Guess Who I Pulled Last Night? (12 page)

“Bets, sweetheart, where have you been?  I’ve been
ringing you all week, have you been away?”  Charlotte leaned over and
turned off the whistling kettle.

“I just had to get away, Alfred and I went to Keswick. 
We stayed at an animal-friendly B & B; it was delightful!”  Bets
attempted to laugh, at her feeble joke.

“So when did you get back?” Charlotte asked in a hushed
tone.

“Oh about an hour ago, what are you doing, do you fancy
coming around for a while?”

Charlotte glanced at the clock, ten o'clock. She really
could do with an early night, but Bets needed her. “I tell you what, I’ll bring
my ‘jarmies’ over and stay, how’s that.  I’ll take tomorrow off as I'm
owed a few days holidays, what do you think?”

Bets just about managed a smile.  “What Miss Workaholic
taking a day off…that would be great.  I’ll see you in a few minutes
then.”

“Okay, see you soon.”

“Charlotte.”

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.”

The line then went dead.

Charlotte arrived at Bet’s flat fifteen minutes later. 
As she locked her car, she looked over at the light coming from behind Bets’
curtains.  Charlotte wondered what she was going to say.  Oh she’d
been there when both Bets’ parents had died, but this was different; you didn’t
expect anyone your own age to die.  Charlotte hauled her overnight bag
over her shoulder, and crunched across the gravel to the apartment block.

As soon as the door was opened Bets threw her arms around
Charlotte, gripping her tightly around the neck.  Little sobs escaped
intermittently from Bets’ head that was nuzzled against Charlotte’s neck. 
Charlotte ushered Bets back into the flat and sat her down onto the sofa; the
two of them still joined together.

Eventually, Bets lifted her head and smiled weakly at
Charlotte.  “It wouldn’t be that bad if the sex hadn’t been so good.”

Charlotte smiled too and pulled a tissue out of her pocket
to wipe Bet’s nose.  “You can keep that,” she said as Bets offered it
back.  “Do you want a cup of tea?”

Bets shook her head. “No, I’m sick of drinking tea, but I
daren’t start on the wine. I don’t think that I’d stop.”

“Hmm, that's very sensible.”  Charlotte nodded
earnestly.  “So tell me all about it.”

Charlotte felt that the best thing to do was to let Bets
talk, and so she did for nearly two hours.  She spoke about her
feelings.  More to the point that she didn't know how she was
feeling.  She was in limbo, crying hysterically one minute and then
realising that she hardly knew him the next. Bets talked about the nights that
they had spent together, and the things that they’d talked about until the
early hours of the morning.

“So believe it or not, it wasn’t just sex!”

Bets talked and talked, punctuated with sobs and some
laughter when Charlotte tried to lighten the mood.  Eventually, she sighed
and lounged back on the sofa, her legs on Charlotte’s knee.

“Having a whole week alone, with nothing to do but think,
has helped,” Bets said.

Charlotte rubbed her hand gently. “Has it?”

“Hmm, I thought about Stuart a lot, and I also thought about
my parents, but mostly Stuart.  He was a real gentleman; he was witty,
interesting, handsome had a good body, and excellent in bed.”  Bets
smiled, thinking fondly of their two weeks of bliss.  “But they are all
extras aren’t they?”

Charlotte frowned, not really understanding her.  “They
seem pretty good reasons to like someone to me.”

“Ah, but were they the true Stuart, or were they the ‘I’m
going to impress my new girlfriend’ Stuart.  I didn’t and couldn’t
possibly know the real him in such a short space of time,” explained Bets.

“You may have done, that could have been the real him; most
people at the funeral seemed to agree with those sentiments.”

“Maybe, but now I’ll never know will I?  That’s what scares
me the most, what if I’ve just missed out on the best relationship that I’m
ever going to have.  What happens if I never meet that special someone
again?” 

Bets’ eyes were like little pools, reflecting Charlotte’s
gentle smile, as she fought back the tears. Charlotte said nothing, letting
Bets continue in her own time.

Eventually, Bets broke the silence.  “You know me
Charlotte; I'm strictly a two date wonder, but I really wanted it to be more
with Stuart.  Who knows whether it would have worked out, but at that
exact moment, I really thought it would?  That has never ever happened to
me before, and what if it doesn't again?” Bets rubbed her eyes with the back of
her hand, and flopped back onto a cushion.

