by Jane Gilley
‘I don’t know why you’re stopping,’ Dora said, her arms crossed, defensively. ‘There’s nothing else I want to say to you, Andy. We said what we needed to say. But I have to say I still can’t forgive you for lying to your mum and Lauren about me in that way. You completely screwed everything up, big time, you know.’
He’d taken hold of her hand.
‘I know that. But, Dee, you played your part too—’
‘Christ, where has this come from? How did I play any part in your cheating?’
‘Look, Dee, I don’t want to keep going over old ground, here, but you were depressed and clingy before the postnatal depression set in and I needed space. Now, like I keep saying, I was happy enough when you fell pregnant with Lauren and I was happy about us staying together for her. But because you were at home all day and didn’t interact with anyone else apart from Jodie, you just wanted me all to yourself when I came home from work.’
‘What? Isn’t that what a relationship is all about? Adults, at the end of the day, talking and being close to each other? And, yes, even living in each other’s pockets?’
‘It probably is, I’ve since learned. But back then, one of the reasons I originally left Kent to go travelling was because my last girlfriend was clingy. And what I liked about you was that you’d told me you needed that sort of space, too. To get away from your parents and their constraints, you told me. So I thought we were a match made in heaven! But when we got back to Kent you became clingier and I needed space to breathe. And, I’m sorry to say, when your postnatal depression was doing its absolute worst I felt rubbish and trapped. So – I’m sorry – but I did what I did.’
‘So you shagged someone because I was depressed and you needed space to breathe? What crap! I’d’ve understood it if you’d’ve just stormed off somewhere, rather than done that.’
Andy shook his head. ‘I guess it’s what men sometimes do.’
Dora studied him then. She’d doted on him – God! She’d loved and adored him. He was one of those men everyone fell for and he probably knew that. Some people emitted that kind of persona. But perhaps he didn’t view himself in that guise? It was clear to Dora he’d had his own insecurities that prevented him from having fulfilling relationships. Maybe that’s what had really ruined everything for them. There was clearly some issue with him forming deep, meaningful, loving relationships because Lauren had told her he’d never married anyone.
Dora shook her head and looked out the window at the wintry scene; there was no snow on the ground but it was icy underfoot.
Before all this, though, she’d long held secret fantasies of someday meeting up with him again and either taking her frustration out on him by battering him or dragging him back to bed for one last session, just to see if she was truly over him. She’d never met anyone who’d rocked her boat quite the way he’d rocked her boat, despite everything.
‘So have you found anyone else you can love and care for in the way you need to, then?’
‘No. I’ve had girlfriends, of course. You met Dariana that time. But you were the only one I thought I’d love being in love with and that’s why I was happy to go back to Kent when you got pregnant – to give us a try. Lauren and I still live there, as you know, but I have a bigger house now and I have my own estate agency business, too. But there’s currently no one in my life, apart from our girl. What about you?’
‘Well, sure, I met plenty of other men after you. But I couldn’t settle for anyone less than you. So I’ve actually been single for a very long time, too. But the best thing that’s happened to me of late is being reacquainted with our daughter. Before that the best thing that happened to me was that I made a whole squadron of new friends through the Afternoon Tea Club I’ve joined. Plus I’ve just bought a flat. So I’ve been learning about putting down proper roots for the first time in my life. And, I’m really happy about all of that. I’ve also just recently secured a part-time job doing managerial cover in a small hotel chain, which is perfect for me. So I can actually say I’ve finally found my place in life. But are you – do you feel complete, now, Andy, living the life you do?’
‘I wouldn’t say I actually feel complete, yet. No.’
He looked down and was quiet for a beat.
When he looked up he searched her features, as if trying to read the depths behind her eyes. Her heart started racing. She knew that look and she knew she would not be able to refuse him if he tried to kiss her; it was what she’d been dreaming about for oh so long. He was her missing piece; it had always been him. No one else had come close. Her imposed bravado about not needing anyone had prevented anyone from guessing the truth.
