Bridge Over the Atlantic

by Lisa J. Hobman

  “Apparently, I’m told this next one will take Mallory back to her shoe gazing days, ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis…”

  “A little insight into Mallory’s teenage years next. I’m told this next one reminds her of her first love. A long haired lout from the next village along. It’s called ‘Runaway Train’ and it was done by a bunch of long haired louts called Soul Asylum.”

  “Now everyone will probably remember this next one being done by a band called the Commodores, but I have to say my favourite version was by an alternative rock band called Faith No More, it’s called ‘Easy’.”

  The audience totally disobeyed Greg at this point and all joined in on the choruses, singing loudly and mostly out of tune. Greg could hardly sing for laughing.

  “This next one is a beautiful song that I’m going to throw in just because I love it. So there. And you can’t stop me coz I have a mic and you don’t! It’s by a local fella called Dougie McLean.” A loud applause ensued. “It’s called ‘Caledonia’.”

  “Now there can’t be a single person in this place who has never heard of Neil Diamond?” Again, there were loud applause and cheers. “Aye, everybody loves Neil Diamond. I’m told it was Mallory’s folks’ favourite song so this is for them, God bless them. It’s one his best loved songs, ‘I am, I said’. No bloody singing along!” Once again his demands were ignored and the audience erupted into song.

  “Now I’m personally going to dedicate this song to the birthday girl. It’s by one of her favourite bands but the message is loud and clear, do you hear me, Mallory? Fleetwood Mac ‘Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow’.”

  Mallory gasped at the touching gesture. She smiled and Greg’s smile beamed back in return.

  He sang with such conviction and Mallory loved the sentiment behind the words. Renee gave her shoulders an affirming squeeze and a little wink as they swayed to the music.

  The party had been wonderful. Greg had played so many of her favourite songs and had even danced with her to the jukebox when he had taken a break, twirling her around rather like a ragdoll and making her howl with laughter. The night was drawing to a close and Mallory had enjoyed every single minute. She had been presented with flowers and cards. Colin had made her birthday cake; it was his wonderful specialty carrot cake complete with candles, but thankfully not thirty of them.

  Greg began to speak again, “Well, I’m hoping the birthday girl has had as wonderful night as the rest of us, eh? It’s been great to have you all here. But I have to say, when it comes to singing, don’t go giving up your day jobs. Leave it to the professionals. Know what I’m saying?” The audience booed and heckled in fun. He shrugged at them as if to say, “What? You know I’m right!”

  “I’ll finish tonight with another of Mally’s favourites and I have to say that it’s grown on me this week whilst I have been practising it. It’s by a bloke with an interesting name, if nothing else. He is a mighty talented guitarist, not unlike myself.” A groan rumbled around the room, “Okay, okay. He’s a young guy called Newton Faulkener and this is a beautiful song for a beautiful…ah…friend and it goes like this.” He used the guitar as a multitude of instruments, just like the songs composer. Mallory’s eyes glistened and after the musical intro, Greg began to sing ‘Dream Catch Me’.

  His eyes were closed whilst he sang, but suddenly he opened them and made direct eye contact with Mallory at a very poignant line in the song. Was he telling her in no uncertain terms that he was falling in love with her? Oh my word! Mallory’s breath caught in her throat, looking behind her to check if he was looking at someone else, but he wasn’t. Greg’s gaze remained fixed on Mallory’s for the rest of the song, a sweet smile playing on his lips. Mallory shivered.

  She loved that song so much, but she felt strange when he sang the words, especially when they were directed at her. It didn’t seem right. Josie hugged her friend, singing along and a little tipsy.

  “Oh, Mally, this takes me back. And I think maybe Greg is a tiny bit taken with you, don’t you?” Hearing Josie say the words made her cringe. They were friends. They both knew it.

  At the end of the evening, gradually, everyone filtered out of the pub. Renee and her family had rented a cottage and would be around for a week. Josie and Brad had stayed at the pub the night before, but were hoping to crash with Mallory and travel home Monday.

  Greg came over to say goodnight as she had said the last farewell to Ron who hugged and kissed her cheek. He waited patiently for Ron to leave.