“Of course you will,” coaxed Charlotte.  “Anyway, you
said it yourself you are a two date wonder.  Knowing you, as I do, you’d
have been bored within a month.”

“The point is Charlotte; we will never know, no-one
will.  Do you know I’m thirty years of age and have only considered being
with someone long term once, so you tell me what the chances are of me ever
finding anyone now?”

Charlotte smiled gently and held Bets’ hand.  “We’ll
see, but I think that you are being a little pessimistic.  You said you
thought about your mum and dad too, did it help at all?”

Bets nodded. “Yes,” she answered wistfully. “I realised how
much I miss them, and how I have never really grieved for them properly
before.  You don’t realise when you are young and having a good time how
traumatic it is losing someone you love.  Let’s face it; I cried for a
week and then thought about where the next party was.  So this time was
their time as well, does that make sense?”

Charlotte nodded and smiled at Bets. “Oh sweetheart I wish
I’d been there for you, but I think that you will be okay.”

“Yes so do I.  I’m not over him yet Charlotte, but I
think that I’m ready to get back on the horse and go out again at least.”

Charlotte started to laugh, not unkindly.

“What’s so funny,” asked Bets.

“Nothing, you just remind me of someone; that's all. 
Well, I don’t know about you, but I think that I’m ready for bed, and then in
the morning I’ll tell you all about my day.”

“What’s been happening with you then?”

“Oh nothing you need to worry about, it’ll wait.” 
Charlotte sighed, her heart feeling even heavier than before.

It was a cold miserable day, and Kelvin had been gone for
two weeks now, and didn’t seem any nearer coming home.  Kerry tried to
persuade her mum to talk to Kelvin; at least to allow Kerry to have Esme at
home.  Kerry's mother, Sheila was, however, on Kelvin’s side, as were her
three elder brothers, so there was no chance.

It was 11:30 a.m. and Kerry had been out the night before,
with Pat and Caroline. They had had a stay behind in one of the local pubs, and
she hadn’t got home until two in the morning. Kerry was feeling a little flaky
to say the least, and so getting out of bed was a real struggle. As she weaved
her way to the bathroom Kerry realised that all these nights out were getting a
little monotonous, if she were being honest, she was missing quiet nights in
with Kelvin, watching old comedy shows on DAVE.   Her eyes still
closed Kerry reached for the bath taps and turned them on. She groaned at the
thudding sound of the water into the bath.  Her mouth still tasted of
cheap wine, and her head was pounding. It felt so heavy that she dropped it
into her hands, hoping to relieve the pressure and pain.

“Oh God, what am I doing with my life?” she cried, looking
down at the wedding band and diamond engagement ring on her finger. Kerry
turned them around, and thought back to the days when Kelvin had put them
there.

It wasn’t as if he didn’t make her happy anymore, if she
were being honest, nothing did. She felt sad, deep inside and couldn’t explain
why.  Kerry had thought that maybe Bets would understand, because
Charlotte obviously didn’t, but she’d been to see Bets yesterday, and she’d
practically thrown her out. She demanded that Kerry go home and pull her life
back together.  Kerry sighed, perhaps her timing hadn’t been right. 
It had only been three weeks since Stuart had died, reminding her again that it
was two weeks since Kelvin had left, and two weeks since she’d last spoken to
Charlotte. 

Her heart felt heavy and empty when she thought about
everything, and when she thought about Kelvin and Esme, it felt like it had
been ripped out.  Kerry sat on the side of the bath with the water still
rushing in, as she thought about Kelvin’s twice a week visits with Esme. 
The whole time she would cuddle and play with her daughter, but there was no
contact at all with Kelvin, they barely even spoke let alone touch.  It
just wasn’t them; it wasn’t him; they had always had such a loving
relationship. 

Kerry stood up and slipped out of her nightdress and stepped
into the bath, lowering herself into the steaming water.  As she lay there
she submerged herself, pushing her lungs to the limit as she held her
nose.  Only a little longer, a little more, come on let’s just see how
unhappy you are about your life, come on Kerry don’t be such a baby. 
Suddenly, gasping for air, she shot up; choking on the water in her nose and
throat, and then the tears came.  Slowly at first, thick salty ones
rolling down her face into the water below.  They got quicker and Kerry
started to sob loudly, the noise echoing around the bathroom.  Kerry
pulled her knees up to her chin, wrapping her arms around them, gently rocking
backwards and forwards while she cried deep, sad tears splashing into the bath.

