We had supper at my parents’ home and that was pretty much a bust, too. Eddie pleading a fake headache, went home, leaving me to listen to my siblings half-hearted bickering.
My mother glanced at me repeatedly, her eyes sad. She knew I wasn’t happy. I sat away from her, having no wish to share my marital woes. She respected my silence.
I worked every day after that, while Eddie spent a few days at home.
In January Eddie began his training as a fitness instructor and I said nothing.
Brigid, always a steadfast friend, spent a few evenings with me.
Sad as it was, I was relieved to spend my spare time with Brigid. Eddie said nothing. I don’t think he even knew. He didn’t know or care where I was. We were remote strangers living in the same house. It was easier pretending our lives were too busy to share anything meaningful.
Something had to give, but I wasn’t ready to rock the boat. Not yet.
But I had no intention of continuing this rubbishy marriage.
Shona and Martin wouldn’t return from Sydney until the end of February. I desperately wanted to share my disillusion with her. However, her anxieties about meeting Martin’s family and spending Christmas in an Australian summer, were her focus. She’d worked herself into tizzy, wondering if his family would like her, and worrying about snakes, poisonous spiders, sharks and crocodiles. All of them irrational, but real to her, no matter how much Martin assured her she wouldn’t see most of them in Sydney. Certainly not crocodiles. And, he’d said, eyes twinkling, there were no sharks in the family’s back-yard swimming pool.
There’d been no time for consoling get-togethers before she flew off. Shona knew I’d been unhappy for months, but the depths of angst I felt were still unknown to her.
Maybe all my problems would be over by the time she returned home. Or not.
It was only after we’d had tearful goodbye hugs and I’d gone home to an empty house that I let the waterworks begin. I allowed an hour or so of pity-partying before pulling myself together.
Brigid became my mainstay. Her down to earth bluntness kept me both amused and challenged. Spending at least one evening a week with her and just as frequently on the weekends, my thoughts clarified.
Chapter Twelve
February arrived and so did my birthday. Against my better judgement I chose to have a dinner party at home. Why? Because it was time to see where I stood with our gang of friends, and my husband, away from a noisy pub environment. The relative peace of my home might shed light on friends and non-friends. Home ground for me, where I had more courage.
Foolish or not, Lisa and Bianca were invited.
It was a disaster from the start. At heart I’d known it would be.
Wine, raw vegetables, soft cheese and dips served, I returned to the safety of the kitchen, my stomach in knots. My supporter hadn’t arrived.
She found me a few minutes later.
‘Where’s the birthday girl?’ Brigid peeked round the door, stopping on seeing my misery. ‘Hey, honey, what’s up?’ She came in and took my hands.
‘Everything,’ I replied, sniffing. ‘Bugger it, I need to blow my nose.’ I groped for the tissue box on the shelf. ‘Oh, shit, have I ruined my eye makeup?’ I turned to her for inspection.
‘Just a bit, here, let me help.’ She dabbed at the errant mascara with another tissue. ‘There, done, you look fine. Let me guess. It’s your birthday from hell already?’
‘Eddie gave me a diet book for my birthday. Lisa and Bianca are having a private conversation, Fiona’s sitting with them, Eddie, too. And now I’m wondering if they’re bitching about me behind my back and Tony and Andy look like loose ends sitting with nothing to say.’ I took a deep breath, ‘I should have ordered takeaway instead of bothering to cook. No, wait.’ I grimaced anxiously. ‘You and I should have gone to see a movie. Who cares which one?’
‘Eddie’s an idiot. Diet books are like junk food, good for an occasional breakout. But Eddie said you’d love to cook tonight’s dinner.’ Fuming, she looked away. ‘That’s the last time I listen to him. God, he’s so boring, isn’t he?’
I flashed her an incredulous look and burst out laughing. ‘You’re right. Although, we never talk enough for me to know what he talks about now. I’m guessing it’s the gym and work. And…er, the gym and work.’ I giggled. I took a deep breath. ‘You’ve made me laugh. No mean feat these days. Thank you.’ I hugged her.
She handed me a wrapped gift. ‘I know I’m not in Shona’s league when it comes to shopping, but I thought you’d like this.’
Grinning, I unwrapped it. ‘This is gorgeous.’ I held up a brightly woven tote.
‘Isn’t it, though? It’s made from recycled sari cotton and jute.’ She winked. ‘I know you like to recycle stuff, low waste and all that, and your face tells me it’s a success.’
