Chasing Clouds

by Annabelle Knight

  Elodie suddenly remembered Jessica, the woman she had befriended on her course and wondered how she was getting on. They had been firm friends during the course’s duration. Elodie had helped her out whenever she could. Jessica had struggled with the workload. Elodie had been so happy to have a friend that she had been delighted to lend a helping hand. She fired off a quick message to Jessica, not sure whether or not she genuinely wanted to see how she was doing or whether she just wanted someone to share her news with. The phone vibrated in her hand moments later: Jessica had replied in rapid fashion and with way more than just a thumbs- up emoji. She congratulated Elodie over and over again and insisted that they meet up that night to celebrate. Elodie drafted out a response: she couldn’t think of anything better than putting her glad rags on and celebrating in style, especially with someone that had gone through the same thing.

  “Well, until tonight it looks like I’m celebrating on my own,” she said aloud. Her voice echoed around the empty room and suddenly Elodie didn’t feel like celebrating very much at all, in spite of Jessica’s positive reaction. She couldn’t help but feel saddened by Carla and Steph’s lack of interest. Why hadn’t either of her best friends called, texted or made contact in any way? She knew they had seen the message, the tell- tale blue ticks told her so, but still she heard nothing.

  Mid- afternoon, Elodie started to get ready for her evening. She really went to town with the pampering, believing that she well and truly deserved it. Before long she was sat amidst a sea of bubbles in a lovely hot bath with a face mask on and her wine in hand. It had been several hours since she had received the news of her job offer and the giddy bliss in which she had been so wrapped in was beginning to relinquish its grip. She hadn’t heard from Steph at all and Carla had managed a ‘well done’ and invited her to come for a coffee at the café after hours. Elodie hadn’t replied yet; she was still feeling sour that they hadn’t made more of a fuss. She knew they were both busy and tried not to feel annoyed so washed the ill- feeling back with some wine. She had even seen that Carla had posted a very arty picture of some cakes to Betty’s social media feed, which made her even more annoyed, so she had done her old trick of putting her phone in her dressing table drawer. Removing the temptation seemed to have had the desired effect because now she felt happy, calm and contented in her bath.

  She took another sip of wine and closed her eyes, allowing the water to wash over her. She still couldn’t believe she was going to start work, and so soon as well. She would take the next week to really enjoy herself, she decided that she might even treat herself to a little shopping trip and couldn’t see why not. After all, she would have a decent salary coming in soon enough and with everything she’d achieved, surely she deserved a little extravagance?

  Elodie was just drifting off into a daydream, which consisted of white sandy beaches, hidden coves and beautiful waterfalls when she heard the unmistakable sound of the front door creak; she opened her eyes and sat up sharply.

  “Hello?” she called aloud, uncertainty creeping into her voice. The café still had a couple of hours until it closed so she knew it was far too early for Carla to be back yet. There was no reply so with her heart beating fast Elodie reached for her towel and climbed out of the tub. She placed a near- trembling hand on the doorknob and was about to turn it and confront the intruder when common sense took hold of her. She removed her hand and instead slid the bolt across as quietly as she could manage. What on earth had she been thinking, what was her plan? To confront the stranger in nothing but a towel, with sopping wet hair and her face caked in a bright pink clay mask?

  “Hello?” she called again, louder this time and with as much confidence and bravado as she could muster. If someone was out there she didn’t want them to know she was frightened. She could have kicked herself for leaving her phone in that drawer. ‘Of all the stupid things to do,’ she thought angrily.

  “El, are you in the bathroom?” Carla’s voice sounded. Elodie felt relief wash over her, although she thought she detected a note of panic in Carla’s voice. Perhaps she too had assumed someone who shouldn’t be was in the flat.

  “For God’s sake!” Elodie exhaled. “You almost gave me a heart attack. I thought you were someone trying to rob the place!”

  “Nope, just me. I forgot something so had to nip back, you are coming to the café later, aren’t you?”

