have to
go, call you tonight?” he asks.

“Ok,” I whisper. Then I remember about
Saturday. “Oh Tristan, don't make any plans for Saturday.” I groan.

“Why’s that?” he questions.

“We’re going to Gladys’s,” I grumble. “That’s
if you want to go.”

“Yes, I do. What’s the occasion?”

“She’s getting all the family together for
some pre-wedding dinner thing. Malcolm’s family will be there too.” I add.

“Introducing me to your family already,
must be serious,” he says. I can't help laughing at that one.

“Tristan, it’s not funny,” I chuckle. “It’s
going to be such hard work,” I grumble.

“It’ll be fine baby. You’ll have me with
you.”
Yes, yes I will.

“You really want to go?” I squeak.

“Of course,” he scoffs. “Try keeping me
away.”

“I miss you,” I whisper, feeling the gaping
hole in my chest re-open.

“Ah baby, you have no idea. But I have to
go, call you tonight?”

“Ok,” I sigh heavily.

“Love you,” he whispers.

“Hurry home,” I whisper back.

Tristan chuckles and hangs up.

I lean forward, replace the handset and sit
staring at the screen. Then I hear my mobile vibrate. Checking no-one is
around, I take it out my bag and see I have a message. Opening it up, I see
it’s from Tristan.

*No matter how far away, no matter the distance,
remember we are under the same stars, the same moon. I'm always with you, even
if I'm not there physically. Believe me baby, I'm right there with you. I love
you and I can't wait to see you again. You
r beloved Tristan Xxx
*

Oh Tristan!
– I burst into tears. His beautiful words have made me cry. I put
my mobile away, and scuttle off to the ladies so I can clean up my face.

Coming back to my desk, I actually feel
like I'm in physical pain, the dull ache that started when he left has
blossomed into a full blown crater, a big empty crater.

I feel empty and lost and I hate it, I
can't handle it. I want him home and in my arms....