‘It is.’ I hugged her again.
‘Tell you what, why don’t you and I have a girls’ day out on Saturday and hit the shops and I’ll treat you to lunch?’
‘Sounds good.’ I smiled weakly. ‘So long as we have lots of wine.’
‘You’re on.’ Brigid grinned. ‘C’mon, let’s go face the masses.’ She linked her arm with mine.
The atmosphere could accurately be described as strained – until the meal was served. With everyone seated at the table, Brigid helped me carry through the Moroccan lamb and mujaddara dishes, plus a platter piled high with steamed vegetables sprinkled with sesame seeds.
My first inkling of trouble came from Bianca. Of course.
‘Um, Rose,’ Bianca said, tone hesitant, eyes wounded, emulating a victim of cruelty.
I looked up, instinct telling me Bianca would hit me with a devious dirty trick.
‘Yes, Bianca?’ I looked at her, affecting sweetness and light, hiding sweaty hands under the table. I’d been mentally gearing up for malice.
She wrinkled her nose, eyeing the mounds of food on the table.
‘Rose, did you cook something for me?’ She gave a piteous look around the table, assessing reactions.
‘Well, there’s lamb, which you’ve always loved and a rice and lentil dish plus vegetables.’ What the hell? I loved these dishes, but my appetite disappeared.
‘Rose,’ she said, eyes snapping contempt. ‘I’m a vegetarian, I can’t eat the lamb.’
‘Since when?’ I shot her a skeptical frown.
‘Since about three weeks ago.’ She had her helpless victim look – eyes wide and dark with hurt.
‘Considering I haven’t seen you since that pathetic nastiness in December, how could I possibly know?’ Of course I didn’t know. Or care.
‘Everyone else knows,’ Bianca stated, her smile vindictive.
‘No, they don’t,’ Brigid butted in. ‘I didn’t know. Does everyone else know, or is it just me and Rose?’
‘I knew.’ Eddie’s face tightened in disapproval as he glared at me.
Of course he knew. Prick.
‘I had no idea,’ Andy agreed.
‘Oh, well,’ Bianca looked down at the table, crestfallen. ‘I did tell everyone. I suppose it’s not really important to anyone else.’
‘Not really,’ Brigid said. ‘You should have had the good manners to call Rose and let her know you wanted to be difficult.’
An accusation of rudeness silenced Bianca. She looked to Eddie, then Lisa for backup.
‘If you knew, Eddie, you should have told me,’ I said, returning his cold gaze.
He turned to me with a hint of derision. ‘I thought I had told you.’
‘Well, you didn’t.’
My eyes flashed fury. Don’t you dare try and wrongfoot me with this little bitch, especially in front of everyone. The gnawing pit my stomach went into overdrive.
I turned to Bianca, mentally girding myself. ‘It’s your loss if you turn down the lamb. However, the rice and lentil dish can be eaten as a meal in itself, and it’s a healthy vegetarian alternative. Plus, lots of lovely vegetables, which,’ I added, ‘should b
e served up now before they go cold.’
‘Oh, but Rose, I don’t like lentils.’
Brigid threw down her napkin. ‘Bianca,’ she said, eyes sparking danger, ‘this is Rose’s birthday, she’s spent the day cooking and here you are throwing her beautiful meal in her face and expecting everyone to feel sorry for you. Stop being such a cow and make yourself some toast while the rest of us eat without your poisonous presence.’
There was a frisson of consternation, followed by an immediate division of allegiance through our already fractured group. Detached, a corner of me watched everyone’s reactions, mentally applauding Brigid’s brutal honesty.
Eddie tossed down his napkin and surged to his feet, glaring at me, he took Bianca’s elbow.
‘Yes, Bianca, let’s make toast. I’ll have some with you. Anyone else suddenly find this meal unpalatable?’ He challenged the whole table while Bianca tried her hardest not to smirk.
Lisa gave Tony a meaningful glare, kicking him under the table when he didn’t leap to his feet and join the exodus. He responded with an impassive face, eyes boring into hers. She quailed, face flushing. He stood up.
‘Sorry, Rose, this is your birthday. You’re going to hate this day for years, but I can’t take sides, it’s ridiculous! I think it’s best if we go home. As for you, mate.’ He addressed Eddie. ‘Your priorities suck. Coming, Lisa.’ He shook her arm. She hesitated, torn between loyalty to husband and misbegotten loyalty to her foul friend. In the end she nodded.
