The Meant to Be Collection

by Claire Highton-Stevenson

  “No, thank you, Brooke, I really should be going. I have a lunch date with an old friend.” She noted the disappointment register on Brooke’s face. “I’m sorry, maybe we can have dinner sometime next week?” She stroked a palm across Brooke’s cheek before buttoning her jeans. “I’ll call you, okay?”

  Brooke nodded. “Sure.” She reminded herself that she needed to collect Robin from Jasmine’s anyway.

  Catherine smiled and leant in. “One more kiss to last till the next?” she whispered against smiling lips. And then she was gone, leaving Brooke with bed sheets to change and a sister to retrieve.

  Chapter Five

  “So, tell me all about it,” Robin said, grinning widely at Brooke. They sat together on the top deck right at the front of the bus. It was raining outside, and droplets dripped down the windscreen slowly on the outside as the inside steamed up. “Is she still classy or did you ruin her?”

  Brooke’s eyes widened. “Where the hell did you learn that?”

  “What?” She shrugged nonchalantly and giggled. “Come on, did she stay the night?”

  Brooke knew her cheeks burning magenta were probably the giveaway. She ran her hand through her hair and smiled coyly. “She might have.”

  “I knew it!” Robin shouted. “You look too happy for this early on a Sunday.” They sat quietly, both grinning to themselves as the bus reached its next stop. People moved about. Those who needed to get off were replaced by new passengers. One older lady got up and changed seats. “Miles asked me to the Christmas dance. I think I’m gonna say yes.”

  Brooke looked across at her. “That’s not for weeks.”

  Robin grinned, “I know, eager!”

  “So, Miles huh?”

  Now it was Robin’s turn to blush. “Yeah, he’s cute. I mean for a boy.”

  Brooke rummaged in her pocket and pulled out a packet of gum. She took two from the packet and popped them into her mouth before offering one to Robin. She shook her head.

  “So, I need a new dress…I’ll help pay for it.”

  “Oh, and how you gonna do that then?” Brooke laughed.

  “Well, I figured I’m 15 now, so…” She looked at Brooke all wide-eyed and innocent. “I can get a job.”

  “We already talked about that. You need to concentrate on your studies. This year is…”

  “I know, I will, but Jasmine said they need seasonal workers through November and December in her dad’s shop. Mr Khan said I can work Saturdays and he will pay me £5 an hour.” She had it all worked out, and Brooke was a little impressed, but still, it wasn’t the plan. Getting a job now was essential.

  “I know it all sounds great, but its hard work, Binnie.”

  Robin pushed her hair back behind her ear. “I know, but only for 6 weekends. I’d earn £240 and that would buy my dress, and the rest you can have to put towards the trip.” She grinned again and Brooke realised in that moment just how much older she looked.

  “I tell ya what, let’s see if I get this job or not.” Robin sighed and pulled her bag closer to her chest.

  The bus stopped again. More people got off than got on this time. The windows were still steamed up, and Robin drew a smiley face in it. “So, what’s her name?”

  “Huh?”

  “Classy? I assume you do know her name?” Robin smirked.

  “Of course I know her name,” Brooke scoffed. She could feel her sister’s eyes on her and buckled. “Catherine, her name is Catherine.”

  “Nice, what does Catherine look like? Is she hot?”

  Brooke’s head whipped around just as an image of Catherine, head thrown back in ecstasy, popped into her mind. “I think she is,” she admitted. Robin continued to stare, one brow raised. “She’s a little taller than me in her heels and she has long honey blonde hair and these greeny-brown eyes that are just...”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “Do you like her?”

  “When did you get so nosey?” Brooke deflected.

  Robin was having none of it. “You lurve her,” she joked and ruffled Brooke’s shorter hair.

  “Get off,” she laughed. “I like her. It’s the first time since Gabby that I’ve felt that connection with someone.”

  “Gabby was a dick,” Robin stated with a sneer.

  Brooke turned to face her, “You didn’t even meet her.”

  “Didn’t need to. She dumped you, therefore she is a dick.”