Charlotte was talking to Paul in his office. They were
supposed to be discussing her business case for a new computer system, but her
mind wasn’t really on it.  She had a banging headache and couldn’t help
but wonder how Kerry was.

“So, Charlotte, I agree that we get Bill Gates to come down
here and fit us a multi-million pound system that we don’t need, okay?” Paul
asked inclining his head towards Charlotte.

“Yes, that’s fine,” she replied, biting her nail
absent-mindedly.

“Charlotte poppet, are you actually listening to me, or shall
we continue this another time?” Paul put a hand on her arm.

“I’m sorry Paul; I’m just so worried about Kerry and Kelvin,
and Bets for that matter.” 

She smiled at him grateful for his concern and
friendship.  Charlotte wasn’t really sure how they had become so close. It
had just happened during long nights getting the business up and running. 
They had chatted a lot over coffee breaks with them both having the same common
desire - to meet a life partner.  Charlotte was able to help Paul on that
score, well inadvertently.  It was at her 21st birthday party that Paul
was introduced to Adam a friend of Charlotte’s, and they had been together ever
since.  In return, Paul had given Charlotte a career that she loved, and
support when she had gone through the horrible times with Grant, plus he had
tried to fix her up with a couple of his friends, although both encounters had
been unsuccessful to say the least.

“I thought Bets was doing a little better,” said Paul,
breaking her train of thought.

“She is, but she’s still sad and finding it hard to come to
terms with.  At least, she’s getting out more; she’s coming with me to
Amanda’s make up party tonight.”

“That’s a bit like coals to Newcastle isn’t it?”

“I suppose so, but at least it’s getting her out.”

“So what about the other two; what’s happening there then?”

“Not really sure, all I know is that Kelvin is at Kerry’s
mum’s and visits Kerry a couple of times a week.”  Charlotte saw Paul’s
quizzical look. “Kerry and I are not on speaking terms at the moment.”  She
explained all about their last meeting, on the day that Kelvin had left.

“Oh dear, why don’t you go and see her,” suggested Paul,
perching on the edge of his desk.

“Maybe, but to be honest I’m not sure that I have the energy
for another row with her.  I don’t know what else to say or do, except
drag her by her hair to the doctor myself.  We just go around in circles,
saying the same things.  I think that in some ways she is right, perhaps
she does need to deal with this her way, make her own decisions about things.”

“I think that you are probably right I’m afraid,” said Paul,
leaning forward.  “You have tried everything you can; the only thing you
haven’t tried is letting her make her own mind up.  Ultimately, it’s a
risk, but I think it’s a risk that all of you are going to have to take. 
She’s a bright woman who loves her family and friends, and if there is no-one
else involved, as she says, then she will make the right choices. It could just
take time, meaning that you will all have to be patient.”

Charlotte stood up and hugged Paul tightly. “Thank you for
being there, at the moment I feel like I’m everybody else’s rock, and I haven’t
got any energy left for me.”

“Why don’t you take the rest of the day off?” Paul held up
his hand as Charlotte began to object. “No. I mean it Charlotte.  You’ve
only had one of that three days holiday that we owe you from last year, never
mind this year’s quota that you haven’t taken yet.

“I’ll go at lunch time, is that okay?”

Paul nodded and opened his office door for her. “Yes it is,
but no later than that.”

“I promise.”

Charlotte made her way back to the office, mentally working
out what she had to finish off before lunch; she could manage it easily. She
was so organised where her work was concerned, she was usually well
ahead.  As she got to reception, Debbie called her over.

“Yes, Debbie.”

“Barratt’s have called about the flyers that you ordered to
go into the local paper; apparently, they could be delayed because one of their
presses is down.” Debbie picked up the phone in anticipation.

“Get them on the line for me then please, we’re not too
desperate, but we may get some discount from them.”

“Okay Charlotte, oh and Charlotte Mr Devine is in your
office.”

Charlotte stopped dead in her tracks.  “What does he
want, do you know?” she asked, without turning around.

“No, sorry.  Shall I wait to call Barratt’s?”

“Yes, give me five minutes; I shouldn’t be much longer than
that.”

As Charlotte entered the office, she was pleased to see that
everyone was on a break, the only figure in the room was Niall Devine, sat on
her chair, twirling himself around.