  “Och shit, Mallory, you’re looking old now you know,” he teased. She hit him on the arm and he pretended to fall over. “Have you had a good time?” he asked.

  “The best. Thanks so much for doing this for me, Greg. It was so sweet of you.”

  “No bother. That’s what friends do. And like I said, it’s my fortieth in a wee while.” He wiggled his eyebrows.

  “Well, I’m guessing you won’t let me forget that.” She rolled her eyes.

  “Am I allowed to hug you?” he asked opening his arms, “I think I made a total balls up of the last time I hugged you. You know? The incident I now like to call ‘Chalkboard-gate’. I cringe whenever I think about it. What a complete spanner.” He laughed shaking his head. She walked into his open arms for a hug. He embraced her briefly but strongly.

  “Thanks again, Greg. You are a really good friend,” she told him, looking directly in his eyes as she said it. Hoping he’d get the message.

  “Aye, you’re not so bad yourself, Matey.”

  She reached up and kissed his cheek. His cologne filled her nostrils. He smelled of sandalwood. Her heart did a strange skip and she shivered again. What the heck is wrong with me? She was immediately angry with herself for even noticing his cologne, let alone allowing it to have any kind of effect on her.

  She pulled away and said goodnight. She grabbed Josie and they made their way home.

  Mallory walked so fast that Josie’s little legs could only just keep up. Brad managed quite easily, but did ask what the rush was about. Mallory didn’t answer.

  When they got inside, Josie whispered something to Brad who went out to the van, which he had moved to Mallory’s house at some point during the evening. He collected their bags and took them straight up to the guest room, that they had claimed as theirs last time they were there.

  “Right, missy, spill the beans will you.” Josie stood arms folded as Mallory removed her denim jacket and hung it up on the coat pegs by the door.

  “What are you on about?” Mallory knew exactly what she was getting at, but didn’t want to talk about it.

  “You know very well what I mean. Something’s up with you and I want to know what it is.” Josie tapped her foot like she did when she was annoyed.

  “Josie, if you have something to say, just say it.” Mallory didn’t want to be the first.

  “You’ve been a bit distant ever since Greg sang that last song.” She pointed out accusingly.

  “Yeah? So? It was weird; he was looking at me as he sang that line.”

  “What line?”

  Tears began to sting Mallory’s eyes. “You know what line!” She raised her voice.

  “Why don’t you remind me?” Josie demanded.

  Mallory sighed, running her shaking hands through her hair. “The line that talks about falling in love. That bloody line! Alright?” Tears escaped her eyes and slid, unwelcomed, down her face.

  “I knew it. I bloody knew it.” Josie threw her hands up in exasperation. “And now you are worrying you’ve led him on, or what people will think if they notice he has feelings for you, and what Sam’s family will think if they notice? Am I right?”

  Mallory nodded and a sob escaped her lips as she slumped onto the sofa.

  “Mallory, you are not,” she tilted Mallory’s chin so that she looked at her, “…hey, listen to me, you are not responsible for other people falling for you. Well you are because you’re so lovely…but that’s not what I mean…what I mean is people can’t help who they fal
l in love with or when it happens. It’s not your fault. It doesn’t mean you have to reciprocate. It doesn’t mean you are betraying Sam in any way. Do you understand?”

  “I do understand, but I really like Greg and I don’t want to hurt him. I may be totally missing the mark here anyway. Maybe it was just a coincidence that he looked at me? Maybe I’m wrong. He does keep saying I’m his best friend and he keeps calling me ‘Matey’ so I could be imagining it?”

  Josie sat beside her friend and put her arm around her shoulders. Mallory had always been guilty of putting others feelings before her own.

  “Mally, honey bun, Brad and I saw him looking at you on more than one occasion tonight. He threw the party for you; he arranged everyone to come. He somehow managed to get people here from Canada for goodness sake; he arranged the food; he learned all your favourite songs. He bought that beautiful necklace. I’m sorry to be the one to pass on the news babe but he is smitten.”

