Talk to Me (21 page)

I shook my head. Frowning he asked, ‘So why did Emily say there was?’

I shrugged. ‘You tell me. I have no idea.’

We stood in silence both of us lost in thought. What could she gain from telling him that? Suddenly I knew. ‘When did she tell you?’

He frowned again. It took him a moment to answer. ‘I told you, that night at the party.’

That made sense. Sadness washed over me. ‘What exactly did she say?’ I pressed.

‘God, I can’t remember … something like “Poor Olivia, it’s a shame she has to come to things on her own all the time. He’ll never leave his wife.” ’

I felt light headed for a second.

‘Then, she said, “Please don’t let on I told you, she doesn’t want anyone to know.”’ I could picture it all too clearly. Emily earnestly clutching his arm and whispering urgently in his ear as I walked out of the room.

‘Wait ’til I get hold of her,’ I said, remembering the feeling of bleakness when I’d come back to find her lips locked with his.

Daniel frowned looking right through me. ‘Yes,’ he said absently, letting go of my wrist. He seemed miles away.

‘Oy, Dan,’ called one of the team, coming over with a loping run. ‘As you’re out, can you come and do a spot of scoring?’

With a rueful look, he called, ‘Be right with you.’ He glanced at me, his mouth looking grim. ‘Talk about timing.’

‘Hmph,’ I muttered crossly.

‘I’ve got to go, Olivia.’ With that he turned away and then immediately turned back, an odd expression in his eyes. ‘We need to talk.’

Heavy-footed, I walked slowly back to the pavilion oblivious to the sights and sounds around me, my thoughts were back at Ben’s party.

Cringing I could remember the flirty banter with Daniel at the start of the evening, when he’d greeted me with the line, ‘Wow, you’re looking gorgeous tonight.’

Things were going swimmingly with lots of sparkly-eyed conversation until I was dragged away to supervise my brother’s birthday cake. A sugar paste triumph in the shape of a bat and ball.

Drifting through the clubhouse into the ladies toilet, I gazed at my flushed face in the mirror. I leaned against the cool glass for a moment. Was that when things had gone awry? Had I stood a chance with Daniel that night?

Going back over that evening in my head, I remembered that awful kick in the stomach sensation I’d got when I returned from sorting the cake out to find Emily wrapped around Daniel, her arms encircling his neck, kissing him deeply. At the time I’d nearly doubled over with the pain of it.

The memory still made me feel sick and embarrassed. Turning on the cold tap in the cramped toilet, I splashed water on my face, glaring at myself in the mirror. God, Daniel must have found it hilarious, that night. Me, throwing myself at him. What an idiot. Of course Emily was going to be his type, a petite, sexy blonde with curves in the right places. I stared at my reflection. Who’d want a lamp post whose ribs were more prominent than her boobs?

So had Emily’s lies put the barriers up? And now that he knew the truth, did it make any difference, or was I about to make the same mistake all over again? What if all Daniel wanted to say was, ‘You’re a really nice girl but …’

Events were determined to thwart us. Daniel’s team won the game, so he was in big demand. Not that defeat seemed to have bothered the opposition, both sides were celebrating equally. The clubhouse was packed, the pints were flowing and the bar filled with empties. Clusters of men were grouped around the tables, discussing in great detail every ball. How did they remember? They spoke another language and I could hear strange incomprehensible snippets: ‘Defensive drive … just caught the edge … bowled a googly … silly mid-off’ as I circulated chatting to wives and girlfriends.

Towards the end of the evening, I went out onto the veranda to cool down and watched as the barbecue embers gave off a final redundant glow.

It was then that a very chummy Mike arrived beside me, breathing beer fumes, obviously taking advantage of Tracey’s trip to the bar.

‘Olivia. Gotta talk to you. I hafta splain.’ With dusk falling, he couldn’t see my look of bored resignation. ‘Y’know I was goin’ out wi’ Tracey … then you came along. Shoulda told you after the first night but I couldn’t resist you … couldn’t stay away. Your fault.’

I might have had a bit more patience with his drunken rambling but he made the mistake of trying to blame me. Great. Nice to know I was irresistible to someone.

‘Never gave me chance to splain. You walked away. That wash you,’ he moaned.

What a day. My temper which is normally well hidden under layers and layers of ingrained politeness had been simmering all afternoon. I only needed the slightest excuse to light the touchpaper.

‘You bastard,’ I hissed at him, ready to let rip but Daniel materialised at my elbow. His timing stank.