“Huh, huh,” Charlotte coughed to attract his attention. “Mr
Devine.”

“Ah there yer are Miss Price. I was beginning to think that
you had skived off for the day.  I have been here ten minutes and there
was no sign of anyone.”  His face was blank, showing no sign of whether he
was actually joking or chastising her.

Charlotte assumed that it was probably the latter. “I’ve
been with Mr Palmer, discussing our computer system and everyone else is on a
break.  If you had made an appointment I would have ensured that I had
been here.”  She smiled through gritted teeth, desperately trying to stay
professional.      

“I was joking Miss Price.  You are quite right I have
made no appointment, so shouldn’t have expected to see you immediately, I
apologise.”  He now smiled, showing his perfect row of pure white teeth.

Niall’s pleasantness alarmed Charlotte, although she guessed
it was probably meant to charm her.  She smiled and looked down at her
feet, desperately wondering what his plan was; there must be a plan because she
couldn’t imagine him ever being this pleasant to anyone.

“Are you okay?” he asked.  “Is there something wrong
with your shoes?”  Niall stretched to look at Charlotte’s feet.

“No. So what can I do for you?” 

Charlotte sat back on Bobby’s desk, as she glanced behind
her, she noticed a square-cut diamond on the wrong finger.  Desperately,
Charlotte thrust her hands behind her back.  He must not see that she wasn’t
engaged, Grant must not find out that she was still single.

“Well actually I am here to see Paul, who I do have an
appointment with, on a personal insurance matter, but I was asked if I could
drop this into you.”  Niall carefully placed a CD on Charlotte’s desk,
making no attempt to pass it to her.

Even from a distance she could recognise it, she would know
those five smiling faces anywhere. 

“Th-th-thank you,” she stuttered.  Charlotte’s heart
began to hammer hard. Beads of sweat appeared on her brow, and she felt
sick.  “My Take That CD,” she managed to whisper.

“Hmm, Grant Beddows gave it to me.” Niall’s face clouded
over, and he shifted uncomfortably in Charlotte’s chair.  “I realise that
it’s probably not very professional, but he insisted.”

“Thank you.”

“Any message?” he asked, rising to his feet and approaching
Charlotte.

“No!” she snapped, sitting on her hands. “No, no message,
thank you.” Her tone was softer now.

“Well okay, I’ll be off.  Bye.”

“Yes okay, bye.”

As the door closed behind him, Charlotte pushed her hand
against her mouth, to stifle the gasp that was about to escape.

“Bastard,” she whispered. “You are a complete and utter
bastard, Grant.”

Charlotte got up and slowly moved to her desk. She picked up
a pen and poked at the CD with it.  Touching the CD was like touching
Grant, it was tainted, and she would never play it.  She shoved it, with
the pen, off the desk into the bin.  It landed with a loud clatter against
the metal, and Charlotte sighed as Gary Barlow smiled up at her.

“What are you smiling at?” she shouted down at him. “Oh, go
and learn to dance or something.”

Two hours later Charlotte was making her way home, having
just left Paul and Niall on the way out to lunch.

“Oh, so yer are skiving off then after all?” Niall asked, as
he buttoned up his jacket.

Charlotte didn’t answer him, but turned to Paul
instead.  “I’ll see you tomorrow, bye, and thanks a lot for earlier.”

“No problem, bye.”

Charlotte recalled that Niall had not said good-bye, but
then she hadn’t acknowledged him either.  Mr “I’m it you’re shit” Devine,
so what if he was attractive, and he looked particularly good today in his
slate grey suit with toning shirt and tie, his girlfriend had likely dressed
him anyway.  Charlotte gasped as she realised that she suddenly felt a
little put out, so he probably had a girlfriend; why should that bother
her?  But it did, which made Charlotte even angrier.  She couldn’t
possibly fancy a man like him, he was rude, arrogant but worse still he ignored
her whenever possible.  Charlotte laughed emptily, of course she fancied
him. His sort were the type she always fell for, Grant being a case in
point.  Although she had to be honest, Niall didn’t seem to be in the same
bastard bracket as Grant; Grant had the gold medal on that one.  Deciding
that her head hurt thinking about him, Charlotte cranked up the volume on her
radio blasting out the latest new band to take the country by storm.  He
really did make her head hurt, but Charlotte thought, which one was it, Niall
or Grant?