Gut Feeling (22 page)

‘Why’s that?’ said Dave, counting the money.

‘One of the local farmers saw my son’s wife in the stables last night, having it off with some scumbag… I’ve spent all day looking for him.’ The man’s face had gone a deeper shade of red.

Peter’s eyes widened in disbelief. He could feel Dave looking over at him but he refused to make eye contact. Dave quickly put the money in his pocket, trying to look surprised.

‘That is terrible, Robert… Er… well, we need to head off home now.’

Dave discreetly nudged his brother towards the van.

‘Really, I thought you were staying over tonight.’

‘Yeah, we were… Er… but… another job back home just came in… you know how it is.’

By this point the two were inside the van, talking to Robert through the window and trying very hard to end the conversation.

‘OK, well you better get off then. Thanks for your work, even if there is no wedding.’

‘Well, we hope it won’t come to that… Thanks for putting us up… Bye.’

Dave watched him out of the rearview mirror the whole stretch of the driveway until they had successfully turned on to the main road towards safety.

‘Fuck, that was close,’ Peter breathed a sigh of relief.

‘What the hell were you thinking.’

‘What… How was I meant to know she was his daughter-in-law to be? That has to be the funniest thing that has ever happened to us on a job.’

Dave rolled his eyes. ‘Well, that has definitely cheered me up. Pete, you always walk into trouble. It’s like your some kind of fuck-up magnet.’

‘Thanks, brov. Just keep the compliments coming. It’s a long drive home.’

Chapter 19

T
he next morning Ash woke early. Drawing the blinds in the kitchen, she jumped as a blackbird flew off the windowsill outside. She had a lot to think about after her talk with her sister the night before, but only a short time to do it in, as Kelly was due to leave for home because of work commitments in two days and this was such a life-changing decision she had to make. Ash stood staring out of the window watching the bird as it flew away over the streets of London, wondering if she should do the same thing but on a big metal bird destined for the United States of America.

‘Morning Ash,’ Kelly stood in the doorway wearing Ash’s dressing gown, smiling excitedly at the chance of taking her little sister home with her, but did not let this excitement show as she knew this decision was solely Ash’s choice to make.

‘Morning, Kell. Cup of coffee?’

‘Lovely thanks. So what d’you want to do today?’

‘I need to think, I need to figure out what I want.’

‘Are you going to call him?’

‘No.’

‘No?’ Kelly repeated calmly.

‘No. I am going to make my mind up based on my gut feeling.’

‘Are you sure you want to do that?’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘Nothing… just thought you would want to speak to him properly.’

‘We went through this last night. I’m not talking to him. If I do that it will just cloud my mind.’

Kelly dwelt for a second over her sister’s response as she watched her making the coffee, sensing that Ash had possibly already made up her mind to leave.

‘So you love him then?’

‘What? No. I just
think
I love him. Anyway that’s not the point he cheated.’

‘Did he?’

‘Whose side are you on?’ Ash slammed down the teaspoon, swinging around to meet her sister’s gaze.

‘No one’s, Ash… I just want you to be sure.’

‘I am sure. I’m leaving.

‘Ash… come on, you’re upset and like you said, you need more time to think it through.’

‘No Kelly, I do not. I need you to book me a one-way ticket and that’s final. Now if you will excuse me, I’ve got packing to do and a job to quit.’

She passed Kelly a cup of hot coffee, smiled a fake smile and walked away into her bedroom, closing the door behind her.

Kelly sighed, looking up at the ceiling for inspiration, wondering if her sister truly knew what she was doing. She couldn’t help but think maybe it was Ash’s past clouding her judgment not Dave clouding her mind but she knew Ash would not see it like that. She heard the bedroom door open and Ash walked out, holding up her mobile phone.

‘It’s Dave.’

Ash stared down at her phone, yearning to answer but staying strong to her word. Eventually the screen stopped flashing. She breathed out, looking at her sister, then suddenly it started to ring again. Frustrated that he was calling for a second time, she glanced at the phone, not seeing Dave’s name flashing across the screen but Lee’s.

‘Oh for God’s sake, it’s Lee… Kelly, get me out of this nightmare.’

Ash threw the phone onto the sofa then stormed into the bathroom. Kelly picked up Ash’s phone just as it stopped ringing; she started to flick through the name list till she found Dave’s number.

