by RJ Hunter
"Hey, Laura, we could have a party tomorrow when Mum goes to Falcondale?"
"I can't really say I'm in the mood for a party Jonathan."
"No, of course not." He uttered, trying not to antagonise her any further. "So when are you going to tell Mum, that the child belongs to Lincoln?"
Laura sighed and put her glass down.
"I really don't know. I suppose I should have said something when I told her I was pregnant, but something happened and the moment wasn't right. I'll tell her when she gets back from Wales."
Jonathan didn't reply. He had now seen Beth and was distracted, his eyes eagerly following her, as she went about her duties.
"Look, there she is!"
Laura glanced over, but the flame-haired Aussie wasn't playing the game this time.
"I don't think she's seen me. Perhaps I should go over and say hello?"
"Just wait a moment," said Laura reaching to stop him. "Where are the toilets?"
Jonathan pointed her in the right direction and continued rolling his cigarette.
Laura then followed Beth back into the bar area.
"Excuse me, but are you still serving lunch?"
"Yes we are," replied Beth helpfully, as she passed Laura two menu's. "We also have today's specials written up on the board."
"Thank-you," said Laura. She could easily see why her brother had taken such a fancy to the petite redhead. "I'm here with my brother, it's such a beautiful place. I'm amazed I've never been before."
The transformation was immediate. Beth's face broke into a broad smile, revealing a set of perfect, white teeth.
"That's so nice of you to say. My parents own it. We've only been here a year ourselves."
Job done! Laura took the menu's and went back out to join her brother, knowing that Beth would soon be following.
"Silly me, I forgot the menu's didn't I?"
"Yes, you did Jonathan, but you are a man, so I can't expect too much!"
He laughed and began to read the contents out loudly.
"The ploughman's are enormous here, I think I'll have one of those."
Laura took her seat again. She had done her part, but she just didn't feel hungry, and eyed the menu with little enthusiasm. Her earlier, despondent mood had returned.
"It's getting colder Jonathan, perhaps we should go inside?"
Jonathan was distracted again, but this time it wasn't by Beth.
"I can't believe it!"
"Jonathan, what are you going on about?"
"That bloke you went out with who stood you up."
"You mean Nick?"
"Yes, that's the one. He's here!"
"He can't be!" Gasped Laura, looking shocked.
"I've just seen him walk into the bar."
Just then Beth appeared right on cue.
"Hi Jonathan, nice to see again!" She beamed.
"Wow Beth, what a lovely surprise. I forgot you said you worked on Thursdays!" He babbled excitedly. "This is my sister, Laura."
"Yes, we've already met. So are you ready to order?"
"I'll have a ham ploughman's. What about you Laura?"
"Nothing thanks," she muttered, as she watched Nick emerge from the bar, and begin to walk towards her.
It had been Nick who had noticed Laura first. He had observed her for a couple of moments while she and Jonathan chatted to the barmaid. He saw how her mind was wandering, and how she kept staring out across the river. He surveyed her blonde locks, her beautiful neck, that he loved to kiss so much. How could he have been such a fool.
As he neared the table she saw him. But, he couldn't make out if it was a look of pleasure or disappointment on her face.
"Hello Laura." He said hesitantly, before acknowledging Jonathan. There was a long pause, as Laura's blue eyes met with the brown of his.
"This is an unexpected surprise. So what brings you here?" She asked, her tone mocking.
"Laura, I've been to your house. I wanted to find you. Your mother said you would be here."
"Well now you've found me, what do you want?"
Jonathan squirmed uncomfortably in his chair.
"Look, I think I'll leave you lovebirds to get on with it." He remarked, standing up to make good his escape.
Nick took over the vacant seat, and sat looking directly at Laura, however, she chose to turn away from him.
"Please Laura, I know you're angry with me. I've made a terrible, stupid mistake, which I'm paying for."
"Nick, why didn't you tell me you didn't want to see me anymore? A phone call, or even a letter would have done. But no, you let me wait all alone in that cafe. I even went to the Devonshire Arms to look for you. It was there I learnt from Roberto that you had gone back to your wife."
Jonathan could hear his sister's voice getting louder as he stepped into the pub, glad to be away.
"So, I've finally got you all to myself have I?" Smiled Beth, watching him approach the bar.
"I'm escaping!" He replied, looking relieved. "My sister's long-lost boyfriend is here. Things are getting a bit heavy!"
"I thought you two were together when you first arrived. Your sister is very beautiful, she's like a model. I couldn't compete with her."
Jonathan gazed deeply into Beth's green eyes. He wanted her so badly.
"You can compete, Beth. I think you're absolutely stunning!"
"Thank-you!" She replied, delighted with his compliment.
"I want to ask you something Beth."
She quickly stopped what she was doing and listened intently.
"What do you want to ask me, Jonathan?" She asked, fluttering her eyelashes.
"How long is my ploughman's going to be? I'm famished!"
She laughed and mockingly went to hit him.
"You're a funny one! I'll go and see."