  Brooke considered chastising her for her language, but, “Yeah, she was a dick.” They both laughed and high fived.

  “So, you’re gonna see her again, right?” It came as a question, but was meant as a statement. “I’ll get out of your hair anytime you wanna bring her over, okay?”

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  Robin rested her hand on top of Brooke’s. “B, you need to have a life too. It’s not all about me. Just cos Dad’s gone…I know you made promises to him, but we’re in this together, right?”

  Brooke nodded. “Yeah, Sis. Together,” she said clasping her hand and squeezing gently.

  ~FI~

  Catherine was running late, and she really hated to be late, but then, she really hated leaving Brooke too. She’d grabbed a cab from the first taxi number logged in her phone and had made it home with barely enough time to get changed. She supposed that she could have just met Ronnie as she was, but arriving in yesterday’s clothing and doing the walk of shame was not something Catherine Blake ever planned to do. Especially when meeting Ronnie; the woman would rib her for months.

  Luckily, she had found a parking space reasonably quickly when a blue Ford pulled out of a space just yards from the restaurant. She nabbed it, easily parking in the small space with the help of these new-fangled sensors this car had.

  Entering Banjo’s, she scoured the room and noted Ronnie sitting towards the back at a table for two. She had her nose in her phone and didn’t look at all bothered to have been kept waiting. As though sensing that she was being watched, Ronnie looked up and ran a hand through her short, dark tresses. She waved, and there was a sparkle in her eyes that matched the smile on her face as Catherine made her way between tables.

  “Hey, what time do you call this?” she laughed, exaggeratedly pointing to her wrist, where she wasn’t wearing a watch. Her Scots brogue was still evident even after 25 years down south.

  “I am so sorry, I got…held up.”

  Ronnie’s brow raised immediately. “Oh, held up?” A knowing smirk followed. “So, I take it the date went well then.”

  There was no way that Catherine could deny otherwise. “Yes, she’s…I believe I am smitten.” She laughed at herself.

  Ronnie sat back and appraised her. “Well, well… Catherine Blake, back in the game.” Her smile was genuine. “So, you’re seeing her again?”

  Catherine nodded. “I would like that very much, yes. Did you order yet?” She took her reading glasses from her bag and picked up the menu.

  “No, I waited for you,” Ronnie answered, picking up her menu too. “You know, for a while there, I really thought you were going to stubbornly persist in this life of perpetual singledom.”

  Catherine shrugged. “I was always open to the idea of meeting somebody, I just…you know what it was like with Penny,” she stated as she read through the options. “I think I’ll have the pork.”

  “Good choice, I was looking at that…but then I remembered that it’s a wee piggy, so I’ll have the vegetable curry.”

  Chapter Six

  With Robin locked away inside her room finishing the homework she had, Brooke was at a loss with what to do with herself. There was only so much housework anyone could do before the term “OCD” came into play.

  Picking up her phone, she swiped through the apps and found a game to play. Word searches were at least keeping her brain motivated and in some form of working order. She was just inputting a new guess when a text popped up.

  Catherine: I just wanted to say that last night, and this morning,
were something I very much enjoyed. Cx

  Brooke swung her legs down from the sofa and sat up straight, almost as if Catherine had entered the room. She was about to reply and then thought better of it. “Yes, I liked it too” wasn’t quite the response this required.

  Brooke: Hey, it’s been a long time since I have spent any time with someone and enjoyed it as much. I look forward to seeing you again, soon? Bxx

  Several minutes passed, minutes in which Brooke had convinced herself she had said too much, looked too needy, read the entire situation wrong. In the end she placed the phone under a cushion and refused to look at it for all of a minute before she picked it up again and checked for a new message. When it finally did beep, she held her breath, closed her eyes, and prayed that it was from Catherine and wasn’t telling her to get lost.

  Catherine: This might be totally ridiculous and maybe you’re already busy, but I wondered, it’s only 4 p.m., and I can’t stay out late because I have a very busy day ahead of me tomorrow, but how would you feel about going for dinner or a drink, now obviously? Cxx

  Re-reading the text twice, Brooke couldn’t hide the grin on her face. It was perfect. She was perfect.