‘Sorry, Rose,’ she said, uncomfortable, but not at all sorry. Tony tugged her arm again. They left, Lisa hiding her face.
Brigid sat, appalled and uncomfortable. ‘Bloody hell, Rose. Look at the sneaky bitch.’ She pointed an accusing finger at Bianca. ‘She’s more loathsome than ever. She still has the morals of a filthy scrubber. She needs exorcising.’
Speechless, Bianca gaped.
‘No-one ever spoken to you so truthfully before?’ Brigid sneered. ‘Do you want more honesty?’
White with shock, Eddie grabbed Bianca’s arm and stalked into the kitchen, the swing door flapping back and forth. Not slamming hard, the way Eddie surely would have preferred.
Seeing my misery, Brigid came and knelt at my feet. ‘She expected lackeys to follow, and just had her comeuppance. You don’t need to worry about us. We can see what she’s doing.’ Brigid tilted her head to include everyone.
‘Shit, yeah,’ Andy said. ‘Even I, a mere male, can see she’s toxic.’
I held up my hands. ‘See this? My hands are shaking. I don’t know what to do. I’ve done nothing wrong, yet here we are, taking sides again. This isn’t school anymore, we’re supposed to be rational adults.’
Fiona, a permanent fence-sitter, stirred uncomfortably. ‘Well, the thing is, it’s her word against yours every time and I’m buggered if I know which one to believe.’ Face stubborn, she stared at each of us. ‘Well, it’s true. I’ve only known you all for a few months, but Bianca’s been the only one who’s made an effort to be friends with me.’
True. We all realized in that moment that, while she’d been showered with Bianca’s charm offensive, the rest of us hadn’t tried.
Brigid glared at her. ‘What the hell would you know? Bianca’s been a thief and a liar all her life. We’re not that stupid, either. When Bianca’s wooing you, we all get stabbed in the back. Maybe if we’d tried to be your friend, you’d have seen her true colors.’
‘Maybe I saw all your true colors.’
Brigid levelled a filthy look at her. ‘Wow, she really fooled you, didn’t she? She’s a thief. She’d have stolen from you, if you sat still for long enough.’
Skeptical, Fiona pursed her lips.
‘Don’t believe me, you fool. I don’t care. Try giving that snake a second, third and fourth chance, as Rose has, and see how she’s repays you. Right now, that floozy’s doing her best to steal her husband.’ She glanced at me apologetically. ‘All too true, I’m sorry to say. And tonight it looks like Eddie’s made his choice. Sorry, Rose,’ she said, pity and frustration in her face.
Lingering in the air was an ‘I told you so’. She had enough tact not to utter it.
‘Maybe it’s come to that. If it’s true, I have to face it now.’ I raised my head, determined. ‘You know what? The gloves are off forever. I have absolutely no idea how this will proceed, but while I live here that toxic little shit isn’t allowed back in my house. It ends tonight and Eddie can either stand by me or leave.’
‘Good on you, Rose.’ Andy, fixed anxious eyes on me. ‘That evil little witch is like a cancer inside our band of diehards. It may be too late to save some of us, but the time has come to cut her right out. I’m with you all the way.’
‘Thanks, Andy.’ I managed a wan half-smile, reaching out to touch his arm. I waved a hand at the congealing dinner. ‘Sorry about all this. What a waste.’
‘Don’t worry about it. It’s just a shame you went to all this trouble only to waste it all.’ Brigid looked at the meal with a sigh. ‘And I was so looking forward to your Moroccan lamb, too.’
I stood on shaking legs.
‘It seems you made your choice, Fiona, and that puts you in enemy territory. Given you’re in my house, you can get out before I drag you out. Don’t bother coming back.’
Shocked, face stark white, she lingered. ‘Won’t you give me another chance?’ she asked, lips trembling.
Where had I heard that before? Oh yes. From Bianca. What a fucked-up choice that had been.
‘Why the hell would I do that? You just called me a liar. In my own home. I owe you nothing. Especially after you chose to side with that leg-spreading slut. And, trust me, now this gang of friends has gone belly-up, she’ll drop you as if you never existed.’ I turned to Andy. ‘Would you get rid of her, please.’ I turned my back on her.
He led her out, polite as ever.