  The undesired words hit Mallory like a ton of bricks and she burst into tears again. She was sure that this was the end of their friendship. After all she didn’t feel the same. She couldn’t.

  Chapter Six

  Sunday morning was dull and rainy. It matched the mood that had cast over Mallory since the night before, after the party. She sat in bed thinking about Greg and what she could do or say to make things different. He hadn’t said anything at all to her about any such feelings. Perhaps what was left unsaid was best left exactly that.

  When she eventually went downstairs, Josie and Brad had busied themselves making a cooked breakfast. Brad had been up and out at stupid o’clock for a run and had called in to Colin’s to pick up the Sunday papers and all the necessary ingredients for a heart-attack inducing fry up. It was half ten. The smell of the breakfast was wafting its way through the house and made Mallory’s, and Ruby’s, mouth water.

  “Sleep okay?” Josie enquired as Mallory sat herself down at the kitchen table, clad in pale blue fleece pyjamas.

  “Shouldn’t I be asking you that? You’re the guest.” Mallory yawned her answer.

  “Well, I’m guessing you had lots to think about,” Josie stated.

  “I’ve decided to do nothing and say nothing. Greg hasn’t said anything directly to me, so I’ve no intention of bringing it up in case I ruin the best friendship I have up here.”

  “That’s up to you. But just be careful, Mally. Don’t get yourself into situations that will cause you more upset.”

  Mallory’s anger toward Josie began to surface. She hadn’t wanted to confront the idea that Greg may have feelings for her, but Josie blurting it out last night had meant she had to do just that. It wasn’t fair. She didn’t want to have to think about that crap every time she saw him. Why couldn’t she have just kept her mouth shut? Ignorance is, as they say, bliss, after all.

  Frowning at her friend she rose from the table. “I’m off to get a shower and then I’m taking Ruby out…alone.” Mallory declined the cooked breakfast and sulkily retreated to the bathroom.

  Brad and Josie were still sitting in the kitchen chatting when Mallory descended the creaky staircase. She didn’t interrupt them. She clipped on Ruby’s lead, slipped on her jacket and left the cottage.

  The air was cool and the sky was heavy as if it would rain soon. She walked up to the midpoint of the bridge. She thought about all the things that had happened since she moved here. It had been a period of almost three months, but such a lot had occurred. She hadn’t had the best start at friendship with Greg, but when they had ironed out their differences he had become a good friend. He was there for her. She needed that. She didn’t need Josie making something out to be there that wasn’t. She vowed that she would carry on as if Greg had not made eye contact with her at that crucial part of a love song. Things would be fine.

  As she stood there she heard a deep, excited bark coming from the direction of the pub. She turned around and saw Angus barrelling toward her, tail wagging frantically. He jumped up to greet her and managed to lick her face. She laughed and wiped the dog yuck away with the back of her hand.

  Greg came jogging up the road after him. “Angus you bloody mad hound! Come back here!” He stopped and shook his head, throwing his hands up. Mallory laughed at his lack of control over the friendly canine. He looked frustrated as he made his way to the bridge. He waved and began to jog again but wasn’t even out of breath when he reached her. “I obviously didn’t do my job right last night, eh?” He observed clipping Angus’s lead back on.

  “Meaning what, exactly?” She raised her eyebrows.

  “Well you don’t look in the least bit bloody hung over! What were you drinking at your birthday bash? Earl Grey?” He grinned.

  “Do you know, when I come to think of it there was so much going on I didn’t actually have much time to drink.” She giggled when she realised the truth.

  “Aye, well maybe you’re one of those weird types. You know, the ones who don’t need alcohol to have a good time.” He teased.

  Mallory rolled her eyes at his remark. “Where are you off to, then?” she enquired scratching the top of Angus’s golden head.

  “Just for a wee walk. Want to join us?” he asked sounding hopeful, “It’d be nice to have some company.”

  Mallory thought for a moment. Oh for goodness sake, he is your friend and it’s a dog walk. Get over yourself, she mentally chastised.

  “Ruby and I would love that,” she chimed and they headed up the road in the direction of the beach.