He pulled up a bar stool and looked out of the window. Laura and Nick still appeared to be in deep discussion. He was glad he never got into problems with women like that, he surmised as he finished off his pint of Guinness. Beth returned a few seconds later and placed the most gigantic ploughman's lunch he had ever seen in front of him.
"You need fattening up!" She grinned.
"I'm glad you realise what us students have to go through!" He replied, biting into the crusty bread hungrily.
"Your sister looks upset." Said Beth, glancing outside.
Laura had stood up, and now had her back to Nick. He then got up and to moved behind her.
"I know about the baby." He said.
It only took Laura a few seconds to realise where he must have got this information from.
"My mother had no right telling you that." She snapped.
"I'm pleased she did, Laura. I want to be here for you, after all I am the child's father." He put his arms around her, but she pushed him away.
"Please Nick, you don't understand. Just go away and leaver me alone."
"But Laura, you don't realise what you're saying. I've left Sandra. I only want you. I want us to be happy."
She sat back down, with her head in her hands.
"Nick, you're not the father of my child."
There followed a silence that seemed to last an eternity.
"What do you mean, Laura, of course I'm the father, who else could it be?"
She turned to face him, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"That night you stood me up. I went out. I was angry. I got drunk." She sobbed, turning away from him again.
"You mean you're saying, you slept with someone else?"
"Yes, I slept with someone else. There, you have it now. I did it because I was so upset with you."
Nick looked down, his face a mask of pain.
"Is it really true, Laura?"
"Yes, Nick. It's true."
"So who was it, anyone I know?" He asked sarcastically.
"Lincoln Greene." She replied, with a hint of rebelliousness in her voice. "He's a registrar in A&E."
"Yes, I know who he is, and I know of his reputation too."
Now it was his turn to get up, and stare out at the river.
"So, is he going to stand by you?"
"I don't know." She answered back abruptly. "He doesn't even know I'm pregnant. He's gone off to America."
Nick wanted the ground to open up, and swallow him whole. He couldn't come to terms with what she had just told him. He glanced across at her one last time, before turning, and walking away.
Beth suddenly reached across the bar and gently shook Jonathan's arm.
"I think your sister needs you."
Jonathan got up and walked out of the bar, returning to where Laura was still sitting.
"He's gone Jonathan. I turned him away. Why do we always hurt those we love the most?" Said Laura, remorsefully.
He placed his arm around his sister and held her tight. She sobbed into his chest, huge tears of grief. She sobbed for herself, for Lincoln, for Nick, and for her mother. But most of all, she sobbed for the baby and the terrible realisation of what she would have to do. She remembered seeing the pamphlet about the clinic at home, and had taken a note of the number just in case, but never thinking for a moment that it would ever come to this.
"Did you ask Beth out Jonathan?" She asked, trying to put a brave face on things.
"No sis, I didn't." He replied softly, still holding her tight.
"What a pair of losers we are."
"Perhaps not." Said Jonathan, noticing Nick walking back along the towpath. He nudged Laura, and she glanced up, her heart beating wildly.
"I thought you had gone?" She whispered, as Nick pulled up another chair.
"I can't go Laura. I can't leave you again. I'll be the child's father. I'll bring the child up as if it were mine."
"That could be rather difficult Nick, the baby will be black!" Replied Laura, trying to laugh through her tears.
"I don't mind, I'll love the child like I love you. If you'll let me."
She looked up at him, and wiped her eyes. She then left Jonathan's arms and went to Nick's.
"I'll let you," She heard herself whisper, as she fell into his embrace.
"You look like you need another drink?" Asked Beth, as Jonathan wandered back into the bar.
"Do you believe in true love Beth?"
"I don't really know. I've seen it in movies, but why do you ask?"
"Because, I think I've just witnessed it!"
"You're a right old softy, aren't you?" She joked looking into his watery eyes.
"Yes, I really think I might be." He replied with a mischievous grin. "Beth, there's something I want to ask you."
She placed her hands on her hips and looked at him squarely.
"You want another pint?"
"No, in fact I wanted to know if you would do me the honour of coming on a date with me?"
"Very nicely put for a student. I thought you would never ask!" She smiled.
"Well, I'm asking."
"And I finish at three!"
"I'll wait for you then." He replied, trying his hardest not to do a cartwheel in front of her.
It had taken Mark a little longer than expected to lay the turf in Sally's garden. But after placing the final piece, he had a good look around to ensure everything was perfect before leaving. He didn't say goodbye to Sally, he knew she still had her crosses to bear, and as far as things went, he had fulfilled his obligation to repair the damage done by Jamie.
Mark had made a phone call a couple of days earlier and now wanted to act on the result of that conversation. He would drive back, have a shower, make sure the businesses were running okay, and then go over to see Pauline with the good news.
Although Mark was overseeing the two nightclubs, he didn't really have a great deal to do on the face of it. Both locations had experienced managers. Anne was doing a wonderful job looking after Lake's, and with great hindsight, Frank had decided to retain the original manager at Swann's. So it was only the day-to-day operations of the Gant Carriage Company that concerned him the most, and this he could do blindfolded.