She could now hear Ash crying inside the bathroom. She tapped gently on the door before turning the handle.

‘Hey, sweetie, do you need a hug?’

Ash nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. ‘That’s what Dave used to say.’

Kelly held her sister close, listening to her trying to catch her breath in between sobs.

‘OK, I’m going to book your ticket. You get dressed, I’ll help you pack, then we will go to your work together.’

‘I’m really doing this, aren’t I, Kell?’

‘Only if you want to, Ash.’

‘I do.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Never been more sure of anything in my life.’

Kelly looked down at her, unconvinced.

* * *

Ash sat next to her sister on a bus as it edged slowly up Oxford Street on their way to Ash’s work, butterflies jumping around inside her stomach at the thought of quitting, and then having to tell them she would not be working out her notice. This would not be received well at all. She was also well aware that once Samantha got wind of the drama she would tell Lee, who quite possibly could create a scene before she left. Her heart pounded inside her chest as if she had just run a marathon.

Jumping off the bus as it slowed down outside John Lewis, they took a short cut through the store leading them out to Cavendish Square.

‘My God, this has to be the scariest thing I’ve ever done.’

‘Well, don’t worry. I’ll be there with you.’

‘Do you think they will shout at me?’

‘Not if they know what’s good for them, they won’t.’

Nearing the practice Ash tried to breathe deeply, she looked at her watch: 1.40 pm; they should all be at lunch, but hopefully the practice manager would be around so she could get it over with quickly. She opened the door, stepping inside, nervously looking around to see if anyone was about, wondering down the hallway quietly.

‘Ash.’ A whisper made her jump. She looked round, seeing Eliza coming out of reception.

‘Ash, what are you doing here?’

‘I know you will be mad at me, and I’m really sorry, but I’m here to resign.’

‘What?’

‘Eliza, I’m so sorry to leave you in the lurch, but I have to do this. I am emigrating to America.’

‘What?’ Eliza glanced at Kelly.

‘This is my sister, Kelly. She has come over from New York to take me back with her.’

‘When?’

‘Day after tomorrow.’

‘What?’ Eliza nearly fell over with shock, shaking her head.

‘I know, I know, it’s short notice.’

‘Ash, Mr Matson, is here today.’

‘No way.’

Ash explained to her sister who Matson was, then moments later they heard footsteps along the corridor, Ash held her breath, praying to see Samantha or Penny the practice manager walking towards them—anyone but Matson. Suddenly Ash’s day hit rock bottom as Matson stopped dead in his tracks looking straight at her.

‘Ah, young Ashleigh. I thought you were heartbroken—sorry, I mean ill.’

‘I am… I mean… ill… anyway… Mr Matson, can I have a word with you in private, please?’

‘Yes, follow me.’

Both Ash and Kelly followed him along the corridor to the back surgery where Ash met Dave, which she thought ironically fitting for the occasion in hand.

Matson held the door open looking inquisitively at Kelly as she walked past.

‘So what seems to be the problem then, Ashleigh?’

‘Mr Matson, I am here to hand in my resignation.’

‘Well, due to your behaviour since you have come back from holiday, I am not surprised, but I am confused as to why, after being such a good member of staff over the last few years?’

Ash felt terrible at hearing his response as she had prided herself on being a reliable, hard-working, no-nonsense, straight-talking kind of employee; suddenly she was being unreliable, making no sense and far from a straight-talking employee.

‘Er… well… unfortunately… something has come up… I have to go back to America with my sister here.’

He turned, looking at Kelly with a look of annoyance on his face. ‘Well, if this is what you need… to do then you can work your notice out starting tomorrow.’

‘Er… well… er…’

‘What my sister is trying to say, Mr Matson, is that due to a change in her circumstances she will be unable to work out her notice period.’

‘
What
. . . !’

‘I’m really sorry, Mr Matson.’ Ash panicked, looking at her sister for guidance.

‘You’re sorry? What good is that to me? I do not care if you are sorry; it is in your contract. You will work your notice out. And you will if you know what is good for you young lady.’

Kelly’s blood temperature rose. ‘Mr Matson, is that a threat to my sister?’

‘Yes, it damn well is.’