‘Olivia, there you are. I’ve been looking everywhere for you.’ The breath whistled out of me as Daniel firmly took my arm. ‘Excuse us,’ he said, before adding. ‘Mike, you’re a dickhead. Thank your lucky stars that she’s too nice to go and spill the beans to Tracey.’

Wheeling me away from Mike, we walked a few steps and now the moment was finally here. Sod’s law; I was desperate for the loo.

Would he hang around and wait for me or would I lose this window? ‘Sorry, I really need to go to …’ I indicated with my head and fled towards the ladies.

When I came out I almost tripped over him, leaning lazily against the wall. Was that a good sign? Was he was determined not to let me slip away? His arms were folded and a lazy amused smile was on his lips.

‘Fancy meeting you here,’ I said aiming for a flippant tone. ‘Looking for someone?’

‘Yes.’ He flashed me a smile. ‘A tall, gorgeous blonde.’

My heart did a little flutter. I missed a breath. It all went quiet.

‘Fancy a walk round the boundary?’

‘That would be nice,’ I responded suddenly lost for words. I winced. Nice. Where’s the witty repartee when you need it?

Was this when we were going to have our ‘talk’, here in the half-light, protecting us from curious eyes?

‘Good game,’ I said, after the silence of the first few paces.

‘Great,’ said Daniel enthusiastically. In the cover of the dusk evening, his fingers brushed mine. A warm tingle ran up my arm and I sneaked a glance at him as we walked on in silence.

‘Congratulations.’

‘Thanks.’

‘Gorgeous evening,’ I said inanely.

‘Mm lovely,’ said Daniel.

I could just make out him grinning. ‘You’re laughing at me,’ I accused him. ‘I can see your teeth; you look like the big bad wolf.’

‘Are you scared?’ he asked. For a second I didn’t dare answer. Should I keep things light? What would he say if I said yes, absolutely terrified? Terrified that I’d got it all wrong. I chickened out.

‘Nah, he gets outwitted by a little girl wearing a red hood. Pretty useless wolf, if you ask me.’

And at that point I was outwitted by the ring of my mobile. Conditioned by work, I had to see who was calling just in case it was urgent.

I shrugged at Daniel. ‘Sorry,’ I said, and digging it out of the back pocket of my linen trousers I checked the caller ID. Kate? Quickly I checked my watch. Two in the afternoon there – funny time for her to ring. Some sixth sense of foreboding made me answer.

‘Hi, Kate. Your timing is rubbish. Is it urgent?’ I said, with a quick glance at Daniel. I could see his teeth grin in the dark. I immediately regretted my words.

‘I’m bleeding. I … I … don’t know what to do.’ Her teeth were chattering.

‘My God.’ Immediately I went cold. ‘How badly?’

‘Really bad.’ She started to cry. ‘There’s loads. Gushing. I’m losing the baby. I don’t know what to do.’ Now she was sobbing in earnest, which frightened me. That wasn’t like her.

‘OK, Kate,’ I said slowly, trying to sound more grown up than I felt. ‘Calm down. Have you phoned for an ambulance?’

‘Yes, but it doesn’t work,’ she cried.

‘What doesn’t work? Your phone?’

Daniel had moved closer, touching my arm as he mouthed, ‘Is she OK?’

I shook my head and listened hard to Kate.

‘No, the number. 999. It doesn’t work.’ I could hear the panic in her voice.

‘Slow down, Kate,’ I said frowning. ‘You didn’t misdial?’

‘No,’ she wailed. ‘I tried lots of times. It’s not working. Bloody, shitty country. Even 999 doesn’t work.’

Maybe it was different there. I put my hand over the mouthpiece and whispered to Daniel. ‘Kate needs the Australian emergency services. 999 isn’t the right number. Do you know it?’

‘What’s wrong with her?’ he asked, his face creased with concern.

Without thinking I blurted it out. ‘She’s having a miscarriage. She needs help now.’

His mouth was a perfect surprised ‘O’ for a moment before he said, ‘What about 911? America?’ which I immediately relayed to Kate.

‘Have you tried 911?’

Her voice lifted. ‘I could try that … wait there … never thought.’

The line went quiet for a second before I heard a howl of disappointment.

‘No joy,’ I whispered to Daniel.

‘Wait,’ he grabbed my arm, ‘the Aussie bowler.’

‘Good idea, but for God’s sake be discreet.’

‘’Kay,’ and with that he sped off back to the pavilion.

‘Kate. Hang on, sweetie. We’re just going to ask an Australian player at the club.’ I started running after Daniel.

She didn’t even query the ‘we’, all I heard was a low moan on the other end of the phone.