Pauline had given Mark his own key to the house she once shared with Frank, and had told him to come and go as he pleased. Mark though, felt very uncomfortable viewing this as his new home, what with the constant reminders of his old boss being ever present. Pauline however, was content to remain there and had said nothing about moving, so it was just a case of Mark having to live with his feelings and get used to his new surroundings.
It was mid afternoon and Pauline had asked him to take her to Lake's so she could re-establish her authority over the highly ambitious Anne, whom she suspected of having an affair with her late husband. Pauline also wanted to totally transform the office and secret area. She couldn't bear the thought of having to sit in the same area where Frank had been slain. The possibility of selling Lake's was also an option she was seriously considering. First, though, Mark wanted to present her with the surprise he had gone to such great lengths to bring about.
Pauline was already downstairs when he arrived and was busy trying to fix her raven hair with one arm still in a sling. He always had to be wary approaching Pauline, as he could never quite tell what sort of mood she would be in. Oddly, the demise of Frank, seemed to have had a positive effect on Pauline, although she would be the last to ever admit it. Her life was now her own, it was easier and a lot less traumatic than living in fear of suddenly being beaten by a drink-crazed brute, intent on causing mayhem. Having Jamie living there, also had a settling effect on Pauline. She would busy herself helping him with his homework and getting his school uniform ready. She rarely spoke of Frank, or her lover, Claire and appeared totally unfazed by the thought of the up-coming court case. But to Mark, he sensed she was missing something. Perhaps, it was Frank. Perhaps in some sort of perverse way she had grown to accept the beatings and harsh treatment as a sign that he loved her in his own deluded way. Mark could only ever offer her his unconditional love, loyalty and a steady platform in which to plan for the future. But could a woman like Pauline Gant ever be content with this, to live and function in an ordinary lifestyle. He didn't know, but if he persevered, perhaps one day, Pauline would love him, like she had Frank.
"What are you looking so happy about?" She asked suspiciously.
"Next year, is going to be our year, Pauline. The businesses are going to thrive, we'll expand and take on new staff. The world is going to be our oyster." He replied cheerfully. "But first, I think you, Jamie and I need a break."
"You're full of it today," she remarked sarcastically. "What are you going on about?"
"I've booked us a week's holiday in New York. We're going on Concorde!" He exclaimed proudly, while casually tossing the envelope containing the tickets onto the table.
"What about the court case?" Asked Pauline, picking up the envelope.
"That's not for a while yet, besides, they've got Claire, she's the one who did it. It'll be her who goes down."
Pauline wasn't entirely convinced.
"What about Jamie, and taking him out of school?"
"I've already spoken to the school, and they agree, he needs some time away."
"I hate flying, Mark."
"It's the Concorde Pauline, you'll love it. We can even go shopping to get you some new outfits to take, or you can just buy them in New York!"
It was working. Pauline started to warm to the idea of the big apple, and began to visualize herself as an international, high-flying business woman. Jamie was equally excited about the trip and went to the library and asked endless questions about the super sonic jet.
The big day finally arrived, it was Pauline and Mark's wedding, although it had all been somewhat of a rush. Mark was desperate to make Pauline his wife at long last, and had booked their ceremony at the local registry office to coincide with the trip to New York. It would be perfect, a small wedding with no fuss, just close family and a few friends and acquaintances, then off to the big apple the following day. It would be the perfect honeymoon.
Pauline's weight had plummeted recently, what with all the stress and strain surrounding Tina's suicide and Frank's murder. But the weight loss couldn't have come at a better time, for she fitted perfectly into her cream-coloured, size twelve wedding dress. It was meant to resemble a 1940s film star look; long, and tight-fitting, with a plunging neckline complete with huge shoulders pads.
Pauline for once felt proud and dignified as she climbed out of the white Rolls Royce, gripping her elderly father's arm, and making her way into the registry office.
Compared to a formal church wedding it was dismal. The council offices were grey, drab and barren. However, once inside things did start to improve. The actual room where the ceremony was to take place was very light and airy, and was pleasantly bedecked with beautiful flowers of all shapes and sizes.
Mark smiled across warmly at Pauline, and it lifted his heart to see her smile back at him. It was rare to see any emotion on her face these days, other than pain. The wedding was also a far cry from her earlier farce of a marriage to Frank. He had gone through with it against his will and had made sure everyone was aware, that he was marrying Pauline under protest. Now she was marrying someone who actually loved and cared for her. Perhaps, in hindsight she should have left Frank much earlier, and Tina could well be still alive today.
It wasn't a long ceremony and was attended by no more than thirty guests, mostly from Mark's family, although there were some senior employees from both the clubs and the car company present.
Once Pauline and Mark had signed the register and photo's had been taken, the guests were ushered back out into the foyer. It was during this time that Pauline noticed the registrar in deep conversation with the police inspector who had questioned Pauline about Frank's shooting when she was in hospital. She didn't say anything to Mark as it may have been purely innocent. But why would a police inspector investigating a murder case be talking to the registrar at Pauline's wedding? A chill ran down her spine as the abrupt, grey-haired registrar approached her.