  “I am for a bit but I’ve said I’ll meet a friend later. You know, Jessica from my course?” Elodie said, a little hurt that Carla hadn’t offered any congratulations in person.

  “Jessica eh? Should I be jealous?” Carla said laughing. “Just come to the café for seven, OK? Oh and wear something nice; we might go out for dinner or something.”

  Elodie opened her mouth to reply. Hadn’t Carla been listening? She was going out afterwards! But before any sound could escape her lips, the front door had creaked once again and Elodie knew that Carla was no longer there. Elodie bristled: Carla had dragged her out of the bath, scared her half to death and then done a runner without even a word of well done.

  Elodie scrubbed the face mask from her skin a little too pugnaciously, as when she looked up at her reflection her complexion was almost as pink as the mask had been. She left the bathroom in favour of the bedroom; water fell in fat droplets onto the living room floor as she crossed it. Determined not to let Carla’s apparent disinterest mar her evening, she closed her eyes and took in three deep, calming breaths that, Elodie was pleased to note, had an instant effect on her mood. She vowed not to turn into a diva about this and reminded herself that both Carla and Steph had been with her through thick and thin. Steph had always been a source of support and advice and Carla always knew how to cheer her up. Elodie sat down at her dressing table and rubbed her damp hair with a towel. She pulled her hair into a loose ponytail and began to ready herself. She applied her makeup carefully and with effort, wanting the first evening of properly having her shit together to be reflected in her appearance. She opted for an understated smoky eye, a pale pink blush and a slick of peach- coloured lip- gloss, which finished off her pretty yet professional look perfectly.

  Elodie accidentally spent a little too much time on her makeup so that she now barely had any time to do her hair. She pulled the hair- tie away from her and let her chestnut hair fall around her face; it was still damp. Elodie checked the time: she needed to be leaving soon. She blasted the hairdryer on it for a few moments, tipping her head upside down as she did so. After a minute or two she decided that enough was enough and righted herself, she brushed her hair quickly and, once satisfied that it looked OK, pulled on a pair of black skinny jeans, grey vest top and black jacket that was, in all honesty, the smartest thing Elodie seemed to own. She had time for one last look in the mirror before heading out the door and was rather pleased with her reflection. She slipped on a pair of mid- heels and bolted for the door.

  “Shit!” she exclaimed, “when will I ever learn? Phone!”

  Elodie darted back through the living room and into her bedroom, pulled the drawer of her dressing table open and grabbed her phone, noticing with a grim hesitation that she would soon have to switch it to low power mode if it were to last the night.

  As she marched down the road towards Betty’s Book Café, Elodie checked her watch. It was a ten to seven: she would have just enough time to manage a quick coffee with the girls before heading out to meet Jessica. A spark of resentment flared as she walked and Elodie found herself being annoyed once again that they hadn’t made more of a fuss. She shook her head dramatically as if to dislodge those thoughts; her usual sunny disposition being momentarily overshadowed left her feeling at odds with herself. She vowed not to be so petty and powered on. After all, they had been at work all day and it would be nice to have a celebratory coffee with them.

  Catching her reflection in the window of Creaseys, the estate agents, she couldn’t help but smile to herself and found herself administeri
ng a little pat on the back. She was proud and excited at the thought of her new job and also impressed that all her pampering had had the desired effect. For once she liked the way she looked; maybe it had something to do with the fact that she had taken complete control over her life that filled her with a new- found confidence, or maybe it was the new contouring kit she’d borrowed from Carla. The stark contrast in their skin tones meant that Carla had plenty of what she called ‘pale waste’ left. ‘Not too shabby, Taylor,’ she thought to herself as she felt a little spark of certainty flare within. Everything was falling into place for her. The few short weeks in which she had found herself without a home to call her own, newly single and in need of a job had been a trying time, although made immensely less stressful by her friends, who offered their support and help and asked for nothing in return – except rent, which she could of course now pay for with her new job. As she rounded the corner and saw the familiar frontage of Betty’s looming ever closer, she quickened her pace, the desire to see Steph and Carla doubling with each step.