And then, suddenly, he reached out for her and he did kiss her and she melted against him. But the ferocity of her bridled feelings flew to the surface, overflowing as a deep moan. Andy pulled back, his eyes travelling over her face in awe. She couldn’t retract what she’d just felt. She didn’t want to; she’d wanted this for far too long, despite everything. Yes, she was still mad at him for what had happened but she’d always wanted him …
And then they made love in a frenzy of fumbling hands and urgent passion, in the back of his car, sweeping them to unadulterated highs that no drug had ever done; tearing the need and want from them both, like a tussle in an alley. And when it was done, when the feverish pitch had ebbed and died and they rested breathlessly in each other’s arms, Dora had known. She’d known she could love no one else – no matter what the future held for them; no matter whether Andy wanted her or not. For her there would only ever be him.
So she turned to him and risked everything because, no matter what had happened between them in the past – unfinished or otherwise – she had so much more now than she’d ever had in her life before; she had her wonderful new friends and, most importantly, her beloved daughter. And all that made her feel fuzzy-warm inside, which was more than enough to Dora. So whether she won him back or lost him forever, she knew she was finally living life on her own terms.
‘You’re like a drug to me; you always were. I love you deeply, Andy, despite everything. And we will always be connected because of Lauren. Second chances don’t usually come along and they rarely work out. Some people change; most of us stay the same. So I’ll understand if you feel our time came and went all those years ago. On the other hand, if you want us to try again – if you want us to work towards trying to put some of the wrongs right, now we’re a lot older and hopefully a lot wiser – I’m all for it. But I’d want to keep it secret and then see where it takes us. I don’t want Lauren getting her hopes up about us and then it not working out again. And then if it doesn’t work out for us, at least we’ll have had our second chance and Lauren will be none the wiser, either way. And – truthfully – I’d be happy whichever way it swung. So what do you think? I’ve told you what I want. But what do you want for us now, Andy?’
Chapter 36
Eileen had rung and emailed the four of them. And so they’d turned up as requested on a grey damp January morning, three days before the first Afternoon Tea Club meeting of the New Year, sitting in the canteen drinking hot chocolate and coffees, gabbling away about their Christmases and New Years, like a flock of spared geese!
When asked about Stacy’s Christmas, all she’d done was present her left hand and its sparkling diamond, which answered that question.
‘Oh, darling,’ Marjorie had cried, hugging her. ‘I’m so pleased for you. Oh, I think that’s the best thing that could’ve happened to you, sweetheart.’
‘You finally found your knight in shining armour,’ Raymond said grinning. ‘Happy for you.’
‘Well, he found me, I suppose. But I’m very pleased he found me because I was floundering.’
‘You were, sweetheart. But you got there in the end,’ said Dora, giving her a big hug too.
‘I did but it’s been a funny old year, hasn’t it?’
‘Yes, I’ll drink to that,’ said Dora. ‘So how was your Christmas, Raymond?’
Raymond sighed pensively. ‘Oh it was very quiet with just me and our Simon – our second Christmas without my wife. Nothing like the spread Dianne would’ve put on for all of us. His immediate family do their own thing every second year, so he wasn’t included this year and he misses them terribly. Anyway, we had a good talk and made a decision – I’m moving him in with me for a few months as he’s been struggling. It’ll give me a bit of company and we can put him back together before he decides which direction he wants to go in life, again. A bit like you and Marjorie did. So how’d your flat move go, Dora?’
‘Well, I’m in and loving it. And me and Marj have been out furniture shopping and Lauren has chosen which bedding and wallpaper she wants in her room. So that’s really great. And Lauren and I spent the whole Christmas and New Year together, which has been pretty fantastic. I’ve told her she can come stay with me whenever she wants because she’s got her own room now, which’ll be marvellous for us both. It’s wonderful getting the chance to be a mum again at fifty – ha, ha! But it’s better now because I’m much more settled than I was and much happier. And she’s a clever girl. She’s an undergraduate at Bournemouth University, you know, doing a BA Honours degree in Accounting and Business studies.’