‘Kate,’ I said urgently, slowing my pace so that I could hear properly. ‘Kate. Are you still there?’

‘It … hurts,’ she moaned again, weeping down the phone.

I felt so helpless. I stopped just outside the veranda waiting for Daniel. There was no point going inside, it would be noisy and full of people. Looking up at the stars in the midnight blue sky, stars she couldn’t see, my heart ached for her. She was so alone.

Daniel reappeared in the doorway with Bill behind him.

Shit just what I didn’t need.

‘000,’ he called, coming towards me. Thank God, he’d asked. I’d never have thought of that in a million years.

‘Kate,’ I said urgently. She was still crying. ‘Kate, it’s 000. Can you hear me?’

‘Yes,’ she sniffed. ‘000, let …’ she broke off with a long groan. ‘… me try it.’

There was a muffled hiss and bang as she put down the phone and then I could hear her talking, breathless between sobs giving her address to someone.

‘They’re on their way.’ She was calmer but her voice was dull and lifeless. ‘I’d better go.’

‘Wait, Kate? Do you want me to come over? I can fly out.’

‘It’s too bloody far. You can’t get here in …’ she cried, anguished and started to sob again.

‘Please, Kate, there must be …’ We were both crying now. I was aware of Bill and Daniel standing together on the top step of the veranda, looking down at me with concern on their faces. I focussed on Kate.

‘There’s nothing. You can’t do anything.’ She was getting angry now.

‘I can stay on the line ’til they get there.’ Mentally I was flipping through the ramifications of getting the next possible flight. Passport. Airlines. Work.

As I sank down onto the step, Daniel slipped in beside me putting his arm round me, rubbing my shoulder. Bill stood awkwardly to one side, shifting from one foot to the other as I carried on talking to Kate. We talked of everything and nothing until I could hear a siren in the background.

‘They’re here. Olivia, I don’t know what I’d have done … I’ll call … Don’t tell anyone.’

‘Of course not,’ I lied blithely, glancing behind me. ‘Call me as soon as you can. Promise.’

I cut the call and stared wearily at the phone in my hand.

‘What’s going on Olivia? What’s wrong with Kate? Why does she need the emergency services?’ Bill was practically jumping up and down.

Shit. What was I going to say?

I didn’t get the chance to think of something plausible. Daniel answered the question for me.

‘She’s having a miscarriage.’ The words hung in the silence.

The guilty look on my face said everything as I closed my eyes and wished I was somewhere else.

Bill’s face went white and then he grabbed me, hauled me to my feet and said, ‘Is that true?’

Daniel intercepted pulling him off me. ‘Oy. Leave her alone!’

‘It’s OK, Daniel,’ I said, squeezing his arm gratefully. Turning to Bill, I nodded miserably, barely able to meet his eyes.

‘Is it mine?’ he asked heatedly.

Daniel’s eyes widened and he swivelled sharply to look at Bill.

I couldn’t lie so I nodded again.

‘Bloody hell,’ said Bill, sinking onto the step, rubbing his head distractedly.

‘Bloody hell,’ echoed Daniel.

‘Sorry, Bill. I couldn’t …’ I muttered, anxious to get away.

‘Shit. Pregnant. Kate. Bloody hell.’

‘Look. I have to go. Kate’s all on her own. I need to try and get a flight tonight or tomorrow morning.’ My mind was racing with the practicalities of getting home to get my passport.

At this point Bill jumped up. ‘I’ll go. I’ve got to see her.’

‘Bill, you can’t …’ but as his words sank in, part of me thought that might be a very good idea. Kate had admitted she’d made a mistake. If he flew to her rescue she could hardly turn him away. She’d forgive me eventually. Wouldn’t she?

‘Daniel, can you get me to the airport?’ asked Bill, decision made.

‘I will,’ I said firmly.

‘You can’t,’ interrupted Daniel gently. ‘Your folks will wonder why you’ve dashed off. They’ll know it’s Kate. Presumably she doesn’t want them to know. Besides, you’re in no fit state to drive.’

True.

‘Ring me when you know about your flight?’ I said to Bill as I wished him luck. ‘Do you want me to tell Kate—’

‘No, don’t. If she has time to think she might refuse to see me. I’ll call with my flight details. Let me know where she is. Don’t worry, Olivia, as soon as I get there, I’ll be able to look after her.’

‘Thanks.’ I sniffed as he gave me a big bear hug, my face only reaching his shoulder. He strode off leaving me with Daniel who turned to me and touched my cheek. ‘You OK?’

My eyes met his and my heart did a little flip. I nodded shyly.