  Brooke: I’d love to, I just need to get changed. Shall I meet you somewhere? xx

  She threw the phone down on the couch and all but ran into the hallway, knocking loudly on Robin’s door. “Binnie?”

  “What?” came the teenager’s frustrated voice.

  Brooke opened the door, and Robin swung around in her seat to face her. She had books all over her desk and bits of crumpled-up paper and banana skins decomposing around the bin. “Are you ever going to clean this room?”

  Robin ignored her and stared blankly.

  “Anyway, I am going out for a bit, will you be okay?”

  Robin gave her best are you kidding me look. “Where are you going?” The grin that lit up Brooke’s face gave Robin the answer. “Oh, Catherine?” she laughed. “Yeah, go. I’m just going to be in here all night anyway. I can get dinner. We do have food, right?”

  Brooke nodded, laughing at her. “Yes, there is food. I think there is even some biscuits in the top cupboard.”

  Robin blushed and glanced guiltily towards the wrapper in the bin. “Uh, not anymore.”

  ~FI~

  Brooke swapped out her jogging pants and hoodie for blue jeans and a shirt. She looked smart and casual, perfect for an impromptu date with Catherine. Checking her watch, she suddenly panicked when she realised that she hadn’t checked her phone for Catherine’s reply. She almost tripped over her own feet in the rush to get it.

  Catherine: Why don’t I pick you up in 30 mins? We could go for a drive down to Brighton, it’s not that far. X

  The message had come in 17 minutes previously. “Shit.” She quickly replied back.

  Brooke: Sorry, I was just getting changed. Sounds like a plan! I’m ready to go so I’ll see you when you get here. Xxx

  With no further reply from Catherine, Brooke sat herself down on the sofa to wait. The butterflies of anticipation, however, fluttered so much that she had to get up and do something. Her reflection in the mirror gained her attention. She ran her fingers through her hair several times, pulling it in one direction and then the other until she was satisfied that she looked okay. It was growing out and was in that in-between stage of just hanging loose on top. The back and sides she had kept quite short with a trip to the barber. Once the top grew out, then she would let the rest start to grow with it. She hadn’t had long hair since she was a kid, and it intrigued her a little to see what she would look like with it now.

  A new text message pulled her from her thoughts.

  Catherine: I’m outside, xx

  “Robin? I’m off, I’ll see you later. Don’t stay up late,” she was saying as she pulled on her bomber jacket at the door.

  “Okay, have fun.” Brooke was sure that she detected a giggle in Robin’s voice.

  “I mean it, don’t stay up late. You’ve got school in the morning.”

  “Yes, Mum!”

  Chapter Seven

  A black SUV flashed its lights at her. Crossing the street towards it, she could see Catherine inside, waving and smiling at her.

  “Nice car,” Brooke said as she climbed in and leant across to place a kiss on Catherine’s smiling lips.

  “It gets me from A to B,” she replied. “I didn’t interrupt your evening plans, did I?”

  Brooke laughed. An evening sitting by herself watching TV was the worst plan that she could think of. “No, I actually didn’t have any plans.”

  Catherine pulled the car out into the road. “I haven’t done this in a while,” she admitted as she concentrated on joining the traffic at the end of Brooke’s street.

  “Me either, I haven’t been to Brighton in years.”

  Catherine chuckled. “Actually, I meant this…dating someone. I’ve…it’s been a while since I’ve found anyone that I’d be remotely interested in spending time with.” She actually surprised herself with how candid she was being with Brooke. It was something else that she hadn’t been like with anyone other than Ronnie lately.

  “If it makes you feel any better, I’m not exactly inundated with offers…I kind of withdrew from dating lately, too many other things going on,” Brooke replied with equal honestly. “And I’ve always been of the opinion that you don’t need to look for these things; the right person will find you.” She grinned, unashamedly staring at Catherine as she drove.