‘A-ha!’ spat a familiar voice approaching their table. ‘So I can see yet another family business in the making. Small boutique hotel run by mother and daughter, no less, hey Dora? How ironic!’
Dora nearly choked on her coffee. ‘What the hell are you doing here, Mommy dearest?’
Marjorie laughed at that reference. She could see that some peace had been restored between Yvonne and Dora. Some! But they were as typical a couple as that portrayed by Bette Davis and Joan Crawford in the film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? According to Dora their New Year’s get-together with the whole family at Philippa’s place had gone swimmingly. Clearly Philippa had given strict instructions to Yvonne about getting over herself for the sake of smooth family relationships. But Dora and Yvonne would probably always have the occasional spat. It was in their blood.
‘Well, you lot aren’t the only ones in Eileen’s address book! I think she even said Jodie was coming. Stacy’s beau is coming – well quite a few of us have been invited, darling. Doesn’t she want us for a group photo shoot or something?’
‘Oh yes,’ said Marjorie. ‘They’ve set up a new website about the Afternoon Tea Club and they want to include all the success stories – you know – people meeting up with long-lost friends, people making new friends, long-lost families and that sort of thing, as well as the activities they provide. They’re billing it as the best place in town to come and make friends and have some fun. I think it’s a pretty neat idea.’
‘It’s a great idea,’ said Raymond.
‘So we’re all going to be famous now,’ added Stacy.
Suddenly more people started arriving. Jodie, who ran up to Dora and threw her arms around her. Steven and Gracie appeared, much to Marjorie’s delight and surprise, and she set about introducing them to all her new friends, especially Raymond. Raymond’s son, Simon, came up to him and shook his hand.
‘Wow, Pops! It’s quite a turnout. Yeah, I’ll have a hot chocolate, thanks. Although I don’t think that machine’s gonna cope with all our demands.’
Eileen and her sons and Taynor arrived, and Stacy’s face was a picture as her mother and father and Peter and Marvin arrived with John.
‘Yay!’ she squeaked at them as she ran up to each of them and showered them with hugs. ‘Come meet all my new friends!’
Andy and Lauren came in with Pat, searching the crowd for Dora.
‘Hi, Mum!’ said Lauren, giving her mother a hug and, spotting Grandma Yvonne, Lauren slipped away to say ‘hi’ to her.
‘Hello, Pat. Good to see you again,’ said Marjorie. ‘I think they’ve given up with the drinks machine. Or it’s given up with us. Someone’s opening the canteen, in a minute. So they’ll serve you with whatever you fancy drinking.’
Marjorie noticed the way Andy brushed Dora’s cheek with his hand and how Dora looked at him. He followed Lauren to say hello to Yvonne and Philippa.
‘You didn’t tell me about, um, this …?’ Marjorie said provocatively, as she approached Dora.
‘I didn’t know there was a this until just recently,’ Dora said with a wicked smile. ‘In fact, it’s quite a big this now actually, I’m thrilled to say! But I’ll tell you everything when you come over to mine, next week. Oh and can you make it earlier? About 6.30 p.m.? I start work at my new job the next day. It’s so exciting!’
‘Yes, sure. Gosh it’s all happening for you, isn’t it? Your family storylines are better than EastEnders, I must say! Oh, and would you look at that.’
It looked as though members of a film crew were arriving. There were eight men and women dressed in black T-shirts and jeans making a clattering entrance with microphones, sound and recording equipment.
Eileen stood in front of the chattering crowd. ‘Okay, everyone! Hello there! Can you all hear me?’
No one really took any notice of Eileen until Yvonne did a piercing wolf whistle, which made everyone stop but then start laughing.
‘Quiet, people! This lady is trying to talk to you!’ Yvonne said.
That did the trick. Dora looked embarrassed. Lauren put her arm around her mother’s waist and nestled her head against her shoulder.