  The café was in semi- darkness and the front door had been left ajar, which Elodie found most odd. She pushed it open and the familiar jingle sounded from above. The last chime had barely ceased when the café was thrown into a blaze of light.

  “Surprise!” many voices declared from all around her.

  Elodie glanced around, completely dumbstruck. She broke out into a wide smile: there, in Betty’s Book Café, were all of her friends. Cute bunting hung from the ceiling, which read ‘Congratulations Elodie!’ and balloons of all colours had been placed as far as the eye could see. The table closest to the window was laden with party nibbles and a huge cake in the shape of an aeroplane, which Betty must have spent all afternoon on. Someone thrust a glass of something sparkling into Elodie’s hand and the group raised their glasses to Elodie and her new job. Happiness swelled and Elodie was taken over by a distinct sense of belonging and love, something she hadn’t felt so strongly in such a long time.

  “Jessica!?” Elodie exclaimed, now the shock had worn off and she was able to take in who was actually in attendance. “What are you doing here? Were you in on this?”

  “Not at all. I got a text message, from your phone telling me about the plan.” She nodded towards Carla who was pouring out glasses of fizz and laughing wildly at something that she obviously found very funny.

  Elodie was confused, she remembered all too well Carla coming back into the flat but her phone had been hidden away; how would she have known where it was? Carla, having seen the two women talking, made her way towards them, a warm smile on her lips and an almost smug spring in her step.

  “Congratulations El,” she said, leaning in and giving Elodie a kiss on the cheek. “Sorry if you thought we were ignoring you, we were in overdrive trying to sort this out last minute.”

  Elodie thanked her for all the effort they had gone to and took a sip of Champagne. The crisp amber liquid slipped down her throat easily and she felt a warming sensation in her chest.

  “I don’t understand, you were in and out in minutes. How did you know to text Jessica? Hell, how did you know where my phone even was?” Elodie asked, nonplussed.

  “Honest answer, I didn’t. I was looking for something else and just opened your drawer and there it was. Jessica had sent you a message so I replied and filled her in on what was going off. I didn’t want her to get stood up, after all!”

  Elodie nodded: that made sense. But did it?

  “What were you looking for?” she probed, not quite satisfied with Carla’s explanation. Before Carla had a chance to reply, the tinkle of the doorbell sounded again and Elodie, more out of habit than anything else, looked around. Standing there in an impeccable outfit of dark denim jeans and black roll- neck, which showcased his broad physique, was Chase Ford. He gave a stiff smile as he entered and Elodie thought for a moment that she saw his suave self- confidence waver. She must have been mistaken, though, because he greeted everyone as if they were old friends. His eyes met hers and she found a smile begin to play around the corners of her mouth.

  “Congratulations young lady,” he said as he took a glass of Champagne from a nearby table. “Gareth tells me you passed with flying colours, if you’ll pardon the pun.” Elodie nodded, unable to find any words. “And now I hear you’ve got a new job to boot,” he gave her a pat on the shoulder and Elodie found that she was disappointed that his touch was of a professional, perhaps bordering on friendly, disposition.

  “Thanks,” she stammered, taking a sip of Champagne herself, more out of discomfiture than any real desire for a drink. “I… Sorry, I… I don’t understand how you’re here?” she finished uneasily.

  Chase laughed. It wasn’t a cruel laugh so much, but the sound made Elodie feel small.

  “Ah, the man of the hour managed to make it,” Carla said happily. “Hope you don’t mind, El, but that’s what I was in your room for.”

  Elodie looked at her, still not completely sure Carla meant.

  “I don’t understand…” Elodie began.