  “Did you have a nice lunch with your friend?” Brooke asked, wanting to know all there was to know about this woman.

  Catherine glanced across at her. “I did. We don’t get to catch up too often, but I’m trying to be a better friend.” She laughed at herself. “Did you do anything interesting?” she wanted to add, without me.

  “I spent the afternoon with my sister.”

  The roads were reasonably clear of traffic and the journey was smooth. A local radio station played in the background, something poppy and upbeat but turned down too low to be intrusive on their conversation.

  As the motorway came to an end and the road weaved slowly into Brighton, Brooke realised just how easy the drive had been. Even in the silences, it hadn’t felt awkward. Catherine hummed away quietly at times, while Brooke threw out little comments about the journey, places of interest, or stories from her own youth when her friends had just started to drive and they would all pile into cars and head down here for the evening. Of course, then she had joined the army, and all her friends had moved on.

  “I found a few on social media and we’ve chatted a bit, but it’s not the same, is it?” Brooke said, staring out of the window. It was dark already and not even 6 p.m.

  “You didn’t keep in touch while you were away?”

  Brooke shook her head. “Nah. I wanted to, and for a while we all tried but, it’s not like I could just drop everything in Kandahar and stick a selfie up on Instagram.” She grinned.

  “No, I suppose not.” The thought suddenly struck Catherine of how much worldlier Brooke was compared to herself. She had barely left the UK – a few European beach holidays, but mainly she had stuck to climbing the ladder. “Do you miss it?”

  “Being shot at?” Brooke smirked. “In a strange way I do. It was tough, don’t get me wrong, you never have a good night’s sleep while you’re potentially in the line of fire. There was always the risk of a bomb or a rocket, so even when you thought you were safely ensconced on base, you never truly let your guard down. But, you’re in it together, you and your mates. We’re a team and regardless of who you are, where you come from, or what’s between your legs, we had each other’s backs and that’s something special, ya know?”

  Catherine didn’t know. “I guess I am more of a loner. School wasn’t much fun for me and then I went to university and it wasn’t much better, though I did meet Ronnie, so it wasn’t all bad.” She smiled, but Brooke noted the hint of sadness there. “I don’t make friends easily.”

 
; “That surprises me,” Brooke said. “You have been good fun, articulate and entertaining so far. I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t want to spend time with you.”

  Catherine blushed. She was silent for a moment as she concentrated at the roundabout. With the next gap in the traffic, she pulled forward quickly and took the turn that would lead them along the seafront to where all of the pay-and-display parking spaces were. “I find myself very much at ease with you, Brooke.” There was a space up ahead and she moved the car into it. Yanking the handbrake, she turned to the darker of them and leant forward. Cupping Brooke’s cheek, she guided her forward. “There’s something about you that I just…I can’t resist.” Their lips met, and when she asked for entrance, Brooke submitted in an instant. Her tongue was hot as it slid into her mouth and caressed her own. Brooke wasted no time in joining Catherine’s passion. Her fingers found their way to entwine in thick hair, grasping handfuls as her breathing upped a notch and became erratic while she tried to keep breathing through her nose. Anything she could do to just keep kissing this woman, she would try. When Catherine finally pulled away, she groaned at the loss. Catherine chuckled. “If we don’t stop now, then I fear we might never leave the car.”

  “Is that a bad thing?”

  Catherine grinned. “Come on, let’s have some fun.”

  ~FI~

  Fun meant heading to the pier and cashing up pound coins for 2p coins. Catherine was in her element on the tipping point games, patiently waiting for the right moment to drop her coin and watch as it rolled or dropped down onto the moving platform to line up flat and be pushed forward. Any time she knocked coins off, she would jump excitedly and cling to Brooke, grinning like a child who had just won a balloon at the fair.

  Brooke preferred the driving games, but only played one as she didn’t want to waste what little money she had on such frivolous activities. “I need to find a cash point,” she said as Catherine dropped her last coin into the machine.

  “Why?” she asked, bending slightly to watch the coin fall into the one space where it would do absolutely nothing.