‘Thank you, Yvonne. Well, everybody. Hopefully you’ve all met up with each other and had a nice hot drink or two and a jolly good natter. Like I said in the email, this get-together is for our new website, so what we’re going to do is make our way into the main hall and have a collective photo. Afterwards, some of you are going to be interviewed regarding your amazing stories because of the Afternoon Tea Club. Right, so if you’re ready? Come this way,’ Eileen said, leading everybody next door into the main hall.
She started positioning everybody with the tallest at the back and she found a chair for Taynor to sit on. Michael was wheeled next to Taynor with Eileen’s mother in her wheelchair on the other side. Then she went back to the camera crew to give them instructions. Dora sighed and moved to the front of the gathering.
‘Well, this is not working for me, people,’ she stated, pacing.
Everybody started looking at one another.
‘What’s not working?’ said Yvonne, folding her arms.
‘Well, if this photo is going to represent the Afternoon Tea Club in the guise of “the best place in town to make friends and have some fun”, then a photo of a sombre group of people with weird grins on their faces is not going to cut it. Wouldn’t make me rush to sign up, is what I’m saying!’
‘So what do you have in mind, Dora?’ said Raymond.
‘Well, it needs more drama; more action. Happy, engaging faces. Or something more impactful or creative. Hmm. Not sure what. I’ll be back in a second,’ she said, walking out of the hall.
‘She’s nuts, that one,’ muttered Yvonne.
The camera crew moved their equipment into the hall and started setting up. Dora came back and started talking to them in a hushed voice. Eileen was watching her. Then Dora left again. When she returned she had a large bowl of what was most probably water, judging by the laboured way she was walking with it. She gave it to one of the crew members and then hurried back into the midst of the crowd.
‘Right, I think that should do it,’ she told everybody.
***
She found Andy and Lauren and stood between them with her arms around their waists. Andy kissed her cheek, as the opportunity presented itself, and Dora hugged her daughter. Yvonne and Philippa linked arms next to Lauren, with Grandma Pat next to Andy. Dora felt blessed to have her wonderful family all around her, as did everybody, that day.
‘Wait for it!’ She grinned at them both, holding them tight.
‘Right, so are we ready now?’ said Eileen.
‘Yes, we are,’ said Dora. ‘So come on. Get in here with the rest of us, Eileen!’
The
camera crew member winked at his mates and then shouted, ‘On the count of three I’m going to chuck this bowl of ice-cold water over the lot of you and then we’re gonna snap your response!’
Everybody jumped nervously.
‘W-what?’ said Eileen.
‘They’re doing what?’ said Raymond, looking nervous.
‘Ooh! No wait! My new frock!’ yelped someone else.
But the crewman didn’t wait for the audience to compose themselves nor did he give them the chance to bottle it and run off.
‘One, two, three!’
The cold water formed an arc of droplets as it left the crewman’s hands and splashed down onto the heads of the astonished assembly in Borough Community Centre.
There was a moment’s silence as the dripping water slopped over them and then a cacophony of cries as the icy water soaked into their clothes.
‘Aargh! Nooo!’ yelped the crowd, collectively; mouths open, raised eyebrows, hands grasping, faces cringing …
But Dora was right.
The result made one hell of a stunning photograph on the new Afternoon Tea Club website.
Acknowledgements
A book finding its way into publication via various media – audiobooks, ebooks, paperbacks – is not just about the person behind the writing. True, the author has honed their skill and written the tale. But behind them are those other skilled producers; the editors, the marketing unit, the bloggers, the writing community – all of whom are like one big family forever guiding the book forward; as well as one’s own family and relatives, who are supportive of the author’s talent.
So my heartfelt thanks goes to my brilliant Commissioning Editor, Katie Loughnane, for her continued passion, encouragement and dedication; Helena Newton, copy editor, with her eye for detail; the inspiring Sabah Khan, Head of PR; Ellie Pilcher, Marketing Manager, and the amazing team that is Avon, HarperCollins.