  “The card? You know, the one that Edward wrote his number on the back of. Well, I remembered that it was Chase’s card, wasn’t it? I thought it was only fair to invite him, he was the one who put all of this in motion, after all.”

  Chase seemed to swell with pride and Elodie felt a twinge of annoyance. Sure, Chase had helped her get on the course but she was the one who had done all the work. He hadn’t helped her pass the exam, or aided her job hunt. He hadn’t been the one filling out application form after application form and he certainly hadn’t been the one fighting back the tears as he read his umpteenth rejection letter. It seemed very much like he was the one getting all the credit when it had been she who had done all the work. She figured that this was how a racehorse must feel when it sees its rider lifting the winning trophy.

  “I’m afraid I can’t take all the credit,” Chase said, as if reading her mind. “Gareth tells me you excelled in all areas, you really put the others to shame. Well apart from one girl who, from what I hear did almost as well as you.”

  As if knowing he was talking about her, Jessica appeared by Elodie’s side. She had teased her long blonde hair into loose curls and had draped it elegantly over one shoulder. She flipped it back and extended a hand towards Chase with such confidence that it made Elodie feel envious. She shrugged the feeling off and continued to play spectator as the two conversed.

  “Almost as well. I beat you to getting a job, though. I started at Argent Private Air the week after we completed the course. One- nil to me,” she laughed and gave Elodie a playful tap on the arm and ran her fingers through her hair.

  Elodie couldn’t help it, a wave of dislike for Jessica washed over her and she found herself wishing that Carla hadn’t invited her at all. Chase and Jessica fell into easy conversation that flowed as easily as a river does running downhill. She felt very much like a third wheel and more than once tried to make a break for it. Jessica seemed to sense that something was wrong and kept drawing her back in. Elodie knew this was an act of friendship but it felt more and more that Jessica was just doing it out of pity and she was cast out of the conversation almost as quickly as she had been drawn back in. Elodie felt well and truly trapped. She glanced around and caught Steph’s eye. Steph raised a knowing eyebrow and beckoned her over. Elodie felt a great wave of gratitude rush towards her friend and, making her excuses, managed to back away from Chase and Jessica. Jessica didn’t seem to notice Elodie leave this time. She was still chatting animatedly, flicking her hair over her shoulder repeatedly and flashing Chase a perfectly polished smile that would have any Hollywood A- lister jealous of her dentistry. Elodie sensed more than saw, Chase’s eyes follow her as she retreated towards Steph and felt embarrassment begin to bubble inside her.

  ‘He must think I’m such a dork,’ she thought to herself, before shaking her head and deciding quite honestly that she didn’t
actually care what he thought.

  As the evening drew to a close Elodie reflected on the day. She felt really quite tired now, which could have a fair amount to do with the fact that she had drunk more than her fair share of Champagne and eaten more than her fair share of cake.

  “Not keeping you up, are we?” Chase’s voice said from behind her as she stifled a yawn. She wheeled round and shook her head.

  “No, no not at all,” she said apologetically. “It’s been an eventful day, that’s all.”

  “You wait. The life of a flight attendant is a busy one: you won’t know tired until you’ve done back- to- back shifts, been through three different time zones and travelled thousands of miles all in one week.” He offered her a smile and then leant over and gave her a kiss on the cheek. He pulled away and Elodie’s hand shot to the place where his lips had been. “Seriously, though, Elodie, well done.” With that closing statement, he turned on his heel and in the blink of an eye had disappeared out of the door and into the cool night air.

  Elodie stood there for a few long moments, her fingertips still pressed against her cheek. She had felt something in his kiss: electricity. It had been such a small gesture but something so big at the same time. She didn’t know whether he had felt anything; his demeanour and tone certainly hadn’t given anything away. She was probably reading too much into it, the alcohol clearly playing tricks on her mind. She cast her thoughts back to the rest of the evening: Chase and Jessica wrapped up in deep conversation, exclusive to the two of them.