‘Thank God for that.’ Brigid rolled her eyes. ‘What did she want? A front row seat to more hostilities?’
Andy returned.
‘Brigid and I are staying. You’re my friend, much more so than Eddie, and you need our help. Bianca won’t leave if we’re not here to back you up. Eddie will make sure of it. But with three of us standing steadfast, we won’t give her any choice.’
My hands curled into fists. ‘Let’s do it.’
We swept into the kitchen. Wary, Bianca and Eddie sat at the breakfast bar.
I showed her my fists. ‘Bianca, get out of my house. Now.’
Stunned, she turned to Eddie for cues. Flummoxed, his mouth opened, nothing came out. He snapped it closed. He’d miscalculated his charms. And Bianca had overestimated her influence. This wasn’t school anymore, adults played on a whole different level.
‘You can’t order her out of our house’’ he blustered. ‘It’s my house, too.’
‘It was my house long before it was yours. This evil little bloodsucker goes. Get out, Bianca.’
Implacable, Andy moved towards her. ‘If you don’t leave willingly, I’ll put you on the doorstep myself.’
‘Don’t you dare touch me,’ Bianca shrieked, panicking. ‘I’ll have you up for assault.’
‘Not bloody likely.’ Andy said. ‘Plenty of eyewitnesses here to testify you’re lying.’
‘Wouldn’t be the first time, would it? The police know you.’ Brigid sneered. ‘You’re a talented little liar. Peeing in public, shoplifting, underage sex. We’ve known your tricks for years. You dirty slapper. You’ve managed to convince Steady Eddie here, but how long for, I wonder.’
Denounced, Bianca flounced to her feet, a contemptuous sneer contorting her face. She stormed into the hall. Eddie scurried after her, eyes desperate.
We followed.
‘Don’t forget your handbag, Bianca.’ Brigid dangled it from her fingers. She dropped it on the floor before Bianca could grab it. Messy contents spilled everywhere. ‘Oops.’
Bianca scrabbled on the floor, picking up tampons, coins, pens, condoms, used tissues, assorted r
ubbish and a cigarette packet. Eddie was on his knees helping her.
‘Thought you’d given up smoking.’ Brigid said. ‘Yet another lie?’
Her face reddening, Bianca didn’t respond. Eddie paused, uncertainty clouding his face.
I looked at my husband fumbling on the floor. Suddenly, I felt as if floated above everything looking down at a complete stranger from a great height. A few seconds later my brain reoriented to normal. Staring at him, brows knitted, I saw him in a different light. Not a good one.
Bianca pulled herself to her feet, straightening her clothes, attempting dignity where it couldn’t be found. ‘Excuse me.’ She turned her back on all of us, opened the door and walked out into the night.
Eddie hovered in the hallway, torn between what Bianca would think and what his friends would think. I drew a shaky breath, unhappiness a hard lump in my throat. Everything had changed.
Where could we possibly go from here?
‘You have explaining to do.’ Andy stood toe-to-toe with Eddie, fists clenched, ready to deck him.
‘No, I don’t. This is between me and my wife.’
‘Apparently there’s nothing between you and your wife,’ Brigid said, her voice cutting. ‘You’re never here. Your wife and I have been getting together every week, for fun, something she never has with you. You’re a sneaky little shit, aren’t you?’ She leaned in jabbing his chest. ‘What have you been up to? Screwing the slag that just left? Or just screwing everyone you can lay your hands on?’
‘You can go fuck yourself, Brigid. And before you do that, you can get out of my house.’ He pointed to the door, fingers shaking, mustering rage. ‘Get out! Now!’
She turned to me. Seeing my alarm, she turned back. ‘No. I don’t think so. She’s scared of what you’ll do if Andy and I leave you alone together.’
He ignored me. ‘I’m not going to hit her.’ He flicked a contemptuous hand in my direction. ‘But I would like you two to go.’ He pointed to the door. ‘Now get out!’
Impassive, they refused to go.
Powerless, his body sagged.
He flipped a sulky glare. ‘Okay. I’ll go. I have friends I can stay with tonight.’ He turned to me, scornful. ‘When I’m back tomorrow night, I expect to be able to talk to you without “friends” shoving their noses into our business.’ Face fixed in a sneer, he grabbed his keys, yanked a coat from the hall cupboard and left, slamming the door.
Promises Made- Promises Kept Page 16