  On arrival at their destination both friends unclipped their dog’s leads and let them run. They watched in amusement whilst the two, little and large, ran around chasing each other as if playing a game of catch. Even the dogs have become friends, Mallory mused.

  “So…it was a good party last night, eh?” Greg didn’t look at her, but kept his eyes on the view.

  “It was wonderful, Greg. I can’t believe you did all that for me.” She too didn’t attempt eye contact, for fear of what unspoken words may pass between them.

  “Well, I figured that’s the kind of thing Josie would do if you were down Yorkshire way.”

  Mallory snorted a laugh. “Maybe not with so much gusto though,” she admitted. “Josie would have done the pub and the friends, but they would have been their own entertainment.”

  “Well, I’m just glad I did you proud.” He briefly put an arm around her roughly as if she was ‘one of the boys’. Relief washed over her. They stood in a more comfortable silence watching their dogs play together, when a few spots of rain began to fall.

  Pulling her hood on Mallory announced, “I think I might head over to the holiday cottage and see Renee and the family.”

  “Okay, I’ll walk with you.” Greg smiled, “I have a free day today and I intend to do bugger all but relax and maybe read a book.” He gasped and put a hand over his mouth dramatically.

  Mallory giggled.

  They clipped their dogs back onto their leads and headed briskly in the direction of the cottages as the rain gained intensity and the drops became larger and more determined to soak them through.

  Greg looked pensive as if there was something he needed to say. Suddenly he stopped and gently took her arm. She turned to look at him. The rain was now pouring down and his lack of hood or hat meant that his wet, dark hair looked black. He swept it back out of his face. Raindrops dripped off the end of his nose.

  He took a deep breath and after a pause said, “I have to say something. Please just let me speak and don’t say anything, okay?”

  Narrowing her eyes Mallory said a hesitant, “Oooh kay.” She frowned at his urgency. Not knowing exactly what to expect, she worried in case he was about to declare his undying love or something ridiculous.

  “Mallory, you and I didn’t get off the best start, we both know that. I feel that now, though, we’re friends, good friends?” He nodded at her, clearly needing affirmation. She nodded in acknowledgement. “Seeing you look so happy last night made me feel amazing. Knowing I had
a part in it. You know? But I think I may have given you the wrong impression. I know for a fact you felt uncomfortable at one point when I caught your eye…in the last song?”

  Mallory knew exactly what he was getting at, but couldn’t speak for fear of saying the wrong thing.

  After another pause Greg continued, “Now, I want you to know that I put your friendship above anything…I would never want to jeopardise that. If I made you feel uncomfortable by the way I looked at you then I am so, so sorry. I just…you know…I sometimes get caught up in the meaning of a song…it didn’t mean anything.”

  He ran his hand through his wet hair again, but his actions were futile as the weight of the water was simply dragging it straight back over his face. “Like I said before, I’m crap at this friends business. And if I’m completely honest, and I think I should be, I do find you attractive. But there are so many reasons why I can’t and won’t even bother to dwell on that fact. So please don’t worry. Do you understand what I’m waffling on about?”

  Mallory chewed her lip and scrunched her brow. Confusion invaded her mind. She was wondering how the hell he had just dived into her head and read her thoughts without her feeling a thing. The rain hammered down.

  Greg was soaked but didn’t seem to care. “Basically, what I’m trying to say is that, if we’d met under different circumstances, if we were closer in age, if we weren’t both so broken, if I was braver, if you even remotely found me attractive, then maybe things would be different. But I know that things are how they are. We’re friends and that’s enough. Please promise me that you won’t start to withdraw and avoid me for fear of hurting me or doing…saying the wrong thing. I’m a big boy. I can handle it. I’m happy to be just friends.”

  Suddenly Mallory felt washed with emotion. She felt the desperate urge to hug him. He had just given her the biggest gift; the gift of real friendship. She needed him so much to be a part of her life but could offer him no more. He had looked into her soul and known that and had relieved her of her burden. He found her attractive, but if she was honest, she thought him attractive too. But there was a difference between seeing the beauty in someone and wanting to do something about it. Evidently they were on the same page.