‘Well, you will be hearing from our family lawyer then.’

Ash stood riveted to the spot, staring at Matson’s face as he turned bright red, watching his upper body starting to shake slightly with rage.

‘
Who
do
you
think
you
are?
’

‘My name is Kelly Ann Lands, and we do not wish to continue in this conversation with you any further due to your intimidating threatening behaviour. If you feel you need to take this matter any further, feel free to call our lawyer. Good day to you sir.’

Kelly handed Matson a business card, opened the door and pushed her sister out, leaving Matson full of rage, peering down at the posh-looking business card.

Once out of Matson’s earshot, as they walked up the road back towards Oxford Street, Ash burst out laughing, largely from relief mixed with embarrassment. The one thing Kelly was not frightened of was confrontation but Ash on the other hand hated any kind of bad feeling between friends or associates.

‘That was brilliant, Kell.’

‘I know and it was all complete, bullshit.’

‘What?’ Ash stopped for a second, then ran a few steps to catch up with her sister. ‘Which bit was bullshit?’

‘All of it. You are fully in the wrong. You signed a contract agreeing that you would work four weeks’ notice and that is legally binding in a court of law.’

‘So Dad’s lawyer can’t help me then?’

‘Not really, but hopefully Matson will think he can.’

‘What if he doesn’t?’ Ash felt sick with panic.

‘You will be halfway round the world honey it won’t matter. The worst they can do is not pay you’

‘Ah yeah.’

* * *

Later that evening Ash decided to throw a leaving meal for all her friends. Her plan was to keep herself busy right up to the point of no return in order to keep all second thoughts at bay. Gemma spent most of the night crying into Rachel’s arms which in turn made Rachel cry. Jules kept telling Jon old embarrassing stories, making Ash cry with laughter, while Leon insisted on running a book on how long it would be before Ash would come back to England.

After dinner everyone helped clear the table, leaving Kelly and Rachel doing the washing up, reminiscing over old times. Leon, Jon and Jules opened a bottle of champagne on the balcony. Not long after, everyone sat round drinking toasts to anything and everything.

‘Toast… toast… toast… toast,’ Leon gabbled the table with a coaster. Ten eyes attached to five smiling caring faces that she was about to abandon looked straight at Ash. She knew that if she tried to give them a long, heartfelt speech like they wanted it would start her crying, or worse change her mind about leaving, but she couldn’t turn down the invitation to say a proper goodbye.

‘Er… OK… em… I’m not good at speaking to an audience but… em… I just want to say thank you for being part of my life and er… I will miss you all… em… but I will come and visit whenever I can. And you must come to see me to… er… that’s it, thanks and goodbye.’

She quickly sat down, relieved that it was over. Then Leon stood up, rhapsodising about all her mistakes and blunders, followed by Jules, Rachel and Gemma.

‘Ash, do you remember the time in the woods—’

‘Gem, shhh—’

‘No, no, tell all, Gemmzie, Gemmzie.’ Leon beamed.

‘Er…’

‘Gemma, no… My sister is here.’

‘What does that matter?’ said Kelly. ‘Carry on, Gemma.’

‘Er…’

‘Gemma!’ Kelly prompted.

‘Er… Ash?’ she looked to Ash for guidance.

‘Oh tell the damned story then.’ Ash rolled her eyes and placed her head in her hands.

‘OK,’ Gemma smiled, embarrassed now that the table’s full attention was on her. ‘Me and Ash was in the woods after school—’

‘How old?’ Leon interrupted.

‘Twelve. And found a dirty mag—’

‘Oh God,’ Ash winced.

‘So we started flicking through it, looking at all the naked girls and stuff.’ She stopped for a moment looking at Ash and wishing she had never brought it up. ‘Anyway Ash suggested we act out some of the pictures.’

‘I did not—
you
did!’

‘Oh come on, Ash, you
know
you did!’

‘You said you wanted to be a Page Three girl!’

‘And you said you would be my agent and we should practise.’

‘Not true.’

‘It’s so true.’

‘Girls, girls—get to the good bit. Who undressed and who touched who?’ Leon looked back and forth from one to the other.

‘Ash did.’

‘Shut up, you told me to. I didn’t want to, I was the agent but you said an agent has to strip too.’